Books and Manuscripts

(Carlisle, Pennsylvania), April 25, 1791. One sheet, 13 1/2 x 9 1/4 in. (343 x 235 mm) Partially-printed Notary Public document, signed by John Armstrong (Sr.) as "...President for the time being of the Board of Trustees of Dickinson College..."and appointing "General William Irvin [sic] the true and lawful Attorney for the said Trustees..."; counter-signed by Thomas Alexander Gasler and Samuel Lyon of the Commissioners of Loan for the State of Pennsylvania, as well as attorney Samuel Laird, who has crossed out the printed attestation of fellow Notary, Clement Biddle (1740-1814). Endorsed on verso by William Lyon, Prothonotary for the Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas in Cumberland County. Wax and paper seals intact and well preserved; creasing from old folds; tears along same repaired on verso with tape; collector's annotation at bottom left.

Early in the history of Dickinson College, President of the Board of Trustees John Armstrong grants William Irvine power of attorney for the Board, entitling him to demand or receive all funds due the institution.

On September 9, 1783, six days after the signing of the Treaty of Paris, Dickinson College was chartered by the Pennsylvania legislature at the urging of fellow Carlise native and Signer of the Declaration of Independence, Dr. Benjamin Rush (1745-1813). It was the first college founded in the newly formed nation, and it remains one of the most respected academic institutions in Pennsylvania to this day.

When John Armstrong, Sr. (1717-1795) came to the colony of Pennsylvania he was appointed a surveyor for Cumberland County by the Penn family, and in this role laid out the first town plan for Carlise in 1750. A seasoned veteran of the French and Indian War, Armstrong was serving as Brigadier general of the Pennsylvania militia when the American Revolution broke out, but on March 1, 1776 Congress commissioned him with the same rank in the Continental Army. He served with distinction alongside his two sons John Jr. (1758-1843) and James (1748-1828) before retiring from active duty due to declining health. On account of their successful careers and Carlise roots, Armstrong and his two sons all served as members of the College's Board of Trustees, alongside the appointee of this document, General William Irvine (1741-1804).