Lot #78

Georgia: [Button Gwinnett]

Description

Gwinnett leases St. Catherine's Island in 1765

Very rare manuscript document, signed “Tho: Bosomworth,” one page, 10.25 x 6.25, March 8, 1773. Payment receipt penned in the lower portion of a partial clerical copy of an earlier document bearing a secretarial signature of Button Gwinnett. The receipt, in full: "Received Savannah 8th March 1773 from Button Gwinnett Esq. five Pounds Sterling in full Discharge of the above Bond." The upper clerical portion, dated October 31, 1765, in full: "Life of the said Thomas Bosomworth without any deduction or abatement for or by Reason of any Taxes or other matter cause or thing whatsoever then the above Obligation to be void and of non Effect But if there shall happen to be a failure in payment of the Said Annual Sum of One hundred and Eighty Seven Pounds ten Shillings or any part thereof on any of the Said Days whereon the Same ought to be paid as aforesaid then and then in Such Case the above obligation to be and remain in full force and Virtue. Signed sealed and delivered, in presence of, Grey Elliott, Charles Pryce, Jun." In very good to fine condition, with professional repairs and reinforcements, including silking to both sides.

Bosomworth, a clergyman and the third husband of mixed Yamacraw and English woman Mary Musgrove, owned St. Catherine's Island off the coast of Savannah, a property the couple derived from a prior Indian conveyance. After Mary's death in 1765, Bosomsworth leased the island to Gwinnett through a series of bonds securing payment for the sum of £3000. With his wife and daughter, Gwinnett moved into the Bosomworth home on Saint Catherine's Island, acquired slaves, and began life as a plantation owner. An exceedingly rare document once owned by the sought-after Georgian signer.

Auction Info

• Auction Title: Fine Autographs and Artifacts
• Dates: #504 - Ended July 12, 2017

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