Renowned Federalist, Aide-De-Camp in Revolutionary War Sign Land Document for Connecticut

The state of Connecticut provided some notable figures in the Revolutionary War and the political narratives of the day.  The document offered here – 16 ½” x 20 ¾” – lists more than a dozen pieces of property owned by the state, including acreage and amount each tract sold for.  The money was to be used by the School Fund, which held such revenue for the use of schools.  The document is signed JAMES HILLHOUSE AND ISAAC SPENCER. Dates on verso range from 1815-1823.

HILLHOUSE (1754-1832) was a well-known Federalist who was a delegate to the Hartford Convention, a group of New Englanders who were thought by some to be treasonous for their grievances, including opposition to the War of 1812, and their recommended amendments to the U.S. Constitution.  Hillhouse, who was a member of the U.S. Senate, was appointed as Commissioner of the (CT) School Fund and signed this document as commissioner.

SPENCER (c. 1719-October 16, 1840) was a major and an aid-de-camp to his father General Joseph Spencer during the Revolutionary War. Spencer first enlisted on May 9, 1775, at East Haddam, CT. He was discharged and subsequently re-entered, joining the company of Capt. Elijah Smith, Col. Thaddeus Cook’s Regiment. In December 1776, he was dismissed to become clerk and secretary to Gen. Spencer and served in Providence, R.I. He received a commission as major signed by John Hancock and was then appointed Aid-de-Camp to his father. He served during the various alarms, including when the enemy, led by traitor Benedict Arnold, burned New London to eliminate the Continental Army’s supplies.

The document is very nicely executed. Some chipping on edges. One vertical separation fold reinforced with archival tape. Folds and expected toning.

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