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Sale 22
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Lot 60
Inventory of the Estate of Charles Thomson, Secretary of the Continental Congress. Inventory list of the personal estate of Charles Thomson, as witnessed by his son, John Thomson, September 22 and 23, 1824, 12 pages large folio, plus an additional 4½ x 10 inch final addendum page. Thomson passed away on August 16, 1824, in Lower Merion, Pennsylvania. The list, consisting of approximately 600 items, contains a cornucopia of historically-relevant associations of the American Revolution and the major figures in it. Of primary interest are the following: "Tea Urn presented by The Congress of '74," "Engraving and profile of Jefferson," "Bust of Paul Jones," "Engraving of Dr. Franklin," "Inaugural Address of Jefferson (on satin)," etc. The incredible library listings include: Defense of the American Constitution, Jefferson's Notes on Virginia "presented by him," Constitutions of The Several States by Authority of Congress, "16 odd volumes. of The Journals of Congress," "General H. Lee's Oration Before Congress on the Death of Washington," "Morris's Statement of the Accounts of the U.S. from 1781-1784," and many other important volumes too numerous to list. The hundreds of magnificent household items listed give an in-depth picture of a gentleman's life of the Federalist period. A fantastic, tangible record reflecting on the life of one of the most important members of the Continental Congress. The larger pages, all separated by halves, have been carefully reattached by archival tape. Some other small margin tears, but the document is sound overall, with dark pen and very legible writing. A rare and unique opportunity for the Revolutionary War collector!
Charles Thomson was unanimously chosen Secretary of the Continental Congress in 1774 and he served as its only secretary for fifteen years, until 1789. Abbé Robin, chaplain of Rochambeau, said, "He was the soul of that political body." Thomson would accept no pay for his first year's services, and Congress presented his wife with a silver urn. His reputation for integrity was exceptional. He was chosen by the Lenape Indians to keep records of "The Treaty of Easton" in 1757, and the Delawares adopted him into their nation in 1756, calling him in their tongue, "man of truth." He was one of the first to take his stand with the Colonialists and he exercised immense influence. "He was the Sam Adams of Philadelphia," said John Adams, "the life of the cause of liberty." It was Charles Thomson who was given the honor of notifying George Washington that he had been elected President. A first-hand witness of the Revolution, Thomson kept copious notes for his history of the Revolution, that he later published. He destroyed his original manuscripts before his death, fearing that a description of the unpatriotic conduct of some of the Colonialists would "give pain to their descendants."
Estimated Value $10,000 - 12,000.
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| Realized $8,338 |
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