1804 Virginia document signed by Lt. Gov. John Guerrant, Richmond — measures 6 3/4" x 6 1/2" — to securely ship!

Lower half of a document, believed to be the surviving portion of an official Virginia land patent having the similar language used at this time for land ownership. Still partially presents is the remainder of the large red Official Seal of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

The document is signed by John Guerrant. This would be John Guerrant Jr. (1760–1813) of Goochland County, Virginia. He was a prominent Virginia Revolutionary War officer and politician. He served on the Virginia Council of State from 1797 to 1805, and eventually became president of that council. Virginia's executive government at the time was unusual. There was no separately elected Lieutenant Governor in 1804. The President of the Council of State could exercise the governor's functions when necessary. Guerrant's seniority on the council put him in that position. Historical sources specifically state that John Guerrant served as president of the Virginia State Council and, in that capacity, acted as lieutenant governor.