A Revolutionary War military furlough, signed by then-Maj. James Monroe at Valley Forge, is now owned by the James Monroe Museum and Memorial Library. The small, yellowed paper signed Feb. 
23, 1778, by the Founding Father who would be the fifth U.S. president is believed to be the earliest official document bearing Monroe’s signature. The museum was able to purchase the historically significant paper thanks to private donations. Learn more at jamesmonroemuseum.org.