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Revolutionary War–dated partly-printed DS, signed “Go: Washington,” one page, 7.25 x 9.75, June 13, 1783. Continental Army military discharge headed “By His Excellency George Washington, Esq., General and Commander in Chief of the Forces of the United States of America.” In part: “These are to certify that the Bearer hereof Moses Burnam, Soldier in the Eighth Massachusetts Regiment, having faithfully served in the United States six years and four months and being inlisted for the War only, is hereby Discharged from the American Army." Signed at the conclusion in ink by General George Washington and countersigned below by Jonathan Trumbull, Jr. Professionally inlaid into a larger sheet, matted, and framed to an overall size of 12 x 14.5. In very good condition, with scattered staining, and repairs to splitting along the intersecting folds.
According to Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors in the Revolutionary War, Moses Burnham was a sailor from Ipswich, standing 5´ 7˝ with dark brown hair. He joined the Continental Army in March 1777 and, with the 8th Massachusetts, would have seen action at the Battle of Saratoga.
As commander-in-chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolution, General Washington took it upon himself to organize and train his soldiers. By war's end, this highly disciplined and hands-on approach carried over into Washington insisting on signing every discharge certificate personally. According to Charles Hamilton’s, 'Collecting Autographs and Manuscripts,' Washington said: 'These soldiers have fought long and hard. I wish to sign the discharge for each man, so that he will leave the army knowing that I appreciate his work and that I have personally looked upon his name and testified to his honorable conduct.'
Provenance: Property from the Collection of Ambassador J. William Middendorf II, Christie's, January 22, 2021.
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