Hi Robert,

Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.

The vast majority of early historical manuscript (hand-written) or printed documents have only very nominal value; this value can be improved on if they are signed by persons of historical or cultural significance OR relate to singular moments in history by persons connected to those events. It is the signatures of those individuals - and the content of the correspondence - that make the document worth more than little more than nothing ("the paper they're printed on").
In such cases, these documents may have some interest to the families of those bearing witness to history, or historical societies local to the areas discussed. In this case, the Bergen County Historical Society or local history room of the Demarest, NJ Public Library, might be interested in having this, though it's possible they would want this as a gift rather than pay for it. Also, this might be connected with the Demarest House Museum (J. Paulison Homestead) who might be interested in it...

Based on the photos and information provided, and subject to examination, this is:

A Demarest family indenture and land contract
Demarest, NJ, signed and dated April 12, 1772
Double-sided, signed on one side by Samuel Demarest and witnessed by Johnny Demarest and ?? Brinkerhoff; the other side signed by Susannah Demarest and witnessed by Johnny Demarest and ?? Brinkerhoff.
(DIMENSIONS)
CONDITION: With creases and evidence of handling over 250+ years
PROVENANCE: Inherited
$ 25-35*
*represents a fair-market value for auction purposes; retail or asking price may vary.

Please let us know if you have additional items to appraise, or questions/concerns, and thank you again for using Mearto.
~ Delia