A LAND DEED SIGNED BY THOMAS MIFFLIN AND WILLIAM BINGHAM, INCLUDING A SALE TO THE INDEBTED ROBERT MORRIS AND JOHN NICHOLSON

WILLIAM BINGHAM (1752-1804). Bingham was a Senator and Continental Congressman from Philadelphia, as well as one of the richest men in the United States at the time.

THOMAS MIFFLIN (1744-1800). Mifflin was a politician, soldier, and Founding Father from Pennsylvania.

DS. 1pg. December 18, 1794.  An oversized document signed “Tho Mifflin” as Governor of Pennsylvania. It is a partially-printed land deed engrossed by another hand, made out to William Bingham. “… Know ye, That in consideration of the monies paid by Robert Gilmore into the Receiver-General’s office of this Commonwealth at the granting of the Warrant herein after mentioned and of the sum of five pounds eleven shillings & six pence lawful money now paid by William Bingham Esq. into said office there is granted by the said Commonwealth unto the said William Bingham a certain tract of land called ‘Cheshunt’ situate in the late Purchase Dist. No. 4 Northumberland County Beginning at a beech thence by his other land west five hundred eighty three perches to a Beech North three hundred and twenty […] To have and to hold the said tract or parcel of land, with the appurtenances, unto the said William Bingham, and his Heirs to use of him the said William Bingham his Heirs and Assigns forever, free and clear of al restrictions and reservations as to Mines, Royalties, Quit-rents or otherwise, excepting and reserving only the fifth part of all Gold and Silver Ore for the use of this commonwealth to be delivered at the pitts mouth clear of all charges. In Witness whereof Thomas Mifflin Governor of the said commonwealth hath hereto set his Hand and caused the State Seal to be hereunto affixed the eighteenth day of Decem, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety-four and of the commonwealth nineteen. Attest James Trimble Deputy Secy.” Mifflin signed in the upper left, just below the large paper seal. The verso of the document includes a lengthy statement signed “Wm Bingham” and written in another hand. This statement is notable for mentioning a land sale to Robert Morris and John Nicholson at the time the two of them were falling heavily into debt through land speculation. “… Be it known That I the within named William Bingham in Consideration of Five shillings lawfull [sic] money of Pennsylvania to me paid by Robert Morris & John Nicholson Esquires before the Sealing and Delivery hereof the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, have granted bargained and sold and by these presents do grant bargain & Sell unto them, the said Robert Morris & John Nicholson their Heirs & assigns, the within mentioned Tract of Land and Premises with the appurtenances to have and to hold the same and every Part thereof, with the Privileges thereto belonging, unto them the said Robert Morris & John Nicholson their Heirs and Assigns…Wm Bingham”. It is in very good condition with some toning to the vellum.

A VERY PATRIOTIC LETTER BY REVOLUTIONARY WAR-ERA POLITICIAN CADWALADER MORRIS

CADWALADER MORRIS (1741-1795). Morris was a Revolutionary War-era politician and merchant.

ALS. 3pgs. April 30, 1784. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. An autograph letter signed “C. Morris”.  “My Very dear & Hond, Colleague Well may I call thee so, as We have both of Us so punctually attended in the Great Council of the Nation – Thy Friend indeed has taken some small Liberties, being very sensible His Shoulders were not of the structure sufficient for a thin part of thirteen United States, - Indeed they still ach [sic] with the work already done. I, being a American, thou cans’t not suppose a weight proper for an Hibernian would by any Means suit thy Friend –…Thou wil’t by this post receive another Long Letter, together with some newspapers, to which pray be referred by thy Affect. Friend C. Morris…”.  This very patriotic letter is in fair condition, with a sizable tear on the first page and assorted spotting throughout.

PROMINENT REVOLUTIONARY WAR-ERA PHILADELPHIAN EDMUND PHYSICK SIGNS A FINANCIAL DOCUMENT

EDMUND PHYSICK (1727-1804). Physick was a British-born businessman and prominent citizen of Revolutionary War-era Philadelphia. He was a member of the American Philosophical Society.

