American Revolution
Maryland Revolutionary War Fiscal Bond Certificate Endorsed by American Patriot Archibald Patison Who Owned the American Privateer Schooner Named “Molly”
September 10, 1782-Dated Revolutionary War Period, Partially-Printed Document Signed, “Tho. Harwood” as Treasurer, Endorsed by Archibald Patison. State of Maryland, Fiscal Bond Certificate for Specie. Bearing 6% Interest. Anderson MD-7. No Cancel. Very Fine.
Rated as Rarity-6 (21 to 30 Known) according to William Anderson. This very rare Maryland Revolutionary War Fiscal Bond Certificate is payable for Specie. This Certificate is number 601 issued to William Barrow on September 10, 1782 in the amount of 113 Pounds, 14 shillings and 3 pence and is Hand-signed by Thomas Harwood, Treasurer for the State and Maryland and also by American Patriot, Archibald Patison, nicely endorsed on the reverse. This Certificate has been folded in quarters and there is some slight splitting in the lower vertical fold and right edge of the horizontal fold and there are no repairs. It has a large border on the right side and bottom with its original curved Indented border intact at left. The manuscript portions are clear and strong. According to William G. Anderson’s book, “The Price of Liberty,” this Certificate type is cataloged as the MD-7 and described as an Exchange Certificate, bearing 6 per cent interest per anum, to adjust the debts due from the State, with a printed authorization date of May 10, 1781.

William Barrow, to whom the certificate is issued, was the surveyor for Dorchester County, Maryland. The otherwise blank reverse has two interest payment notations, paid in 1783 and 1784, that are Signed by Thomas Harwood, the Treasurer. Of special noted interest to collectors is the final endorsement notation signed on the blank reverse side of this Certificate. It is Signed, “Arch. Patison” dated in 1787. This is the same Archibald Patison of Dorchester County, Maryland whose enterprise, “Patison & Company” owned and operated the American Privateer Schooner named “Molly.” Records note the ship “Molly” carried two guns and was commanded by Joseph Elliot on May 10, 1780. Reference: Naval Records of the American Revolution 1775-1788 and Maryland Historical Magazine – 1908.

Revolutionary War Fiscal Bonds and Interest Bearing funding Certificates from Connecticut and Massachusetts are seen more often. This is a rare opportunity to acquire an original, historic 6% Interest Bearing Certificate from the State of Maryland with a direct Naval connection to a historic owner operating a Maryland based American Privateer Schooner.