Books and Manuscripts

Logan, James, et al.
Signed Land Patent
Philadelphia, March 14, 1703/4. Manuscript land patent on vellum in a secretarial hand, signed by James Logan, as Secretary of the Province of Pennsylvania, Edward Shippen, and Griffith Owen, together as Pennsylvania's Commissioners of Property, for John Evans, for 300 acres of land in Radnor township. Affixed with the rare and completely intact large Great Seal of the Province of Pennsylvania, with original ties and blue silk ribbon; docketed on verso, “Penn John Evans 300 Acres Radnor Mar 14 1703”. Creasing from original folds; light fading and wear to document; a few scattered stains. 13 1/2 x 27 1/2 in. (343 x 698 mm). In frame, 22 3/4 x 30 1/2 in. (578 x 775 mm). History of Delaware County, p. 680

A fine and large land patent for 300 acres in “The Great Welsh Tract" in Radnor, Pennsylvania, issued to early Welsh Quaker settler John Evans (presumed ca. 1640-1703), likely of Nantmell, Radnorshire, Wales. This parcel of land was carved out of the 5,000-acre lot purchased by Quaker Richard Davies from William Penn in September 1681. “John ap Evan, or John Evans, Sr., received his right to 350 acres by deed of 19 July, 1682, witnessed by Edward Jones, Thomas Davies, David Jones, Richard Jones, and David Morris. He located his land in Radnor tp. On resurvey it amounted to only 300 acres, and was surveyed again, and came out to 250 acres, and even then he had to buy an ‘over plus’ of 25 acres…In 12mo. 1701, the Land Commissioners supposed John Evans had 2,200 acres in Radnor” (Welsh Settlement of Pennsylvania, p. 226).

James Logan (1674-1751) was an English-born Quaker and longtime secretary and proprietary agent in Pennsylvania, acting first for William Penn and then for his son, Thomas Penn. Logan came to Pennsylvania in 1699 and quickly joined the colonial political elite, serving in such offices as commissioner of property, receiver general, Mayor of Philadelphia, Chief Justice, and member of the Provincial Council. He was also an amateur scientist, bibliophile, land speculator, and fur trader, and one of the wealthiest men in the colonies at the time of his death.

Land documents such as this rarely have the Great Seal of the Province intact, and this is one of the finer examples we have seen.