Partly-printed vellum DS, signed “B. Franklin” as President of the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania, one page, 15.5 x 13.5, February 3, 1787. A land grant in which Nicholas Back has paid “Twenty eight pounds eleven Shillings and seven pence” and is granted “a Certain Tract of Land called ‘Backston’ Situate on the Waters of Jacobs Creek in Springhill Township Fayette County…Containing Four hundred and forty two Acres and an half…” The property borders land owned by William Wetherington, Joseph Teager, John Shively, Benjamin Saxley, Nicholas Croshores, Hugh Evans, and John Lucas. James Trimble, who also signed this document, was Deputy Secretary of Pennsylvania from 1777 until his death in 1836. In very good condition, with intersecting storage folds, show-through from red wax seal and docketing on reverse, small chip to lower edge, scattered light toning and soiling (a bit heavier to right edge, and also passing though the beginning of Franklin’s signature), and expected wrinkling. The large eight-pointed embossed paper seal remains crisp and mostly intact.
It is worth mentioning that three months after endorsing this land grant in his office at Independence Hall, Franklin attended the first meeting of the Constitutional Convention, which was held in another part of the building. On September 17, 1787, Franklin signed the US Constitution, gracing that landmark document with a similarly familiar signature. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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