James Monroe Grants Land to Quaker Preacher & Patent Medicine Man, Ca. 1824

Partial-printed DS, measuring approximately 9.75" x 15.5", dated March 39, 1824, Washington, D.C. A document granting one Horton Howard a "fractional section" of 370 acres in Delaware, Ohio. Signed at lower right by the President as "James Monroe" and countersigned by the Commissioner of the General Land Office George Graham as "Geo. Graham". Slightly compromised condition, lacking sections at left side edge and top right corner, affecting text; some ink fading but Monroe's signature remains nicely preserved. The upper left section and wafer seal may have been intentionally removed by Howard or his heirs in the nineteenth century, possibly as a form of cancellation. Accompanied by a packet of modern research regarding Howard's settlement in Northwest Territory and his various medical patents held. Fair to good overall.

As members of the Society of Friends, Howard's family first settled in North Carolina after arriving from England in 1796. Due to their religious beliefs, Howard and other men from his community would look to settle in a non-slaveholding state, finally settling on the territory of Ohio. In addition to his work as a minister in his new home, by 1832 he was recorded to have held at least five patents for medicines, including an “anti-spasmodic tincture,” “astringent tonic,” “bitter tonic,” “compound tincture of myrrh,” and “...sweating powders.” His last recorded residence is named as Columbus, Ohio, apparently different from the locale in this land grant.

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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