Black History"Colored" Infantryman is Recruited as a Substitute
for Military Service in the Civil War

December 12, 1864, A "Colored" Infantryman Serves as a Substitute during the Civil War, Massachusetts, Choice Very Fine.
Partially Printed Document Signed, "John Andrew," as Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 9" x 13.75", certifying that:

"Theodore Dean of Raynham in said Commonwealth a citizen not liable to be drafted into the Military Service of the United States has paid the sum of One Hundred and Twenty Five Dollars into the State Treasury... to assist in recruiting the National Armies and has had assigned to him as his Representative Recruit Private Simon Jenkins / Fifty-eighth U.S. Col'd Infantry / Enlisted under the act of Congress providing for the recruitment of Volunteers in the Rebellious States...."

An extremely rare document, completed in brown-ink manuscript, and countersigned by J.M. Day as Provost Marshal of Massachusetts, and adorned with a large uncolored state seal along the left panel. Nicely toned, with some heavier toning along the folds. A few small edge splits, but the main attraction is the content, which confirms that Simon Jenkins, an African American, was recruited to replace Theodore Dean in the military service!




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