Colonial America
1757 Hated British Tax Stamp "CODFISH" II Pence Design
January 30, 1757-Dated, Colonial Embossed Revenue "CODFISH" II Pence British Tax Stamped, Scott RM-2, ERP-2, Partly-Printed Document, Signed by Joseph Bowditch (1700-1780) Salem (Mass.), Very Fine.
January 30, 1757-Dated, Partly-Printed Document, 6.75" x 7.75", 1 page, Salem, (MA). with 2p Massachusetts (RM2), clear embossing though weak at right side, located at top left of part-printed Bond dated 1757. Central manuscript portion cut and replaced in apparent correction of original text, not affecting the printed text or Embossed Revenue Stamp. Document starts: "In His Majesty's Name, you are required to attach the goods or estate of James Cutler of Salem... to the value of fifty shillings, and for want thereof to take the body of the said James... and him safely keep that he may be brought before me, Joseph Bowditch, one of His Majesty's Justices of the Peace... at my Dwelling House in Salem on Monday, the seventh Day of February next... and there to answer to Thomas Holt of Andover..." Toning, folds, two small fold splits, one crossing through the "s" in Joseph Bowditch's signature. The Joseph Bowditch papers, 1715-circa 1785, are held within the archives at the Harvard Library, including a similar document with a Pine Tree III Pence British Tax Stamp of lesser quality.
JOSEPH BOWDITCH (August 21, 1700 " October 6, 1780) was a Ship owner, a merchant and served as Sheriff, Justice of the Peace, Clerk of the Court and Town Treasurer in Salem, MA. As a tribute to his manner of distinction, he was often referred to as "Squire Bowditch."