{"product_id":"1789-connecticut-state-treasury-certificate-no-1-signed-by-eli-colt-of-east-windsor-early-american-state-finance-possible-colt-family-association","title":"1789 Connecticut State Treasury Certificate — No. 1 — Signed by Eli Colt of East Windsor — Early American State Finance \u0026 Possible Colt Family Association","description":"\u003cp class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eAn exceptionally early \u003cstrong\u003e1789 State of Connecticut Treasury certificate\u003c\/strong\u003e, identified as \u003cstrong\u003eNumber 1\u003c\/strong\u003e, documenting a debt of the State of Connecticut to \u003cstrong\u003eEli Colt of East Windsor\u003c\/strong\u003e for \u003cstrong\u003eTwenty Pounds, Sixteen Shillings lawful money\u003c\/strong\u003e. Issued from the \u003cstrong\u003eTreasury Office in November 1789\u003c\/strong\u003e, the certificate promises repayment at \u003cstrong\u003e6% annual interest\u003c\/strong\u003e, with payment due in November 1792.\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePossible Colt Family Connection\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOf particular interest is the identification of the original holder as \u003cstrong\u003e“Eli Colt of East Windsor.”\u003c\/strong\u003e East Windsor and the surrounding Windsor area were important early centers of the historic \u003cstrong\u003eConnecticut Colt family\u003c\/strong\u003e. Genealogical sources trace the Colt family in Connecticut back to the 17th century, including members living in Windsor. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe later \u003cstrong\u003eSamuel Colt (1814–1862)\u003c\/strong\u003e, 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. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e The National Park Service documents Samuel Colt's later importance as the founder of the Colt firearms enterprise in Hartford. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/strong\u003e Nevertheless, the combination of the \u003cstrong\u003eColt surname, East Windsor identification, and 1789 date\u003c\/strong\u003e makes this an especially intriguing piece for collectors of Connecticut history and Colt family material.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHistorical Significance\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe certificate predates Samuel Colt by approximately \u003cstrong\u003e25 years\u003c\/strong\u003e and dates to only \u003cstrong\u003e13 years after the Declaration of Independence\u003c\/strong\u003e. It is therefore an unusually early piece of original Connecticut financial history. The \u003cstrong\u003e“No. 1”\u003c\/strong\u003e designation is particularly noteworthy and should be emphasized in the title and description.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eApproximate size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 7½ × 4½ inches (verify exact measurements before listing).\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Signature Documents LLC","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52707709616410,"sku":null,"price":495.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2221\/0931\/files\/IMG_2221.jpg?v=1786982898","url":"https:\/\/www.thearchiveauthority.com\/products\/1789-connecticut-state-treasury-certificate-no-1-signed-by-eli-colt-of-east-windsor-early-american-state-finance-possible-colt-family-association","provider":"Signature Documents LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}