EARLY AMERICAN HISTORY AUGUST 2026 SALE

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V29 2026 INDEX E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 29, Number 33, 2026, Article 18

Here are several selections from the upcoming Early American History Auctions sale. -Garrett

JOHN DEVOTION (1730-1802). Congregational Pastor of the Third Church in Saybrook, Connecticut, also called the West Parish of Saybrook, which later became the separate town of Westbrook, where he was settled by 1769. He taught David Bushnell, the West Saybrook-born Inventor of the "TURTLE", the world's First Submarine used in combat, preparing him locally before Bushnell went on to Yale College. Devotion's role as David Bushnell's early instructor places him directly in the intellectual formation of one of the American Revolution's most inventive figures.

May 12, 1779-Dated Rare Type of Revolutionary War Partly-Printed Continental Loan Office Receipt and with a Historically Important Connection, Signed, "JOHN DEVOTION" and completed in bold brown ink manuscript at Hartford, Connecticut, Choice Crisp About Uncirculated. This vivid near mint typeset form recording receipt from John Lawrence, Commissioner of the Loan Office for the State of Connecticut, of two bills of exchange totaling forty two dollars. That amount representing a full year's interest on two Continental Loan Certificates held jointly by "Myself" John Devotion and Major John Murdock, one being for $400 and one for $300, dated January 1778 and running to January 1779. Major John Murdock was John Devotion's father-in-law.

This rare type payment form carries real significance of its own. Rather than paying interest in Hard Coin, Specie, or near worthless Continental paper money by 1779, Congress paid interest on Certificates issued before March 1778 through Bills of Exchange. JOHN DEVOTION was a Congregational minister settled at Saybrook, Connecticut, evidently trusted enough by his fellow investor to collect and manage both men's Continental Loan interest on their joint behalf, a small but telling example of how ordinary Connecticut citizens, clergy included, helped underwrite the Revolutionary War debt at one of the most financially precarious points of the Revolution.

On May 8th, 1777, John Devotion was chosen to preach the Connecticut Election Sermon before the General Assembly at Hartford, published as "The Duty and Interest of a People to Sanctify the Lord of Hosts." This was a significant civic honor each year the legislature selected one minister of high standing to address the assembled government on the moral obligations of leadership, and being chosen in 1777, deep in the war, meant Devotion was viewed by Connecticut's Revolutionary government as a trusted, Patriot-aligned voice at a critical moment (the year of Saratoga, and only months after Washington's retreat across New Jersey).

Perhaps John Devotion's most historically significant Revolutionary War connection was that he educated David Bushnell, the West Saybrook-born inventor of the Turtle, the world's First Submarine used in combat, preparing him locally before Bushnell went on to Yale College.

Bushnell's Turtle was used in a September 1776 attempt to attach a explosive charge to the hull of HMS Eagle in New York Harbor, an operation that drew praise from Washington, Jefferson, and Franklin as a bold, if ultimately unsuccessful, piece of early submarine warfare. Devotion's role as David Bushnell's early instructor places him directly in the intellectual formation of one of the Revolution's most inventive figures.

Major John Murdock (1706 --January 21, 1778) moved to Saybrook, Conn. and became a prominent, wealthy figure there serving as a Deacon in the Congregational Church, a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, a Justice of the Peace and Quorum for New London County (Saybrook's county at the time), and was elected Deputy to the Connecticut General Assembly multiple times. He rose through the Connecticut militia to the rank of Major. Colonial records confirm "Major John Murdock" representing Saybrook as a deputy to the General Assembly (serving alongside Capt. John Shipman) as early as 1768, so by the 1778 document date he'd have held that rank and civic standing for a decade or more.

Major Murdock's daughter, Phebe Murdock (born November 13, 1738), married the Rev. John Devotion, the same pastor of the Third Church of Saybrook signing this form. She died in 1813. So Major John Murdock was John Devotion's father-in-law, both prominent figures in the same small West Saybrook/Westbrook community during the Revolutionary era being one the town's leading civil and military officer, the other its Minister and Election Day Preacher.

