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Item Particulars
PLEASE SEE MY OTHER LISTING OF JOS NIGHTINGALE AND D WEBSTER
Date: May 1, 1769
Origin: Providence, Rhode Island
Author: Joseph Nightingale (1747/1749–1797)
Historical Role: Colonel / Major General (Rhode Island Militia), Partner in Clark & Nightingale, Builder of the historic Nightingale-Brown House
Material: Period laid rag paper with iron gall ink
Format: Single-page handwritten manuscript letter, framed under glass
Provenance: Includes handwritten genealogical backing slip attached to verso
Condition Description
Framed 18th-century manuscript sheet with visible age toning, horizontal and vertical fold lines, and perimeter paper loss/ragged edges along the margins, primarily at the top and left edges. The iron gall ink script remains legible throughout. Encased in a simple dark wood frame with a hand-written historical/genealogical provenance label taped to the rear backing board. Not examined out of frame.
Description
Historic Pre-Revolutionary Manuscript: Original handwritten colonial letter datelined Providence, May 1st, 1769, penned and signed by Jos. Nightingale.
Revolutionary War Connection: Written by Joseph Nightingale, who went on to serve as a Colonel and Major General in the Rhode Island Militia during the American Revolution (commanding troops at the Battle of Rhode Island in 1778) and co-founded the prominent merchant firm Clark & Nightingale.
Humorous Colonial Text: Nightingale writes regarding business dealings and jokes about his social life: \"Only that I am going to Live an Old Batchellor — I expect to be at Newyork this Last Thursday and take post to Philadelphia With four Other Providence Lads...\"
Accompanying Provenance Slip: The back of the frame features an old manuscript provenance label recording Nightingale\'s birth (Sept 16, 1749), death (Nov 3, 1797), and his 1789 marriage to Elizabeth Corlis (explaining the \"Old Batchellor\" joke in 1769).
Authentic 18th-Century Construction: Executed on handmade laid rag paper using iron gall ink. Displayed in a dark wood frame.
Search Keywords
1769 manuscript letter colonial Providence Rhode Island RI Joseph Nightingale Clark Nightingale Nightingale Brown House pre revolution militia officer American Revolution trade letter 18th century autograph ephemera
