Lot #276

Thomas Stone Autograph Document Signed

Description

Seeking compensation for the theft of "one Mullato Boy-Slave" and "one Negro girl slave"—a handwritten legal document penned by the rare Maryland signer

Signer of the Declaration of Independence from Maryland (1743-1787). Rare ADS signed "T: Stone," one page, 9.5 x 10.25, no date but circa February 14, 1771. Legal document boldly penned as attorney for the plaintiffs in a case of trespass against "Martha Porteus, Spinster," in part: "[A]nd whereupon the said Patrick Graham and Elizabeth his wife by Thomas [St]one their Attorney complain…that whereas the said Elizabeth…before her intermarriage…was possessed of one Mullato Boy-Slave called John Thomas of the price of fifty pounds sterling money as of her own proper Slave…the said Mullato Boy casually lost…to the hands and possession of the said Martha Porteus by finding came." The spinster, "intending craftily and subtlety to deceive" the couple, refused to deliver the slave and converted him to her own use. At the bottom, a note also declares that she had also converted "one Negro girl slave called Luce" to her own use. The plaintiffs therefore bring suit for damages in the amount of 70 pounds sterling. Matted and framed with a portrait and Maryland flag to an overall size of 21.5 x 19.5. In very good to fine condition, with small areas of paper loss affecting some text along the left edge, reinforced by silking on the reverse. Stone—a slave owner himself—is one of the rarer Declaration signers, and this handwritten document boasts significant content related to a tragic era of American history.

Auction Info

• Auction Title: Fine Autograph and Artifacts, Ft. Revolutionary War
• Dates: #612 - Ended July 14, 2021

This item is Pre-Certified by PSA/DNA
Buy a third-party letter of authenticity for $250.00

*This item has been pre-certified by a trusted third-party authentication service, and by placing a bid on this item, you agree to accept the opinion of this authentication service. If you wish to have an opinion rendered by a different authenticator of your choosing, you must do so prior to your placing of any bid. RR Auction is not responsible for differing opinions submitted 30 days after the date of the sale.