Jefferson, Thomas (1743-1826) Author and Signer of the Declaration of Independence; third President of the United States. Document Signed ("Th: Jefferson") as President, one page, vellum, 14½ x 12½ in., Washington, July 18, 1801. A land grant of 1,000 acres to the heirs of deceased Revolutionary War officer, Capt. Pleasannt Cocke, who served in the "Virginia Line on Continental Establishment" for three years. Paper seal is present. Countersigned by Secretary of State James Madison. Normal folds, age toning, and minor edge chips; text is a little light but Jefferson's signature is large and of medium boldness. (Please note that there is another Jefferson Document Signed in the Colonial and Revolutionary America section.)
On June 11, 1776, the Second Continental Congress appointed a "Committee of Five" to draw up a declaration of independence. The members of the committee were John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Robert R. Livingston, and Roger Sherman. Jefferson was chosen to write a rough draft. From June 11 to June 28, 1776, he worked on the draft, drawing heavily on George Mason's Virginia Declaration of Rights and on his own work on the Virginia Constitution. Twenty-six changes were made before the actual draft was given to the Continental Congress, whose delegates edited the draft from July 2 to July 4. On July 4, they met in the Pennsylvania State House (now Independence Hall), in Philadelphia, and approved the Declaration of Independence.
Estimated Value $4,000 - 6,000.
Signers of The Declaration of Independence
