May 2017 Auction Ends Thursday, May 25th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/25/2017
Beautiful and scarce Pilgrim document from 17th century colonial America. Dated 1670, document confirms the sale of 50 acres of land in Marshfield, Plymouth County, Massachusetts by John Rogers to William Macomber. Document is signed by a veritable who's-who of Pilgrim notables, including Rogers, Nathaniel Morton, Constant Southworth and James Toale (Towle). In addition to writing the first historical text published in the United States (about the settlement of the Plymouth Colony) Nathaniel Morton was the first to publish a list of signers of the Mayflower Compact and also wrote his account of the first Thanksgiving. He served for most of his life as Secretary of Plymouth Colony, where his careful record-keeping enabled him to compile New England's Memorial, considered the first comprehensive history of the colony, published at Cambridge in 1669, and widely considered the first book of history published in the United States. In fact, ''The Wall Street Journal'' has published an excerpt from Morton's history of Plymouth Colony as an op-ed the Wednesday before Thanksgiving Day since 1961. Constant Southworth came to Plymouth in 1628 as a teenager, and held several prominent positions during his life, including Treasurer of the Colony. John Rogers was born in 1642 in Plymouth County, the son of a Mayflower passenger. Document measures approximately 15.5'' x 12'' with some paper loss to lower right. Some expected foxing and toning, small amount of paper loss and archival tape repair to verso. In very good condition considering age, with still bold writing.
Very Scarce 1670 Pilgrim Land Deed -- Signed by Several Prominent Pilgrims Including Nathaniel Morton, Constant Southworth & John Rogers
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