United States History Commons^™

Court Order Signed By John Sevier, John Sevier

Broadus R. Littlejohn, Jr. Manuscript and Ephemera Collection

John Sevier signs a court order as clerk of court in North Carolina to transport a George Howard to face charges of trespass brought by John Hamilton.

John Sevier gained fame for his role in the Revolutionary War Battle of Kings Mountain in 1780 and as a frontiersman.

Receipt For Payment To Ephraim Curtis For His Boarding Of Prisoner Levi Carter, Worcester, Massachusetts, March 19, 1779., Worcester County, Ephraim Curtis

Broadus R. Littlejohn, Jr. Manuscript and Ephemera Collection

This is a debit receipt indicating Ephraim Curtis' payment for the boarding of Levi Carter, who was "committed" by William Dunsmoor for desertion. Carter was boarded for 4 weeks and 3 days. Curtis is also paid for a "turning key."

Order To Pay David Bottom, Signed By Oliver Ellsworth, 1778., Oliver Ellsworth

Broadus R. Littlejohn, Jr. Manuscript and Ephemera Collection

This is an order on John Lawrence, Treasurer, to pay to David Bottom money due him and charge it to the State.

Warrant For Robert Shurley On A Charge Of Debt Brought By Jacob Brown. Signed By John Sevier, North Carolina, 1778., John Sevier

Broadus R. Littlejohn, Jr. Manuscript and Ephemera Collection

John Sevier, signing as clerk of court in Washington County, North Carolina, orders the sherriff to find and transport to court Robert Shurley so that he may answer to Jacob Brown on a plea of debt, specifically 12 pounds of "Virginia money" and 5 pounds damage.

Receipt For 62 ₤10 Notes Paid To Samuel B. Webb By Capt. Edward Mulbley, 1777., Samuel Blatchley Webb

Broadus R. Littlejohn, Jr. Manuscript and Ephemera Collection

Samuel Webb was Silas Deane's private secretary, then First Liet. of Chester's company in American Revolution. In 1776 he was appointed Washington's private secretary and aide-de-camp. In 1777 he was captured at the Battle of Long Island and wasn't released until 3 years later.

Order To Pay Soldiers, Signed By Oliver Ellsworth, January 1776., Oliver Ellsworth

Broadus R. Littlejohn, Jr. Manuscript and Ephemera Collection

Oliver Ellsworth instructs addressee to pay soldiers returning to camp, January 1776.

Ten Pound (£10) Note Of South Carolina Currency, 1775., Provincial Congress Of South Carolina, Gideon Dupont, Edward Blake, Thomas Corbett, Aaron Loocock, William Parker

Broadus R. Littlejohn, Jr. Manuscript and Ephemera Collection

This South Carolina certificate no. 36967 "entitles the bearer to Ten Pounds Current Money." Signed by Gideon Dupont, Aaron Loocock, Thomas Corbett, William Parker, and Edward Blake.

Account For Ship Captain John Brown With Sam And William Vernon; October 29, 1770, Louisbourg, Nova Scotia., John Brown, Sam Vernon, William Vernon

Broadus R. Littlejohn, Jr. Manuscript and Ephemera Collection

This document records the debits and credits accounted for by John Brown in his shipping of various cargo, which includes Jamaican and New England rum, pork, rice, onions, molasses, bread, tea, chocolate, snuff, corn, coffee, flour, and leather.

Letter From Benjamin Lincoln, Jr. To William Palfrey, 1768., Benjamin Lincoln Jr.

Broadus R. Littlejohn, Jr. Manuscript and Ephemera Collection

In this letter, Lincoln offers to deliver money to Palfrey, an associate of John Hancock, from a Mr. Barter, 1768.

Order To Choose Juror For Grand Jury And Petit Jury, Worcester, Massachusetts, 1765., George William Frederick

Broadus R. Littlejohn, Jr. Manuscript and Ephemera Collection

This record orders the selection of jurors from the "good and lawful men" of Worcester to serve on the Grand Jury and Petit Jury at the Court of General Sessions of the Peace. February 15, 1765. On the verso a handwritten notice enumerates the men chosen for each jury.

Indenture Signed By Silas Deane, Silas Deane

Broadus R. Littlejohn, Jr. Manuscript and Ephemera Collection

Silas Deane was a member of the Continental Congress. The document is a lengthy description of a lease entered by Deane, Administrator of the estate of Deacon Silas Deane of Groton to Humphrey and Solomon Avery. The lease included 200 acres of land, part of which was then in dispute.

Letter From Francis L. Lee To Mr. Stuart, Francis Lightfoot Lee

Broadus R. Littlejohn, Jr. Manuscript and Ephemera Collection

Francis Lightfoot Lee writes to W. Stuart requesting the services of his carpenter.

South Carolina Colonial Writ Signed By Charles Hill, Charleston, May 8, 1722., George William Frederick, Charles Hill

Broadus R. Littlejohn, Jr. Manuscript and Ephemera Collection

This writ or warrant deals with a case of trespass with damages of 50 pounds sterling.

An Arrow Against Profane And Promiscuous Dancing Drawn Out Of The Quiver Of The Scriptures, Increase Mather

Electronic Texts in American Studies

When a dancing master arrived in Boston in 1685 and offered lessons and classes for both sexes during times normally reserved for church meetings, the Puritan ministers went to court to suppress the practice. Increase Mather (1639-1723) took the leading part, writing and publishing this tract, which compiles arguments and precedents for the prohibition of “Gynecandrical Dancing, [i.e.] Mixt or Promiscuous Dancing, viz. of Men and Women … together.” These justifications were certainly shared with the court, which found the dancing master guilty, fined him £100, and allowed him to skip town.

Mather’s tract on dancing is an overwhelming compendium …