December 22nd, 1778-Dated Revolutionary War Massachusetts Treasury special “Committee of War” Bond, issued for “Forty Pounds with Interest at Six per Cent, per Annum, payable to the First of March 1783”, Framed, Extremely Fine.
This scarce Bond measures about 7.5” x 6.5” with its normal indent on the left margin. An impressive fully completed and issued form having exceptionally bold black typeset text and border designs. Its appearance is bold and clean, having its wide full margins and strong brown ink manuscript portions. Signed by H.(enry) Gardner as Treasurer his name with manuscript cancel; Committee members include: J. Mascarone, D. Jeffries, and J. Scollay who have signed at bottom left. Payable in the amount of Forty Pounds at 6% per annum. Issued to help in paying the new States expenses of conducting the Revolutionary War. A vivid example of this rare major type for display as indicated by the 11” x 9.5” modern wood frame which is ready to hang on display.
This Revolutionary War Massachusetts Treasury Bond reads:

STATE of Massachusetts-Bay. The 22d Day of Decr 1778.

FOR Value received for the Use of the State of the Massachusetts-Bay, I do in Behalf of said State, hereby promise and oblige myself, and Successors in the Office of Treasurer, to pay to the Possessor of this Note the Sum of Forty Pounds upon the First Day of March 1783, with Interest at Six per Cent. per Annum; the Interest to be paid Annually.

£40 - Witness my Hand, [J.] Mascarene - H. Gardner, Treasurer (pen-cancelled with an X)

D. Jeffries - Committee

J. Scoll

This is a Massachusetts state debt certificate issued specifically under the authority of the Massachusetts Committee of War being a distinct body from the Treasury office, which is why it's headed "Comm'tte War" being a plain-typeset (not copperplate-engraved) form.

Henry Gardner signed as Treasurer (he held that post from 1774 until his death in 1782) his signature here is cancelled, meaning the note was eventually redeemed/paid off.



David Jeffries and John Scollay we l, well-documented Boston-area committeemen of the period (Scollay was a longtime Boston selectman and Patriot; Jeffries was a Boston merchant active in state finance).