1761 Document on Canadian Invasion "forming an Army of 20,000...to Invade French Possessions in Canada", Highly Important

2pp, measuring 8.25" x 13", Ulster County, dated August 18, 1761. A military document compiled by and signed by Abraham Van Keuren "A Van Keuren", Charles D Witt "Ch D.Witt", Wessel Brodhead "Wessel Brodhea[d]", Jacob Hoornbeek "Jacob Hoornb[eek], and Abraham Hardenbergh "Abraham Hardenberg[h]." Addressed to the Collector of the Manor of Fox Hall, Jacobus Van Gaasbeek, it relates to the raising of money to form an army for an invasion of Canada. The front of the document is the letter to Fox Hall, while the verso is a list of Assessment Rates. With flattened folds and separations which have been professionally repaired on verso. Edge chipping and paper loss. Uneven toning, with soiling and foxing throughout. Five red wax seals remain intact. A few small holes at folds. Boldly signed by all. Reading in part:

"Pursuant to an Act Entitled an Act for paying and subsisting Eight Complete Companied of 100 Effective men Each officers Included to Assist in Conjunction with the neighbouring Colonies in Erecting one or more forts nigh Crown Point within his Majesties Dominion for raising the Sum of 10,000 Pounds for and towards the said Service &c. Also for one other Act of ten Thousand Pounds Entitled an Act for the payments of the Debts Due from the Colony &c: also for one other Act of £100,000 Entitled and Act for Raising Paying and Cloathing 2680 Effective men officers included for forming an Army of 20,000 men with the forces of the neighbouring Colonies to Invade the French Possessions in Canada &c…These are therefore in his Majesties name to require you the aforesaid Collector of the manor of Foxhall to Collect the Sum of One hundred and nine pounds eight shillings and nine pence half penny two fifths of a farthing; according to the within list…" The list on verso provides the names of sixteen people, along with the amounts for assessment and rates. A scanned transcription of both pages is included in the lot, along with a scanned catalog entry from Peggy Christian, Bookseller.

The five signatures belong to the Supervisors of Ulster County. Jacob Hoornbeek (1726-1778) would go on to play a role in the future Revolutionary War. He was a member of the first Provincial Congress that met in New York on May 23, 1775, and the founder of the Ulster County Militia that formed following the Battle of Lexington. He would go on to serve in the war as a Lt. Colonel. Charles De Witt (1727-1787) was also a key figure during the Revolution, serving as a Colonel of the 2nd Ulster Militia and later as a delegate to the Continental Congress.

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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