Document Signed

This commissioned officer of the Continental Army served with the Maryland Rifle Company that came to George Washington's aid during the Siege of Boston in July-August 1775; he went on to become a justice of the peace and judge -- but is best known as the father of author Francis Scott Key of "Star-Spangled Banner" fame. DS, 1p, 16" X 13", Frederick County, MD, 30 May 1789. Very good. Mildly age toned, with numerous neat and discreet archival mends on verso along delicate folds. Top edge scalloped. Key acts as one of two witnesses in this land deed in which William Emmit sells a parcel of land in "Emmits Burgh" to one David Tanner for the sum of "Five Pounds Current Money." Boilerplate legalese description of the parcel follows and Emmit signs at lower right. At lower left the deed is "Signed Sealed and Delivered in the Presence of" and Key plus one other person (Jonathan Green) sign large and bold. On the verso are two endorsements both of which bear the same 30 May 1789 date, each also signed by Key and the other witness -- the first in which Emmit (who signs again) notes payment received and the second in which the two witnesses record they are "the Worshipful Justices of the Peace for said County and acknowledged the within Instrument of Writing to be his [Emmit's] Act and Deed and the land and Premises Therein Mentioned to be the Right and Estate of the within Named David Tanner his heirs and assigns for Ever...." Emmit (ca. 1760-1818) first bought large land lots from his father Samuel in 1785 and established the town of Emmitsburg in southern Maryland. Attractive and uncommon and signed three times.