Penn, William (1644-1718) English Quaker leader and founder of Pennsylvania, which he established as the first colony to offer religious freedom in America. Document signed ("Wm Penn"), 1p, vellum, 20 x 25½", July 25, 1682. Granting 500 acres of land in Pennsylvania to George Strode. Penn's large signature is on the flap at the bottom of the document and his small red seal is still present. Age yellowing to vellum, some splitting at folds, easily repaired, and old tape on verso, not visible from recto.
In 1681, as payment of debts the Crown owed his father, Penn was granted what is now the state of Pennsylvania. He set about finding people to establish a colony there, which he saw as a haven for persecuted religious groups such as his own Quakers. As this document shows, Penn parcelled out the land in 500 acre lots, and though the exact tracts were not specified at the time, all were situated in or around Philadelphia. Some people who bought land and received the grants had every intention of moving there; others obtained their parcels on speculation. This document was signed by Penn less than a month before he left for Pennsylvania for the first time. The ship
Welcome, with Penn aboard, left England bound for Pennsylvania, along with a small fleet of the initial settlers on Aug. 20, 1682; they arrived Oct. 24, 1682. This is a particularly early Penn document.
Estimated Value $2,500 - 3,500.
The Arden Family Holdings of Beverly Hills.
Colonial Americana
