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Auction: 317 - The Collector's Series
Lot: 1031

Burr, Aaron. Revolutionary War hero, took part in Benedict Arnold's expedition to Quebec, distinguished himself at battle of Quebec; came under the wing of General Israel Putnam; Burr saved an entire brigade from capture after the British landing on Manhattan, but for some reason George Washington failed to commend Burr's actions (a sure fire way of getting a promotion), which likely led to their eventual estrangement; made Lieutenant-Colonel July 1777 in Malcolm's Additional Continental Regiment; resigned from the Continental Army in March 1779 because of continuing bad health, though he remained active in the war; successful lawyer and politician, New York Attorney General, NY Senator, Third Vice President of the United States (1801-1805), mortally wounded Alexander Hamilton in infamous duel outside Weehawken, NJ, July 11, 1804. Autograph Document Signed "A Burr AD". 9 1/3 x 3 1/3" note, n.d. Burr writes while in service during the Revolution, likely while as an aide to Putnam: "Sir General Putnam orders that two thousand three pound ball be immediately cast at the Furnace of the Forest of Deane and desires that you will forward directions for this Purpose". "B. Gen Geo Clinton" is noted bottom left. The document is pasted in (on one end) to the blank back page of Volume I of J. Parton's "The Life and Times of Aaron Burr". New York; Mason Brothers, 1858. Small Octavo, ¾ leather covers, gilt titles and decoration on spines, marbled endpapers. Both Volumes of this 2 Volume work are included. Various old clippings are pasted down to the back blank pages. Also laid in is a `Facsimile of the Signatures to the Declaration of Independence…from Binns Celebrated Engraving.' "Department of State, 19th April 1819….John Quincy Adams" at bottom. George Clinton, one of the founding fathers of the United States - Governor of NY (1777-95), later fourth Vice President of the United States (1805-1812) -- was at the time of this note a Brigadier General in the Continental Army, commanding forces at Ft. Clinton and Ft. Montgomery in Orange Co., NY. In the vicinity of Sterling Mine, the Forest of Dean mine was a very extensive bed of magnetic ore about 6 miles from Ft. Montgomery. It supplied a furnace as early as 1756 and was abandoned some 21 years later. Sterling Iron Works, owned by Peter Townsend, was one of the first steel and iron works in the American colonies and the first steel producer in New York. Operational from 1761-1842, it is most famous for forging the Hudson River chain that blocked the British Navy from sailing up the Hudson River. A short but intriguing document coupled with Burr and related material. Some foxing to the document and books. Very Good to About Fine.

Sold for
$900