Pre-Civil War “Union Riflemen of New York” Presentation Sword and Associated Archive

Pre-Civil War presentation sword Union Riflemen of New York to John P. Ellis (1820-1896) of Flushing, Queens, New York. Sword accompanied by archive of photographs and documents related to Ellis. Collection Archive includes: 1.) A militia staff pattern sword 37.5 with cruciform guard and knight’s helmet pommel with 31″ straight, double-edge blade with center fuller, etched with engraved details of patriotic and floral motifs. The ricasso is engraved “N. P. Ames , Cutler , Springfield.” (dating sword manufacture to 1847). Engraved brass scabbard has floral embossed fittings and presentation engraved between rings “Presented to Capt. John P. Ellis by the officers & Members of the Union Riflemen, N.Y.S.M.”. Planchet on cruciform guard engraved with presenters “Committee, Lieut. John Gilliooly , Lieut. Robt. Brown , Wm. A. Gamble,”. Sword exhibits some wear/loss to gilt and brightness blade. 2.) Scroll muster roll of the 1st Company, Union Riflemen, 51st N.Y. Infantry (transferred to the 142nd Regt. in 1838) covering the time period of February 17, 1836 thru October 14, 1847. Vellum scroll measures 96.5″ x 9.5″ and is silk bordered. 3.) Half-plate daguerreotype of John P. Ellis seated knees-up view in civilian clothes at table. Image housed in leatherette case with tombstone mat. Case is missing bottom rail and has split fabric hinge. Image retains original seals and exhibits some spotting. 4.) Over painted albumin photograph of Ellis seated at table (knee-up) with top hat on table next to him. Image measures 7.5″ x 5.5″ and is housed in period mat with chips and loss. 5.) Broadside from Flushing, New York dated May 7th, 1872 regarding support for possible election of John P. Ellis as Police Justice. Broadside measures 15″ x 9″ and exhibits some folds. 6.) Patent issued to John P. Ellis dated January 7, 1868 for “Improvements in Window Sash Fasteners”. Document measures 15″ x 10″ and is 4pp in length including full page drawing of safe. Document signed by William Tod Otto (1816-1905) American judge, Acting Secretary of the Interior, personal friend of Abraham Lincoln and at his bedside when Lincoln died. 7.) Patent issued to John P. Ellis dated June 28,1864 for “Improvements in Water Proof Safe”. Document measures 20.5″ x 14.5″ and is 4pp in length including full page drawing sash fasteners. Document signed by John Palmer Usher (1816 -1889) American administrator and Secretary to the Interior and served in the Cabinet of President Abraham Lincoln. He travelled with Lincoln to Gettysburg and was on the platform when Lincoln gave the Gettysburg Address. Patent accompanied by Assignment of Patent document and original mailing envelope. 8.) Booklet measuring 7.5″ x 4″ containing various news clipping regarding poems and other materials that were authored by John P. Ellis and published. 9.) Grouping of manuscript pages (9pp) measuring 13″ x 8″ (rolled tight) detailing accounts, tax laws and other financial matters. 10.) Group of 9 newspapers from 1840’s thru 1870’s (some from Flushing New York). Newspapers exhibit folds and some edge chipping.