John Hancock Document Signed. One page, 9 x 14 1/2 inches (sight), Boston; February 16, 1781. Matted and framed to sh...
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Consign your material to be auctioned alongside these items on Thursday, February 26, 2026 in Dallas, TX. Consignment Deadline for this auction is Tuesday, December 16, 2025.
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Description
John Hancock Document Signed. One page, 9 x 14 1/2 inches (sight), Boston; February 16, 1781. Matted and framed to show the signed verso of the document, alongside a printed facsimile of the recto, to an overall size of 27 x 22 inches. Signed, "John Hancock" as Governor of Massachusetts, and countersigned by John Avery as Secretary of the Commonwealth. Just months into his first term as Governor of Massachusetts, Hancock appoints William Walker as Register of Wills for Berkshire County. In part:"By his Excellency John Hancock Esqr. Governor and Commander in Chief in and over the Commonwealth of Massachusetts...Know Ye that I, in the prudence and fidelity of William Walker Esqr. Confiding, give and grant and do by these Presents give and grant unto the said William Walker the Office of a Register of Wills, Administrations, Inventories, Accompts, Decrees, Orders, Determinations and other Writings to which shall be made or granted by the Judge of Probate of Wills and for granting Letters of Administration in the County of Berkshire."
William Walker first settled in Berkshire County in 1770. A lawyer by trade, he was deeply involved in the region's political goings-on: he signed the Boston Non-Importation Agreement in 1768, led a company of men to suppress Shay's Rebellion, attended the Berkshire Convention in Stockbridge in 1774, and served as a delegate to the convention that framed the Massachusetts Constitution in 1780. After receiving this appointment from John Hancock, he rose through the ranks of the judiciary to become a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in 1789.
Condition: Not examined out of frame. Lightly toned with smoothed folds; a few very light stains.
Auction Info
2026 February 26 Historical Manuscripts Signature® Auction #6328 (go to Auction Home page)
Bidding Begins Approx.
January
26th
Monday
Auction Dates
February
26th
Thursday
Proxy Bidding Begins Approx.
37 Days
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: N/A
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 46
Auction Type
Signature®: Heritage Live®:After Internet bidding closes, live bidding will take place through www.HA.com/Live. Your secret maximum bid placed prior to the live event will compete against the live bids. To maximize your chances of winning, enter realistic secret maximum bids on our site. Many of our proxy bidders are successful at winning lots in these auctions, and usually below their secret maximum. You can also place last minute bids directly with us by e-mailing Bid@HA.com or calling 1-866-835-3243. (Important note: Due to software and Internet latency, live bids may not register in time, so enter realistic proxy bids.)
Signature® Floor Sessions
Proxy bidding ends ten minutes prior to the session start time. Live Proxy bidding on Heritage Live now starts within 2 hours of when the auction opens for proxy bidding and continues through the live session. During the live auction event, bidding in person is encouraged, and Heritage Live includes streaming audio and often video during the event.
Signature®: Heritage Live®:After Internet bidding closes, live bidding will take place through www.HA.com/Live. Your secret maximum bid placed prior to the live event will compete against the live bids. To maximize your chances of winning, enter realistic secret maximum bids on our site. Many of our proxy bidders are successful at winning lots in these auctions, and usually below their secret maximum. You can also place last minute bids directly with us by e-mailing Bid@HA.com or calling 1-866-835-3243. (Important note: Due to software and Internet latency, live bids may not register in time, so enter realistic proxy bids.)
Signature® Floor Sessions
Proxy bidding ends ten minutes prior to the session start time. Live Proxy bidding on Heritage Live now starts within 2 hours of when the auction opens for proxy bidding and continues through the live session. During the live auction event, bidding in person is encouraged, and Heritage Live includes streaming audio and often video during the event.
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