This item is up for auction on e-bay. Would be a fascinating article to have if you're in the Spencer Blankenship family in IL in the 1850s. Cousin Mike http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=410106180 Franklin Pierce Land Grant Document This is a partly written land grant from the presidency of Franklin Pierce, secretarial signed. It is dated April 15, 1853. This document shows that Amos Barnes, a Private Captain Courtnay's Company forty second Regiment Maryland Militia War 1812 returned 40 acres to the General Land Officer whereas the Surveyor General, Spencer Blankenship and his heirs, were then granted the 40 acres in Bandalia(sp), Illinois. This does have the seal still intact and all of the appropriate signatures. The document is in excellent condition. There are creases where it was folded and has some foxing due to age.