Skip to main content

Subscribers of the Oath of Allegiance, 1789

 File — Container: Archives Box #1030, Folder: 34

Scope and Contents

"Oath signed by the Town Selectmen, Treasurer, Constables, Assessors, and Warden on 4/30/1789. Abstract: ""The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is and of right ought to be a free, sovereign and independent state, and I do swear that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Commonwealth, and I will defend the same against traitorous conspiracies and all hostile attempts whatsoever, and that I do renounce all allegiance, subjection, and obedience to the King, Queen, or Government of Great Britain and every other foreign power whatsoever".

Dates

  • Creation: 1789

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research. Whenever possible, digital surrogates must be consulted in lieu of the original documents to prevent unneccesary handling and mitigate wear. Research is accommodated by appointment only. Please call (508) 485-0710 x 3005 to make an appointment, or send an email to: [email protected]

Extent

1 Leaves

Language of Materials

English

Preservation Actions

All documents in Box #1030 underwent conservation treatment in January 2017 at the Northeast Document Conservation Center in Andover, MA.

Treatment Summary: Surface soil was reduced using dry cleaning techniques as necessary. The solubility of the inks on twenty-one objects selected for aqueous treatment were tested. The blue"#" and "copied" stamps were removed from 4 objects through the use of organic solvents on the suction table in preparation for washing. Please note: Some of the ink was not solubilized and remains in the paper. The documents were washed in a 30:70 ethanol water combination to reduce acidity, staining and discoloration. Paper patches were removed during the washing procedure. After carefully testing the iron gall ink and confirming the presence of free iron (Fe2+ ), a calcium phytate treatment was performed to stabilize the iron gall ink followed by alkalization with calcium bicarbonate as needed. Treated objects were sized with a 0.5% gelatin solution. Tears and breaks were mended and losses were filled with an appropriate weight Japanese paper and wheat starch paste as needed. Thirty-two objects were humidified and flattened between blotters under moderate pressure as needed. All objects were housed in archival folders and polyester L-sleeves as needed in a 3" archival document box. A spacer was constructed of archival corrugated board to prevent slumping of the documents in the box.

Repository Details

Part of the Southborough Town Clerk’s Office Municipal Archive Repository

Contact:
17 Common Street
Southborough MA 01772 United States
(508) 485-0710