The cover of this deed reads: "Deed of Liberty Tree and the Land on which it stands. This Deed was drawn by Henry Marchant, esquire, and copied by William Ellery, esquire. April 14, 1766."

William Read of Newport, merchant, acted as the grantor, while grantees were listed as William Ellery, John Collins, Robert Crook and Samuel Fowler, of Newport, merchants. [Trustees, Sons of Liberty.]. The deed was granted by William Read "in consideration of the love of my country...and also for the further consideration of five shillings."

The property is described as "A certain Large Button Wood Tree standing at the north end of Thames Street at the north end of my lot of land bounded Easterly on Farewell Street, Southerly by my said lot, Westerly on Thames Street. That the said Tree forever hereafter be known by the name of Tree of Liberty…"

The document was signed by 30 witnesses, the Sons of Liberty, and includes several subsequent confirmations of deed, as follows:

William Ellery, John A. Collins, Christopher Fowler appoint William Crooke to replace Robert Crooke, deceased, as trustee. 11 August 1818.

John Avery Collins, Christopher Fowler, William Crooke appoint William Ellery [Jr.] to replace his father William Ellery, deceased, as trustee. 2 August 1820.

John Avery Collins, William Ellery appoint Benjamin Hazard and Samuel Fowler Gardner to replace Christopher Fowler and William Crooke, deceased, as trustees. 25 May 1830

William Ellery, Benjamin Hazard, Samuel Fowler Gardner appoint John F. Townsend to replace John Avery Collins, deceased, as trustee. 19 June 1834.