A Connecticut Revolutionary War Pay Order for 271 Bushels of Salt Manufactured by Roderick and Nathaniel Burnham. Signed by Justice of the Peace Andrew Griswold and Four Selectmen, September 22, 1778

(BURNHAM, Roderick and Nathaniel)

Published by Lyme, Connecticut, 1778

About this Item

Manuscript Document (9 ½" x 7"). Two manuscript pages, Signed on the recto by Andrew Griswold (Justice of the Peace, Lyme) and Richard Wait; and on the verso by four Connecticut Selectmen (including Enoch Lord and Richard Wait). With a separate docketed wrapper dated Sept. 22, 1778. Old folds, two of which are slightly split, some toning and light soiling, very good. The first side lists three separately inspected (and signed) lots of bushels of salt dating from June 11, July 6, and September 14, 1778. The verso records the Oath made by "Roderick Burnham of Hartford" verifying payment for all three lots (totaling 271 bushels). Salt had become a precious commodity since the start of the American Revolution as the British Naval blockade of American ports largely shut off the supply of imported salt from the West Indies. A scarce surviving pay order that documents two Connecticut entrepreneurs who took to manufacturing domestic supplies of salt to support the Revolutionary War effort.

Seller Inventory # 564937

Bibliographic Details

• Title: A Connecticut Revolutionary War Pay Order for 271 Bushels of Salt Manufactured by Roderick and Nathaniel Burnham. Signed by Justice of the Peace Andrew Griswold and Four Selectmen, September 22, 1778
• Publisher: Lyme, Connecticut
• Publication Date: 1778
• Binding: Unbound
• Condition: Very Good
• Seller catalogs:
  • Americana
  • Ephemera