Third chief justice of the United States (1745-1807) and delegate to the Constitutional Congress who later submitted the amendments which became the Bill of Rights. Revolutionary War-dated manuscript DS, signed “O. Ellsworth,” one page, 9.5 x 5, October 3, 1775. Pay order issued to Treasurer John Laurence, in part: "Pay to Capt. Hez'h Parsons Paymaster of a Company gone in the Defence of this Colony the Sum of one hundred pounds money in Bills & Charge the same to Acc't of the Colony." Signed at the conclusion by Oliver Ellsworth and Thomas Seymour as members of the Pay-Table Committee. In fine condition, with light edge toning. Encapsulated in a PSA/DNA authentication holder.
Ellsworth served on Connecticut's Pay-Table Committee during the American Revolution, a board of four members who rotated throughout the conflict with England. Rather than levying heavy taxes, the colonies relied upon wealthy revolutionists and foreign loans to meet their immediate needs, such as wages for soldiers. Connecticut followed the lead of Massachusetts, raising a militia of 'minutemen,' volunteer troops who were prepared to take up arms at a moment's notice.
