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FROM THE BOOKS OF
FRANCIS MARION WIGMORE
1872-1952THE ESTATE OF
GEORGE WASHINGTON, DECEASED|
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HOUDON’S ORIGINAL BUST OF WASHINGTON,
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WASHINGTON,

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PaAUeB ales Hook» IN MeCM xX XV It Be

Pit Thee ROW N: AND COMPANY.Copyright, 1927,
By LirTLe, BRown, AND COMPANY

All rights reserved
including the right of translation into
all languages, the Scandinavian included.

Published, November, 1927

© 0: ae
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Siw ene
¢ e ee
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PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICATo the Memory
of
My Parents,

MOwLS EH EN. and ERNSee ERs SuNG
this book is dedicated.

HE WAS A CAPTAIN IN THE REVOLUTION OF 1848
AND SHE WAS OF THE SAME SPIRIT. THEY WERE
CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES BY COSTLY
CHOICE FOR MORE THAN FIFTY YEARS. THEY
BROUGHT TO MATURITY THREE DAUGHTERS AND
THREE SONS. THEY TAUGHT THEM TO LOVE THE
LAND AND REVERE THE MEMORY OF GEORGE

WASHINGTON, TO BE FREE FROM FEAR,

SUPERSTITION, HATRED AND PREJUDICE,

AND TO LOVE MANKIND. TO DO
GOOD WAS THEIR RELIGION.PREFACE

More than one thousand books have been written and printed
about George Washington. They usually treat of his personal
affairs only to the time of his death. The subsequent history of
his family and his belongings, except Mount Vernon, has received
practically no attention.

Yet the subject is so large, so obvious and so interesting a
study, that it should have received earnest and competent atten-
tion long ago. It had to be begun now to avoid the complete
loss of records and monuments which are its witnesses.

After repeated casual readings of his will and schedule of
estate and a number of visits to Mount Vernon, the subject was
suddenly suggested to a mind familiar with legal and probate
history. A little examination of the estate and the recorded
proceedings concerning it in the fifty-one years required to
administer it, sufficed to produce the conviction that here was
an opportunity not to be neglected or lightly dealt with.

Not to forestall criticism, but as an honest confession, it should
be said that this book is not an attempt at professional historical
work or literary composition. It is the effort of one who is an
amateur in both, yet saw a need and an opportunity which seemed
to be going to waste.

The fact that no one has hitherto even approached the subject
has been a constant stimulant and also a source of fear; a stimu-
lant to the desire to add something to the stock of useful knowl-
edge concerning one of the greatest of mankind, a fear that this
desire might mislead ambition to overdo and weary the reader
with the writer’s prolixity.

In respect to the latter I have found comfort in the knowledge
that many of the facts which I shall give, often in great detail,
are not to be found in print elsewhere, and so at least an acces-
sible record is here given for such use as others may hereafterVill Preface
make of them. In respect to the desire to add something worth
while to our stock of knowledge, I leave the public to judge.
It has been well said that “ posterity loves details.”
Washington’s holdings in Virginia and six other States were
manifold, so that the subject of this book offers variety enough.
The administration of the estate was unusually long, its vicissi-
tudes and experiences, legal and practical, were many and
peculiar, and the lessons in law and wisdom which it teaches are
interesting and valuable. The effort made to trace the origins
of his holdings has compelled the writing of much of Washing-
ton’s business and private life and resulted in new matter. It
discloses him in the capacity of an engineer and captain of in-
dustry, which perhaps was his true career and character, with
the purest of ethics and ideals and continental vision and
purposes. If my readers derive a fraction of the pleasure, in-
struction and satisfaction which have been mine in the prepara-
tion of the book now submitted, I shall be more than glad.

EUGENE E. PRUSSING
July 4, 1927CHAPTER

II
III
IV
V
VI

VII
VIII
IX

xX

XI
XII
XIII
XIV
XV
XVI
XVII
XVIII
XIX

XX

XXI
XXII
XXIII
XXIV
XXV
XXVI
XXVII

XXVIII

Contents

PREFACE

INTRODUCTORY . ‘ :

Or WasuHineton’s Last YEARS

Or tHe Deatu, FuNerAaL anv Famity
Or tHe WILL . :
Tue Witt or GEorRGE Ww ASHINGTON

Or THE PROBATE OF THE WILL AND THE INVENTORY
AND APPRAISEMENT

Or tHe Winow

Or tHE Dests : :

Or tue Goops AND CHATTELS

Or rue Casu, Riguts AND CreEpITS

Or tHe Bank Stocks : :

Or tHe Lisrary AND LiTERARY Rancsive

Or THE NEGROES

Or tHE Minor BeQuEsts

Or true ALEXANDRIA ACADEMY

Or Liserty Hart AcApEMY

Or tHE NatIioNAL UNIVERSITY

Or Mount VERNON : ‘ : :

Or “ My Lanp at Four ie Bon ”, AND SQUARE
TWENTY-ONE

Or tHe Finat CriausEs AND THE WASHINGTON
MonvuMENT

Or tue EsTATE IN THE oo or WASHINGTON .
Or tHe Maryrianp Farms

Or tHE Potomac CoMPpANY SHARES

Or rue Dismat Swamp Lanp Company

Or tHE LANpDs oN THE EASTERN WATERS .

Or tHE Outiyine LANDs

Or tue Onto River AND GREAT Keane Reoae
LANps

Or tue Exesecutors’ AccouNTs

PAGE
Vii

17
24
42

84

92
101
106
112
126
137
154
161
168
173
186
196i
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x
CHAPTER
XXIX
XXX

APPENDIX

I

II
III
IV
V
VI
VII

VIII
IX

Contents

Or tHE HammMonp APPEAL . - : : : :
CoNcLUSION . : : : : ‘ : 3 :
ADDENDUM ; : : : 5 : : ‘ :

THe Witt or Martrua WasHineton or Mount

VERNON : : : : : > : ‘ :
INVENTORY AND APPRAISEMENT OF THE EsTATE OF
GrorGe WASHINGTON : 2 . : : 5
Pusric Sates Mave sy THE Executrors or GENL.
Grorce WasuincTon, or His Estate . 5 ;

ExTRACTS FROM THE “ HANDBOOK oF MANUSCRIPTS
IN THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS” : s : j
Tue James Wetcu CorresPONDENCE

Wiiyt or G. W. P. Custis. : j : ;

Wixi oF Mary C. Ler . : : : E : j
Tue Witt or Rosert E. Ler : :

ProcrEpINGs IN THE Housr or REPRESENTATIVES OF
THE UNniTep StTatTes, ON THE PRESENTATION OF
THE Sworp or WAsHINGTON AND THE STAFF
oF FraNKLIN, Fresruary 7, 1843. : : :

InpEx : : ; ‘ 3 A : :

PAGE

364
371
375

389

401

449

460

476
A478
479

481
491Illustrations

Hovpon’s OricinAL Bust or WASHINGTON, AT Mount

VERNON . : 5 5 ‘ 3 ; : é . Frontispiece
PAGE

Mary Batt Wasurineron, THE Motuer or PRESIDENT
WASHINGTON , : : : e :
From the painting by Robert Edge Pine

Tirte Pace or THE First Epirion PRINTED OF WAsHINGTON’S

WILL : : : , ‘ : : ; : : ‘ :

Last Pace or GUNTHER Copy OF WasHINGTON’s WILL.
ENDORSEMENT THEREON IN HANDWRITING OF BusHRopD
WASHINGTON ‘ : ‘ : : : 2

First Pace or Wasuineton’s Witt As It Now ApprArs
TwENTY-THIRD Pace or WASHINGTON’S WILL
Last Pace or Wasuineton’s WiLL : ; j ?

Lot, Corner oF Prince AND CAMERON Srreets, ALEXANDRIA
Devised to Mrs. Washington. The frame building is the
duplicate of Washington’s office, removed years ago

First Pace or Martua Wasurineton’s WILL, witH SIGNATURE
Paces From WasHineTon’s Caso Book

Bank or Enciuanp DivmeNnp Orper, SIGNED BY
WASHINGTON AND WIFE IN 1759 . : : : :

Bank or ENGLAND Stock Lepcer PAgE CONCERNING
WASHINGTON ’S SHARES ; : ‘ ‘ ; :

CERTIFICATE OF STocK IN BANK oF ALEXANDRIA IN
WasHINGToN’s NAME . : ‘ s :

Wasuineton ScHoor, ALEXANDRIA : ‘ , : :

Lerrers TrestaAMENTARY oN WasuiNneTon’s WiLL, IssuED IN
THE District oF COLUMBIA : ; : : ‘ :

Last Pace or BusHrop WAsHINGTON’s ANSWER IN MaryLAND
Suir, anp His OatrH Taken BeErore Cu1eF JUSTICE
MarsHALu : ; ; : ‘ ‘ ‘ : ‘ ;

Poromac Fatts 1n Fioop
Poromac Faris at Low WATER . : : ; : ;

Lock in Cana at Potomac Fatus, Burtt sy WasHINGTON

2

132
168

264
272
272

272xl Illustrations

CircuLar From WaAsHINGTON’s Executrors ABout THE DisMAL

Swamper Stock ; , ; : : : : : . 282
LEFT-HAND Pacr or WAsHINGTON’s Form or LEase 202
WasHINGTON’s ADVERTISEMENT OF THE Ono RIVER AND THE

Great Kanawna River Lanps . : : : : i s 342
CircuLarR FRoM WaAsHiINGToN’s Executors Aspout A FRIENDLY

Suir to Serrte TuHeir Accounts . 854
Hovupon’s STaTvuE IN THE VirGINIA STATE CAPITOL cede

Maps
Map or Oriainat Grant or Mount VerRNoN To CoLONEL

Nicuoxtas SPENcER AND CoLoNEL JoHN WASHINGTON . ~« 196
Map or Mount Vernon Mapr spy WASHINGTON . : : « “198
Partition oF Mount VERNON IN 1833 : : : ; Os

PartTiTION oF Ono AND Great Kanawua River Lanps . . 840

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-THE ESTATE OF
GEORGE WASHINGTON, DECEASEDChapter I
INTRODUCTORY

Tue last will and testament of George Washington, and the
administration of his estate are subjects worthy of consideration
and study, not only by historians and lawyers, but by all laymen.
Every one interested in the disposition, management or owner-
ship of considerable properties will find there the example of a
wise and capable citizen.

Washington was one of the ablest of administrators, blessed
with long experience, ample knowledge, clear and sound judg-
ment, very careful of details, firm in getting what was his due,
while generous to others. His every act, especially in so solemn
a matter as the final provision for his beloved wife, his family and
slaves, was performed under conditions most favorable to security
and efficient execution.

What the substance of the will was, how it came to be made,
by whom it was written, and when; who the executors were (there
were seven of them) and why; of what the estate consisted, how
long it took to administer it; what, if any, disputes arose, what
record was made; and finally what was the history of the bene-
ficiaries, purposes and property of the great “Father of his
Country,” will not seem unimportant to the studious and patriotic
mind.

Even the plan to publish an exact copy of the will and the
schedule which accompanied it, with some explanatory notes, pro-
posed and carried out by Mr. A. Jackson, of Washington, D. C.,
in 1868, received from Chief Justice Chase the approving words:

“ You will do a good work. . . . His character cannot be too
profoundly studied or his example too closely followed by his
countrymen.”

And Charles Sumner wrote the comment, “ The will of Washing-2 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

ton is a remarkable document, exhibiting his character as pro-
prietor and paterfamilias and also revealing his best sentiments.
Here will be found the emancipation of his slaves and that other
testimony, when bequeathing his swords he enjoined that they
should ‘ never be drawn except for self-defence, or in defence of
country or its rights ’.”’ *

The familiar words of Colonel Henry Lee’s eulogy —‘ First
in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his fellow citizens;
he was second to none in the humble and endearing scenes of
private life. Pious, just, humane, temperate and sincere; uni-
form, dignified and commanding, his example was as edifying to
all around him as were the effects of that example lasting ”—
afford sufficient explanation for the attempt here made.

A short sketch of Washington’s family and his business affairs
will be given, to place before the reader the conditions calling for
his care, the objects of his bounty and the nature of the wide-
spread fortune to which they were to succeed, which was of
unusual magnitude, for Washington was reputed the first mil-
lionaire of the United States.

A review of the general plan and the various provisions of the
will, together with the schedule and valuation of his property and
the explanatory notes which Washington appended, is followed
by an account of the probate records and the executors’ sales and
accounts which fortunately have been preserved in the County
Court of Fairfax County, Virginia. The original ledgers kept by
the active executors, Lawrence Lewis and Bushrod Washington,
Washington’s nephews, also have been drawn upon.

Some information has been gathered concerning the chief items
of the estate, which consisted largely of vast tracts of land in
Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, Maryland, New York, Penn-
sylvania and Ohio. Some further relevant matters have been
added to round out the tale.

There are some peculiarities in Washington’s will which dis-
tinguish it from the common run and entitle it to especial study.

1‘ Authenticated copy of the Last Will and Testament of George Wash-
ington,” A. Jackson, publisher, 1868. Sold at Mount Vernon.MARY BALL WASHINGTON, THE MOTHER
OF PRESIDENT WASHINGTON

From the Painting by Robert Edge PineIntroductory 3

In it he emphasized his sense of the new nationality which had
just been founded in the creation of the United States of America;
in the opening paragraph he describes himself as “ of Mount
Vernon, a citizen of the United States and lately President of the
same.” No mention is made of Fairfax County, or of the State
of Virginia.

Despite his modest statement concerning the will, “In the
construction of which it will readily be perceived that no profes-
sional character has been consulted, or has had any agency”,
neither record nor legend exists of any litigation to fix its meaning
or carry out its purposes. Wherever circumstances raised a
question it was promptly settled by agreement.

Perhaps one reason for this may be the fact that he evidenced
in it also his faith in arbitration as a method of settling differ-
ences.

He required that all possible controversies relating to his estate
should be submitted to “three impartial and intelligent men,
known for their probity and good understanding”, who “ shall,
unfettered by Law or legal construction, declare their sense of the
Testator’s intention ”; which is the fundamental rule of the law
of wills, though perhaps he knew it not. To make assurance
doubly sure, he added, “ and such decision is, to all intents and
purposes to be as binding on the parties as if it had been given
in the Supreme Court of the United States.”

Washington anticipated the modern Trust Company by over
fifty years, in appointing a group of seven persons, namely, Mrs.
Washington and his and her six kinsmen, as executors of his will.
The administration required over fifty years because the last pen-
sioner survived until 1832, a friendly administration suit lasted
until 1846 and the last sale of land was made in 1851, yet not a
single purpose dependent on the executors failed of fulfillment.
The wisdom of codperative effort and judgment was signally
demonstrated.

These are but examples of the suggestions the careful reader
will receive from this truly monumental document and the history
it made. The most serious difficulty encountered in the present4 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

work was to keep from straying into the alluring bypaths con-
stantly encountered in pursuit of the main course of the story.

It has been my privilege and pleasure to travel to every place
at which Washington owned any real property at the time of his
death. In the seven States I have named above, at least fifty
counties have been thus visited and searched. From the Dismal
Swamp of Virginia to the Mohawk Valley in New York, and from
the banks of the Potomac to the Rough Creek of the Green River
in Kentucky I have sought his possessions and their history.

The trails Washington blazed, the waters he coursed, the roads
he built, the canals he constructed, the mountains he conquered,
the vast provinces he explored and helped to secure and settle,
the Old Dominion he loved, the lands he surveyed, owned, culti-
vated and gloried in, the Continental vision he saw in his youth
and pursued throughout his life, have grown into a united nation
extending across the continent. This has increased from three
to one hundred and ten millions in numbers, the inevitable fruit
of his wise and efficient labors. These facts have been my com-
panions by day and my dreams by night in ten years of wander-
ing and study. A little of what I found, felt and enjoyed has been
expressed in these pages.

In the course of this searching and dreaming it was my good
fortune to meet many who could be of service to me. To each of
them I presented a brief printed sketch of what I was seeking to
do, in the form of the title page of this book and part of this
introduction, which I had printed in 1916 when my journeys
began.

Every person thus approached, in private or official life, 1m-
mediately welcomed me and gave me unstinted aid. In many in-
stances they presented me with original documents, books and
photographs, or freely furnished copies, reproductions and in-
formation. So many were there of these friends, as I venture to
call them, that I cannot name them all.

But a few were so patient and generous in their attention to
my subject and my requests that it would be unjust to them
and to myself not to make record here. First of these was Mr.Introductory 5

Lawrence Washington, lately in charge of the House of Repre-
sentatives Reading Room, in the Library of Congress, at Wash-
ington, where for more than twenty years he deserved well of his
country. He gave me hearty welcome in October, 1916, and until
his death in January, 1920, by reason of his great knowledge,
long experience and deep interest in the subject or by virtue of
my many requests for help, permitted no opportunity which oc-
curred to pass unattended to. His charming manners and mod-
est bearing endeared him to me as to all others, and in his
untimely death I lost a friend.

