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Partly-printed vellum DS, signed “Th: Jefferson" as president and "James Madison" as secretary of state, one page, 15 x 8.75, December 7, 1808. President Jefferson confirms that “Benjamin Hanna, of Columbiana County, Ohio” made full payment for a parcel of land "to be sold at Steubenville by the act of Congress, entitled 'An act providing for the sale of the Lands of the United States in the Territory north-west of the Ohio, and above the mouth of Kentucky river.'" Signed at the conclusion by Thomas Jefferson and countersigned by James Madison. The original embossed beige seal remains affixed to the lower left corner. In very good condition, with light staining and soiling, multiple intersecting folds, and fading to all of the handwritten portions, including both signatures. Accompanied by a full letter of authenticity from JSA.
On the very day this land grant was executed, the 1808 United States presidential election concluded with James Madison being voted to succeed Jefferson as president of the United States. Jefferson, despite his far-reaching influence as a Founding Father, had become the target of various political attacks and had rejected seeking another term in office. Until taking the reins of the presidency the following March, Madison continued to serve as Secretary of State under Jefferson, which included authorizing documents such as this to Hanna. Benjamin Hanna became an integral part of Ohio business, opening a general store in New Lisbon in 1814 and later serving as president of the Sandy & Beaver Canal Company, which connected the Ohio River with the Ohio Erie Canal. His grandson, U.S. Senator Marcus Alonzo ‘Mark’ Hanna, would later successfully manage William McKinley's presidential campaigns.
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