Minutemen at Lexington Concord! 8 Military DS From 4 Different Massachusetts Colonial Govs Re: Thomas Turner Sr. & Son

A superb collection of military commissions and other documents signed by four different Massachusetts colonial governors related to the military service of Thomas Turner Sr. and his son Thomas Turner. Documents are all mounted to boards with folds, losses, and other faults, fair to good condition overall. 

The archive consists of eight partly-printed documents dating between 1756 and 1772 concerning Thomas Turner (1711-1795), a captain in the Pembroke, Massachusetts militia and his son, Thomas Turner, Jr. (1735-1808), also a member of the Pembroke militia. Signatories include four Royal Governors of Massachusetts including William Shirley (1694-1771), Francis Bernard (1712-1779), Thomas Pownall (1722-1805), and Thomas Hutchinson (1711-1780). Two of the documents are countersigned by Andrew Oliver (1706-1774), who later became notorious for his appointment (at Benjamin Franklin's recommendation) as stamp agent for Massachusetts in 1764.

The elder Turner served as a captain of the Pembroke militia during the French and Indian War and likely marched with Amherst in the capture of Montreal in 1760. At the outbreak of the American Revolution, Turner's son, by then also a militia captain, led his men on the Lexington Alarm of April 19, 1775. Turner, Jr. also served at First and Second Saratoga. According to one listing on the web, the Pembroke Historical Society, both father and son were minutemen who came to the call of the Lexington Alarm.

The archive includes four military commissions for the elder Turner (1711-1795):

Thomas Pownall (1722-1805) Partly-printed Document Signed, "T Pownall," as Governor of Massachusetts, 1 page, 16.25" x 12.75", Boston, April 29, 1760 appointing Turner as an ensign "in the first military company of Foot in the Town of Pembroke, under the Command of Captain John Ford in the Second Regiment of Militia in the County of Plymouth whereof Thomas Clap Esq. is Colonel". Countersigned by Andrew Oliver (1706-1774) as Provincial Secretary.

Francis Bernard (1712-1779) Partly-printed Document Signed, "Fra Bernard," as Governor of Massachusetts, 1 page, 16.25" x 12.75", Boston, February 20, 1762, appointing Turner as a "Lieutenant of the first foot company in Pembroke…" Countersigned by Andrew Oliver as Provincial Secretary.

Francis Bernard Partly-printed Document Signed, "Fra Bernard," as Governor of Massachusetts, 1 page, 16.25" x 12.75", Boston, October 4,1764, appointing Turner as "Captain of the first Military Company of Foot in the Town of Pembroke…"

Francis Bernard Partly-printed Document Signed, "Fra Bernard," as Governor of Massachusetts, 1 page, 16.25" x 12.75", Boston, October 7, 1767, appointing Turner as "Captain of the first Military Company of Foot in the Town of Pembroke…"In addition to his military service Turner Sr. was also twice appointed county coroner as noted in the two following documents.

William Shirley (1694-1771) Partly-printed Document Signed, "W Shirley," as Governor of Massachusetts, 2 pages, 8.25" x 12", Boston, September 14, 1756, appointing the elder Turner as "Coroner of the County of Plymouth…"

Francis Bernard Partly-printed Document Signed, "Fra Bernard," as Governor of Massachusetts, 2 pages, 8.25" x 12", Boston, January 28, 1762 also appointing the elder Turner as "Coroner of the County of Plymouth…"Turner's son (1735-1808) also followed in his father's footsteps and is represented with two commissions.

Francis Bernard Partly-printed Document Signed, "Fra Bernard," as Governor of Massachusetts, 1 page, 16.5" x 13", Boston, October 20, 1767, appointing Turner, Jr. as "Captain of the first Military Company of Foot in the Town of Pembroke…"

Thomas Hutchinson Partly-printed Document Signed, "T Hutchinson," as Governor of Massachusetts, 1 page, 18.5" x 17", Boston, appointing Turner, Jr. as "Captain of the first Military Company of Foot in the Town of Pembroke…"

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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