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GEN. ARTEMAS WARD Signed Payorder, June 8, 1776

American Revolution

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General Artemas Ward Approves Pay to a Regiment of the "Army of the United Colonies"

June 8, 1776, Gen. Artemas Ward Signed Payorder for One Month's Pay to a Regiment of the "Army of the United Colonies," Boston, MA, Very Good.
Written less than one month before the Declaration of Independence, which transformed thirteen "United Colonies" into the United States, this Manuscript Document is Signed, "Artemas Ward" in brown ink, as General at the Headquarters in Boston, one page, 12" x 8" by sight, matted and framed to an overall size of 18.5" x 21.5". This fabulous historical pay order is addressed to Deputy Paymaster General Ebenezer Hancock "of the Army of the United Colonies" and reads:
"Pay to Col. Asa Whitcomb one thousand one hundred ninety three pounds ten shillings and eight pence, equal to three thousand nine hundred seventy eight dollars 2/6ths U.C. it being for one months pay of the Regiment of foot in the service of the United Colonies under his command for the month of April last and this shall be your sufficient warrant..." Countersigned by Joseph Ward, the lightly toned and foxed document is laid-down on archival silk, and signed at bottom by Colonel Asa Whitcomb. This pay order has outstanding historical value!


Artemas Ward (1727-1800), was an American major general in the American Revolutionary War and a Congressman from Massachusetts. President John Adams described him as "...universally esteemed, beloved and confided in by his army and his country."
Joseph Ward is listed in Continental Army records as a major and aide-de-camp to Artemas Ward from July 20, 1775 to April 1776 and remained with General Ward as secretary until the general retired from active service in Sept, 1776.
The 1st Massachusetts Bay Provincial Regiment was initially commanded by General Artemas Ward, of Shrewsbury, who was the commanding general of the Massachusetts Bay provincial forces. His general authority over the troops from the other New England colonies was acknowledged, and he commanded the patriot army at Boston until the arrival of George Washington at Cambridge on July 3, 1775. On June 17, 1775, Ward was made a major general in the Continental Army - the first appointment in that grade. Command of the regiment passed to its next senior officer, Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Ward, who was promoted to the rank of colonel on that date. The 5th Massachusetts Bay Provincial Regiment contained eleven companies and had an official establishment of 658 officers and men. It was commanded by Colonel Asa Whitcomb, who served as colonel until the end of the year.

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