American Revolution
Rare 1781 Revolutionary War Massachusetts Printed “Port of Boston” Naval Clearance Form Signed Nathaniel Barber
June 11, 1781-Dated Revolutionary War Period, Partially-Printed Document Signed, “Nat. Barber” as Naval-Officer, Port of Boston, Massachusetts, Fine.
This original Document measures 8” x 7.75” being a “Certificate or Clearance, Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Port of Boston” official Naval Form. This rare Document certifies, “That Ephraim Lombard Master of the Brigg Expedition... has Permission to depart from this Port with the following Articles, viz.” Includes a manuscript list of the articles; lumber, shingles, hoops, fish and mackril. It goes on to document having provided, ”... given bond of Twenty Thousand Pounds, conditioned that the said Goods and Commodities shall not be carried to or landed at any Port under the Dominion of the King of Great Britain.” This Document is Signed by Nat(haniel) Barber, as Naval Officer, who was a soldier and early Patriot of Boston. Signed at bottom by the Ship’s Master, “Eph Lombart” and Mate, “Benj Bartlett”. Some humidity tone and expected age with roughness along the upper right margin. Boldly completed and signed in rich brown ink. Paper and wax Seal intact at the upper left, a vertical fold has been reinforced on its reverse side with archival tape. On the reverse side, Nathaniel Barber again signs to Attest to the ship and its cargo, with a second Paper Seal present. An extremely rare official Revolutionary War printed form, being the first we have seen and offered.