ROBERT MORRIS TRIES TO SELL HIS ESTATE TO SETTLE HIS LATE-LIFE DEBTS

ROBERT MORRIS (1734-1806). Morris was a Founding Father from Pennsylvania. In addition to signing the Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, and Constitution, he also helped to finance the Revolution.

ALS. 1pg. March 20, 1798. N.p. [probably Philadelphia]. An autograph letter signed “Robt Morris”. The letter concerns Morris’s late-life bankruptcy that landed him in debtors’ prison from 1798 to 1801. In fact, it’s possible that he wrote this letter from prison. He wrote to merchants Philip Nicklin and Robert Eaglesfield Griffith, inquiring about the possibility of selling his home on Chestnut Street in Philadelphia. The home, still unfinished, was demolished the following year: “Gentlm. I am arrived at a period when it is become essential to Messrs. Ball & Breede & Forde to have assistance from their claims on me, if you think there is any chance of an Agreement taking place for the Chestnut Street estate I should be glad of interview with one or both of you this forenoon, being Your most Obed hbl Servt Robt Morris”. The letter is in very good condition with some wear and a loss to the bottom left corner.