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- Port Passage Permit for Massachusetts Ship and Crew
Port Passage Permit for Massachusetts Ship and Crew, Falmouth (Maine), 1779.
Ephemera.
Pre-printed permit measuring 17 x 10.5 cm., accomplished in manuscript
Price: $1250
This is an original Revolutionary War sailing permit issued at Falmouth for a merchant schooner sailing to the Caribbean. The Permit reads, “State of Massachusetts-Bay – Port of Falmouth – Permit the Schooner Chance, Joseph Knight, Master, navigated with Six Men, mounted with no Guns, bound for Martinic to pass the Forts and Guards. To the Commanding-Officer of the Several Fortresses and Guards in the Harbour of Falmouth – Given under my hand, 4th January 1779 – Tho. Child Naval Officer.” Thomas Child was Naval Officer and Collector for the Port of Falmouth from 1775 to 1787. When the Royal Customs Collector left Falmouth during the Revolution, Child took over the customs post under the new government. After the British destroyed their rudimentary fortifications in 1775, Falmouth rebuilt Fort New Casco and batteries in the Old Fort area. This pass was intended to get the ship safely past these emplacements. Rare
