Land Agreement Signed Josiah Bartlett, Declaration of Independence Signer
18th-century manuscript land agreement or settlement promise, signed “Josiah Bartlett.” The handwriting, paper, ink flow, and phrasing are consistent with Revolutionary War-era New England frontier documents. The content references land settlement obligations in the “township of Warren,” likely relating to post-colonial New Hampshire or Vermont land development.
The signature style is broadly consistent with known examples of Josiah Bartlett, though authentication from images alone cannot conclusively establish authenticity.
Provenance: Personal collection of Thomas Lingenfelter, “America’s History Detective.
Approximate Transcription
(With uncertain words noted in brackets)
I promise to give Ephraim Lund of Wentworth a good deed of release & maintain of the first Division Lot laid out to the original Right of Joseph Blanchard Esqr in the township of Warren within one year from this Date
Provided the said Lund shall before the expiration of the said one year pay me fifty three Dollars and give necessary sufficient security to build an house & settle a family on the said Lot & be at the cost of fulfilling the settlement of the whole right from this Day
witness my hand the fourth day of May 1776
and if he fails in any of the above articles this writing to be void and I not obligated to give the Deed as aforesaid
Josiah Bartlett
Reverse notation:
“Copy of a writing given to Ephraim Lund of Wentworth”
Historical Context
Josiah Bartlett was:
A physician and patriot leader from New Hampshire
A signer of the Declaration of Independence
Later Chief Justice and Governor of New Hampshire
Documents relating to frontier land settlement from 1775–1785 are known from Bartlett and other New England political figures. The timing — May 1776 — is especially attractive to collectors because it predates the Declaration itself by only weeks.
Authenticity Assessment
Positive indicators:
Correct period paper tone and fold patterns
Natural iron gall ink appearance
Authentic-looking corrections and insertions in text
Signature placement and flow consistent with genuine period execution
Appropriate legal phrasing for 1770s frontier land agreements
18th-century manuscript land agreement or settlement promise, signed “Josiah Bartlett.” The handwriting, paper, ink flow, and phrasing are consistent with Revolutionary War-era New England frontier documents. The content references land settlement obligations in the “township of Warren,” likely relating to post-colonial New Hampshire or Vermont land development.
The signature style is broadly consistent with known examples of Josiah Bartlett, though authentication from images alone cannot conclusively establish authenticity.
Provenance: Personal collection of Thomas Lingenfelter, “America’s History Detective.
Approximate Transcription
(With uncertain words noted in brackets)
I promise to give Ephraim Lund of Wentworth a good deed of release & maintain of the first Division Lot laid out to the original Right of Joseph Blanchard Esqr in the township of Warren within one year from this Date
Provided the said Lund shall before the expiration of the said one year pay me fifty three Dollars and give necessary sufficient security to build an house & settle a family on the said Lot & be at the cost of fulfilling the settlement of the whole right from this Day
witness my hand the fourth day of May 1776
and if he fails in any of the above articles this writing to be void and I not obligated to give the Deed as aforesaid
Josiah Bartlett
Reverse notation:
“Copy of a writing given to Ephraim Lund of Wentworth”
Historical Context
Josiah Bartlett was:
A physician and patriot leader from New Hampshire
A signer of the Declaration of Independence
Later Chief Justice and Governor of New Hampshire
Documents relating to frontier land settlement from 1775–1785 are known from Bartlett and other New England political figures. The timing — May 1776 — is especially attractive to collectors because it predates the Declaration itself by only weeks.
Authenticity Assessment
Positive indicators:
Correct period paper tone and fold patterns
Natural iron gall ink appearance
Authentic-looking corrections and insertions in text
Signature placement and flow consistent with genuine period execution
Appropriate legal phrasing for 1770s frontier land agreements