1780s State of Connecticut Promissory Note w/Huntington Signature

Revolutionary War-Era Promissory Note Signed by Jedidiah Huntington

The United States of America wasn’t even a country when 26-year-old Jedidiah Huntington was appointed ensign of Connecticut’s First Norwich Militia Company in 1769. The slightly built young man would prove his toughness in battle after battle over the following years. By 1777 he was an active general in the Continental Army and had fought at the Battle of Long Island and served with General George Washington at Valley Forge.

General Huntington is a true American hero, and this Promissory Note from the State of Connecticut bears his hand-written signature! These notes were similar to bonds because the detailed the amount of debt, date of issue, date of redemption, form of repayment and an interest rate. They were also the primary way to raise military finances for the colony of Connecticut during the American Revolution.

It takes money to run a war and financing the war laid a heavy burden upon each colony—especially those that hesitated to levy taxes; after all, that’s one of the things they were fighting against! In order to pay for such things as wages for soldiers, uniforms and ammunition; the colonies relied upon donations from wealthy revolutionists, foreign loans, and promissory notes such as this. The military finances for the colony of Connecticut were handled by a committee known as “The Pay-Table,” whose members rotated throughout the Revolution, one of which was General Huntington.

An incredible piece of Revolutionary War history, this 1780s State of Connecticut Promissory Note with the signature of General Jedidiah Huntington is a testament to the toughness and grit of the men and women who breathed life into the American Revolution and made the United States of America. You have your marching papers, so order now!