1883 Sing Sing Prison NY Appointment Letter James Connaughton Principal Keeper

Description

A one of a kind item.  Possibly no others like it, at least for the time period.  And the signatures are likely very rare, also.
Sing sing prison is probably one of the most iconic prisons in the history of this country, notorious in it's early years for the harsh punishment and intense labor, and in it's later years for it's many executions by electric chair.  This is a letter to James Connaughton appointing him principal keeper of the prison in 1883.
The letter reads as follows:
State of New York
Office of the
Agent and Warden
Sing Sing Prison
April 2nd, 1883
James Connaughton esq?
Sir
Your are hereby
appointed "Principal Keeper"
of Sing Sing Prison
Yours Respectfully
A A Brush
Agent & Warden
Approved
Issac V. Baker, Jr
Augustus Amos Brush is his full name.
Issac Volney Baker, Jr. was Superintendent of New York State Prisons at that time.  Prior to this he was a New York State Assemblyman and Senator.  After he became the State Railroad Commisioner in 1887.
James Connaughton, who served briefly as the Warden in 1913, was noted as being the first keeper to execute prisoners in an electric chair at Sing Sing.
"Records of electrocutions at Sing Sing Prison from April 1893 through 1907 were kept in a small volume by the head guard or “Principal Keeper,” James Connaughton. The records indicate the date of the electrocution, the names of those electrocuted and their date of birth, as well as the witnesses. Fifty-eight prisoners were put to death in the electric chair during that period, the first prisoners at Sing Sing to die by this method."
James also signed the back of the cardboard insert as shown, so this was likely the original frame he owned and framed for himself.  It should be noted that those are the original signatures of Augustas Brush and Issac Baker, Jr., also.  So three important signatures on this item.
Measures 8 3/4 by 6 1/4
Box J 07052021
Weight 4 ounces