Alvin Saunders Territory Governor Patent

Alvin Saunder's Territory Governor Patent signed by Abraham Lincoln 1865. With a note from Alvin Saunder on this maybe the last document signed by President Abraham Lincoln just before he left for the theater the night he was killed.Alvin Saunders Territory Governor Patent This is a certificate my daughter Deirdre found. While we were researching the SAUNDERS Line. We were in Lincoln, Nebraska at the Nebraska State Archives. They have the original stored in a special vault. Donated by a descendent of Alvin's. I was able to see it and obtain a photograph copy of it. The copy now hangs on the wall in my genealogy office. This is one of the aspects of the reasons researching this line has been so very interesting... Alvin was my third great Uncle. I am descended from his sister Nancy who married Amos LOCK/E

Alvin's daughter went on to marry the son and Russell Benjamin Harrison grandson of the HARRISON Line of Presidents. Alvin's wife Marthena Barlow was a cousin to the wife of the son of Abraham Lincoln.

Abraham Lincoln

President of the United States of America

To all who shall see these Presents Greeting:

It be now (sic) that represing special trust and confidence in the Integrity and Ability__________

of Alvin Saunders of Iowa____________ I__________________________________________

_____________ do appoint him to be Governor of the Territory of Nebraska;________________

and do authorize him to create and fulfil the duties of that Office according to Law,____ _________

and to have and to hold the said Office with all the powers, privileges and emoluments ~ thereunto of right~

appertaining unto him the said Alvin Saunders, during the pleasure of the President of the United States

for the time being and until the end of the next session of the Senate of the United States, and no longer.

In Testimony whereof I have caused these Letters to made patent

and the seal of the United States to be hereunto affixed.

Given under my hand at the City of Washington, the Thirteenth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and Sixty-five, and of the Independence of the United States of America the Eighty-ninth..___________

(signed) Abraham Lincoln

By the President

(signed) William A. Seward

Secretary of State

(The following is on the lower part of the Patent).

The Signature of President Lincoln attached to this commission, was evidently the last official signature made by him - He signed it just before leaving for the theatre, where he was assassinated, and left the commission on his desk with stopping to fold it, and where it was found when the door was opened after his death - These facts were communicated to me by one of the clerks.

(signed) Alvin Saunders