Books and Manuscripts

Biddle, John, et al.
Partially-Printed Document, signed
Philadelphia: February 28, 1772. Single sheet, 13 x 8 1/4 in. (330 x 210 mm). Partially-printed document signed by High-Sheriff of Philadelphia, Judah Foulke, being an inquisition in a land dispute between John Godby and Emanuel Rouse; counter-signed by 12 men, mostly prominent Philadelphians, including: William Jones, John Biddle, James Wharton, Joseph Bullock, Reynold Keen, Joseph Redman, James Craig, Edward Duffield. Robert Erwine, William Morrell, William Smith, and Peter Reeve. All 12 wax seals present; docket on verso. Ceasing from old folds, a few small tears along same; sheet lightly toned; adhesive residue in margin of verso from old repair. In frame, 17 1/2 x 12 7/8 in. (444 x 327 mm).

Legal document bearing an assortment of signatures of early and prominent Philadelphians, including John Biddle (1709-1789), renowned clockmaker Edward Duffield (1730-1803), Quaker ship captain Peter Reeve (1714-1800), as well as merchants James Wharton, and Reynold Keen (1738-1800). The land in question was located in Philadelphia, on the “West Side of Front Street...Bounded by said Front Street, Dock Street, and Ground of Jedediah Snowden, John Leacock, and others."