1796 John Fowler Signed Kentucky Land Indenture – 1,531 Acres – Fayette County – Revolutionary War Veteran & U.S. Congressman
An exceptional original manuscript indenture dated August 31, 1796, documenting the sale of a substantial interest in one of early Kentucky's frontier landholdings. Executed just four years after Kentucky achieved statehood, the agreement is personally signed and sealed by John Fowler (1756–1840), Revolutionary War veteran, prominent Lexington pioneer, Kentucky legislator, and later Member of the United States House of Representatives (1797–1807).
The indenture records the conveyance by Fowler to Nathaniel Mapsie of a three-fourths interest in approximately 1,531 acres from a larger 1,900-acre tract originally located for Robert Caldwell. The property includes the site known as Fresh Station, situated along the historic road between Limestone (present-day Maysville) and Lexington, near Miller's Mills, one of Kentucky's earliest transportation corridors.
The purchase price is £700 Kentucky currency, with an unusual contractual provision granting the purchaser the option to rescind the sale within three months, while obligating Fowler to repay £800. Fowler further covenants to defend the title against prior claims and personally binds himself, his heirs, executors, and administrators under a £10,000 penal bond, illustrating the legal complexity and high value of frontier land transactions.
The concluding page bears John Fowler's bold autograph signature and wax seal, witnessed by Adam Davis, George Muirhead (reading to be verified), and Nicholas Laffoon (reading to be verified). An additional handwritten memorandum, also signed by Fowler, specifies the intended apportionment of the remaining acreage should any portion of the tract be lost to superior claims, providing an unusual insight into the practical realities of Kentucky land speculation during the 1790s.
Historical Importance
John Fowler ranks among the most important figures in early Kentucky history. A Revolutionary War officer and influential statesman, he helped shape the Commonwealth during its formative years and served five terms in Congress. Manuscripts signed by Fowler are considerably scarcer than those of many better-known early American politicians, particularly documents directly related to Kentucky's frontier settlement.
This indenture combines several highly desirable collecting themes:
- Signed by John Fowler, Revolutionary War veteran and U.S. Congressman.
- Executed during Kentucky's earliest years of statehood.
- Documents a 1,531-acre frontier land transaction.
- References the historic Limestone-to-Lexington Road and Fresh Station.
- Contains extensive legal covenants and a rare rescission clause.
- Includes an additional signed memorandum concerning title and acreage allocation.
Condition
Original laid paper manuscript with attractive, legible script throughout. Multiple original folds as expected. Light age toning, minor edge wear, and a few small marginal imperfections consistent with handling over more than two centuries. Signatures remain bold and highly displayable.
A museum-worthy manuscript documenting Kentucky's earliest period of settlement and one of the finest surviving forms of frontier real estate documentation associated with an important early American statesman.
An exceptional original manuscript indenture dated August 31, 1796, documenting the sale of a substantial interest in one of early Kentucky's frontier landholdings. Executed just four years after Kentucky achieved statehood, the agreement is personally signed and sealed by John Fowler (1756–1840), Revolutionary War veteran, prominent Lexington pioneer, Kentucky legislator, and later Member of the United States House of Representatives (1797–1807).
The indenture records the conveyance by Fowler to Nathaniel Mapsie of a three-fourths interest in approximately 1,531 acres from a larger 1,900-acre tract originally located for Robert Caldwell. The property includes the site known as Fresh Station, situated along the historic road between Limestone (present-day Maysville) and Lexington, near Miller's Mills, one of Kentucky's earliest transportation corridors.
The purchase price is £700 Kentucky currency, with an unusual contractual provision granting the purchaser the option to rescind the sale within three months, while obligating Fowler to repay £800. Fowler further covenants to defend the title against prior claims and personally binds himself, his heirs, executors, and administrators under a £10,000 penal bond, illustrating the legal complexity and high value of frontier land transactions.
The concluding page bears John Fowler's bold autograph signature and wax seal, witnessed by Adam Davis, George Muirhead (reading to be verified), and Nicholas Laffoon (reading to be verified). An additional handwritten memorandum, also signed by Fowler, specifies the intended apportionment of the remaining acreage should any portion of the tract be lost to superior claims, providing an unusual insight into the practical realities of Kentucky land speculation during the 1790s.
Historical Importance
John Fowler ranks among the most important figures in early Kentucky history. A Revolutionary War officer and influential statesman, he helped shape the Commonwealth during its formative years and served five terms in Congress. Manuscripts signed by Fowler are considerably scarcer than those of many better-known early American politicians, particularly documents directly related to Kentucky's frontier settlement.
This indenture combines several highly desirable collecting themes:
- Signed by John Fowler, Revolutionary War veteran and U.S. Congressman.
- Executed during Kentucky's earliest years of statehood.
- Documents a 1,531-acre frontier land transaction.
- References the historic Limestone-to-Lexington Road and Fresh Station.
- Contains extensive legal covenants and a rare rescission clause.
- Includes an additional signed memorandum concerning title and acreage allocation.
Condition
Original laid paper manuscript with attractive, legible script throughout. Multiple original folds as expected. Light age toning, minor edge wear, and a few small marginal imperfections consistent with handling over more than two centuries. Signatures remain bold and highly displayable.
A museum-worthy manuscript documenting Kentucky's earliest period of settlement and one of the finest surviving forms of frontier real estate documentation associated with an important early American statesman.
