JOSEPH SPENCER (1714-1789). Spencer was an American Major General in the Revolutionary War. He commanded a division during the defense of New York but was defeated while trying to take command of Rhode Island. Document Signed. 1 page. 8 ¼” x 3 ¼”. Hartford, Connecticut. February 7th 1781. Partly-printed note which “certifies that the Sum of seventy-two pounds six shillings and eight pence lawful money is due from the State of Connecticut unto Gen’l. Joseph Spencer for Interest due on Money Loaned to said State. Signed as treasurer by John Lawrence. Spencer has endorsed the note on verso.

Simon Lake was a famous American engineer who is responsible for obtaining over 200 patents for his advancements to naval designs. Lake is responsible for engineering some of the first submarines for the United States Navy in the 1890s. Despite both of his first two being denied for use by the U.S. Navy, Lake was able to sell his second model, the Protector, to Imperial Russia in 1904 as well as other European countries afterward. When Lake finally was able to get one of submarines allowed for use by the U.S. Navy in 1912, the submarine set a record for depth at 256 feet. This piece is an agreement memorandum from August 4, 1920 between the Boston Sand and Gravel Company and the Argonaut Salvage Company. Lake was treasurer of the Argonaut Sand Company initially, and at the time of the signing of this document had become president. The Argonaut Salvage Company was organized to build and equip Lake’s inventions to submarines to trace sunken or underwater goods. This agreement was for the Boston Sand and Gravel Company to borrow the Argonaut Salvage Company’s steamer to collect sand and gravel from underwater. The piece is signed by Simon Lake in the right hand corner.

Albany August 2 1771 Sir, I am obliged to you for sending me the Brandy and Biskets. When I wrote the last letter, I intended to have sent it by another person, and when I have it to Mr. Beckham, I forgot the 30 shillings which I intended to send you to pay for the Brandy. I now send you by Mrs. Munro, one pound twelve and six pence for the last things, agreeable to your account. Mr. Bogart’s flour, you remember, I paid for it, just as I was going aboard. I remain Sir, Your most humble servant, Harry Munro To Mr. E. Banker” MUNRO, HARRY (1720-1781) Scottish soldier and politician; Member of British Parliament for Ross-shire and Tain Brughs. Hanoverian dynasty loyalist and served as a Captain in Loudon’s Highlanders Regiment in the 1740s during the Jacobite rising of 1745.

Autograph Letter Signed Philadelphia, May 31, 1833. 1 page, 13” x 8”. Postal cover on verso. The letter reads: “Dear Sir, I send you the Release of Dower - will you and your wife please sign it opposite the seals, where I have marked your names in pencil...acknowledge it before the mayor of Trenton, who will put in his signature and city seal...” Dower rights came from the English common law system and were followed in the American colonies, continuing in most states well into the 19th century. The dower right of any validly married woman was established as soon as her husband became possessed of an estate in real property that could be inherited by his children. Some occasional staining; Very Good.

CAROLINE and WILLIAM ASTOR. ADS. 1pp. 8" x 2 3/4". New York. April 10, 1869. A check signed "Caroline W. Astor" and completely engrossed by her. The "Chemical Bank" check paid "Mr. Wm. Astor Three hundred Dollars ". It is endorsed on the verso "Wm Astor". There is a cut cancellation that does not affect either signature and a thin ink line through Caroline's signature, but her autograph is still fully readable.

WALTER P. CHRYSLER. ADS. 1pp. 8 1/8" x 3 1/4". New York. Sept. 23, 1930. A "Central Hanover Bank and Trust Company" check signed "Walter P Chrysler Jr.". He paid "Allen's Drug $5.-". The check has the usual punch cancellations that barely affect the engrossment but not the signature. It is in very fine condition with a dark signature.

(CIVIL WAR POEM). Autograph Manuscript. 3pp. 5" x 8". n.p. n.d. A lengthy autograph manuscript poem entitled "The Old Union Wagon" written during the Civil War.

