Lord North Signed British Army Pay Estimate – Life Guards – American Revolution Era, c. 1777–1782
Original two-sheet manuscript British military pay estimate from the American Revolutionary War period, calculating 305 days’ compensation for senior army officials and His Majesty’s First and Second Troops of Life Guards. The return lists officers and ranks including captains, lieutenants, cornets, guidons, brigadiers, chaplains, surgeons, corporals, trumpeters and private gentlemen, with totals expressed in pounds, shillings and pence.
The Life Guards are associated in the manuscript with the Marquess of Lothian and Lord Robert Bertie. At the conclusion appears “By His Majesty’s Command,” followed by the signature “North”—Frederick North, Lord North, prime minister and First Lord of the Treasury during most of the American Revolution. Two additional approving signatures appear to read “Robinson” and “J. Buller.”
Two consecutive original folio leaves, numbered 3 and 4, suggesting removal from a larger Treasury or military-establishment return. Period folds, edge wear, toning and minor staining, but the handwriting and financial entries remain clear. A historically significant British military-finance document bearing Lord North’s signature.
Sold as an authentic period document based on handwriting and internal evidence; no third-party authentication accompanies it.
The First Troop is identified as commanded by William Kerr, 5th Marquess of Lothian, while the Second Troop was commanded by General Lord Robert Bertie. Their overlapping appointments date the manuscripts between December 1777 and March 1782.
The Life Guards sheet itemizes pay for captains, lieutenants, cornets, guidons, brigadiers, chaplains, surgeons, quartermasters, corporals, trumpeters, a kettle drummer and 148 private gentlemen in each troop. The two elite royal cavalry troops comprised 181 officers and gentlemen apiece, with a calculated annual cost of approximately £35,210.
The companion sheet records the salaries of Britain’s senior army administration, including the judge advocate general, adjutant general, quartermaster general, physician general, surgeon general, apothecary general, deputy officers, aides-de-camp to the King, commissary general and officials responsible for the army in Scotland, then termed “North Britain.”
The documents provide a remarkably detailed view of the financial structure behind Britain’s military establishment during the struggle with its American colonies. Although the Household Cavalry remained principally in Britain, its continued maintenance formed part of the enormous military expense generated by the Revolutionary War.
Original two-sheet manuscript British military pay estimate from the American Revolutionary War period, calculating 305 days’ compensation for senior army officials and His Majesty’s First and Second Troops of Life Guards. The return lists officers and ranks including captains, lieutenants, cornets, guidons, brigadiers, chaplains, surgeons, corporals, trumpeters and private gentlemen, with totals expressed in pounds, shillings and pence.
The Life Guards are associated in the manuscript with the Marquess of Lothian and Lord Robert Bertie. At the conclusion appears “By His Majesty’s Command,” followed by the signature “North”—Frederick North, Lord North, prime minister and First Lord of the Treasury during most of the American Revolution. Two additional approving signatures appear to read “Robinson” and “J. Buller.”
Two consecutive original folio leaves, numbered 3 and 4, suggesting removal from a larger Treasury or military-establishment return. Period folds, edge wear, toning and minor staining, but the handwriting and financial entries remain clear. A historically significant British military-finance document bearing Lord North’s signature.
Sold as an authentic period document based on handwriting and internal evidence; no third-party authentication accompanies it.
The First Troop is identified as commanded by William Kerr, 5th Marquess of Lothian, while the Second Troop was commanded by General Lord Robert Bertie. Their overlapping appointments date the manuscripts between December 1777 and March 1782.
The Life Guards sheet itemizes pay for captains, lieutenants, cornets, guidons, brigadiers, chaplains, surgeons, quartermasters, corporals, trumpeters, a kettle drummer and 148 private gentlemen in each troop. The two elite royal cavalry troops comprised 181 officers and gentlemen apiece, with a calculated annual cost of approximately £35,210.
The companion sheet records the salaries of Britain’s senior army administration, including the judge advocate general, adjutant general, quartermaster general, physician general, surgeon general, apothecary general, deputy officers, aides-de-camp to the King, commissary general and officials responsible for the army in Scotland, then termed “North Britain.”
The documents provide a remarkably detailed view of the financial structure behind Britain’s military establishment during the struggle with its American colonies. Although the Household Cavalry remained principally in Britain, its continued maintenance formed part of the enormous military expense generated by the Revolutionary War.
