CHARLES BIDDLE (1745-1821). Elected to Pennsylvania’s Supreme Executive Council in 1784, served as its Vice President 1785-1787 alongside President Benjamin Franklin; Secretary of the Council from 1787-1791; he later served at the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas 1791-1809 and as a Federalist Member of the Pennsylvania State Senate 1810-1814.
January 28th, 1786-Dated, Vellum Land Sale Deed Signed, “Ch. Biddle V P” by the Vice President of the Supreme Executive Council of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Charles Biddle, Fine. This official document for land purchased from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania by Revolutionary War Veteran John McCulloh by an Act Ratified on March 12th, 1783 that was created to allow for land to be distributed to Veterans of the Revolutionary War Continental Army from Pennsylvania. The land mentioned is West of the Ohio River, sold for Twenty two Pounds Ten Shillings. At the bottom of this document is the (witnessed) by and Signed, “James Trimble for John Armstrong” (the Major General of the Pennsylvania Militia).

This document is well kept and has been professionally conserved for display. At top left is a mostly intact Embossed SEAL OF THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA, most of the seal’s paper star either folded or torn. There is a tan stain at upper right and the vellum is irregular at the left and bottom margins. The printed typeset black ink and text remain clear and crisp, the manuscript portions are easily readable in brown ink. Charles Biddle’s signature, located under the Pennsylvania State Seal, has partially faded over the centuries. On the reverse side are two Seals at the top right and left corners, both are well kept and easily legible. The right seal has Latin text and a scene of a soldier stabbing a beast, while the left seal has the text, “INROLLMENT OFFICE OF PENNSYLVANIA.”
CHARLES BIDDLE held numerous public offices: he was elected to Pennsylvania’s Supreme Executive Council in 1784, served as Vice President of the Council from 1785 to 1787 alongside Benjamin Franklin, and was Secretary of the Council from 1787 to 1791.

He later became prothonotary of the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas (1791-1809) and served as a Federalist member of the Pennsylvania State Senate (1810-1814).