{"product_id":"meshech-weare-1784-new-hampshire-colonel-s-commission-with-great-seal","title":"MESHECH WEARE—1784 NEW HAMPSHIRE COLONEL’S COMMISSION WITH GREAT SEAL","description":"\u003cp class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eAn original early-statehood New Hampshire militia commission signed by \u003cstrong\u003eMeshech Weare\u003c\/strong\u003e, Revolutionary governor, chairman of the Committee of Safety and one of the most important political leaders in New Hampshire history.\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIssued at Exeter on \u003cstrong\u003eDecember 25, 1784\u003c\/strong\u003e, the document appoints Revolutionary-era officer \u003cstrong\u003eNathaniel Emerson of Chester\u003c\/strong\u003e colonel of the \u003cstrong\u003e17th Regiment of New Hampshire Militia\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe commission commands Emerson to lead, order and exercise the regiment, maintain its officers and soldiers in proper discipline and obey instructions received from the commander in chief. The 17th Regiment consisted of militia companies from Chester, Candia, Raymond and Allenstown.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eParticularly evocative is the commission’s declaration that it was issued in:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“the Ninth” year of “the Sovereignty and Independence of the United States of America.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe document is signed \u003cstrong\u003e“M. Weare”\u003c\/strong\u003e by Meshech Weare as president of New Hampshire and countersigned by \u003cstrong\u003eEbenezer Thompson\u003c\/strong\u003e, secretary of state. The large original embossed paper-and-wax \u003cstrong\u003eGreat Seal of New Hampshire\u003c\/strong\u003e, displaying the rising sun and ship motif, remains attached at the upper left.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA contemporary endorsement dated January 13, 1785, records that Colonel Emerson personally appeared in Rockingham County and took the required oaths of allegiance and office.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMeshech Weare (1713–1786)\u003c\/strong\u003e led New Hampshire throughout the Revolutionary War, serving as its chief executive, chairman of its Committee of Safety and chief justice. This concentration of civil, military and judicial responsibility earned him recognition as the “father of New Hampshire.” The present commission was issued during the closing weeks of his final term.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNathaniel Emerson (1741–1824)\u003c\/strong\u003e was a Chester resident and Revolutionary-era militia officer who had previously served as lieutenant colonel of the 17th Regiment. This commission elevated him to command of the entire regiment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approximately 15½ × 12½ inches. Considerable overall browning, staining and foxing; intersecting folds with splitting and localized losses; irregular and chipped margins; losses at both lower corners. The reverse has extensive old tape reinforcement along the folds and margins. The original state seal remains substantially complete, and Meshech Weare’s signature is bold and readily legible. Offered with all faults clearly illustrated.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA scarce and impressive post-Revolutionary military appointment bearing the signature of New Hampshire’s first chief executive, its original Great Seal and an unusually desirable colonel-level commission.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Signature Documents LLC","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52752466968858,"sku":null,"price":595.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2221\/0931\/files\/IMG_2638_bb3e279d-020f-40c3-b963-e50b7f953e28.jpg?v=1787919596","url":"https:\/\/www.thearchiveauthority.com\/products\/meshech-weare-1784-new-hampshire-colonel-s-commission-with-great-seal","provider":"Signature Documents LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}