Document signed by John A. Steinbeck leaving land and property to Mr. Metzler in a year and a half, handwritten, with a wax seal, [211] 1858-06-04

This is to certify that I leave Mr. P. Metzler of Jaffa a parcel of land called Mnt. Hope for one year & a half from this time, to look after it & to look after its welfare & also to take care of the tools which are left in the room, he having the key. He can do with it as he pleases, either let it to arabs & work it himself, provided that the improvement & best of the land is kept constantly in view. Mr. Metzler obliges himself to deliver the tools & land & house to any order coming from Mr. Charles A. Minor or myself but to no other persons whatever. If no order arrives from us in the above referred to one year & a half it shall be considered the Mr. Metzler is to have the land & every thing else for another year. As renumeration for the troubles Mr. Metzler is to have the produce of the land & nobody shall have the right to ask any questions about it.

Jaffa June 4 1858

John A. Steinbeck

A list of tools left on Mnt Hope & for Mr. Metzler is responsible.

[left column] 1. Grain separator. 2. Coffee mill. 3. Ox yoke & bought. [stone boat] 4. two pairs of harnesses. 5. large grinding mill. 6. small pump. 7. large pump & lead pipe 8. Cultivator. 9. iron vice. 10. churn. 11. window blind. 12. ladies saddle. 13. Cradle. 14. spinning wheel. 15. a box containing the large tent. 16. a box & barrel containing the ropes of tent. 17. scales. 18. grind stone. 19. an pair of bedfeet. 20. an stone hammer. 21. three empty barrels. 22. a grain shovel. 23. a keg of waterproof paint. 24. three manure forks. 25 double wippeltree. 26. two rakes. 27. a bedstead. 28 four hoes with handles. 29. sythsnath. [scythe snathe]

[right column] 30. ten hoe handles 31. two shovels & three spades. 32. crobar. 33. one pair of tracechains. 34. a stone drill. 35. another small drill. 36. sledge hammer. 37. demijohns. 38. sythe. 39. sickles. 40. one small american plough. 41. fire grates. 42 a tin of waterproof paint. 43. a tin with spirits of terpentine. 44. 7 hoes without handles. 45. 2 curry combs & brush. 46. steal traps. 47. blacksmith tongs. 48. two mill stone hammers. 49. two pair of sheep shears. 50. two large draftchains. 51. washing board. 52. a box containing school books 53. a musket. 54 anvil. 55. table. 56. two handsaws. 57. four large augers. 58. other [illegible] & bottles.

59. the pillars belonging to the large tent. 60. one cupboard & very large box. 61 other 4 boxes.

The above tools I promise to take care of & deliver the same on demand.

JerusalemJaffa June 4, 1858.

P. Metzler