Original 1860 United States Navy Commission on Vellum, hand signed by Secretary of the Navy Isaac Toucey , in favour of Willam P. ( Penn ) De Sanno, appointing him Second Assistant Engineer of the Navy of the United States, from the 2nd of August 1859.

About this Item

Hand signed by Isaac Toucey bottom right. A beautiful Navy Commission on full vellum ( animal skin ), with cartouche of sailing ship at top and a cartouche featuring flags, eagle, anchor etc and intact wax seal at the bottom. Neat and flowing hand written additions include the full name of the appointee William P. De Sanno( or DeSanno ), the date of his appointment in 1859, and the date of the document in 1860. Neat countersignature bottom left with hand written addition regarding rank. Legible throughout, though a bit soiled, mainly at the edges, and with some folds and creases but complete and not torn. Dimensions are about 38 cm or 15 inches high and 31 cm or 12 inches wide. Currently framed in a gilt and mottled black frame and clean beige mount behind glass. Please note that I cannot send the frame with glass overseas. It will be cheaper to send the vellum commission without frame also. Isaac Toucey was born in Newtown Connecticut in 1792 and rose in state politics to becaome the Governor of Connecticut in 1846 to 1847. His career in national politics culminated in his appointment as Secretary of the Navy by President James K. Polk. As Secretary of the Navy, Toucey presided over two important developments in the United States Navy's history: its modernization, and the heroic first laying of a transatlantic cable. A lawyer by training, his view of the Constitution favoured states rights, an unpopular stance in Union political circles during the Civil War. Finding himself on the wrong side of the main debates he retired back to Connnecticut where he died in 1869, 9 years after affixing his signature to this document. William Penn de Sanno was born 18 April 1829 in Philadelphia and died on 24 April 1901 in Philadelphia. He married Mary Ann Doughton. He was the son of Rev. George 'Frederick' de Sanno & Sarah Bickley (Heaton). Originally buried in Monument Cemetery. Re-interred with other family members when cemetery was moved. Bronze marker "DeSanno" is only marker for the older graves. William P De Sanno received Patent #40,446, in Philadelphia, for a sewing machine Oct 27, 1863, along with 3 other men. His children were Mary Ann De Sanno (1851 - 1851), William Doughton De Sanno (1856 - 1861), William Paul De Sanno (1860 - 1864), Eloise De Sanno (1861 - 1862) and Paul Doughton De Sanno (1867 - 1867). Questions or discussion welcome. Seller Inventory # 80082