To Mr. John C. Fitzpatrick, Assistant Chief of the Manuscript
Division of the Library of Congress, I am indebted for much help
and instruction in the art of research. His exact and wide knowl-
edge of historical material and his perfect willingness at all times
to place it at the service of students have been most valuable.

Mr. Worthington C. Ford has stimulated and encouraged the
work in hand by his friendly advice and the assurance that it was
worth while.

And so this story has come about.Chapter II
OF WASHINGTON’S LAST YEARS

WasuinctTon, at the age of sixty-five, turned from public
affairs at the close of his administration of the presidency, and
set his face towards his beloved Mount Vernon, “more than
twenty miles from which ”’, he whimsically wrote General Knox,
“it is not likely that I shall ever be ”, foreseeing, ‘* the remainder
of my life which in the course of nature cannot be long.” *

Fifty years, nearly, of arduous private labor and public
service, almost always in the open and subject to hardship, had
taken their toll of him and he knew, as he approached three score
and ten, that the time had come to take thought of what should
be when he should be no more.

Two purposes were uppermost in his mind when he arrived at
home a few days after the fourth of March, 1797; one was to put
his property and affairs in order, and the other to enjoy the days
remaining to him, under his own vine and fig tree.

He had been under financial strain from the time of the Revo-
lution, when, as he wrote to a kinsman who applied to him for a
loan, “‘ I made no money from my estate during the nine years I
was absent from it and brought none home with me. Those who
owed me— for the greater part — took advantage of the de-
preciation (in currency) and paid me off with sixpence on the
pound.” * (Two and one-half cents on the dollar!)

He had somewhat restored the balance by five years of hard

1 March 2, 1797. Washington to Knox. Jared Sparks, “Writings of
Washington,” XI, 196. Hereafter this collection of writings will be cited as
“ Sparks.”

Worthington C. Ford, “ Writings of Washington” (New York, 1892), 13,
374, 376. Hereafter this collection of writings will be cited as “ Ford.”

2To Fielding J. Lewis, February 2, 1784. Catalogue No. 657. Thomas
Birch’s Sons, Philadelphia, 1890.Of Washington's Last Years 7

work, but then came the presidency, to enter which he had to
borrow six hundred pounds and in which he spent much more
than his salary to maintain his position and his estate.* Then
he had sold fifty thousand dollars’ worth of his lands to meet
the deficit.*

His strength was waning too, and as he wrote his nephew,
Lawrence Lewis, in the late summer of 1797, when he invited him
to become his aid, “I require some person (fit and proper) to
ease me of the trouble of entertaining company; particularly of
nights.” °

His large family and widespread property interests urged and
required his attention. They comprised not only three to four
hundred persons, including his slaves, but sixty-three thousand
acres of land. Of these, ninety-two hundred acres were in and
about Mount Vernon, and seventy-five hundred more in tidewater
Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley under lease to others; a
thousand acres in Maryland; a share equal to four thousand
acres in the Dismal Swamp project; nearly ten thousand acres
in four tracts on the left bank of the Ohio River between Wheel-
ing and Point Pleasant; more than twenty-three thousand acres
on the Great Kanawha River, fronting forty-eight miles on one
side or the other, between Charleston and its mouth; a thousand
acres in the Mohawk Valley in New York; two hundred and
thirty-four acres in Pennsylvania; three thousand acres in the
Northwest Territory near Cincinnati, and five thousand acres
on Rough Creek, a branch of the Green River in Kentucky, be-
sides houses and lots in Alexandria, Bath and Winchester, Vir-
ginia, and Washington, in the District of Columbia.

His farming, milling, distilling, ferry, fishing and flour-export-
ing operations at Mount Vernon involved the services of over
three hundred colored “ servants”, owned and leased, several over-
seers, a superintendent and two secretaries. These needed con-
stant supervision, planning and financing by the General, who
rode over the farms, “examining his outposts”, as he said,

3 Washington to Richard Conway, Ford, 11, 363.
4 Washington to Lawrence Lewis, Ford, 14, 209.
5 Ibid. Item 6, Catalogue 657, Thomas Birch’s Sons, Philadelphia, 1890.8 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

almost every day from eight o’clock until three, and devoted the
rest of his day to study of their requirements and to his
correspondence.

To these burdens he now patriotically added the building of
two three-story brick dwelling houses on two lots just north of
the Capitol in Washington. He wished to encourage similar
enterprise in others and to insure suitable lodging places for
members of Congress when the Government should be removed
there from Philadelphia in 1801. He arranged to borrow the
entire sum of fifteen thousand dollars required for this
purpose.

He has left no doubt as to his own financial condition. Ever
after the Revolution he was land poor. The large liquid capital
which he had at his disposal before that event had disappeared
in the service or the disasters of his country. To pay taxes,
make repairs and improvements, meet depreciation, buy new
machinery and try new methods, keep open house “like a well-

resorted tavern ”

and to live like a gentleman, eight miles from
town, was a greater tax than his income could bear.

Parallel with these domestic cares, within a short month after
his return to them, political affairs became so alarming that we
find him writing letters as anxiously and carefully as ever on the
subject he had hoped to put behind him. In fact, at no time
during the thirty-three months of life left to him was he free
from political anxiety. During the last eighteen months he was
again in active service, for five weeks in Philadelphia, and at all
times at Mount Vernon, as lieutenant general of the army pre-
pared against a possible French invasion in 1798 and 1799.

He wrote a bit humorously of his worries and methodical habits
to Secretary of War McHenry: ®

I might tell him that I begin my diurnal course with the sun;
that, if my hirelings are not in their places at that time I send
them messages of sorrow for their indisposition; that, having put
these wheels in motion, I examine the state of things further;
that, the more they are probed, the deeper I find the wounds, which

6 May 29, 1797. Sparks, XI, 208.Of Washington’s Last Years 9

my buildings have sustained by an absence and neglect of eight
years, that, by the time I have accomplished these matters, break-
fast (a little after seven o’clock, about the time you are taking
leave of Mrs. McHenry) is ready; that, this being over, I mount
my horse and ride round my farms, which employs me until it is
time to dress for dinner, at which I rarely miss seeing strange
faces, come as they say out of respect for me.

Pray, would not the word curiosity answer as well? How
different this from having a few social friends at a cheerful
board!

The usual time of sitting at table, a walk, and tea, bring me
within the dawn of candlelight; previous to which, if not pre-
vented by company, I resolve that, as soon as the glimmering
taper supplies the place of the great luminary, I will retire to my
writing table and acknowledge the letters I have received; but
when the lights are brought, I feel tired and disinclined to engage
in this work, conceiving that the next night will do as well. The
next night comes, and with it the same causes for postponement
and so on. .

I have not looked into a book since I came home; nor shall
I be able to do it until I have discharged my workmen, probably
not before the nights grow longer, when possibly I may be looking
in Doomsday-Book.

Just at the beginning of the serious phase of the French affairs,
in May, 1798, his friend and neighbor, the Reverend Bryan Fair-
fax, rector of Christ Church at Alexandria, and cousin of the late
Lord Fairfax, went to England in pursuit of the title and some
estates which he had there inherited. The occasion afforded
Washington not only an opportunity to testify to his apprecia-
tion of that gentleman’s character, by a series of letters of
introduction to his friends in England, but he also entrusted to
him for delivery a letter to Fairfax’s sister-in-law, then living
at Bath, the widow of his boyhood and early manhood friend and
neighbor, George William Fairfax, who had gone to England in
1774 and had died there thirteen years later.

The picture this letter gives of Washington’s situation, his
view of the country and his prophecy of its future are so eloquent
that for these qualities alone it belongs here, but the story it
revives and confirms in its second paragraph, of the affection10 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

which burned high in the writer’s breast forty to fifty years
before, marks it as a memorable milestone in his path.’

Mount Vernon, 16 May, 1798.
My dear Madam,

Five and twenty years have nearly passed away, since I have
considered myself as the permanent resident at this place, or
have been in a situation to indulge myself in a familiar mtercourse
with my friends by letter or otherwise.

During this period, so many important events have occurred,
and such changes in men and things have taken place, as the
compass of a letter would give you but an inadequate idea of.
None of which events, however, nor all of them together, have
been able to eradicate from my mind the recollection of those
happy moments, the happiest of my life, which I have enjoyed
in your company.

Worn out in a manner by the toils of my past labor, I am
again seated under my Vine and Fig-tree, and wish I could add,
that there were none to make us afraid; but those, whom we
have been accustomed to call our good friends and allies, are
endeavoring, if not to make us afraid, yet to despoil us of our
property, and are provoking us to Acts of self-defence, which
may lead to war. What will be the result of such measures, time,
that faithful expositor of all things, must disclose. My wish is
to spend the remainder of my days, which cannot be many, in
Rural amusements, free from the cares from which public re-
sponsibility is never exempt.

Before the war, and even while it existed, although I was eight
years from home at one stretch, (except the en passant visits
made to it on my march to and from the siege of Yorktown) I
made considerable additions to my dwelling-house, and alterations
in my offices and gardens; but the dilapidation occasioned by
time, and those neglects, which are coextensive with the absence
of Proprietors, have occupied as much of my time the last twelve
months in repairing them, as at any former period in the same
space; — and it is matter of sore regret, when I cast my eyes
towards Belvoir, which I often do, to reflect, the former Inhabi-
tants of it, with whom I lived in such harmony and friendship

7 Ford, 13, 497. For the full story of Washington’s relations to this lady,
see “Sallie Cary, A Long Hidden Romance of Washington’s Life”, by Wilson
Miles Cary, privately printed, New York, 1916. Copies of this are to be
found in the Library of Congress, the Newberry Library at Chicago and in

a number of others. Also ‘“ Washington in Love and Otherwise ”, by Eugene
E. Prussing, Chicago, 1925.Of Washington's Last Years oe

no longer reside there; and that the ruins can only be viewed as
the memento of former pleasures; and permit me to add, that I
have wondered often, (your nearest relatives being in this Coun-
try), that you should not prefer spending the evening of your
life among them, rather than close the sublunary scenes in a
foreign country, numerous as your acquaintances may be, and
sincere, the friendships you may have formed.

A century hence, if this country keeps united (and it is surely
its policy and interest to do it), will produce a city — though
not as large as London — yet of a magnitude inferior to few
others in Europe, on the banks of the Potomack, where one is
now establishing for the permanent seat of Government of the
United States, (between Alexandria & Georgetown, on the Mary-
land side of the River;) a situation not excelled, for commanding
prospect, good water, salubrious air, and safe harbour, by any
in the world; & where elegant buildings are erecting & in forward-
ness for the reception of Congress in the year 1800.

Alexandria, within the last seven years (since the establishment
of the General Government), has increased in buildings, in popu-
lation, in the improvement of its streets by well-executed pave-
ments, and in the extention of its wharves, in a manner of which
you can have very little idea. This show of prosperity, you will
readily conceive, is owing to its commerce. The extension of
that trade is occasioned, in a great degree, by opening of the
inland navigation of the Potomac River, now cleared to Fort
Cumberland, upwards of two hundred miles, and by a similar
attempt to accomplish the like up the Shenandoah, one hundred
and eighty miles more. In a word, if this country can steer clear
of European politics, stand firm on its bottom, and be wise and
temperate in its government, it bids fair to be one of the greatest
and happiest nations in the world.

Knowing that Mrs. Washington is about to give an account of
the changes, which have happened in the neighborhood and in our
own family, I shall not trouble you with a repetition of them.

I am,
Mrs. Fairfax. Go. WASHINGTON.

 

The opening of the year seventeen hundred and ninety-nine
brought Washington much domestic happiness. The engagement
of his nephew and secretary, Lawrence Lewis, to his beloved ward,
Nellie Parke Custis, Mrs. Washington’s granddaughter, had come
about under his roof and on February twenty-second of that year12 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

their marriage was a festivity at which, it is said, he wore for the
first and only time his new uniform as lieutenant general of the
United States. The story is that “he had said he would wear
his old Colonial uniform or his Sunday clothes, but Nellie put her
arms about his neck and pleaded for the new one and the General
capitulated.” *

The thought of provision for these dear ones and all the others
dependent on his bounty must naturally have pressed upon his
mind as he passed the sixty-seventh milestone in his earthly
pilgrimage.

We find him, as ever, putting into written form the carefully
considered results of his mental labors. It was between this date
and July 9, 1799, that he thought out and wrote his last will and
testament, a truly monumental document, noble in purpose, pro-
portions and expression. The result of much experience, but
composed and written without the aid of counsel learned in the
law, it is to be read with wonder and admiration as an example of
thoroughness and a revelation of the character of its author. Its
only technical defect, the absence of witnesses, affected its legal
force in States other than Virginia and Pennsylvania, but the
spirit it enjoined upon its beneficiaries completely obviated this
result by their prompt agreement to carry out its intentions.

How his thoughts ran at this time we find eloquently testified
in a letter to his nephew, Robert Lewis, dated Mount Vernon,
August 17, 1799, wherein he remarks upon the great natural
increase in his slave holdings, far beyond his needs or ability to
clothe, feed and shelter.

To sell the overplus I cannot, because I am principled against
this kind of traffic in the human species. To hire them out is

8 This is on the authority of George W. P. Custis, “ Recollections”, p. 450.
Woodrow Wilson tells it better, perhaps, but with the difference that Nellie
begged the General “to wear ‘the grand embroidered uniform’ just made for
the French War, at her wedding; but he shook his head and donned instead
the worn buff and blue that had seen real campaigns. Then the delighted
girl told him with her arm about his neck, that she loved him better in
that.” (“George Washington ”, by Woodrow Wilson, New York, 1896, p. 312.)
I hope the story is true, but in which form I cannot tell, especially since
I found a letter of later date from a tailor in Philadelphia to the General,
apologizing for the delay in finishing and sending his new uniform. (Wash-
ington Mss., Library of Congress, 1799.)Of Washington's Last Years 13

almost as bad, because they could not be disposed of in families
to any advantage, and to disperse the families I have an aversion.
What then must be done? Something must or I shall be ruined;
for all the money (in addition to what I raise by crops and rents)
that have been received for lands sold within the last four years
to the amount of fifty thousand dollars, has scarcely been able
to keep me afloat.”

He proposed to Lawrence Lewis to lease to him the two thou-
sand acres now known as Woodlawn, comprising the north-
westerly part of the Mount Vernon Estate, together with the mill
and distillery at Dogue Run, near by, and fixed a moderate rental

° At the same time he invited him to

to encourage his industry.’
build a home or “seat” there and told him that he intended to
leave the entire property to him and his wife in his will. This
offer was accepted by Lawrence and a lease made accordingly.
Washington’s letter to his nephew, Colonel William A. Washing-
ton, of Wakefield, confirms this and adds other circumstances of
interest.”

He had long planned and still hoped to lease his other farms,
comprising nearly four thousand acres, surrounding Mount
Vernon, so that he might soon be able to dispense with the
services of his superintendent and retain only the home place
of twenty-five hundred acres, the cultivation of which he thought
he would be able to superintend in person.

He had sold his share of the Dismal Swamp Company to his
friend, General Henry Lee, for twenty thousand dollars, on easy
terms, and the farm in Gloucester County had also recently been
sold, leaving thirty-six hundred dollars due him.

He invested some fifteen thousand dollars in the construction
of the two three-story brick houses on North Capitol Street, east
front, just north of B Street, N. W., in the City of Washington,
which were built that year. He sought to rent them for six per

9 Ford, 14, 195.

10 [bid., 14, 209.

11 Washington Mss., Library of Congress, October 20, 1799. The Wash-
ington Mss. in the Library of Congress are mounted and bound in chronologi-
cal order in over two hundred volumes and a reference to any one of the
papers by date suffices to locate it. Hereafter these will be so referred to
with the addition “L. C.”14 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

cent. on their cost to a Philadelphia caterer to Congressmen, for
occupancy the following year, when the seat of government was
to be transferred from Philadelphia.

He had a topographical survey made of the block Number 21
in the City of Washington (which he had purchased some years
before) for the purpose of obtaining the various levels of this
hillside tract, to the end of possible improvement for his own use
in case he should be able to and wish to build there. He had
planned and for years, in Congress and out, had advocated the
location of a national university on the high land just east of
this block, extending from Pennsylvania Avenue to the Potomac
River, and subsequently used in part for the National Observa-
tory, and in our day for the Naval Hospital.

He exchanged his land called the Round Bottom on the Ohio,
near Wheeling, for a house and lot in Alexandria, by contract
which was complied with on his part but remained not fully
executed by Archibald McClean, the other party. He sought
to make ground leases of his lots in Alexandria and made several.
He had purchased some shares of stock in the Bank of Alexandria
and the Bank of Columbia in Georgetown and appreciated highly
their value as investments as was shown by his will, directing
further investments in such stocks by his executors.

