Lot 222
Washington, George. Partly-printed Document Signed "G:o Washington" as Commander-in-Chief, 1 p., 11½" x 8", Head-Quarters, 9 June 1783. "These are to Certify that the Bearer hereof Edmund E. Hill Matross in the 2nd New York artillary Regiment, having faithfully served the United States from the 1st Jany. 1777 untill the present period and being inlisted for the War only, is hereby Discharged from the American Army." Also signed by "J Trumbull Jun.," Washington's aide-de-camp, and by the adjutant, James Bradford. The lower part of the document notes that Hill "has been honored with the Badge of Merit for Six Years faithful Service…." Printed on the verso is the statement that the certificate "shall not avail the Bearer as a Discharge, until the Ratification of the definitive Treaty of Peace"; until that time, he should be considered on furlough. Signed in print by George Washington. A matross was a soldier who assisted artillery gunners in loading, firing, sponging, and moving the guns. The document is not in great condition; it is worn and toned, trimmed at top and bottom (a couple of lines are missing at bottom), with a few small areas of paper loss. That being said, Washington's signature is quite bold, and it is still a valuable Revolutionary War discharge. It has been handsomely matted with a small image of Washington and a biographical plaque and housed in an impressive antique-gold frame; its overall size is 24" x 25½". Ready for display.
The document is accompanied by photocopies of documents regarding Hill's Revolutionary War service: muster rolls for Nov. 1779 through April 1783; and three 1820 documents for his pension, including two declarations detailing his enlistment in 1777 for three years as a carpenter in Col. Hay's Regt., Capt John Wood's company, and his subsequent enlistment as a matross in the summer of 1779 for the duration of the war, in Capt. Andrew Moody's company of artillery under Col. John Lamb, 2nd New York Regt. of Artillery, where he served until his discharge 9 June 1783. He further states that two men named Hackett and Holly took his discharge signed by Gen. Washington some seven years ago (c. 1813) in order to obtain some land in his name, and that he has never seen it since. Another document from Haverhill, Massachusetts records shows that Hill was born in Manchester, England (1746) and arrived in America in 1767; he died in 1821 at the age of 75.
Estimated Value $8,000 - 12,000.
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| Realized $13,225 |
