An Important Colonial Ship's Registry Certificate BOLDLY signed by Governor 'JOHN HANCOCK' and dated August 7, 1781. (1781)

Description: Ship's registers were considered evidence of "national character," and most American vessells that qualified carried one. This particular certificate has a large bold signature of JOHN HANCOCK, then Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as well as that of John Avery, Secretary of the Commonwealth. The original paper seal of the Commonwealth is clear and intact. The certificate was issued to William Shattuck, owner of the brigantine "Betsy" built in Nantucket in 1769, the ship's master being William Morton. Beautifully framed and matted with an 1861 engraving of John Hancock. Size framed: 23 1/2" x 18 1/2