1803 Philadelphia Sheriff's Deed Signed by Israel Israel – High Sheriff of Philadelphia – Judicial Sale – Germantown Property – Large Folio Manuscript
An outstanding original Philadelphia Sheriff's Deed executed on June 23, 1803, by Israel Israel, High Sheriff of the City and County of Philadelphia, one of the earliest Jewish Americans to hold high public office in Pennsylvania. This impressive legal manuscript records the judicial sale of valuable Germantown real estate following execution on a debt of approximately $5,000, naming merchant John Dubarry as purchaser and conveying property formerly owned by Claude Grimaud and Floriano Millet. Elegantly penned in a large professional legal hand on laid paper, the deed contains a lengthy description of the property, the legal proceedings authorizing the sheriff's sale, and the formal conveyance of title. It bears Israel Israel's bold autograph signature, the original red wax sheriff's seal, embossed paper seal, court acknowledgment dated June 29, 1803, and recording certification from the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas. Documents signed by Israel Israel are sought after by collectors of early American legal history, Pennsylvania state history, Philadelphia ephemera, and Jewish Americana. Combining exceptional visual appeal, historical significance, and excellent state of preservation, this large-format sheriff's deed is an outstanding artifact from the formative years of the American Republic. Condition: Large folio with original folds, light age toning, and minor edge wear. Original red wax and embossed paper seals remain attached. Ink is exceptionally dark and legible throughout, making this an impressive display piece and an excellent addition to advanced collections of early American manuscripts. Document Details Document Type: Sheriff's Deed (Judicial Sale) Jurisdiction: City and County of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Date Executed: June 23, 1803 Acknowledged in Court: June 29, 1803 Sheriff: Israel Israel (1746–1822), elected High Sheriff of Philadelphia in 1800 and a prominent Pennsylvania public official. He also served in the Pennsylvania Senate and is regarded as one of the earliest Jewish public officeholders in the United States. Recorded: Common Pleas Court, Philadelphia, 1803. Contents The deed records a judicial sale resulting from execution on a debt. From the manuscript: Plaintiff: John Dubarry Defendants: Claude Grimaud and Floriano (or Florian) Millet Amount involved: Approximately $5,000 Property: Multiple lots and improvements in Germantown Township, Philadelphia County. The Sheriff conveys the property after public sale held pursuant to a writ of execution. The deed retains: Original large red wax sheriff's seal. Original embossed paper seal. Multiple original signatures. Court acknowledgment. Recording certification. Large folio format. Historical Importance This is more than an ordinary deed. Sheriff's deeds document the legal enforcement of debts in the early Republic and often preserve detailed descriptions of eighteenth-century Philadelphia real estate that no longer exists. They are considerably less common than ordinary private deeds. The signature of Israel Israel adds significant historical interest. He was: Revolutionary War-era merchant. Pennsylvania State Senator. High Sheriff of Philadelphia (1800–1803). Grand Master of Pennsylvania Masons. One of the earliest Americans of Jewish ancestry to hold major public office. Condition Very Good for an early nineteenth-century judicial parchment. Large folio manuscript. Strong dark iron gall ink. Excellent calligraphy. Original wax seal present. Embossed paper seal intact. Typical folds. Minor edge wear and light toning. Overall excellent display appearance.