Scarce 1764 handwritten promissory note by John Adams

3.

ADS, signed “John Adams,” one page, 6 x 4, June 18, 1764. Handwritten financial document by John Adams, signed within the text as payee: “Braintree, June 18th, 1764. For Value rec’d I promise to pay John Adams or his order Ten Pounds, eighteen shillings and six pence of lawfull money, on demand with lawful interest therefore till paid. Signed at the conclusion by a Samuel Clark, and countersigned by Joseph Terrell as a witness. The document is also docketed on the reverse in John Adams’s hand, tallying up payments on the debt. In fine condition.

At the time he signed this document, the future second president was a young attorney living in Braintree, about 14 miles south of Boston. A few weeks earlier, he had traveled to nearby Boston to take advantage of an inoculation program designed to ward off a smallpox epidemic ravishing the colonies—a preventative measure that left him confined to bed for three weeks. Four months later after signing this document, Adams had fully recovered and married Abigail Smith, the future first lady. Starting Bid $200

4.

Signed

Partly-printed vellum DS as president, signed “James Madison,” one page, 13.5 x 8.75, May 12, 1815. President Madison grants William McFarland, assignee of Henry Houston, a tract of land “in Range Twenty-one (Worthington’s Survey) of the Lands directed to be sold at Chillicothe.” Boldly signed at the conclusion by President James Madison and countersigned by Commissioner of the General Land Office Josiah Meigs. The white paper seal affixed to the lower left corner remains intact. In fine condition, with several vertical folds. Starting Bid $200