{"product_id":"1774-colonial-rhode-island-land-writ-names-two-declaration-signers-stephen","title":"1774 Colonial Rhode Island Land Writ — Names Two Declaration Signers, Stephen","description":"\u003cp data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSouth Kingstown, Rhode Island, April 5, 1774.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOriginal manuscript legal writ issued in the name of King George III, concerning \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e165 acres of land in South Kingstown\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, including buildings, meadow, and pasture. Of particular interest, the document names \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003etwo future signers of the Declaration of Independence: Stephen Hopkins and William Ellery\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAddressed to \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBeriah Brown, Sheriff of King’s County\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, the writ directs him to summon Ephraim Smith, described as “the common vouchee,” in a land-title proceeding involving William Smith. Its language indicates a common recovery, a formal legal procedure employed to establish or clear title to property.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWilliam Ellery of Newport\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e appears in the passage identifying the claimant asserting a right and inheritance in the property. His name has been struck through and a replacement inserted above it, preserving an intriguing contemporary amendment. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStephen Hopkins\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is named in the court’s formal witness clause.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSigned by the prothonotary, whose signature reads approximately “Jo Rodman,” and bearing a service endorsement apparently signed “B Brown, Sherr.” The references to Hopkins and Ellery are within the manuscript text; this document is offered for its association with them, without attribution of either signer’s autograph.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAttractively written in period ink with decorative calligraphy and an embossed paper seal at upper left. Visible condition includes customary folds, small marginal fold splits, scattered staining, and a faint later pencil notation. Text remains substantially clear and legible.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAn engaging colonial Rhode Island manuscript linking land ownership and royal judicial administration with the names of two men who would sign the Declaration of Independence just two years later.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44601788891214,"sku":"EB-53030966296858","price":495.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0768\/8155\/9630\/files\/57_7d913ce8-1069-4296-b33b-02d9e5320c71.jpg?v=1792410201","url":"https:\/\/thearchiveauthority.com\/products\/1774-colonial-rhode-island-land-writ-names-two-declaration-signers-stephen","provider":"The Archive Authority","version":"1.0","type":"link"}