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WILLIAM PENN. Manuscript Document Signed, “Wm Penn,” with his seal, on parchment, Philadelphia, April 12, 1684.
Inventory #21411.99 $15,000
Quaker and Pennsylvania founder William Penn had been trying to profit from his own 1682 land grant by selling off parcels of land. In 1684, he granted this piece, which bordered other settlers’ land, to Robert Wade. By identifying the “marked Trees” of William Woodmansie and the various “branches” (small creeks) in the area, Penn carefully delineates the parameters of Wade’s grant with compass directions and perimeter lengths in “perches,” an archaic measurement equivalent to a rod, or 16 ½ feet.
Complete Transcript
“William Penn by ye Providence of God & ye King’s Authority Proprietary & Govern:r of ye Province of Pennsilvenia & ye Territorys therewith belonging To all to whom those presents shall come sendeth greeting[.] Whereas there is a certain Tract of Land in ye County of Chester called[blank space] Joyning to Chester Creek, on the West Side thereof begining at a corner marked Red Oak by ye sd [said] Creek running West South West Two Hundred & Thirty Perches. Along William Woodmansies line of marked Trees to a corner marked & Post from thence South South East One Hundred & Eighty Four Perches to a marked Oak from thence East North East Seaventy Six Perches to a marked Red Oak from thence North East One Hundred & Forty Perches to White Oak standing by the head of a branch from thence running down ye sd [said] branch on severall courses to Chester Creek & up ye sd Creek on severall courses to ye first marked corner of William Woodmansies Land where First begun[.] Containing Two Hundred Thirty Six Acres of Land Granted by an Ord:r from my Deputy Capt. William Markham & Commis:n bearing date the Fourteenth of ye Sixth Month One Thousand Six Hundred Eighty & Two & Laid out by ye [---] & Genl Ordr ye Thirtieth day of ye Sixth Month One Thousand Six Hundred Eighty and Two unto Robert Wade & ye s’d Robert Wade requesting me to confirm ye same by Patrons[.] Know yee yt I have given granted and confirmed & by these presents for me my Heirs & Succes:rs do give grant & confirm unto ye sd Robert Wade his Heirs & Assignes for ever ye s’d Two Hundred Thirty Six Acres of Land unto[?] its appurtenances To have hold & enjoy ye s’d Land to ye only use & behoof of ye s’d Robert Wade his Heirs & Assignes for ever To be holden of me my Heirs & Succes:rs Proprys [Properties] of ye Province of Pennsilvania & ye Territories therewith belonging as of out Mannor of Springtown in ye County afores’d in free & common Soccage [?] by fealty only he impounding & Seating ye same according to Regulation[.] Yeelding & paying therefore to me my Heirs & Succes:rs at or upon ye First day of ye First Month in every Year at ye Town of Chester in ye Country aforesd One Silver English Penny for every Acre or value thereof in Com Curr:y to such person or persons as shall be from time to time appointed for ye purpose[.] In wittness whereof I have caused these my Less’rs to be made Patents[.] Wittness my self at Philadelphia yr Twelveth day of ye fourth Month One Thousand Six Hundred Eighty Four being the Thirty Sixth Year of ye King’s Reign & ye Fourth of my Government.
Wm Penn [red wax seal]”
On verso:
“Patent to Robert Wade for 236 Acres of Land in the County of Chester June 12, 1684”
Historical Background
William Penn (1644-1718) rejected his Anglican faith and joined the Society of Friends when he was 22 years old. His chagrined father, Admiral William Penn, had hoped his son would curry favor in the court of England’s King Charles II; instead, he saw his namesake persecuted and imprisoned during the confusion following the Interregnum and Restoration of the monarchy. Because they would not swear a loyalty oath to Charles II, persecution of Quakers continued and helped sway Penn towards establishing a North American colony where religious rights would be protected. In 1677, he and other Quakers received land in West New Jersey. Penn remained in England, but worked writing a charter for the colony that included free elections, jury trials, and freedom of religion.
Fortunately for Penn, his father had provided Charles II a large loan, and the King settled accounts with the elder Penn’s estate by granting his son a huge tract of land south and west of New Jersey on March 4, 1681. The direct grant to the Penn family established Pennsylvania as a propriety colony, because the King granted land to an individual rather than to a company such as the Massachusetts Bay Company. As a result, Penn had considerable latitude to govern—and distribute land—as he saw fit. Technically, Penn’s power was limited by the Crown, but he created a system of government that would have all the hallmarks of the U.S. Constitution including complete freedom of religion for any believers (unique for the era), representative government, and separation of powers. Hoping to convert his lands into wealth for himself and his family, he aggressively marketed the colony and quickly attracted a diverse group of settlers. Unfortunately, he never actually made any money and died in debt.
Robert Wade (d. 1698) and his wife Lydia came to the New World from England with John Fenwick’s company in 1675. They relocated from Salem, New Jersey to Upland County (soon to become Chester County), Pennsylvania. Their home, “Essex House,” was located on the west side of Chester Creek, and Wade owned much of the surrounding land. The first meeting in Pennsylvania of the Society of Friends is said to have been held there in 1675. After William Penn’s arrival on the ship Welcome in October of 1682, he temporarily lodged at Wade’s home. A prominent citizen both before and after Penn’s arrival, Wade served as a judge and a provincial assemblyman.
William Markham (1635-1704) was William Penn’s cousin, and, as a veteran of the Royal navy, a protégé of Penn’s father, Admiral William Penn. Though not a Quaker, in 1681 Penn chose Markham to act as the first deputy governor of Pennsylvania while Penn stayed in London to bolster his legal claims to Pennsylvania and Delaware. Markham presented his credentials to Anthony Brockholls, acting governor of New York, and obtained his consent to Penn’s claims in New York and in the three “lower counties” (Delaware). Markham helped in the planning of Philadelphia and convened the first governing council. Most significantly, Markham initiated, but did not complete, negotiations with Lord Baltimore over the border between Maryland and Pennsylvania. When Penn arrived in October, 1682, Markham remained a councilor.
Condition
Excellent, some pinholes on folds
Sources
“Brief History of William Penn.” http://www.ushistory.org/penn/bio.htm
Harry Emerson Wildes, William Penn (New York, 1974), 140-148, 183-191.
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