Description:

Revolutionary War
Philadelphia, PA, September 24, 1776
Indentured Uses Prize Money to Buy his Freedom, 1776 Signed Agreement
MDS
Manuscript Document Signed, "William Milnor" and "Jon Williams", 1p, on watermarked paper measuring 8.25" x 13", Philadelphia, September 24, 1776. Docketed at verso. Expected folds and creases, with some with minor loss. Toning and soiling. Scattered damp staining. Two small paper flaps over red wax seals at bottom right at signatures. In good plus condition.

In full: "Articles of agreement indented & concluded this twenty fourth day of September in the Year of our Lord One thousand seven hundred and Seventy Six between William Milnor of Philadelphia, Cooper and John Williams of the same place, Mariner. Whereas the said John Williams lately made a Cruise as a Privateersman on board the Reprisal, Captain Lambert Wickes, Commander, which vessel during the cruise had taken three prizes, of which prizes the said William Milnor as witness is entitled to the shares thereof, the said Williams to belong now & was under an indenture to the said William Milnor. Now know ye that it is agreed mutually between the said parties that the said Milnor shall receive the one half part of wages and prize money belonging to the said Williams from the Reprisal and her prizes, and as the payment of one half thereof unto the said William Milnor by the said John Williams. Then the said William Milnor covenants & agrees to and with the said Williams to cancel his indenture and given heirs a discharge in full of all demands. Witness our hands & seals this day & given of our said".

William Milnor (1720-1798) was a prominent Philadelphia merchant. He had business dealings with George Washington before the Revolutionary War, and in 1775, he acted as General Washington's agent to buy arms and uniforms. Milnor was a frequent visitor to Mount Vernon, and in 1790, President Washington appointed him Gauger of the Port of Philadelphia.

Lambert Wickes (1735-1777) was a captain in the Continental Navy during the American Revolutionary War. Prior to the American Revolution, Wickes was captain of the merchant ships the Neptune and the Ceres. On March 28, 1776 the Continental Congress allowed the purchase of the 18-gun brig which would be renamed the Reprisal. The Committee of Secret Correspondence of Congress, by arrangement with the Marine Committee, issued orders for Capt. Wickes to proceed to the West Indies in Reprisal and bring out munitions for use by General Washington's army. On October 24, 1776, Wickes was ordered to France with Benjamin Franklin and his two grandsons as passengers. On November 27, while approaching the coast of France, Captain Wickes received Ambassador Franklin's permission to engage two brigs, and captured them both. Franklin, who knew him well, said of him, "He was a gallant officer, and a very worthy man."

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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  • Dimensions: 8.25" x 13"
  • Medium: MDS

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