1780, Scarce Massachusetts Commodity Bond, Henry Gardner Signed
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:58505 |
This is a wonderful, original document, a Massachusetts Commodity Bond January 1, 1780. "State of Massachusetts Bay", with printed date "First Day of January, A.D. 1780." Intricately engraved border and reading in part: "...I the subscriber do hereby promise and oblige myself and successors in the Office of Treasure of the said State to pay unto Daniel Gould or to his order, the sum of one hundred twenty-five pounds on or before the first day of March, in the year of ou...r Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty Five with interest at six per Cent. per Anum: Both Principal and Interest to be paid in the then current Money of said State, in a greater or less sum according as five bushels of Corn, sixty-eight pounds and four-seventh parts of a pound of beef, ten pounds of sheeps wool, and sixteen pounds of sole leather..." These Commodity Bonds are perhaps the most interesting of all the Massachusetts fiscal paper, because both their principal and interest were tied to the current price of various commodities (corn, beef, sheep's wool, sole leather) at the date the bond was due. The bonds were authorized to cover the depreciation of pay received by Continental soldiers and sailors. Signed by Henry Gardner as Treasurer., Thomas Dawes and Richard Cranch. Bond is One page, 11" x 5.5", toned with faults on back, overall good condition.Henry Gardner (1731-1782) served as receiver general and treasurer of the State of Massachusetts-Bay (1774-1780) and as first treasurer of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (1780-1783).Thomas Dawes (August 5, 1731 – January 2, 1809) was a Patriot who served as a Massachusetts militia colonel during the American Revolution and afterward assumed prominent positions in Massachusetts's government. His positions included membership and chairmanship of the Massachusetts Governor's Council and representative in both the House and Senate. As chairman of the Governor's Council, Dawes served briefly as the de jure presiding officer of the executive branch of Massachusetts' state government for ten days – May 20, 1800 to May 30, 1800 – following the death of first Governor Increase Sumner and then Lieutenant Governor Moses Gill. (See List of Governors of Massachusetts.Richard Cranch (1726–1811) was a watch maker, judge and legislator of Massachusetts.Please view the other historical and Civil War related documents I'll be listing this week.SEE SCAN.I now accept PAYPAL but PREFER other forms of traditional paper payment. Buyer pays shipping(usually FREE within the US and $12 for International), payment must be received within 5 days.
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