Early Revolutionary War-dated manuscript document, one page, 7.5 x 5, June 6, 1775, roughly a month-and-a-half after Paul Revere’s fateful ride and the Battles of Lexington and Concord. The document is a Connecticut Colony pay order issued to Treasurer John Lawrence, requesting him to pay “Cap’t William Warner of Windham, Cap’t of The first Comp’y of Militia in the 5th Regement In this Coloney Twenty four pounds Ten shillings Lawfull Money, which sum is due to the non commission officers and soldiers under his command for attending the half day training according to an act of the Gen’l Assembly made in October last and charge the acc’t of s’d Coloney.” Signed at the conclusion by two justices of the peace. Matted and framed to an overall size of 12.5 x 9.25; window to frame backing reveals reverse of document. In fine condition.
The 5th Massachusetts Regiment, also known as the 19th Continental Regiment, was raised on April 17, 1775, and fought at Concord on the opening day of the Revolution. The 5th would also fight at Bunker Hill on June 17, 1775, just 11 days after this document was issued, as well as in the New York campaign, and the battles of Trenton, Princeton, and Saratoga. Given the early date, this document ostensibly reflects the regiment’s first payment for training. An appreciably rare pay order from the dawn of the Revolution.
