Document signed.
In 1854 this thriving Virginia plantation owner and businessman became an early Chicago real estate mogul when he and partner James Rees built one of that city's first permanent structures, the then-massive three-story Lakeview House Hotel on Lake Shore Drive, to lure more investors into the area. Item #42096
DS, 1p (lettersheet), 7½" X 9 3/4", n.p., 30 October 1845. Very good. Original folds visible but not weakened. Hundley and two others "being duly Sworn" have "seen and Examined the Estray Hog taken up by Jas. Marshall and... do appraise the said Estray Hog at the Sum of Two Dollars & fifty cents. The said Hog is a harrow, white colour about two years old, no brand, marked with an under keel in the left and overkeel in the Right Ear. We were informed that when the said Hog appeared on the plantation about 12 months ago was a boar and that he has been altered since -- & that he has ranged on this plantation & in the neighbourhood for 12 months past...." Neatl penned in deep blue ink and signed at the conclusion by Hundley and two others (Charles Huthison, George I. Roberts). Below this justice of the peace Roberts testifies and signs again, then below this another figure (partly legible, but presumably county clerk) testfies "Sworn to by G I Roberts before me...." "Estray is simply legalese for a domesticated animal found lost or wandering, and the purpose of this "Notice of Estray" may have been to authorize the sheriff to impound and sell the animnal to recover upkeep costs. Interesting and unusual.
Price: $125.00