The foundation of his precautions and efforts in these direc-
tions was clearly set forth in this paragraph in his letter to
Lawrence Lewis dated September 20, 1799:

The expense at which I live and the unproductiveness of my
Estate, together, will admit of no diminution of income, while I
remain in my present situation — on the contrary, were it not for
occasional supplies of money, in payments for Lands sold within
the last four or five years to the amount of upwards of fifty
thousand dollars, I should not be able to support the former
without involving myself in debt and difficulties.’?

To put the situation briefly, the times were bad. Prices were
low because of the wars in Europe; money was “ tight ”; Wash-
ington was land poor, slave ridden, and living on his principal.

12 Ford, 14, 209.Of Washington's Last Years 15

His estate needed all his attention, while the calls on his time
for public service were incessant. He never firmly believed
in the danger of a French invasion, but he saw that the
hope of peace under his own vine and fig tree was a dream ;
that as ever before labor and responsibility were his share, and
that:

The boast of heraldry, the pomp of power,
And all that beauty, all that wealth e’er gave,
Await alike th’ inevitable hour.

The paths of glory lead but to the grave.

Facing this situation, he kept bravely on the even tenor of his
way. In April, in extreme cold and a high wind, he spent three
days surveying his land at Four Mile Run near Arlington.** In
June, in the heat, he personally surveyed three fields in his Dogue
Run farm, because after examining the lines run by his secre-
tary, Mr. Rawlins, he could not make them “ close’; and as
late as the end of November he made a survey of his lands on
Difficult Run, near Potomac Falls, taking notes himself and then
transcribing them into as careful descriptions as he did fifty and
more years before, for Lord Fairfax and his settlers. He then
prepared and finished that thirty-page, careful, well-digested
plan for the cultivation of all the farms constituting the Mount
Vernon Estate of eight thousand acres, for the next five years,
and wrote Mr. Anderson, his superintendent, a letter of explana-
tion relating to it, on December 10, 1799."* It relieved his mind
greatly because “ My greatest anxiety ”, he wrote on a previous
occasion, “ is to have all these concerns in such clear and distinct
form, that no reproach may attach itself to me when I have taken
my departure for the land of spirits.”

On the night of the eleventh of December he had a dinner party,
his guests including Mr. John Herbert, Mrs. Warner Washing-

13 The notes of this survey were written by Washington on the back of a
letter of introduction from Patrick Henry. Then he made a full transcript.
Both documents are now in possession of the owners of a large part of the
property, the Trustees of the Protestant Episcopal Theological Seminary at
Alexandria, Virginia.

14 Ford, 14, 217, 240.16 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

ton, her son Whiting, and Lord Bryan Fairfax, rector of Christ
Church at Alexandria.”

He wrote his last official letter on December 12, 1799, to Major
General Alexander Hamilton, approving his plans for the estab-
lishment of a military college at West Point, New York, the result
of a long-cherished hope of both of them. He ended the letter
with an assurance of “‘ very great esteeem and regard.” ** That
evening he concluded his entry in his diary by noting, “ at night
a large circle round the moon” which, Washington Irving re-
marks, “‘ proved a fatal portent.”

His last touch of the pen occurred the next evening when, as
usual, he made this brief note in his diary:

Dec. 18. Morning snowing and about three inches deep . . .
wind at north-east and mercury at 30. . . . Continuing snowing
till one o’clock . . . and about four it became perfectly clear...
wind in the same place but not hard . . . mercury 28 at night.*®

When he retired that night, his work was done forever.

15 John C. Fitzpatrick, “ The Diaries of George Washington”, 4, 319. Here-
after referred to as “ The Diaries.”

16 Word, 14, 241.

17 “The Diaries ”, 4, 320.

18 [bid.Chapter III
OF THE DEATH, FUNERAL AND FAMILY

Wasuincton died between ten and eleven o’clock the next
evening, December 14, 1799, of an attack of quinsy brought on
by exposure in the snowstorm of two days before. He had got
wet and snow had lodged in his hair, but without giving this
attention he had gone in to dinner, which had been kept waiting.

The next day he appeared to have a cold and was kept indoors
by a heavy fall of snow. He was hoarse, but made light of it.
During the evening he was very cheerful and despite increasing
difficulty, read aloud to his family paragraphs of interest from
the newspapers. It was suggested to him when he retired that
he ought to take something for his cold, but he replied, “ No, you
know I never take anything for a cold. Let it go as it came.”

The rest of the story is familiar; how he awoke toward morn-
ing in distress but refused to have his wife and servants disturbed
to relieve him, how at daytime he was bled at his request and
doctors were sent for; when these came, their knowledge led them
only to further bleeding and soon their illustrious patient realized
that his end was near.

He quietly directed Mrs. Washington to destroy an old will *
and gave her his latest. He gave directions as to his papers and
his burial, thanked those about him, and then resigned himself
to the inevitable. “I die hard,” he said, “ but I am not afraid

to go.” A few minutes before the end he felt his own pulse, his

1 This probably was the will referred to in the later one of the only two
letters of his which she failed to destroy. She gave these to her two grand-
children, Nellie Custis Lewis and George Washington Parke Custis, after the
General’s death. The former was his first letter to her, as Mrs. Custis; the
latter was that announcing his appointment as commander in chief and his
going to Boston instead of returning to Mount Vernon, which he did not see
again for over six years.18 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

countenance changed, his hand fell and without a struggle or a
sigh, he was gone.”

In accordance with Washington’s request his funeral was de-
ferred three days. It took place on Wednesday, December
eighteenth, about three o’clock. No attempt was made by the
family to notify official persons and even some members of the
immediate family, such as George W. P. Custis and Lawrence
Lewis, who were absent in Kent, failed to reach Mount Vernon
in time for the ceremonies.

Nevertheless the masonic and military organizations at Alex-
andria appeared and formed a procession to accompany the
family and the remains from the house to the old tomb under the
hill where Washington was laid to rest. Minute guns were fired
by eleven pieces of artillery brought down the Potomac in a
schooner which lay off Mount Vernon. Six colonels, neighbors
and old friends, were the pall-bearers. The regular service of the
Episcopal Church was read by the Reverend Mr. Davis and he
made a brief address. The Masons performed their ceremonies
and the body was deposited in the vault.

All this and much more Colonel Tobias Lear, Washington’s
military secretary and friend, has recorded in his well-known
statement as an eyewitness of the last days of Washington.*

The proceedings in Congress at Philadelphia, when the news
reached there on the eighteenth and was confirmed the next day,
consisted of the addresses to each house and a joint resolution
** that a marble monument be erected by the United States at the
Capitol of the City of Washington and that the family of General
Washington be requested to permit his body to be deposited
under it.” Neither purpose was carried out, though Mrs. Wash-
ington consented to the transfer of his remains.

General Henry Lee, addressing the House, expressed in the

21If the lancet which was so liberally applied to draw off his life blood
and strength had been briefly used to puncture the growing abscess in his
throat, he might have been spared for years, but, alas, surgery was in its in-
fancy. See “ Washington’s Death.” Transactions of the College of Physicians
and Surgeons, of Philadelphia, Vol. 25, 1903. Also “ Washington’s Death and

Doctors”, by Dr. I. Solis Cohen, Lippincott’s Magazine, 1889.
3 Ford, 14, 245-268.Of the Death, Funeral and Family 19

first passion of his grief the feeling of the nation that it had lost
the man who was “ first in war, first in peace and first in the
hearts of his fellow citizens ”, and so long as that thought remains
other memorials are unimportant.

During President Monroe’s administration, a crypt was built
under the dome of the Capitol for the remains of both General
and Mrs. Washington and in 1882 a final effort was made to
carry out the provisions of the original resolve of Congress. The
effort failed because the State of Virginia protested and the
surviving executors of Washington’s will pointed to his directions
in it that he be entombed at Mount Vernon.*

Washington’s immediate family at his death was only his wife,
Martha Dandridge Custis Washington, nearly sixty-eight years
of age.°

Living under their roof at the time were Washington’s nephew,
Lawrence Lewis, and Eleanor (Nellie) Parke Custis Lewis, his
wife (Mrs. Washington’s granddaughter), and their baby, two
weeks old, and George Washington Parke Custis, Nellie’s brother,
not yet twenty.

Mrs. Washington, in her first marriage, as the wife of Colonel
Daniel Parke Custis, had borne four children in eight years, two
of whom died before their father, and the others during her mar-
riage to Washington, Martha (Patsy) at seventeen, in 1772, and
Colonel John Parke Custis, “Jack,” as he was always called,
just after the surrender of Cornwallis, at Yorktown, in 1781.
** Jack” had left four children, three daughters and one son.
These were the fruit of his union with Eleanor Calvert, of the
famous Maryland family of that name. She was married again

4The crypt in the Capitol remains. In it rests a catafalque of wood coy-
ered with black cloth. It was made for Mr. Lincoln’s funeral and has been
used a number of times since for other illustrious dead when lying in state
at the Capitol. The Unknown Soldier and President Harding were the latest
to receive the nation’s homage there. On such occasions the catafalque is
taken out (being kept behind iron gates in the space which is enclosed partly
with brick walls), it is then covered with a fine cloth kept in the office of the
Superintendent of the Capitol and placed in the great Dome Room above.

5 Providence denied him children that a Nation might call him Father,”
Lord Brougham poetically said, but there is a well-authenticated tradition

which indicates that the progress of modern surgery one hundred and thirty
years later could have solved the situation.20 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

in 1784 to Doctor David Stuart, Washington’s friend, and lived
at Abingdon, the finely located home Custis had built at the turn
of the Potomac, just below where the Long Bridge reaches out to
bind Dixie to the Northland in the District of Columbia.

The three Custis daughters were now all happily married.
Elizabeth Parke Custis Law was the wife of Thomas Law, a very
wealthy Englishman, cousin of Lord Ellenboro, residing in Wash-
ington. Martha Parke Custis Peter was the wife of Thomas
Peter, of Georgetown in the District of Columbia, likewise very
well-to-do. Eleanor (Nellie) Parke Custis Lewis was the wife of
Lawrence Lewis, of Mount Vernon, son of Betty Washington
Lewis and Colonel Fielding Lewis, of Fredericksburg. Besides
these there was the youngest, the bearer of the hope and name
of both families, George Washington Parke Custis, not yet twenty
years old, who had been for seventeen years, with his sister
Nellie, the object of most solicitous care and affection, as the
adopted children of Mrs. and General Washington, from the date
of their father’s death.

Mrs. Washington also had a number of nephews and nieces on
the Dandridge side, for some of whom she later provided in her
will, but they were evidently not considered by her or the General
in the distribution of the bulk of their estates. Her Custis grand-
daughters all had considerable property inherited from their
father, and the grandson, young Washington, as he was called,
was the heir of his father’s vast landed properties and many
slaves, making him a very rich young man.

On the Washington side the kinship was this: His mother had
died ten years before; none of the General’s brothers or his only
sister had survived him; he was the last of his father’s children.
The then living generation of the Washington family is shown

by this table:

1. Augustine, half brother, had left
His daughters:
Elizabeth Spotswood, wife of General Alexander Spots-
wood,
Jane Thornton, wife of Col. John Thornton,Of the Death, Funeral and Family 21

Ann Ashton, wife of Burdet Ashton;
And his son:
William Augustine Washington, of Wakefield.

2. Elizabeth (Betty) Washington Lewis, wife of Col. Fielding

Lewis, had left

Her sons:
Fielding Lewis,
George F. Lewis,
Robert Lewis,
Lawrence Lewis,
Howell Lewis;

And her daughter:
Betty Lewis Carter, wife of Charles Carter.

3. Samuel Washington had left

His sons:
George Steptoe Washington,
Lawrence Augustine Washington ;

And his daughter:
Harriet Parks, wife of Andrew Parks;

And also the children of his eldest son Thornton, viz.:
John P. A. Washington,
Thomas Washington,
Samuel Washington.

4. John Augustine Washington had left
His sons:
Bushrod Washington,
Corbin Washington;
And the children of his daughter, Jane Washington, wife
of William A. Washington, of Wakefield.

5. Charles Washington had left

His son:
Samuel Washington ;

And his daughters:
Frances Ball, wife of Burgess Ball,
Mildred Hammond, wife of Thos. Hammond;

And the children of his son, George A. Washington, viz.:
George Fayette Washington,
Charles Augustine Washington,
Maria Washington.22 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

Thus the Washington family was composed of twenty-one
persons or groups of persons, being nephews, nieces, or the chil-
dren of such, deceased; and the Custis kindred of Mrs. Wash-
ington consisted of her four grandchildren, George Washington
Parke Custis, Nellie Lewis, Mrs. Law and Mrs. Peter, whom
Washington accorded equal consideration with his own kin, in
making distribution of that part of the estate acquired through
both families in his time. The original Mount Vernon estate
remained with his own folk.

In addition to his and his wife’s kindred, Washington was
keenly concerned about the two hundred and seventy slaves on
the estate at Mount Vernon,° whom he regarded as members of
his household, and whose future welfare called upon his interest,
humanity and conscience for provision. One hundred and twenty-
four of these were owned by him absolutely and the remaining
one hundred and forty-six were the property of the Custis estate.
Washington and his wife were entitled to the use of them, by
virtue of his wife’s right of dower, during her life.

He had made but recently a careful list of all of them, showing
their names, the various farms on which they lived and were
employed, their ages and occupations, their relationship to each
other, and how he came into possession of each. This covered
eight folio pages. It is all in his fine, round handwriting and
bears his signature.’

In addition to these charges upon his care, were the friends,
the retainers and pensioners, and certain public uses, to all of
which he was devotedly attached.®

For each and all of these he provided in complete and ample
measure under a definite plan. His wife received the use of his
entire estate for life, the contents of Mount Vernon and the title
to a large well-leased lot in Alexandria, absolutely. His slaves,

6 There were also about sixty more there, but they were leased by the year
from a neighbor, and not owned by Washington.

7 Mrs. Phebe A. Hearst bought and presented this document to the asso-
ciation in charge of Mount Vernon.

8 A schedule of all the persons and institutions benefited by his will in any

way follows the description of that document which constitutes the next
chapter.Of the Death, Funeral and Family 23

upon her death, received their freedom and ample provision for
old and young. Having regard first to their direct claims upon
him, he especially provided for some of his kin and his wife’s.
In recognition of the services to him performed by his deceased
brother, John Augustine Washington, in the French and Indian
War — 1754 to 1758 —he requited these by giving the Mount
Vernon mansion and its four thousand best acres to Bushrod
Washington, son of John Augustine; and in the case of his de-
ceased nephew, George A. Washington, his devotion to him dur-
ing the Revolution and the presidency was especially recognized
by giving to his two sons a large farm adjoining the home
place.

He likewise favored George Washington Parke Custis, Nellie
Custis Lewis and Lawrence Lewis, with large, near-by tracts, for
similar reasons. The remainder of the kinsmen and kinswomen
he scheduled according to their number or those whom they repre-
sented, in regular order, beginning with the children of his eldest
half-brother Augustine, then the surviving children of Betty,
John A., Samuel and Charles. Next he placed the children of
Colonel George A. Washington, the deceased son of Charles, as
a separate group; next the three granddaughters of Mrs. Wash-
ington; and finally, Bushrod Washington, Lawrence Lewis and
George Washington Parke Custis, three of his executors, each of
whom he had provided for separately and omitted from the above
grouping, were added as a separate group.

To each of these groups, twenty-three in number, he left one
twenty-third of the entire rest, residue and remainder of his
estate, upon the death of Mrs. Washington, and in case any of
them died meanwhile, provided that their descendants should
take the parent’s share.

This absolutely equitable division he declared was made “ ac-
tuated by the principle” of discharging first his obligation to
those who had served him and then granting his favor and his
wife’s to his and her nearest kindred equally.Chapter IV
OF THE WILL

Tue original last will and testament of Washington is pre-
served and exhibited in a stout oaken framed box, of steel con-
struction, glass fronted, which hangs on the wall of the fire-proof
book vault of the little red-brick building which contains the
clerk’s office and commissioner’s rooms at Fairfax Court House
in the County of Fairfax, Virginia, about fourteen miles by
trolley southwest from the City of Washington.

The will is mounted on silk, each sheet separately, and wholly
kept from public handling. In fact, it is usually kept from the
public gaze as well, for a green roller curtain hangs over the glass
front to preserve the document from the fierce rays of the Vir-
ginia sun which pour into the room at the opposite window.

The striking things about the document are, first, its handsome
appearance; second, its construction without the aid of counsel;
third, its completeness in plan and detail (despite accidental
omissions noted later), and fourth, its splendid character in
thought, expression and duty superbly performed to the remotest
point. It is written on Washington’s fine, especially made and
water-marked letter paper and has been herein reproduced in
part in facsimile. The next chapter prints the will in full, page
by page.

