18th-century printed document dated July 1775 (possibly 5th or 6th), with a small rectangle of brown cloth attached, and the punched mark of the Boston Public Library in the middle. Watertown, July 6th, 1775 GENTLEMEN, IN Obedience to the Order of Congress we have proportioned Thirteen Thousand Coats on all the Towns and Districts in this Colony, excepting Boston and Charlestown; and have inclosed you the Proportion, with their Resolves, and a Sample as a Direction to you both as to the Colour and Quality of the Cloth which shall be Manufactured by you, and of the Quality of the imported Cloths of which the Coats shall be made: We are to assure you that the Coats you supply shall be delivered to the Men of your Town so far as Circumstances will admit. We are, Gentlemen, respectfully, your most humble Servants, DAVID CHEEVER, Chairman. P. S A large Number of Shirts, Stockings and Summer Breeches are wanted immediately for the Use of the Army, you are therefore earnestly requested, as you value the Lives and Health of your Countrymen, to furnish this Committee as soon as possible, with a large Number of the said Articles, not less than two Shirts, two pair of Stockings and two pair of Summer Breeches to each Coat, apportioned as the Share of your Town-----and fend them as soon as procured to Mr. William Hunt, at Watertown---We shall be ready to Order Payment for the fame as soon as receiv'd, according to the Prices which you shall certify, relying on your judgment to prevent Impositions upon the Soldiers.
square of brown felted wool in a mid grayish brown, tacked to the page with two long stitches and two short
Today, I saw this 1775 document: a letter directing the people of Massachusetts to make 13,000 coats for the colony's soldiers. This copy was for Stoughtonham [Sharon].
The archivists @bpl.boston.gov helped me check under the cloth sample to see if the walnut brown color had faded. It had not!
