John Morton & John Penn Pre-Independence Pennsylvania MDS

Manuscript document signed, 41pp, measuring 7.5" x 12.5", dated September 30, 1775, [Philadelphia, PA]. A manuscript document entitled "An Act for the Support of the Government of this Province and Payment of Public Debts" signed "John Penn" on the first page as last colonial governor of Pennsylvania, and duel signed on the last page "John Morton" as Speaker of the House (colonial General Assembly) and "Joseph Shippen Jr." as Secretary of the Province. Clip holes present in the upper left of some sheets, with many exhibiting frayed edges. Paper losses removing a few insignificant words on the last two pages have been infilled. All three signatures are clear and flawless with excellent contrast. Very good condition.

An excerpt from the bottom of page 1 through the middle of page 2 reads, in part:
"Whereas it would be extremely distressing to the people of this province, laboring under a heavy burden of taxes for sinking the bills of credit emitted during the last war and granted to His Majesty for the protection of His American dominions, to impose on them an additional rate or tax to be immediately levied on their real and personal estates…"

John Penn (1729-1795) served as governor of Pennsylvania between 1763 and 1771, and again from 1773 to 1776. He was also one of the Penn family proprietors of the Province of Pennsylvania from 1771 until 1776, holding a one-fourth share, when the creation of the independent Commonwealth of Pennsylvania during the American Revolution removed the Penn family from power.

John Morton (1725-1777) was an American farmer, surveyor, and jurist from the Province of Pennsylvania and a Founding Father of the United States. As a delegate to the Continental Congress during the American Revolution, he was a signatory to the Continental Association and Declaration of Independence.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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