Colonial America
1756 Colonial Embossed Revenue "PINE TREE" Design III Pence Massachusetts Tax Stamp Scott RM-3 PCGS EF-45
September 13, 1756-Dated, Colonial Embossed Revenue "PINE TREE" III Pence Tax Stamp, Scott RM-3, Partly-Printed Document, Signed by Joseph Bowditch (1700-1780) Salem (Mass.), PCGS graded Extremely Fine-45, PCGS graded EF-45.
September 13, 1756-Dated, Partly-Printed Document, measuring about 8" x 6.5", 1 page, at Salem, (MA), with 3 pence Massachusetts (Scott RM3), beautifully embossed and extremely sharp in detail, located at top left. This legal court Document reads, in part: "We Command you to Attach the Goods or Estate of Francis Johnson of Andover... to the Value of Seven Pounds, and for the want thereof to take the Body of the said Francis... and him safely keep, so that you have him before Our Justices of Our Inferior Court of Common Pleas next to be holden at Newbury..." Its PCGS holder notes minor stains (which is not correct as a small ink smear is located at the blank reverse top right, next to the seal caused by the sheriff's statement of presenting a summons). The "Joseph Bowditch Papers 1715 to circa 1785," are held within the archives at the Harvard Library, including a similar document to this current example with a Pine Tree III Pence Embossed Tax Stamp, but Harvards is of lesser quality. A superior quality specimen with a historic Colonial signature.
JOSEPH BOWDITCH (August 21, 1700 " October 6, 1780) was a Ship owner, a merchant and served as Sheriff, Justice of the Peace, Clerk of the Court and Town Treasurer in Salem, MA. As a tribute to his manner of distinction, he was often referred to as "Squire Bowditch."