September 14th, 1780-Dated Revolutionary War Period, Partially-Printed Document Signed, “Augustine Willett” at Southanlar, Bucks County, PA., Endorsed “John Nicholson” and by “J.(ohn) Armstrong Secy.”, being a “Pennsylvania” Interest Bearing Bond, Anderson listed as PA-2, fully executed for the Purchase of a “One Bull” by the United States Continental Army, Framed, Very Fine.
An important Interest Bearing Bond normally used for supplying urgently needed horses for the Continental Army, this being the Only Example we have ever encountered for purchasing “One Bull”. This form is well printed with wide margins being fully executed and signed. (Paid then with "Sixty for one in Continental" paper money currency notes due to Inflation.) Recorded as an Interest Bearing Certificate, by Anderson in his reference book titled, “The Price of Liberty” listed there as PA-2. Extensive financial notations and statements plus docket on the blank fully written reverse. An unusual historic United States Continental Army use Interest Bearing Bond being an official Pennsylvania Document measuring 8” x 7.5”, printed in deep black on clean fully wide margined laid period paper. The left edge indented border’s ornate design has the partial text “(PENNSY)LVANIA”. Impressive eye appeal, being boldly typeset and written in rich brown ink. Four prior corner hinge stains have some show-through from the reverse. State money and payment use against Taxes due are recorded, plus depreciation of currency adjusted from 1780 through 1783. Os significant importance, the final payments are from the Comptroller Generals Office with Endorsement Signed by “Colonel Jacob Morgan”, “Joseph Nicholson”, and with final approval stating: “28th Augst 1783, Read, approved for an Order Drawn. - (Signed) “J.(ohn) Armstrong Secy.”
John Nicholson was a Revolutionary War era Pennsylvania State official in the Comptroller Generals Office. He partnered with Signer of the Declaration of Independence Robert Morris in western land speculation that bankrupted both men. He was sent to debtor's prison in 1800 and died there shortly thereafter.

John Armstrong Jr. was an American soldier, diplomat and statesman who was a delegate to the Continental Congress, U.S. Senator from New York, and United States Secretary of War under President James Madison. A member of the Democratic-Republican Party, Armstrong was United States Minister to France from 1804 to 1810.

The young Armstrong initially joined a Pennsylvania militia regiment and the following year he was appointed as aide-de-camp to General Hugh Mercer of the Continental Army. In this role, he carried the wounded and dying General Mercer from the field at the Battle of Princeton.

After the general died on January 12, 1777, Armstrong became an aide to General Horatio Gates. He stayed with Gates through the Battle of Saratoga then resigned due to problems with his health. In 1782 Gates asked him to return. Armstrong joined General Gates' staff as an aide with the rank of major, which he held through the rest of the war.
American Revolution, Revolutionary War, Lebanon, Lancaster County, George Washington, Continental Army, Interest Bearing Bond, Price of Liberty