Document Signed by First African American Elected Official, New Hampshire, 1812

REVOLUTIONARY WAR, African American

About this Item

[Revolutionary War] [African American] Partially printed writ issued by Wentworth Cheswill, mixed race Revolutionary War soldier who is likely the first African American elected official. One page document signed measuring 7.75" x 12.75". Cheswill was born in 1746 and later served his town of Newmarket, New Hampshire, as a constable (elected in 1768), teacher, assessor, justice of the peace, and selectman throughout his life. Cheswill's grandfather Richard was formerly enslaved but became the first black person to own land in 1717. Robert enrolled Wentworth at Governor Dummer Academy in Byfield, Massachusetts, where he studied the Classics, arithmetic, swimming, and horsemanship. This was a significant privilege in colonial America, where few people had any formal schooling and is a remarkable set of circumstances for a family that in living memory had had members in bondage. In the lead up to revolution, he was elected town messenger for the Committee of Safety, which entrusted him to carry news to and from the Provincial Committee at Exeter. He coordinated with the Paul Revere and the Provincial Committee to maneuver armed men and supplies in response to British warships that were being sent to reinforce Fort William and Mary. At the wars onset, Cheswell served as a private under John Langdon, Founding Father and militia leader, in a select company called "Langdon's Company of Light Horse Volunteers". This company helped to bolster the Continental Army at the Saratoga campaign. Langdon's company of Light Horse Volunteers made the 250-mile march to Saratoga, New York, to join with the Continental Army under General Horatio Gates, defeating British General John Burgoyne at the Battle of Saratoga, which was the first major American victory in the Revolution. Document signed ("Wentworth Cheswill") as Justice of the Peace, ordering the Rockingham County Sheriff to collect a debt owed by Joseph Purinton of Epping, NH. Newmarket, NH, 12 October 1812. Slight wear to edges and fold intersections. Docketed verso. In very good condition overall. A well preserved document from a remarkable, uniquely American story of social mobility.

Seller Inventory # 20160

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Document Signed by First African American Elected Official, New Hampshire, 1812
• Signed: Signed by Author(s)
• Seller catalogs:
  • Exceptional Pieces
  • Slavery and Abolition
  • African American