{"product_id":"thomas-mifflin-signer-of-the-u-s-constitution-1799-pennsylvania-cave-spring-land-patent","title":"THOMAS MIFFLIN—SIGNER OF THE U.S. CONSTITUTION—1799 PENNSYLVANIA “CAVE SPRING” LAND PATENT","description":"\u003cp class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eA handsome original Commonwealth of Pennsylvania land patent signed by \u003cstrong\u003eThomas Mifflin\u003c\/strong\u003e, Revolutionary War general, president of the Continental Congress, signer of the United States Constitution, and Pennsylvania’s first constitutional governor.\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIssued on \u003cstrong\u003eMay 8, 1799\u003c\/strong\u003e, the patent grants \u003cstrong\u003eWilliam Hanks\u003c\/strong\u003e a 174-acre tract called \u003cstrong\u003e“The Cave Spring,”\u003c\/strong\u003e situated on the southwest branch of Brush Creek, approximately three miles above the Gap in Colerain Township, Bedford County, Pennsylvania.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBoldly signed \u003cstrong\u003e“Tho. Mifflin”\u003c\/strong\u003e by the governor and countersigned by \u003cstrong\u003eJames Trimble Jr.\u003c\/strong\u003e, Deputy Secretary. The elaborate printed form, bearing Pennsylvania’s heraldic arms, was produced by the Philadelphia firm of \u003cstrong\u003eE. \u0026amp; R. Bailey\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn 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:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“Patent, William Hanks, 174 Acres Land, Bedford County.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThomas Mifflin (1744–1800)\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA 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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Signature Documents LLC","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52752433250586,"sku":null,"price":695.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2221\/0931\/files\/IMG_2625.jpg?v=1787917637","url":"https:\/\/www.thearchiveauthority.com\/products\/thomas-mifflin-signer-of-the-u-s-constitution-1799-pennsylvania-cave-spring-land-patent","provider":"Signature Documents LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}