1820 Settlers title dead - Sir Rufane Donkin (21st November 1820)

This fascinating piece of 1820 (21st November 1820) settler Africana is a unique and exceptional find. A must  for the specialist collector!

This title deed was issued to one George David Donkin for a erf in the Bathurst settlement, district Albany.  Yes, his son. Sir Rufane's sudden appointment (diverted on a passage back from India) to the Cape as colonial governor was ostensibly to oversee the 1820 settlement and expansion  in to the interior.

Talk about nepotism!

What makes this piece significant is that Sir Rufane then  "cancelled" the title deed. Which begs a whole lot of dubious intrigue.....The cancellation is marked by a large " X " on the end piece of the document along with his  counter signature.

His seal too is significant, as it depicts his  title of the "Order of the Bath" and not an officially designated  colonial  governor's  office seal. 

CONDITION

• As to be expected, omnipresent foxing.
• No tears beyond fraying of some edging.
• Seal is intact despite some, to be expected, fine age related cracking.
• Paper is sound and robust, as is typical of the superior parchment used for such important documents.