Civilian Documents and Currency

 Colonial Documents and Broadsides on CD (CD0601) - New! Now you can have all of our civilian government documents and forms at the click of a mouse. This CD contains over 40 PDF files of forms and broadsides. Also included with each form is a companion PDF file the explains the use of the file and contains instructions for filling out the form. A great idea for historic sites, reenactment groups, and anyone who needs to obtain multiple copies of forms at the click of a mouse. $40.00.
   
Documents of Everyday Life Documents of Everyday Life (RWP306) - Our most popular 18th century kit. This kit contains 5 documents that would been seen in the comings and goings of 18th century life. It includes a Liquor License for your bar (wherever it may be), an Innkeeper's license for your guest room and a copy of a 1772 marriage license There is also an Indenture Agreement. These agreements were made between parents (on behalf of their children) and master craftsmen. Children were usually apprenticed for seven years, the parents receiving a sum of money in return. On our original the child was supposed to receive clothes, food, and knowledge of a trade. Finally we include an Order of Manumission. This certificate freed a slave. Of special interest is the fact that this document is not from the South, but from New Jersey. $3.00, includes:
  • Liquor License
  • Innkeeper's License
  • Marriage License
  • Indenture Agreement
  • Order of Manumission
   
Legal Kit Legal Document Set (RWP307) - Set yourself up as an 18th century Lawyer or Sheriff with this collection of documents. The kit includes a Sheriff's bond making you a sheriff, a power of attorney, a bail bond, a summons, a bench warrant and one to satisfy a civil suit. $3.00. includes:
  • Sheriff's bond
  • Power of Attorney
  • Bail Bond
  • Summons
  • Civil Suit Warrant
  • Bench Warrant
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Documents of Slavery Documents of Slavery Set (RWP311) - Contains an advertisement for a slave auction and a manumission certificate. $2.00.
   
   

Colonial Newspapers

We are now able to offer excellent reproductions of two colonial papers. We have a Pennsylvania Evening Post dated Monday July 6, 1778. This four page paper contains advertisements, poetry, and an account of the Battle of Monmouth. We also have a New Hampshire Gazette dated July 13, 1776 containing news about the Declaration of Independence and other stories.
   
  1778 Pennsylvania Evening Post (RWP308) -  contains Washington's official report to congress on the Battle of Monmouth- $1.00
   
New Hampshire Gazette 1776 New Hampshire Gazette (RWP309) - contains information about the new Declaration of Independence recently declared by Congress - $1.00

For the Public Knowledge (Broadsides)

With no radio, television, or internet, the distribution of public information was difficult. Newspapers were available, but the governments preferred having their various proclamations and declarations printed by local printers. These were often printed as posters (broadsides) and then posted in public places such as taverns, inns, and the outside of public buildings. Various printers had government contracts to print the news and declarations from Congress, the King, or for the general public.

Continental Broadsides Continental Broadside Pack (RWP110) - Contains 5 posters printed for Congress from 1776 to 1778. Kit Price $3.00 includes:
  • Response to King's Proclamation - The Congress's answer to the King's proclamation of 1778 (sold in the Crown Broadsides Kit).
  • Tory Act - Congress's legislation describing how to handle persons who remained loyal to the King.
  • Embargo - The Congress declared an embargo on materials needed for the war effort, denying their exportation.
  • Postal Workers Exemption - A law enacted to exempt postal workers and post riders from militia service.
  • Pardon to Tories - A 1778 resolution offers pardon to all who switch allegiance from King to Congress.
   
Crown Broadsides Crown Broadside Pack (RWP210) - contains 4 broadsides that would have been found in places held by British forces. Kit price of $4.00 includes:
  • 1775 King's Proclamation - This poster went up after the action between New England militia and British forces at Breed's Hill.
  • 1777-78 Philadelphia Regulations - A poster seen in Philadelphia during the British takeover of the Continental capital. It details instructions about certain commodities, including rum and molasses.
  • British Loyalist Recruiting Poster - Another poster seen in Philadelphia during the British takeover. It marks one of many British attempts to get citizens remaining loyal to the crown to take up arms against their "deluded" countrymen.
  • British Regulars Recruiting Poster - This poster was used in England to enlist men into the 22nd Regiment of Foot. It is blank in all of the necessary places, and appears to be a generic British Army recruiting poster.
   
Civilian Broadsides Civilian Broadside Pack - (RWP310) - Containing an interesting assortment of public notices of the Continental era. Kit price of $3.00 includes:
  • Notice for an Upcoming Slave Auction - This small (7 x 10) poster gives notice of an upcoming slave auction of men, women, boys, and girls in Charleston.
  • A Short Warning to all Desperate and Prophane Swearers, Cursers, and Damners, Etc - The name says it all. This warning cites several Bible references in an attempt to redeem those who use vulgar language. A printed broadside posted in London.
  • 1775 Property Auction Notice - This bilingual notice advertised an upcoming auction of property in Germantown, Pennsylvania. It is printed in English and German.
  • Robbery Notice - This poster went up in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, northeast of Philadelphia, in 1785. An excellent description of what a rather well off man would have on his person (which he was robbed of), and a great paper to post at your establishment.
   
Mrs. Phillips Warehouse Advertisement for Mrs. Phillips's Warehouse. (8 x 11) (DRW301)-This establishment was evidently very famous in 18th century London as a seller of "bladder policies". For those of you not familiar with this euphemism, if you look in the Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, an 18th century book, you will find mention of Mrs. Phillips under the word condom. $1.00
Declaration of Independence Declaration of Independence - (DRW312) - This is the printed version of the Declaration. Originals were printed by John Dunlap under his contract as the Congressional printer. $1.00.