Offered for yourconsideration is a small, manuscript document certifying that an individual hadserved in a Connecticut regiment during the American Revolution. Headlined “Camp28th August 1780”, this document states that “I docertify that Capt. Sanford of the 8th Connect Regt belonged to saidregiment the first of Jany last”. It is signed at the conclusion by “IsaacSherman Lieut Col Comdg / 8th C. Regt (LieutenantColonel Commanding, 8th Connecticut Regiment). A notation in theblank area to the left reads “£258 – 5 – 11” (258 pounds, 5shillings, 11 pence), possibly what he was owed for his service. The verso isblank, except for one notation at the left edge reading “Saml. Sanford”,apparently added for ease of identification when the document was folded forstorage. Though not overly impressive in size or eye appeal, documents of thistype are rarely offered on the collector’s market. A great item to frame withan illustration of a Continental Army formation.
Cursory research haslocated a Samuel Sanford, Junior who was born in Milford, Connecticut on May29, 1698. He is listed as serving in the 2nd Connecticut Regimentduring the French and Indian War (serving from 1755-1762), and in the 8thConnecticut Regiment during the American Revolution. This seems somewhat difficultto believe as he would have been 79 years old at the time he enlisted, but Iwill leave that up to the next researcher. Samuel Sanford is listed as dying inMilford, Connecticut, on May 3, 1781.
This same researchindicates that Isaac Sherman, the writer and signer, was born in 1753 in NewHaven, Connecticut, the son of Roger Sherman (signer of the Declaration ofIndependence, the Articles of Confederation, and the Constitution). He servedas a captain in Samuel Gerrish’s Massachusetts regiment in May, 1775, and lateras a captain in the 26th Continental Regiment. He was lieutenantcolonel in the 2nd and 8th Connecticut Regiments,commanding the latter regiment upon the death of its colonel. He subsequentlycommanded the 5th Connecticut until it was disbanded on January 1,1783. Following the war, Sherman served as an assistant surveyor for westernlands. Isaac Sherman died in 1819.
The presently offereddocument exhibits signs of significant period used, followed by years of lessthan ideal storage (it is over 240 years old). Moderate toning is presentacross the entire document, somewhat darker along the edges and at the folds. Minorsoiling and foxing spots are scattered throughout the piece, though none ofthese are particularly dark or seriously distracting. Sadly, the ink has fadedsignificantly through the years (it is possible that it was poorly mixed in thefirst place), though with persistence, all of the text can be read (thenumerical notation at the left is still sharp and bold). The edges of thedocument are all ragged and irregular, indicating that this piece was torn froma larger document. Numerous multi-directional folds are present, most obviouswhen the piece is viewed from the back. Due to the type of paper employed,these folds have not seriously weakened the document. Measuring approximately 3¾x 8¼ inches, this piece would be a great reminder of the 250thAnniversary celebrated this year.
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American Coins & CollectiblesShreveport, La.
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