Tryon County Legal Debt Document Signed by Matthew Visscher

Condition: Folds and toning otherwise very good condition. All mounted on larger sheet with cut-outs so both sides visible.

Robert Adams had been known to Matthew Visscher before as Adams had to appear before three times before the Commissioners for Conspiracies in 1880 of which Visscher was one of four in judgment of Adams be a loyalist of not. Adams was discharged from confinement August 15th, 1780 by the Commissioners on 200 pounds bail. quoted from "Minutes of the Commissioners for Detecting and Defeating Conspiracies in the State of New York: Albany County Sessions, 1778-1781" 2007

Interesting that The Will of Sir William Johnson it states, "I leave to my faithful friend, Robert Adams, Esq., of Johnstown, the dwelling house, buildings, and lot of one acre where he now lives, and the Pot Ash Laboratory, and one acre of land with it; Also the farm which he holds by deed from me, all free from rent during his natural life." Robert Adams Johnstown cottage now the Johnston Historical Society and his store the Ehle Funneral Home. Matthew Visscher (1751-93), Matthew Visscher became a Revolutionary stalwart. In May 1775, he was appointed a lieutenant in the city militia regiment. Shortly thereafter, he was named secretary of the "Albany Committee of Correspondence, Safety, and Protection" and was one of its stalwart members throughout the war years. signature of Matthew Visscher. His daily diligence helped the committee bring the Revolution home and, in the process, made the young man one of the most important local operatives. He was a member of the Albany Commissioner for Detecting and Defeating Conspiracies throughout its lifetime. He also served as an Indian Commissioner - attending meetings on the frontier in the waning years of the war. In these capacities, he forged lasting relationships with Governor George Clinton and other members of his administration. In the years that followed, Visscher received a number of bounty rights for wartime service in the military and on the homefront. In 1784, he was elected to the New York State Assembly and served two terms. He also sat on a number of local boards and on the State Board of Regents. It was he who read the Declaration of Independence from the steps of the Court House, at Albany.