William Maxwell autograph endorsement signed ("Wm. Maxwell B. G."). One page, 7.75" x 11.5", Pompton Plains, New Jersey; July 13, 1777. Brigadier General William Maxwell endorses a document approving a court-martial of two soldiers. A manuscript document approving the findings of a court-martial that is signed by Captain James Dillion of the 2nd New Jersey Regiment as President of the court. It reads, in part: "Joseph Jones and John Ward Charged with Desertion Plead Guilty. The Court Sentence them to receive 300 Lashes each well laid on...Stephen Masters charged with absenting himself from the Regt. without Leave – From Sircumstances [sic] appearing to the Court, they find him Guilty and sentence him to receive 50 Lashes..." Towards the bottom, William Maxwell has written, "I do approve of the above Court Martial in every respect and desire that the sentences may be put into execution at Roll Call this evening. Given at Pompton Plains. A surgeon to be present." Signed, "Wm. Maxwell B. G." William Maxwell (circa 1733-1796) was an Irish-born veteran of the French and Indian War. He settled with his family in New Jersey and from there was commissioned a colonel of the 2nd New Jersey Regiment in 1775. He was appointed brigadier general in October 1776 and served during the invasion of Quebec and with Washington's army at the battles of Cooch's Bridge, Germantown, and Monmouth. He wintered at Valley Forge and took part in the Sullivan Expedition in 1779. Maxwell became engaged in some form of disagreement with his officers in the summer of 1780, presumably over rank, and he wrote to Washington on July 20 to resign his commission. In a letter to Samuel Huntington that was penned the same day, Washington informs Huntington of Maxwell's resignation and refers to him as "an honest Man—A warm friend to this Country and firmly attached to her interests. In this view and from the length of time he has been in service—the decided part he took at the commencement of the controversy, I would take the liberty to observe I think his claim to such compensation, as may be made to Other Officers of his standing to the present time only equitable; and hope that it will be considered in this light by Congress." Congress accepted the resignation, and he returned home to his farm in New Jersey. After the war, he served one term in the state legislature and died in 1796. Reference: The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series, vol. 27, 5 July–27 August 1780, ed. Benjamin L. Huggins. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2019, pages 205-206 and 209–210. Condition: Document has been affixed to a mounting page of equal size. Uneven right edge with soiling and foxing. HID03101062020 © 2022 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved

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