This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/18/2024
[REVOLUTIONARY WAR]. Two Documents Related to the Pay of the Widow of Nicolas Manvil, a Soldier Killed at the Wyoming Massacre During the American Revolution. Including: Autograph Document. Wyoming [Pennsylvania], August 2nd, 1783. One 4to page on part of a 4to leaf, on plain white laid paper. Manuscript document states that the Court of Probate authorizes payment to Manvil’s widow, Mary Manvil, in an unknown hand, and with a brief note certifying Manvil’s service at the bottom, written and signed by his captain, Simon Spalding (1742-1812). Approximately 210 x 210 mm. Toned, several horizontal and vertical creases, some edgewear, lower margin trimmed a bit unevenly. Captain Spalding writes beneath the payment certification: “This may certify that the above named Nicholas [sic] Manvil was in Service in the Independent Company Raised at Westmoreland as above mentioned before the year 1779. Certified per Simon Spalding, Capt.” And Order of Payment Document. Hartford, August 26 1783. Printed document on plain white laid-paper with manuscript notes. One-half 4to page on one-half sheet of white laid, watermarked paper. Approximately 165 x 206 mm. Some rubbing, minor soiling, two horizontal creases. This form authorizes the Pay-Table Committee to pay “Twenty five pounds four shillings and four pence” to Manvil’s widow, “In behalf of Mary Manvil …” and is signed at the bottom by Spalding. One of the bloodiest battles of the Revolutionary War, the Wyoming Battle (or the Wyoming Massacre) took place on July 3, 1778, in the Wyoming Valley of Pennsylvania. During this brief battle (about an hour or less), 340 patriots died defending the forts that were manned by volunteer militias. About 400 to 500 patriots faced off against over 1,000 British troops, loyalists, and Seneca warriors, only to suffer huge losses (British Colonel John Butler (1728-1796) estimated that 227 patriots lost their scalps). Spalding was a fine officer and soldier, eventually reaching the rank of general in the militias.