D.S., 1p. 4to., West Springfield, Mass., Sept. 26, 1774 being a founding document of a Minute Man company. The document reads in full: "We the subscribers being Touched with the appearance of more Distresses and Calamities which so glaringly threaten this Country with slavery and Vassalage think it our prudentest method to equip our selves in the best manner with Everything necessary for our Defense we therefore think it necessary to Learn the use of fire arms and for encouragement to those that will undertake to Learn we think it our Duty to Contribute something Towards Hiring an instructor and we therefore Each of us that we will pay in unto Samuel Flower for the up & before mentioned at or before the first day of December Next such sums as we shall annex to our signed names as witness our Hands". Signed on the bottom and on the verso by members who each pledge a quantity of wheat. This company marched on April 20, 1775 in response to the Lexington Alarm including Flowers, who served as a lieutenant. Partial fold separations repaired on verso, bottom left eighth of page neatly cut away, probably for a receipt, light soiling, otherwise good condition. A truly historic piece!.