[Colonial America]
Deputy Governor of Pennsylvania Province, James Hamilton, Grants Clemency to a Butter Thief, 1761

Manuscript Document, signed
Easton, Pennsylvania, March 19, 1761. Bifolium, 12 3/8 x 7 5/8 in. (314 x 194 mm). Manuscript document, being a petition for clemency for a Peter Wannamacker of Northampton County, signed by Wannamacker with his mark ("X"), as well as four justices of the General Quarter Sessions of the Peace of Northampton (Lewis Klotz, Jacob Arndt, Aaron Dupui, and Conrad Hess); inscribed, signed, and dated (April 3, 1761) at bottom by Lieutenant Governor of the Province of Pennsylvania, James Hamilton, granting Wannamacker clemency. Docketed on verso. Creasing from old folds, two small open tears at center folds; scattered light soiling.

Peter Wannamaker was found guilty on March 17, 1761 of stealing 40 pounds of butter belonging to Jacob Haak, and was sentenced to receive 12 lashes and to restore the stolen butter or compensate the owner for the value thereof. A petition was drawn up by Wannamaker's family (not present), attesting to his character, which was submitted to the Northampton Justices of the Peace, and then sent to Lieutenant Governor of the Province, James Hamilton, which he approved.

James Hamilton (1710-83) served two terms as deputy governor of Pennsylvania, from 1748-54, and from 1759-63. He served as a member of the Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly from 1735-40, and as mayor of Philadelphia from 1745-47.

This lot is located in Philadelphia.

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How History Unfolds on Paper: Important Americana from the Eric C. Caren Collection, Part X

[Colonial America]
Deputy Governor of Pennsylvania Province, James Hamilton, Grants Clemency to a Butter Thief, 1761

How History Unfolds on Paper: Important Americana from the Eric C. Caren Collection, Part X

[Colonial America]Deputy Governor of Pennsylvania Province, James Hamilton, Grants Clemency to a Butter Thief, 1761

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[Colonial America]
Deputy Governor of Pennsylvania Province, James Hamilton, Grants Clemency to a Butter Thief, 1761