{"product_id":"1802-newburyport-overseers-payment-order-to-john-thorndike-signed-by-revolutionary-war-officer-aaron-pardee-may-3-1802-received-and-docketed-june-8-1802","title":"1802 Newburyport Overseers’ Payment Order to John Thorndike, Signed by Revolutionary War Officer Aaron Pardee, May 3, 1802; received and docketed June 8, 1802.","description":"\u003cp class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eAn attractive early American municipal document signed by \u003cstrong\u003eLieutenant Aaron Pardee (1755–1837)\u003c\/strong\u003e, a veteran of the Continental Army and an original member of the Society of the Cincinnati.\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIssued at Newburyport, Massachusetts, on May 3, 1802, this partly printed order directs the town treasurer to pay \u003cstrong\u003eJohn Thorndike the sum of eight dollars and forty-seven cents\u003c\/strong\u003e. Pardee boldly signs across the center beside the printed designation, “Per Order of the Overseers.” The recipient subsequently acknowledged payment on June 8 by signing at the bottom.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBorn in Sharon, Connecticut, Aaron Pardee served as a \u003cstrong\u003esecond lieutenant in the Third Continental Artillery during the American Revolution and remained in service through the close of the war\u003c\/strong\u003e. He became an original member of the prestigious Society of the Cincinnati, whose membership was limited to officers of the Continental forces and their descendants. After the Revolution, Pardee settled in Newburyport, where he became a merchant, property owner, and influential member of the community.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBeyond its autograph interest, the document offers a tangible glimpse into the administration of an early Massachusetts seaport. Newburyport’s Overseers of the Poor supervised public assistance, the almshouse, and other forms of municipal relief. Surviving town records demonstrate the important role these officials played in caring for impoverished residents during the Federal period.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eApproximately two centuries old and retaining strong printed and manuscript content, the document exhibits expected age toning, old folds, scattered spotting, minor filing or mounting holes, and edge irregularity. Pardee’s historically significant signature remains unusually bold and prominent.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA desirable combination of \u003cstrong\u003eRevolutionary War, Society of the Cincinnati, Massachusetts, municipal, and social-welfare history\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Signature Documents LLC","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52770401386778,"sku":null,"price":595.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2221\/0931\/files\/IMG_2718.jpg?v=1788135006","url":"https:\/\/www.thearchiveauthority.com\/products\/1802-newburyport-overseers-payment-order-to-john-thorndike-signed-by-revolutionary-war-officer-aaron-pardee-may-3-1802-received-and-docketed-june-8-1802","provider":"Signature Documents LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}