A Small Group of Amos Reed Papers

Branchville, MD: By the author, 1876. Very good. Two manuscripts; 7 1/4 x 6 1/2 and 4 x 6 1/2; lined paper and brown ink; a few minor spots and creases, in very good condition.After serving as a clerk to the Superintendent of Indian Affairs for Utah Territory, Amos Reed was appointed by President Lincoln to be the Secretary of the Territory of Utah in 1863. According to his niece, Reed "made many journeys from Washington to Salt Lake City carrying money for the payment of federal officers, under military escort west of the Missouri River." At the time, James Doty was the Governor of Utah, but after Doty's death in 1865, Secretary Reed became Acting Governor, until the arrival of Doty's successor. Reed eventually returned to his primary residence in Branchville, Maryland (outside of Washington, DC), where his title, i.e. Governor, "clung to him."The two papers, itemized receipts for products and services (including springs, shoes, tires, bars, repairs and settings, etc.) were both written in Branchville to one Jas. E. Taylor, Blacksmith. Apparently, Reed also liked his title, as one of the papers was signed “Gov Amos Reed."