MA Bay Colony Tax Receipt Signed by His Majesty's Treasurer in 1717 for John Pynchon

JEREMIAH ALLEN (1673-1741) was treasurer and receiver for his majesty’s government and the son of Rev. James Allen, a dejected minister, who delivered the who delivered the artillery election sermons in 1664.  Jeremiah was elected treasurer of the province on June 14, 1714.  The document offered below was signed by him in 1717.

JOHN PYNCHON, the subject of the document, was Clerk for the County of Hampshire, MA.  He was likely the son of the influential John Pynchon and the grandson of William Pynchon (1590-1692).  William was a fur trader, founder of Springfield, MA, a colonial treasurer and an original patentee of Massachusetts Bay Colony.  John, the son of William, took over for his father after he returned to England, and expanded the family’s lucrative fur trading business. He employed much of Springfield population.  During King Philip’s War, Pynchon assumed control of the Valley’s militia and rose to the rank of Colonel.  At his funeral, he was lauded as an exemplary leader of civil and military affairs and today is recognized as a Colonial elite. 

The John Pynchon in our receipt, Boston, dated June 7, 1717, again, likely the son of the elder John and grandson of William, has paid excise tax for Hampshire County, in the amount of fourteen pounds, eighteen shillings and six pence “with thirty-four shillings allowed for collecting in full for two years…beginning June 1714 ending June 1715” and signed by Allen.

Toning, light expected foxing and folds, but a beautiful, Massachusetts Bay document, signed by his majesty’s treasurer, and referencing a person from one of the Massachusetts Bay Colony’s most important Colonial families.

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