[SIGNER]. MORRIS, Robert (1734-1806). Autograph letter signed ("Robt. Morris"), from Prune Street debtors' prison. [Philadelphia], 9 June 1798.
Sale 1344 - American Historical Ephemera and Photography
May 31, 2024
10:00AM ET
Live / Cincinnati
Own a similar item?
Estimate
$500 -
700
Price Realized
$889
Sold prices are inclusive of Buyer’s Premium
Lot Description
[SIGNER]. MORRIS, Robert (1734-1806). Autograph letter signed ("Robt. Morris"), from Prune Street debtors' prison. [Philadelphia], 9 June 1798.
1p, 7 1/2 x 9 1/2 in. (expected folds and toning, small loss on bottom of address leaf not affecting text, light soil, penciled notation below letter). Addressed to John Nicholson Esquire.
Morris writes, in part: "You have several times asked me for Mr. Wilcocks's acct...Mr. Cothringer has found it amongst some papers of his putting away. I send it herewith and request that you return it as soon as you have done with it...."
Founding Father Robert Morris was a signer of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, and a principal financier of the American Revolution. He writes to John Nicholson (1757-1800), a longtime business associate and partner in multiple of Morris's failed financial ventures, regarding sending a copy of Mr. Wilcock's account and explaining how it had been located. Morris's financial failures landed him in debtors' prison in February 1798. Almost six months later, on the same day that this letter was written, Morris's summer home in Morrisville, Pennsylvania (later know as "Summerseat") would be sold in a Sheriff's sale to George Clymer.
This lot is located in Cincinnati.
Condition Report
Auction Specialist