Description

Samuel Huntington (1731 - 1796) Statesman, patriot. Huntington was a jurist, statesman, and Patriot in the American Revolution from Connecticut. As a delegate to the Continental Congress, he signed the Declaration of Independence and the Articles of Confederation. He also served as President of the Continental Congress from 1779 to 1781, chief justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court from 1784 to 1785, and was the 18th Governor of Connecticut from 1786 until his death. 6 ½” x 8 ½” document signed, “A true Copy…By Sam. Huntington Clerk,” Connecticut. May 29, 1783. “At a Meeting of his Excellency the Governor of the Council of Safety...Desire Abraham Davenport...Resolved that the Committee of Paytable be directed and they are hereby directed to receive of the said Davenport...upon the Treasurer...for his Services as one of the Council of Safety and in Lieu thereof deliver to said Davenport...bearing the same date payable out of the Monies raised by the Sale of Confiscated Estates or any other unappropriated monies….”Related to this document accompanying it is the Pay Table order for Abraham Davenport (1715 1789) 6 ½” x 8 ½”, State of Connecticut, October 24, 1783, signed “Abrm Davenport.”… Order returned on 2/6 Tax equal to the specie Resolved to Gov & Council of Safety... the Committee of Pay Table their order on the Treasurer for Twenty Six Pounds Nine Shillings & six pence payable out of the monies recd by Sale of Confiscated Estates in full for the above bill….” The Council of Safety was an important part of the Revolutionary War era. It was where members plotted strategy during and shortly after the war. Some of the payments used to pay Judges, soldiers and patriots and such were appropriated from the sale of confiscated estates of the enemy, the Tories. The monies used were then part of the spoils of war and brought into the treasury for use in payments such as this allocation.