North Carolina Currency
1777 North Carolina Document Regarding a Counterfeit Currency Case - With Prison Escape Assisted by Lawman!
September 20, 1777-Dated Revolutionary War Period, Manuscript Document Signed, Rowan County (NC), Regarding a State of North Carolina Currency Counterfeit Case - With Prison Escape Assisted by a Lawman, Very Fine.
The finest, best content, Manuscript Document regarding a North Carolina Colonial Paper Money Counterfeiting case one would ever hope to acquire. In fact, this is the best item we have encountered inclusive of all the Thirteen Original Colonies. This unique original, 1 page, legal size Document measures 12.5" x 8" being boldly written and easily readable in dark rich brown ink. Housed in a modern custom green cloth covered board and leather spine folio with embossed gilt lettering along the spine. It has some expected folds and some tone, a small fold intersection wear hole at left, and a few minor edge splits that do not significantly distract from this remarkable historic North Carolina Counterfeiting and passing of Counterfeit Currency related Document. It reads, in full:
"State of North Carolina - Rowan County --- The Examination of John Garrisson & Thom Terrall of said County taken before me one of the Justices assigned to keep the peace for said County & State taken upon Oath - that whereas on the 2d day of September inst. a State warrant was issued by James Smith, Esqr for apprehending and taking Luke Carroll and Benj'n. Carroll both of said County, being charged upon the Oath of Edward DeCruale for having passed & counterfeited the curr'cy of this state & being the currency emitted by Congress, and That said Edwd DeCruale & John Garrisson were especially appointed to execute said Warrant.
That in consequence of their appointment - John Garrison in company w'th said DeCruale apprehended & took said Luke Carroll in custody and kept him at Carroll's [own] house a night. The next morning said John Garrison, Edwd DeCruale, & Thomas Terrall, who assisted to guard the prisoner, Luke Carroll - proposed setting out for Salisbury with said Carroll, but Edward DeCruale seemed to object against their starting out - and used all his endeavour to delay the time, and the said John Garrisson & Thomas Terrall, very believes from the Tenor of said DeCrual's conversation, & whole conduct during the time the prisoner, Carroll was in Custody, He intended to give him Carroll an opportunity of making his escape & extort money from said Carroll. -- Accordingly that morning said Luke Carroll did make his escape & break custody - immediately after said Carroll's making his escape, Thomas Terrall met DeCruale at the doors which Carroll went out at - and asked DeCruale where Carroll was. - He replied he thought he was in bed with his wife - but they found Carroll was gone. - taken 20 Sept. 1777 before me Matt. Troy and further - with not Thomas Terrall (his mark) John Garrisson (his mark)."
Firsthand detailed legal sworn oath Signed, "Thomas Terrall" and "John Garrison" at its closing, both leaving their "Seal Mark" by their names. It is known that three specific notes from the April 2nd 1776 North Carolina issue were subject to Contemporary Counterfeiting. The denominations include: $1/2 Crow, $1/2 Hunter, and $4 "Key". Prior to that 1776 issue, only the Handwritten 1729 North Carolina issue and the December 1771, 30 Shillings denomination have known Counterfeits to exist. Therefore, this case likely involved the Counterfeiting and passing of the April 2nd 1776 issue 30 Shillings or the 1776 notes. In addition, the document reads: "having passed & counterfeited the curr'cy of this state & being the currency emitted by Congress" therefore possibly also including Counterfeit Continental Currency issues within the state.
A highly important Document towards the fiscal history of Paper Money of the State of North Carolina. An extremely rare opportunity for serious collectors of Colonial Currency, Early Counterfeiting and North Carolina Currency alike. Provenance Ex: EAHA Auction March 3, 2012 Lot 81, where it sold for $4,720.