American Historical Ephemera & Photography

DEARBORN, Henry. Partially printed document signed ("H. Dearborn") as Collector of the Port of Marblehead, MA. District of Massachusetts. 2 March 1810. 1p, 10 x 5 1/2 in. (light toning, chipping at edges). Countersigned by Joshua Prentiss ("J. Prentiss") as Inspector. Records the importation of one cask of Malaga wine containing twenty-eight gallons aboard the vessel Polly Devereum.

Henry Dearborn was a prominent Revolutionary War officer who served on General Washington's staff and as Secretary of War under President Thomas Jefferson from 1801-1809. He was appointed Collector of the Port of Boston in March 1809 by President Madison, a position which he held until he was appointed the Commanding General of the United States Army in January 1812. Joshua Prentiss (1745-1837) was a Marblehead merchant and vessel owner who served as Inspector of the Port of Marblehead from 1804-1829.

[With:] Partly printed stock certificate signed "H. Dearborn" as President of "A Republican Institution." Boston, MA: True & Green Printers, 1 December 1821. 1p, 10 x 8 in. (light toning, creasing at folds).  White paper seal and light blue ribbon affixed to the left side remain intact. Vignette eagle at top center holding a ribbon with the motto "E Pluribus Unum" in its beak, and arrows and an olive branch in its claws, flanked by "Certificate 297" acknowledging ownership by "Mr. Nathan Fiske of Cambridgeport in the County of Misslesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts is the proprietor of one share..." in "A Republican Institution in the Town of Boston." Countersigned ("Thaddeus Page") by Thaddeus Page, Recording Secretary.

The Republican Institution was founded in 1819 "as a body politic and corporate forever, for the purpose of procuring a building, and keeping it in repair, with suitable apartments for a reading room, library, and the meeting of the said society,  in the town of Boston, Massachusetts." Its intent was to provide a forum for political education and discussion of best means of promoting national welfare.
A scarce stock certificate related to an early United States political organization.

[With:] Massachusetts Election! First Monday in April Next. American Nomination. Major-General Henry Dearborn, For Governor. Hon. William King, For Lieut. Governor. [Boston?]: Printed at the Office of the Yankee, n.d. [ca 1817]. 24pp, 6 x 9 in. (toning, uncut). Pamphlet promoting Henry Dearborn and William King as running mates in the 1817 Massachusetts gubernatorial election. The pamphlet includes a "Sketch of the Life of Major General Henry Dearborn from 1775 to 1812" primarily documenting his military service.

[Also with:] Taken on Execution. Woburn, Massachusetts, 26 January 1853. Broadside advertising a public auction of lands owned by members of the Kimball family of Woburn. Signed in type by Sherman Converse, Deputy Sheriff.