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At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Bowdoin, James, 1726-1790 [Appointment for Simon Elliot as captain]

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01450.448.03 Author/Creator: Bowdoin, James, 1726-1790 Place Written: Boston, Massachusetts Type: Document signed Date: December 13, 1786 Pagination: 1 p. : Height: 26.1 cm, Width: 39.6 cm Order a Copy

Appoints Elliot as an Adjutant in the militia with the rank of captain under the command of General Benjamin Lincoln. This militia was being raised to put down Shay's rebellion. At the time it was actually an illegitimate militia put together by the upper classes in Massachusetts to put down the rebellion, but it later became legitimate. Also signed by James Austin as "Secretary." Massachusetts state seal is attached by a ribbon.

Bowdoin, James, 1726-1790
Avery, John, 1739-1806
Elliot, Simon, 1762-1832

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