Ard Godfrey

Title: Contract Between Godfrey and Steele
Type: Document
Date: 1848
Source: Minnesota Historical Society

Description: Articles of agreement between Ard Godfrey and Franklin Steele.
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Activities:

1. The document identifies Godfrey as living in the Territory of Wisconsin, but we know St. Anthony is in Minnesota. Was there a mistake in the document?
   
   
   
   
   Answer: No. At the time Minnesota was not yet a territory and the land belonged tothe Territory of Wisconsin Minnesota became a territory in 1849, the following year.
2. According to the document, what does Godfrey—the second party—agree to do?
   
   
   
   
   Answer: He agrees that during the next two years he will construct machinery and manage (superintend) workmen to help him in constructing the machinery.
3. What does the document identify as Steele's part of the agreement?
   
   
   
   
   Answer: Steele—the first party—will pay Godfrey $1,500 a year, and will provide him with an acceptable place to live. It also says Godfrey will get some stock in the mills.
4. What is role of the other two men whose names are at the end of this document?
   
   
   
   
   Answer: The line "Sealed and delivered in presence of" indicates that they were witnesses. Legal documents require someone present to act as a witness in case there are any disagreements in the future.