Edward SHIPPEN Jr. (1729-1806) Eldest son of Edward Shippen. Lawyer, judge and politician. Chief Justice of Pennsylvania but was impeached in 1804 in a politically motivated action. His third daughter Margaret Shippen was the second wife of Benedict Arnold.

A collection of five fine-content pieces (11 pages total) including two Autograph Documents (unsigned), 3pp. various sizes, Jan – Apr. 1758 together with six other manuscript documents in unknown hands, being notes on a civil action against Thomas Holliday, a justice of the peace in Lancaster County, brought by John Miller and tried before Shippen and fellow judge Robt. Thompson. Miller charged, as related in manuscript D.S. 2pp. 12 1/4 x 7 1/2 in., [n.p., n.d.] that Holliday “… heard & gave Judgm[en]t in a Matter in which Mr Whitehill had formerly given Judgm:t & that after Mr. Holliday had seen a Certificate of Mr. Whitehills Judg:t — That Mr: Holliday heard & Gave Judg:t in the Cause at a Tavern where he makes a practice of Trying causes — That Mr. Holliday gave Jdg:t that the Def:t should pay for the Gun (about which the dispute ws) altho’ the Gun had been a long time before return’d to the Pltiff. that Mr: Holliday gave Judgm:t for £1..1..0 Costs which was exorbitant That This is not the only Instance of Mr: Hollidays abusing his power & oppressing the people.” Shippen adds his own note at the bottom remarking, “At the Court I spoke to some of the Justices about the Matter & Mr. Whitehill… Neither did Mr: Whitehill Inform me at that time that he had given Judgment”.

The collection also includes portions of Shippen’s interrogatory, kept in another hand, 4pp. 12 1/4 x 7 1/2 in., with smaller sheet attached with a pin; an A.D.S. “Tho: Halliday”, signed twice, 1p. 12 1/4 x 7 1/2 in., Lancaster County, 10 Feb. 1758, being a pair of examinations, one signed with the mark of William Gay, the other “Abigail White”. Shippen’s own notes, take up three pages and are heavily edited and include a calculation of court costs amounting to £1-3-0. A fascinating collection worthy of further research and study.

Provenance: Parke-Bernet Galleries, New York, 25 November 1952, Lot 322 to the present owner.

Partial fold separations, some marginal wear as shown, minor toning else very good.

(EXA 2749) $650