ROYERSFORD PA – A property deed – known in the late 1700s as a land patent – that bears the signature of Benjamin Franklin is one of several new additions to exhibits at the museum of the Spring-Ford Area Historical Society, it reports.
Also currently highlighted in its collections are an original 1772 edition of Poor Richard’s Almanac; a 1776 Christoph Saur German Bible, printed in Germantown; and a newly acquired Oehlert Carriage Works utility bobsled that was manufactured around 1900 in Royersford.
The deed, the almanac, and the bible all are scheduled to go on display Sunday (Sept. 27, 2026) for a special showing. It will be held at 526 Main St., the home of the museum and the society’s offices.
What Makes the Deed Special?
The deed was donated to the society, as well as many other historical items, by one of its long-time volunteers: the late Robert Hollenbach. Both he and his late wife, Phyllis, regularly assisted the society in a variety of tasks, as well as administrative duties, the society explains.
Among their many gifts to the museum was the land patent dated June 7, 1787, and delivered in a large envelope. One of the signatures on the deed was none other than “B. Franklin”.
In conducting research on the document to verify its authenticity, society Treasurer Dave Willauer learned “there are scores of documented land patents from this era that were indeed signed by Franklin.”
The land patent to be displayed includes a mostly-intact, two-sided Pennsylvania state seal. The State Seal of Pennsylvania is one of only two – the other is West Virginia – that has both an obverse and reverse.
Remaining wax from the seal is very thin, and the ribbon used in the seal is quite fragile. However, the society says “impressions left when the seal was embossed can be easily viewed.” Another seal on the deed, added by the State Enrollment Office, is a smaller version of the obverse side of the state seal.
Open Sundays and Wednesdays
The museum is regularly open Sundays from 1-3 p.m., and Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. However, the museum has announced in advance that it will be closed Oct. 4 (Sunday), and Nov. 25 and 29 (Wednesday and Sunday).
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