1777 Manuscript Receipt for Gunpowder – Probably Hartford, Connecticut

Description

1777 Manuscript Receipt for Gunpowder – Probably Hartford, Connecticut
Offered for your consideration is an unusual document regarding the delivery of and payment for gunpowder, possibly in preparation for the impending American Revolution. This document, somewhat difficult to read at points, states that “
For Value Recd I promise & Deliver unto Noah Risley & John Woodhouse by the first day of next may two casks of good Gunpowder or pay them Eight pound Eight Shillings in money the powder to be Delivered at E & S pipkins powder mill
”, followed by the date, “
March 5
th
1777
” and the signature of “
Elijah Granger
”. The back bears a manuscript notation reading “
Elijah Granger
/
Note for Powder
/
£8-8-0
”, along with a column of figures of significantly larger amounts. As noted earlier, many of the words are difficult to read, partially due to fading and partially due to poor penmanship (the date was initially mis-identified as 1797, though based on the names and dates involved, this piece must be of Revolutionary War vintage). Rarely seen type of document dealing with this military necessity. A wonderful piece that is surely worthy of further research.
Cursory research indicates that all of the individuals mentioned in the document were from the area around Hartford, Connecticut.
Noah Risley
was born around 1750 and died before December 22, 1800 in East Hartford, Connecticut.
John Woodhouse
was born on October 1, 1723 in Wethersfield, Hartford, Connecticut, and died in that same location, December 15, 1786. Apparently, Woodhouse was in the military, as he is listed in one resource as Lt. Capt. John Woodhouse (this may be his association with this document).
Elijah Granger
, the writer and signer of the document, was born on August 25, 1744 in Suffield, Hartford, Connecticut and died on December 14, 1814 in Athens, Bradford, Pennsylvania.
The presently offered document exhibits signs of significant period use, as well as over 200 years of subsequent storage. Toning is noted across the entire piece, imparting to the paper a tan to light brown hue. This toning is somewhat more pronounced along the folds and at the edges, with several darker stains scattered throughout. The aforementioned folds have weakened the paper, causing separations at the edges and at the central juncture. Other tears and separations can be seen, any of which could be strengthened with archival tape from behind. As noted in the general description, many of the words have faded and are difficult to read, though with effort they can be deciphered. Other areas of the text are reasonably dark, the only difficulty in reading these words is due to the penmanship. The edges are irregular and ragged, this piece having been torn from a larger sheet. Care should be taken with this piece, as some of the paper is brittle from age. Measuring approximately 4⅜ x 8¼ inches (at its largest), this piece would make a great addition to any Revolutionary War collection, or frame nicely with a period illustration of a powder mill. Further research will possibly lead to a larger and more interesting story.
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Buy or Bid with Confidence – American Coins & Collectibles President Richie Self has worked 6 years as a paper money grader/authenticator. He has contributed to numerous reference books within the industry, as well as being a co-author of “The Comprehensive Catalog and History of Confederate Bonds, 2
nd
Edition” with Douglas B. Ball, Ph.D., Henry F. Simmons, M.D., Ph.D. and James R. Desabaye. Mr. Self is a life member of the American Numismatic Association, the Society of Paper Money Collectors, as well as numerous regional numismatic associations. He is an authorized submitter to NGC, PCGS, and PMG, a diamond founding member of Coin Dealers Helping Coin Dealers and a supporter of the Industry Council for Tangible Assets. American Coins and Collectibles can be found at many of the state and local coin shows.
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Shreveport, LA