The unidentified writer started with ink, but then switched to pencil in composing his work:

"In Uncle Sams dominions in 1861
The fight between Secession to the Union was begun
The South declared they'd have the 'Rights' that Uncle Sam denied
Or in Secession's wagon they'd all take a ride Chorus Hurrah for the wagon
The old Union wagon
We'll stick to our wagon & all take a ride
The makers of our Wagon were men of solid wit
They made it out of Charter Oak that wouldn't rot or split
Its wheels were of material the strongest & the best
And two were named the North & South and two the East & West
Our Wagon bed is strong enough for any revolution
In fact tis the hull of the old 'Constitution'
Her coupling strong her...long and any where you get her
No tyrants from can break her down no traitor can upset her
Now the old Union Wagon the nations all admired
Her wheels had run for four score years and never once been tired
Her passengers were happy as long her way she whirled
And the Old Union Wagon was the glory of the world
But when Old Abe took command the South wheel got displeased
Because the public fat was gone that kept her greased
And when he gathered up the reins & started on his route
She plunged into Secession & knocked some fellers out
Now while in the Secession's mire the wheel was stuck very tightly
Some lousy passengers got in & cursed the driver slightly
But Abram couldn't see it so he didn't heed the Clatter
There's too much black mud on the wheel that's what's the matter
So Abram gave them notice that in eighteen sixty three
Unless the Rebels dried it up he'd set their niggers free
And then the man that led the war to fight against our nation
Would drop his gun & home he'd run to fight against starvation
When Abram said free the slaves that furnished their supplies
It opened Northern traitors months & Southern traitors eyes
The slaves said they will run away if you this ruely freed them
But Abram guessed perhaps they best go home and oversee them
A sound our Union Wagon with shoulders to the wheel
A million soldiers...with hearts as true as steel
And of all generals high or low that helped them save the nation
There's none that strike a harder blow than General Emancipation.".

The piece has a few faults but is in generally Fine condition.

CIVIL WAR. MD. 2pp. 4" x 7 1/2". n.p. n.d. A manuscript poem entitled "Our Union" supporting the Union cause: "Dissolve this mighty Union / Go stop you rolling sun / Blot out the planets from this sphere / Which now in oder run / Go stop the raging billows / Go calm the raging sea / And then this mighty Union / May be dissolved by thee / Dissolve this happy Union / Command our Good to sleep / And cause the sons of Freedom / In bitterness to weep / But hark they say with one accord / This blessed land shall shine / The Freedom of this Country / Be preserved by power divine / Dissolve this matchless Union / Oh what a wicked thought / The blast this mighty structure / That was so dearly bought / Dissolve the starry Union / Go hide your shameful heads / Behold the mighty hand of God / Her spangled Banner spreads / Dissolve this wide spread Union / Her mountains on your frown / Volcanoes in their fiery mist / In floods to sweep your down / But hark from every State the sound / Of union still is heard / Her countless sons assemble round / Their banners at a word". The poem is in very fine condition with white paper and dark ink. Though the writer is unknown, the spirit is apparent and moving.

[Civil War – Black Soldiers]. Camp 1st U. S. Colored Troops In the Field Va Nov. 12th/64 I certify on honor, that on the 27th day of October 1864 at and in the vicinity of White Oaks before Richmond Va, the articles enumerated below were lost, under the following circumstances. The Regt. to which my company belongs after a severe march from 5 a.m. to a short time before sundown being almost constantly on foot took up a position on the extreme right of the 18th Army Corps in their recent movement on the left of the enemy’s line before Richmond Va. After running considerable distance the Regt. deployed in thick under brush and moved at the same gait for considerable distance by the flank to our right, the men being by this time nearly exhausted, into an open field. About half a mile to our left was the Rebel line of works, which opened immediately with a battery upon us. We then fronted to the left and charged the works, which were carried, with two pieces of Artillery. We were however ordered to retire, as the rebels were massing upon our flank and we had no supports; In the charge many of the men were compelled to throw away their extra trappings to keep up, while others lost theirs by the breakage of the fastenings. In the charge Two men were killed and ten wounded belonging to my company. Our dead and severely wounded were left on the field, those that were helped off, lost their (??) as they had to be helped along for considerable distance before army ambulances could be found. The following is a list of the articles so lost. (17) Seventeen Haversocks (13) Thirteen Canteens (2) Two Shelter Tents (2) Two Pairs Great Coat Straps Nathan L. Bishop The regiment was organized in the District of Columbia in May and June of 1863. The incident detailed within this letter took place during the Battle of Fair Oaks. While a retained copy, the letter is signed at the conclusion by four Black soldiers, 1st Lieut. Nathan L. Bishop, and three sergeants, Henry Green, Robert Bouldin and John Ross An exceptional letter detailing colored troops at the during the Battle of Fair Oaks and signed by four Black soldiers.