Evening journal., 1907-02-20
PAPERS SIGNED
BY WASHINGTON
Thomas N. Pentz Has His
tOriCaI Documents More
Than Century Old
IN EXCELLENT CONDITION

Thomas NJ. Pentz, a young man, who
lives in Baltimore, but who is employed
as credit manager for the firm OF W.
G. Earle, jewellers at No. as Market
street. this city IS the possessor Of
papers which, from a historical point
are priceless Mr.. Pentz. who is a
great grandson OF Brigadier- General
Thomas Mathews, Of Revolutionary
fame, inherited the papers from John
NJ. Matthews, deceased, OF Elizabeth
City North Carolina, and as one Of the
documents is certificate OF member
ship in the Society OF the Cincinnati.
issued under the signature OF George
Washington its publication at this
time is appropriate because in the near
future a meeting Of the Society OF the
Cincinnati will be held in wilmington.
A Priceless Relic
The membership certificate IS printed
on parchment and is in excellent condi-
ton, because by it's possesian ana mann
tion, because Of the great care taken
of it by its possessors since March J..
1887, when It was issued. The blank
spaces are filled out in a beautiful
hand, and atthe bottom appears the
names, written by themselves, of the
Father of Our Country. as president Of
the Organization. and II. Knox, secre-
tary. Washington's name is written
in a clear hand and contains the long
IS" common IN colonial days
The certificate was issued TO Briga-
der Thomas Mathews. It follows:
Be it known that Thomas Mathews
Esquire. Of the Commonwealth Of Vir-
ginia, is member of the Society OF
the Cincinnati, instituted by the Off
GERS Of the American Army. at the per-
iod Of its dissolution. as well to COM
memorate the great event which gave
independence TO North America, as for
the laudable purpose OF inculcating the
duty OF laying down in peace, arms as
sumed for public defense, and of
uniting in acts Of brotherly afection
and bonds of perpetual friendship the
members constituting the same.
In testament whereof, I. the president
Of the said society. have hereunto set
my hand, at Mount Vernon in the
State of Virginia, this first day of
March. in the year Of our Lord one
thousand. seven hundred and eighty
seven. and in the eleventh year of the
Independence of the United States.
] BY order,
c.. Washington, President, and H.
Knox. Secretary.
Is Beautifully Engraved
The certificate is beautifully en-
graved and shows a picture OF an ar
mored knight. hearing the American
/ nag in one hand and a sword IN the
other standing upon the chains and
fetters Of English rule and the fiags
Of that country. and driving forth from
the shores of the new republic a woman
with tottering crown upon her head,
representing monarchial rule
Army Commission Of oIden Rule
Another valuable paper in the pos,
session OF Mr.. Pentz is the commission
of his great, great grandfather. Briga-
der General Thomas Mathews, which
was issued by Governor Henry Lee, Of
Virginia. on December 7, 1898. 1t reads:
The Commonwealth of Virginia.
To Thomas Mathews. Esquire.
Know you. that the General Assem-
bly, having from their confidence in
your fidelity, courage and good conduct
appointed you Brigadier General in the
militia. our governor. with advice Of
I Council, pursuant to the power vested
in him by law. doth hereby commits
sion you. the said Thomas Mathews,
as Brigadier General az tho Ninth Bri-
gade.