JOHN HANCOCK SIGNED DOCUMENT PAYING A “NEGRO” ANTHONY VASSELL’S REVOLUTIONARY WAR PENSION.

This is a most unusual document signed by then Massachusetts Governor John Hancock. Anthony Vassell was a slave owned by one of the wealthiest men in Cambridge, Massachusetts, John Vassell. As the war began, John Vassell and his family left for England, leaving Anthony his most trusted slave to manage his property. Vassell was never to return to America. The State of Massachusetts seized his properties and by an act of the State, February 6, 1781, Anthony was to be paid a pension of 12 pounds per year. Anthony and his family, now free, were among the original free black community of Boston and there is much written on his family including his life at the Vassell Estate as George Washington entered Cambridge in 1775. This is a unique document as we know of no others paying a pension to a newly freed slave. There is a link attached on the web to George Washington’s Headquarters National Park document which has extensive information on slavery in Boston and an entire chapter just on Anthony Vassell and his family starting in 1770’s. CONDITION: Document is framed and was not taken out to check for mounting; it does not appear dry mounted. Good discernible ink including a bold Hancock signature. 49755-1 (3,000-5,000) – Lot 2031

Auction: Fine Art, Asian & Antiques - Winter 2016

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	2031	$6,221.25	JOHN HANCOCK SIGNED DOCUMENT PAYING A “NEGRO” ANTHONY VASSELL’S REVOLUTIONARY WAR PENSION. This is a most unusual document signed by then Massachusetts Governor John Hancock. Anthony Vassell was a slave owned by one of the wealthiest men in Cambridge, Massachusetts, John Vassell. As the war began, John Vassell and his family left for England, leaving Anthony his most trusted slave to manage his property. Vassell was never to return to America. The State of Massachusetts seized his properties and by an act of the State, February 6, 1781, Anthony was to be paid a pension of 12 pounds per year. Anthony and his family, now free, were among the original free black community of Boston and there is much written on his family including his life at the Vassell Estate as George Washington entered Cambridge in 1775. This is a unique document as we know of no others paying a pension to a newly freed slave. There is a link attached on the web to George Washington’s Headquarters National Park document which has extensive information on slavery in Boston and an entire chapter just on Anthony Vassell and his family starting in 1770’s. CONDITION: Document is framed and was not taken out to check for mounting; it does not appear dry mounted. Good discernible ink including a bold Hancock signature. 49755-1 (3,000-5,000) – Lot 2031 Auction: Fine Art, Asian & Antiques - Winter 2016 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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JOHN HANCOCK SIGNED DOCUMENT PAYING A “NEGRO” ANTHONY VASSELL’S REVOLUTIONARY WAR PENSION.