LEE, Richard Henry (1732-1794), Signer (Virginia), President of Congress . Document signed ("Richard Henry Lee"), Westmoreland County, Virginia, ca. 8 August 1780. 1½ page, 4to . PAYING NIGHT WATCHMEN IN VIRGINIA TOBACCO. Lee, who in June 1776 had introduced Virginia's famous resolution calling for Independence, returned from the Continental Congress in poor health, and was at this date serving in the Virginia legislature. On the first page is the bold heading "Westmoreland County...to Hugh Luttrell and Richard Sanford for Patrolling in the year of 1780, as following..." Below is a tabulation of 19 occasions ("Thursday Night April 20" to "Friday Night August 8") on which said Luttrell and Sanford carried out their patrols. For each patrol, they were to be paid 30 pounds of tobacco. The two men were probably militia, rather than Continental soldiers. It is interesting to see this quintessential Virginia product functioning as legal tender, as it had in the colony for many years. Virginia's clergyman were traditionally compensated in tobacco (and Patrick Henry fought in court when they resisted being paid in currency). At this date Continental paper currency was so severely depreciated that many refused to accept it at all. In all, the two watchmen were to receive the substantial total of 570 pounds of Virginia tobacco.
LEE, Richard Henry (1732-1794), Signer (Virginia), President of Congress . Document signed ("Richard Henry Lee"), Westmoreland County, Virginia, ca. 8 August 1780. 1½ page, 4to . PAYING NIGHT WATCHMEN IN VIRGINIA TOBACCO. Lee, who in June 1776 had introduced Virginia's famous resolution calling for Independence, returned from the Continental Congress in poor health, and was at this date serving in the Virginia legislature. On the first page is the bold heading "Westmoreland County...to Hugh Luttrell and Richard Sanford for Patrolling in the year of 1780, as following..." Below is a tabulation of 19 occasions ("Thursday Night April 20" to "Friday Night August 8") on which said Luttrell and Sanford carried out their patrols. For each patrol, they were to be paid 30 pounds of tobacco. The two men were probably militia, rather than Continental soldiers. It is interesting to see this quintessential Virginia product functioning as legal tender, as it had in the colony for many years. Virginia's clergyman were traditionally compensated in tobacco (and Patrick Henry fought in court when they resisted being paid in currency). At this date Continental paper currency was so severely depreciated that many refused to accept it at all. In all, the two watchmen were to receive the substantial total of 570 pounds of Virginia tobacco.
Try LotSearch and its premium features for 7 days - without any costs!
Be notified automatically about new items in upcoming auctions.
Create an alert.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
