Autographs
1798 Revolutionary War Hero of the Battle of Bunker Hill "John Chester" Signed Letter as CT. Supervisor of Revenue
JOHN CHESTER (1749-1809). Revolutionary War Hero of the Battle of Bunker Hill, Crossed the Delaware with General George Washington, from Connecticut.
November 5, 1798-Dated Federal Period, Autograph Letter Signed, "John Chester", as Connecticut Supervisor of the Federal Revenue. This letter measures about 9.75" x 8" on hand-made laid paper with a beautiful watermark. The paper is well-preserved with some age toning. Fully transcribed:
"Supervisor's Office, -- November 5th, 1798. -- Sir, I have sent to Andrew (illegible) his receipt in your favor for Dollars 1100 which you transmitted to me in your letter of the 31 Ult. he having paid me that amount, for which you will find my receipt to you enclosed herein. I am sir your most obedient servant John Chester, Supervisor of the Revenue. Dyer White, Esquire."
Docket on the reverse. This is an excellent specimen of a signed document from this Connecticut Revolutionary War hero. The bold "John Chester" signature measures about 3" long!
COLONEL JOHN CHESTER, Revolutionary War hero (1749-1809) from Weathersfield, Connecticut achieved distinction for his actions during the Revolutionary War. He graduated from Yale in 1767. In 1771 he was a lieutenant in the local militia. When the battle of Lexington and Concord took place on April 19,1775, he marched there leading a picked body of about 100 men which ranked as the most select body in the provincial army. They again distinguished themselves at the Battle of Bunker Hill June 17, 1775 where John Chester was wounded.
They took great pride in their uniforms wholly blue turned up in red.
He was commissioned Colonel in June of 1776. John Chester fought at the battle of White Plains, NY, where again he was wounded, and also was at the battle of Trenton with George Washington in December 1776 (crossing of the Delaware River). He left the army in 1777 and was speaker of the Connecticut Legislature. He was the Supervisor of the Revenue (whiskey "sin" tax) from 1791 appointed by Washington until President Jefferson came into office in 1801.