Autographs
Genl. Benjamin Lincoln Signed Superb Quality Document
BENJAMIN LINCOLN (1733-1810). American Revolutionary War Major General Commanding an Continental Army in the South, he was captured at Charleston (SC) and later exchanged, accepted the British Surrender at Yorktown, and served as Secretary of War (1781-1783).
July 10, 1804-Dated Federal Period, Partly-Printed Document Signed, “B Lincoln” as Collector of Customs, 1 page, measuring 9.25” x 5”, Port of Marblehead, Massachusetts, Choice Crisp New Mint. Being a Certification of the importation of "one Pipe of Brandy... containing One hundred Twenty Six Gallons fourth proof... (Signed) B. Lincoln, Collector." This Document has an official Embossed Seal within a decorative box at upper left, is vividly printed in black, and completed in rich brown on bright, fresh crisp laid watermarked “HSALMON-1804” period paper. Perhaps the finest example of this special Customs form we have encountered and worthy of a premium in that it has such excellent eye appeal.
Benjamin Lincoln (1733-1810) was an American army officer. He served as a Major General in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. He is notable for being involved in three major surrenders during the war: his participation in the Battles of Saratoga (sustaining a wound shortly afterward) contributed to John Burgoyne's surrender of a British army; he oversaw the largest American surrender of the war at the 1780 Siege of Charleston; and, as General George Washington's second in command, he formally accepted the British surrender at Yorktown.

After the war Lincoln was active in politics in his native Massachusetts, running several times for lieutenant governor but only winning one term in that office. He led a militia army (privately funded by Massachusetts merchants) in the suppression of Shays' Rebellion in 1787, and was a strong supporter of the new 1787 United States Constitution. He was for many of his later years the politically influential Customs Collector of the Port of Boston.