Revolutionary War

Future Rev. War Gen. Daniel Brodhead Militia DS: "Matters as on his Majesties behalf"

1p DS signed by future Revolutionary War General Daniel Brodhead (1736-1809) as "Daniel Brodhead" at lower right. Dated March Term 1766 in or around Easton, Pennsylvania. Inscribed in an elegant clerical hand and docketed on watermarked cream paper verso. Overall light toning, paper folds, and a few minor closed tears along some of those folds, else near fine. 7.625" x 6".

This document probably pertained to local militia matters. Fredrich Nunhesser, Ephraim Blume, and George Henry Clayhouse were invoiced for 20£-a-piece tents at top, while below, militia officer Daniel Brodhead summoned one of the militiamen to appear at the next General Quarter Sessions of the Peace. Of the five names listed on this document, a full 40% of them (Nunhesser aka Nungesser, and Blume) reflect the historically German and Dutch ethnic makeup of pre-Revolutionary Pennsylvania.

In part, with original spelling and punctuation:

" ~Upon condition, That the said George Henry Clayhouse shall Personally Appear at the next General Quarter Sessions of the Peace to beholden at Easton in and for the County aforesaid [Northampton]. Then and there to answer unto such Matters as on his Majesties behalf shall be Objected against him by Bernard Kepley, and shall also stand to and abide such farther orders as the said Court shall Award therein. That then & from thenceforth This Recognizance shall be Void. Otherwise remain in full force + Virtue

Taken Before me }

returnable to March Term |

1766.

Daniel Brodhead."

Daniel Brodhead came from a pioneering New York family. A farmer, grist mill operator, and land surveyor, Brodhead took an interest in Revolutionary politics and participated in the local militia. At the outbreak of the Revolutionary War, Lieutenant Colonel Brodhead served with distinction in his local militia unit; by the war's close 7 years later, he had commanded Western Division military outposts and been brevetted brigadier general by George Washington. Brodhead wintered at Valley Forge, led expeditions against the Indians, and saw action at the Battles of Long Island (1776), Brandywine (1777), and Germantown (1777) to name just a few. Brodhead was later one of the founding members of the Society of Cincinnati.

Ephraim Blume (alternately Bloom, Bluhme, Blum) (ca. 1740-1828) was a gunsmith and blacksmith. He served two campaigns in the Northampton County Pennsylvania militia, purportedly participating at the Battle of Germantown (1777), where he could have fought side by side with Daniel Brodhead.

It's not known why Daniel Brodhead summoned George Henry Clayhouse to court, but as we shall see, it could really have been for any number of reasons. This civil and criminal court first implemented in seventeenth century Pennsylvania held jurisdiction over such diverse legal questions as land deeds, probate, mortgages, licensing, construction, veterans' affairs, orphans, naturalization, and crimes ranging from profanity to bastardy.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.