A land deed signed by North Carolina Governor Richard Caswell (1729-1789), as "Rd Caswell" on the top edge of the folded document edge, above a large paper-covered embossed wax seal and early striped ribbon. Signed at Kinston, North Carolina on September 22, 1785, and filed as No. 689. Partly printed and partly handwritten on paper. Expected wear including brittle folds, some split with old repairs, notably on the left side. Light toning and scattered discoloration, else good. Measures approximately 15.5." x 15" at the longest point. Accompanied by a bonus survey document dated December 20, 1783 further described below, along with provenance information.

North Carolina Governor Richard Caswell authorized the sale of 320 acres of land in Wilkes County, in northwestern North Carolina, to one William McClain. The tract, "lying and being in our County of Wilkes Lying at the rich bend on the North fork of New river Beginning [sic] at a red Oak on the North side of the North fork running South three hundred and twenty poles to a dogwood thence West one hundred and sixty poles to a chestnut tree thence North three hundred and twenty poles to a beach…" Research conducted by Raleigh, North Carolina historian William D. Bennett and posted on the National Parks Service website showed that William McClain, originally of Montgomery County, Virginia, was one of the first settlers of neighboring Ashe County, North Carolina after 1770. McClain purchased multiple land tracts there and appears to have been a land speculator.

The Caswell signed document comes with the corresponding original land survey dated December 20, 1783 prepared by a surveyor named Herdon (?) and two chain bearers named Nicklos Angle and Charles Little. The verbiage of the handwritten document matches that of the larger partly printed document. It includes a hand-drawn map of a circuitous river, measuring 3.125" x 1.875." The New River is a 360-mile-long river, part of the Ohio River watershed, which flows through West Virginia, Virginia, and North Carolina.

Provenance information includes typed notes gathered by previous collectors, who contacted Sotheby's for price estimates.

Richard Caswell served as the 1st and 5th Governor of North Carolina, between 1776-1780, and between 1785-1787.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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