DS. 1pg. September 9, 1772. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. A handwritten document signed “Edmund Physick”. Physick acknowledged the receipt of money from John Pollock for 100 acres of land. “Received of John Pollock the sum of Eight pounds Curr. Money of Pennsylvania, in lieu of Five pounds 2.9 for 100 Ar of Land to be survey’d to him adjacent Land of Eleanor Pollock & others on the west Branch of Chillisquaque North C. granted to him by Wh yesterday For the Hon the Prop Edmund Physick”. The document is in very good condition with professional repairs on the verso. The edges are worn, and there is a stain in the lower left corner that does not affect any text.

DAVID RITTENHOUSE WRITES TO JOHN NICHOLSON ABOUT TAX DODGERS: “I KNOW OF NO BETTER WAY OF PREVENTING THEM FROM CHEATING THAN TO ALLOW INTERST TO THE COUNTY TREASURER”

DAVID RITTENHOUSE (1732-1796).  Rittenhouse was an American inventor, clock maker, mathematician, stateman and financier.  He was the first director of the United States Mint and belonged to the American Philosophical Society.

JOHN NICHOLSON. Nicholson was a Revolutionary-era Pennsylvania state official.  He partnered with Robert Morris in western land speculation that bankrupted both.  He was sent to debtor’s prison in 1800 and died there shortly thereafter.

ALS. 1pg. 8 ¼” x 6 ½”. January 20, 1787. No place [likely Philadelphia].  A rare autograph letter signed “D. Rittenhouse” addressed to John Nicholson.  Rittenhouse was then the Treasurer of the State of Pennsylvania: “I think it will be difficult to prevent the Collectors from taking the Dollar Money in Taxes and I know no better way of preventing them from cheating than to allow Interest to the County Treasurer to the first of January 1787 only.  I had already recommended this to the Treasurer of Bucks on his application to me on the Subject.”  It is addressed to Nicholson on the verso, and he docketed it “Letter from David Rittenhouse Esqr Jany 20^th 1787”.  There is a professional tape repair on the verso to a vertical tape separation and other lesser defects.  Rittenhouse ALsS are rare.

ANS. 1pg. 6” x 3”. May 7, 1797. No place. An autograph note signed “Jeremiah Smith”: “Recd of David Story eight Dollars which with five received of Mr. Leach is in full of all demands for my advice & fees in the action Dunbarton v McGuinn”. The document is in fine condition.

A LEGAL DOCUMENT ENGROSSED IN THE HAND OF CONTINENTAL ARMY OFFICER ARTHUR ST. CLAIR

ARTHUR ST. CLAIR (1737-1818). St. Clair was a Continental Army officer during the American Revolution, although he was relieved of his command during the war. He was later President of the Continental Congress.

ADS. 1pg. 13” x 4”. October 18, 1771. Bedford, Pennsylvania. An autograph legal document signed “Ar St. Clair”: “George the Third, by the Grace of God, of Great-Britain, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, &c. To the Sheriff of Bedford County, GREETING. We command you, that of the Goods and Chattles, Lands and Tenements of John Martin late of your County yeoman otherwise called John Martin Peddler living in Allen Township in Cumberland County in your Bailiwick, you cause to be levied as well a certain Debt of fifty seven pounds four shillings and three pence which William and Samuel Corey lately in Our County Court of Common Pleas, before Our Justices at Bedford, recovered against him as also sixty five Shillings and nine pence which to the said William and Samuel in Our said Court, were adjudged for their Damages which he had sustained, by Occasion of the Detention of that Debt, whereof the said Jonnie convict, as appears of Record, &c. And have you that Money before Our Justices at Bedford, at Our County Court of Common Pleas, there to be held the fourteenth Day of January next, to render to the said William and Samuel for their Debt and Damages aforesaid. And have you then there this Writ. WITNESS John Fraser Esquire, at Bedford, the eighteenth Day of October in the eleventh Year of Our Reign. Ar St. Clair”. The document is in very good condition with browning.