[American Revolution, Revolutionary War, Connecticut] [John Devotion, War Finance, Continental Congress] [Manuscripts, Documents, Currency, Autographs]

August 8th (Written Date) 1766 Act, Province of Georgia Colonial Currency, One Pound Sterling Certificate, SAVANNAH COURT-HOUSE with "Court-House" Vignette, Large Format Printed in Red & Black, PCGS Banknote graded Very Fine-30.

Fr. GA-45. Very Low Serial No. 83. This extremely rare Sterling Certificate is fully Signed by; N. Jones, Grey Elliott, A. Wylly, John Smith, and William Ewen. Among the Finest Known, as PMG reports only two certified which were likely Unissued Remainder notes. This pleasing Large Format sterling Certificate measuring about 4.25" x over 4.75" (123mm x 115mm), Uniface having no detractions on its blank reverse. This special 1766 Act Certificate was issued, "For the Encouragement of SETTLERS, and rebuilding the SAVANNAH COURT-HOUSE in Savannah." Its details holder adds comments about the expert conservation performed as; design redrawn, small pieces added, edge and internal repairs. A rare historic Georgia currency prize that is fully signed and issued. Some remainders are also known, being more plentiful than the actual signed and issued notes. This example is well printed in deep black ink with bold red ink text inserts. Georgia's colonial government's 1766 Act was literally printing these Certificates bearing a woodcut picture of the very building, Savannah's original Colonial Court House, to fund the needed major repair of its decaying most important seat of justice in Savannah. This note has significant overall eye appeal, being vastly superior for this dedicated Court House issue and in comparison the example in Newman's reference work certificate No. 605 illustrated on page 136 of the 5th Edition 2008, which also lists a value of that note selling in Fine quality for $3,747 in the John Ford Collection sale May 2004. Our currently offered note, having some expert conservation is clearly superior in quality and eye appeal to the illustrated Newman plate note.

Numismatist Eric Newman estimated roughly 2,523 certificates were printed, exceeding the officially authorized number, with some dated into the following year. A surviving example cited in Newman's reference work certificate No. 605 illustrated on page 136 of the 5th Edition 2008, was issued September 1, 1766, giving a sense of how the serial numbering ran chronologically alongside the hand-written dates. The current note having some expert conservation is clearly superior in quality and eye appeal to the Newman plate note.

The building on the vignette was Savannah's original Colonial Court House, and its history explains exactly why this currency issue existed. It stood in what is now Wright Square (originally named Percival Square, after John Perceval, 1st Earl of Egmont; renamed in 1763 for Georgia's last Royal Governor, James Wright).

Around the square stood the original court house as well as a market place, and near the courthouse was the public gaol (jail), while officially representing Christ Church Parish, the small scale of Georgia's infrastructure left it as the primary gaol for the entire province. The building was a wooden structure that had fallen into disrepair by the 1760s: in 1763, complaints about poor sanitation and a lack of a fireplace were read before the Commons House. This deterioration is precisely what prompted the 1766 Currency emission, being dedicated to its rebuilding.

The courthouse had earlier religious significance too. It was the building where John Wesley, founder of Methodism, preached in 1736 and 1737, during Georgia's earliest colonial years. Despite the 1766 rebuilding effort, the structure continued to decline. By the early 1770s the colony had moved on from it: unable to afford building their own church, Savannah's Lutherans instead bought the deteriorating wooden court house in 1772 and moved it to serve as their house of worship.

Today the site is occupied by the Tomochichi Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse, and Wright Square itself is also notable as the burial site of Tomochichi, the Yamacraw leader whose alliance with James Oglethorpe was essential to Savannah's founding.

