Raynors HCA 2017-12
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/7/2017
A rare grouping of American Revolutionary War Massachusetts Militia captain's documents being six manuscript receipts issued to Minuteman Captain Jacob Gerrish, various sizes and conditions, Vp, April 1775 to January [1776] and June 1778. Jacob Gerrish (1739-1817) of Newbury, MA was a captain of a company of minutemen who answered the Lexington alarm in April 1775, and went on to serve as an officer in the Continental Army and the Massachusetts Militia through 1779. First, is the earliest document in this lot is dated 17 April 1775--the day before Paul Revere's ride and two days before the Battle of Lexington. An order to deliver three gallons of rum to Jacob Gerrish, addressed by Nathaniel Adams to Abraham Adams and receipted on verso, it would seem to be one of the last acts of Gerrish's civilian life before the war began. Second, is a 8 July 1775 receipt to "Capt. Jacob Gerrish by the hand of Silas Adams, six shillings lawfill money." Gerrish had assumed the title of Captain and was in Cambridge for the siege of Boston. Third, is dated 28 September 1775 "Prospect Hill" in what is now Somerville, overlooking Boston. It is a request from Eliphalet Poor, apparently one of Gerrish's soldiers, to turn over a portion of his wages to a third party. Fourth is a similar 24 November 1775 order that is signed by Benjamin Poor, requesting payment to Nathaniel Adams. Fifth, is an inventory receipt, dated "Cambridge, Jan'y 2 1775" was clearly misdated in 1776, as Gerrish is named as Captain and is on the front north of Boston rather than at home. It lists his personal purchases of a handkerchief, knives and forks, a pepper box and a mug from a local merchant. Six, Winter Hill (now Somerville), 14 June 1778 for "sundries delivered out of the states store" by Gerrish, by then a militia colonel. Some unevenly toned with moderate edge wear.
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