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British royal governor of colonial Massachusetts from 1771 to 1774 and a prominent Loyalist in the years before the American Revolution. Partly-printed DS, signed “T. Hutchinson,” one page, 6.5 x 8.25, August 13, 1773. Document ordering Massachusetts Treasurer, to "pay unto Mr. Thomas Crafts & others the Sum of One hundred & fifty three pounds 7/4d as for the use of several Persons mentioned on the back of this Warrant, for Work done & Materials procured, for the new Powder Magazine in the Town of Boston.” Boldly signed at the conclusion by Hutchinson. The workers and suppliers sign for their pay including Thomas Crafts Jr. (1740-1799) a Boston painter who was a neighbor of Paul Revere and a member of the Loyal Nine. Additionally, the document is signed by his father, Thomas Crafts [Sr.] who was also the general contractor named on the front of the document for "Carpenter's Work," "Thos. Dawse" collected £21-5-4 for "Masons work" while Richard Boynton received £14-7-7 for "Black sm[it]h work" and "Hezk Blanchard “collected over £13 for "carting." Simon Whipple supplied lime, John Bishop provided Bricks, and Joshua Spear supplied slate and sand. In very good condition, with partial separations along horizontal folds, a few edge chips, show-through from writing on reverse, and uniform toning.
The Massachusetts House of Representatives passed a bill in 1771 authorizing the construction of two new powder magazines, one to be located in Watertown, the other in Boston. The magazine was constructed near the present-day Beacon Hill. Only a month before the workmen were paid for their labor, Hancock had cooperated with Adams in publishing the private letters of Thomas Hutchinson that appeared to advocate curtailing colonial liberties. Those letters, intercepted by Benjamin Franklin, caused a major scandal and calls for Hutchinson's removal from office. Because of the strong presence of British troops in Boston, the magazine did not become a focal point of American resistance at the opening of the Revolutionary War as it did in Williamsburg, Virginia and other American towns. In the end, it would be the magazine at Concord that would provide the flashpoint for the war. RRAuction COA.
