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Two original early 19th century Philadelphia estate documents involving the historic Zane family and prominent Quaker leader Samuel Coates.
These two manuscript items come from the Estate of Sarah Zane (d. ca. 1820–1825), a member of the early Philadelphia Zane family, whose property lineage traces back to the 1730s.
Both documents were handled by Samuel Coates (1748–1830) — merchant, philanthropist, and one of the most influential figures in early Philadelphia civic life.
Together, they form a rare and genealogically significant mini-archive.
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⭐ DOCUMENT 1
June 23, 1820 – Receipt for Work on the Estate of Sarah Zane
A fully handwritten bill submitted to Samuel Coates, acting as executor of the Estate of Sarah Zane, for routine maintenance work:
“Painting stable and repairing yard — $2.25”
Issued by Ishmael Barton, a known Philadelphia painter/whitewasher who appears in city directories 1810–1835.
Reverse docketed in January 1821.
This is classic probate-related work, confirming that Sarah Zane’s residence or property required upkeep immediately after her death.
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⭐ DOCUMENT 2
February 11, 1826 – Legal Receipt for the Deed of Isaac Zane (dated 1733)
A remarkable follow-up document showing the continued settlement of Sarah Zane’s estate.
This is a formal receipt from John Zane, acting as:
> “Attorney in fact to settle the Estate of Sarah Zane.”
He acknowledges receiving from Samuel Coates a deed originally granted in 1733 from:
Richard Hill — wealthy merchant, associate of James Logan, member of colonial government
Samuel Preston Moore & Hannah Moore — Moore was Treasurer of Pennsylvania Hospital and a major Quaker physician
To Isaac Zane — early Philadelphia Quaker, ancestor of the Zane family
It cites the exact location of the deed: Deed Book H, No. 57, page 330.
This proves that Sarah Zane inherited or controlled property originally granted to the Zane family nearly a century earlier, making the estate legally and genealogically significant.
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⭐ HISTORICAL CONTEXT & SIGNIFICANCE
✔ Samuel Coates (1748–1830)
One of the most important Quakers in Philadelphia history.
Treasurer and later Manager of the Pennsylvania Hospital
Secretary of the Library Company of Philadelphia
Executor for many prominent estates
His involvement immediately elevates the importance and value of any manuscript.
✔ The Zane Family of Philadelphia
A documented early Quaker family whose property and business activities appear in Philadelphia records beginning in the early 1700s.
This archive shows:
An 1820 estate maintenance bill
A legal handoff of an original 1733 deed connected to major colonial figures
John Zane acting on behalf of the family
Samuel Coates executing the estate
This is direct evidence of multi-generational Philadelphia property inheritance.
✔ Richard Hill & Samuel Preston Moore
Two heavyweight names of pre-Revolutionary Philadelphia commerce and governance, making the deed reference historically meaningful even though the deed itself is not present.
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⭐ WHY THESE TWO DOCUMENTS MATTER
✓ Rare to find connected estate documents spanning six years
✓ Link a Quaker widow (Sarah Zane) to property descended from a 1733 colonial deed
✓ Feature signatures/handwriting of John Zane and Samuel Coates
✓ Involve major early Philadelphia figures Hill and Moore
✓ Offer strong genealogical and collectible appeal
This is not just random ephemera — it is a coherent family archive fragment from a well-known early Philadelphia lineage.
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⭐ TRANSCRIPTIONS
Document 1 (1820)
Phila June 23d 1820
Mr Coats
For Estate of Sarah Zane
To Ishmael Barton Dr
For painting stable and repairing yard $2.25
$2.25
Reverse:
Ishmael Barton
vs Sarah Zane
$2.25
Ent Jan 24 1821
pd 10
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Document 2 (1826)
Received, February 11th, 1826, of Samuel Coats,
Executor of Sarah Zane, dec’d, a Deed, viz: Richard Hill,
and Hill, by his attorney, and Samuel Preston Moore
and Hannah, his wife, to Isaac Zane,
dated June 13, 1733, and recorded in the office at Philadelphia,
in Deed Book H. 57, page 330, &c.
John Zane
Attorney in fact to settle the Estate of Sarah Zane
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⭐ SIZE & CONDITION
Beautiful period ink
Expected folds and minor toning
No restoration or modern ink
Very clear signatures and docketing
