Whereas there is no provision made by the act,¹ to which this is a supplement, for the proving deeds or conveyances where the grantors and the witnesses are deceased; for remedy whereof, Be it enacted, That from and after the publication of this act, where the grantors and witnesses of any deed or conveyance are deceased, or cannot be had, it shall and may be lawful to and for any of the justices of the supreme court, or any justice of the court of common pleas of the county where the lands lie, to take the examination of any witness or witnesses, on oath or affirmation, to prove the handwriting of such deceased witness or witnesses, or where such proof cannot be had, then to prove the handwriting of the grantor or grantors, which shall be certified by the justice before whom such proof shall be made, and such deed or conveyance, being so proved, shall be recorded as is usual in other cases directed by the said act.