Francis Richardson and Sarah Arrowsmith

Francis Richardson and Sarah Arrowsmith

An indenture certifying marriage and land ownership. Philadelphia, ca. 1708/9

One sheet (21 3/4 x 16 in.; 553 x 400 mm). Manuscript document, ink on vellum, ruled in red, wax and paper seals, witnessed and signed by Nathan Stanbury, Richard Heath, Rowland Rice, Joshua Lawrence, and Francis Richardson, docketed on verso; old folds, somewhat brittle, pinholes to margins, presumably where at one point bound, some discoloration and staining. 

An indenture "made the eight and twentieth day of the month called February In the Seventh Year of the Reign of Queen Anne over Great Brittain [sic] … Between Francis Richardson of the City of Philadelphia in the Province of Pennsylvania Goldsmith of the one part & Sarah Arrowsmith of the same City widow of the other part." The indenture certifies their marriage and legal ownership of the property: "Francis Richardson ... Doth Covenant promise & grant to & with the Sarah Arrowsmith" his land adjacent to the properties of several others, also enumerated on the indenture.

A rare documents pertaining to American silversmiths.