Signer of the Declaration of Independence from New Hampshire (1714-1803). Extraordinary ADS, signed twice in full, “Mathew Thornton,” one page, 9.25 x 12.25, June 7, 1753. Sales contract for the township of Alexandria, New Hampshire, with the body of the document written out entirely in the hand of Matthew Thornton, and additionally signed along the right edge by seventeen residents of Londonderry. In part: "In consideration of one Shilling Lawful money Paid to Each of us, by James Thornton of the town & Province afores'd…each of us Respectively give, grant, sell, convey & confirm to him the s'd James Thornton his heirs & assigns forever all the Right, Title, Interest, Property, & Possession we have or may claim…in the New plantation or Township called Alexandria granted to Joseph Butterfield & others lying in the Province of New Hampshire." In naming the parties involved in executing this contract, Thornton writes either "Mathew" or "Thornton" a total of six times within the body of the document, in addition to his complete signatures ("Signed, Sealed & Deliv'd In Presence of Mathew Thornton" and "Before me Mathew Thornton Justice of the Peace") at the end of the first and second part; he also writes "Thornton" in the docket on the reverse. In very good to fine condition, with repairs on the reverse to splitting along intersecting folds. The "James Thornton" mentioned throughout is very likely his father, an Irish immigrant who brought his family to America in 1716. A substantial handwritten piece from the sought-after New Hampshire signer.
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