2 pieces.
Manuscript Document. Deed of Conveyance for East New Jersey from Elizabeth Carteret, widow of Sir George Carteret, and his trustees to William Penn, Thomas Rudyard and ten others (the Twelve Proprietors of the Province of East New Jersey) in consideration of the sum of three thousand and four hundred pounds. Signed by Elizabeth Carteret and the Seven Trustees, [London], Feb. 2, 1681[2].
Two (of three) manuscript folio sheets on vellum (approx. 23 x 32 1/2 inches; 585 x 825 mm), margins ruled in red, 4 wax seals, vellum tags. The first sheet cropped at head with loss of initial letter & approx. 135 words; the second sheet also cropped with some loss of text; the third sheet cut away. A few small holes, small tears in margins, some wear & fading. With a worn & soiled folio vellum sheet from a contemp. indenture refering to the same subject.
The conveyance is signed by Elizabeth Carteret, The Earl of Bath, Lord Crewe, Bernard Greenville, Robert Atkins, Edward Atkins, Thomas Pococke, Thomas Cremen in the presence of [signed] Geo. Macy, Ste. Mellichamp, H. Springett Junr., Ben Wetton & two witnesses. The 12 purchasers, mainly Quakers, headed by William Penn, are named in the document.
William Penn & his associates purchased the 3,000 square miles & seven townships of East New Jersey for 3400 pounds at auction. The seller, Elizabeth Carteret, was forced to sell the 'planations of New Jersey,' which she inherited from her husband, Sir George Carteret, to pay his debts & legacies. West New Jersey had been purchased by a Quaker group in 1674.
Provenance: the archive of Robert Barclay (1648-1690), Quaker theologian, author of the Apology for the True Christian Divinity, friend & associate of William Penn, Governor in absentia of East New Jersey from 1682-1688.