Original Handwritten and Printed Bond Between Stephen Self, Son, and Fisher, and Cunningham

Self, Stephen

About this Item

Original handwritten and printed bond between Stephen Self, Son (?), and Fisher & Cunningham. Fill-in-the-blank format where printed text is interspersed with handwriting in black ink. Signed by Stephen Self and Son and signed and witnessed by James Jennings. July 18, 1774. 7 1/2" x 9 1/2." One page, complete. Small bit of handwriting on the back. Horizontal and vertical fold lines, possibly original. Document is clean and intact overall. Slight splitting at the edges along the fold lines. Several chips with the largest being about 1" x 2 1/2" in the lower-left corner. None of the chips affect text or handwriting, except for a small one slightly affecting the handwritten word, "18th." What appears to be a small burn hole at the bottom appears between "Stephen" and "Self" in Stephen Self's signature but his signature is unaffected. "Son" is curiously signed on what appears to be an intentionally cut trapezoid shape at the lower-right edge that has been folded over (signature on top of the folded-over trapezoid). A Very Good copy. Primary source document giving insight into life during the late eighteenth century and an example of early American currency, namely, Virginia Currency. Virginia used the pound until 1793. sStephen Self (1712-1797) lived in Westmorland (or Westmoreland) County, Virginia. This is a legal bond between Stephen Self (and Son) and Fisher & Cunningham that obligates Stephen and Son to pay Fisher & Cunningham a sum of thirty-one pounds, nineteen shillings, and two pence in Virginia Currency. Document reads as follows: "Know all Men, by these Presents, that I Stephen Self Son of Westmorland County held and firmly bound unto Fisher & Cunningham[.] in said County in the just and full Sum of Thirty One pounds nineteen shillings & two pence Virginia Currency to be paid unto the said Fisher & Cunningham their certain Attorney, their Heirs, Executors, Administrators or Assigns; to which Payme[n]t, well and truly to be made, I bind myself my Heirs, Executors, and Administrators, firmly by these Presents. Sealed with my Seal, and dated this 18th Day of July Anno. Dom. One Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy Four; The Condition of the above Obligation is such, that if the above bound Stephen Self Son do and shall well and truly pay, or cause to be paid, unto the said Fisher & Cunningham, their certain Attorney, their Executors, Administrators, or Assigns, the just Sum of Fifteen pounds Nineteen & Seven pence Virginia Currency then the above Obligation to be void, or else to remain in full Force and Virtue. Sealed and Delivered in the Presence of Jms. Jennings. [.] Stephen Self Son. [.].". Seller Inventory # 023200

Bibliographic Details

Title: Original Handwritten and Printed Bond ...

Binding: No Binding

Condition: Very Good