[American Revolution]. Partly-printed Virginia Land Office Treasury Warrant dated 1782. “This shall be your warrant to survey and lay off in one or more surveys for Benjamin Sublet …the quantity of four hundred acres of land, due unto the said Benjamin Sublet In consideration of the sum of … current money paid into the Public Treasury, the payment whereof to the Treasurer hath been duly certified by the Auditors…” The document has been extensively repaired and is heavily dampstained throughout.

Application submitted to the Examining Board of Naval Surgeons as Assistant Surgeon. 5 pages. June 5, 1864. Pierce provides answers to 8 questions. He was asked to “Describe the intestines large & small” and “Describe the physical qualities of hydrogen gas”. Fine, detailed medical content.

Document Signed, “W.C. Whitney” as Secretary of the Navy. WILLIAM COLLIN WHITNEY (1841-1904) American political leader, financier and Secretary of the Navy during President Cleveland’s first administration. Countersigned “R.P. Rodgers” as Head of the Naval Intelligence Office  by RAYMOND P. RODGERS (1849-1925) U.S. Naval officer who served as the Head of the Office of Naval Intelligence. One page, 8” x 10” Navy Department letterhead. Washington. August 6, 1885. The document orders its recipient to travel to New York for temporary official business. Naval Pay Office stamp at upper left.  Minor edge wear to right side. Overall Fine.

W.K. Rogers: Private Secretary to Rutherford B. Hayes. Autograph Page Signed “W.K. Rogers, Private Secretary to the President.” 6 ½ “x 8”. Fine.

Application submitted to the Naval Examining Board for a position as Assistant Surgeon. 5 pages. December 4, 1861. Ward provides detailed answers to questions to 8 questions including subjects such as “the anatomy of the parts concerned in Tracheotomy” and “the functions of the kidneys.” Nice, detailed medical content.

WALTER WINCHELL (1897-1972). An American newspaperman and commentator, Winchell virtually invented the celebrity gossip column. A check drawn on the Irving Trust Company Issued to Cash in the amount of $21.57 dated October 10, 1966 and signed by Walter Winchell as maker.

JOHN SHALLCROSS Wealthy Quaker landowner and merchant. Autograph Letter Signed, “John Shallcross.” One page, 7” x 9 ¼”. Wilmington. November 2, 1786. Shallcross writes to James Knowles: “Sir On making out your amounts I find myself in your debt twenty odd pounds, which I will pay to your ordr Mr. T. Greg when he calls. I wrote him & beg that he would call on me before he went you which I expect he will … My compts to Bennett … your obt. Servt. John Shallcross”

Wendell Phillips (1811 – 1884). American reformer and abolitionist. ALS. 4 pages. 5” x 8”. Boston, 22 Dec. ’78. Phillips writes to Hon. Thomas Talbot who served as Governor of Massachusetts. “I venture to address you in aid of representations which will be made by others – in reference to the laws relating to insanity. It is not too much to say our laws on that neglect are worse than those of most other states & are a disgrace to the state = the ( ) are presseing & cases occur frequently working great in justice. There should be a Commission as in England & elsewhere having charge of all Hospitals = The head should an expert with salary sufficient to enable to give a large part of his time to the personal supervision of all Hospitals for the insane. Inside the state & outside this necessity is recognized by all acquainted with the subject. I sincerely trust you will see it to be consistent with your duty to command the establishment of such a supervisor to the legislature. Respy, Wendell Phillips” It is interesting to note that the following year, Massachusetts established the Board of Health, Lunacy and Charities. Fine medical history. Folds. Fine.

Oliver Wolcott (1726-1797). Signer of the Declaration of Independence from Connecticut; Connecticut governor. Trained as a medical doctor, Wolcott never practiced, but instead devoted himself to a career in the legal and public arenas. Elected to the Continental Congress in 1775, with the exception of one term, he served in that body until 1783. During the war, when not preoccupied with his political responsibilities, Wolcott was active in military affairs. In the summer of 1776, as brigadier-general he commanded 14 regiments that helped defend New York. By 1779, he had been appointed a major-general and, in 1780, was appointed to Connecticut’s executive committee for the prosecution of the war. After the war, he negotiated numerous treaties with the Indians, and was elected Connecticut governor in 1796, serving in that post until his death. “Pay the Hon’ble Oliver Wolcott Esqr. Seven thousand two hundred pounds in old Continental bills or an equivalent thereto in the new bills Issuing out by the direction of Congress and charge the State. Pay Table Office, November 3, 1780.” Wolcott has endorsed the note and signed; “Rec’d. the Contents in Continental bills Novem. 4, 1780 being Twenty four thousand dollars. Oliver Wolcott” Because of deplorable conditions in the army, Connecticut troops had mutinied in May and were stopped by regiments of the Pennsylvania line who would, themselves mutiny just two months after this note was issued. At this point in time, Wolcott was serving in a dual role as member of Continental Congress and as a Major General. The large sum of this note ($24,000) payable to Wolcott by the State would indicate that perhaps these funds were for direct use of the troops who, at this point were suffering severe deprivations. An interesting document worthy of additional research. Extremely Fine.