[Pennsylvania]:

$1,500 · Offered by William Reese Company

[PARTLY-PRINTED DOCUMENT, ACCOMPLISHED IN MANUSCRIPT, AN OATH OF ALLEGIANCE AND FIDELITY ISSUED TO WILLIAM STEVENSON, A HOUSE CARPENTER FROM ... A scarce oath of allegiance issued in Pennsylvania in 1786. Such oaths, or affirmations for the Quaker community, swearing allegiance to Pennsylvania and the United States, were first devised in 1777 during the American Revolution. However, after the war, such oaths persisted and were renewed by the General Assembly of Pennsylvania in March 1786, requiring such tests in order to vote and enjoy the rights of citizenship. From 1786 to 1808, Philadelphia required male immigrants over the age of sixteen to swear such oaths. This copy is filled out as an "Oath" and subscribed to by William Stevenson, described as a "House Carpenter" in Philadelphia. The text reads in full:"I do certify, that [Wm. Stevenson] of [Philad'a, House Carpenter] hath voluntarily taken and subscribed the [Oath] of Allegiancea nd Fidelity, as directed by an Act of General Assembly of Pennsylvania, passed the Fourth day of March Anno Domini 1786. Witness my Hand and Seal, the [Tenth] day of [Octo'r] Anno Domini 17[86. Wm. Pollard]."Stevenson came to Philadelphia from Sint Eustasius in 1784, and was elected to the Philadelphia Carpenters' Company in 1786. He became vice president of the Company in 1816, and served as its president from January 1817 until his sudden death in May.

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