c1780’s George Reed ALS Declaration And Constitution Signer

George Read Signed Legal Opinion on Estate Settlement and Construction of a Will

Original eighteenth-century legal manuscript prepared and endorsed by George Read (1733–1798), Signer of the Declaration of Independence, signer of the United States Constitution, United States Senator from Delaware, President of Delaware, and Chief Justice of Delaware.

The manuscript concerns the interpretation of a will and the settlement of an estate. Read analyzes multiple legal questions involving:

Legacies

Devisees

Heirs

Survivorship clauses

Testamentary construction

Rights of beneficiaries

Common-law inheritance principles

The document is endorsed:

"Geo. Read Leg'r"

and contains extensive legal citations and argument in Read's professional hand.

Unlike ordinary correspondence, this is a substantive legal memorandum reflecting the work of one of the most accomplished lawyers among the Founding Fathers. Read practiced law for more than four decades and later served as Chief Justice of Delaware.

Historical Importance

George Read was one of only six men who signed both the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution. He was a delegate to the Continental Congress, President of Delaware during the Revolution, United States Senator, and later Chief Justice of Delaware.

This manuscript offers a rare glimpse into the legal practice of a Founding Father and constitutional signer.

Condition

Period manuscript on laid paper.

Old archival repairs.

Losses at margins and several small areas of text loss.

Ink remains generally dark and legible.

A scarce and desirable legal manuscript from one of America's most important Founding Fathers.