While most people refer to Paul Revere and William Hawes when thinking about Express Riders -- messengers on horseback who delivered important intelligence to communities regarding the Revolutionary War -- there were others who a played an important role in the process. JESSE BROWN was one. He was appointed by Gov. Jonathan Trumbull and served as an express rider from Connecticut to Albany, NY; Fort Ticonderoga; the Northern Army; Gen. George Washington’s Camp; and the Continental Congress at Philadelphia.

Offering a 6 ¼ x 7 ½, February 27th, 1778, receipt: “Recd...from Committee Pay Table their order on Treasury for one hundred pounds lawfull money on acc’t of my Riding as a Contiental Post fpr which I promise to acct with said Committee. 

“Jesse Brown”

Verso contains a note for receiving the money.

Brown (1752-1816) was born in Stonington, Connecticut. In December 1790, he established a line of stages from Hartford to Boston by way of Norwich and Providence. He also kept a tavern at Norwich, where President John Adams and First Lady Abigail Adams were guests on August 1, 1797.

The Pay-Table handled the military finances for the colony of Connecticut during the American Revolution. Also known as the Committee of Four, its members at different times included Oliver Ellsworth, Jedidiah Huntington, William Moseley, Hezekiah Rogers, Jesse Root, Thomas Seymour III, Fenn Wadsworth, Eleazer Wales, Ezekiel Williams, John Chenward, Oliver Wolcott Jr., and Samuel Wyllys. None of these have signed this document.

Light expected toning. Slightly jagged left and bottom margins. Generally in excellent condition and a unique example of Express Rider history as Brown was a major Rider during the Revolutionary War.

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