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Lot Essay
George WASHINGTON (1732-1799) Document signed "Go:Washington" as Commander-in-Chief, Newburgh, 13 June 1783.
Two pages, 9 3/4 x 7 1/4 in (248 x 183mm). (Trimmed and laid into a larger sheet, weak fold repaired on verso.) Framed.
Washington signs Moses Burnam's "discharge" from the Continental Army. Burnham had served for "six years and four Month[s]," primarily with the 8th Massachusetts regiment under the command of Col. Michael Jackson. Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors in the Revolutionary War notes that Burnham was from Ipswich, a sailor by profession, and, according to a 1781 descriptive list of enlisted men, was aged 27, stood 5 foot 7 inches, had a dark complexion with dark brown hair (Vol. II, p. 865). He joined the Continental Army in March 1777 and with the 8th Massachusetts Regiment, would have seen action at Saratoga. In June 1783, with the preliminary articles of peace announced, Washington furloughed the large majority of the Continental Army at Newburgh, New York–issuing each soldier a signed certificate of their service. Jonathan Trumbull, one of Washington's aides-de-camp also signs and an adjutant has filled out portions of the present document and signed at the bottom. On the reverse, a note clarifies that "THE within CERTIFICATE shall not avail the Bearer as a Discharge, until the Ratification of the definitive Treaty of Peace; previous to which Time, and until Proclamation thereof shall be made, He is to be considered as being on Furlough."
Two pages, 9 3/4 x 7 1/4 in (248 x 183mm). (Trimmed and laid into a larger sheet, weak fold repaired on verso.) Framed.
Washington signs Moses Burnam's "discharge" from the Continental Army. Burnham had served for "six years and four Month[s]," primarily with the 8th Massachusetts regiment under the command of Col. Michael Jackson. Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors in the Revolutionary War notes that Burnham was from Ipswich, a sailor by profession, and, according to a 1781 descriptive list of enlisted men, was aged 27, stood 5 foot 7 inches, had a dark complexion with dark brown hair (Vol. II, p. 865). He joined the Continental Army in March 1777 and with the 8th Massachusetts Regiment, would have seen action at Saratoga. In June 1783, with the preliminary articles of peace announced, Washington furloughed the large majority of the Continental Army at Newburgh, New York–issuing each soldier a signed certificate of their service. Jonathan Trumbull, one of Washington's aides-de-camp also signs and an adjutant has filled out portions of the present document and signed at the bottom. On the reverse, a note clarifies that "THE within CERTIFICATE shall not avail the Bearer as a Discharge, until the Ratification of the definitive Treaty of Peace; previous to which Time, and until Proclamation thereof shall be made, He is to be considered as being on Furlough."