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John Adams Signed Document as Hancock's Lawyer John Adams Signed Document as John Hancock's Lawyer

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:1.00 USD Estimated At:5,000.00 - 8,000.00 USD
John Adams Signed Document as Hancock's Lawyer John Adams Signed Document as John Hancock's Lawyer
<B>John Adams Signed Document as John Hancock's Lawyer</B></I> Partly Printed ADS: <I>"Adams"</B></I> on verso, 1p, 7.5" x 12.5". Boston, January 13, 1774. Adams has filled out a pre-printed legal form headed: "George the Third, by the Grace of God, of Great-Britain, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, &c.". He has filled in the following (in italics): "To the Sheriff of Our County of <I>"York"</B></I> his Under-Sheriff or Deputy, Greeting. We command you to Attach the Goods or Estate of <I>"John Wheelwright of Wells in our said County of York, Esquire-"</B></I> to the Value of <I>"Three hundred-"</B></I> Pounds, and for want thereof to take the Body of the said <I>"John"</B></I> (if he may be found in your Precinct) and <I>"him"</B></I> safely keep so that you have <I>"him"</B></I> before our Justices of Our Inferiour Court of Common Pleas, next to be holden at <I>"Boston"</B></I> within and for Our said County of <I>"Suffolk"</B></I> on the <I>"third"</B></I> Tuesday of <I>"April"</B></I> next: Then and there in Our said Court to Answer unto<I>"John Hancock of Boston in our said County of Suffolk Esquire in a plea of the Case for that the said John Wheelwright at said Boston on the Twenty fourth day of December last being indebted to the said John Hancock in the Sum of Two hundred & fifty six pounds, nineteen shillings & four pence, three farthings according to the account annexed...."</B></I> Adams continues, detailing Hancock's dealings with John Wheelwright as is evidenced by the account annexed, a 12" x 15.25" manuscript document, not signed, being a ledger page headed: "Dr John Wheelwright Esq. of Wells to John Hancock".Tattered at top edge. Folds expertly strengthened on verso. Listed are items Wheelwright purchased from Hancock since 1768, with prices, including Irish linen, linen handkerchiefs, blue silk, snuff boxes, and metal buttons, and the total cost which he has never paid. The document filled out and signed by Adams had broken folds and holes which have been expertly repaired. John Wheelwright's account had been attached by red wax at the upper left to the front of the smaller Adams' document. It is now detached resulting in a triangular portion missing from the upper left of Wheelwright's account containing part of the first date (Feby 8 1768). This portion is now attached with the red wax to a blank area in the upper left of the Adams document. On the verso of the Adams document is an ADS: <I>"Jothan Moulton Sheriff"</B></I> stating he has <I>"attached the Homestead of the within Named John Wheelwright Esq Containing about Two Hundred and Fifty Acres with his Dwelling House and other Buildings thereon & gave him a Summons".</B></I> John Hancock's father had died when John was a child, and he was adopted by his uncle, Thomas Hancock, a rich Boston merchant. Hancock inherited his uncle's wealth and business in 1765. Two items. Overall, in fine condition.