EARLY DOCUMENT SIGNED BY BENJAMIN FRANKLIN

Partial document signed by Benjamin Franklin. [Philadelphia, Pennsylvania], 17 May 1733. 7 1/8 x 7 3/4 in., on vellum, float mounted in double-sided mat and frame with modern photograph of the 1778 portrait of Benjamin Franklin by Joseph Duplessis.

A real estate indenture signed in the very early days of Benjamin Franklin's illustrious career, only 6 months after he issued the inaugural edition of Poor Richard's Almanack in late December 1732. Rebecca Edgell was the wife of Philadelphia landlord, merchant, and pewterer Simon Edgell (1687-1742). The couple rented a house to Franklin and his business partner Hugh Meredith for their printing shop from circa 1728 to 1738. Charles Brockden (1683-1769) served as the Master of Rolls of the Province of Pennsylvania and as Recorder of Deeds for Philadelphia between 1716 and 1767.

The indenture is between Mary Jackson and Alexander Woodrop exchanging two tracts of marsh and meadow in Blockley adjoining Stephen Jackson's plantation, for £240. Signed by the unmarried Mary Jackson, the document is also witnessed by Philadelphia Recorder of Deeds Charles Brockden ("C. Brockden"), Rebecca Edgell ("Rebecca Edgell"), and most notably Benjamin Franklin ("B. Franklin"). Originally incorporated in 1704 and encompassing the west side of the Schuylkill River, Blockley township would merge with the City of Philadelphia in 1854.

One of the earliest, privately-held signatures of Benjamin Franklin known.

Condition: original document has been trimmed, not affecting signatures.

[Colonial America, Pennsylvania, Revolutionary War, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Colonial Period, Documents, Manuscripts, Letters, Ephemera]