Original document?

[26Intrepid]

Hello all,

I'm curious if this is an original document. I find it pretty neat that these actually existed. This one is for sale locally and plan on looking at it tomorrow. I thought it would be a nice acquisition for my civil war pieces, if original anyways.

Sorry… these are the only pics that I have.

 

[Salterr]

It would be a post war recollection of his discharge papers. The historical society emblem and the 1904 date would would more than make this a real document. Discharge papers aren't at all expensive so reproductions would make very little sense unless it was some MOH recipient or a famous person.

 

[RedRover]

John Lee was indeed a veteran of the 7th Maine Volunteers...


The document is certainly original, but it is not from the 1860s. It is from, as it states, 1904, and was produced by "The Soldiers and Sailors Historical and Benevolent Society" incorporated in Washington, DC.

That organization was established in 1901 with some lofty national goals...

Kennebec Journal, ME, Nov. 10, 1903.

That organization evidently engaged in producing a simple compiled military record, like the one shown, for veterans from the various published and documentary records. These were occasionally alluded to by early 20th Century authors giving biographical notices of military service. Like these...

And indeed, Mr. Kellogg, whose signature is found on the document shown, was indeed the organizational historian ca. 1903-04...

Genealogical and Personal History of the Upper Monongahela Valley, West Virginia

www.google.com

The organization of the Soldiers and Sailors Historical and Benevolent Society does not seem to have flourished long as the veterans aged. Last references I see in newspapers is ca. 1910-1917.

Membership documents, etc. pop up occasionally.

Pardon Our Interruption...

[Cover title]: Military Record & With Historic Reference by | Search for Rare Books | ABAA

www.abaa.org

 

[26Intrepid]

Thanks for the information. I was just curious if this document was original from when it was written (1904). Sorry, I should've been a little more clear. I thought it was interesting… I don't know what value these type of post war documents hold. The seller is asking $50.00 for it. I would assume it would be worth more if the document was written in 1862-1865.

Plus, I don't think typewriters existed in 1862-1865…

 

[gary]

It's real but as observed, not Civil War era.

 

[Salterr]

Thanks for the information. I was just curious if this document was original from when it was written (1904). Sorry, I should've been a little more clear. I thought it was interesting… I don't know what value these type of post war documents hold. The seller is asking $50.00 for it. I would assume it would be worth more if the document was written in 1862-1865.

Plus, I don't think typewriters existed in 1862-1865…

Regular discharge papers are $95-$125 mostly. Some are higher given a famous regiment or rank. I'd say $50 is a decent price since it has a period frame

 

[R. Porter]

I just came across a similar document at auction online. It was from some organization and at the bottom it says it was presented to him by his wife. I think it also dated to the first decade of the 20th century.