American Revolution
Revolutionary War Massachusetts Militia Document Signed by Captain “Job Cushing” Lexington Alarm Minute Man
October 8, 1778-Dated Revolutionary War, Manuscript Document Signed, for Massachusetts Militia Enlistment, Signed by “Job Cushing,” Massachusetts Minute Man, Very Fine.
This rare original Revolutionary War Militia Enlistment document measures 6" x 7.25" and is quarterfolded with some tone to the folds. Overall, it is well written in dark brown on period laid paper and has a nice presentation. It reads, in full:

"These Certifies that we subscribers have engaged our selves to serve in the Massachusetts Militia for the Town of Cohasset until the first day of Jan'y next unless sooner Discharged to do Duty at and near Providence in the State of Rhode Island upon the following conditions I Rec(eive) fifteen pounds per month with what we receive from the publick the town pay to begin with the States and end with the same. - (Signed) Metzar Dunbar; Moses Dunbar.

We the Subscribers a Committee for the Town of Cohasset to hire said towns proportion of men as they shall be called for from time to time by the General Court of this State do agree for and in behalf of said Town in our or capacity with the persons above named agreeable to the conditions mentioned above. Cohasset. October 8, 1778. - (Signed) Job Cushing."

An nice, original American Revolutionary War enlistment document. These soldiers most certainly served in Rhode Island after the controversial Battle of Rhode Island on August 29, 1778. As the war moved south after 1778, they were likely engaged at Claverack, Fort Clinton, Peekskill, and other defensive posts along the Hudson, as well as in Rhode Island. Their active service thus relieving other Continental Army units for duty with George Washington's main army, then in the Southern states.


Captain Job Cushing, 1775-1808, served as a Captain of a company of Minute-men in Col. Artemas Ward's regiment that marched on alarm of 19 April 1775, to Cambridge. Cushing's Regiment of Militia was called up at Westborough, Massachusetts on August 16, 1777 as the reinforcements for the Continental Army during the Saratoga Campaign. Cushing's Regiment of Militia also known as the 6th Worcester County Militia Regiment was called up at Westborough, Massachusetts on August 16, 1777 as the reinforcements for the Continental Army during the Saratoga Campaign. The regiment marched quickly to join the gathering forces of Gen. Horatio Gates as he faced British General John Burgoyne in northern New York. The regiment served in General Warner's brigade. With the surrender of Burgoyne's Army on October 17, the regiment was disbanded on November 29, 1777. Cushing saw active service during the War and eventually achieved the rank of Major in 1781.