There are also other characteristics. It gives, as already
noted, his place of residence as his beloved seat Mount Vernon,
but it fails to mention either the county or State in which it is
situated, although that is customary as the basis of citizenship.

These were the times when the Federalist and Republican
parties, so called, were most bitterly engaged in fighting out the
issue which the former believed involved the fate of the nation.
It was the day of the Virginia and Kentucky resolutions, fatheredOf the Will 25

by Jefferson and Madison, respectively, asserting the right of
secession in slightly veiled terms; and also the day of the Alien
and Sedition Laws, all of which were about to be strictly enforced
against the critics of the Government by President Adams, and
which had the full approval of Washington’s abused and em-
bittered soul.

He solemnly, therefore, in the very first clause, declared him-
self only “a citizen of the United States and lately President
thereof ”, bequeathing to posterity with his estate his opinion and
faith as the greatest American.

The document thus “ written by my own hand and every page
thereof subscribed with my name”, a letter to the court, the
representative of the law and order, shows that he knew fully
that such an autograph, duly signed and sealed, required no
witnesses to be valid in Virginia.

Washington’s knowledge of forms of legal instruments was, of
course, extensive and intimate. In the first place he came of a
race of landowners and will makers.* His three ancestors in line
for one hundred and thirty years, and his several brothers, all of
whom died before him, left careful wills and he had passed upon
all of them in one way or another. He had in his possession the
original wills or certified copies of half a dozen of them back to
the beginning, and under most of them he held lands, so that they
were his muniments of title. As we shall see in the chapter on
Mount Vernon, he had given those of his father and his brother
Lawrence and his grandfather Washington careful and anxious
study as to their provisions entailing that estate.

Fifty years before, he had begun life as a surveyor’s assistant
and necessarily had become a conveyancer as he developed into
a county surveyor, landowner, landlord, land dealer, legislator,
guardian, administrator, executor and trustee of the Custis estate
and others.

Furthermore, he had administered wills for years and later had
refused to execute others in which he was named executor, because

1W. C. Ford, “ Wills of George Washington and His Ancestors”, Brook-
lyn, 1891.26 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

of his age or preoccupations.” He had had painful experiences in
the case of Colonel Colville’s will as one of his executors and
trustee,® and a similar course of training in others.*

His literary capacity had gradually developed until he had
acquired a really noble, if somewhat stiff, style. No one could
excel him in clearness and directness of manner or diction, when
he set himself to carefully giving instructions for the conduct of
others, especially if he felt the responsibility for results rested
on him or his fame.

So it may be truly said the man himself marches through this
instrument with all the poise and port of his six feet and two
inches, inspired and directed by his powerful will and richly
endowed mind, a splendid character.

In the first place he directs the prompt payment of his debts,
which are few and small, he says. It appears that twenty-five
thousand dollars, the great bulk to two parties, covered the liabili-
ties of his great establishment and its manifold affairs, wide-
spread as they were.’ He also directs that the legacies as soon
as may be possible be paid in the manner directed.

His prime duty and most affectionate care is then dealt with.
The provision for his beloved wife, Martha, begins here and in
fifteen lines he gives her three things: first, the use of practically
his entire estate, for life, except a house and lot in Alexandria,
which he gives her in fee. He also gave her the contents of the
mansion house down to the groceries and liquors, but “ except

2 Washington to George Pearson, September 15, 1797, L. C.

3On the subject of accepting a position of trust under his will Washing-
ton wrote to John West (January 13, 1775): ‘“ What with my own business,
my present ward’s, my mother’s, which is wholly in my hands, Colonel Col-
ville’s, Mrs. Savage’s, Colonel Fairfax’s, Colonel Mercer’s and the little
assistance I have undertaken to give in the management of my brother
Augustine’s concerns (for I have absolutely refused to qualify as an execu-
tor), together with the share I take in public affairs, I have been kept con-
stantly engaged in writing letters, settling accounts and negotiating one
piece of business or another, by which means I have really been deprived of
every kind of enjoyment.” Sparks, II, 402.

“You will act very prudently in having your will revised by some person
skilled in the law, as a testator’s intentions are often defeated by different
interpretations of statutes, which require the whole business of a man’s life
to be perfectly conversant with them.” Ford, 2, 455.

4 Washington to Rey. N. Burrows, August 20, 1797, L. C.
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OF WASHINGTON S WILLOf the Will 27

such parts thereof as are specifically disposed of hereafter ”,
such as his papers, swords and other effects purely personal.

These provisions gave her three times as much as her dower
right in his lands and slaves, and instead of merely a widow’s
share in his personal estate, she received all household effects;
while as to cattle, horses, implements, carriages, stocks, bonds
and other debts due him, she received the use of all of them so
long as she lived. Aside from her full approval of his wishes
which he felt sure of, he saw to it that everything, and not merely
a part of the estate, should be devoted to her comfort and pro-
tection when he had gone.

The next seventeen pages of the will are devoted to the items
specifically disposed of “ with explanations for the more correct
understanding of the meaning and design of them”, as he says on
page nineteen. He begins:

“Upon the death of my wife . . . all the slaves which I hold
in my own right shall receive their freedom,” ° showing what was
in his mind as most important next to the welfare of his helpmeet.
He explains why the ever-present wish to free them sooner seemed
impossible and then provides a trust fund for the welfare of the
old and feeble by creating a trust for their benefit, and directs
the education of the young.’ Sale or exportation of any from
the State he sternly forbade.

These clauses he enjoined should “be religiously fulfilled at
the epoch at which it is directed to take place without evasion,
neglect or delay after the crops which may then be on the ground
are harvested.” He provided especially for William Lee, his body
servant, giving him immediate freedom, a job and an annuity
besides his keep and clothing. This was “ Billy ” of Revolution-
ary days, immortalized in poem, story and portraiture.

Washington had founded and supported in part the first free
school in Virginia. He now gave it four thousand dollars in
shares of the Bank of Alexandria, to be applied to the annex for
orphan or indigent children worthy of the help. This was in lieu

6 Many of the Negroes did not wait for Mrs. Washington’s death but freed
themselves soon after the General’s death.
7 The “black laws” of Virginia prevented the education benignly intended.28 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

of a written promise of a thousand pounds made some years be-
fore, a sum somewhat less in Virginia currency, and on which he
had annually paid fifty pounds interest to the school.

He next recited the gifts of one hundred shares of one hundred
dollars each in the James River Company, and fifty shares of one
hundred pounds sterling in the Potomac Company, made to him
by the Commonwealth of Virginia in 1785 for his services, which
he declined to receive, on principle, for himself, “ although highly
honorable and grateful to my feelings.”” But he says that to his
refusal he had added an intimation, if the Legislature pleased,
he would be glad to give the shares to public uses, which was
** consented to in flattering terms.”

He now proceeds to unfold the purpose so long and so dear to
his heart,° that of establishing a national university in the central
part of the United States for the youth of fortune and talents,
who have heretofore been sent abroad and imbibed, often before
their minds were formed, “ principles unfriendly to Republican
government and to the true and genuine liberties of mankind ”,
and also “ habits of dissipation and extravagance.”

For this purpose he gives the fifty shares in the Potomac Com-
pany “toward the endowment of a University to be established
within the District of Columbia ” and “ under the auspices of the
General Government, if that Government should incline to extend
a fostering hand towards it ”, until which time he carefully directs
the accumulation and investment of the dividends, to provide the
fund, if need be without legislative aid, in a short time.

The painful story of the legislative neglect and the failure
of this noble purpose will engage us in later pages. It was the
only purpose of the will which failed of execution. It did not
depend on the executors named but on Congress.®

Next he confirms the gift of the one hundred shares of James
River Company stock mentioned above, theretofore made by him

8 He first proposed it to the Commissioners of the District of Columbia
(Sparks, XI, 14), January 28, 1795, and repeatedly advised it in his mes-
sages to Congress. He corresponded with John Adams, Edmond Randolph,
Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson about it from 1794 until his
death. See the letters in Volumes XI and XII, Sparks, and Vol. 13, pp. 37,
49 and 342, Ford.Of the Will 29

to the use and benefit of Liberty Hall Academy, Rockbridge
County, Virginia. This gift is enjoyed to-day under the name
of Washington and Lee University, as successor to Washington
Academy, the name having been first changed in honor of this
gift.

Debts due him from his kinsmen or his wife’s were released,
especially that from George Steptoe and Lawrence Augustine
Washington, who were related to them both and whom he had
educated, at an expense of nearly five thousand dollars.

The thirty-three negroes taken by him as part payment for
one such debt, but loaned to the debtor’s widow, Mrs. Dandridge,
without charge, shall so continue without charge until her death,
and then all of them over forty shall be freed, those between
sixteen and forty shall serve seven years and no longer, and all
under sixteen shall serve until they are twenty-five and then be
free.

Care is taken to clear the title of a connection by marriage
to certain lots sold him; and to his speculative nephew, Colonel
William Augustine Washington, of Wakefield, he gives a lot in
Manchester, opposite Richmond, drawn in a lottery, and some
other lots there, if he cares to pursue them.

The first great gift of property is to his favorite nephew,
Bushrod Washington, son of his “ Dear Brother Jack”, and
Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, who is made
legatee of all his papers, civil, military and private and —“ at
the decease of my wife, and before if she is not inclined to retain
them I give and bequeath [to him] my library of Books and
pamphlets of every kind.”

This precious gift of his immortal writings containing the
material evidences of his character and fame, together with his
self-revealing “ friends in print ” was the most valuable gift he
made, except the liberty and care he vouchsafed to his slaves.

Turning now to business affairs, he recites the more important
sales of lands he had made in recent years, the purchase prices
for which are not yet fully paid, and for which lands he still
retains the title as security; and also the lease with conditional30 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

sale of his great tracts on the Western Waters. The sums due
and to be collected he directs shall be invested in good bank stock
and the dividends paid to Mrs. Washington for life, the stock
remaining subject to distribution with the bulk of the estate.

He returns to his Scotch admirer, the Earl of Buchan, the
brother of Erskine, the gift made to him years before of a re-
markable oak box, fashioned out of wood from the tree that
sheltered Sir William Wallace. The original gift was accom-
panied with the wish that the General pass it on in the event of
his death to the man in America who should appear to merit it
best, upon like condition. Washington avoids the difficult choice
by gracefully returning the gift to the giver, where it was origi-
nally intended to remain, with thanks for the compliment which
accompanied the sending of it to Washington.

Then follows a series of mementoes to his brother Charles,
cousins, kinswomen and dear friends, ranging from canes, spy-

* not

glasses and pistols to Bible, furniture and mourning rings, ‘
made for the intrinsic value of them but as mementoes of my
esteem and regard.”

To his military secretary and intimate friend, Colonel Tobias
Lear, he gave for life the farm adjoining Mount Vernon which
he held under lease at Washington’s death. Distant kinswomen
like Sarah Ball Haynie, and the daughters of old servants, now
dead, received substantial gifts of money, with acknowledgment
of his sense of obligation to their fathers.

Finally his five swords are bequeathed to his five nephews —
William Augustine Washington, George Lewis, George Steptoe
Washington, Bushrod Washington and Samuel Washington,
named in order of their father’s seniority; ‘‘ And they are to
choose in the order they are named” under the now famous
admonition:

“These swords are accompanied with an injunction not to
unsheath them for the purpose of shedding blood except it be for
self-defence, or in defence of their country and its rights, and
in the latter case to keep them unsheathed, and prefer falling
with them in their hands, to the relinquishment thereof.”Of the Will 31

His entire philosophy of life was compacted into that para-
graph: Peace; war only in defense of life, liberty and right; and
faithfulness to the death, rather than surrender.

“ And now,” the will continues, “ having gone through these
specific devises, with explanations for the more correct under-
standing of the meaning and design of them, I proceed to the
distribution of the more important parts of my Estate, in manner
following.”

Half of page nineteen and all of pages twenty to twenty-six,
inclusive, are devoted to the scheme and method of distribution
with an added paragraph of advice concerning the method and
time of sale of his western lands and Potomac Company stock.
The scheme is elaborate and carefully worked out with regard to
the two major parts of the estate, first the Mount Vernon Farms
and incidental properties near them, about 9,200 acres; second,
all others, including the tidewater and Shenandoah Valley and
Dismal Swamp lands, in Virginia, the great tracts on the western
waters of Virginia and in the Northwest Territory and the
various smaller holdings in Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Maryland
and New York, amounting, all told, to fifty-four thousand acres.

The first principle of the scheme is to pay the moral obligations
to his own nearest kin and those of his wife, whom he regarded as
his own. ‘These were to share in the division of Mount Vernon
and its appendages. Then the remainder of the entire estate was
to be equitably divided among all of them in twenty-three parts,
of which each was to take one part or a share in a part, accord-
ing to the doctrine of representation where a parent participant
was deceased.

For the better doing of this, a schedule was attached to the
will showing what the lands outside Mount Vernon “so far as
recollected ” were, “ with a reasonable estimate of their value ”,
all in his own handwriting, and these were all directed to be sold
by the executors in the best manner, on credit if need be, “if an
equal, valid and satisfactory distribution of the specific property
cannot be made without.” In case of sale, the monies arising
were to be similarly divided.32 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

Washington’s faith in the rise in value of the lands he had so
carefully selected and anxiously held, and in the great work of
the Potomac Canal, is manifested in this plan. First he seeks
to have his holdings in land divided among his kindred, so that
they may continue to hold them as long as may be; then, by way
of advice, he recommends that if the executors are to sell, “ they
be not precipitate . . . if from temporary causes the sale thereof
be dull.” That will pass away, for it always has done so, he
assures them, ‘‘ and I particularly recommend to the Lega-
tees . . . to take each a share of my stock in the Potomac
Company in preference to what it might sell for; being thoroughly
convinced myself, that no uses to which the money can be applied
will be so productive.”

The distribution scheme which Washington thus divided into
two main parts began with Mount Vernon and his duty to his
kindred. Despite the fact that the original twenty-five hundred
acres of this estate had been in the Washington family for more
than a century and had been since sixty-five years the seat of the
head of the clan, tradition persists in the story that it had been
the object of envious desires on the part of the Custis children,
especially of Nellie, and the hope of herself and her husband,
Lawrence Lewis, son of Betty Washington Lewis, the only sister
of the General.

That it was a desired object and not out of speculation on
their part is proved by Washington’s letter to Lawrence Lewis
written in September, 1799, two months after he had made his
will, wherein he offers him a lease of Woodlawn, just back of the
home place at Mount Vernon, and of the mill and distillery on
Dogue Run between the two, for he refers to Nellie’s frequently
expressed wish to remain a resident of the neighborhood.°

There was, however, an older claim on Washington’s considera-
tion. When he was a young bachelor and went a-soldiering in
1753 to 1759, he had committed the care and culture of Mount
Vernon to his “ dear brother Jack ” and the trust had been faith-
fully fulfilled. He had voluntarily said at that time, he now

9 Ford, 14, 209.Of the Will 33

recalls, “that if I should fall therein Mt. Vernon (then less
extensive in domain than at present) should become his prop-
erty ”, and therefore he devises first, ‘“‘to my nephew Bushrod
Washington and his heirs ”’, the son of his said brother, all that
part of Mount Vernon Estate, including what was best adapted
to the home place — being for good measure “ four thousand
acres, be the same more or less, together with the Mansion House,
and all other buildings and improvements thereon.” Thus the
deceased John Augustine’s eldest son received the promised
compensation.

His late nephew, George, who had married Frances Bassett,
Mrs. Washington’s niece, had served Washington as aide and
secretary for many years. For these reasons, he says, he devises
to this nephew’s sons, George Fayette and Lawrence Augustine
Washington, including the three hundred and sixty acres leased
to their stepfather, his friend, Tobias Lear, two thousand and
twenty-seven acres, to be equally divided between them, and lying
east of Little Hunting Creek on the Potomac, adjoining the home
place.

He explains that he considers his wife’s grandchildren, “ in the
same light as I do my own relations, since my expectation of issue
has ceased. And to act the friendly part by them, more espe-
cially by the two whom we have raised from their earliest in-
fancy . . .” and whereas Eleanor “ hath lately intermarried with
Lawrence Lewis, a son of my deceased sister Betty Lewis, by
which union the inducement to provide for them both has been
increased ”; therefore they and their heirs are to have “ the
residue of my Mount Vernon Estate . . . together with the mill,
distillery and all other improvements on the premises, making
together about two thousand acres, be it more or less.” This
included the high knoll two miles west of Mount Vernon over-
looking that place and having the grand view of the Potomac
River far up and down on both sides of that stream. On this
Lawrence and Nellie soon built “* Woodlawn ” and lived there
many years.

