1781 Revolutionary War Tax Warrant
This document is an original tax warrant dated April 18, 1781, from Taunton, Massachusetts. It was issued during the American Revolutionary War to raise funds for the "United States of America" and to pay for "hiring and procuring Soldiers for the Army".
Key Details of the Document
Purpose: To collect taxes from town inhabitants to defray the "necessary Charges arising within the same" and specifically to fund the recruitment of soldiers.
Recipients: Addressed to the "Constable or Constables of the Town of Taunton" within Bristol County.
Treasurer: Taxes were to be delivered to Mr. Elisha Codding.
Enforcement: The warrant authorizes the seizure ("distrain") of goods or chattels if payment is refused. If no goods can be found, the constable is empowered to commit the person to the "Common Goal [Jail] of the County".
Deadline: A full account of collections was required by the "first Monday of May next".
Signatories
The document is signed by three Assessors of Taunton:
Benjamin Dean
Abiel Macomber
Josiah Crocker
These individuals were prominent local figures responsible for managing the town's wartime financial obligations.
This document is an original tax warrant dated April 18, 1781, from Taunton, Massachusetts. It was issued during the American Revolutionary War to raise funds for the "United States of America" and to pay for "hiring and procuring Soldiers for the Army".
Key Details of the Document
Purpose: To collect taxes from town inhabitants to defray the "necessary Charges arising within the same" and specifically to fund the recruitment of soldiers.
Recipients: Addressed to the "Constable or Constables of the Town of Taunton" within Bristol County.
Treasurer: Taxes were to be delivered to Mr. Elisha Codding.
Enforcement: The warrant authorizes the seizure ("distrain") of goods or chattels if payment is refused. If no goods can be found, the constable is empowered to commit the person to the "Common Goal [Jail] of the County".
Deadline: A full account of collections was required by the "first Monday of May next".
Signatories
The document is signed by three Assessors of Taunton:
Benjamin Dean
Abiel Macomber
Josiah Crocker
These individuals were prominent local figures responsible for managing the town's wartime financial obligations.