Lot
70 
"Marietta Northwest Territory, Dec. 14, 1788", datelined folded letter to Rhode Island endorsed "pr favour of Col. Sproat", carried via courier service out of North West Territory, and privately to Rhode Island; edge faults and folds separated, Fine, ex-Siskin, Kramer. Estimate $2,000 - 3,000.
THE EARLIEST RECORDED LETTER FROM NORTHWEST TERRITORY IN PRIVATE HANDS.
Ebenezer Sproat was a Continental Army officer, son-in-law of famed Revolutionary War Navy Commodore Abraham Whipple, and a pioneer in Ohio Country. He was a founder of Marietta, Ohio, the first permanent settlement in the Northwest Territory founded in April of 1788. Starting in July 1788, Colonel Sproat provided the only courier service to and from Marietta. This letter was carried on the second trip.
Realized: $2,100