THOMAS MIFFLIN—SIGNER OF THE U.S. CONSTITUTION—1799 PENNSYLVANIA “CAVE SPRING” LAND PATENT
A handsome original Commonwealth of Pennsylvania land patent signed by Thomas Mifflin, Revolutionary War general, president of the Continental Congress, signer of the United States Constitution, and Pennsylvania’s first constitutional governor.
Issued on May 8, 1799, the patent grants William Hanks a 174-acre tract called “The Cave Spring,” situated on the southwest branch of Brush Creek, approximately three miles above the Gap in Colerain Township, Bedford County, Pennsylvania.
The document records that the property had originally been surveyed under a warrant dated July 1, 1774, for Peter Smith. Smith conveyed his interest to William Hanks by deed dated May 7, 1799, and the Commonwealth completed Hanks’s title the following day.
The patent provides a detailed metes-and-bounds description beginning at a white oak and tracing the property through chestnut, hickory and additional white-oak boundary trees. It grants the land to William Hanks and his heirs while reserving one-fifth of all gold and silver ore for the Commonwealth—a standard but evocative provision in Pennsylvania’s early land patents.
Boldly signed “Tho. Mifflin” by the governor and countersigned by James Trimble Jr., Deputy Secretary. The elaborate printed form, bearing Pennsylvania’s heraldic arms, was produced by the Philadelphia firm of E. & R. Bailey.
An impressive original starburst paper seal containing the embossed Great Seal of Pennsylvania remains attached at the upper left. A second embossed Land Office seal appears on the reverse, together with contemporary recording information and the docket title:
“Patent, William Hanks, 174 Acres Land, Bedford County.”
Thomas Mifflin (1744–1800) served as Washington’s aide-de-camp and quartermaster general of the Continental Army. As president of the Continental Congress, he presided over Washington’s resignation of his commission in 1783. Mifflin later signed the United States Constitution and served as governor of Pennsylvania from 1790 through 1799. This patent was issued during the final months of his governorship.
Condition: Original parchment measuring approximately 21 × 11 inches. Expected toning, staining and original folds; scattered edge wear and minor losses. The principal text and both signatures remain strong and legible. The large Great Seal is creased, cracked and partially lifted but remains substantially complete. Noticeable historic ink staining and smudging on the reverse affects part of the recording endorsement but not the principal face of the patent. Please examine the photographs carefully.
A substantial and highly displayable Founding-era document combining Thomas Mifflin’s autograph, Pennsylvania’s Great Seal, an identifiable named tract and the history of early settlement in Bedford County.
A handsome original Commonwealth of Pennsylvania land patent signed by Thomas Mifflin, Revolutionary War general, president of the Continental Congress, signer of the United States Constitution, and Pennsylvania’s first constitutional governor.
Issued on May 8, 1799, the patent grants William Hanks a 174-acre tract called “The Cave Spring,” situated on the southwest branch of Brush Creek, approximately three miles above the Gap in Colerain Township, Bedford County, Pennsylvania.
The document records that the property had originally been surveyed under a warrant dated July 1, 1774, for Peter Smith. Smith conveyed his interest to William Hanks by deed dated May 7, 1799, and the Commonwealth completed Hanks’s title the following day.
The patent provides a detailed metes-and-bounds description beginning at a white oak and tracing the property through chestnut, hickory and additional white-oak boundary trees. It grants the land to William Hanks and his heirs while reserving one-fifth of all gold and silver ore for the Commonwealth—a standard but evocative provision in Pennsylvania’s early land patents.
Boldly signed “Tho. Mifflin” by the governor and countersigned by James Trimble Jr., Deputy Secretary. The elaborate printed form, bearing Pennsylvania’s heraldic arms, was produced by the Philadelphia firm of E. & R. Bailey.
An impressive original starburst paper seal containing the embossed Great Seal of Pennsylvania remains attached at the upper left. A second embossed Land Office seal appears on the reverse, together with contemporary recording information and the docket title:
“Patent, William Hanks, 174 Acres Land, Bedford County.”
Thomas Mifflin (1744–1800) served as Washington’s aide-de-camp and quartermaster general of the Continental Army. As president of the Continental Congress, he presided over Washington’s resignation of his commission in 1783. Mifflin later signed the United States Constitution and served as governor of Pennsylvania from 1790 through 1799. This patent was issued during the final months of his governorship.
Condition: Original parchment measuring approximately 21 × 11 inches. Expected toning, staining and original folds; scattered edge wear and minor losses. The principal text and both signatures remain strong and legible. The large Great Seal is creased, cracked and partially lifted but remains substantially complete. Noticeable historic ink staining and smudging on the reverse affects part of the recording endorsement but not the principal face of the patent. Please examine the photographs carefully.
A substantial and highly displayable Founding-era document combining Thomas Mifflin’s autograph, Pennsylvania’s Great Seal, an identifiable named tract and the history of early settlement in Bedford County.