[Colonial America, Colonial Georgia, 18th Century America] [Currency and Finance, Local History] [Currency, Colonial Currency, Certificates, Bonds, Numismatics, Exonumia]

1776 Georgia Revolutionary War Issued Colonial Currency note, Eight Dollars, "Colonial Man Holding His Sword" Vignette, with Full Outer Sheet Margins at top and left, PMG graded Very Fine-20.

Fr. GA-82. An important "1776" Revolutionary War Georgia note with a wonderful large vignette at lower right of a Colonial "Man with Cane" this note printed in red and black. PMG graded this note Very Fine-20 for its overall eye appeal and details. All five signatures are present being boldly written in deep rich brown ink including; William Bryan, John Elliott, Quintin Pooler, William Bryan and William Ewen. Only eight examples of this Friedberg number have been certified and listed in the PMG Population Report. A further rarity have the fully wide marginal sheet outer selvage being the top left printed note on the sheet. Likely the only $8 denomination with its original wide swath of selvage on the left and top original margins makes this piece stand out above its peers. In fact, some edge paper could be unfolded primarily along the right margin and corner to more fully widen the edge. The note's holder mentions (a single tape reinforcement) repair(s) on the blank reverse and (short fold edge) splits, plus we note a few minor contemporary financial notations on the back. Page 147 of the 2008 5th Edition of Newman illustrates this $8 denomination note (Type F) with tight margins where it was then valued at $5,000 in Very Fine.

[American Revolution, Colonial Georgia, Revolutionary War] [War Finance, Political History] [Currency, Colonial Currency, Numismatics, Exonumia]

July 8, 1775, Colony of the Massachusetts Bay, Sixteen Shillings, Only 667 Printed, Not Cancelled, Early Revolutionary War 6% Interest bearing financing note, Copper-Plate Engraved Printed by Paul Revere, Jr., Uniface design, Ex: John J. Ford, Jr. Collection, PCGS Banknote graded Choice Fine-15.

Fr. MA-155. This extremely rare genuine early Revolutionary War note of only 667 Printed and Issued to be returned into the Treasury just one year later in 1776. Impressively printed on laid period paper off the original Copper-Plate Engraved by Paul Revere. This note displays wide full margins, with the left side indent margin being partial, as intended, with the Patriotic political statement "(Am)ican Paper." clearly printed and easily viewed. Revere earlier engraved the Portrait of Reverend Samuel Willard on the opposite side of this Copper-Plate which is still held in the Massachusetts Statehouse archives. Serial No. 5459 is crossed out in "Error" and changed to No. 4717 in brown ink above. Signed by "H(enry) Gardner" as Receiver General (Treasurer), measuring 167 mm x 81 mm, Uniface in design, backed with laid period paper with a penciled notation at upper right that reads "at 11-20-(19)30 Elder Sale". Its PCGS details holder comments repairs, backed. This important Uniface note displays the superior overall eye appeal of Choice Very Fine both face and back. This issue is exceedingly rare, especially for this July 8, 1775 issue having a due date, to be return back to the treasury of May 25th, 1776 just a year later. Overall, quite similar in quality to the illustrated Plate note for this issue on page 207, where it is valued at $6,000 in Fine and $9,000 in Very Fine with no higher valuations due to its rarity. PMG has not certified any Fr.-155 note to date. An outstanding Paul Revere engraved July 8, 1775 Colony of the Massachusetts Bay, Sixteen Shillings genuine note.

Overall, is extremely well centered and bright, being a very appealing survivor from an authorization of only 667 notes. Most of these long notes were heavily worn, many to pieces when in circulation, many others were hole or manuscript canceled, or otherwise removed from commerce by the treasury. That any specimens survive today is a lasting tribute to earlier generations of Colonial note collectors. That this present note exists today, especially in such a pleasing high state of preservation, is a call to all collectors stimulate interest to acquire it to further preserve this exceptional historic bit of "pocket change" produced by Paul Revere on "American Paper" from our Revolutionary War colonial era.

