Captain John Barry Blank Payment Certificate Signed "John Barry Capt." One partially printed page, 7.5" x 4.75", no place; no date. Barry signs his name to a blank printed endorsement. It reads in full: "I DO hereby certify, That the Bearer, - late - on board the - under my command, is entitled to whatever share or portion of prize-money may accrue to him from - to -." Accompanied by an engraving of Barry. Merchant shipmaster John Barry outfitted the first Continental fleet in Philadelphia in the Revolutionary War during which he commanded the Lexington and Alliance. He was commissioned the first Captain in the Navy when it was permanently organized by Congress in 1794. Barry superintended the building of the frigate United States and made several cruises on her with other vessels under his command in the quasi-war with France (1798-1800). He is known as "Father of the Navy." Condition: Uneven margins with a strip of paper affixed along left margin on verso. Darker toning along right margin. HID03101062020 © 2020 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved