Certificate, Membership

Title:

Nicholas Gilman Society of the Cincinnati Certificate

Object Name:

Certificate, Membership

Creator:

Pierre L'Enfant; Belle, Augustin-Louis; Leveau, Jean Jacques

Date:

September12,1787

Material:

Parchment, ink

Dimensions:

H-4.75 L-21 Dia-7 inches
Sight dimensions: height 14.625; width 21.875. Plate impression within sight dimensions.

Description:

Framed Society of the Cincinnati Membership Diploma belonging to Nicholas Gilman. The diploma was designed by L'Enfant, the copperplate prepared in Paris by the engraver Leveau after a drawing by Belle and sent to America where the wording was added by an unknown American engraver. The iconography includes the Society's medal, depicting on the obverse at left Cincinnatus receiving the accoutrements of war from three generals while his wife huddles next to their home. An armored warrior holds an American flag with the Great Seal of the US (adopted 1782) in the center and his foot resing on the flags of the British Empire. At his side, an eagle discharges lightening bolts, forcing Britannia and the British lion to retreat in a rowboat. On the right. the medallion's revers shows Cincinnatus being crowned by fame with the sun fising over a city with open gates and vessels entering the port. The medallion hangs from a chain fastened to the sash of an angel who heralds the arrival of the French fleet and American victory. The membership badge in the form of an eagle, illuminates the scene from the heavens. Inserted into the stock wording by hand in ink : "Nicholas Gilman Esquire, Captain in the late Army of the United States", signed at Philadelphia on 12 September 1787 in the "twelth" year of independence and the signatures of Henry Knox and George Washington.

Provenance:

Filled with patriotic symbols, Pierre L'Enfant's design for the Society's membership certificate, also known as the diploma, honored the men who helped win American independence. An armored solider and a bald eagle threaten a cowering lion and retreating figure of Britannia on the left, while the angel Fame trumpets the American victory on the right. Medallions bearing images of Cincinnatus flank the scene while the Society Eagle radiates from above. . The first diplomas were printed in Philadelphia in late 1784, then signed by George Washington and Henry Knox, the Society's president general and secretary general

This diploma belonged to Nicholas Gilman Jr, an original member of the New Hampshire Society. After serving on Washington's staff during the American Revolution, he acted as a representative for New Hampshire at the Constitutional Convention in 1787.His childhood home now acts as the site for the American Independence Museum after it was purchased by the Society in 1902.

Subjects:

Ceremonial objects, Certificates, Membership certificates, Military decorations, Societies

People:

Gilman, Nicholas, L'Enfant, Pierre, Washington, Charles, Knox, Henry

Place of Origin:

France, Pennsylvania, New York

Collection Name:

Society of the Cincinnati in the State of New Hampshire

Item Number:

1988.056

Accession Number:

1988.056

Type of Material:

Objects

Copyright Statement:

For information regarding copyright, permissions, and reproductions contact the American Independence Museum

Credit Line:

American Independence Museum

Participating Organization:

American Independence Museum