Autographs
1781 Revolutionary War-Dated Twice Signed Anthony Wayne Autograph Letter
ANTHONY WAYNE (1745-1796). American Brigadier General during the Revolutionary War, also known as “Mad Anthony” Member of the U.S. House of Representatives.
May 13, 1781-Dated Revolutionary War period, Autograph Letter Twice Signed, “Ant’y Wayne,” 2 pages, measuring 7.5” x 9”, Easttown (Pennsylvania), Choice Very Fine. Here, Anthony Wayne writes to a Robert Shannon in regard to financial dealings and his sale of stock in trade for other tangible assets such as food and cattle. Robert Shannon was appointed Constable 1777-1782 and has been designated as a “PATRIOT” by the DAR (Patriot's List of the Daughters of the American Revolution). It reads, in full:

“Easttown 13th May 1781 --- Sir -- You will please to endeavor to sell the whole stock in trade in the Leather and bank at the best price possible for said Cash only - in exchange part of it for Spirits or Sugar or Cattle Cows Steirs, etc. I wish you to endeavor to execute the whole by the first of Nov, & to pay yourself out the last part of the sales.

I have so much confidence in your judgment, shown that I rest the whole management of this business in your own hands, only desiring that you will resolve a full & clear state of accounts to Mrs Wayne.

I wish it had suited you to take the Whole into your own hands at the rate I proposed, as I think it would be for your Interest as well as saving some trouble & anxiety to. --- Your Most Humb. Serv’t. -- (Signed) Ant’y Wayne”

“B W Mcdill will assist you in the sales & oblige him. - Humbl. Servt. -- (Signed) Ant’y Wayne”. Docket upon the partial blank reverse page reads: “13th May 1781 to Mr. Robert Shannon”. Some math calculations upon the top left margin of the first page, well written in strong brown and both signatures of Anthony Wayne are very clear. An interesting letter regarding the sale of one type of asset into others of more potential future profitability as identified by General “Mad Anthony” Wayne during the Revolutionary War.
A Revolutionary war hero, Wayne was often called “Mad Anthony” because of his courage on the battlefield. He fought in numerous important battles during 1775-78 and demonstrated his military excellence in his surprise attack on and capture of Stony Point in 1779. In 1780 his quick action prevented a British seizure of West Point after Benedict Arnold’s betrayal of the post. In 1783, General Wayne retired from active military service. In gratitude for his part in subduing the hostile Indians in Georgia, the state of Georgia gave him an 800-acre rice plantation. He borrowed the necessary capital to work it from Dutch creditors, who subsequently foreclosed on the land. Wayne was from Pennsylvania and was a member of the Pennsylvania council of censors in 1783, where he favored a new constitutional convention being called. He was a representative of Chester County to the Pennsylvania General Assembly in 1784 and 1785, and in 1787, he supported the new federal Constitution at the convention in Philadelphia. After serving as a member from Georgia of the U. S. House of Representatives, Wayne was appointed major general by President George Washington in order to pacify the Indians of the Ohio Valley. He defeated the Indians at the battle of Fallen Timbers on August 20, 1794, obtaining their complete submission and surrender with the Treaty of Greenville in August 1795.