Signer of the Declaration of Independence from North Carolina (1742–1790). DS, signed “Will. Hooper Atty.,” one page both sides, 7.5 x 12.5, September 5, 1768. A legal document reporting a ruling of the Salisbury Superior Court. In part: “The jurors for our Sovereign Lord the King upon their Oath present that Jacob Fulwider late of the County of Rowan planter … with an Intention to deceive misguide and mislead his Majesty’s liege Subjects & to draw Travellers to his own House for his own private Emolument and Interest did cast and place a broken tree in the Road leading from Anson to Rowan which Road has … for a long time past been travelled … as a publick Road & authorized by Law and did open another Road … that Travellers mistaking this for the true & publick Road were mislead … greatly to the interruption of persons travelling, an Injury to trade….” In very good condition, with light scattered staining and soiling, chips and slight trimming to left margin (adhesive tape reinforcement), short partial separations at folds, and faint show-through of ink (subtly visible behind signature). The signature is clear, bold, and otherwise unaffected. In his 1995 reference History Comes to Life, Kenneth Rendell places Hooper’s autograph material into the “very rare” category among the Signers—an echelon second only to that occupied by the virtually unobtainable Gwinnett and Lynch. Auction LOA John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and R&R COA.
