Description:

Robert Morris
Philadelphia, PA, April 18, 1795
Robert Morris Signed Shares of Stock to Ben Franklin's Grandson, William Temple Franklin
Partially Printed DS
Partially Printed Document Signed, "Robt. Morris", as president, 1p, 12.25" x 9.5", Philadelphia, April 18, 1795, a North American Land Company stock certificate, No. 1118, granting five shares to William Temple Franklin. Countersigned by James Marshall as secretary. Scallop cut along left edge. Chipping at margins. A few scattered pin holes. Lightly toned. Ink erosion to Morris's large and bold signature. In very good plus to near fine condition.

Founded on February 20, 1795 by Robert Morris (1734-1806), John Nicholson (1757-1800), and James Greenleaf (1765-1843), the North American Land Company sold real estate stock shares corresponding to six million acres in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Virginia, South Carolina, and Georgia. Eventually, the company collapsed and all three business founders were imprisoned.

Robert Morris was born in Liverpool, England but emigrated to the colonies as a teenager. Morris showed considerable business acumen at a young age, becoming a full business partner at a mercantile firm at age 24. He made an early fortune in the thriving import and export trade from and to the Caribbean, Europe, the Middle East, and India. Morris served as a Pennsylvania delegate to the Continental Congress in 1775, and he was one of nine Pennsylvania delegates who signed the Declaration of Independence. Morris was a significant financier of the Revolutionary war effort, donating incredible sums of money to pay Washington's troops during a time when American currency still had no value. In later life, Morris's war overspending, as well as several dubious real estate schemes like the North American Land Company, eventually led to his bankruptcy and imprisonment for debt.

The Bankruptcy Act of 1800 paved the way for Morris's release. North American Land Company secretary James Marshall (1764-1848) was Morris's business associate and son-in-law; he was also the younger brother of U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Marshall (1755-1835).

Our shareholder William Temple Franklin (1760-1823) was an American diplomat and real estate speculator who is best known for his involvement with the American diplomatic mission in France during the American Revolutionary War. Beginning at the age of 16, he served as secretary to his grandfather, Benjamin Franklin, who negotiated and agreed to the Franco-American Alliance. The younger Franklin was also secretary for the American delegation that negotiated United States independence at the Treaty of Paris in 1783.

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: 12.25" x 9.5"
  • Medium: Partially Printed DS

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August 7, 2024 10:00 AM EDT
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University Archives

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Bid Increments
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$50,000 + $5,000