Description:

Revolutionary War
Philadelphia, PA, March 18, 1775
1775 PA Land Deed for 150 Acres Made Out to "Spinster" 1mo. Before Lexington & Concord
DS
A land deed made out to a "spinster" one month prior to the Battles of Lexington and Concord. 2pp of a bifolium, measuring 8.25" x 12.75", Philadelphia, dated March 18, 1775. A deed from Leonard Leshart to "Sarah Wister of the city of Philadelphia, Spinster", granting her 150 acres "situate on the waters of Wolf Rum [sic], to adjoin land surveyed for Thomas Canley, Martin Wall, and Valentine Deshler in Muncy Township and county of Northumberland…" upon the receipt of Five Shillings. Signed and sealed by Leshart at the bottom. With a witness statement signed within and docketing on verso. The document has flattened folds, creasing, and wear at the edges. Light, uneven toning and foxing throughout. Overall very good.

Although we cannot be certain, it is possible that this document could be tied to Sarah "Sally" Wister (1761-1804), who is famous for authoring a firsthand account of life in the nearby countryside during the British occupation of Philadelphia in 1777 and 1778. At the time, the term "spinster" was a legal term used in deeds, bonds, etc. to describe an unmarried woman. Sarah was the eldest daughter of Daniel Wister and Lowry Jones. Her uncle, Caleb Foulke, was a merchant in Philadelphia and also owned property in Muncy Township. Shortly after the Battle of Brandywine, when it became evident that the British would occupy Philadelphia, Wister's family removed to the countryside and stayed at Penllyn, the Foulke Mansion. While it may be unusual that such a large amount of land would be sold to a 14-year-old, it is possible that Wister may be the subject of the document, and it would benefit from further research!

"Spinster—Formerly a title given to unmarried women of the gentle classes from a viscount's daughter down, and often retained by them on their marriage, particularly when the husband was not of the gentry. Its use survived in America later than in England." (Webster's Unabridged Dictionary.)

We are proud to include items consigned by the Manuscript Society in this auction. These items come from the estate of well-known manuscript dealers Forest G. & Forest H. Sweet and Julia Sweet Newman. Forest G. Sweet was an early leader of the Manuscript Society as well as a rare book scholar. The proceeds from your purchase of these items will benefit the work of the Manuscript Society. You can learn more about them, and become a member of the Manuscript Society, at www.manuscript.org.

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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  • Dimensions: 8.25" x 12.75"
  • Medium: DS

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March 12, 2025 10:00 AM EDT
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

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