1754 Colonial Philadelphia Broad Street Sheriff’s Deed — Signed by Patriot Samuel Morris and William Branson
Original colonial Pennsylvania sheriff’s deed executed at Philadelphia on June 7, 1754, conveying a Broad Street property to prominent German-American merchant Jacob Winey.
The lengthy handwritten vellum instrument records that Philadelphia merchant Samuel Powell obtained a judgment against John Nevitt, after which High Sheriff Samuel Morris seized and publicly auctioned Nevitt’s Philadelphia real estate. The property—described as a brick messuage with wooden kitchen and stable, approximately 12½ feet wide by 80 feet deep—was purchased by Winey as the highest bidder for £42 10 shillings Pennsylvania currency.
A related instrument on the reverse, dated June 8, 1754, is signed by merchant and early Pennsylvania ironmaster William Branson. It releases Winey from the property’s annual ground rent of £1 2s 4d.
Signed “Saml Morris, Sher.” beside his red wax seal and “Willi: Branson” beside a second wax seal. Additional Philadelphia County and recording seals, witness signatures, period docketing, and a 1757 recorder’s endorsement remain present.
Morris later became an active Patriot, serving on Pennsylvania’s Committee of Safety and Board of War during the American Revolution. Winey later participated in commercial ventures connected with procuring European arms for the Revolutionary cause.
A visually impressive and historically rich colonial Philadelphia real-estate document connecting a future Patriot official, a notable German-American merchant, and an important Pennsylvania merchant and ironmaster.
Condition: Original folded state with expected toning, scattered staining, creases, edge irregularities and losses, and localized separation along old folds. Wear and losses to portions of the applied paper seals; red wax seals substantially preserved. Writing is generally legible. Please examine photographs carefully.
Original colonial Pennsylvania sheriff’s deed executed at Philadelphia on June 7, 1754, conveying a Broad Street property to prominent German-American merchant Jacob Winey.
The lengthy handwritten vellum instrument records that Philadelphia merchant Samuel Powell obtained a judgment against John Nevitt, after which High Sheriff Samuel Morris seized and publicly auctioned Nevitt’s Philadelphia real estate. The property—described as a brick messuage with wooden kitchen and stable, approximately 12½ feet wide by 80 feet deep—was purchased by Winey as the highest bidder for £42 10 shillings Pennsylvania currency.
A related instrument on the reverse, dated June 8, 1754, is signed by merchant and early Pennsylvania ironmaster William Branson. It releases Winey from the property’s annual ground rent of £1 2s 4d.
Signed “Saml Morris, Sher.” beside his red wax seal and “Willi: Branson” beside a second wax seal. Additional Philadelphia County and recording seals, witness signatures, period docketing, and a 1757 recorder’s endorsement remain present.
Morris later became an active Patriot, serving on Pennsylvania’s Committee of Safety and Board of War during the American Revolution. Winey later participated in commercial ventures connected with procuring European arms for the Revolutionary cause.
A visually impressive and historically rich colonial Philadelphia real-estate document connecting a future Patriot official, a notable German-American merchant, and an important Pennsylvania merchant and ironmaster.
Condition: Original folded state with expected toning, scattered staining, creases, edge irregularities and losses, and localized separation along old folds. Wear and losses to portions of the applied paper seals; red wax seals substantially preserved. Writing is generally legible. Please examine photographs carefully.
