[Lexington Alarm, Boston Siege] Ebenezer Huntington Agrees To Appraise Molasses

Offering a 2 pp, 7 ¼ x 8, Autograph Postscript Signed by EBENEZER HUNTINGTON (December 26, 1754 – June 17, 1834), responding to a request from Jeremiah Halsey of Preston, CT, with an appraisal of molasses at two shillings a gallon.  Ink calculations on the verso written around Huntington’s address.

Halsey’s ALS, January 7th, 1799: “Mr. Starkweather and I have agreed to refer the price of each of molasses to you containing 25 galls –please by the sample to judge of the quality & the price...you will plan to observe that molasses...I have agreed to give the cash price for each...”

Huntington responds, “I should appraise the molasses...at the rate of two shillings a gallon as the price of molasses is high a this time...”

HUNTINGTON (December 26, 1754-June 17, 1834) was present at the Lexington Alarm and the Siege of Boston.  He was born in Norwich in the Connecticut Colony to Jabez and Zachariah.  After leaving Yale, he arrived in Boston where he was appointed first lieutenant in Captain Chester’s Company of Gen. Joseph’s 2nd Connecticut Regiment. He participated in the Siege of Boston until its close when he marched with Gen. George Washington to New York. In May 1776, he was promoted to captain and fought in the Battle of Long Island.  In January 1777, he was promoted to major of Webb’s Additional Continental Regiment, which was part of Major General Israel Putnam’s division. He is represented in a painting by John Trumbull as one of the American officers who witnessed the surrender of Cornwallis.  In 1792, he was appointed a general by the Governor of Connecticut.

Folds, foxing, mounting tape along the left margin. Very fine Americana signed by an important early American who was at the Siege of Boston.

Everything we sell is guaranteed authentic forever to the original buyer. We also offer a 30-day return policy. If you discover a problem or are dissatisfied with an item, please contact us immediately. Our goal is to please every customer.  We are pleased to be members of Preferred Autograph Dealers and Auction Houses, The Manuscript Society, The Ephemera Society and the Southern New England Antiquarian Booksellers. [RW 135]