AT A LEGAL MEETING OF THE INHABITANTS OF THE [TOWN] OF [LITTLETON] IN THE COUNTY OF [MIDDLESEX] AND COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS....

[1812]. Election document summary for Littleton, Massachusetts, for the offices of Governor and Lieutenant Governor for 1812. Partly printed, completed in manuscript, 31 x 19 cm., two leaves. Old fold lines, small hole from broken seal, not affecting any text. Engraved State Seal of Massachusetts at top of first leaf, addressed on the second leaf to the Secretary of the Commonwealth and signed by Ithamar Beard, Jeremiah Tuttle, and Moses Whitcomb, Selectmen of Littleton. Very good. Official summary of the ballot from Littleton, Massachusetts, showing the votes, in manuscript, for Governor: Elbridge Gerry, 86, Hon. Caleb Strong, 42. For Lt. Governor: William King, 85, William Phillips, 42, Nathan Hartwell, 1. In spite of Littleton's vote, Gerry was defeated in this election. Elbridge Thomas Gerry (1744 -1814), a member of the Jeffersonian Republican Party, was the fifth Vice President of the United States, serving under James Madison. Gerry was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence and the Articles of Confederation. He was one of the three men who refused to sign the Constitution because it did not have a Bill of Rights. After several unsuccessful attempts, Gerry had finally been elected Governor of Massachusetts in 1810. He was re-elected in 1811 but defeated in 1812 over his support for the redistricting bill that created the word gerrymander. Littleton also backed the losing candidate for Lt. Governor; William Phillips Jr. (1750- 1827) was elected Lieutenant-Governor of Massachusetts and served 1812-1823. Item #65267

Price: $350.00