1776 John Nixon—First Public Reader of the Declaration—Signed and Sealed Philadelphia Deed
An exceptional Revolutionary War–dated Philadelphia indenture signed and sealed by Colonel John Nixon, the patriot who delivered the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence.
Executed on November 26, 1776, this large manuscript deed records the conveyance of two adjoining Philadelphia properties by John Nixon and his wife, Elizabeth, to prominent colonial goldsmith and silversmith William Ball. The lots were situated on the west side of Fourth Street near Walnut Street, only a short distance from the Pennsylvania State House—now Independence Hall.
The date is particularly significant. Less than five months earlier, on July 8, 1776, Nixon stood in the State House Yard and read the newly adopted Declaration of Independence to the assembled citizens of Philadelphia. Bells rang throughout the city as independence was publicly proclaimed. This document was therefore executed during the same momentous year—and in the same city—in which Nixon performed the act for which he is remembered.
Nixon was a wealthy Philadelphia merchant and an early opponent of British taxation. He signed the Non-Importation Agreement of 1765, served on Pennsylvania’s Committee of Safety and became lieutenant colonel of the Third Battalion of Philadelphia Associators. During the Revolution, he participated in the battles of Trenton and Princeton and commanded defenses along the Delaware River. He later became president of the Bank of North America.
The deed is prominently signed “John Nixon” beside his original red wax seal and is also signed and sealed by his wife, Elizabeth Nixon. Additional signatures include witnesses Edward Bonsall and Marmaduke Rogers, Philadelphia justice Matthew Clarkson, and recorder John Morris. The reverse bears the original recording certification dated August 19, 1778, together with an official paper-covered seal.
The purchaser, William Ball (1729–1810), was an established Philadelphia goldsmith, silversmith and jeweler whose surviving work is collected as early American decorative art.
A visually impressive and historically important manuscript connecting the man who first proclaimed the Declaration to the public with Philadelphia during the critical opening months of American independence.
Date: November 26, 1776
Place: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Material: Manuscript on parchment or vellum
Signatures: John Nixon, Elizabeth Nixon, Edward Bonsall, Marmaduke Rogers, Matthew Clarkson and John Morris
Seals: Two red wax seals and one official paper-covered recording seal
Condition: Original folds with expected toning, scattered soiling and handling wear. The wax seals display age-related cracking and limited losses. The manuscript and principal signatures remain clear and substantially complete.
An exceptional Revolutionary War–dated Philadelphia indenture signed and sealed by Colonel John Nixon, the patriot who delivered the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence.
Executed on November 26, 1776, this large manuscript deed records the conveyance of two adjoining Philadelphia properties by John Nixon and his wife, Elizabeth, to prominent colonial goldsmith and silversmith William Ball. The lots were situated on the west side of Fourth Street near Walnut Street, only a short distance from the Pennsylvania State House—now Independence Hall.
The date is particularly significant. Less than five months earlier, on July 8, 1776, Nixon stood in the State House Yard and read the newly adopted Declaration of Independence to the assembled citizens of Philadelphia. Bells rang throughout the city as independence was publicly proclaimed. This document was therefore executed during the same momentous year—and in the same city—in which Nixon performed the act for which he is remembered.
Nixon was a wealthy Philadelphia merchant and an early opponent of British taxation. He signed the Non-Importation Agreement of 1765, served on Pennsylvania’s Committee of Safety and became lieutenant colonel of the Third Battalion of Philadelphia Associators. During the Revolution, he participated in the battles of Trenton and Princeton and commanded defenses along the Delaware River. He later became president of the Bank of North America.
The deed is prominently signed “John Nixon” beside his original red wax seal and is also signed and sealed by his wife, Elizabeth Nixon. Additional signatures include witnesses Edward Bonsall and Marmaduke Rogers, Philadelphia justice Matthew Clarkson, and recorder John Morris. The reverse bears the original recording certification dated August 19, 1778, together with an official paper-covered seal.
The purchaser, William Ball (1729–1810), was an established Philadelphia goldsmith, silversmith and jeweler whose surviving work is collected as early American decorative art.
A visually impressive and historically important manuscript connecting the man who first proclaimed the Declaration to the public with Philadelphia during the critical opening months of American independence.
Date: November 26, 1776
Place: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Material: Manuscript on parchment or vellum
Signatures: John Nixon, Elizabeth Nixon, Edward Bonsall, Marmaduke Rogers, Matthew Clarkson and John Morris
Seals: Two red wax seals and one official paper-covered recording seal
Condition: Original folds with expected toning, scattered soiling and handling wear. The wax seals display age-related cracking and limited losses. The manuscript and principal signatures remain clear and substantially complete.
