^Lot 59 William Henry Harrison

Partly-printed DS, secretarially signed “W. H. Harrison by N.P. Causin Jr Secy,” one page, 16.25 x 10, March 25, 1841. A land grant issued to John Hustis in the Wisconsin Territory for 80 acres. Intersecting folds, small hole along one fold, and some scattered light toning and soiling, otherwise fine condition. The white wafer seal is worn, but intact.

Due to the extremely busy schedule of the president and the desire to have the West settled as quickly as possible, the task of signing land grants had been relegated to a senate-approved secretary by an act signed into law by Andrew Jackson. This particular land grant, dated the day before Harrison became sick with the illness that would take his life nine days later, was issued to a prodigious settler who purchased over sixty plots of government land in Wisconsin between 1840 and 1844 and founded Hustisford, Wisconsin. Though Hustis himself received many land grants, those issued during Harrison's thirty-two day presidency are extremely scarce, making this one of the most desirable documents from the shortest presidential administration.