Historical receipt for The Independent Press, New York, April 16, 1889 for Programmes. Signed in old red ink by Elbridge Thomas Gerry. Excellent condition.(1837-1924) Elbridge Thomas Gerry was usually called "Commodore" Gerry due to the office he held with the New York Yacht Club from 1886 to 1892, was an American lawyer and reformer. His paternal grandfather was U.S. Vice President Elbridge Gerry. Gerry was born on December 25, 1837, In Charlestown, Rhode Island, the son of Thomas Russell Gerry (1794–1848), who was active in the Sons of the American Revolution. His paternal grandfather was Founding Father, Massachusetts Governor and U.S. Vice President Elbridge Gerry. His cousins included Elbridge Gerry, who was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Maine, George Goelet Kip, and Robert Walton Goelet, who was a financier and real estate developer in New York City. His maternal grandfather was the merchant and landowner Peter P. Goelet and his great-grandfather was Peter Goelet.After graduation from Columbia, he read law with William Curtis Noyes and was admitted to the New York bar in 1860. He later became partner with Noyes until his death, after which he joined William F. Allen and Vaughn Abbot, practicing as Allen, Abbott & Gerry.In 1874, Gerry took up the case of Mary Ellen McCormack, who had been abused by her foster parents, which he eventually argued before the Supreme Court of New York.In 1875, as a result of Mary Ellen McCormack's case, he co-founded the New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children "SPCC", sometimes called the Gerry Society, together with Quaker philanthropist John D. Wright and Henry Bergh, who he had previously helped found the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. SPCC was known as one of the first child protection societies in the country and he helped pass numerous laws to protect children.Gerry was Commodore of the New York Yacht Club. He held office from 1886 to 1892. The pilot boat Elbridge T. Gerry was named in honor of him.Gerry was a notable member of Tammany Hall, the Democratic political machine of Boss Tweed, for more than 35 years. In 1867, he served as a delegate to New York State Constitutional Convention, but never again sought elective office.Comes with a full Letter of Authenticity from Todd Mueller Authentics.