Auction Name: 2026 February 26 Historical Manuscripts & Texana Signature® Auction

Lot Number: 47050

Shortcut to Lot: HA.com/6328*47050

[French and Indian War]. Thomas Fitch Military Appointment Signed. One partially printed page with integral blank, 12 1/2 x 8 inches, Hartford; May 27, 1754. Dated just one day before the opening battle of the French and Indian War, this document appoints "Joseph Buckingham...to be Lieutenant of the 1st Company or Trainband in the 7th Regiment in this Colony." Signed, "Thos. Fitch," and countersigned by George Wyllys as Secretary of State.

The following day, hostilities between France and England erupted at the Battle of Jumonville Glen in Pennsylvania, beginning the French and Indian War. Fitch had been elected governor of Connecticut that year and would spend nearly his entire time in office leading the colony through the conflict.

Condition: Age-toned with smoothed folds. Light mat burn at the edges. Minor separations at the folds, not affecting text. Annotations in ink on the verso.

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