Autographs
“Sam’l Huntington, President,” Signed as President of the Continental Congress & Prior Signer of the Declaration of Independence From Connecticut the First “U.S. President”
SAMUEL HUNTINGTON (1731-1796). President of the Continental Congress, Signer of the Declaration of Independence from Connecticut, served as President (September 28, 1779 to February 28, 1781), thus... after the Articles of Confederation were ratified, he was “technically” the First President of the United States of America (March 1-July 6, 1781).
March 2, 1779-Dated Revolutionary War, Partially-Printed Document Signed, “Sam’l Huntington, President,” 1 page, measuring 6.5” x 10.5”, Very Fine. This official form being boldly engraved for the Continental Congress is printed in rich black on Vellum (sheep skin parchment), completed in in manuscript, full intact embossed paper and red wax Seal. Minor wear, folds. Signed by Huntington as President of the Continental Congress, his Signature in dark brown, somewhat unevenly so (as ink dries on the surface and does not soak into Vellum, as it would on regular paper).

Continental Congress Military Appointment made to, “Joseph Washburn” (1755-1807) who joined his father's company of Massachusetts Minutemen in April 1775 and served at Bunker Hill, having a long military service (which is presented in full, in our expanded online lot description).

Docket and added notation worn and faded being on the blank verso Signed, “Tench Tilghman,” American Revolutionary War Officer, and George Washington's personal Aide-de-camp. Signature, “Sam’l Huntington, President,” measures a huge 4.5” long, with “Tench Tilghman” on the verso measuring 3” long. Made to a Patriot Minutemen who actually fought at the Battle of Bunker Hill. Very historic and Rare.
Scroll Down Below - Tench Tilghman and Joseph Washburn Historical Information:

Tench Tilghman (1744 – 1786) was an Officer in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. He served as an Aide de camp to General George Washington, achieving the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

Tilghman rose to become a trusted member of Washington's staff. The historic events of the time sparked his transformation from a privileged family member of Loyalists to a dedicated Patriot. He paid a high price, facing tragedies including a split with Loyalist members of his family, and illness and an early death from disease contracted during the American Revolutionary War.

The Siege of Yorktown in October 1781 culminated in a Patriot victory and an honor for Tilghman, whom Washington picked to carry the Surrender Papers to the Continental Congress in Philadelphia. Poets Dr. Oliver Huchel and Howard Pyle each considered Tilghman a hero for that ride. Tilghman's own journal entry was terse:

In the morning Lord Cornwallis put out a letter requesting 24 hours must be granted to the commissioners to settle terms of capitulation of the posts of York and Gloster. The General answered that only two hours would be allowed for him to send out his terms. He accordingly sent them out generally as follows, that the Garrisons should be prisoners of war, the German and British soldiers to be sent to England and Germany. The General answered on the 18th that the terms of sending the troops to England and Germany were inadmissible. Lord Cornwallis closed with all the terms except the same honors granted at Charlestown.

In a letter to Tilghman the following year, Washington’s humor and admiration is apparent:

“Till your letter of the 28th arrived which is the first from you and the only direct account of you since we departed at Philadelphia, we have various conjectures about you. Some thought you were dead—others that you were married—and all that you have forgot us. Your letter is not a more evident contradiction of the first and last of these suppositions than it is a tacit conformation of the second and as more can wish you greater success in the prosecution of the plan you are upon than I do...you have no friend who wishes more to see you than I do.”

JOSEPH WASHBURN (1755-1807), was born at Leicester, Massachusetts 18 May 1755 died there 27 March 1807. Joseph was the son of Seth and Mary (Hubbard) Washburn. He married at Charlton, Massachusetts 6 May 1787 to Ruth Davis. She was born at Charlton 8 October 1765 died at Leicester, Mass. 22 March 1827, aged 62 yrs. Ruth was a daughter of Ebenezer and Deborah (Davis) Davis of Charlton.

Joseph Washburn joined his father's company of Minutemen in April 1775 and served at Bunker Hill.

The following sketch for his service in the Revolutionary War appears in “Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolutionary War”:

Joseph Washburn, Leicester. List of men raised to serve in the Continental Army from North co. in Leicester, as returned by Capt. Loring Lincoln; residence, Leicester; engaged for town of Leicester; joined Capt. Martyn's co., Col. Bigelow's Regt.; term to expire Feb. -, 1780; also, Ensign and Lieutenant, Col. Timothy Bigelow's Regt.

Continental Army pay accounts for service from Jan. 1, 1777, to Dec. 31, 1779; reported as serving 26 mos. as Ensign, 10 mos. as Lieutenant; also, Sergeant, Capt. Adam Martin's co., Col. Bigelow's (15th) Regt.; muster roll for Jan.-Aug., 1777, dated Van Schaick's Island and sworn to at Camp near Half Moon; engaged March 7, 1777; term, 3 years; reported promoted to Ensign May 1, 1777; also, Ensign, same co. and Regt.; muster roll of field, staff, and commissioned officers for Jan.-Aug., 1777, dated Van Schaick's Island and sworn to at Camp near Half Moon;

He reported on command at Albany; also, same co. and Regt.; muster roll sworn to at Camp near the "Gulph," Dec. 18, 1777; also, same Regt.; return of officers for clothing, dated Boston, May 25, 1778; also, Capt. Martin's co., Col. Bigelow's Regt.; pay roll for Feb., 1779; also, same co. and Regt.; muster roll for March and April, 1779, dated Providence; also, (late) Capt. Martin's co., Col. Timothy Bigelow's (15th) Regt.; muster roll of field, staff, and commissioned officers for Aug., 1779, dated Lower Salem; also, Lieutenant, Col. Bigelow's Regt.;

List of officers promoted in the Continental Army and for whom warrants were made out; warrant issued Nov. 26, 1779; also, Lieutenant, same Regt.; Continental Army pay accounts for service from Jan. 1, 1780, to April 11, 1780; also, Lieutenant, Capt. Bowman's co., Col. Bigelow's Regt.; muster roll of field, staff, and commissioned officers for Jan.-June, 1780, dated Robinson's Farm; appointed March 2, 1779; reported discharged April 11, 1780.

Joseph was by occupation a farmer. His descendants are eligible for Membership in the Massachusetts Society of the Cincinnati under the Rule of 1854. Joseph's and Ruth's estates were probated at the Worcester County Courthouse.