American Historical Ephemera and Photography

22 1/8 x 17 1/8 in., loss, staining, significant repairs to verso. Embossed seal affixed to upper left.

Appoints Caleb Thaxter to the rank of "Adjutant, in the Regiment of Militia, in the County of Suffolk, whereof, John Thaxter Esq. is Colonel." Verso bears inscription dated 4 August 1773 at Hingham, MA, declaring: "Caleb Thaxter took the oath appointed by an act of Parliament to be taken instead of the oath of Allegiance & Supremacy..." Witnessed and signed by John Thaxter and Benjamin Lincoln.

Caleb Thaxter (1751-1828) would survive the oncoming Revolutionary War, though it is unclear on which side he chose to fight. There is some evidence that his brother, Joseph, fought in the Continental Army and was present at Bunker Hill.

Thomas Hutchinson served as Lieutenant Governor, Acting Governor, and Governor of Massachusetts Bay leading up to the Revolutionary War, maintaining loyalty to the British Crown and leaving for England in 1774. General Thomas Gage would take his place as Governor.