{"product_id":"1840-massachusetts-tax-collection-warrant-original-manuscript-printed-document-three-signatures-bellingham","title":"1840 Massachusetts Tax Collection Warrant — Original Manuscript \u0026 Printed Document — Three Signatures — Bellingham","description":"\u003cp data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBellingham, Norfolk County, Massachusetts | June 6, 1840\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAn impressive original nineteenth-century Massachusetts tax collection warrant, issued by the assessors of the Town of Bellingham and addressed to the town's tax collector.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDating to June 6, 1840, this substantial document combines extensive period manuscript writing with a printed legal form and bears the original signatures of three Bellingham town assessors.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe warrant directs the collection of taxes assessed against residents of Bellingham, including funds raised for public schooling and other municipal obligations. The handwritten portion records the sums to be collected and establishes deadlines for payment to the county and town treasurers.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA fascinating feature is its detailed description of tax enforcement in early America.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe printed provisions authorize the seizure of personal property from delinquent taxpayers, the sale of seized goods at public auction, and, under specified circumstances, imprisonment in the county jail until outstanding assessments were satisfied.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe document provides a revealing look at the responsibilities of local government and the legal mechanisms used to finance public services in Massachusetts during the decades preceding the Civil War.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHistorical Highlights\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOriginal document dated June 6, 1840.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIssued in Bellingham, Norfolk County, Massachusetts.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eExtensive original manuscript text.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThree contemporary assessor signatures.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePrinted legal provisions governing tax collection and enforcement.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eContemporary handwritten corrections and alterations.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEmbossed paper manufacturer's mark.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOriginal docketing on the reverse.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCondition:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Good antique condition with expected age toning, original folds, minor edge wear, small fold separations, and scattered discoloration. The manuscript remains substantially legible, with portions of the writing faded. Please examine the accompanying photographs.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAn attractive and historically revealing original document for collectors of early American manuscripts, Massachusetts history, taxation, legal history, and nineteenth-century Americana.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAn original piece of American municipal history, more than 185 years old.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Archive Authority","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44727935533134,"sku":null,"price":150.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0768\/8155\/9630\/files\/IMG_3909.jpg?v=1793288412","url":"https:\/\/thearchiveauthority.com\/products\/1840-massachusetts-tax-collection-warrant-original-manuscript-printed-document-three-signatures-bellingham","provider":"The Archive Authority","version":"1.0","type":"link"}