1791–1792 Stephen Mix Mitchell Signed Connecticut Public-Welfare Orders – Three-Document Archive
A revealing three-document archive illustrating Connecticut’s early system of public assistance, each order signed by distinguished Continental congressman, United States senator, and jurist Stephen Mix Mitchell.
Issued by Connecticut’s governor and council between October 1791 and May 1792, the documents direct State Treasurer Peter Colt to reimburse local residents for food, lodging, and other necessities furnished to indigent individuals described under contemporary law as “transient persons.”
The three orders comprise:
New Haven, October 20, 1791: An order to pay Seth Payne of Lebanon the sum of £1 for the support of “one James Johnston, a transient person.”
New Haven, November 3, 1791: An order to pay Elisha Chapman of Hamden £1, 5 shillings, and 7 pence for supplies furnished to “one Adam [surname difficult to decipher], a transient person.”
Hartford, May 28, 1792: An order to pay Waterman Clift of Windham £11 and 18 shillings for the support of “John Wilson, a transient person.”
Each document is addressed to Peter Colt, Esq., Treasurer, and signed by Stephen Mix Mitchell beneath the authorization “Order of Govr. & Council.” The reverses retain contemporary registration notations from the Connecticut comptroller’s office, treasury payment records, and manuscript receipts or endorsements.
Stephen Mix Mitchell (1743–1835) was one of the leading Connecticut public figures of the early republic. A graduate of Yale, he served in the Connecticut legislature and council during and after the Revolutionary War, represented Connecticut in the Continental Congress from 1785 to 1788, and participated in the state convention that ratified the United States Constitution. He later served as a United States senator from 1793 to 1795 and as chief justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court.
Peter Colt (1744–1824), to whom the orders were directed, was Connecticut state treasurer from 1790 to 1794. During the Revolutionary War, he served as deputy commissary general of purchases for New England and eastern New York and assisted in supplying the French army under Rochambeau. He was also the grandfather of Samuel Colt, inventor and founder of the Colt firearms company.
Beyond their signatures, these documents offer valuable insight into the administration of poverty relief in post-Revolutionary Connecticut. During this period, local residents could be reimbursed from public funds for furnishing necessities to travelers, displaced people, and others lacking a legally recognized town of residence.
Condition: All three documents exhibit original folds, toning, edge wear, small stains, creasing, and scattered fold separations. The November 3, 1791 order has a substantial irregular loss along its lower-right edge, primarily affecting the blank margin. The October 20 order has pronounced horizontal fold separation and edge wear. The May 28, 1792 order has an irregular loss at the lower-right corner and additional marginal wear. The principal texts and all three Stephen Mix Mitchell signatures remain legible. The reverses retain substantial contemporary docketing, registration notes, and payment endorsements.
An uncommon opportunity to acquire three closely related documents signed by a participant in the Continental Congress and Connecticut’s convention to ratify the United States Constitution.
A revealing three-document archive illustrating Connecticut’s early system of public assistance, each order signed by distinguished Continental congressman, United States senator, and jurist Stephen Mix Mitchell.
Issued by Connecticut’s governor and council between October 1791 and May 1792, the documents direct State Treasurer Peter Colt to reimburse local residents for food, lodging, and other necessities furnished to indigent individuals described under contemporary law as “transient persons.”
The three orders comprise:
New Haven, October 20, 1791: An order to pay Seth Payne of Lebanon the sum of £1 for the support of “one James Johnston, a transient person.”
New Haven, November 3, 1791: An order to pay Elisha Chapman of Hamden £1, 5 shillings, and 7 pence for supplies furnished to “one Adam [surname difficult to decipher], a transient person.”
Hartford, May 28, 1792: An order to pay Waterman Clift of Windham £11 and 18 shillings for the support of “John Wilson, a transient person.”
Each document is addressed to Peter Colt, Esq., Treasurer, and signed by Stephen Mix Mitchell beneath the authorization “Order of Govr. & Council.” The reverses retain contemporary registration notations from the Connecticut comptroller’s office, treasury payment records, and manuscript receipts or endorsements.
Stephen Mix Mitchell (1743–1835) was one of the leading Connecticut public figures of the early republic. A graduate of Yale, he served in the Connecticut legislature and council during and after the Revolutionary War, represented Connecticut in the Continental Congress from 1785 to 1788, and participated in the state convention that ratified the United States Constitution. He later served as a United States senator from 1793 to 1795 and as chief justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court.
Peter Colt (1744–1824), to whom the orders were directed, was Connecticut state treasurer from 1790 to 1794. During the Revolutionary War, he served as deputy commissary general of purchases for New England and eastern New York and assisted in supplying the French army under Rochambeau. He was also the grandfather of Samuel Colt, inventor and founder of the Colt firearms company.
Beyond their signatures, these documents offer valuable insight into the administration of poverty relief in post-Revolutionary Connecticut. During this period, local residents could be reimbursed from public funds for furnishing necessities to travelers, displaced people, and others lacking a legally recognized town of residence.
Condition: All three documents exhibit original folds, toning, edge wear, small stains, creasing, and scattered fold separations. The November 3, 1791 order has a substantial irregular loss along its lower-right edge, primarily affecting the blank margin. The October 20 order has pronounced horizontal fold separation and edge wear. The May 28, 1792 order has an irregular loss at the lower-right corner and additional marginal wear. The principal texts and all three Stephen Mix Mitchell signatures remain legible. The reverses retain substantial contemporary docketing, registration notes, and payment endorsements.
An uncommon opportunity to acquire three closely related documents signed by a participant in the Continental Congress and Connecticut’s convention to ratify the United States Constitution.
