REVOLUTIONARY WAR PAY ORDER SIGNED BY CONTINENTAL ARMY GENERAL JEDIDIAH HUNTINGTON

Partly printed pay order completed in manuscript. Signed by Gen. Jedediah Huntington vertically through text. Hartford, Connecticut, 20 September 1781. 1 page, approx. 6 3/4 x 3 3/4 in. Docketing to verso. 

A pay order issued to Quartermaster Ralph Pomeroy for £6 from the State of Connecticut. While signed by committee members Fenn Wadsworth and Eleazer Wales, this pay order notably features a vertical signature from Gen. Jedediah Huntington. 

Huntington (1743-1818) began his military career as an ensign in the Norwich militia company, eventually rising to colonel of the 20th Regiment of Connecticut Militia by 1774. When the Lexington Alarm was brought to Norwich on 20 April 1775, it was delivered to Huntington, who assembled his men and became part of the Siege of Boston just over a week later. 

In July 1775, the 8th Connecticut Regiment was created and given to Huntington to command, remaining active until the end of the year and its terms of service expired. At the onset of the new year, the 8th Connecticut became the 17th Continental, still commanded by Huntington. The 17th was instrumental in holding Dorchester Heights in spring of 1776, but this would be its only victory — the regiment was surrounded and taken prisoner during the Battle of Long Island, but Huntington had fortuitously fallen ill and missed the action. With the 17th essentially expired, Huntington was given the 1st Connecticut as part of the Connecticut Line in 1777, where he was promoted to brigadier general. Huntington saw action at the Battles of Ridgefield and Monmouth, as well as in the New York and New Jersey Campaign. 

Following the Revolutionary War, Huntington became one of the original members of the Society of the Cincinnati, at one point rising to be vice president of the order. Additionally, he served as the Treasurer of Connecticut from 1789-90, preceded by John Lawrence, who was listed as treasurer on this pay order. 

Ralph Pomeroy (1737-1819) was the son of a Congregational minister and the nephew of Eleazar Wheelock, who founded Dartmouth College. Pomeroy eventually became a lawyer, essentially serving as Wheelock's lawyer on retainer. Research shows he served as a lieutenant and paymaster for the 3rd Connecticut under Col. Wyllys from 1777-1778. He was promoted to first lieutenant at the end of 1778 and appears to have stayed in the 3rd Connecticut until 1781, when he retired from the Continental Army at the beginning of the year. This was likely because, nine days later, he was appointed deputy quartermaster-general for Connecticut, a role he served at least until 1782. 

[American Revolutionary War, American Revolution, Founding Fathers, Declaration of Independence, Colonial America, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, James Monroe] [Manuscripts, Documents, Letters, Ephemera, Signatures, Autographs]