American Historical Ephemera & Photography

8 1/8 x 13 1/8 in., creasing, spotting, some chipping and loss to edges and corners. Addressed on verso. Partly printed document signed by Lieutenant William Henry, to Joseph Sims, Esquire, commanding him "to deliver in to the City Lieutenant's Office, within ten days from and after the date hereof, a true and exact List of the Names and Sirnames of each and every Male White Person inhabiting or residing within your District, between the ages of Eighteen and Fifty-three Years."

The Act to Regulate the Militia of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania was passed in March of 1777 requiring white men between the ages of 18-53 to serve in the militia if called upon to do so. As part of this act, a reputable freeholder from Philadelphia along with a reputable freeholder from each county in Pennsylvania were chosen to act as as lieutenants of the militia for their respective locality. These lieutenants were to call upon leaders of each township, borough, ward, or district within their domain to deliver the list requested above.

[With:] Partly printed payment bond for two hundred pounds. Philadelphia, PA, 26 March 1777. 8 1/4 x 13 1/2 in. (creasing, paper loss/tearing to edges and at creases, discoloration in spots throughout). Signed by Philadelphia merchant, Robert Strettell Jones, Samuel Gollen, Peter Miller, Jr., James Butland, etc. Docketed on verso.

Document printed by Joseph Crukshank, a Philadelphia Quaker whose printing business issued the first Catholic prayer book in America as well as a number of publications for the Society of Friends.