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Details
MORRIS, Robert (1734-1806), Financier of the American Revolution. Engraved document signed ("Robt. Morris"), as president of the North American Land Company. Stock certificate no. 1055, Philadelphia, 18 April 1795. 1 page, folio (9 11/16 x 12in.), chipped along left edge (a small portion at top corner detached but present). Counter-signed by James Marshall.
STOCK CERTIFICATE FOR FRANKLIN'S GRANDSON IN MORRIS'S ILL-FATED NORTH AMERICAN LAND COMPANY. William Temple Franklin (1760-1823) was the illegitimate son of William Franklin, son of Benjamin Franklin and the last royal governor of New Jersey. William Temple accompanied his grandfather to France in 1776 and later became his literary executor. Here he receives ten shares in Morris's company, "the Dividend whereof shall not be less than Six Dollars on each share." Morris's company was an extraordinarily ambitious enterprise that sought to develop some 4 million acres in the southern and western regions of the American frontier. But his heavily leveraged venture failed in 1798, landing Morris in debtor's prison. Ironically, William Temple Franklin eventually squandered his own fortune in French real estate speculation, and died broke in 1823. A fine association of these two important American names.
STOCK CERTIFICATE FOR FRANKLIN'S GRANDSON IN MORRIS'S ILL-FATED NORTH AMERICAN LAND COMPANY. William Temple Franklin (1760-1823) was the illegitimate son of William Franklin, son of Benjamin Franklin and the last royal governor of New Jersey. William Temple accompanied his grandfather to France in 1776 and later became his literary executor. Here he receives ten shares in Morris's company, "the Dividend whereof shall not be less than Six Dollars on each share." Morris's company was an extraordinarily ambitious enterprise that sought to develop some 4 million acres in the southern and western regions of the American frontier. But his heavily leveraged venture failed in 1798, landing Morris in debtor's prison. Ironically, William Temple Franklin eventually squandered his own fortune in French real estate speculation, and died broke in 1823. A fine association of these two important American names.