Slavery

"Negro" Signed Revolutionary War Doc, For Receipt of Iron

[Slavery] Manuscript signed document on a partial sheet, 8.25" x 3". Dated "Swansey Jan 25th, 1776", and signed by Henry Bowers. Verso signed by "Negro Prymose" with his "X". Faint staining and some wear to edges. Very good condition.

A phenomenal document offering insight into lives in Colonial America during the Revolutionary War. Shown transcribed below:



"Friend Nicho. Baylis. Swansey Janry 25th 1776

Please send me by the Bearer negroe man Prymose Six Hundred Wt of Barr Iron which will oblige thy friend / Henry Bowers." The verso reads "Rec'd Five Hundred Weight Pounds of Iron / for his / Negro Prymose"

Iron was one of the important material used in the Revolutionary war, both as shot for cannons which would fire either a solid ball, various small shot, or sometimes shells. Shells were a hollow iron ball filled with blackpowder and fitted with a fuse. The shot used could be buckshot, musket balls or grape shot, which are larger iron or lead balls about 1 inch in diameter.

The prominent Baylies family of Dighton, Massachusetts ran a lucrative iron business during the American Revolution. Nicholas Baylies, to whom the iron order is addressed, headed Baylies' Iron Works in Massachusetts from 1756 until the end of the Revolutionary War. Under his management, the company flourished—the tone and content of the manuscript order serve as evidence of his strong relations with clients. The Baylies' were also connected to the American Revolution being generally supportive in terms of finances and, obviously, iron. The status of the African American men with whom the Baylies family interacted is unknown, but they were likely slaves, though quasi-slavery in the form of indentured servitude was also prevalent during the period. Massachusetts was the first colony to authorize slave ownership and served as a center of slave-trading in Colonial America for centuries; its unearned reputation as a liberal bastion free from slavery was only established due to the efforts of the state's many prominent abolitionists and only after the Emancipation Proclamation.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.



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