Estimated Price:

$70,000 - $80,000

Realized Price:

$0

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Signer of the Declaration of Independence from Pennsylvania (circa 1716-1781). As a late replacement for a delegate who refused to support independence, Taylor missed the vote but signed the formal Declaration on August 2, 1776. Exceedingly rare, war-dated ALS signed "Geo. Taylor," one page, 6.5 x 8, November 18, 1780. Taylor writes to rector Richard Backhouse of St. David's Episcopal Church, in full: "I have just rec'd yrs and am glad to hear you have got the Furnace in Blast again. I hope you will be able to fullfill the contract you have made. One of the plates you have sent up is what I call a fork'd plate & the one I wanted is the notched plate next the Bottom plate which rests on the open side plates for a small stove. I have returned the other & when opportunity serves you will please send it. There is not a Hogshead...to be got in Town but have sent a parcel of Right Barrells which I got from Col. Hooper & which will answer the purpose as well. If you could spare me a side of good Beef it would oblige me. I have but two Cattle & not large which is not enough for me. Col. Hooper sends his complement & proposes calling on you tomorrow on his way home," adding the postscript, "I Rec'd the money & shall pay Mr. Trail & shall be glad [if] you would send the rest when you get it." Address panel on reverse is penned in Taylor's hand, with Blackhouse making a received note. Light intersecting folds, some light soiling, with two pronounced areas of soiling, one at the left edge and one at the top right corner, and rough edges, otherwise fine condition.Taylor served one of the shortest terms of the delegates to the Continental Congress, but he was distinct among his colleagues. He was one of only eight signers of the Declaration of Independence to have been foreign born and the only one to have been an indentured servant, making him perhaps the delegate with the greatest appreciation for freedom and independence and putting him in extreme contrast with the wealthy landowners who also signed. Taylor immigrated from Ireland in 1736, earning his way through an agreement with an ironmaster, Samuel Savage, Jr., at Warwick Furnance and Coventry Forge. After Savage died, Taylor married his widow and oversaw both ironworks. He would eventually form a partnership with Durham Furnace, and in 1775, struck a deal with Pennsylvania's Committee of Safety, becoming the first ironworks to provide cannon shot to the Continental Army.Taylor was the only ironmaster to sign the Declaration and worked his trade all his life as demonstrated in this letter, still conducting business during the short period of failing health just before his death in 1781...making him one of the earliest signers to pass. Examples of Taylor's signature are extremely scarce and this is only the second know letter to come up for auction. This rarity is pictured on page 148 of Hamilton's American Autographs Vol 1. A remarkable letter, of insurmountable desirability.