1789 Connecticut State Treasury Certificate — No. 1 — Signed by Eli Colt of East Windsor — Early American State Finance & Possible Colt Family Association
An exceptionally early 1789 State of Connecticut Treasury certificate, identified as Number 1, documenting a debt of the State of Connecticut to Eli Colt of East Windsor for Twenty Pounds, Sixteen Shillings lawful money. Issued from the Treasury Office in November 1789, the certificate promises repayment at 6% annual interest, with payment due in November 1792.
The document is an excellent survivor from the formative years of the new American republic, when individual states were issuing interest-bearing obligations to finance their governments and honor outstanding debts. It bears the original manuscript entries and signatures, including the large signature of the Connecticut Treasurer, and retains its original period paper, folds, manuscript endorsements, and cancellation hole.
Possible Colt Family Connection
Of particular interest is the identification of the original holder as “Eli Colt of East Windsor.” East Windsor and the surrounding Windsor area were important early centers of the historic Connecticut Colt family. Genealogical sources trace the Colt family in Connecticut back to the 17th century, including members living in Windsor.
The later Samuel Colt (1814–1862), inventor and founder of Colt's Patent Fire-Arms Manufacturing Company, was descended from this early Connecticut Colt family. Samuel Colt's father was Christopher Colt, and genealogical sources place Christopher in the established Connecticut Colt lineage. The National Park Service documents Samuel Colt's later importance as the founder of the Colt firearms enterprise in Hartford.
The precise genealogical relationship between the Eli Colt named on this 1789 certificate and Samuel Colt has not been conclusively established and should not be represented as proven. Nevertheless, the combination of the Colt surname, East Windsor identification, and 1789 date makes this an especially intriguing piece for collectors of Connecticut history and Colt family material.
Historical Significance
The certificate predates Samuel Colt by approximately 25 years and dates to only 13 years after the Declaration of Independence. It is therefore an unusually early piece of original Connecticut financial history. The “No. 1” designation is particularly noteworthy and should be emphasized in the title and description.
Condition: Original, with expected age toning, folds, light staining and handling wear. A circular cancellation hole is present, consistent with the document's later administrative use. Despite its condition issues, the manuscript remains highly legible and retains its important original signatures and endorsements.
Approximate size: 7½ × 4½ inches (verify exact measurements before listing).
An exceptionally early 1789 State of Connecticut Treasury certificate, identified as Number 1, documenting a debt of the State of Connecticut to Eli Colt of East Windsor for Twenty Pounds, Sixteen Shillings lawful money. Issued from the Treasury Office in November 1789, the certificate promises repayment at 6% annual interest, with payment due in November 1792.
The document is an excellent survivor from the formative years of the new American republic, when individual states were issuing interest-bearing obligations to finance their governments and honor outstanding debts. It bears the original manuscript entries and signatures, including the large signature of the Connecticut Treasurer, and retains its original period paper, folds, manuscript endorsements, and cancellation hole.
Possible Colt Family Connection
Of particular interest is the identification of the original holder as “Eli Colt of East Windsor.” East Windsor and the surrounding Windsor area were important early centers of the historic Connecticut Colt family. Genealogical sources trace the Colt family in Connecticut back to the 17th century, including members living in Windsor.
The later Samuel Colt (1814–1862), inventor and founder of Colt's Patent Fire-Arms Manufacturing Company, was descended from this early Connecticut Colt family. Samuel Colt's father was Christopher Colt, and genealogical sources place Christopher in the established Connecticut Colt lineage. The National Park Service documents Samuel Colt's later importance as the founder of the Colt firearms enterprise in Hartford.
The precise genealogical relationship between the Eli Colt named on this 1789 certificate and Samuel Colt has not been conclusively established and should not be represented as proven. Nevertheless, the combination of the Colt surname, East Windsor identification, and 1789 date makes this an especially intriguing piece for collectors of Connecticut history and Colt family material.
Historical Significance
The certificate predates Samuel Colt by approximately 25 years and dates to only 13 years after the Declaration of Independence. It is therefore an unusually early piece of original Connecticut financial history. The “No. 1” designation is particularly noteworthy and should be emphasized in the title and description.
Condition: Original, with expected age toning, folds, light staining and handling wear. A circular cancellation hole is present, consistent with the document's later administrative use. Despite its condition issues, the manuscript remains highly legible and retains its important original signatures and endorsements.
Approximate size: 7½ × 4½ inches (verify exact measurements before listing).
