When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Historic 1826 Handwritten Letter – Joseph Reed to Daniel W. Coxe, Esq. | Early American Finance | Morris Stock | Original Wax Seal
Description:
Offered here is an original handwritten letter dated January 4, 1826, from Joseph Reed to Daniel W. Coxe, Esq., referencing dividends and interest related to Robert Morris stock, along with enclosed checks for the benefit of unnamed female beneficiaries. The letter includes mention of Mr. Waterston, who encloses the interest on his own certificates. This correspondence offers a rare view into the management of post-Revolutionary investments, estate settlements, and the financial legacies of America’s founding elite.
This item is in excellent condition and includes the original red wax seal. A fine addition to any collection focused on early American finance, law, or Philadelphia history.
---
Full Transcription:
> My Dear Sir,
I do not know the exact amount which will be due after settlement of the interest, with the proceeds on the late loan — including the dividend to be received on the Morris stock. I should suppose there would be at least 100 dolls. due to each of the ladies, and for this you have checks enclosed for your signature —
Mr. Waterston encloses the interest on his separate certificates.
Sincerely,
Yr
Jos. Reed
100 Great Church
4 Janr 1826
---
Historical Significance:
This letter offers unique insight into the financial aftershocks of Robert Morris’s speculative land empire, whose collapse sent ripples through early American finance. By 1826, many family trusts and legal agents were still sorting through dividends, loans, and claims. The reference to female beneficiaries and dividend checks reflects the estate management practices of early American elite families, especially as they pertained to inherited wealth, legal trusts, and investment management.
---
Biographies of Individuals Mentioned:
Joseph Reed (1772–1846):
Philadelphia lawyer and son of Joseph Reed Sr., Revolutionary War officer and President of Pennsylvania’s Supreme Executive Council. Joseph Reed the younger worked on estate and financial matters for prominent families and maintained strong ties to Philadelphia’s legal community.
Daniel W. Coxe, Esq. (1780–1852):
Descendant of the Coxe family, one of the largest colonial landowners in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Coxe was a respected attorney and trustee, known for managing complex estates and financial affairs, particularly for women and heirs of Revolutionary figures. He was deeply embedded in the post-war aristocratic legal-financial web.
Mr. Waterston:
Likely a financial officer or agent handling investment certificates tied to Robert Morris\'s ventures. Though less well-documented, his presence in this correspondence indicates active involvement in interest-bearing holdings and estate-related investments.
---
Physical Details:
Single folded page
Clear, legible ink throughout
Original red wax seal intact
No tears or repairs; very good archival condition
---
An excellent primary source document from the early 19th century—perfect for historians, collectors of early American manuscripts, or those researching the legal and financial networks of post-Revolutionary America.
