Oliver Ellsworth and Jesse Root signed Revolutionary War Pay Order to Sam Abbot - Connecticut - 1777 dated American Revolutionary War Autograph
Inv# CT1181
Autograph
Pay Order signed by Oliver Ellsworth and Jesse Root. Front and back shown.
Samuel Abbot, a dedicated patriot from Connecticut, distinguished himself during the American Revolutionary War, embodying the unwavering spirit of the New England militia. Originating from a colony frequently referred to as the “Provisions State” due to its pivotal role in supplying Washington’s army, Abbot enlisted early in the conflict. He served with the Connecticut State Troops, notably under the command of Colonel John Mead. Historical records attest to his involvement in pivotal defensive operations along the Westchester line, where Connecticut soldiers were entrusted with safeguarding the frontier from British incursions and “Cowboy” marauders operating from Loyalist strongholds.
Beyond his military service, Abbot’s contributions underscore the personal sacrifices made by citizen-soldiers who transitioned between agricultural pursuits and military service. Like many of his contemporaries, his military engagements were often seasonal or contingent upon specific alarms, yet his commitment remained steadfast throughout the arduous years of the war. Following the cessation of hostilities, Abbot returned to civilian life, contributing to the development of his local community within the newly established United States. Today, his legacy persists through meticulous pension records and genealogical archives, serving as a testament to the thousands of Connecticut men whose localized bravery formed the foundation of the Continental cause.
Oliver Ellsworth (April 29, 1745 – November 26, 1807) was a prominent Founding Father of the United States, recognized for his roles as an attorney, jurist, politician, and diplomat. He played a significant part in the drafting of the United States Constitution, served as a United States senator from Connecticut, and held the position of the third chief justice of the United States. In the 1796 presidential election, he garnered 11 electoral votes.
Ellsworth's contributions were instrumental in securing Connecticut's ratification of the Constitution, and he was elected as one of the first two senators from the state, serving from 1789 to 1796. He was the principal author of the Judiciary Act of 1789, which established the framework for the federal judiciary and affirmed the Supreme Court's authority to invalidate state supreme court rulings that conflicted with the United States Constitution. As a key ally of Alexander Hamilton in the Senate, Ellsworth was affiliated with the Federalist Party and played a pivotal role in the passage of Hamilton's initiatives, including the Funding Act of 1790 and the Bank Bill of 1791. He also supported the United States Bill of Rights and the Jay Treaty.
Jesse Root (December 28, 1736 – March 29, 1822) was a prominent American minister and attorney hailing from Coventry, Connecticut. Throughout the American Revolution, he played a significant role on the Connecticut Council of Safety and within the Connecticut militia. Initially appointed as a lieutenant colonel in Peekskill in 1777, he advanced to the position of Adjutant-General of the Connecticut Line. Root represented Connecticut as a delegate to the Continental Congress from 1778 to 1782 and served as the chief justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court from 1796 to 1807, in addition to holding the position of a state court judge. He was an active member of the Connecticut House of Representatives and participated in the Connecticut Constitutional Convention. Furthermore, he was affiliated with the First Company, Governor's Foot Guard, where he held the role of commandant from May 1798 to October 1802. His lineage includes his grandson, Austin Cornelius Dunham.
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