Pedigree: From Stack's sale of the John J. Ford, Jr. Collection, Part X, May, 2005, Lot 4642; Kagin's Auction 2023 Lot 188, Current consignor.

[American Revolution, Revolutionary War, Massachusetts] [Paul Revere, Continental Currency, War Finance] [Currency, Colonial Currency, Numismatics, Exonumia]

June 22, 1775 New York, City of Albany, Two Shillings, Revolutionary War Municipal Currency issue, PCGS Banknote graded Choice Extremely Fine-45.

Fr. NY-171.1 An extremely rare official City of Albany, New York Revolutionary War municipal currency issue, to date PMG has not graded any Fr. NY-171.1, Two Shillings note. A Uniface typeset note printed on laid paper in a wide rectangular format measuring about 4.5" x 2.25" the left margin end has bold flourishes with ornamental borders on the other three sides. Two signatures; Jacob Lansing, Jr., Jacob C. Ten Eyck, are both easy to read vividly well penned. The Boyd collection contained a complete set of all five denominations. His ten shilling note sold in Ford Part XV nearly two decades ago for $4,312. This current note has PCGS Banknote comment details for repairs; severed and reattached, backed. The printing of this note is as dark black as we can recall having seen. This lowest 2s denomination note should see spirited bidding being perhaps the finest example available. This City of Albany series was not represented in DuPont, the foremost collection of Colonial private and municipal notes ever formed. Many of his private issue notes that were plated in Newman are still Unique. Listed in the current Friedberg as "VERY RARE" and in the 2008 5th Edition of Newman at $4,500 in Fine and no higher grades due to rarity and equal or better in quality to the illustrated plate note on page 285.

[American Revolution, Revolutionary War, New York] [Municipal Currency, Albany New York, War Finance] [Currency, Colonial Currency, Numismatics, Exonumia]

Pennsylvania Colonial Currency, Bristol, March 25, 1776, Private Issue Note, "We Promise to Pay the Bearer Here of Nine Pence Current Money of Pennsylvania", PMG Very Fine-20.

Fr. Not Listed, Hoober 39-31. Low Serial No. 14. Signed by Large and Hartshorne. Printer unknown. Uniface. Measuring a small size 84mm x 46mm. This note and issuer was Unlisted in Newman at the time of the John Ford Jr. sale, where the writer Bruce Hagen noted: "the first we have seen in over 20 years of obsolete private scrip study," and later noting "the condition is less than enormous, but if it is unique, does it matter?" Unpriced in the 5th Edition of Newman without a photo 2008. Deeply toned off-white paper and strong black typeset inking, with easily readable signatures of "Large" and "Hartshorne". Its current PMG net holder comments; backed, repaired. An important note that an equally important opportunity. Provenance: F.C.C Boyd Estate, Stack's sale of the John J Ford Jr collection, Part XVII, March, 2007, Lot 4501.

[Colonial America, Obsolete Currency, 18th Century America] [Currency and Finance, Private Scrip] [Currency, Colonial Currency, Numismatics]

"War of 1861" American Eagle Union Army Dog Tag Struck in Bronze for Private Thomas Lane of Company B, 57th New York Infantry, Choice Extremely Fine.

Private Lane's name and unit designation are stamped on the reverse. A hole has been drilled through the tag's top to allow it to be worn around the owner's neck. This Tag measures about 1" across, minor deep tone on the reverse rim edge and having traces of light golden luster within the obverse legends, American Eagle and lettering on the reverse side. Thomas Lane enlisted on September 17, 1861 at the age of 20 in Utica, NY. He was mustered out on December 15th, 1864 in Rochester, NY. Additional copied information on this soldier will accompany the item. (See additional unit history online at: www.EarlyAmerican.com)

The 57th New York Infantry Regiment was formed by amalgamating companies of several smaller military formations in and around New York City, including the National Guard Rifles, the Clifton Rifles, the United States Voltigeurs, the Washington Zouaves, and the Manhattan Rifles. They were mustered as the 57th on August 12th, 1861.

