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Black Rev. War Soldier SHUBAEL JOHNSON Signature

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Black History

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Rare Signed Pay Order for Revolutionary War Black Soldier, Shubel Johnson, of the Connecticut Line

June 1, 1780, Revolutionary War, State of Connecticut Pay Order Signed by Shubael Johnson, Black Soldier in the Continental Army, Very Fine.
This original, partially printed Pay Order is Signed "Shub[a]el Johnson", in brown ink on the back of this document Numbered "13,254". Cataloged by William Anderson as CT-18, this fiscal document is signed by "J. Lawrence", Treasurer, and guarantees payment by June 1, 1785. Johnson was due pay for serving in the Connecticut Line, as described in the pay order:
"The State of Connecticut doth owe unto Shubel Johnson who hath served in the Connecticut Line of the Continental Army, the Sum of Twelve pounds Nine Shill:gs Eight pence 1/2 Being one fourth Part of the Balance found due to him..."
Docketed on the back by Lawrence and other officials for interest paid to Johnson over several years. The document has a scalloped left edge, and measures 4.5" x 8", including wide bottom margin. It has distinctive engraved "CON NEC TI CUT LINE" borders, folds and some edge splits; it is hole-canceled in the lower left corner, not affecting Johnson's signature. Shubael Johnson, from Stratford, CT, served in the Army from 1777-1783, and is listed in David White's "Connecticut's Black Soldiers 1775-1783" (1973). A rare find!

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