Description:

James Wilson
Cumberland County, PA, ca. July 1770
Founding Father James Wilson 1770 Court Summons, Signed
Manuscript

A manuscript legal document in which Declaration signer James Wilson summons a defendant to court for debt repayment. 1p, measuring 8.25" x 13.25", Cumberland County [Carlisle, PA], July 1770. Features additional docketing on the verso, signed within the text as "Wilson". Exhibits darked age toning and uneven margins throughout; clean separation at middle fold, with small area of paper loss near center left. A good to fair example overall.

The document records in part that "Joseph McFerron late of Cumberland County yeoman was summoned to answer William Baird of a plea that he render to him forty pounds lawful money… whereupon the said William by James Wilson his attorney saith…."

James Wilson (1742-1798) was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States and a signatory of the Declaration of Independence. Wilson was elected twice to the Continental Congress, where he represented Pennsylvania and was a major force in drafting the U.S. Constitution. A leading legal theorist, he was one of the six original justices appointed by George Washington to the Supreme Court of the United States.

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 13.25"
  • Medium: Manuscript

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