The Mount Vernon acres were thus all disposed of, but still34 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

in pursuit of the principle stated, he devised to George W. P.
Custis and his heirs, “ the tract I hold on four mile Run in the
vicinity of Alexandria containing one thousand two hundred
acres more or less.”” This adjoined on the south the estate of
Arlington which Custis had inherited from his father and on
the west that named Abingdon, where his parents had lived. It
was known as the Washington forest until the Civil War denuded
its hillsides of its splendid timber. It is now largely covered by
second growth. He gave young George also “ my entire Square
number twenty-one, in the City of Washington.”

Thus he provided for those next to him and then said:

 

Fifth: All the rest and residue of my Estate, real and personal,
not disposed of in manner aforesaid, — in whatsoever consist-
ing — wheresoever lying, and wheresoever found —a Schedule of
which as far as is recollected, with a reasonable estimate of its
value is hereunto annexed — I desire may be sold by my Execu-
tors, at such times — in such manner, and on such credits [if a
distribution among the legatees cannot equitably be made of the
property], as, in their judgement shall be most conducive to the
interest of the parties concerned and the monies arising there-
from to be divided into twenty-three equal parts and applied as
follows — viz: [Then followed the names or descriptions and
their respective shares. |

And if it should so happen that any of the persons whose names
are here enumerated (unknown to me) should now be deceased,
or should die before me, that in either of these cases, the heirs
of such deceased person shall, notwithstanding, derive all benefit
of the bequest, in the same manner as if he or she was actually
living at the time.

Having thus amply provided for every one having even the
least claim upon his consideration, he gives a little thought to the
only thing in his affairs in which he had or was to have a per-
sonal share, —his tomb. ‘“ The family Vault at Mount Vernon,”
he says on page twenty-seven, “ requiring repair and being im-
properly situated besides, I desire that a new one of Brick, and
upon a larger scale, may be built at the foot of what is commonly
called the Vineyard Inclosure — on the ground which is marked
out.”Of the Will 35

“In which my remains, with those of my deceased relatives
(now in the Old Vault) and such others of my family as may
chuse to be entombed there, may be deposited. And it is my
express desire that my Corpse may be interred in a private
manner, without parade or funeral oration.”

Modest, democratic, simple and true always, he was never
more so than in these provisions by which he expected to be
gathered to his fathers and to sleep in the midst of his clan.

Lastly, he constituted his wife, his five nephews, and his step-
grandson executors of his estate, a group ranging in age from
nearly twenty to sixty-eight years, and each varying considerably
from the others, so that the chances of death, accident and ill-
ness might be reduced to a minimum in the long administration
of the estate which he had provided and carefully foreseen.

In thus appointing a company of seven persons as executors,
with the powers and duties of trustees, though he did not use that
word or so describe them, Washington created an organization
and anticipated a great institution, the modern Trust Company.
It was not until half a century later that the practical value
of this idea was carried into even limited use in this country,
although as early as 1833 some genius conceived of its worth
and embodied in the charter of some life insurance and banking
companies in New York and Philadelphia the power to accept and
execute trusts, which is the corner stone of the greatness of our
trust companies. Again we see the truth and force of Professor
Henry B. Adams’ remarkable tribute to the genius of Washing-
ton, “ It would seem as though all lines of our public policy lead
back to Washington as all roads lead to Rome.” To-day the
visible assets of such institutions in this country amount to
billions; their controlled and administered assets are quite im-
measurable. Abroad they have been instituted in all civilized
countries, and in Great Britain and its Dominions their principle
has been adopted in the creation of governmental trustee offices.

If Washington had been a skillful lawyer or advised by such,
he would have added here full express powers, of sale and con-

veyance of lands and personal estate, and in the settlement of36 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

claims on behalf of or against the estate. The former were im-
plied in the collection and sale provisions and the latter were,
perhaps, of minor importance.

But one thing he did not overlook and most amply he pro-
vided for its dangers. That was the possibility of mistake or
misconstruction of his intentions. Said he, “I hope and trust,
that no dispute will arise concerning them . . . but if contrary
to expectation the case should be otherwise from want of legal
expression, or the usual technical terms, or because too much or
too little has been said on any of the devises to be consonant with
law, my will and direction expressly is, that all disputes (if un-
happily any there should arise) shall be decided by ” arbitration
‘“ of three intelligent and impartial men known for their probity
and good understanding ” and they “ shall unfettered by Law or
legal constructions declare their sense of the Testator’s inten-
tion.” Not only that, but “such decision is, to all intents and
purposes, to be as binding on the Parties as if it had been given
in the Supreme Court of the United States.”

He was Federalist to the last, Nationalist to the core; even
his attestation clause proves him such. He literally wrote it
thus:

In witness of all and each of the things herein contained, I
have set my hand and seal this ninth day of July, in the year one
thousand seven hundred and ninety and of the Independence of
the United States, the Twenty-fourth.

Go. WasHINGTON.

“nine” after

Despite all his care. he omitted the word
“ ninety ”, for the twenty-fourth year of Independence was 1799.

The schedule attached to the will however ends correctly:

Mount Vernon

9th July 1799 Go. WasHINGTON.
The will was not witnessed, as Washington knew that a holo-

graphic will (one written by the testator) need not be in Vir-

ginia..° The law further provided that it must be dated and

10 Perkins vs. Virginia, 84 Va., 358.Of the Will 37

signed by the testator and as we have seen these points were cov-
ered, but Washington followed the further custom of signing
every page of the will, or at least he intended to, for he said
in its opening paragraph, “‘ Every page thereof subscribed with
my name.” ‘The fact is, however, that page twenty-three does
not bear his signature, though all others do. That page ends
with the words “ in the City of Washington ”, and it is surmised
that in going over the completed document he either mistakenly
supposed he had signed that page or, seeing the final word, “ let
it go at that.” *

Washington’s modest reference to the fact that his will was
drawn without the aid of professional advice explains the only
serious omission in his will, the absence of three witnesses. Bush-
rod Washington and John Marshall, on whom Washington at this
time relied for advice in important legal matters, were both in
Philadelphia, then a great distance, the former being a Justice of
the Supreme Court and the latter a member of the House of Rep-
resentatives. James Keith, his local attorney in Alexandria, was
not called in. And so it came about that though valid in Virginia,
Washington’s will was not valid, because not witnessed, in the
District of Columbia and the States of Maryland, New York,
Kentucky and Ohio in which over ten thousand acres of his lands
were situated. Pennsylvania, where he had less than three hun-
dred acres, admitted a will on proof of handwriting by non-
attesting witnesses. The result, while serious, for it upset the
scheme of the will, was quickly overcome by a written agree-
ment among those beneficiaries of age which likewise under-
took to pledge the minors. It was faithfully carried out
by all.

11 [t is curious to recall that theretofore Washington never referred to the
City of Washington by that name but always modestly designated it as “the
Federal City”, and it is interesting to remember that there has never been
a legal designation of the city in the District of Columbia by that name
except in post-office records. No legislative action so designates it in due
form. There has been a controversy on this subject which still continues.
President Wilson, when his attention was called to the fact, promptly
abandoned the use of the term “in the City of Washington” in his proclama-

tions and other legal forms, while President Harding resumed the former
* date line.”38 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

A literal copy of the will, printed page by page in the form of
the original, constitutes the next chapter. The illuminating and
explanatory schedule of the estate and valuation also all in
Washington’s handwriting is printed with it.”

The following is a list of the persons and institutions benefited
by the will:

1. Martha Washington

2. The Negroes

3. The Trustees of the Academy at Alexandria

4. The University to be established in the District of
Columbia

5. Liberty Hall Academy, Rockbridge County, Virginia, now

Washington and Lee University
6. Estate of Samuel Washington, deceased
“.. Estate of Thornton Washington, deceased
8. The heirs of Thornton Washington, deceased
9. George Steptoe Washington
10. Lawrence Augustine Washington
11. Estate of Bartholomew Dandridge, deceased
12. Mary Dandridge, widow of said deceased
13. The heirs of Bartholomew Dandridge, deceased
14. Charles Carter
15. William Augustine Washington
16. Bushrod Washington
17. The Earl of Buchan
18. Charles Washington
19. Lawrence Washington
20. Robert Washington
21. Doctor James Craik
22. Doctor David Stuart
23. Bryan, Lord Fairfax
24. General de la Fayette
25. Hannah Washington (of Charles Town)
26. Mildred Washington
27. Eleanor Stuart
28. Hannah Washington of Fairfield
29. Elizabeth Washington of Hayfield
830. Tobias Lear
31. Sallie B. Haynie

12 A photographic copy of the entire will is included in the work entitled
“ Washington, the Man and the Mason”, by C. H. Callahan, Alexandria, 1913.Of the Will 39

82. Sarah Green

33. Ann Walker

34. George Lewis

35. Samuel Washington (nephew)
36. George Fayette Washington
37. Lawrence Augustine Washington
38. Eleanor Parke Custis Lewis
39. Lawrence Lewis

40. George Washington Parke Custis
41. Elizabeth Spotswood

42. Jane Thornton

43. The heirs of Ann Ashton

44, Fielding Lewis

45. Robert Lewis

46. Howell Lewis

47. Betty Carter

48. Harriet Parks

49. Corbin Washington

50. The heirs of Jane Washington
51. Francis Ball

52. Mildred Hammond

58. Charles Augustine Washington
54. Maria Washington

55. Elizabeth Parke Law

56. Martha Parke Peter

Aside from its legal history, Washington’s will had a series
of physical experiences which account for its present condition
and exhibition and should be detailed here.

From the time of its presentation to the County Court of
Fairfax County in January, 1800, until the early days of the
Civil War it remained undisturbed in that custody. Once it was
proposed to remove it for the purpose of having it lithographed
(in 1853) and the then clerk of the court, Mr. Alfred Moss,
obtained an act of the legislature of Virginia (March 22, 1853)
which authorized him, if the court consented, to carry the will
beyond the limits of the Commonwealth for that purpose. And
the court consented but Mr. Moss seems to have failed of his
purpose.

In July, 1861, when the Confederate army retreated from40 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

Fairfax Court House, Mr. Moss carefully enveloped the will,
endorsing thereon:

The original Will of
General George Washington
Belongs to the records of Fairfax County Court.
To be returned to me or any one legally
authorized to receive it.
AtFrep Moss, Clerk
Fairfax County Court.

It was then deposited with the Secretary of State at Richmond
with other records, where it remained until the summer of 1865
when it was returned to Fairfax, the Secretary stating “ that the
will had been found in his office among the papers scattered by
Federal soldiers on the floor of one of the rooms.”

The first pages of the document, from frequent handling, had
become somewhat torn, and the court therefore ordered it
put into a suitable case in 1865" and it now rests on
the wall of the clerk’s vault, together with the will of Martha
Washington.

It is open at pages twenty-two and twenty-three, of which the
latter is here reproduced.

Lately the County Court, by agreement with the Library of
Congress, in return for the latter’s service in mounting on silk
and preserving the will, permitted a photostatic copy to be made
of it, of which only two prints were ever executed. One of these
is in the vaults of the court and the other in the Library of Con-
gress. The latter is bound by agreement not to permit repro-
ductions to be made of it or to make them itself. The court like-
wise refuses to permit further duplication of the will.

There is in existence a contemporary copy of the will, at one
time supposed to be a duplicate and signed by Washington. It
became the subject of considerable controversy in 1891, because
it was sold at auction in Philadelphia as genuinely signed by
Washington on twenty-eight of its pages. A pamphlet was

18 Condensed from A. Jackson, “ Authenticated Copy of the Last Will and
Testament of George Washington of Mt. Vernon” (Washington, 1868), sold
at Mount Vernon,Pear

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OF WASHINGTON S WILL

Endorsement thereon in handwriting of Bushrod WashingtonOf the Will 41

subsequently printed in support of that claim, but proved
unconvincing.

This document is known as the Gunther Copy and is now in
The Chicago Historical Society under the bequest of my friend,
Charles F. Gunther, a noted Chicago collector, who told me that
he bought it of Lawrence Washington without regard to the
genuineness of the signatures. I examined it in 1919. It is writ-
ten on Washington’s water-marked letter paper, just as the
original will is. It is plainly a copy in the handwriting of A.
Rawlins, one of Washington’s secretaries at the time of his death.
He wrote at the end of it, “ A copy Teste A. Rawlins ”, and the
signatures of Washington are all innocent imitations, though so
skillfully done that experts, in the pamphlet above mentioned,
declared them genuine.**

This copy was undoubtedly made by Rawlins after Washing-
ton’s death for the use of Bushrod Washington, one of the
executors, for it bears on its back notes in the latter’s hand-
writing concerning legal questions about the title to Mount
Vernon.

14 See Thomas Birch’s Sons, Catalogue No. 663, of April 21-23, 1891, item
No. 3%, and also Catalogue No. 677, of “An Extraordinary Collection of

Washington’s Letters”, ete., Dec. 15 and 16, 1891, item 134. The latter
catalogue was accompanied by the supporting pamphlet.Chapter V

THE WILL OF GEORGE WASHINGTON

IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN! [1]

I George Washington of Mount-
Vernon, a citizen of the United States,
and lately President of the same,

do make, ordain, and declare this
Instrument, which is written with

my own hand and every page there-

of subscribed with my name, to be

my last Will & Testament, revo-

king all others.

Impremus. All my debts, of which there
are but few, and none of magnitude
are to be punctually and speedily paid
— and the Legacies hereinafter bequeath-
ed are to be discharged as soon as cir-
cumstances will permit, and in the
manner directed.

Item. To my dearly loved wife Mar-
tha Washington I give and bequeath
the use, profit and benefit of my whole
Estate, real and personal, for the term
of her natural life, except such parts
thereof as are specifically disposed
of hereafter: — My improved lot in
the Town of Alexandria, situated on
Pitt & Cameron Streets, I give to her &
her heirs forever, as I also do my

G° Washington

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FIRST PAGE OF WASHINGTON'S WILL

AS IT NOW APPEARS

 

{
{
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1
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}
\
4
H
i
i
,
i
;household and kitchen furniture of [2]
every sort & kind, with the liquors and
groceries which may be on hand at

the time of my decease; to be used &

disposed of as she may think proper.

Item. Upon the decease of my wife, it is
my Will & desire that all the Slaves
which I hold in my own right, shall

 

receive their freedom — To emanci-
pate them during her life, would, tho’
earnestly wished by me, be attended
with such insuperable difficulties on
account of their intermixture by Mar-
riages with the Dower Negroes, as to
excite the most painful sensations,
if not disagreeable consequences from
the latter, while both descriptions are
in the occupancy of the same propri-
etor; it not being in my power, under
the tenure by which the dower Negros
are held, to manumit them.— And
whereas among those who will re-
ceive freedom according to this de-
vise, there may be some, who from
old age or bodily infirmities, and others
who on account of their infancy, that
will be unable to support themselves,
it is my will and desire that all who
come under the first & second descrip-
tion shall be comfortably cloathed &
fed by my heirs while they live; — and
G° Washington

43that such of the latter description as [3]

have no parents living, or if living

are unable, or unwilling to provide

for them, shall be bound by the Court

until they shall arrive at the age of

twenty five years; — and in cases where

no record can be produced, whereby

their ages can be ascertained, the judg-

ment of the Court, upon its own view

of the subject, shall be adequate and

final. The negros thus bound, are

(by their masters or mistresses) to be

taught to read & write; and to be brought

up to some useful occupation, agree-

ably to the Laws of the Commonwealth

of Virginia, providing for the support

of orphans and other poor children.

— and I do hereby expressly forbid

the sale, or transportation out of the

said Commonwealth, of any slave I may

die possessed of, under any pretence

whatsoever.— And I do moreover

most pointedly, and most solemnly

enjoin it upon my Executors hereaf-

ter named, or the Survivors of them,

to see that this clause respecting Slaves,

and every part hereof be religious-

ly fulfilled at the Epoch at which it

is directed to take place; without eva-

sion, neglect or delay, after the crops

which may then be on the ground are

harvested, particularly as it respects
G° Washington

44the aged and infirm; — seeing that a re- [4]
cular and permanent fund be establish-
ed for their support so long as there are
subjects requiring it: — not trusting to
the uncertain provision to be made by
individuals.— And to my mulatto

man William (calling himself William
Lee) I give immediate freedom; or if
he should prefer it (on account of the
accidents which have befallen him, and
which have rendered him incapable of
walking or of any active employment)
to remain in the situation he now is,

it shall be optional in him to do so: In
either case however, I allow him an
annuity of thirty dollars during his
natural life, which shall be indepen-
dent of the victuals & cloaths he has
been accustomed to receive; if he chuses
the last alternative; but in full with

his freedom, if he prefers the first; — & this
I give him as a testimony of my sense

of his attachment to me, and for his
faithful services during the Revoluti-
onary War.—

Item. To the Trustees, (Governors, or by what-
soever other name they may be designated)
of the Academy in the Town of Alexan-
dria, I give and bequeath, in Trust,
four thousand dollars, or in other
words twenty of the shares which I

G° Washington
45hold in the Bank of Alexandria, to- [5]
wards the support of a Free school esta-
blished at, and annexed to, the said Aca-
demy; for the purpose of Educating such
orphan children, or the children of such
other poor and indigent persons as are
unable to accomplish it with their own
means; and who, in the judgment of

the Trustees of the said Seminary, are
best entitled to the benefit of this dona-
tion.— The aforesaid twenty shares

I give & bequeath in perpetuity: — the
dividends only of which are to be drawn
for, and applied by the said Trustees
for the time being, for the uses above
mentioned; — the stock to remain entire
and untouched; unless indications of

a failure of the said Bank should be

sO apparent, or a discontinuance there-
of should render a removal of this fund
necessary ; — in either of these cases, the
amount of the stock here devised, is to
be vested in some other Bank or pub-
lic Institution, whereby the interest
may with regularity & certainty be
drawn, and applied as above.— And

to prevent misconception, my mean-

ing is, and is hereby declared to be, that
these twenty shares are in lieu of, and
not in addition to, the thousand pounds
given by a missive letter some years a-
go; in consequence whereof an an-

G° Washington
46nuity of fifty pounds has since been [6]
paid toward the support of this In-
stitution.

