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GEORGE WASHINGTON. Partly Printed Document Signed as Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army, “Head-Quarters,” 5 June 1783. Countersigned by JONATHAN TRUMBULL JR. 1 page, 11" x 7¼".

At the end of the Revolutionary War, George Washington, the Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army and future President, personally signed all the discharge certificates given out to the soldiers still with his army. The one here was issued to “Aaron Bennet Private in the New Jersey Regiment, having faithfully served the United States one Year and Six Months.” The document has Washington’s name printed in large letters across the top, and Washington has signed (“G. Washington”) at the center right. The document is countersigned at the lower left by Jonathan Trumbull Jr., Washington's secretary, who would later become a Congressman, Senator, and Governor from Connecticut. It is also signed by the adjutant and the major commanding Bennet’s New Jersey regiment.

An accompanying typed document contains family lore about Aaron Bennet which we have not been able to confirm. According to this, Bennet was a Native American who had been apprenticed to Anthony Sykes of New Jersey prior to the Revolution. He ran away and enlisted in the Continental Army; after receiving this honorable discharge, he became a carpenter and lived for a time in Salem County, New Jersey.

The discharge suffers from some wear, as is typical of these documents. It has some scattered staining and soiling. There are fold breaks, with some losses, but these have been professionally repaired. Washington’s signature is large, dark, and clear. Overall, the piece is in good condition, making it a fine example of this classic Revolutionary document. $14,500.00

An image of the full document is above; a close-up of Washington's signature is below.

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