This Revolutionary War-era antique land deed from Pennsylvania details a land purchase by a local Quaker family headed by Philadelphia merchant Benjamin Horner. Dated 1784, the legal document records the transfer of land in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania and provides insight into early American property transactions. Britannic Auctions sold this historic document for $43 in July 2015.
Historical Significance of the 1784 Deed
This 18th-century document describes a tract of land situated on Alder Run, referencing a Native American name, Chingachmouche, which translates to “great moose or elk.” A stream on the opposite side of the Susquehanna River, now known as Moose Creek, originally bore this name.
The deed reads:
Know all men by their presents, that whereas application hath lately been made by me: Benjamin Horner of the City of Philadelphia, Merchant - to the Land Office of the State of Pennsylvania, for a grant of a tract of land, situate on Alder Run about half a mile above where the Indian Path between the Bald Eagle & Chingachmouche [ ] the said [ ] to include a Beaver Dam and some Meadow Ground in Northumberland County...
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal, the thirteenth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty-four.
Are 18th-Century Land Deeds Valuable?
While antique deeds are fairly common in the collector’s market, their value depends on historical connections, notable signers, or land locations rather than sheer age. Consequently, collectors can often find lots of original 18th-century vellum or paper land deeds at affordable prices. However, some still sell for higher amounts at auction.
Here are some real auction values of 18th-century land deeds:
- 1764 New Jersey Middleton Laurie Lawrence Indenture – Sold for $10 in 2021
- 18th-century vellum land deed from Gloucestershire, England – Sold for $12 in 2012
- 1781 Early Deed from Greenland, New Hampshire (lists various family names from the area) – Sold for $59 in 2024
- 18th-century 3-sided deed printed by Francis Bailey (Revolutionary War printer of the Articles of Confederation and Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense”) – Sold for $329 in 2025
What Affects the Value of an Antique Deed?
- Famous Signers or Historical Names – Deeds signed by well-known figures or related to notable families increase in value.
- Location and Land Connection – Deeds tied to historically significant places often attract collector interest.
- Condition and Material – Vellum deeds tend to survive better than paper, but well-preserved documents are more desirable.
- Provenance – A clear ownership history adds credibility and appeal.
Common Features of Antique Deeds
- Handwritten or Printed on Vellum – Many deeds were executed on durable vellum parchment.
- Folded Storage – Most old deeds were folded for safekeeping and can open to large sizes.
- Legal Language and Stamps – Authentic period language and official wax seals or tax stamps are typical features.
While most antique land deeds are affordable, they can also highlight interesting connections to early property transactions and historical land ownership. Additionally, for collectors and historians, these documents hold historical significance and help preserve a piece of the past.
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