Lincoln, Benjamin (1733-1810) Major General in the Continental Army; he accepted the British surrender at Yorktown. He was present at the three major surrenders of the Revolutionary War, twice as a victor (Saratoga and Yorktown) and once as the loser (Charleston). He was the first Secretary of War (1781-83) and headed the militia that put down Shays' Rebellion (1787). He was Lt. Gov. of Massachusetts from 1788-89 and was appointed by Washinton to be the first collector of the port of Boston (1789-1809).
Autograph Manuscript Signed three times ("Benj:a Lincolns Book 1750"), This is Benjamin Lincoln's geography copy book, used by him at the age of 16-17. This little book has covers of marbled card with all of the 114 full pages in the very neat hand of the teenage Benjamin Lincoln. On each page of this amazing relic, Benjamin has described a country or an American state. On pages 101 and 102 he puts forth the the attributes of Virginia and Carolina which reads in part: "Virginia- Its bounded East by ye Main Ocean West by some of Terra Sectia North by Maryland and South by Carolina. The air as to Heat & Cold Dryness & Moisture is varibal according to ye Winds…The soil is generally Sandy, yet abundantly fertile in grain. The chief commodities are Tobacco and Deer Skins bever & other Wild Beasts…Its Governed by a Governor Appointed by ye Britannick Majesty. Religion Protestant…" Lincoln later obtained a Master's degree from Harvard.
Estimated Value $800 - 1,000
Colonial and Revolutionary America