Item 28: Signed Military Promotion Decree by King George I (removed to Oversized Box #1), 1716-1717 February 4
Item — Box: 2, Folder: 28
Dates
- Created: 1716-1717 February 4
Creator
Disclaimer for Name and Subject Authorities
Some of the name and subject authority tags have been assigned by educated guessing and estimation of persons and subjects by region, age, profession, and familial relationships. They have been thoroughly researched by using primary and secondary sources available digitally, and named in each description, or in some cases linked directly to the person tag.
Access:
All series and subseries within this collection are open for research, with the exception of a few files within the Academia series that are restricted. The Academia series contains financial and sensitive institutional records from Wilkes College, and financial report records from Princeton University that will remain restricted for 80 years upon creation.
Extent
1 items
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Type of Material:
Military promotion and appointment certificate (manuscript)
Condition Note:
Good: paper is browning; no noticeable rips or tears; ink is beginning to fade yet legible; several stains
Measurements:
9 ⅞ in. x 13 ⅝ in.
Description:
The following item is a royal decree written by George I, King of Great Britain, 1660-1727 to John Ball Gent. (likely Ball, John 1681-1755) on February 4, 1716/7, from St. James’s Palace in London.. The decree acknowledges the promotion of Ball to the rank of Lieutenant and his assignment as a captain in charge of the Regiment of Horse [more information on John Ball]. John Ball Gent. [see: Title of gentleman] is under the command of Major General George Wade. The author reminds John Ball Gent. to maintain order and discipline in the ranks while obeying and executing the orders of his superiors. This document was countersigned by “Townshend” (likely Townshend, Charles Townshend, Viscount, 1674-1738, Secretary of State for the Northern Department). This document was submitted to the Secretary at Warr[sic] [War] by R. Arnold, possibly referring to the Deputy Secretary at War, Arnold, Richard, 1682-1742. Signed by King George I of Great Britain as “George R” with the “R” referring to “Rex” (King). The document contains a round official seal, red-orange in color, while the back of the document contains a postage stamp with a crown and “348” in the top right corner. This document appears to be a standard military promotion and appointment certificate template with blank spaces to allow for specific details to be added. The specifics appear to be underlined and in a brown-colored ink while the rest of the document appears to be in black ink. Although signed and authorized by King George I of Great Britain, this certificate was likely filled out and issued by Townshend, as his signature matches the ink for the filled-in lines. The blank line before “is Captain, in Our Regiment of Horse…” is likely meant to be filled with the name of the captain under whom John Ball Gent would be serving, but the line has been left blank, possibly because Townshend was unsure or ignorant as to which regiment Ball would be placed under.
Location:
St. James’s Palace, United Kingdom
Transcription:
[Front]
[Orange-red seal]
George R. [Signature]
George, by the Grace of God, King of Great Britain, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &ca[sic] [etc.]. To Our Trusty & Welbeloved [sic] [well-beloved] John Ball Gent, Greeting: We do by these presents constitute and appoint you to be lieutenant of that Troop, whereof is Captain, in Our Regiment of Horse: commanded by Our Trusty and Welbeloved [sic] [well-beloved] George Wade Esq[ui]r[e]. Major General of Our Forces. you are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the duty of Lieutenant by Exercising and wel-disciplining [sic] [well-disciplining] both the Inferior Officers and Soldiers of that Troop, and We do hereby command them to obey you as their Lieutenant, and you are to observe and follon[sic] [follow] such Orders and Directions from time to time, as you shall receive from your Colonel Captain or any other your superior Officer, according to the Rules and Discipline of Warr[sic] [war], in pursuance of the trust hereby reposed in you. Given at Our Court at St. James’s the Fourth Day of February 1716/7, in the Thirteenth year of Our Reign. By His Maj[es]tys Command Townshend [Signature]
Enter’d with the Secretary at Warr[sic] [War]. Rd. Arnold. [Signature]
John Ball Lieutenant in Maj[o]r. Gen[era]l. Wade’s Reg[iment]. of Horse.
[blue ribbon on left side] [royal seal] II SHILLINGS VI PENCE [royal seal] II SHILLINGS VI PENCE [royal seal] II SHILLINGS VI PENCE
[Back]
John Ball Lieutenant in Maj[o]r. Gen[era]l. Wade’s Reg[iment]. of Horse. [Stamp ⅞ in. x ⅞ in. with crown and “348”]
[Orange-red seal]
George R. [Signature]
George, by the Grace of God, King of Great Britain, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &ca[sic] [etc.]. To Our Trusty & Welbeloved [sic] [well-beloved] John Ball Gent, Greeting: We do by these presents constitute and appoint you to be lieutenant of that Troop, whereof is Captain, in Our Regiment of Horse: commanded by Our Trusty and Welbeloved [sic] [well-beloved] George Wade Esq[ui]r[e]. Major General of Our Forces. you are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the duty of Lieutenant by Exercising and wel-disciplining [sic] [well-disciplining] both the Inferior Officers and Soldiers of that Troop, and We do hereby command them to obey you as their Lieutenant, and you are to observe and follon[sic] [follow] such Orders and Directions from time to time, as you shall receive from your Colonel Captain or any other your superior Officer, according to the Rules and Discipline of Warr[sic] [war], in pursuance of the trust hereby reposed in you. Given at Our Court at St. James’s the Fourth Day of February 1716/7, in the Thirteenth year of Our Reign. By His Maj[es]tys Command Townshend [Signature]
Enter’d with the Secretary at Warr[sic] [War]. Rd. Arnold. [Signature]
John Ball Lieutenant in Maj[o]r. Gen[era]l. Wade’s Reg[iment]. of Horse.
[blue ribbon on left side] [royal seal] II SHILLINGS VI PENCE [royal seal] II SHILLINGS VI PENCE [royal seal] II SHILLINGS VI PENCE
[Back]
John Ball Lieutenant in Maj[o]r. Gen[era]l. Wade’s Reg[iment]. of Horse. [Stamp ⅞ in. x ⅞ in. with crown and “348”]
Repository Details
Part of the Wilkes University Archives Repository
Contact:
84 W South St.
Wilkes-Barre PA 18701 US
570-408-2000
570-408-7823 (Fax)
ask.archives@wilkes.edu
84 W South St.
Wilkes-Barre PA 18701 US
570-408-2000
570-408-7823 (Fax)
ask.archives@wilkes.edu