{"product_id":"1774-colonial-rhode-island-land-writ-names-two-declaration-signers-stephen-hopkins-and-william-ellery","title":"1774 Colonial Rhode Island Land Writ — Names Two Declaration Signers, Stephen Hopkins and William Ellery","description":"\u003cp data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSouth Kingstown, Rhode Island, April 5, 1774.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOriginal manuscript legal writ issued in the name of King George III, concerning \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e165 acres of land in South Kingstown\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, including buildings, meadow, and pasture. Of particular interest, the document names \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003etwo future signers of the Declaration of Independence: Stephen Hopkins and William Ellery\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAddressed to \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBeriah Brown, Sheriff of King’s County\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, the writ directs him to summon Ephraim Smith, described as “the common vouchee,” in a land-title proceeding involving William Smith. Its language indicates a common recovery, a formal legal procedure employed to establish or clear title to property.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWilliam Ellery of Newport\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e appears in the passage identifying the claimant asserting a right and inheritance in the property. His name has been struck through and a replacement inserted above it, preserving an intriguing contemporary amendment. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStephen Hopkins\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is named in the court’s formal witness clause.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSigned by the prothonotary, whose signature reads approximately “Jo Rodman,” and bearing a service endorsement apparently signed “B Brown, Sherr.” The references to Hopkins and Ellery are within the manuscript text; this document is offered for its association with them, without attribution of either signer’s autograph.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAttractively written in period ink with decorative calligraphy and an embossed paper seal at upper left. Visible condition includes customary folds, small marginal fold splits, scattered staining, and a faint later pencil notation. Text remains substantially clear and legible.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAn engaging colonial Rhode Island manuscript linking land ownership and royal judicial administration with the names of two men who would sign the Declaration of Independence just two years later.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Signature Documents LLC","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53030966296858,"sku":null,"price":595.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2221\/0931\/files\/IMG_3513.jpg?v=1791374105","url":"https:\/\/www.thearchiveauthority.com\/products\/1774-colonial-rhode-island-land-writ-names-two-declaration-signers-stephen-hopkins-and-william-ellery","provider":"TheArchiveAuthority.com","version":"1.0","type":"link"}