1822–1828 Massachusetts Militia Archive: Revolutionary War General John Brooks and William H. Sumner Signed Documents
A compelling two-document Massachusetts military archive tracing Peter Nutting’s advancement from lieutenant to captain and his eventual honorable discharge from the state militia. Spanning six years, the documents are signed by two notable Massachusetts military and political figures: Revolutionary War officer and Governor John Brooks and Adjutant General William Hyslop Sumner.
1822 Lieutenant’s Commission Signed by Governor John Brooks
The first document, issued at Boston on April 1, 1822, appoints Peter Nutting 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 impressive partly printed 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 and countersigned by Alden Bradford, secretary of the Commonwealth. The large embossed Massachusetts state seal remains prominently displayed at the 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 (1752–1825) was one of Massachusetts’ most distinguished Revolutionary War officers. 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 closing years of the Revolution. He served as governor of Massachusetts from 1816 until 1823.
Alden Bradford (1765–1843), who countersigned the commission, served as secretary of the Commonwealth from 1812 until 1824 and was a respected clergyman, politician, and historian of Massachusetts.
1828 Captain’s Honorable Discharge Signed by William H. Sumner
The second document, issued at Massachusetts military headquarters in Boston on April 15, 1828, records the conclusion of Nutting’s militia career. By this date, he had advanced from lieutenant to captain of a company in the same Second Regiment, Second Brigade, and Third Division.
The governor and commander in chief formally accepted Nutting’s resignation and declared that he was:
“hereby honorably discharged, at his own request, from the Office of Captain in the Regiment aforesaid.”
The certificate is signed prominently “W. H. Sumner” by William Hyslop Sumner in his official capacity as adjutant general of Massachusetts. It was issued during the administration of Governor Levi Lincoln Jr., although Lincoln did not personally sign it.
William Hyslop Sumner (1780–1861), son of Massachusetts governor Increase Sumner, was a Harvard-educated lawyer, militia general, military reformer, author, and civic developer. During the War of 1812, he helped coordinate the defense of Portland, Maine. He served as adjutant general of Massachusetts from 1818 until 1834 and later became instrumental in the development of East Boston. Boston’s Sumner Tunnel was named in his honor.
The discharge bears an engraved Massachusetts coat of arms with the state motto, “Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem”—“By the sword we seek peace, but peace only under liberty.”
Together, these documents present an unusually complete record of one Massachusetts militiaman’s service: his appointment as lieutenant under a distinguished Revolutionary War governor, his subsequent promotion to captain, and his honorable discharge six years later. The survival of both the beginning and conclusion of Nutting’s commissioned service makes this a particularly desirable early American militia archive.
Condition: The 1822 commission displays original horizontal and vertical folds with associated creasing and localized fold wear, scattered foxing, toning, small stains, edge wear, and several short separations or weaknesses along the folds. Its large embossed state seal is substantially intact, with several rays creased or partially lifted. Both signatures remain dark and clearly legible.
The 1828 discharge has separated, or nearly completely separated, along its original vertical folds into four panels. It also exhibits fold wear, edge toning, scattered stains, light foxing, creasing, and minor edge losses. The printed state arms, handwritten entries, and Sumner signature remain clear and legible. Both documents are accurately represented in the accompanying photographs.
A compelling two-document Massachusetts military archive tracing Peter Nutting’s advancement from lieutenant to captain and his eventual honorable discharge from the state militia. Spanning six years, the documents are signed by two notable Massachusetts military and political figures: Revolutionary War officer and Governor John Brooks and Adjutant General William Hyslop Sumner.
1822 Lieutenant’s Commission Signed by Governor John Brooks
The first document, issued at Boston on April 1, 1822, appoints Peter Nutting 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 impressive partly printed 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 and countersigned by Alden Bradford, secretary of the Commonwealth. The large embossed Massachusetts state seal remains prominently displayed at the 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 (1752–1825) was one of Massachusetts’ most distinguished Revolutionary War officers. 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 closing years of the Revolution. He served as governor of Massachusetts from 1816 until 1823.
Alden Bradford (1765–1843), who countersigned the commission, served as secretary of the Commonwealth from 1812 until 1824 and was a respected clergyman, politician, and historian of Massachusetts.
1828 Captain’s Honorable Discharge Signed by William H. Sumner
The second document, issued at Massachusetts military headquarters in Boston on April 15, 1828, records the conclusion of Nutting’s militia career. By this date, he had advanced from lieutenant to captain of a company in the same Second Regiment, Second Brigade, and Third Division.
The governor and commander in chief formally accepted Nutting’s resignation and declared that he was:
“hereby honorably discharged, at his own request, from the Office of Captain in the Regiment aforesaid.”
The certificate is signed prominently “W. H. Sumner” by William Hyslop Sumner in his official capacity as adjutant general of Massachusetts. It was issued during the administration of Governor Levi Lincoln Jr., although Lincoln did not personally sign it.
William Hyslop Sumner (1780–1861), son of Massachusetts governor Increase Sumner, was a Harvard-educated lawyer, militia general, military reformer, author, and civic developer. During the War of 1812, he helped coordinate the defense of Portland, Maine. He served as adjutant general of Massachusetts from 1818 until 1834 and later became instrumental in the development of East Boston. Boston’s Sumner Tunnel was named in his honor.
The discharge bears an engraved Massachusetts coat of arms with the state motto, “Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem”—“By the sword we seek peace, but peace only under liberty.”
Together, these documents present an unusually complete record of one Massachusetts militiaman’s service: his appointment as lieutenant under a distinguished Revolutionary War governor, his subsequent promotion to captain, and his honorable discharge six years later. The survival of both the beginning and conclusion of Nutting’s commissioned service makes this a particularly desirable early American militia archive.
Condition: The 1822 commission displays original horizontal and vertical folds with associated creasing and localized fold wear, scattered foxing, toning, small stains, edge wear, and several short separations or weaknesses along the folds. Its large embossed state seal is substantially intact, with several rays creased or partially lifted. Both signatures remain dark and clearly legible.
The 1828 discharge has separated, or nearly completely separated, along its original vertical folds into four panels. It also exhibits fold wear, edge toning, scattered stains, light foxing, creasing, and minor edge losses. The printed state arms, handwritten entries, and Sumner signature remain clear and legible. Both documents are accurately represented in the accompanying photographs.
