Farmer, businessman, land speculator, philosopher, writer, and American Revolutionary War patriot, hero, and politician. ADS, signed “Ethan & Ira Allen” all written by Ethan Allen, three pages on two adjoining sheets, 5 x 7.5, June 20, 1781. Titled on first page, “A List of the Polls and ratable estate of the Town of Sunderland for June 20 AD 1781 Sunderland.” On the second page, one beneath the other, are six names and the “ratable estate” value: “Genl Ethan & Ira Allen £63.0.0; Joseph Averill 13.0.0; Robert Averill 37.0.0; Col. Timth Brownson 124.0.0; Amos Brownson 48.0.0; Gideon Brownson 67.0.0; Eli Brownson…” All in the hand of Ethan Allen, they are in alphabetical order. On the reverse of the integral leaf (the back cover of the booklet), Allen has written: “The List for the Year of our Lord 1781.” Beneath which are some pen markings and an addition example in another hand. In good condition, with paper loss to bottom edge, moderate toning and staining, small binder holes along hinge, rough edges, and scattered creases.
Although the future fourteenth state declared its independence in 1777, it took 15 years for the “Republic of Vermont” to pay New York the several million dollars owed for the relinquishment of their claim on the land, thereby gaining support for Vermont's eventual admittance to the Union in 1791. Interestingly, around the same time of this correspondence, Ethan and Ira Allen were engaged in secret talks via a Canadian middleman to determine if Vermont would allow itself to become a British province, which likely would have altered the tide of the Revolutionary War. Some historians contend that Vermont was poised to admit British troops when news of the surrender at Yorktown and the signing of the Treaty of Paris ended the conflict. A rare document from one of the most recognizable names in American history. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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