Thomas Stone

Thomas Stone (1743 - October 5, 1787), American lawyer and signer of the Declaration of Independence as a delegate from Maryland, authentic autographed eighteenth century legal document (DS).  The document pertains to a legal dispute over 2200 pounds of Tobacco crop between a "John Thomas" and James Davis."

Following the Declaration of Independence, Stone worked on the committee that formed the Articles of Confederation and later acted as President of Congress in 1784.

The document reads: "Charles County to wit, James Davis late of Charles County planter otherwise called James Davis planter in Charles County in the State of Maryland was summoned to answer unto John Thomas of a plea that he render unto him the full and just sum of twenty two hundred pounds of good inspected crop tobacco, which to him he owes and unjustly detains ansoforth_____

And thereupon the same John Thomas__ by Tho. Stone his attorney saith___ that whereas the said James Davis___on the twelfth___day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty three at Charles County aforesaid by his certain writing obligatory sealed with the seal of the said James Davis__ and hereinto Court brought whose date is the day and year aforesaid acknowledged himself to be held and firmly bound unto the aforesaid John Thomas____ in the aforesaid sum of twenty two hundred pounds of good inspected crop tobacco___ to be paid to the sum John Thomas____ When thereunto afterwards he the said James Davis ___ should be required (verso) Nevertheless the said James Davis___ the said sum of twenty two hundred pounds of good inspected crop tobacco___ unto the said John Thomas___ hath not rendered or paid but the same to him the said John Thomas____ To render or pay he hath hitherto altogether refused and still doth refuse to pay the same wherefore he saith he is the worse and hath___ damage to the value of two thousand two hundred pounds of good inspected crop tobacco___ and therefore suit is brought and so forth ) John Doe T. Stone  for the plaintiff pledges etc.   ) Richard Roe and the same James Davis___ by his attorney comes and defends the force and injury when and so forth and prays over of the meriting obligatory aforesaid and also of the condition thereof and he hath__ it in the words and figures following to wit. Know all men, etc."

Approximately 6" x 7" in size, tipped in to a 8" x 10.25" sheet. Near complete separation along one of the documents original mailing folds, just slightly beneath the signature section. Tust-stained paperclip impression to larger sheet, otherwise fine condition.