PBA Galleries

102x70 cm (40x27½"), on two sheets of vellum stitched together, with paper seal attached.

Large and impressive vellum indenture deed transferring 12,299 acres of land on the Yadkin River in North Carolina from Thomas Carson and William Moore, to Robert Morris, known as the Financier of the American Revolution. The document is signed by Carson and Moore, though not by Morris, but it is signed by Thomas McKean as Chief Justice of Pennsylvania, as well as by Clement Biddle as Notary Public, and Garret Collinger and Fred Beales as witnesses. A.S. Dallas, secretary to Pennsylvania governor Thomas Mifflin signs in the latter's stead, and another signatory is indecipherable, possibly Thomas McKillip or McHillip. Thomas McKean's long and distinguished career includes stints as governor and chief justice of Pennsylvania, President of the Continental Congress, President of Delaware, Signer of the Declaration of Independence and the Articles of Confederation, etc. Clement Biddle is notable as soldier in the Revolution. This land deed to Robert Morris was executed at a time that the financier was acquiring massive tracts of land, which was to cause him economic difficulties in the Panic of 1796-1797, landing him in debtors' prison.