A group of two (2) Connecticut military commissions both signed by Jonathan Trumbull, Jr. (1740-1809) as Governor of Connecticut and appointing John Billings to the state militia. The first, a partly-printed document signed with integral blank, Hartford, [Connecticut], 20 May 1803, 12 1/2 x 7 1/4 in. (folded), appointing Billings to be "Ensign of the first Company in the 3d Regiment of Militia...." Docketed to verso. The second, a partly-printed document signed with integral blank, New Haven, [Connecticut], 17 October 1804, approx. 13 x 7 3/4 in. (folded), appointing Billings to be "Captain of the first Company in the 3d Regiment of Militia...." Docketed to verso. Both with remnants of state seal at left, and additionally signed by Samuel Wyllys as Secretary of State.

There are several individuals named John Billings who may have received these appointments. One candidate is John Billings, Jr. (1773-1853). Born in Montville, New London County, Connecticut, John Billings, Jr. was the son of a Revolutionary War veteran. A second candidate is John Stanton Billings (1762-1842) of Windham County, Connecticut. Though active in the Revolutionary War, by 1803 the militia continued its duty as a part-time army designated for local defense and as an institution of the state government. 

Jonathan Trumbull Jr. was an American politician who served as the 20th governor of Connecticut and the second Speaker of the United States House of Representatives. He was born in Lebanon, Connecticut, the second son of Patriot Jonathan Trumbull Sr. Trumbull Jr. served in the Continental Army as paymaster general of the Northern Department from 1775-1778. In February 1781, he was given the rank of lieutenant colonel and served for the duration of the war as aide-de-camp to General George Washington until December 28, 1783. After the war, he became an original member of the Society of the Cincinnati in the State of Connecticut.

[Manuscripts, Documents, Letters, Ephemera, Signatures, Autographs] [Revolutionary War, American Revolution, Founding Fathers, Colonial America] 

Both appointments with wear, toning, creasing, small losses, separation along folds, and occasional spotting. The 1804 appointment is completely separated along the horizontal fold.