GEORGE WASHINGTON, Manuscript Document Signed, Order for Execution of Shem Kentfield, May 22, 1782, Newburgh, New York. 8.5″ x 11.5″. The bottom content-heavy portion is dark and readable, including Washington’s bold, large signature. There are reinforced folds, or splits, which are not that visible, and a small blank portion at the top replaced – all this mentioned only for accuracy. Beautifully framed in museum glass to a complete size of 27″x19.5″. Includes Letter Of Authenticity from James Spence Authenticators. George Washington “Hang him by the Neck until he be Dead” Signed Execution Order. At a General Court martial held at Albany by order of Colonel Tupper, Major William Scott President. Shem Kentfield soldier of the First New Hampshire regiment charged with Desertion and bearing arms in the Service of the King of Great Britain against the United States was by the Judgement of the Court found Guilty of the Charge exhibited against him and Sentenced to suffer Death by being Hangeded the Neck until he be Dead which Sentence was afterwards afterwords by Me approvd. You are therefore to take the said Shem Kentfield from the place of his present confinement to the place appointed for his Execution and there Hang him by the Neck until he be Dead for which this shall be your sufficient Warrant. Given under my Hand and Seal at Newburgh. This Twenty Second day of May 1782. By His Excellencys Command. Jona Trumbull Jn Secty. Shem Kentfield left Charlestown, New Hampshire, during the Revolutionary War and went into the British lines in Canada, where he planned a raid on Charlestown with the goal of capturing Colonel Samuel Hunt Jr. On his return with a small party, Kentfield traveled by snowshoes to the vicinity of Charlestown. A hunter found Kentfields tracks in the snow and alerted Col. Hunt, who with a few others captured Kentfield at the house of a local tory. They placed Kentfiled in jail in Charlestown, until an order arrived from the Continental Army at West Point to have Kentfield sent to New York. Officials discovered that Kentfield had enlisted in the 1st New Hampshire regiment but had deserted. He was tried by court martial in Albany, New York, on May 6, 1782, and sentenced to be hanged. On May 11, Colonel Benjamin Tupper in Albany sent to George Washington a copy of the proceedings of the court martial and sentence. Tupper noted, I find his character to be such that I cannot suggest the least hint in his favour and recommended that Kentfield be executed in the presence of the 1st New Hampshire regiment (into which he had inlisted,) which is now at Saratoga. Washington responded on May 20 and left the place of execution to Tupper. In 1777, he married Lurana Dibbell in Charlestown, New Hampshire, and they had at least one child, born in 1780. In Charlestown, he was employed by local surveyors to assist them. He was reportedly a skilled hunter and fisherman. He served in the French and Indian War and at the Battle of Bunker Hill. He later served as a major in the 1st New Hampshire regiment. He was wounded at the Battle of Bemis Heights in September 1777 and lost the use of one hand but continued to serve. Again wounded by a bayonet at the Battle of Monmouth, Scott continued to serve until the end of the war. His injuries made it difficult for him to work after the war, but he did not receive a pension until 1807. After participating in the Siege of Boston, the Battle of Long Island, and the Battle of Monmouth, he served in the Highlands Department and in 1780 was in charge of the chain across the Hudson River at West Point to prevent British ships from passing. For the rest of the war, he served on the northern frontier in command of the 10th Massachusetts and later the 6th Massachusetts regiments. He achieved the rank of brevet brigadier general and served as a Massachusetts legislator after the war. TO SEE ALL THE BOOKS WE HAVE FOR SALE!!! IF YOU LIKE WHAT YOU SEE THAN SAVE US TO YOUR FAVORITES BY CLICKING HERE. Add me to your Favorite Sellers. RARE ANTIQUARIAN BOOKS CAN BE FRAGILE AND NEED TO BE HANDLED WITH CARE. Reagan’s Rare Books is a purveyor of Antiquarian books primarily from the 18th and 19th centuries. We love antique books! We search all over the country for the finest rare books, looking for those with beautiful bindings and in great condition so that we can offer you, the customer, a truly rare one of a kind collectible. We reserve the right to re-list items not paid within 5 days. PLEASE CHECK MY OTHER LISTINGS. POSTING NEW RARE BOOKS DAILY/WEEKLY. Get images that make Supersized seem small. Tailor your auctions with Auctiva’s. Track Page Views With. Auctiva’s FREE Counter. The item “George Washington Hang him by the Neck until he be Dead Signed Execution Order” is in sale since Monday, May 20, 2019. This item is in the category “Collectibles\Autographs\Political\Presidential”. The seller is “reagans_rare_books” and is located in Midlothian, Virginia. This item can be shipped worldwide.
- Autograph Authentication: James Spence (JSA)
- Original/Reproduction: Original
- President: George Washington
- Signed by: George Washington