Description:

James Monroe Signed Michigan Territory Land Deed

A land grant signed by 5th U.S. President James Monroe (1758-1831), as “James Monroe” at lower right. Issued from Washington, D.C. on November 10, 1821. Partly handwritten and partly printed on a large sheet of vellum. Also co-signed by then Commissioner of the General Land Office Josiah Meigs (1757-1822) as “Josiah Meigs” at the lower center. The embossed paper General Land Office seal has been removed and there are a few scored marks found in the lower left corner. Expected surface wear including creases and wrinkles, as well as a minor closed tear at the bottom just touching Meigs's signature. Darkening or grubbiness found towards the edges. Isolated ink fading does not materially affect the signatures. Else good to very good. 16" x 9.625." Accompanied by a copy of the land deed data retrieved from the U.S. General Land Office Records database.

Certificate No. 43 granted 80 acres of land to "Louis Thibault of Detroit Michigan Territory" in late 1821. The land, formerly public-domain, was first made available for purchase to western settlers in 1818. By 1820, settlers were required to buy a minimum allotment of 80 acres. The land cost $1.25 an acre and could only be purchased in cash.

The U.S. Department of Interior Bureau of Land Management General Land Office Records includes this November 10, 1821 land deed for Louis Thibault. Thibault purchased land in modern-day Michigan's Wayne County, the county seat of Detroit (see attached image for reference.) Another Louis Thibault, possibly the same one, purchased an additional 40 acres of land in modern-day St. Clair County, located just to the northeast of Detroit, nineteen years later to the day on November 10, 1840.

This signed land grant testifies to a period of rapid western expansion. During James Monroe’s two presidential terms, five states joined the Union: Mississippi in 1817, Illinois in 1818, Alabama in 1819, Maine in 1820, and Missouri in 1821. Michigan would not join the Union until 1837.

James Monroe served as president between 1817-1825.

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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