After joining the Army of the Potomac, they participated in the Peninsular Campaign, the Seven Days Battles, Antietam and Fredericksburg, suffering heavy casualties at the latter two engagements. The 57th went on to fight in the Gettysburg and Wilderness Campaigns, after which the regiment's remaining men were transferred to the 61st New York Infantry on December 6, 1864.

During their term of service, they lost 103 officers and enlisted in battle and 91 to disease. (Provenance: courtesy of Historical Data Systems Civil War Regiment Database).

[Civil War, Union Army, New York] [Military Service, Identification Discs] [Identification Discs, Militaria, Numismatics]

1862 Civil War Era Encased Postage Stamp Emergency Currency, EP-81, HB-151, S-108, Five Cents, HUNT & NASH, "Irving House", Plain Frame Rarity, Choice Extremely Fine.

Rated as Rarity-8 (5 to 10 known) according to Fred Reed. This fully original premium quality example is exceedingly rare as a "Plain Frame" major type. This specimen ranks among the Finest Known. According to the Hodder-Bowers "Standard Catalogue" reference book, the "Plain Frame" 5¢ is stated to be "just barely collectable." Only about a half dozen are known to exist. The perfectly centered bright clean 1861 issue Thomas Jefferson stamp is rich brown fully original displaying great eye appeal. The mica is virtually perfect being crystal clear and unbroken, with some faint traces of modest circulation. The case is an even natural light chestnut in color. The latest example to be sold was in the EAHA August 26th, 2006 Auction, Lot 937 graded Choice EF which brought $5,900. This is a significant and highly important quality Encased Postage Stamp rarity should likely do even better. (EF Friedberg Cat. $4,000)

[Civil War, 19th Century America, American Numismatics] [Encased Postage, Thomas Jefferson, Plain Frame Type] [Currency, Postage Stamps, Numismatics, Exonumia]

1860-Dated Civil War Period, Genuine "SERVANT" Slave Hire Identification Tag from Charleston (South Carolina), Tag Number "1998" made by William M. Rouse, Very Fine.

A rare well detailed and pleasing Genuine fully authentic 1860 "SERVANT" Charleston Slave Identification Tag. This sharply detailed attractive Tag measures about 1.75" x 1.75", is diamond shaped and properly holed at top for suspension, as usual, as made. The corners have been clipped as usual so as not to be sharp. This Slave Tag reads, "*CHARLESTON* / 1860 / SERVANT / 1998". This Slave Tag is said to have been located in McPhersonville, SC. nearby the City of Charleston. The details are all clear and readable, well centered showing a strong, clear "1860" date "SERVANT" occupation and city name at top. This is the nicest quality 1860 dated Tag we have offered and the reverse is particularly clean and free from detractions. The rich natural patina is attractive. We offered an 1840 dated Slave tag in our EAHA Auction of April 25, 2020 which sold for $3,900. A Letter of Authenticity signed by noted Slave Tag historian and relic hunter Cal Packard accompanies this lot.

Slave Hire Tags or Badges were created and sold only in Charleston, South Carolina. These Tags were renewable at the end of every year as long as the fee was paid. According to Greene, Hutchins, Jr., and Hutchins in their book "Slave Badges and the Slave-Hire System in Charleston, South Carolina, 1783-1865".

The badges for 1860 were made by William M. Rouse, a silversmith, who made more Slave badges than any other maker. The badges were diamond-shaped, made of copper, and for the year 1840, noted on page 119, information appeared in this order: "Charleston," the date, occupation, and finally, the badge number.

[Antebellum Period, Slavery and Abolition, South Carolina] [Charleston Slave Badges, African American History] [Metalwork, Relics, Militaria]