Lot
497 
Ward, Samuel, Delegate from Rhode Island. (First and Second Continental Congresses of 1774-76), ardent patriot and the only Colonial Governor to refuse to sign the Stamp Act, free frank "Saml. Ward Philadelphia" on two folded covers (undated, without content, circa 1774-75), one to Henry Ward at Providence with manuscript "Free" in another hand, presumably applied at the Philadelphia post office, the other to Polly Ward at Westerly R.I. with manuscript "Phila 6:16" postmark and dark brown "19/OC" Franklin mark on back, former has light stains, otherwise Very Fine, two rare free franks from this great American patriot, who attended the first two Continental Congresses but succumbed to small pox in March 1776 because he refused inoculation during an epidemic in Philadelphia--had Ward lived, he would have proudly signed the Declaration of Independence--the First Continental Congress was held Sep. 5 to Oct. 26, 1774, and the Second from May 10, 1775, to Dec. 12, 1776, thus it is likely that the "6:16" rated cover was mailed during the First Congress. Estimate $1,500 - 2,000.
Realized: $1,300