John Morton, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, Signed Land Survey from 1764

Lot Details & Additional Photographs

Single sheet, autograph document signed, survey, February 1764, Chester (now Delaware) County, Pennsylvania; the creek and dam at the top of the sheet with some hand-coloring; presented matted and framed. The document reads, in part: "Surveyed for Charles Lynn A Certain piece or parcel of Land Situate in upper provinence in the County of Chester being partly overflowed by his mill dam Which [said] Land he on that account purchased of John Calvert The courses and distances of which is as followeth Viz Beginning at a Dead Beech a corner of Land of [said] Cha[rles] Lynn Thence North 65° West 7 pers to A Chestnut tree Thence North 41° West 11 perches to A White Oak Bleachd Stump Thence north 16° West 8 perches... Containing by Estimation One Hundred and thirty four Square perches of land Surveyed 27th of February 1764 / John Morton."

Sight size 6 3/8 x 7 1/2 in.; Frame dimensions 11 1/8 x 11 3/4 x 3/4 in.

John Morton (1725-1777) was born in Ridley Township, Chester (now Delaware) County, Pennsylvania. He had strong roots in the area, living there most of his life, and descending from early Finnish-Swedish settlers in the Swedish Empire’s colony known as New Sweden. Raised and educated by his stepfather, a land surveyor, Morton learned the necessary skills for this same profession and worked as a surveyor for nearly three decades.

Like many other Founding Fathers, John Morton wore numerous hats, working not only as a surveyor but in the field of law as well. He served numerous positions during his career, including Justice of the Peace, High Sheriff, Road Commissioner, and Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. He served as a longtime member of the Pennsylvania General Assembly, and was elected Speaker in 1775. Morton was a delegate to the Stamp Act Congress, and he represented Pennsylvania at both the First Continental Congress and the Second Continental Congress. He was an important member of the delegation, casting the deciding vote for independence. He went on to become one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, and was working to help draft the Articles of the Confederation before his untimely death.

Linen backed; with folds and general age wear, as expected, such as foxing and toning; with scattered small chips and tears, areas of separation at folds, and light staining; some foxing to mat and paper backing to frame; light wear to frame; not examined outside the frame.