Lot 25
Cache of 50+ Legal Documents, Appointments & Terms of Sale, 17th Century to Early 20th Century. Wills, Bail Bonds, Fines, Writs & Land Grants. A large and diverse trove of documents, the earliest, an English will dated 1689 to appointments issued in the early 20th Century. What impresses is the overall quality of a great majority of the piecess Highlights include:
17th and 18th Century
1.) The oldest document is an English will by a Richard Burrows of Whitby in the County of York, dated February 10, 1689 "being sick and weak in body but of sound and perfect mind & memory" leaving his land and yearly payments to surviving relatives. 12¾ x 8¼" with some chipping water stains and toning and splits beginning to form at fold lines. Nevertheless, a very legible piece that is fragile, certainly, but in good-very good, near intact condition. 2.) Adjudication of certificate acknowledging heirs of "Ten acres of land in the Liberties of the town of Philadelphia" signed in the presence of five witnesses (two with wax seals) and dated 1700. 3.) Certification of birth that a male Robert son of Robert & Ann Lawrie was born in St Bartholomew Parish May, 1755 as appears by the register as witnessed this 16th of Dec. 1773, Owen Perrrolt Edwards, James Hitchcock (registrars)." 4.) Rare Sheriff of New York Bail Bond set for payment of 359 pounds and 13 shillings against a John and Thomas Grenell by the Sheriff Marinus Willet. 5.) Court order dated 1789 to pay damages as ordered by the sheriff of Columbia County, New York. 6.) Six writs from New York State Supreme Court all issued by Francis Bloodgood who was clerk from 1797-1825 and all having the embosssed/affixed paper seal of New York State. 6.) 1774 dated "Intention to Marry" by a couple both of Ipswich entering their intention to marry dated Nov. 5th, 1774 (beautiful condition) 7.) Boston Nov. 18, 1793, a sternly worded letter of a payment three months past due to a Captain Ezekial Bude to which he must "have payment very shortly or some measure to collect which will be disagreeable to me and expensive to you"
19th Century:
1.) Citizenship paper for a Timothy Currin, clerked and approved in Philadelphia dated 1802 (intact but held in check along all folds on verso with acid-free tape) "that he absolutely and entirely renounced ad abjured all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign Prince, Potentate, State and Sovereignty whatsoever and particularly to King of the United Kingdom and Great Britain he was before a subject." 2.) Import certificate for District of Massachusetts for thirty four gallons of wine" dated October 20, 1804. 3.) Two receipts for funeral bills, one of Nicholas Low, NY merchant and member of the Constitutional Convention, which itemizes saddle horses, singers, horse drawn hearse and additionally 30 carriages for guests totaling $67.50. The other an 1828 agreement for coaches and "a coffin made of strong elm covered with fine cloth" where on verso purchaser died and services rendered in 1830 4.) Several letters/promises to pay one as early as 1815. 5.) Four appointments and two citizenship papers from New York with 5 of the six in exceptional condition. 6.) Three land grants all issued by US President, Van Buren, Pierce and Polk but all secretarial.
20th Century: Eleven documents: Land grants and appointments (one with Woodrow Wilson's signature hand stamped) all from the 1920's. Collection also includes two US passports from 1920's in superior condition, Bolivian and German letters of transit and a Polish passport from 1919. All of materials are in excellent condition save for the Polish passport having weak fold lines and splits. A collection very much worth examining in person prior to biddng.
Well worth previewing in person. Estimated Value $300 - 900
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| Realized $563 |