Item. Whereas by a Law of the Com-
monwealth of Virginia, enacted in
the year 1785, the Legislature thereof
was pleased (as a an evidence of its
approbation of the services I had ren-
dered the Public during the Revolution
—and partly, I believe, in consideration
of my having suggested the vast ad-
vantages which the Community would
derive from the extension of its Inland
Navigation, under Legislative patro-
nage) to present me with one hund-
red shares of one hundred dollars —
each, in the incorporated company
established for the purpose of exten-
ding the navigation of James River
from tide water to the mountains : —
and also with fifty shares of one
hundred pounds sterling each, in the
corporation of another company, like-
wise established for the similar pur-
pose of opening the navigation of the
River Potomac from tide water to
Fort Cumberland; the acceptance
of which, although the offer was high-
ly honourable, and grateful to my
feelings, was refused, as inconsis-
tent with a principle which I had adop-

G° Washington

ATted, and had never departed from, name- [7]
ly — not to receive pecuniary compensa-
tion for any services I could ren-
der my country in its arduous strug-
gle with great Britain, for its Rights,
and because I had evaded similar pro-
positions from other States in the Union;
— adding to this refusal, however, an
intimation that, if it should be the plea-
sure of the Legislature to permit me to
appropriate the said shares to pub-
lic uses, I would receive them on those terms
with due sensibility ; — and this it ha-
ving consented to, in flattering terms,
as will appear by a subsequent Law
and sundry resolutions, in the most
ample and honorable manner, I
proceed after this recital, for the
more correct understanding of the
case, to declare —

That as it has always been
a source of serious regret with me
to see the youth of these United States
sent to foreign countries for the pur-
pose of Education, often before their
minds were formed, or they had imbi-
bed any adequate ideas of the hap-
piness of their own; — contracting, too
frequently, not only habits of dissipati-
on & extravagence, but principles
unfriendly to Republican Governmt
and to the true & genuine liberties

G° Washington
48of mankind; which, thereafter are [3]
rarely overcome.— For these rea-
sons, it has been my ardent wish to
see a plan devised on a liberal scale
which would have a tendency to spr‘
systemactic ideas through all parts
of this rising Empire, thereby to do
away local attachments and State
prejudices, as far as the nature of
things would, or indeed ought to ad-
mit, from our National Councils.—
Looking anxiously forward
to the accomplishment of so desira-
ble an object as this is, (in my estima-
tion) my mind has not been able to
contemplate any plan more likely
to effect the measure than the esta-
blishment of a UNIVERSITY in
a central part of the United States,
to which the youth of fortune and
talents from all parts thereof might
be sent for the completion of their
Education in all the branches of po-
lite literature; — in arts and Sciences,
— in acquiring knowledge in the prin-
ciples of Politics & good Government;
—and (as a matter of infinite Impor-
tance in my judgment) by associa-
ting with each other, and forming frien-
dships in Juvenile years, be enabled
to free themselves in a proper degree
from those local prejudices & habi-

G° Washington

49tual jealousies which have just been [9]
mentioned; and which, when carried

to excess, are never failing sources of
disquietude to the Public mind, and
pregnant of mischievous consequen-

ces to this country: — Under these im-
pressions, so fully dilated,

Item I give and bequeath in per-
petuity the fifty shares which I hold
in the Potomac Company (under the
aforesaid Acts of the Legislature of
Virginia) towards the endowment
of a UNIVERSITY to be establish-
ed within the limits of the District
of Columbia, under the auspices
of the General Government, if that
government should incline to ex-
tend a fostering hand towards it,
and until such Seminary is esta-
blished, and the funds arising on these
shares shall be required for its sup-
port, my further Will & desire is
that the profit accruing therefrom
shall, whenever the dividends are
made, be laid out in purchasing
stock in the Bank of Columbia, or
some other Bank, at the discretion
of my Executors; or by the Treasurer
of the United States for the time being
under the direction of Congress; pro-
vided that Honorable body should
G° Washington

30Patronize the measure, and the Div1- [ 10]
dends proceeding from the purchase

of such Stock is to be vested in more

stock, and so on, until a sum ade-

quate to the accomplishment of the

object is obtained, of which I have

not the smallest doubt, before many

years passes away; even if no aid

or encouraged is given by Legisla-

tive authority, or from any other source.

Item. The hundred shares which I held in
the James River Company, I have gi-
ven, and now confirm in perpetuity
to, and for the use & benefit of Li-
berty Hall Academy, in the County of
Rockbridge, in the Commonwealth of Virg?

Item. I release exonerate and discharge,
the Estate of my deceased brother Sam-
uel Washington, from the payment
of the money which is due to me for
the Land I sold to Philip Pendleton
(lying in the County of Berkeley) who
assigned the same to him the said Sam-
uel; who, by agreement was to pay
me therefor.— And whereas by some
contract (the purport of which was
never communicated to me) between
the said Samuel and his son Thorn-
ton Washington, the latter became pos-
sessed of the aforesaid Land, without

G°: Washington

51i
i
i
i]
|
j
i
H
H

|

 

any conveyance having passed from [11]
me, either to the said Pendleton, the
said Samuel, or the said Thornton, and
without any consideration having

been made, by which neglect neither
the legal nor equitable title has been
alienated; — it rests therefore with me
to declare my intentions concern-

ing the Premises — and these are, to
give & bequeath the said land to
whomsoever the said Thornton Wash-
ington (who is also dead) devised the
same; or to his heirs forever if he di-

ed Intestate: — Exonerating the estate
of the said Thornton, equally with that
of the said Samuel from payment of
the purchase money; which with In-
terest; agreeably to the original con-
tract with the said Pendleton, would
amount to more than a thousand pounds.
And whereas two other sons of

my said deceased brother Samuel

— namely, George Steptoe Washington
and Lawrence Augustine Washington,
were, by the decease of those to whose
care they were committed, brought un-
der my protection, and in conseq:

have occasioned advances on my

part for their Education at College,
and other Schools, for their board

— cloathing — and other incidental
expences, to the amount of near

G° Washington

o2five thousand dollars over and above [12]
the sums furnished by their Estate, w®

sum may be inconvenient for them,

or their fathers Estate to refund.—

I do for these reasons acquit them,

and the said estate from the pay-

ment thereof.— My intention being

that all accounts between them and

me, and their father’s estate and me

shall stand balanced.—

Item. The balance due to mé from the
Estate of Bartholomew Dandridge de-
ceased (my wife’s brother) and which
amounted on the first day of October
1795, to four hundred and twenty five
pounds (as will appear by an account
rendered by his deceased son John
Dandridge, who was the acting Ex?
of his fathers Will) I release & acquit
from the payment thereof.— And
the negros, then thirty three in num-
ber) formerly belonging to the said
estate, who were taken in executi-
on — sold — and purchased in on my
account in the year and ever
since have remained in the posses-
sion, and to the use of Mary, widow
of the said Bartholomew Dandridge
with their increase, it is my Will &
desire shall continue & be in her pos-
session, without paying hire, or ma-

G° Washington
53king compensation for the same for [13]
the time past or to come, during

her natural life, at the expiration

of which, I direct that all of them who
are forty years old & upwards, shall re-
ceive their freedom; all under that age
and above sixteen, shall serve seven
years and no longer; — and all under
sixteen years shall serve until they

are twenty-five years of age, and then
be free.— And to‘at¥oid disputes res-
specting the ages of any of these negros
they are to be taken to the Court of the
County in which they reside, and the
judgment thereof, in this relation

shall be final; and a record thereof
made; which may be adduced as evt-
dence at any time thereafter, if dis-
putes should arise concerning the same.
And I further direct that the heirs
of the said Bartholomew Dandridge shall,
equally, share the benefits arising from
the services of the said negros accord-
ing to the tenor of this devise, upon the
decease of their Mother.—

 

Item. If Charles Carter who intermar-
ried with my niece Betty Lewis is not
sufficiently secured in the title to the lots
he had of me in the town of Fredericks-
burgh, it is my will & desire that my Ex-
ecutors shall make such conveyances
G° Washington

54of them as the Law requires, to render it [14]
perfect.—

Item To my Nephew William Augustine
Washington and his heirs (if he should conceive
them to be objects worth prosecuting) and
to his heirs,— a lot in the town of Man-
chester (opposite to Richmond) N° 265 —
drawn on my sole account, and also —
the tenth of one or two, hundred acre lots,
and two or three half acre lots in the City, and
vicinity of Richmond, drawn in part-
nership with nine others, all in the —
lottery of the deceased William Byrd
are given —as is also a lot which I
purchased of John Hood, conveyed by
William Willie and Samuel Gordon
Trustees of the said John Hood, number-
ed 139 in the Town of Edinburgh, in the
County of Prince George, State of Virginia.

 

Item To my nephew Bushrod Washing-
ton, I give and bequeath all the Papers
in my possession, which relate to my C1-
vil and Military Administration of the
affairs of this Country; —I leave to him
also, such of my private Papers as are
worth preserving; — and at the decease
of wife, and before, if she is not incli-
ned to retain them, I give and bequeath
my library of Books, and Pamphlets
of every kind.—

G° Washington

55Item Having sold Lands which I pos- [15]

sessed in the State of Pennsylvania,

and part of a tract held in equal

right with George Clinton, late Gover-

nor of New York, in the State of New

York; — my share of land, & interest,

in the Great Dismal Swamp, and a

tract of land which I owned in the

County of Gloucester; — withholding

the legal titles thereto, until the con-

sideration money should be paid.—
And having moreover leased, &
conditionally sold (as will appear
by the tenor of the said leases) all my
lands upon the Great Kanhawa,
and a tract upon Difficult Run, in
the County of Loudoun, it is my Will
and direction, that whensoever the
Contracts are fully, & respectively
complied with, according to the spi-
rit; true intent, & meaning thereof,
on the part of the purchasers, their
heirs or assigns, that then, and in
that case, Conveyances are to be
made; agreeably to the terms of the
said Contracts; and the mo-
ney arising therefrom, when paid,
to be vested in Bank stock; the divi-
dends whereof, as of that also ws!
is already vested therein, is to inure
to my said wife during her life
but the Stock itself is to remain, &

G° Washington

56be subject to the general distribu- [ 16]
tion hereafter directed.—

Item To the Earl of Buchan I recom-
mit, ‘‘ the Box made of the Oak that
“sheltered the Great Sir William Wal-
“lace after the battle of Falkirk ”’—
presented to me by his Lordship, in
terms too flattering for me to repeat,
— with a request “ to pass it, on the e-
vent of my decease, to the man in my
‘country, who should appear to me-

‘rit it best, upon the same conditions

‘that have induced him to send it

“to me’’. Whether easy, or not, to

select the man who might comport

¢

with his Lordships opinion in this —
respect, is not for me to say; but con-
ceiving that no disposition of this
valuable curiosity can be more eli-
gable than the re-commitment of it
to his own Cabinet, agreeably to the
original design of the Goldsmiths —
Company of Edenburgh, who presen-
ted it to him, and at his request, con-
sented that it should be transfered to
me; I do give & bequeath the same to
his Lordship, and in case of his de-
cease, to his heir with my grateful
thanks for the distinguished honour
of presenting it to me; and more espe-
cially for the favourable sentiments
G° Washington

o7with which he accompanied it.— fe tya
Item To my brother Charles Washington

I give & bequeath the gold headed Cane

left me by Doct Franklin in his Will
I add nothing to it, because of the
ample provision I have made for his
Issue To the acquaintances and
friends of my Juvenile years, Lawrence
Washington & Robert Washington of Cho-
tanck, I give my other two gold headed
Canes, having my arms engraved on them
and to each (as they will be useful where
they live) I leave one of the spy-glasses
which constituted part of my equipage
during the late War. To my com-
patriot in arms, and old & intimate
friend Doct! Craik, I give my Bureau
(or as the Cabinet makers call it, T’am-
bour Secretary) and the circular chair
— an appendage of my Study. To
Doctor David Stuart I give my large
shaving & dressing-Table, and my Te-
lescope. To.the Reverend, now
Bryan, Lord Fairfax, I give a Bible in
three large folio volumes, with notes,
presented to me by the Right Reverend
Thomas Wilson, Bishop of Sodor & Man
To General de la Fayette I give
a pair of finely wrought steel Pistols,
taken from the enemy in the Revoluti-
onary War. To my Sisters in law

G° Washington

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

58Hannah Washington & Mildred Wash- [18]
ington; — to my friends Eleanor Stuart
Hannah Washington of Fairfield, and
Elizabeth Washington of Hayfield, I
give, each, a mourning Ring of the
value of one hundred dollars. These
bequests are not made for the intrin-
sic value of them, but as mementos
of my esteem & regard. To Tobias
Lear, I give the use of the Farm which
he now holds, in virtue of a Lease from
me to him and his deceased wife (for
and during their natural lives) free
from Rent, during his life; — at the
expiration of which, it is to be dispo-
sed as is hereinafter directed. To
Sally B. Haynie (a distant relation
of mine) I give and bequeath three
hundred dollars To Sarah Green
daughter of the deceased Thomas Bish-
op, & to Ann Walker daughter of Jn?
Alton, also deceased, I give, each —
one hundred dollars, in considera-
tion of the attachment of their fathers
to me, each of whom having lived
nearly forty years in my family.—
To each of my Nephews, Willi-
am Augustine Washington, George
Lewis, George Steptoe Washington,—
Bushrod Washington and Samuel
Washington, I give one of the Swords
or Cutteaux of which I may die pos-

G° Washington

59———————— —

sessed, and they are to chuse in the or- [19]
der they are named.— These Swords

are accompanied with an injuncti-

on not to unsheath them for the pur-

pose of shedding blood, except it be

for self defence, or in defence of their

Country and its rights; and in the lat-

ter case, to keep them unsheathed,

and prefer falling with them in their

hands, to the relinquishment thereof.

