Revolutionary War Treasury Note Ledger handsigned by General Jedediah Huntington - 1789

Revolutionary War Treasury Note Ledger partially issued and handsigned by General Jedediah Huntington as Treasurer dated 1789.

As the Revolutionary War approached, Jedediah Huntington joined the Sons of Liberty, and was an active Captain of the Militia. Promoted to the command of a regiment, he joined the army at Cambridge, April 26, 1775, just a week after the battle of Lexington. His regiment was part of the force detailed for occupying Dorchester Heights; and, after the evacuation of Boston by the British, marched with the army to New York. He entertained the Commander in Chief, General George Washington, on the way, at Norwich, Connecticut.

During the year 1776, he was at New York, Kingsbridge, Northcastle, Sidmun's Bridge, and other posts. In April 1776, he helped repulse the British at Danbury, Conn., assailing the enemy's rear, and effecting a junction with his fellow townsman, Benedict Arnold. In March, 1777, Roger Sherman wrote that Col. Huntington was recommended by Gen. Washington as a fit person for Brigadier General, but that Connecticut had more than her share. On May 12, 1777, he was promoted to that rank, as Mr. Sherman stated, "at Gen. Washington's request." In July, he joined Gen. Putnam at Peekskill, with all the Continental troops which he could collect; whence, in September, he was ordered to join the main army near Philadelphia, where he remained at headquarters, at Worcester, Whippin, White Marsh, Gulph Hills, etc. In November, on the information of the enemy's movement upon Red Bank, he was detached with his brigade, among other troops, to its relief, but Cornwallis had anticipated them.

Having shared the hardships of his companions in arms at Valley Forge, through the winter of 1777-1778, he, together with Col. Wigglesworth, was, in March, appointed by the Commander in Chief, "to aid Gen. McDougall in inquiring into the loss of forts Montgomery and Clinton, in the State of New York; and into the conduct of the principal officers commanding those posts."

In May, Huntington was ordered with his brigade to the North River, and was stationed successively, at Camp Reading, Highlands, Neilson's Point, Springfield, Shorthills, Totowa, Peekskill, West Point, etc. In July, he was a member of the court martial which tried Gen. Charles Lee for misconduct in the battle of Monmouth; and in September he sat upon the court of inquiry to whom was referred the case of Major Andre. In December of 1780, his was the only Connecticut Brigade that remained in the service.

On May 10, 1783, at a meeting of officers, he was appointed one of a committee of four to draft a plan of organization, which resulted in their reporting, on the 13th, the Constitution of the Society of the Cincinnati. At the close of the war he received the brevet rank of Major General.

On retiring from the Army, Jedediah Huntington resumed business in his native town, and was successively chosen Sheriff of the County, Treasurer of the State of Connecticut, and Delegate to the State Convention which adopted the Constitution of the United States. In 1789, he was appointed by President Washington collector of the customs at New London, then the port of entry for eastern Connecticut and Connecticut River, which office he retained under four administrations, and resigned shortly before his death.

History from Wikipedia and OldCompany.com (old stock certificate research service)