Autographs
1797 “John Adams” Signed Four Language Ship’s Paper Also Signed By Timothy Pickering & Jedediah Huntington
JOHN ADAMS (1735- July 4, 1826). 2nd President of the United States (1797–1801), American Founding Father, Lawyer, Statesman, Diplomat and Leading Champion of American Independence in 1776, Defended the British Soldiers involved in the “Boston Massacre,” a leading Federalist.
June 9, 1797-Dated, Partially-Printed Document Signed, “John Adams” as President, being a Four Language Ship’s Paper, well printed upon period laid paper, measuring 15.5” x 18.5,” Choice Very Fine. Some deft conservation and older style archival tape reinforcements on the reverse to seal some fold splits, typical edge wear and chipping restoration mostly located at the bottom and edges. Overall, it appears unusually bright and clean looking, with a bold, large nearly 3” long “John Adams” signature. Cosigned by “Timothy Pickering” as Secretary of State, in deep brown and Countersigned by General “J(edediah) Huntington.”

This historic Document is made to “Peres Sturtivant” For the Brig “Sophia” bound for Surinam, from New London (CT), carrying 118 tons of cargo, including “Fish, beef, hams, Oxen and Staves, etc..” Docket on the blank reverse reads: “Brig - Sphia’s Sea Letter” with a later notation from 1871 below. “It has nice overall eye appeal, the large white paper and wax embossed Federal Department Seal at center left, is very clear and detailed, with all of its outer “teeth” evident. A partially restored notary public’s bold red wax Seal appears at the bottom, one of the few we have seen in this scarce, very large format Document. The last example we offered was in our EAHA Auction of February 14, 2004, Lot 1, graded Choice Very Fine, selling for $6,325. This current “John Adams” Signed Four Language Ship’s Paper, also being Signed by both Timothy Pickering and General Jedediah Huntington, would be excellent for framing and display.
Jedediah Huntington (1743-1818), also known as Jedidiah Huntington, was an American General in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. He graduated at Harvard in 1763, joined the American army at Cambridge, became a Brigadier General in 1777, and took part in many important engagements until the close of the war, when he was Brevetted Major General in 1783. He was one of the original organizers of the Society of the Cincinnati. He became collector of the port of New London in 1789 and held the office 26 years. In 1778 he was a member of the Court-martial that tried General Charles Lee, and in 1780 of the one that condemned Major André. He fought courageously during the Battle of Bunker Hill, from which he emerged a Colonel.