Jefferson & Madison Boldly Signed Land Deed Granted For Military Service "in the Virginia Line"

A land deed signed by 3rd U.S. President Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) as "Th: Jefferson" at lower right. Also signed by then U.S. Secretary of State James Madison (1751-1836) as "James Madison" beneath Jefferson's signature, with isolated discoloration affecting parts of the signature. Recorded at Washington, D.C. on June 4, 1801. The document, which is partly printed and partly handwritten on a single vellum sheet measuring (sight size) 14.5" x 12." Bearing an embossed presidential seal at lower left with a slight crack. Overall toning with a few isolated stains. Expected light folds and a small hole affecting a blank portion at center, else near fine. Matted and displayed behind glass to the right of two portraits of Jefferson and Madison after Gilbert Stuart, along with two engraved plaques. Not examined out of the frame. The overall frame size measures 25.75" x 23.5" x .875."

Certificate 614 (recorded elsewhere) granted 1,000 acres of land in modern day Ohio to "Henry Moss, a Captain for three years to the United States, in the Virginia Line on Continental Establishment…" This was just a quarter of the land--4,000 acres--slated for Moss, a Revolutionary War veteran.

The tract was situated "between the Little Miami and Sciota Rivers, north-west of the River Ohio…On the Waters of Cesars Creek a Branch of the Little Miami, Beginning at a large Hickory and two Sugar Trees…to two Hickories and two Ashes…to a large red Oak and Beech…to a Beech, Ash and white Oak upper back corner to Pendleton thence…"

The Little Miami and Scioto Rivers are located in southwestern Ohio. "Cesars Creek" is known today as Caesar Creek, and was purportedly named after the surveyor's black slave who died and was buried along its banks. It is located about 25 miles southeast of Dayton. Ohio joined the Union in 1803.

The U.S. Department of Interior Bureau of Land Management General Land Office Records includes this June 4, 1801 land deed for Henry Moss and assignee James Machir, along with numerous other land grants.

Henry Moss (1733/1736-1810) enlisted at age 41 as a Second Lieutenant in the Second Virginia Regiment. He saw action at the Battle of White Plains in 1778 and was a British prisoner-of-war for nearly a year. Following his release in the spring of 1781, he was commissioned a Captain. He resigned his post in January 1783. A prodigious landowner prior to the war, Moss's military service grants only increased his wealth.

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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