This original 18th century document came into my collection through an estate auction in 2023. It’s an invoice of books once owned by Benjamin Huntington (1736-1800), a prominent statesman from Connecticut. Huntington studied law at Yale College and began officially working as a lawyer in 1765. During the American Revolution he served in the Connecticut House of Representatives. Throughout the 1780’s Huntington was a member of the Continental Congress and represented his home state in the 1st US Congress. His cousin and Founding Father Samuel Huntington was living a congruous lifestyle with many prolific titles such as President of the Continental Congress, Chief Justice of CT Supreme Court, and 18th Governor of CT.
Benjamin Huntington also served as mayor of the Town of Norwich for twelve years and a judge for five years. He retired from all positions in 1798 and passed away two years following at the age of 64. I have included a historic illustration of his likeness with some digital improvements. The original image was very faint, so after correcting the contrast and defining better clarity I overlaid it onto this sepia plate and included the text at the bottom.
The paper itself was written on traditional laid paper and features a watermark from Norwich that is visible once held up to a light source.
The invoice of books gives a lot of context about his life and times. He was clearly a well educated man having his dictionary and grammar books during a time when many Americans were illiterate. His pamphlet mentioning President Stiles is in reference to Ezra Stiles, president of Yale. The book list alludes to the Revolution as seen by his copy of Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense,” as well as French Military literature, and Methods of Making Salt-Petre, which was a major ingredient in gunpowder. There is also a pamphlet about fellow Norwich-born Yale graduate Benedict Arnold, as well as one about the fallen General Richard Montgomery. The pamphlet “A Droll, A Deist & John Bacon” was written by Benjamin’s cousin Rev. James Huntington. The list also reflects his occupation during 1785 in CT Congress with law books and pamphlets relating to the letters and votes of Congress.
Overall, this document is a great portal of research and primary documentation. To top it off, the 238 year old handwriting is a treat to look at and study. What a neat journey this page has taken from the desk of a historical figure in the 18th century to be preserved digitally forever.