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, young man, who
lives in Baltimore, but who is employed
as credit manager for the firm Of w.
G. Earle. jewellers at No. 715 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 a 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 i'm the near
future a meeting of the Society Of the
Cincinnati win be held in Wilmington.
A Priceless Relic
The membership certificate is printed
on parchment and is in excellent condi-
tion, because by its possesian ana mann
tion, because Of the great care taken
Of IL by its possessors since March l.
1887, when 81 was issued. The blank
spaces are filled out i'm 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. Washingtons 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. 1t follows:
BE it known that Thomas Mathews,
Esquire. Of the Commonwealth Of Nir-
..r
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 i'm peace, arms as
sumed for public defense. and of
uniting I'm acts Of brotherly affection
and bonds of perpetual friendship the
members constituting the same.
In testament whereof, l. 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 ana eighty
seven, and in the eleventh year OF the
Independence Of the United States.
BY order,
C. Washington, President, and II.
Knox, Secretary.
Is Beautifully Engraved
The certificate is beautifully en-
graved and shows a picture Of an ar
mored knight, hearing the American
flag in one hand and a sword I'm the
other. standing upon the chains and
fetters OF English rule and the flags
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 Oldep Rule
Another valuable paper in the pos,
session of Mr.. Pentz is the commission
OF his great, great grandfather. Briga-
dier General Thomas Mathews which
was issued by Governor Henry Lee, of
Virginia. on December z, 1898. It 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
Council. pursuant to the power vested
in him by law. doth hereby commits
sion you. the said Thomas Mathews.
as Brigadier General cf tho Ninth Bri-
gade.