Thomas Mifflin–Signed 1794 Pennsylvania Land Patent — 400-Acre “South Hill” Tract with Great Seal
An impressive original 1794 Pennsylvania land patent signed by Thomas Mifflin, Revolutionary War major general, signer of the United States Constitution, and first governor of Pennsylvania under the Commonwealth’s 1790 constitution.
Issued at Philadelphia on September 8, 1794, this large partly printed document grants 400 acres and 60 perches of land known as “South Hill” to Ebenezer Branham. The tract was situated in Beaver Township, then part of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania.
The patent recites that the property was originally surveyed pursuant to a warrant dated February 3, 1791, granted to Abram Durand. Durand subsequently conveyed the tract to Ebenezer Branham by deed dated May 15, 1791. The handwritten boundary description identifies neighboring lands belonging to Abram Durand, John Jones, and Jacob Fristrach.
The document is prominently signed “Thos. Mifflin” as governor. It is additionally attested by James Trimble, Deputy Secretary, and bears an enrollment notation on the reverse signed by Matthew Irwin, Master of the Rolls, recording the patent in Patent Book No. 22, page 14.
Printed on parchment by celebrated Philadelphia printer Francis Bailey, the patent features a magnificent calligraphic “Commonwealth of Pennsylvania” heading, an engraved state coat of arms, and the original pendant Great Seal of Pennsylvania beneath an elaborate folded paper covering.
Thomas Mifflin was one of the most consequential figures of the American founding. He served in the Continental Congress, became George Washington’s quartermaster general, rose to major general during the Revolution, presided over Congress when Washington resigned his military commission, signed the United States Constitution in 1787, and served as governor of Pennsylvania from 1790 to 1799.
A visually striking and historically substantial early American document combining Pennsylvania land history with the autograph of a major Revolutionary leader and Constitution signer.
Condition: Original folds, toning, scattered stains, edge wear, and several small tears. The paper-and-wax seal assembly remains attached but has considerable splitting, losses, lifting sections, and old repairs. The engraved elements and manuscript text remain substantially clear, and Mifflin’s large signature is bold and readily legible. Please examine the photographs carefully.
An impressive original 1794 Pennsylvania land patent signed by Thomas Mifflin, Revolutionary War major general, signer of the United States Constitution, and first governor of Pennsylvania under the Commonwealth’s 1790 constitution.
Issued at Philadelphia on September 8, 1794, this large partly printed document grants 400 acres and 60 perches of land known as “South Hill” to Ebenezer Branham. The tract was situated in Beaver Township, then part of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania.
The patent recites that the property was originally surveyed pursuant to a warrant dated February 3, 1791, granted to Abram Durand. Durand subsequently conveyed the tract to Ebenezer Branham by deed dated May 15, 1791. The handwritten boundary description identifies neighboring lands belonging to Abram Durand, John Jones, and Jacob Fristrach.
The document is prominently signed “Thos. Mifflin” as governor. It is additionally attested by James Trimble, Deputy Secretary, and bears an enrollment notation on the reverse signed by Matthew Irwin, Master of the Rolls, recording the patent in Patent Book No. 22, page 14.
Printed on parchment by celebrated Philadelphia printer Francis Bailey, the patent features a magnificent calligraphic “Commonwealth of Pennsylvania” heading, an engraved state coat of arms, and the original pendant Great Seal of Pennsylvania beneath an elaborate folded paper covering.
Thomas Mifflin was one of the most consequential figures of the American founding. He served in the Continental Congress, became George Washington’s quartermaster general, rose to major general during the Revolution, presided over Congress when Washington resigned his military commission, signed the United States Constitution in 1787, and served as governor of Pennsylvania from 1790 to 1799.
A visually striking and historically substantial early American document combining Pennsylvania land history with the autograph of a major Revolutionary leader and Constitution signer.
Condition: Original folds, toning, scattered stains, edge wear, and several small tears. The paper-and-wax seal assembly remains attached but has considerable splitting, losses, lifting sections, and old repairs. The engraved elements and manuscript text remain substantially clear, and Mifflin’s large signature is bold and readily legible. Please examine the photographs carefully.
