{"product_id":"land-agreement-signed-josiah-bartlett-declaration-of-independence-signer","title":"Land Agreement Signed Josiah Bartlett, Declaration of Independence Signer","description":"\u003cp\u003e18th-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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe signature style is broadly consistent with known examples of Josiah Bartlett, though authentication from images alone cannot conclusively establish authenticity.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eProvenance: Personal collection of Thomas Lingenfelter, “America’s History Detective.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eApproximate Transcription\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e(With uncertain words noted in brackets)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eI promise to give Ephraim Lund of Wentworth a good deed of release \u0026amp; 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\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eProvided 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 \u0026amp; settle a family on the said Lot \u0026amp; be at the cost of fulfilling the settlement of the whole right from this Day\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ewitness my hand the fourth day of May 1776\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eand if he fails in any of the above articles this writing to be void and I not obligated to give the Deed as aforesaid\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eJosiah Bartlett\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eReverse notation:\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Copy of a writing given to Ephraim Lund of Wentworth”\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHistorical Context\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eJosiah Bartlett was:\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA physician and patriot leader from New Hampshire\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA signer of the Declaration of Independence\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLater Chief Justice and Governor of New Hampshire\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDocuments 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAuthenticity Assessment\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePositive indicators:\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCorrect period paper tone and fold patterns\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eNatural iron gall ink appearance\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAuthentic-looking corrections and insertions in text\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSignature placement and flow consistent with genuine period execution\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAppropriate legal phrasing for 1770s frontier land agreements\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Signature Documents LLC","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52263593279770,"sku":"EB-327160525012","price":4000.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2221\/0931\/files\/57_6aeac11c-3d3b-458b-866f-10073940ec3a.jpg?v=1779367268","url":"https:\/\/princetonaudubonprints.com\/products\/land-agreement-signed-josiah-bartlett-declaration-of-independence-signer","provider":"Signature Documents LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}