And now

Having gone through these spe-
cific devises, with explanations

for the more correct understand-
ing of the meaning and design of
them; I proceed to the distribution
of the more important parts of my
Estate, in manner following —

First. To my Nephew Bushrod Washing-
ton and his heirs (partly in conside-
ration of an intimation to his deceased
father while we were Bachelors, &
he had kindly undertaken to super-
intend my Estate during my Muilita-
ry services in the former War between
Great Britain & France, that if I
should fall therein, Mount Vernon
(then less extensive in domain than
at present) should become his pro-
perty) I give and bequeath all that
part thereof which is comprehen-

G° Washington
60ded within the following limits — viz [20]
Beginning at the ford of Dogue run,
near my Mill, and extending along the
road, and bounded thereby as it now
goes, & ever has gone since my recol-
lection of it, to the ford of little hunting
Creek at the Gum spring until it comes
to a knowl, opposite to an old road
which formerly passed through the
lower field of Muddy hole Farm; at
which, on the north side of the said road
are three red, or spanish oaks mar-
ked as a corner, and a stone placed
thence by a line of trees to be mar-
ked, rectangular to the back line, or
outer boundary of the tract between
Thomson Mason & myself. thence
with that line Easterly (now double
ditching with a Post & Rail fence
thereon) to the run of little hunting
Creek.— thence with that run which
is the boundary between the Lands of
the late Humphrey Peake and me,
to the tide water of the said Creek;
thence by that water to Potomac
River. thence with the River to the
mouth of Dogue Creek. and thence
with the said Dogue Creek to the place
of beginning at the aforesaid ford;
containing upwards of four thou-
sand acres, be the same more or less
— together with the Mansion house

G° Washington

61and all other buildings and improvem® [21 |
thereon.—

Second. In consideration of the consanguini-
ty between them and my wife, being as
nearly related to her as to myself, as on
account of the affection I had for, and the
obligation I was under to, their father when
living, who from his youth had attached
himself to my person, and followed my
fortunes through the viscissitudes of the
late Revolutio yards devoting
his time to the Superintendence of my
private concerns for many years, whilst
my public employments rendered it im-
practicable for me to do it myself, there-
by affording me essential services, and
always performing them in a manner
the most felial and respectful — for
these reasons I say, I give and bequeath
to George Fayette Washington, and Lawrence
Augustine Washington anal their heirs, my
Estate East of little hunting Creek, lying
on the River Potomac,— including the
farm of 360 acres, Leased to Tobias Lear
as noticed before, and containing in
the whole, by Deeds, Two thousand and
seventy seven acres — be it more or less.
— which said Estate, it is my Will & desire
should be equitably, & advantageously
divided between them, according to quan-
tity, quality & other circumstances when

G° Washington
62the youngest shall have arrived at the [22]
age of twenty one years, by three judi-

cious and disinterested men ; — one to be
chosen by each of the brothers, and the

third by these two.— In the meantime,

if the termination of my wife’s interest

therein should have ceased, the profits,

arising therefrom are to be applied

for their joint uses and benefit.—

Third. And whereas it has always been
my intention, since my expectation of
having Issue has ceased, to consider
the Grand children of my wife in the
same light as I do my own relations,
and to act a friendly part by them;
more especially by the two whom we
have reared from their earliest infan-
cy — namely — Eleanor Parke Custis, &
George Washington Parke Custis.—
And whereas the former of these
hath lately intermarried with Law-
rence Lewis, a son of my deceased sis-
ter Betty Lewis, by which union the
inducement to provide for them both
has been increased ; — Wherefore,
I give & bequeath to the said Lawrence
Lewis & Eleanor Parke Lewis, his wife,
and their heirs, the residue of my
Mount Vernon Estate, not already
devised to my Nephew Bushrod Wash-
‘ington,— comprehended within the fol-

G° Washington
63lowing description,— viz — All the land [23]
north of the Road leading from the ford
of Dogue run to the Gum spring as de-
scribed in the devise of the other part

of the tract to Bushrod Washington, un-
til it comes to the stone & three red or
Spanish oaks on the knowl.— thence

with the rectangular line to the back

line (between M! Mason & me) — thence
with that line westerly, along the new
double ditch to Dogue run, by the tumb-
ling Dam of my Mill; — thence with the
said run to the ford aforementioned;

to which I add all the land I possess
west of the said Dogue run, & Dogue Cr
bounded Easterly & Southerly thereby;
— together with the Mill, Distillery, and
all other houses & improvements on

the premises, making together about

two thousand acres — be it more or less.

 

Fourth. Actuated by the principal al-
ready mentioned, I give and bequeath
to George Washington Parke Custis, the
Grandson of my wife, and my ward,
and to his heirs, the tract I hold on
four mile run in the vicinity of A-
lexandria, containing one thou!
two hundred acres, more or less,— &
my entire Square, number twenty
one, in the City of Washington.—

64Fifth. All the rest and residue of my [24]

Estate, real & personal — not disposed

of in manner aforesaid — In whatsoe-
ver consisting — wheresoever lying — and
whensoever found — a schedule of which,
as far as is recollected, with a reason-
able estimate of its value, is hereunto
annexed — I desire may be sold by my
Executors at such times — in such man-
ner — and on such credits (if an equal,
valid, and satisfactory distribution

of the specific property cannot be

made without) — as, in their judgment
shall be most conducive to the inte-

rest of the parties concerned; and the
monies arising therefrom to be divi-

ded into twenty three equal parts,

and applied as follow — viz —

To William Augustine Washington,
Elizabeth Spotswood, Jane Thornton,
and the heirs of Ann Ashton; son and
daughters of my deceased brother
Augustine Washington, I give and be-
queath four parts; — that is — one part
to each of them.

To Fielding Lewis, George Lewis,
Robert Lewis, Howell Lewis & Betty
Carter, sons & daughter of my decea-
sed sister Betty Lewis, I give & bequeath
five other parts — one to each of them.

To George Steptoe Washington, Law-
rence Augustine Washington, Harriot

G° Washington

65Parks, and the heirs of Thornton Wash- [25 |
ington, sons & daughter of my decea-

sed brother Samuel Washington, I give

and bequeath other four parts, one

part to each of them.—

To Corbin Washington, and the
heirs of Jane Washington, son & daugh-
ter of my deceased Brother John Augus-
tine Washington, I give and bequeath two
parts; — one part to each of them.—

To Samuel Washington, Francis
Ball & Mildred Hammond, son & daugh
ters of my Brother Charles Washington,
I give & bequeath three parts; — one part
to each of them. And to George Fayette
Washington Charles Augustine Washing-
ton & Maria Washington, sons and
daughter of my deceased nephew Geo:
Augustine Washington, I give one other
part,— that is — to each a third of that part.

To Elizabeth Parke Law, Martha
Parke Peter, and Eleanor Parke Lewis,

I give and bequeath three other parts,
— that is a part to each of them.—

And to my nephews Bushrod
Washington & Lawrence Lewis,— and to
my ward, the grandson of my wife, I
give and bequeath one other part; — that
is, a third thereof to each of them.— And
if it should so happen that any of the
persons whose names are here ennu-
merated (unknown to me) should now

G° Washington
66Loar. ore atoverAbeor. ~ UKF 24 Ka Land

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TWENTY-THIRD PAGE OF WASHINGTON S WILLbe deceased — or should die before me, [26]
that in either of these cases, the heirs
of such deceased person shall, notwith-
standing, derive all the benefits of
the bequest; in the same manner as if
he, or she, was actually living at the time.

And by way of advice, I recom-
mend it to my Executors not to be pre-
cipitate in disposing of the landed
property (herein directed to be sold)
if from temporary causes the sale
thereof should be dull; experience
having fully evinced, that the price of
land (especially above the Falls of the
Rivers, & on the Western Waters) have
been progressively rising, and can-
not be long checked in its increasing
value.-——— and | particularly recom-
end it to such of the Legatees (under
this clause of my Will) as can make
it convenient, to take each a share
of my stock in the Potomac Company
in preference to the amount of what
it might sell for; being thoroughly
convinced myself, that no uses to
which the money can be applied will
be so productive as the Tolls arising
from this Navigation when in full
operation (and this from the nature
of things it must be ’ere long) and
more especially if that of the Shanon-
doah is added thereto.—

G° Washington

67The family Vault at Mount Ver- [27]
non requiring repairs, and being
improperly situated besides, I desire
that a new one of Brick, and upon
a larger Scale, may be built at the
foot of what is commonly called the
Vineyard Inclosure,— on the ground
which is marked out.— In which my
remains, with those of my deceased
relatives (now in the old Vault) and
such others of my family as may
chuse to be entombed there, may be
deposited.— And it 1s my express
desire that my Corpse may be Inter-
red in a private manner, without
parade or funeral oration.

 

Lastly I constitute and appoint my
dearly beloved wife Martha Wash-
ington, my nephews, William Augus-
tine Washington, Bushrod Washing-
ton, George Steptoe Washington, Samu-
el Washington, & Lawrence Lewis, &
my ward George Washington Parke
Custis (when he shall have arrived at
the age of twenty years) Executrix &
Executors of this Will & testament,
— In the construction of which it will
readily be perceived that no profes-
sional character has been consulted
or has had any agency in the draught
— and that, although it has occupied

G° Washington

68many of my leisure hours to digest; [28 |
& to through it into its present form, it
may, notwithstanding, appear crude
and incorrect — But having endea-
voured to be plain, and explicit in

all the Devises — even at the expence
of prolixity, perhaps of tautology,

I hope, and trust, that no disputes

will arise concerning them; but if, contra-
ry to expectation, the case should be
otherwise from the want of legal ex-
pression, or the usual technical terms,
or because too much or too little

has been said on any of the Devises

to be consonant with law, my Will
and direction expressly is, that all
disputes (if unhappily any should a-
rise) shall be decided by three im-
partial and intelligent men, known
for their probity and good under-
standing; — two to be chosen by the
disputants — each having the choice
of one — and the third by those two.—
Which three men thus chosen, shall
unfettered by Law, or legal con-
structions, declare their sense of

the Testators intention; — and such
decision is, to all intents and pur-
poses to be as binding on the Par-

ties as if it had been given in

the Supreme Court of the United
States.—

 

G° Washington
69In witness of all, and of [29 |
each of the things herein
contained, I have set my
hand and seal, this ninth
day of July, in the year
one thousand seven hun-
dred and ninety and of
the Independence of the
United States the twenty
fourth.

G° Washington [SEAL |

70SCHEDULE of property comprehended in [30]

the foregoing Will, which is directed to
be sold, and some of it, conditionally is
sold; with discriptive, and explanato-
ry notes relative thereto.—

IN VIRGINIA

 

 

Loudoun County acres. price.

Dificultwrun’ =<. 3.3. 6-- 0 oor 300
Loudoun & Fauquier

AShbysebent. o.oo 2481 $10

Chattins Run -30- 50255 -0 e 885 8
Berkeley

Sow forkof Bullskiny sesq ocr 1600

Headvof: Bvanis Me ae aes 453

ImBWormeleyss line) er oo 183

2236 20

Frederick

Bought from Mercer ....... 571 20
Hampshire

On Potk. River above B ..... 24.0 15
Gloucester

OneNortheRiverie. sso 400 abt
Nansemond

Near Suffolk 1/3 of \ an 373 3

1119 acres
Great Dismal Swamp

My dividend thereof ........ abt
Ohio River

Rounds bottom see eee 587

leittlesKanhawa ae oie ol 2814

2901

dollars.
6,666 (a)

24,810
b
7,080 he )

44,720 (c)

11,420 (d)

3,600 (e)
3,600 (f)
2,984 (g)

20,000 (h)

124,880Amount Droty OVE 2-5. 2961
iG Males lowr down’. .4-.....- 2448
Opposite Big Bent -..7..-.. 4395
9744
Great Kanhawa
Near the Mouth West ...... 10990
Hastiside above masse. oc... 5: 7276
IMouthvot Cole) River 2... -. - 2000
Opposites thereto, s.r 1. 2950
Brrning nS DPI ge rsa (cle) =<. 125
23341
Maryland
@harless@ounty ©....--.-.<-- 600
Montgomery sD Ong... 5. 519
Pennsylvania
GreatyMeadows! 535.457 0. |. 234
New York
Mohawk River) 6... ..... abt 1000
North Westn. Territy.
Onglittle; Miamite- 34>... eo: 839
Ditto oe ee 977
Ditto is Seas es 1235
3051
Kentucky
ought Creckire ga si. oe sco 3000
LOA Ghinine 365 cobdnoeeuDe 2000
5000

LOTS — VIZ
City of Washington
Two near the Capital, Sqr. 634
cost $963 — and with Buildgs.

Carried over ..

72

Dollars [iS 1 |

 

124,880
dol
10 97,440
200,000
6 3,600
12 6,228
6 1,404
6 6,000
Bb boat
2 10,000
15,000
479,803

(k)

(1)
(m)

(n)
CD)

(p)

(q)LAST

 

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PAGE OF WASHINGTON S WILLAmount brot. over ..

Lots — City of Washington
No. 5.12. 18. & 14— the 8 last, Water
lots on the Eastern Branch,

in Sqr. 667. containing toge- = # £f{°°°"°
ther 34.438 Sqr. feet a 12 Cts.
Alexandria

Corner of Pitt & Prince Strs.
half an Acre — laid out into
buildgs. 3 or 4 of weh. are let
on grd. Rent at $3 pr. foot

Winchester
A lot in the Town of half an Acr.
& another in the Commons of Series
about 6 acs.— supposed ..... |

Bath — or Warm Springs

Two Well situated, & had buil- |
dings to the amt. of £150

 

STOCK
Wnited States >........ 6 pr. Cts. 3746
Dowdefered: 425 24s. 1873 | 2500
Supr:) Ctsi 2. sce... 2946 [

Potomack Company

24 Shares— cost ea. £100 Sterg.
James River Company

5 Shares — each cost $100....
Bank of Columbia

170 Shares — $40 each .....

Bank of Alexandria — besides |
20 to the Free School 5 —

73

Dollars e2)]

479,803

Oc 400

are 800

6,800)

1,000

 

514,347

(s)

(t)

(u)

(w)

(x)
(y)
(z)

(&)Dollars [sai
Amount Brot. over .. 514,327

STOCK — living — viz.—

1 Covering horse, 5 Coh.

Horses — 4 Riding do. six

brood Mares — 20 work

ing horses & Mares.— 2 Co

vering Jacks. & 3 young

ones — 10 she asses, 42 wor

king Mules — 15 younger ones

329 head of horned Cattle Me Gbe

640 head of sheep — and

a large Stock of Hogs — the

pricise number unknown
Qa My Manager has estima

ted this live Stock at £7,000

but I shall set it down in

order to make rd. sum at

 

Agregate amt. ...... $530,000

74(a)

Notes. [34]

This tract for the size of it is valu
able — More for its situation than the qua
lity of its soil, though that is good for Farm
ing; with a considerable portion of grd.
that might, very easily, be improved into
Meadow.— It lyes on the great Road from
the City of Washington, Alexandria and
George Town, to Leesburgh & Winchester;
at Difficult bridge,— nineteen Miles from
Alexandria,— less from the City & George-
Town, and not more than three from Ma
tildaville at the Great Falls of Potomac
— There is a valuable seat on the Pre
mises — and the whole is conditionally —
sold — for the sum annexed in the Schedule.

What the selling prices of lands in
the vicinity of these two tracts are, I
know not; but compared with those
above the Ridge, and others below them
the value annexed will appear mode
rate —a less one would not obtain them
from me.—

The surrounding land, not superi
or in Soil, situation or properties of any
sort, sells currently at from twenty to
thirty dollars an acre.— the lowest
price is affixed to these —

The observations made in the last
note applies equally to this tract;
75being in the vicinity of them, and of si- [35]
milar quality, altho’ it lyes in another County.

This tract, though small, is extreme
ly valuable.— It lyes on Potomac River a-
bout 12 miles above the Town of Bath (or
Warm springs) and is in the shape of a
horse Shoe; — the River running almost a
round it.— Two hundred Acres of it 1s
Rich low grounds; with a great abun-
dance of the largest & finest Walnut-
trees; which, with the produce of the Soil,
might (by Means of the improved Navi
gation of the Potomac) be brought to a
shipping port with more ease, and at
a smaller expence, than that which 1s
transported 30 miles only by land.

This tract is of second rate Glou
cester low grounds.— It has no Improve
ments thereon, but lyes on Navigable wa
ter, abounding in Fish and Oysters.—

It was received in payment of a debt
(carrying interest) and valued in the
year 1789 by an impartial Gentleman
to £800.— NB. it has lately been sold,
and there is due thereon, a balance
equal to what is annexed the Schedule.

These 373 acres are the third part
of undivided purchases made by the
deceased Fielding Lewis Thomas Walker
and myself; on full conviction that

76they would become valuable.— The land [36]
lyes on the Road from Suffolk to Norfolk

— touches (if | am not mistaken) some part
of the Navigable water of Nansemond River
— borders on, and comprehends part of

the rich Dismal Swamp; — 1s capable of
great improvement; — and from its situ

ation must become extremely valuable.

 

This is an undivided Interest wch.
I held in the Great Dismal Swamp Compa
ny — containing about 4000 acres, with my
part of the Plantation & Stock thereon
belonging to the Company in the sd. Swamp

These several tracts of land are
of the first quality on the Ohio River, in
the parts where they are situated ; — being
almost if not altogether River bottoms
.— The smallest of these tracts is actu
ally sold at ten dollars an Acre but the
consideration therefor, not received —
the rest are equally valuable & will sell
as high — especially that which lyes just
below the little Kanhawa and is opposite
to a thick settlement on the Westside the Rivr.
— The four tracts have an aggregate
breadth upon the River of Sixteen miles
and is bounded there by that distance.—

These tracts are situated on the
Great Kanhawa River, and the firstfour are bounded thereby for more [37]
than forty Miles.— It is acknowledged

by all w ho have seen them (and of the

tract containing 10990 acres which I

have been on myself, I can assert) that
there is no richer, or more valuable

land in all that Region; — They are con
ditionally sold for the sum mentio

ned in the Schedule — that is $200,000
and if the terms of that Sale are not
complied with they will command con
siderably more.— The tract of which

the 125 acres is a Moiety, was taken

up by General Andrew Lewis and myself
for, and on account of a bituminous Spring
which it contains, of so inflamable a na

ture as to burn as freely as spirits, and

is nearly as difficult to extinguish.

