An attractive and historically significant original 1828 State of Maine militia commission signed by Governor Enoch Lincoln, appointing Eliphalet Adams of Gilead as Ensign in the 1st Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 6th Division of the Maine Militia.
The commission grants Adams rank dating from June 21, 1828, and was officially issued on August 16, 1828 during Lincoln's brief gubernatorial administration. Dominating the document is a beautifully preserved large embossed Seal of the State of Maine, sharply impressed and retaining excellent detail. Lincoln's bold autograph appears beneath the seal, accompanied by the signature of the Secretary of State.
The reverse is equally important, containing the official oath certification completed on September 22, 1828, documenting Adams' appearance before Justice James Burbank to swear the constitutional oath required before assuming military duties. Numerous contemporary endorsements and regimental notations further document the commission's official use.
Governor Enoch Lincoln (1788–1829) served as Maine's sixth governor and died while in office only a year after this commission was issued, making documents from his administration considerably less common than commissions signed by later nineteenth-century governors.
An excellent example of early Maine state government printing, combining an attractive engraved format, outstanding embossed seal, desirable gubernatorial autograph, and complete military qualification history. A fine addition to collections of early American militia, Maine history, state seals, gubernatorial autographs, or nineteenth-century military documents.
Details
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Date of Rank: June 21, 1828
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Commission Issued: August 16, 1828
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Recipient: Eliphalet Adams of Gilead, Oxford County, Maine
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Office: Ensign, Infantry
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Governor: Enoch Lincoln (1788–1829), Governor of Maine (1827–1829), whose autograph appears at lower left beneath the embossed seal.
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Countersigned by the Secretary of State.
- Large embossed paper seal of the State of Maine in excellent relief.
- Reverse bears the official oath certification, completed September 22, 1828 before Justice James Burbank, along with additional regimental notations.
The commission was actually used and completed through the military qualification process, making it more desirable than an unused printed form.
Historical Importance
Enoch Lincoln was Maine's sixth governor and a former U.S. Congressman. He died unexpectedly in office in October 1829, making signed gubernatorial commissions from his brief administration relatively scarce. Unlike commissions signed by later nineteenth-century governors, Lincoln's tenure lasted less than three years, limiting the surviving population of his official appointments.
The deeply impressed Maine state seal is especially attractive and remains one of the document's strongest display features.
Condition
Very Good.
- Strong manuscript entries throughout
- Bold autograph signature of Governor Enoch Lincoln
- Crisp embossed state seal
- Typical folds from official filing
- Moderate toning and scattered foxing
- Small archival repair at upper fold on reverse
- No significant losses
- Reverse retains original oath certification and period endorsements
