William Antes, 1782

[spgordon]

I recently purchased this document related to William Antes--and thought some folks here would be interested in seeing it (and his signature, if he is the scribe of this document).

I don't think it adds anything to what we already know from several articles in the KRA Bulletin: in 1781 Antes--along with James Espy and Daniel Montgomery--served as a county commissioner in Northumberland County. Published records suggest that, unlike the other two men, Antes served as a commissioner only from 1781-82, so this document must date from the very end of his term of service. If this was Montgomery's compensation for the year 1782, presumably Antes would have received the same amount?

[Spinner]

Would Fred(k) be his brother, Philip Frederick?

[rich pierce]

Wondering if the whole document was written by one person or if the signatures are by those persons.

[spgordon]

Rich--I was wondering the same thing. But I think the two "Dan'l Montgomery"s are in two different hands? I suspect the rest of the document was written by one person, including the three names: Frederick Antes, William Antes, and James Espy.

Spinner--Yes, that's his older brother Frederick (1730-1801), who was appointed Treasurer of Northumberland County in February 1782.

 

[Ky-Flinter]

Nice find SP.

I agree, the two "Dan'l Montgomery"s are by different hands, check the "r" in each.  I think the second "Dan'l Montgomery" is his signature, acknowledging receipt of his pay.

I think the Wm. Antes, and James Espy are the signatures of each man.  In the context of the document, they are attesting to the correctness of Dan'l Montgomery's wages.  See the difference in the "W" in the word wages and the "W" in "Wm. Antes".  Also the spacing and alignment of the lettering in the "signatures" seems different from the body of the document.

-Ron

[rich pierce]

Good eyes, guys!

[Seth Isaacson]

Nice find SP.

I agree, the two "Dan'l Montgomery"s are by different hands, check the "r" in each.  I think the second "Dan'l Montgomery" is his signature, acknowledging receipt of his pay.

I think the Wm. Antes, and James Espy are the signatures of each man.  In the context of the document, they are attesting to the correctness of Dan'l Montgomery's wages.  See the difference in the "W" in the word wages and the "W" in "Wm. Antes".  Also the spacing and alignment of the lettering in the "signatures" seems different from the body of the document.

-Ron

Agreed. Also note how the "y" in Montgomery has a different tail.

[Arcturus]

The bottom portion of the letter appears to have been written and signed by Dan Montgomery, "Received the contents of the above order in full" and signature appear different than the handwriting of the original order.  As Ron said, apparently signing for receipt of his pay.  Whether the other commissioners, Antes and Espy each signed separately after one wrote the letter not as clear.  I believe it is possible this was written by someone other than Antes, his brother, and Espy, and was addressed TO them, to pay Montgomery.    "To Fredk Antes, Esq, Treasurer}   Wm Antes, James Espy, Commissioners}"   Or is it written by William to his brother Fred and then signed by William?  Unclear.  Very cool to see, however!  Thanks for posting this.

[spgordon]

The note is actually William Antes's and James Espy's order to Frederick Antes (Treasurer) to pay Daniel Montgomery. That is, two of the commissioners are authorizing the treasurer, Frederick Antes, to pay the third commissioner.

This doesn't solve the problem of who actually handwrote the document. The sentence near the bottom is, I think, Daniel Montgomery's own testimony in his own hand that he "received" the payment ordered. But as to who wrote the top ... unclear (to me). I agree with earlier posters who said that William Antes likely signed his own name, given the difference in the formation of the letters (the W, etc.).

Scott

[DaveM]

Scott that is a tough one.  I would guess Espy wrote the body of the document based on the differences in the capital A's in the document body compared to the capital A being different in the Wm Antes' signature.  Just a guess though.

Or maybe Wm Antes wrote the body of the document but wanted his signature "A" to be different on purpose so as to intentionally want to differ from Frederick's name?

[Seth Isaacson]

Scott that is a tough one.  I would guess Espy wrote the body of the document based on the differences in the capital A's in the document body compared to the capital A being different in the Wm Antes' signature.  Just a guess though.

Or maybe Wm Antes wrote the body of the document but wanted his signature "A" to be different on purpose so as to intentionally want to differ from Frederick's name?

The former is the most likely explanation. The Espy signature matches the writing throughout better.