DOCUMENT, A PORTION SIGNED BY PETERS AND A PORTION BY HIS SECRETARY, CONCERNING THE LITIGATION AND SETTLEMENT OF A DISPUTE OVER THE BOUNDARIES OF JOHN TOMLINSON'S LAND.
[Philadelphia: 1750, 1751]. Single leaf, docketed on verso. Entirely in ink manuscript, the last seven lines in Peters' hand, and signed by him. Very Good with light wear.
Born in England, Peters [1704-1776] became a lawyer and Anglican Minister. He immigrated to Philadelphia in 1735, and was a colonial official for the Penn family. According to Wikipedia, "In 1754, Peters was among several men appointed to the Pennsylvania delegation for the Albany Congress, a meeting in Albany, New York of more than 20 colonial representatives to discuss plans for defense in the face of French threat in the Seven Years' War, which front in North America was known as the French and Indian War. He recommended adoption of Benjamin Franklin's Albany Plan, an early proposal to create a unified colonial government. It was rejected by colonial assemblies and the British Board of Trade alike. In 1762 Peters retired from the proprietary offices to his "Belmont" estate, as he made a sufficient fortune. He was called as rector of Christ Church, and served until his health forced him to resign in September 1775. Throughout these years, he was active in many religious, civic, and educational affairs. He worked with Benjamin Franklin to establish a public academy, which developed as the Philadelphia College and then the University of Pennsylvania, and served as President of the school's Board of Regents from 1756 to 1764. He served as a director of the Library Company of Philadelphia (1750-1764), a manager of Pennsylvania Hospital (1751–1752), and a member of the American Philosophical Society (1769–1776)."
The document reads: "31st August 1750. After an hearing between John Tomlinson of the one Part & Daniel Few & Hezekiah Green of the other Part about the Boundaries especially the Beginning Corner of the said John Tomlinson's Land It is ordered by Consent of the Parties that Mr. Hillen resurvey the Land called Shalcops now in Possession of Hans Smith & the Heirs of Philip Vandiver deceased according to the known Lines and Bounds thereof Beginning at some known Boundary and also the Land formerly called Adam Steddin's and aforesaid Tomlinsons Land by the ancient marks & Boundaries and that the whole be returned in one Draught with all necessary Remarks & the claims of both Parties and that either Party be at Liberty to make any Proofs relating to any Boundary they shall think necessary by taking Depositions on the Ground which Depositions shall be allowed as Evidence at the next hearing.
"17th October 1750. I do hereby certify the above to be a true copy taken out of the records in the Secretaries Office. | for Richard Peters Secy | Robert Severs.
"6 March 1751. Secured a Patent from the Commr. of Property to Charles Cukering dated 8th Sber 1607 for a part of [the] above land in question - therefore the Survr. Genral is to receive no Returns -- be personally examined & well considered in the presence of the Parties. R. Peters
To Nics Scull Surv. Gen." [Nicholas Scull was Surveyor General of Pennsylvania from 1748-1761.]. Item #38015
Price: $350.00