RETURN, TO BE SENT TO THE ADJUTANT GENERAL, AT BOSTON, WITHIN TEN DAYS AFTER THE PARADE SPECIFIED BENEATH, IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE FOLLOWING SECTION OF THE MILITIA LAW OF 1846; ... THE UNDERSIGNED, AS COMMANDING OFFICER OF COMPANY K IN THE NINTH REGIMENT OF LIGHT INFANTRY, FIFTH BRIGADE, THIRD DIVISION MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER MILITIA, HEREBY CERTIFIES AND DECLARES, THAT THE ANNEXED TABLE IS A TRUE AND CORRECT RETURN OF THE NUMBER OF OFFICERS, NONCOMMISSIONED OFFICERS, MUSICIANS, AND PRIVATES, BELONGING TO THE COMPANY UNDER HIS COMMAND, AS AFORESAID, WHO APPEARED, ARMED, UNIFORMED, AND EQUIPPED, AND PERFORMED DUTY, AND OF THOSE WHO WERE ABSENT, ON THE TWENTY SIXTH DAY OF SEPTEMBER 1848, SAID DAY, BEING ON OF THE DAYS OF COMPANY PARADE, FOR EXERCISE AND DISCIPLINE, BY ORDER OF THE COMMANDING OFFICER. - [SEE SECTION 76TH OF DIGEST.]| THE UNDERSIGNED ALSO CERTIFIES AND DECLARES, THAT EVERY MAN SO RETURNED IS DULY AND LEGALLY ENLISTED AS A MEMBER OF THE COMPANY UNDER HIS COMMAND, AND, TO THE BEST OF HIS KNOWLEDGE AND BELIEF, IS NOT BORNE ON THE ROLL OF ANY OTHER COMPANY.| SIDNEY FAIRBANKS COMMANDING COMPANY K AS AFORESAID. DATED AT WINCHENDON THIS TWENTY SIXTH DAY OF SEPT. 1848. ... [verso: RETURN OF COMPANY K, 9TH REGIMENT OF LIGHT INFANTRY. RECEIVED AT OFFICE OF ADJUTANT GENERAL, 7TH DAY OF OCT. 1848.].
[Winchendon, Mass.? 1848]. Broadside, 8" x 10", printed on blue paper in different typesettings, blanks completed in manuscript. Two horizontal folds with light wear at either end, light tanning at edges and along folds. Signed in ink by Sidney Fairbank. At bottom of return is a chart showing a total of 53 returning officers. Very Good.
The Return was evidently issued as an aspect of military activities related to the Mexican War. Sidney Fairbank, born in Harvard in 1819, was a carpenter and a manufacturer of wooden wares. He resided in Winchendon and was in partnership with Capt. E. Murdock for many years under the name Murdock & Fairbank. In 1851 Fairbank was chosen an officer of the newly formed Engine Company at Winchendon. In 1864 the Winchendon National Bank was started and Fairbank served on the first Board of Directors. [Marvin, Abijah Perkins: HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF WINCHENDON..., Winchendon: 1868; Fairbanks, Lorenzo Sayles: GENEALOGY OF THE FAIRBANKS FAMILY IN AMERICA, 1633-1897. Boston: 1897. Page 641.]. Item #26368
Price: $75.00