ITEM# 3138
Antique Ephemera Legal Document 1788

This is a wonderful antique legal document from 8 October 1788. It was an exciting time. A new Constitution had been prepared, and in only two months the very first meeting of the Electoral College would vote unanimously to select George Washington as the first president under the new regime. Perhaps all that was too much for Thomas Treat of Glastonbury, Connecticut, who perhaps spent too much time with CNN and forgot to pay his bills. Or perhaps he was simply broke. Whatever the reason, it appears from the complaint that Treat had borrowed 15 shillings tuppence (about $1.20 in modern terms) in 1785 from one James Jones and never repaid him. Jones is now asking for two pounds in damages plus costs. The document is an order to the Sheriff of Hartford County, Connecticut to apprehend Treat and bring him before the Justice of the Peace at an appointed time. It was tough to owe someone a dollar in those days! The piece is in good condition. The edges are rough (it has been double matted to preserve the antique appearance this roughness provides), and there is one crumpled spot on the right edge. Fortunately, this is on a blank portion of the piece so no writing is affected. Overall size is approximately 8 and three quarters inches wide by 10 and three quarters inches high. The piece itself is approximately 8 and one half inches by 6 inches.

Thank you for your quick reply. I am really shocked at the price. I knew many people here wanted it, but probably figured I didn't know what I had and they wanted to buy it for nothing. I am glad I held on to it.
Thanks again!
- Ann N