Bidspirit auction | 1836 Philadelphia Ground Rent Indenture,

1836 Philadelphia Ground Rent Indenture, Howard Williams and Others to William H. Moore - This original legal manuscript is a Ground Rent Indenture dated June 16, 1836, regarding a property in the City of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The document is executed on heavy paper with a decorative wavy top edge, reflecting the traditional chirograph format used to match counterpart copies for authentication. The grantors are identified as Howard Williams (Lumber Merchant) and wife Mary D.; Samuel Williams (Undertaker) and wife Ann P.; and Charles Williams (Leather-dealer) and wife Hannah P. The grantee is William H. Moore, also a lumber merchant. The property is described as a lot on the South side of Lombard Street, 198 feet Westward from the West side of Schuylkill Fifth Street. The terms establish a yearly ground rent of sixty-four dollars, payable in half-yearly installments on the first days of January and July. The document features original signatures from all grantors: Howard Williams, Ann P. Williams, Charles Williams, Mary Duane Williams, Sam l Williams, and Hannah P. Williams. It is witnessed by Alderman J. Hentzleman and Samuel W. Fisher. The right margin is embellished with six red wax seals covered by diamond-shaped paper overlays. The reverse features a recording certificate dated June 18, 1836, signed by Recorder Samuel H. Fisher, and includes a large embossed yellow star-shaped paper seal. Width: approximately 17 to 18 inches. The document is in good historical condition. It exhibits expected age-related toning and foxing throughout. There are visible horizontal and vertical folds from long-term storage, with minor instances of separation and small tears at the fold intersections. The manuscript ink remains dark and highly legible. The paper is supple and not overly brittle.