Patrick Henry
Richmond, VA, August 14, 1785
Patrick Henry Signed Land Grant
DS

Partially printed single sheet of vellum, 14.25” x 12.9”; Richmond, Virginia; August 14, 1785. Patrick Henry signed land grant issued during his second term as Governor of Virginia. The document grants Thomas Johnson and Henry Garrot four hundred acres in Fayette County “in consideration of the ancient Composition of two pounds sterling.” Signed, “P Henry” in the lower right corner. With blind embossed seal intact at lower left. With folds and minor dampstaining thereat. A few points of loss of material mentioned for accuracy, otherwise very good.

Virginia began selling “unpatented” public land in 1779 following the passage of the Virginia Land Office Act of 1779. Facing heavy war debts, the state began selling the vast tracts of land it had inherited after independence to raise funds. The land warrant cited in this document was originally purchased in 1784 under the Benjamin Harrison administration, and his name appears in one of the filing dockets on verso. With additional endorsements recording a transfer of ownership by Thomas Johnson to a Captain John Smith in 1786.

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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14.25” x 12.9”