African American teacher, assessor, auditor, selectman, and Justice of the Peace (1746-1817); considered the first African-American elected to public office, as well as the first archaeologist in New Hampshire. ADS, signed “Wentworth Cheswill Jus. Peace,” one page, 7.25 x 12, July 31, 1813. Cheswill orders a judgment to be made to settle “divers controversies” between a Trader and a Yeoman. In full: “Pursuant to an Act or Law of said State Passed December 16th 1796, Walter Smith of Newmarket in the County of Rockingham Trader and Joseph Durgin Junr. of Durham in the County of Strafford Yeoman having diverse Controversies between them under the Value of two hundred Dollars; have this day applied to me, and agreed, and entered into a Rule, to submit the same (being all demands between them) to the determination of Nathaniel Kidder Esq, Valentine Smith, Esq. and Mr. Benjamin Loveren, the Report of whom or any two of whom made to me and accepted, Judgment thereon to be final—and if either party neglect or refuse to attend the hearing, after being duly notified, the Referees are to proceed Ex parte. Nathaniel Kidder Esqr is appointed Chairman, to notify Time and place of hearing.”
Beneath Cheswill’s writing is a related ADS signed by Valentine Smith, who wrote: “Pursuant to this Rule the undersigned, referees therein named, have met and fully hears the parties; have agreed, and do hereby report that the above named Joseph Durgin Junr. recover against the above named Walter Smith the sum of two dollars and sixty three cents debt or damage and cost of Rule, Cost of Reference being paid,” also signed “Nathl Kidder” and “Benja Loveren.”
In fine condition, with toning along intersecting folds, with one vertical fold through a single letter of the signature, and some scattered light foxing.
As Paul Revere was chosen messenger for the Boston Committee of Safety, Wentworth Cheswill was elected messenger for the Exeter Committee of Safety which entrusted him to carry news to and from the Provincial Committee. After Revere rode into Portsmouth to alert the town of the impending arrival of the British frigate Scarborough and the Canseau sloop of war, Portsmouth asked for help from neighboring communities, prompting Newmarket to hold a town meeting. There it was decided that 30 men be sent to Portsmouth to help. Cheswill rode to Exeter to receive instructions from the committee on where the men were to be sent. In April 1775, he also made an all-night ride back from Boston to warn Exeter of the impending British invasion. RR Auction COA.
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