Caleb Strong — 1805 Massachusetts Justice of the Peace Commission for Maine with Great Seal
Impressive original Massachusetts judicial commission signed “Caleb Strong” by Founding-era statesman and Governor Caleb Strong, appointing Joseph Allen Jr. of New Gloucester as a justice of the peace for Cumberland County. Issued at Boston on January 18, 1805, for a term of seven years.
New Gloucester was then part of Massachusetts, nearly fifteen years before Maine achieved statehood. The commission empowered Allen to preserve the public peace, hear complaints, investigate thefts, trespasses, riots and unlawful assemblies, require bonds for good behavior, and commit offenders to jail when warranted.
The document is countersigned by John Avery Jr., longtime secretary of the Commonwealth. Its reverse contains Allen’s oath-of-office certification, apparently witnessed by Massachusetts Governor’s Council members Salem Towne and Artemas Ward.
Caleb Strong represented Massachusetts at the Constitutional Convention, participated in the state’s ratifying convention, served as one of its first United States senators, and held the governorship for eleven years. His long public career extended from the American Revolution through the War of 1812.
The commission retains its large and visually impressive embossed Massachusetts seal bearing the Commonwealth’s Native American figure and arm-and-sword crest.
Expected folds, moderate toning, scattered staining, several small fold holes and short edge tears. Strong’s signature, Avery’s countersignature, reverse certification, and embossed state seal remain well preserved.
Historical significance
Caleb Strong (1745–1819) was an important Founding-era statesman:
- Delegate to the 1787 Constitutional Convention
- Member of the Massachusetts convention that ratified the Constitution
- One of Massachusetts’s first United States senators
- Governor of Massachusetts from 1800–1807 and again from 1812–1816
John Avery Jr. (1739–1806) served for many years as secretary of Massachusetts. He was secretary of the Commonwealth when Massachusetts commissioned its delegation—including Caleb Strong—to attend the Constitutional Convention.
The signatures on the reverse appear to include Salem Towne and Artemas Ward, identified as members of the Governor’s Council. Further handwriting comparison is warranted before advertising the reverse names as fully authenticated signatures.
The document empowered Allen to preserve the peace, hear complaints, punish violations, require security for good behavior, commit offenders to jail, and participate with other justices in hearing cases involving thefts, trespasses, riots, unlawful assemblies, and other offenses.
Condition
Overall, this is an attractive example despite expected wear:
- Multiple original folds
- Moderate toning and scattered staining
- Edge wear and several short tears
- A few small fold holes
- Minor old paper or adhesive remnants on the reverse
- Strong printed text and generally legible manuscript
- Caleb Strong’s signature is large and clear
- John Avery’s signature is well preserved
- The unusually large embossed seal remains substantially complete with only minor losses to its pointed border
The surviving seal is a significant positive feature.
Impressive original Massachusetts judicial commission signed “Caleb Strong” by Founding-era statesman and Governor Caleb Strong, appointing Joseph Allen Jr. of New Gloucester as a justice of the peace for Cumberland County. Issued at Boston on January 18, 1805, for a term of seven years.
New Gloucester was then part of Massachusetts, nearly fifteen years before Maine achieved statehood. The commission empowered Allen to preserve the public peace, hear complaints, investigate thefts, trespasses, riots and unlawful assemblies, require bonds for good behavior, and commit offenders to jail when warranted.
The document is countersigned by John Avery Jr., longtime secretary of the Commonwealth. Its reverse contains Allen’s oath-of-office certification, apparently witnessed by Massachusetts Governor’s Council members Salem Towne and Artemas Ward.
Caleb Strong represented Massachusetts at the Constitutional Convention, participated in the state’s ratifying convention, served as one of its first United States senators, and held the governorship for eleven years. His long public career extended from the American Revolution through the War of 1812.
The commission retains its large and visually impressive embossed Massachusetts seal bearing the Commonwealth’s Native American figure and arm-and-sword crest.
Expected folds, moderate toning, scattered staining, several small fold holes and short edge tears. Strong’s signature, Avery’s countersignature, reverse certification, and embossed state seal remain well preserved.
Historical significance
Caleb Strong (1745–1819) was an important Founding-era statesman:
- Delegate to the 1787 Constitutional Convention
- Member of the Massachusetts convention that ratified the Constitution
- One of Massachusetts’s first United States senators
- Governor of Massachusetts from 1800–1807 and again from 1812–1816
John Avery Jr. (1739–1806) served for many years as secretary of Massachusetts. He was secretary of the Commonwealth when Massachusetts commissioned its delegation—including Caleb Strong—to attend the Constitutional Convention.
The signatures on the reverse appear to include Salem Towne and Artemas Ward, identified as members of the Governor’s Council. Further handwriting comparison is warranted before advertising the reverse names as fully authenticated signatures.
The document empowered Allen to preserve the peace, hear complaints, punish violations, require security for good behavior, commit offenders to jail, and participate with other justices in hearing cases involving thefts, trespasses, riots, unlawful assemblies, and other offenses.
Condition
Overall, this is an attractive example despite expected wear:
- Multiple original folds
- Moderate toning and scattered staining
- Edge wear and several short tears
- A few small fold holes
- Minor old paper or adhesive remnants on the reverse
- Strong printed text and generally legible manuscript
- Caleb Strong’s signature is large and clear
- John Avery’s signature is well preserved
- The unusually large embossed seal remains substantially complete with only minor losses to its pointed border
The surviving seal is a significant positive feature.
