Lot 439
1776 Payment For the Escort Of Captured Tory Governors. Pay Order to (Connecticut) Treasurer John Lawrence, signed by committee member T. Seymour, 4¾x8¼", n.p., 30 Sept. 1776. "Pay to Capt. John Skinner the Sum of Thirty pounds in Bills to defray the Expence of himself & Escort to Governors Brown & Skene & Order Governor & Council of Safety - & Charge the State. Sept 30th 1776…" Skinner signed on the verso that he received the money.
New York Tory governor Philip Skene was later exchanged for James Lovell, who had been arrested as a dissident in Boston by Gen. William Howe after the Battle of Bunker Hill. The Records of the Continental Congress note: "Resolved That General Washington be impowered to agree to the exchange of Governor Skene for Mr. James Lovell." Governor Brown (of the Bahamas) was captured on 2 Mar. 1775 by Capt. Esek Hopkins, in command of the first American Navy. Brown was later part of an exchange for generals Stirling and Sullivan. John Skinner rode off to the Lexington Alarm in April of 1775 and served as a captain in the Connecticut Militia Light Horse under Thomas Seymour. His regiment of Light Horse accompanied Washington on his retreat through New Jersey in December of 1776. He later became a captain in Sheldon's Regiment of Light Horse (2nd Continental Light Dragoons.).
Estimated Value $700 - 900.
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| Realized $805 |
