A. Jackson Signed Land Grant for Drish Plantation House, Slave Related, Purportedly Haunted!

A signed land grant by President Andrew Jackson for acreage on which the historic plantation, the Drish House, was built. 1p of vellum, measuring 15.5" x 9.5", Washington, D.C., dated January 4, 1831. Boldly signed "Andrew Jackson". A land grant, No. 7208, granting 79 and 81.5/100 acres to Dr. John R. Drish. The document grants to Drish a plot of land in Tuskaloosa [sic] County, Alabama in "the East half of the North West quarter, of section nine, Township Twenty Three, in Range Ten East, in the District subject to sale at Tuskaloosa [sic], Alabama…" Countersigned by Elijah Hayward, Commissioner of the General Land Office. With a white paper seal at the lower left corner. The grant has flattened, slightly stiff folds, with light edge toning and minor soiling throughout. Large and bold signature.

Dr. John R. Drish, a native of Virginia, was among the earliest settlers of Tuscaloosa, having arrived and settled there in 1822. A widower himself, he married a wealthy widow, Sarah Owen McKinney, in 1835. Upon receiving the grant for the plot in Tuscaloosa, Drish set about having a large, stuccoed brick mansion constructed on the plantation. Apart from his physician's practice, Drish worked as a building contractor and had many skilled slave artisans working for him. The house was completed in 1937 and is considered to be one of the most distinctive mixes of the Greek Revival and Italianate styles constructed in Alabama. Dr. Drish died in the house in 1867, reportedly from a fall down a stairway. The house has since been renovated as an event venue but has been the site of purported hauntings since the early 20th century. Following Drish's death, servants claimed to hear the echoes of stumbling footsteps and deathly cries, while other people reportedly have seen the third-story tower on fire, when no fire is present, and ghostly lights coming out of the house.

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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