James Wood, VA Governor 1796-99, 1794 Signed Document as Lt. Gov.
Part-printed document dated 24 March 1794 Signed by James Wood as Lt. Governor of Virginia. The document is an appointment of Alexander Smyth of a County Escheator. Alexander Smyth was a brigadier-general in the War of 1812. Document: Size 8 in. by 10 in. on laid, rag-content paper; age toned, edge nicks, wear and tiny holes at intersection of folds, fine condition. Intact Virginia Seal embossed on paper on wax seal at lower left.
James Wood - Wikipedia:" American Revolutionary War service
In 1776 Wood was appointed lieutenant colonel of the Frederick County Militia. In February 1777, he became commander of the 12th Virginia Regiment, and he led the regiment during the Philadelphia campaign and Monmouth campaigns of the next two years. In late 1777, he quartered at the house also occupied by the family of Sally Wister, who described him as "of the most amiable of men."[4] His regiment was redesignated the 8th Virginia Regiment in September 1778, and Wood was appointed Superintendent of the Convention Army when British prisoners from the Saratoga campaign were moved to Charlottesville, Virginia. He continued in that capacity until it was dissolved in January 1783, when he was promoted to brigadier general in the Virginia militia.
After the war, Wood became an original member of the Virginia Society of the Cincinnati.[5]
Politics
From 1784 to 1796, Wood was a member of Virginia's Executive Council.
He was chosen as an elector for the 1789 election from Hampshire District.[6] That District consisted of Berkeley County, Frederick County, Hampshire County, Hardy County, Harrison County, Monongalia County, Ohio County and Randolph County, which cover the area which is now the eastern part of West Virginia and the northernmost county of Virginia, all within Virginia's 1st congressional district, which also included Shenandoah County.[7]
All ten of the Virginia electors who voted cast one of their two votes for George Washington. 5 of them cast their other vote for John Adams. 3 voted for George Clinton. 1 cast his for John Hancock. 1 cast his for John Jay.[8] Which elector voted for which vice presidential candidate is not known.
A Federalist, in 1796, Wood was elected as Virginia's eleventh governor and served until 1799, after previously being the Federalist gubernatorial candidate in 1794.[9] In addition to being an original member of the Society of the Cincinnati, he was also a leading member of an early abolition society in Virginia. Wood served as President of the Society of the Cincinnati from 1802 until his death."
" Alexander Smyth (1765 – April 17, 1830) was an American lawyer, soldier, and politician from Virginia. Smyth served in the Virginia Senate, Virginia House of Delegates, United States House of Representatives and as a general during the War of 1812. Smyth County, Virginia, is named in his honor.
Early life
Smyth was born on Rathlin Island in County Antrim (part of the Kingdom of Ireland). He immigrated to the United States with his father, Rev. Alfred Smythe at the age of 10, and settled in Botetourt County, Virginia, in 1775 where he completed preparatory studies. He studied law, and was admitted to the bar and commenced practice in Abingdon, Virginia.
Smyth moved to Wythe County, Virginia, and was a member of the Virginia House of Delegates in 1792, 1796, 1801, 1802, and from 1804 to 1808. He served in the Virginia Senate in 1808 and 1809.
Military career
Smyth served in the United States Army from 1808 to 1813. Commissioned as a colonel in 1808, he served as Inspector General to William Eustis, the acting War Secretary.
Shortly after the outbreak of the War of 1812, Smyth was promoted to brigadier general on July 6, 1812. During the Battle of Queenston Heights he refused to support his commander, General Stephen Van Rensselaer, a militia commander with no experience. After Van Rensselaer's disgrace, Smyth was given command and proved himself equally inept. His plan to invade Canada started with the Battle of Frenchman's Creek but was then abandoned because of problems due to poor organization.[1]
After the failed attack on Canada, Smyth was insulted by Brigadier General Peter B. Porter, who accused Smyth of cowardice.[2] Smyth challenged Porter to a duel, but both men went unscathed. The historian John R. Elting wrote of the duel, stating, "Unfortunately, both missed."[3] In the wake of his failure, Smyth's name was removed from the U.S. Army rolls.[4]
" Wikipedia
This is a genuine original, period piece, not a copy or reproduction
