Books and Manuscripts

No place (likely New Castle, Delaware), after 1758. One sheet, 12 1/4 x 7 5/8 in. (311 x 194 mm). One-page autograph document, completely in the hand of Founding Father and Signer of the Declaration of Independence from Delaware, George Read, being his opinion concerning the will of the late Rebecca Lewis (d. 1758) of New Castle, Delaware: "I have perused the Testament of Rebecca Lewis deced and of opinion that the Moiety of her personal Estate after Debts & funeral expenses paid therein bequeathed to her Niece Rebecca Van Leuvenigh"; docketed on verso, "G. Read Opin. / upon Reb. Lewis's Will". Creasing from contemporary folds, scattered separations along same; small loss in bottom right edge, but with no loss to manuscript; scattered spotting. Mounted in mat with archival tape and with an engraved portrait of Read, and in double-pane glass frame, 26 1/2 x 17 1/4 in.

While a lawyer in New Castle, Delaware, Founding Father and Signer of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, George Read (1733-98), pens a legal opinion concerning the will of a family friend, Rebecca Lewis (d. 1758). Read offers his legal opinion here for Lewis's niece, Rebecca Van Leuvenigh (ca. 1750s-1822), the only child of Zachariah Van Leuvenigh (1726-89) and his second wife, Esther Lewis. Esther had two sisters, the aforementioned Rebecca, and Sarah Lewis (1740-95). Sarah is assuredly the same Mrs. Wharton referred to in this document, as she was married to Samuel Wharton, Esq. of Philadelphia. Wharton was a prominent merchant, politician, delegate from Delaware in the Continental Congress, and longtime friend of Read's (they both studied law together in Philadelphia in the early 1750s under John Moland).

Rebecca's father, Zachariah, was a tanner and during his lifetime was one of the leading citizens in New Castle, Delaware. During the American Revolution he used his residence as a base for Patriot soldiers and a way station for riders to spread vital information concerning the war.