Donner, George; James F. Reed

Petition signed ("George Donner") and 37 others, 1 page (12 1/2 x 7 1/2 in.; 315 x 190 mm), Sangamon County, Illinois, 16 February 1840, to the County Commissioners, asking for the extension of the Jacksonville Road, docketing on verso; formerly folded, cleanly torn at fold.



With:



James F. Reed. Autograph remonstrance signed ("James F. Reed"), along with 103 other signatures, 2 pages plus cover sheet with docketing (12 1/2 x 8 in.; 318 x 204 mm), Sangamon County, Illinois, no date, objecting to the annulment of the Bloomington Road; formerly folded, a few stains. Together in a tan half-morocco drop-box, gilt-stamped title on spine.

Extraordinarily rare signatures of the leaders of the "Donner Party."

George Donner (?1784–1847) and James Reed (1800–1874) set out with their families for California in 1846 but were trapped in the Sierra Nevada during the winter, and suffered indescribable hardships, many survivors escaping starvation only by cannibalism. These documents derive from their prior life in Illinois where Reed ran several businesses.

Only four signatures of Reed have appeared at auction since the beginning of ABPC, and only two of Donner.