Lot 182

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Description:

Robert Morris & Two Partners of the Ill-fated North American Land Company Sign Business Document

A paper fragment signed by three of America's earliest real estate investors including Robert Morris (1734-1806), a signer of the Declaration of Independence and a significant Revolutionary War financier. Robert Morris has signed as "Rob Morris", while his two business partners in the North American Land Company, John Nicholson (1757-1800) and James Greenleaf (1765-1843), have signed below him as "Jno Nicholson" and "James Greenleaf" respectively. On cream laid paper, inscribed overall in a secretarial hand verso. Isolated stains along one paper fold, else near fine. With bold and dark signatures. The paper fragment measures 5.125" x 3.25". Accompanied by a nice biographical description from a magazine or book.

The undated document apparently discusses real estate. This subject--combined with the fact that it was signed by the three founding members of the North American Land Company--strongly suggests that the original document was related in some way to that disastrous business venture.

Robert Morris, John Nicholson, and James Greenleaf had founded the North American Land Company on February 20, 1795. It sold real estate stock shares corresponding to six million acres in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Virginia, South Carolina, Georgia, and the District of Columbia. The company was beset with numerous difficulties; the poor soil quality of the available land disenchanted potential investors in America, and the partners were unable to secure investment from abroad. In addition, Greenleaf was later discovered to have embezzled company money. Bankruptcy left all three business founders imprisoned in the same Philadelphia debtor's prison in the late 1790s, where Nicholson died. Morris and Greenleaf were eventually released from prison, thanks in part to the Bankruptcy Act of 1800.

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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June 24, 2020 10:30 AM EDT
Wilton, CT, US

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