1888 Manuscript Of A Grant To Let Kirkbride Farm, Evesham Township, Burlington County, New Jersey

, 1888; Large (9" x 14") 4-page manuscript granting the right to farm a three-hundred acre messuage in Evesham Township, Burlington County, New Jersey, commonly known as Kirkbride Farm, bounded by lands of Jacob Evans, Edward Darnel, et. al. for a term of three years at $1,250 per annum. Careful stipulations are made as to maintenance of all buildings and fences, crops to be planted, types and frequency of fodders and manures to be used, retention of at least 30 head of meat cattle, mandatory condition of the property upon end of term, prohibition against the use of steam power of any kind, etc. Lessors are Rebecca E. Lippincott (née Kirkbride) and Eliza H. Kirkbride, both of Mullica Hill, Gloucester County, and Ella C. Stacy (Story?), wife of Theodore, of Camden County. Lessee is Thomas Matchett, of Camden County. Signed and sealed by all parties January 20, 1888 and witnessed by William Graff of Camden County. A prominent family in West Jersey, the Kirkbrides are descended from Joseph Kirkbride, a Quaker who emigrated to the New World from England in 1682 and first established himself in Pennsbury, PA before relocating to Burlington County, New Jersey and becoming an influential minister and large landowner there, as well as in Bucks County, PA. The Lippincotts are likewise of long standing prominence, with roots reaching back to progenitor Richard Lippincott who, after numerous trials and tribulations in New England, joined the Society Of Friends and relocated to West Jersey where, in 1676, he purchased one thousand acres from John Fenwick at the nascent New Salem colony. Fine condition, clean, crisp, ink bright, no chips or tears.