1822 Revolutionary War Officer John Brooks Signed Massachusetts Militia Commission
An impressive original Massachusetts military commission signed by John Brooks, distinguished Revolutionary War officer and governor of Massachusetts.
Issued at Boston on April 1, 1822, the partly printed vellum or parchment-style document appoints Peter Nutting as Lieutenant of a company in the Second Regiment of Infantry, Second Brigade, Third Division of the Massachusetts Militia. Nutting had been elected to the position on March 6, 1822.
The commission declares:
“Reposing special trust and confidence in your ability, courage, and good conduct, I do by these Presents Commission you accordingly.”
It is boldly signed “J. Brooks” by Governor John Brooks at lower left and countersigned “Alden Bradford” by the secretary of the Commonwealth. The large embossed Massachusetts state seal remains prominently displayed at left. An official certification on the reverse records that Nutting appeared and took the constitutionally required oaths and declarations on May 21, 1822.
John Brooks was one of Massachusetts’ most distinguished Revolutionary soldiers. He participated in the opening battles at Lexington and Concord, served in the Continental Army, fought at Saratoga and Monmouth, and commanded the 7th Massachusetts Regiment during the latter years of the Revolution. Following the war, Brooks became a leading Federalist and served as governor of Massachusetts from 1816 until 1823.
Alden Bradford, who countersigned the commission, served as secretary of the Commonwealth from 1812 to 1824 and was a noted historian of Massachusetts.
Condition: Original horizontal and vertical mailing or storage folds with associated creasing and localized fold wear. Scattered foxing, toning, small stains, edge wear, and several short separations or weaknesses along the folds. The large embossed paper seal is substantially intact, although several of its pointed rays are creased or partially lifted. Signatures remain dark and clearly legible. An unusually evocative document with considerable visual presence.
An impressive original Massachusetts military commission signed by John Brooks, distinguished Revolutionary War officer and governor of Massachusetts.
Issued at Boston on April 1, 1822, the partly printed vellum or parchment-style document appoints Peter Nutting as Lieutenant of a company in the Second Regiment of Infantry, Second Brigade, Third Division of the Massachusetts Militia. Nutting had been elected to the position on March 6, 1822.
The commission declares:
“Reposing special trust and confidence in your ability, courage, and good conduct, I do by these Presents Commission you accordingly.”
It is boldly signed “J. Brooks” by Governor John Brooks at lower left and countersigned “Alden Bradford” by the secretary of the Commonwealth. The large embossed Massachusetts state seal remains prominently displayed at left. An official certification on the reverse records that Nutting appeared and took the constitutionally required oaths and declarations on May 21, 1822.
John Brooks was one of Massachusetts’ most distinguished Revolutionary soldiers. He participated in the opening battles at Lexington and Concord, served in the Continental Army, fought at Saratoga and Monmouth, and commanded the 7th Massachusetts Regiment during the latter years of the Revolution. Following the war, Brooks became a leading Federalist and served as governor of Massachusetts from 1816 until 1823.
Alden Bradford, who countersigned the commission, served as secretary of the Commonwealth from 1812 to 1824 and was a noted historian of Massachusetts.
Condition: Original horizontal and vertical mailing or storage folds with associated creasing and localized fold wear. Scattered foxing, toning, small stains, edge wear, and several short separations or weaknesses along the folds. The large embossed paper seal is substantially intact, although several of its pointed rays are creased or partially lifted. Signatures remain dark and clearly legible. An unusually evocative document with considerable visual presence.
