Manheim, Petersburg, and Lancaster Turnpike or Plank Road Company, Stock Certificate, Lancaster County, Pa., 1852

An early stock certificate for the Manheim, Petersburg, and Lancaster Turnpike or Plank Road Company, which established a private turnpike road in northwestern Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, in the 1850s.

The road was part of what is now designated as Pennsylvania Route 72. As Wikipedia's Route 72 article explains, "The portion of the route between Lancaster and Manheim was chartered on May 9, 1850 as the Manheim, Petersburg, and Lancaster Turnpike, a private turnpike running from Prussia Street in Manheim south to Petersburg (now East Petersburg) and Lancaster."

Mouse over the image above to see an enlargement of the top part of the stock certificate.

Manheim, Petersburg, and Lancaster Turnpike or Plank Road Company

No. 126. Twenty-five dollars per share.

Be it known, that Abraham Shelly Esqr. is entitled to four shares of stock in the Manheim, Petersburg, and Lancaster Turnpike or Plank Road Company, transferable only on the books of said company, in the presence of the president or treasurer, by the said Abraham Shelly personally, or by his attorney.

Witness the seal of said company, this fifth day of May 1852. Henry Imhoff, president.

Attest: Em[anuel] G. Shober, treasurer.

John Bear's [Baer's] Steam Power Press, Lancaster.

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Handwritten notes on the back: "Certificate, Abraham Shelly, 4 Shares, Cancelled, 126. Plank Road, Stock 4 Shares."