Subject: Land speculation

Broadside announcing the relocation of the North American Land Agency from New York City to Galesburg, Illinois, on September 1, 1858. The notice cites the indisposition of E.V.W. Meyers and notes the agency's establishment by Maj. M. Myers in 1817.

Two original holographic legal documents, each measuring 8 1/4 x 13 inches, dated March 25, 1794. These documents pertain to a caveat and subsequent judgment concerning land warrants filed by 58 applicants for 400-acre tracts. The case involved Aaron Levy and his partner, Robert Morris, who claimed prior rights to the land in question. The judgment ruled in favor of Levy and Morris. Both documents bear the signature of David Kennedy, the first Land Secretary of Pennsylvania, and an impressed state seal. The documents are in excellent condition. David Kennedy's appointment followed the 1784 treaty with the Six Nations, and his role involved overseeing the fair transition of Native American lands into private hands. Biographical information on Aaron Levy is included in the document.

A one-page commercial letter (October 2, 1851) written by M. E. Levy from Pilatka, Florida, concerning land in Levy County. The letter was addressed to George R. Tarrbaud. Moses E. Levy (1782-1854) was a pioneer Jewish settler in Florida, known for his visionary approach to Jewish colonization and educational initiatives. Signed documents by this prominent figure are rare.

A one-page commercial letter written by Moses E. Levy on February 14, 1853, from Miconopy, Florida, to George N. Fairbanks, concerning land in Levy County, Florida. Levy, a prominent Jewish pioneer settler in Florida, arrived in 1821. The letter is significant due to its rarity; signed documents by this influential figure are scarce.

Copy of Bernard Gratz's expense report, dated April 3, 1779, used to settle his estate. Includes expenses related to the sale of a horse and a trip from Virginia to Philadelphia in December 1778. The copy was made on February 27, 1823. This manuscript is part of the Illinois Land Company financial records.

This legal document, written entirely by Thomas McKean, details charges of treason against George Croghan, a prominent Indian agent and land speculator, during the Revolutionary War. The document mentions that merchant Barnard Gratz provided $1,000 for Croghan's bail. The charges, originating in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on June 15, 1778, contributed to Croghan's financial ruin. Croghan had previously served as chairman of the Committee of Correspondence in Pittsburgh.

Deed for the sale of land from Israel Jacobs to Eddy (pre-printed form for Eddy). Dated March 17, 1795. The transaction likely involved speculation in soldier payment lands in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Israel Jacobs (1741-1810) was a shopkeeper in Philadelphia, and his burial site was the Mikveh Israel Cemetery.

Legal document detailing the sale of a 400-acre land grant in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, from John Boyd to Aaron Levy of Lancaster County. The grant, awarded as payment to a Revolutionary War soldier, was sold for 5 shillings on December 24, 1792. A later annotation indicates a date of March 20, 1795.

Deposition of Eleazar Cohen of the firm Cohen & Barnett, detailing the extent of Robert Morris's debt, July 1, 1799. This firsthand account lists Morris's notes held by Cohen and the circumstances of their acquisition. Morris had been imprisoned for debt since February 1798. The deposition was used in lawsuits pending in the High Court of Chancery in Virginia. According to Jonathan Sarnia, Cohen & Barnett subsequently went bankrupt, and Barnett fled to the Netherlands. The document provides significant insight into the financial difficulties of Robert Morris and the operations of the mercantile firm Cohen & Barnett.

A single-sided item featuring a fifteen-year calendar and an advertisement for the sale of land scrip, farm mortgages, and city mortgages. The item's creation date is unknown, but based on the style of the advertisement it was likely created sometime in the late 19th or early 20th century. The geographic location referenced in the advertisement is unknown.

Ledger page showing funds owed to Bernard Gratz by the United Illinois and Wabash Land Companies. Dated April 5, 1779, the page, in Bernard Gratz's hand, lists stock sold and to whom. It contains 14 entries and is part of a larger ledger (Arc.MS.56, Volume A, Page 13). This document was used in 1823 to settle Bernard Gratz's estate.

A ledger sheet (8" x 6") dated January 22, 1793, documenting financial transactions between Aaron Levy and William Morris, and other transactions involving Robert Morris. The sheet also includes transactions dated January 29th and February 10th, 1793. This document is from Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

One-page letter written by D. T. Charles in Albany, New York, to T. F. Mason on March 28, 1870. The letter discusses plans to meet Adolph Sutro in New York City while Sutro awaits documents from California. T. F. Mason appears to have been involved in land sales in the Michigan copper fields.

A two-part letter dated June 30, 1788, from Captain John Clarks to Michael Gratz in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The first part lists items and prices purchased from Gratz. The second part, in Gratz's hand, discusses the value of their land investment, considering factors like immigration, the recent Indian treaty, and westward expansion. Gratz suggests selling the land in England. This letter provides insights into 18th-century land investment strategies.

A letter written by Phineas De Cordova to Fred. Lewis on January 21, 1879, in New York, New York. The letter concerns a meeting to be held in Judge Cardoza's office as part of a suit mentioned in item #1988. Phineas De Cordova was the half-brother of Jacob Raphael De Cordova and they owned a large land agency in the Southwest.

A letter dated July 25, 1843, from Secku Meylert in Montrose, Pennsylvania, to John M. Read in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The letter includes a copy of a letter Meylert received from Christian Kunckel regarding a rejected business proposition and a proposed meeting in Wilkes Barre to settle the dispute. Meylert also updates Read on his travel plans.

Lottery ticket number 403 from a 1791 lottery to purchase land next to the Lutheran Burying Ground in Baltimore, Maryland. The ticket is signed by Simon Gratz on the reverse. The ticket may indicate Gratz purchased the ticket, not that he issued it.

Issue of the Pennsylvania Packet, or, the General Advertiser newspaper published in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on January 29, 1780. The issue includes a large advertisement for the Proprietors of Indiana, a land speculation company, with David Franks listed as president. The advertisement calls for a meeting.