JOHN ENDECOTT - DOCUMENT SIGNED - HFSID 283508

JOHN ENDECOTT
This exceedingly rare document is from the very earliest history of the American colonies and Massachusetts!  It's a five-line complaint signed by John Endecott, colonial governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, in Marblehead, Massachusetts in 1649. Documents from this early in American history are rarely seen outside of private collections and are highly desirable! Framed to 10x6½ in a gold-colored frame with cream-colored matte.
Document signed "Jo: Endecott Gov.". Brown ink and lead pencil notations in top left corner and at left edge. 1 page, 5½x1¼. Framed to 10x6½ in a gold-colored frame with cream-colored matte. Marblehead, Massachusetts, April 24, 1649. Five-line complaint. Endecott (c. 1588-1665), also spelled "Endicott", was a colonial governor (1629-1630, 1644-1645, 1649-1650, 1651-1654 and 1655-1664) and deputy governor (1641-1644, 1650-1651 and 1654-1655) of the Massachusetts Bay Colony in the New World. Endecott arrived with 60 other settlers in the Naumkeag, future site of Salem, Massachusetts and already settled by seceders from the Plymouth colony, led by Roger Conant. The colony benefitted from his strong - at times stern - leadership during his first winter there, and he remained active in the colony's politics whenever he found himself without an official position. He also led the Massachusetts militia in 1636 during the Pequot War. However, Endecott was also a strict Puritan and is remembered for his religious intolerance, most notably the torture and religious executions of Quakers. Lightly toned, stained and creased. Light tears and paper loss at bottom edge touch signature. Missing bottom right corner, which touches manuscript writing but not signature. Paint on frame is chipped and scratched. Frame glass is lightly soiled. Otherwise in fine condition.
Items were not evaluated outside frame. "As is" purchase.