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Item Description
Up for sale is a stunning, original 1841 Indenture (Land Deed) from Bucks County, Pennsylvania. This museum-quality document records the "release" of an estate totaling approximately 48 acres in Buckingham Township from the heirs of Jacob Overholt to Isaac Overholt.
This is a premier piece for collectors of Pennsylvania history, Mennonite genealogy, or Whiskey ephemera, as it features the prominent Overholt family name (associated with the famous Old Overholt rye whiskey).
Key Features:
• Date: Signed April 14, 1841; Officially recorded in Doylestown, Nov 5, 1853.
• Location: Plumstead and Buckingham Townships, Bucks County, PA.
• Signatures: Includes Abraham Overholt, John Overholt, Ralph Landes, Charles Bryan, and others.
• Physicality: Hand-written on large parchment/vellum with original embossed seals and the signature of Recorder Hugh H. Kinder.
• Content: Detailed metes and bounds description mentioning neighboring lands (Tobias Weisel) and a "messuage" (dwelling house).
Historical Significance:
The Overholt family were foundational settlers in Bucks County. This document serves as a primary source for the transfer of the family "homestead" or "messuage" following the death of Jacob Overholt.
Condition Notes:
The document has been well-preserved. The ink remains dark and highly legible. Standard archival folds are present. No major tearing or significant foxing. Note the faint pencil notations on the reverse regarding a later 1850s sale for $5,000, adding to the provenance of the piece.
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Notable Historical Context
The most notable figure associated with this document is Abraham Overholt (1784–1870). While there were many Overholts in Bucks County, this specific family line is famous for founding the Old Overholt whiskey brand.
• Abraham Overholt: He was a prominent Mennonite distiller and industrialist. By the time this deed was recorded, he had already turned his family’s agricultural distilling into a major commercial enterprise in Western Pennsylvania (West Overton).
• The Overholt Family: The family was central to the Mennonite community in Bucks County before many migrated west. Documents like this are highly sought after by genealogists tracing the "Overholt" or "Oberholtzer" lineage, as well as the Landis and Bryan families, who were also prominent early Pennsylvania settlers.
• Doylestown History: The signature of Hugh H. Kinder (Recorder of Deeds) and Josiah Rich (Justice of the Peace) adds local historical value, as both were active in Bucks County civic life during the mid-19th century.
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To All People to whom these presents shall come Abraham Overholt of the township of Plumstead and Anna his wife Elizabeth Overholt of the township of Buckingham [...] and John Overholt of the township of Buckingham and Mary his wife Magdalena Overholt of the township of Buckingham [...] Ralph Sandes [Landis] of the township of Plumstead and Esther his wife [...] Charles Bryan of the township of Buckingham and Mary his wife [...] send greeting.
Whereas Jacob Overholt late of the township of Buckingham deceased by virtue of divers good conveyances and assurances in the law duly had and executed [...] land situated in the township of Buckingham aforesaid containing forty eight acres and thirty three perches of land [...]
Now Know Ye that the said Abraham Overholt and Anna his wife Elizabeth Overholt Ralph Sandes and Esther his wife John Overholt and Mary his wife Magdalena Overholt Charles Bryan and Mary his wife [...] in consideration of the sum of one thousand two hundred and thirty eight dollars and fifteen cents to them in hand paid by the said Isaac Overholt [...] have remised released and for ever quit claim unto the said Isaac Overholt and to his heirs and assigns all the estate and estates shares purparts and dividends right title interest property claim and demand whatsoever...
[Property Description excerpt]:
Beginning at a stone for a corner in the middle of a public road [...] by lands lately conveyed to Tobias Weisel [...] to a stone and South thirty nine degrees and nine tenths to a stone thence by lands devised by the said Jacob Overholt deceased to his son John Overholt...
Execution & Certification (Bottom Left & Center)
Sealed and delivered in the presence of us:
• Josiah Rich
• Mathias Smith
Bucks County
Be it known that on the fourteenth day of April Anno Domini 1841 before the subscriber one of the Justices of the Peace in and for said county came the above named Abraham Overholt and Anna his wife Elizabeth Overholt Ralph Landes and Esther his wife John Overholt and Mary his wife Magdalena Overholt Charles Bryan and Mary his wife and acknowledged the above written release to be their act and deed...
[Signed] Josiah Rich
Signatures (Bottom Right)
The following individuals signed or made their mark (X) to execute the deed:
• Abraham Overholt
• Anna Overholt (Marked with X)
• Elizabeth Overholt
• Ralph Landes
• Esther Landes (Marked with X)
• John Overholt
• Mary Overholt
• Magdalena Overholt
• Charles Bryan
• Mary Bryan
Summary of the Transaction
• Date: April 14, 1841.
• Location: Bucks County, Pennsylvania (Townships of Plumstead and Buckingham).
• Parties: The heirs and executors of Jacob Overholt (deceased) releasing their interest in the family estate.
• Recipient: Isaac Overholt.
• Price: $1,238.15.
• Acreage: Approx. 48 acres and 33 perches.
Bucks County SS
Recorded in the Recorders office in said County in Deed Book No. 82 Page 361 Witness my hand and seal of office at Doylestown November 5th 1853
[Signed] Hugh H. Kinder, Recorder
The heirs of Jacob Overholt deceased
to
Isaac Overholt
A messuage and 48 acres 34 perches of land
in Buckingham Bucks
This is a close-up of the acknowledgement section and the primary male grantors.
• Josiah Rich (Justice of the Peace)
• Abraham Overholt
• John Overholt
• Ralph Landes
• Charles Bryan