Storied American frontiersman, soldier, and politician (1734–1820) whose varied exploits made him one of the young nation’s first folk heroes. After earning a youthful reputation as a hunter of exceptional skill, Boone served with the British military during the French and Indian War. After pioneering a settlement in present-day Kentucky, Boone was captured and “adopted” by a Shawnee tribe during the Revolutionary War. After his escape, he continued to fight with the Continental Army and was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel in 1780. In the following year he was elected as a representative to the Virginia General Assembly, commencing a long and distinguished political career. After fighting in some of the last major campaigns of the war, Boone continued his work as a legislator, surveyor, businessman, and land speculator. Ever enticed by a sense of adventure and wanderlust, Boone moved his family several times, eventually settling in then-sparsely populated Missouri, where he served as a syndic (a judge/jury in the Spanish-controlled territory) and military commandant and indulged his passion for hunting and trapping. With his final words, “I'm going now. My time has come,” Boone died at the age of 85. Scarce scalloped-top manuscript DS, signed “Daniel Boone” and (in his hand) “R—a Boone” (his wife, Rebekah/Rebecca, adding her “x”), one page, 12.25 x 14.75, September 8, 1788. A quitclaim deed between “Daniel Boone and Rebekah his wife of the County of Fayette and State of Virginia ... and John Morgan of the aforesaid County and State,” wherein the Boones “for and in Consideration of the sum of thirty seven pounds ... have Granted Bargained and Sold ... unto the said John Morgan a certain tract of Land on which he now lives on the waters of Boones Creek being part of a Survey made by William Triplet containing eighteen hundred & forty five Acres and all signed to said Daniel Boone, estimated to contain three hundred and seventy Acres or more or less....” The survey goes on to describe the boundaries in detail, naming a number of property owners adjacent to Boone’s tract. (Fayette County, Virginia was officially annexed as part of Kentucky with the passage of statehood in 1792.) Boone and his wife, who wed in 1756, moved with their children to the area in the same year they signed the present document. Boone’s skill as a land speculator ultimately helped gain him holdings of some 50,000 acres (though he lost most of it to tax liabilities and claim disputes by the time of his death). Morgan was almost certainly a relative of Boone’s (Boone’s mother was the former Sarah Morgan). The document is countersigned by James Hazelrigg, Enoch Nox, and John Morgan, Jr. Nox is listed on the Fayette County tax rolls from circa 1787. Both John Morgan and Hazelrigg were among the charter members of Boone’s Creek Baptist Church, founded in 1785. The reverse is endorsed by Levi Todd (1756–1807), an Indian fighter, lieutenant in the Revolutionary War, lawyer and future legislator, and grandfather of Mary Todd Lincoln who practiced in Fayette County. Matted and framed with an antique portrait engraving to an overall size of 30.5 x 25.5. In very good condition, with intersecting folds (horizontal fold very slightly touching a few letters of signature; small holes and partial separations elsewhere with repairs and reinforcements to reverse), toning, and light scattered staining. The writing is clear throughout, and the signatures are bold and otherwise unaffected. A superb, handsome example from this elusive and coveted American icon! Auction LOA John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
We use cookies on this site to improve your experience. By using this site, you accept our use of cookies. To learn more, please see our Privacy Policy.
