Indenture dated March 10th, 1853 between Piere Benzberg (?) and E. Jefferies (?) of San Francisco for property on Sacramento & Leidesdorff Streets. Handwriting is a little difficult to read. Signed on the reverse by Frederick Billings as attorney (and also signed by the two parties). Printed on light blue paper. Folds, some toning. 12.25 x 8" Frederick Billings (1823-1890) is the namesake of Billings, Montana. He moved to San Francisco in 1848 during the Gold Rush and became one of the city's first land claims lawyer. He was appointed San Francisco's commissioner of deeds, chairman of the city's board of inspectors and judges, and territorial attorney general. He worked in the law firm Halleck, Peachy & Billings. Billings had an interest was the Overland Stage Company, of which he was an early promoter, and the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad. By age 30, he was a millionaire from his legal practice, increases in real estate values, and profits from his other enterprises, including part ownership of San Francisco's Montgomery Block. During the Civil War, Billings spoke tirelessly against California secession. Later, he became invested in the Northern Pacific Railway, and while working for this company, he purchased land in the area that would become Billings, Montana.Date: 1853Country (if not USA): State: CaliforniaCity: San FranciscoProvenance: