1860 U. S. Navy Pay Receipt – Future Rear Admiral A. M. Pennock

Description

1860 U. S. Navy Pay Receipt – Future Rear Admiral A. M. Pennock
Offered for your consideration is a standard United States Navy pay receipt, signed at the conclusion by a future rear admiral. The document is headlined “
United States Navy Yard, New-York,
” and is dated “
February 1
st
18
60
”. It indicates that there was “
Received, from CHARLES MURRAY, Purser United States Navy,
One hundred & Sixty one
Dollars,
Seventeen
Cents, on account of my Pay, &c.
”, with this same amount appearing numerically at the lower left. It is signed at the conclusion by “
A M Pennock
”, though no rank or station is given. The text is enclosed on three sides, with the border at left being particularly decorative. This design separates the voucher from the attached stub, which repeats the recipient’s name and the amount. The back of the form is blank. While not large or ornate, this piece would look great framed with a portrait of this career naval officer.
Alexander Mosely Pennock
was born on October 1, 1814 in Norfolk, Virginia. He became a midshipman in the United States Navy on April 1, 1828 and was assigned, apparently for only one year, to the frigate “USS Guerriere”. He subsequently served aboard a receiving ship at Norfolk, and aboard the “USS Natchez” of the Brazil Squadron. On June 14, 1834, Pennock was promoted to passed midshipman and assigned to the frigate “USS Potomac” of the Mediterranean Squadron. He was promoted to lieutenant on March 25, 1839 (one source states February 25, 1841), and served aboard the “USS Columbia”, after which he returned to the Brazil Squadron aboard the sloop “Decatur”. He was transferred to the Norfolk Navy Yard in 1846, and promoted to commander on December 15, 1855. In 1862, Pennock was appointed Commander and Fleet Captain of the Western Gunboat Flotilla, headquartered at Cairo, Illinois. He was advanced to captain on January 2, 1863 and ordered to the Brooklyn Navy Yard. In early 1868, he was assigned as commanding officer of the frigate “USS Franklin”, the flagship of the European Squadron. He was promoted to commodore on May 6, 1868, and rear admiral on July 19, 1872. His last post was as commanding officer of the Portsmouth Navy Yard. Alexander M. Pennock died on September 20, 1876 in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and was buried in Cedar Grove Cemetery in Norfolk, Virginia.
The presently offered specimen exhibits signs of only light period use, followed by adequate long-term storage. Light toning is present across the entire surface, slightly darker at the edges. These edges are ragged along the top and at the left, obviously a result of this piece being separated from the ledger in which it would have been kept. One vertical fold can be seen between the stub and the principal document, probably done by a dealer or collector for ease of display. A pencil check mark appears beside the numerical amount at the lower left. Measuring approximately 2¾ x 8¼ inches, this piece would, as previously noted, look great framed with a portrait of the long serving sailor.
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Buy or Bid with Confidence – American Coins & Collectibles President Richie Self has worked 6 years as a paper money grader/authenticator. He has contributed to numerous reference books within the industry, as well as being a co-author of “The Comprehensive Catalog and History of Confederate Bonds, 2
nd
Edition” with Douglas B. Ball, Ph.D., Henry F. Simmons, M.D., Ph.D. and James R. Desabaye. Mr. Self is a life member of the American Numismatic Association, the Society of Paper Money Collectors, as well as numerous regional numismatic associations. He is an authorized submitter to NGC, PCGS, and PMG, a diamond founding member of Coin Dealers Helping Coin Dealers and a supporter of the Industry Council for Tangible Assets. American Coins and Collectibles can be found at many of the state and local coin shows.
American Coins and Collectibles
Shreveport, LA