1792 – Certificate of votes cast in Washington Plantation, Massachusetts (today Newfield, Maine] for Governor (John Hancock received all 26 votes cast)

Unbound. Very good. This two-page document is titled “Certificate of the Votes given in for a Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Senators.” In nice shape.

“At a meeting of the male Inha’itants of the Plantation of Washington in the County of York in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Qualified by the Constitution of Said Commonwealth to Vote for Governor Lieutenant Governor and Senators & Representatives, the Said meeting being Warned as the Said Constitution Directs, and holden on the Second Day of April, being the first Monday of Said Month, A.D. 1792 for the purpose of Giving In their Votes for – Governor and Lieutenant Governor of Said Commonwealth, & Senators and Counsellers. . ..
Votes for the following persons given In, Counted And Sorted, and Declaration thereof. . .
For his Excelencey John Hancock Esquire For a Governor: twenty Six Votes –
For the Honourable Samuel Pillips Esqr: twenty Six Votes for a Lieutanant Governor –
For Senators. . ..”

The document is certified by Elijah Drew, David Multon, David Hayle. . It is not surprising that the incumbent Governor, John Hancock, received all 26 votes cast as he ran unopposed.

Plantation was a term used during colonial times and the early republic for unincorporated areas with generally well-defined boundaries with settlers holding the common interest that with time they would be able to incorporate into a self-governing political entity. Washington Plantation, which was in the Massachusetts’s District of Maine, successfully accomplished this, incorporating as the town of Newfield in 1794.

In 1820, the District of Maine became the 23rd state as the result of the Missouri Compromise. . (Inventory #: 010357)