[Rarebooks] FS: Documents by Signers of Declaration of Independence

[Clare Murphy]

1.  MCKEAN, THOMAS (1734-1817) SIGNER FROM 
PENNSYLVANIA.  ONE PAGE SIGNED DOCUMENT ON VELLUM 
WITH APPLIED FULL SEAL [Ds]. Washington City., 
July 20, 1781. Signed by Thomas McKean. 14 1/2 x 
7 1/2" Folio. As President of the Continental 
Congress, McKean appointing Alexander Murray as 
Lieutenant in the Continental Army. Edge chipping 
and two small holes.

Thomas McKean was the son of immigrants from 
Ireland. After a privileged and classic 
education, he became a lawyer. His political life 
began in 1762 and in 1765, he was a member of the 
"Stamp Act" Congress. "A short time before the 
meeting of the congress of 1774, Mr. M'Kean took 
up his permanent residence in the city of 
Philadelphia. The people of the lower counties on 
the Delaware were anxious that he should 
represent them in that body, and he was 
accordingly elected as their delegate. On the 3rd 
of September, he took his seat in that august 
assemblage. From this time, until the 1st of 
February, 1783, he continued annually to be 
elected a member of the great national council, a 
period of eight years and a half. This was the 
only instance, it is said, in which any gentleman 
was continued a member of congress, from 1774, to 
the signing of the preliminaries of peace in 
1783. It is also worthy of notice, that at the 
same time he represented the state of Delaware in 
congress, he was president of it in 1781, and 
from July, 1777, was tile chief justice of 
Pennsylvania. Such an instance of the same 
gentleman being claimed as a citizen of two 
states, and holding high official stations in 
both at the same time, is believed to be without 
a parallel in the history of our country." 
Charles A. Goodrich Lives of the Signers to the 
Declaration of Independence. New York: William 
Reed & Co., 1856. Pages 323-337

Of his signing the Declaration of Independence. 
McKean wrote, "I was then a member of congress 
for the state of Delaware, was personally present 
in congress, and voted in favour of independence 
on the 4th of July, 1776, and signed the 
declaration after it had been engrossed on 
parchment, where my name, in my own hand writing, 
still appears."

Alexander Murray was himself, important in 
American military history. He was born July 12, 
1755 in Chestertown, Md. During the Revolution, 
he served a captain in the 1st Maryland Regiment, 
commanded several privateers, and was 
commissioned lieutenant in the Continental Navy 
July 20, 1781 (this document), returning to 
private life in 1785. Upon organization of the 
U.S. Navy, Murray was commissioned captain July 
1, 1798, and commanded Montezuma, Insurgente, and 
Constellation during the quasi-war with France; 
Constellation against the Barbary pirates in the 
Mediterranean 1801-1803; and Adams in home waters 
in 1805. From 1808 until he death  October 6, 
1821, Murray was superintendent of gunboats at 
Philadelphia, and from July 8,1813 also was first 
commandant of the Philadelphia Navy Yard<BR> <A 
HREF='http://www.oldbooks.com/images/72177.jpg'> 
<BR>.  $1750.00

2.  WOLCOTT, OLIVER (1726-1797) SIGNER FROM 
CONNECTICUT.  AUTOGRAPH DOCUMENT SIGNED [Ds]. 
Litchfield CT., December 12, 1754. Signed by 
Oliver Wolcott. Docketed and inscribed document, 
as Sheriff of Litchfield, CT, which job he held 
from 1751-1775. This authorizes David Hamilton to 
execute a summons, 4 7/8 x 6 1/2". Partially 
printed on front, holograph on verso. Wear at 
folds and mild staining. 

Besides being a signer 
of The Declaration of Independence, Wolcott was 
Judge, 1750s, 60s; Militia leader, 1771-1774; 
Commissioner of Indian Affairs, 1775, 1784-89; 
Delegate to the Continental Congress, 1775-76, 
1778-84; Brigadier General of the Connecticut 
Militia, 1776Š Lt. Governor of Connecticut, 
1786-96; Governor, 1796-97. Inscription by 
Wolcott, in his hand, reads "Sharon, Dec. 12th 
1754, I do authorize Mr. David Hamilton Jr. duly 
to execute this writ. Teste Oliver Wolcott 
Sheriff.<BR> <A 
HREF='http://www.oldbooks.com/images/72178a.jpg'> 
<BR> <BR> <A HREF='>   <BR>.  $750.00

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Clare Murphy
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