Description:

COLONIAL POOR RELIEF
An unusual manuscript D.S. "Martha Sheed" 1p. 4to., "Beekman's Precinct" Apr. 15, 1753 a notice: "…to Inform my Acquaintance in Dutchos [sic] County that I am Determined to Leave these Parts in a few Months And because many of my Friends are Desirous that I should spend my Days here: I am willing Publcikly [sic] to give the Reason of my so doing which are as follows Viz. I am Obliged to Point of Duty to be from home great part of my Time in Tending the Sick & these being many or most of them Poor People in Want I can not get Recompence [sic] Enough to Provide my Self Sufficient Necessaries for Food & having met with Several Losses Lately which Renders my Living more uncomfortable than it has been & being Now in the 57th Year of my age I am not able to Ride Night & Day in all Weather & Seasons as I have been with only better Accommodations at home & therefore must Travel to my former Acquaintance n order to Look out for a Comfortable Living - These are all the Reasons of my Removal from these Parts & if my friends who are Desirous I should Continue my Service here will bestow something upon me So as to make up my Losses I shall be willing to Send my Days in these parts … Done ye Publick as much service as I can." Apparently the pitch landed on receptive ears as eleven people had signed the document each promising funds ranging from one to three shillings. In all Ms. Sheed hauled in over £2 in contributions - not a bad sum of money for the period! Partial fold separations, some marginal tears, lightly affixed to another sheet, overall good to very good condition.

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September 27, 2012 11:00 AM EDT
Stamford, CT, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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