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Title: Andrew Jackson Secretarial Signed Land Grant
- Author: Andrew Jackson Donelson
- Date: January 24th, 1837
- Condition: See description below
- Inches: 16 x 10 [Paper]
- Centimeters: 40.64 x 25.40 [Paper]
- Product ID: 308467
Fine Vellum Crawford County, Missouri Land Grant
United States land grant featuring a secretarial signature attributed to President Andrew Jackson. This historical artifact grants a parcel of 40 acres in the north-west quarter of the southwest quarter of section 36 in Township 37, Missouri, to Obadiah Key. Executed on January 24th, 1837. This land grant operates under the auspices of the Act of Congress passed on April 24th, 1820, known as "An Act making further provision for the sale of Public Lands."
The signature of Andrew Jackson, the seventh President of the United States, is accompanied by the name "A. Jackson, Secy" designating Andrew Jackson Donelson, who acted as the secretary authorized to sign on behalf of the President. Additionally, the document bears the signature of Ethan Allen Brown, serving as the Commissioner at the time.
The document offers a fascinating glimpse into the administrative intricacies of early American governance. During this era, Presidents were burdened with the task of personally signing a plethora of documents, including land grants, to validate their legal status. However, by the early 1830s, the volume of these documents had become unmanageable. In response, Congress passed legislation in March 1833, allowing the President to appoint a special secretary to sign land patents on their behalf. This legislative move alleviated the President's burden, making Andrew Jackson the final President to personally sign land grants dated after March 1833.
Background on Creator
Andrew Jackson Donelson (1799 – 1871), known for his multifaceted career as a soldier, lawyer, politician, and diplomat. After the death of his father in 1804, Donelson lived with his aunt, Rachel Jackson, and her husband, Andrew Jackson, future President of the United States.
Donelson attended the U.S. Military Academy and served as General Jackson's aide-de-camp during the Seminole campaign. He resigned his commission, studied law, passed the bar and began his own practice in Nashville. He assisted Jackson's presidential campaigns and served as his private secretary after Jackson won the 1828 presidential election. He returned to Tennessee after the end of Jackson's presidency in 1837 and remained active in local politics. He served in various positions as a Democrat and was the Know Nothing nominee for US vice president in 1856.
Obadiah and Mary A. (Carter) Key, natives of Kentucky, settled in Washington County, Mo., when they were children. Immediately after their marriage, in 1825, they moved to Crawford County. Politically a Democrat, Obadiah Key served as county judge and magistrate. He was a good wagon-maker, and both he and wife were members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Mr. Key died at the age of forty-three years, and his wife at the age of fifty.
Condition
Mild age toning with tiny loss at old fold. Inking somewhat faded but quite legible, signatures very fresh and clear. Fine condition for this piece of early presidential Americana.
References
History of Franklin, Jefferson, Washington, Crawford and Gasconade Counties, Missouri, Goodspeeds Publishing, 1888