I am but little acquainted with
this land, although I have once been on
it.— It was received (many years since)
in discharge of a debt due to me from
Daniel Janifer Adams at the value
annexed thereto — and must be worth
more.— It is very level, lyes near the
River Potomac

 

This tract lyes about 30 miles
above the City of Washington, not far
from Kittoctan.— It is good farming-
Land, and by those who are well ac

78quainted with it lam informed thatit [38]
would sell at twelve or $15 pr. Acre.—

This land is valuable on account
of its local situation, and other proper
ties.— It affords an exceeding good stand
on Braddocks road from Fort Cumberland
to Pittsburgh — and besides a fertile soil,
possesses a large quantity of natural —
Meadow, fit for the scythe.— It is distinguis
hed by the appellation of the Great Mea-
dows — where the first action with the French
in the year 1754 was fought.—

 

This is the moiety of about 2000 Acs.
which remains unsold of 6071. Acres

 

~ on the Mohawk River (Montgomery Cty.)

in a Patent granted to Daniel Coxe in

the Township of Coxeborough & Carolana
— as will appear by Deed from Marinus
Willet & Wife to George Clinton (late Gover
nor of New York) and myself.— The lat

ter sales have been Six dollars an ace.

and what remains unsold will fetch that

or more

The quality of these lands & their
Situation, may be known by the Survayers
Certificates — which are filed along with
the Patents.— They lye in the vicinity of
Cincinnati; — one tract near the mouth of
the little Miami another seven & the thirdten miles up the same — I have been in [39]
formed that they will readily command
more than they are estimated at.—

For the description of these tracts
in detail, see General Spotswoods letters
filed with the other papers relating to
them.— Besides the General good
quality of the Land there is a valuable
Bank of Iron Ore thereon; — which, when
the settlement becomes more populous
(and settlers are moving that way
very fast) will be found very valua
ble; as the rough Creek, a branch of
Green River affords ample water for
Furnaces & forges.—

LOTS — VIZ.—
CITY OF WASHINGTON

The two lots near the Capital, in
square 634, cost me 963 $ only; but in
this price I was favoured, on conditi
on that I should build two Brick hou
ses three Storys high each: — without
this reduction the selling prices of those
Lots would have cost me about $1350
.— These lots, with the buildings there
on, when completed will stand me in

$15000 at least.

Lots No. 5.12.13. & 14 on the Eastn.
branch, are advantageously situated
on the water — and although many lots
80(u)

much less convenient have solda great [40|
deal higher I will rate these at 12 Cts.
the square foot only.—

ALEXANDRIA

For this lot, though unimproved,
I have refused $3500 — It has since been
laid off into proper sized lots for build
ing on — three or 4 of which are let on
eround Rent — forever — at three dollars
a foot on the Street.— and this price
is asked for both fronts on Pitt & Prin
ces Street.—

WINCHESTER

As neither the lot in the Town
or Commons have any improvements
on them, it is not easy to fix a price,
but as both are well situated, it is
presumed the price annexed to them
in the Schedule, is a reasonable valun.

BATH

The Lots in Bath (two adjoining) cost
me, to the best of my recollection, betwn. fifty
& sixty pounds 20 years ago; — and the buil
dings thereon £150 more.— Whether pro
perty there has increased or decreased.
in value, and in what condition
the houses are I am ignorant.—
but suppose they are not valued too high

81(x)

STOCKS [41]

These are the sums which are —
actually funded.— and though no more
in the aggregate than $7,566 — stand me
in at least ten thousand pounds Vir
ginia Money.— besides the amount of —
bonded and other debts due to me, &
discharged during the War when
money had depreciated in that rati-

o — and was so settled by public authory

The value annexed to these shares
is what they have actually cost me
and is the price affixed by Law: — and
although the present selling price 1s
under par, my advice to the Legatees
(for whose benefit they are intended,
especially those who can afford to lye
out of the Money is that each should
take and hold one, — there being a
Moral certainty of a great and in
creasing profit arising from them
in the course of a few years

It is supposed that the Shares —
in the James River Company must
also be productive.— But of this I —
can give no decided opinion for
want of more accurate informtn.

These are nominal prices

of the Shares of the Banks of Alex

82andria & Columbia, the selling prices [42]
vary according to circumstances.

But as the Stock usually divided from

eight to ten per cent per annum, they

must be worth the former, at least,

so long as the Banks are conceived

to be Secure, although circumstan

ces may, sometimes below it.

The value of the live stock de-
pends more upon the quality than
quantity of the different species of it,
and this again upon the demand,
and judgment or fancy of purchasers
Mount Vernon

G? WASHINGTON.
9th July 1799

83Chapter VI

OF THE PROBATE OF THE WILL AND THE INVENTORY
AND APPRAISEMENT

Mount Vernon is situated in Fairfax County, Virginia, of
which Alexandria, prior to 1791, was the county seat, and in that
city stood its courthouse. In that year Virginia ceded to the
Jnited States, to form part of the District of Columbia, that
part of Fairfax County, including the City of Alexandria, which
lies nearest the City of Washington and now is called Arlington
County. The statute provided that until the government should
actually take possession of the district (in 1801), the court-
house should remain in Alexandria and the laws of Virginia should
govern and be administered there. This condition was accepted
by the United States and so it came about that Washington’s
will was probated in 1800 in a Virginia court held in the District
of Columbia, in a city which was not in Fairfax County, in which
he was domiciled and died. A tablet on the city building marks
the spot and commemorates the event in Alexandria to-day.

In 1801, the court and records were removed to a new home
about fourteen miles west, at a crossroads called Fairfax County
Court House, where a new little brick building had been provided.
There they still rest, despite the lapse of years and the vicissi-
tudes of the Civil War. Before this chapter can be fitly con-
cluded, their history must be told.

On the twentieth day of January, 1800, the county court

record shows:

In the Matter

of the
Estate
of
General George
Washington At the Court held for the County of Fairfax
deceased the 20th day of January, 1800, this last

will and Testament of George Washington, deceased, late Presi-Of the Probate of the Will 85

dent of the United States of America, was presented in Court by
George Steptoe Washington, Samuel Washington & Lawrence
Lewis, three of the Executors therein named, who made oath
thereto, and the same being proved by the oaths of Charles Little,
Charles Simms and Ludwell Lee, to be in the true handwriting
of the said Testator, as also the scedule thereto annexed, and
the said Will, being sealed and signed by him, is on motion,
ordered to be Recorded.

And the said Executors having given Security and performed
what the Laws require, a Certificate is granted them for obtain-
ing a probate thereof in due form.

Teste
G. DENEALE
Cl. Fx:
Rea He fo. 1
Ex. by
G. Deneale Cl. Fx.

This record is endorsed on the original will. The notation at
the foot means “ Recorded in Liber H. folio 1 and Examined.”
Liber H. is a new book, bound in full calf, obtained for the pur-
pose, and is preserved to this day in good condition. In copying,
the clerk could not resist the temptation to imitate Washington’s
signature in the twenty-nine places it appears on the will and
schedule. The order of the court admitting the document to
record as noted above is also here recorded on page twenty-three
at the end of the schedule. The seal opposite Washington’s sig-
nature on the original will was a wafer impressed with his seal
ring or letter seal, both of which he habitually used for such
purposes. On the record it is noted by a scroll.

The clerk’s minute book of the County Court of Fairfax
County proceedings for the years 1799 and 1800 is preserved,
but in a mutilated condition. Pages one to two hundred and
twenty-four inclusive are in the book, pages two hundred and
twenty-five to four hundred and twenty-one inclusive are torn
out in a ruthless fashion, while pages four hundred and twenty-
two to six hundred follow intact. The original minute of the
order, in January, 1800, admitting the will, appeared undoubt-
edly on one of the pages thus removed, as the index of the book86 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

remains and it shows that the order was entered on page three
hundred and nineteen. This record further shows that the court
for the March term, 1800, was also held in Alexandria, and “ ad-
journed to the new Court House at Fairfax.” On April 21, 1800,
it met at the new courthouse agreeable to adjournment (pp. 477
and 478). All this is witnessed in the names of:

Wm. Stanhope, Wm. Payne, Charles Little,

David Stuart, Richard Bland Lee, Gents.

Justices.
By G. Deneate Clk. Fx.

The minute of the court’s order appointing appraisers of the
estate is also missing. It naturally followed immediately after
the probate of the will. From the original appraisement bill,
which is now at Mount Vernon, we learn that Thomas Mason,
Tobias Lear, Thomas Peter and William H. Foote were ap-
pointed appraisers by the court. Their report was not filed in
court until August 20, 1810, yet they acted promptly, for the
references to Mrs. Washington and the conditions at Mount
Vernon show it to have been made in 1800.

Letters testamentary issued by the county court to executors,
showing their authority to act, were not customary in Virginia
and, probably, when required, certified copies of the order above
quoted were used. The subsequent record of the court shows that
no further proceedings of record of any kind took place in the
matter of the estate until 1810.

An advertisement for and adjudication of claims was not made
of record in Virginia but was attended to privately by executors
unless they failed to agree with claimants or for some reason
wanted a court to decide upon the claim, which was especially
done in case of considerable sums or conflicting accounts. In
such cases the executors were sued in the circuit court of the
county like other debtors, and juries passed on the questions
involved, before judgment was entered. Then the executors paid
or the estate was subjected to process in execution of the judg-
ment, by sale of property.

Only one debt of the Washington estate seems to have beenOf the Probate of the Will 87

fixed in court; that was the claim of David Stuart for about
$12,000, money loaned. See page 105 post, and Addendum, page
376 post. So many records of Fairfax County were destroyed in
the Civil War that it is small wonder that this is missing. But
there is a reference to it in another proceeding, which was had in
Maryland, to sell the two Washington farms there, and the fact
and approximate amount are thus fixed, as we shall see later.
The other debts, as the executors’ accounts show, were small and
few, the chief one being for $2,700, due the Bank of Alexandria
upon two notes discounted a month or two before the General’s
death, when he was using money to pay for his buildings in the
City of Washington.

The original “ Inventory and Appraisement ” remained in the
hands of the executors until their first accounting in court." The
record shows that it was ordered to be recorded on August 20,
1810, but it was not done. There is a notation on the record
book, Volume J, at page 326, that it was there to be inserted.
The executors or the auditor probably withdrew it for some use
after it had been passed upon by the court and then the clerk
failed to record it after it was returned, in the fashion of the
times and probate affairs the world over.

The title of it is “* An Inventory of Articles at Mount Vernon,
with their appraised value.”

The appraisers were all neighbors and friends of the deceased.
General Thompson Mason was the eldest son of George Mason,
of Gunston Hall, the noted patriot and author of the Virginia
Declaration of Rights and the Fairfax County Resolves, who
refused to sign the Constitution of the United States until it
should be amended, as it afterwards was, tenfold, in his way.
General Mason lived on a plantation adjoining Mount Vernon,
named Hollin Hall; his father lived a mile or two nearer Alex-

1Jt remained there perhaps until the Civil War, when it was removed by
a Federal soldier and later passed into the hands of the noted collector,
William K. Bixby, Esq., of St. Louis. He caused it to be printed in a limited
edition (350 copies) with an introduction by Worthington C. Ford, which he
distributed among the leading libraries and collectors of the country in 1909.
Since then he has presented the original document to the Mount Vernon
Ladies’ Association. See W. K. Bixby, “Inventory of the Contents of Mount
Vernon”, 1910. Also see Appendix II.88 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

andria. Colonel Tobias Lear was Washington’s military secre-
tary, confidential agent and friend, having lived in his family as
tutor and secretary since 1785. Thomas Peter was the husband
of one of Mrs. Washington’s granddaughters. Wilham H. Foote
was a son-in-law of the late Lund Washington, the General’s
distant cousin and long-faithful superintendent. He lived at
“ Hayfield ”, the estate just west of the bounds of Mount
Vernon, sold to Lund by the General to pay his debts after
the Revolution.

Quoting now from Mr. Worthington C. Ford’s Introduction to

Mr. Bixby’s reprint:

The document has a high personal interest. The values affixed
to each article are purely arbitrary, and are in no sense correct
appraisals, whether of the market value of the thing, or of the
value to its possessor, from actual cost or from association.
The estate was not in dispute; there was no tax system which
imposed making a correct valuation upon the executors; and the
formal presentation of the list fulfilled the requirements of the
occasion. The sums affixed could be omitted without impairing
the real value of the paper, for this value lies in the light it throws
upon the contents of the house at Mount Vernon, and incidentally
upon the taste of Washington in gathering them.

It may be said at this point that Washington himself was not
wholly responsible for the contents. This is especially true of his
library, which had grown through gifts rather than purchases,
and thus only in a slight degree reflected the personal taste or
judgment of the man.*

The Inventory and Appraisement consisted of a statement of
the furniture of each room at Mount Vernon, under these cap-
tions: In the New Room®; In the little Parlour; In the front
Parlour; In the dining Room; In the Bed Room; In the Passage;
In the Closet under the Stair; In the Piazza; From the foot of
the Staircase to the Second floor; In the passage of the second
floor; In the first room on the second floor; In the second Room;

2On this subject, The Library, Chapter XII, follows herein.
3So called because it was the last addition to the house. It is the dining
hall.Of the Probate of the Will 89

In the Third Room; Fourth Room; In the Small Room; In the
Garret; Room No. 1; Room No. 2; Lumber Rooms; In the Pas-
sage; In the Room Mrs. Washington now keeps; In the little
passage on the second floor next to Mrs. Washington’s old Room;
In the closet; In the Study; In the Iron Chest; Library; In the
Closet under Frank’s direction; In the cellar; Up the Kitchen
stairs; In the Kitchen; In the Wash-house; In the Office; In the
store-house; In the Servants’ Hall; Gardner’s House; Overseer’s
House; In Salt-House; In Blacksmith’s Shop.

Then the procession of appraisers, changing the subject to
“ Horses, Cattle & Tools ”, left the Mansion House premises and
went a little ways to the north and east to the “ River Farm”,
then to “ Muddyhole Farm ”, on the west, “ Dogue Run Farm ”
on the south, and “ Union Farm” and “ Distillery ” next, re-
turning soon, however, to the “ Mansion House and Farm”, and
“Fish House ”, near the Potomac, and then up) hill tor the
barn, built in 1733 by Washington’s father, of brick, and in use
to-day. Next they come to the “ Paint Cellar ”, ‘“‘ Shoemaker’s
Tools in Shop”, “ Gardner’s Tools”, and then follows this
statement:

“The whole number of Negroes left by Genl. Washington in
his own right are as follows:

40 Men

37 Women

4 Working boys
3 - girls
40 children

—_——

124 Total

which Mrs. Washington intending to liberate at the end of the
present Year can only be valued for the Service of the Working
Negroes for one year.”

The document covers fifty pages of legal cap and itemizes and
values all the goods and chattels of the estate. A careful reading
of it will repay the reader, as it is replete with curious and in-
structive items.90 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

A very interesting and perhaps original chapter might be
written at this point, illustrative of both character and manners.
Each room and often each or at least most of the items in each
room might be made the subject of comment and anecdote con-
nected with the personality of the man and woman who used
them for forty years in the intimate and engaging purposes of
daily life and lavish hospitality. The temptation is great but
it would soon make quite a volume by itself and more properly
belongs in that definitive “Life” of Washington which must
soon be written by some one. The present writer’s privilege is
only to repeat the public’s insistent call for it and in a measure
to point out the way of it and the things that lie there.

To the library and the letter books and papers separate chap-
ters have been given, but the general subject cannot well be closed
here without noting the affectionate care of the appraisers in
their work, which, to those of us who have often been at Mount
Vernon, seems to have increased to reverent awe as they found in
Washington’s study and appraised these items:

D. C.
7 swords and 1 blade 120.
4 canes 40.
11 spye glasses 110.
7 guns 35.
1 case surveying instruments 10.
1 Travelling Ink case 3.
1 globe 5.
2 setts money weights 20.
1 Bust of General Washington from life 100.
1 do. of Marble 50.
1 Profile in Plaster 25.
1 Japan box containing Mason’s apron 40.
1 Farmer’s Luncheon Box —
1 silk sash (Military) 20.
Some Indian presents 5.

This brief list of personal relics epitomizes the career and
purpose of the man. Each reader will find in the further detailsOf the Probate of the Will 91

much matter of interest, according to his tastes and vocation, for
the life and business of George Washington, Farmer, as he loved
to be called, touched his fellow men at many points.

The value of the chattels was placed about $27,000 and the
cash, stocks and securities brought the total personal estate to

$57,296.04.Chapter VII
OF THE WIDOW

Martua Danprivce Custis WasHINGTON, the widow of Gen-
eral Washington, was sixty-eight years of age at his death." She
had been in feeble health for a number of years. After his death
she became a recluse. Following a custom of the times, the room
in which Washington died was no longer used, and she retired
to the room in the attic immediately above it. This has but one
window, a dormer. From this she could view the old tomb in
which rested the friend and companion of forty years. The
meager furnishings of that room are given in the inventory of
Washington’s estate.”

The ample provision of the will for her benefit, far in excess
of the legal requirements, gave her practical control of the
estate. The duties of the executors during her lifetime were
nominal or merely advisory.* Lawrence Lewis, the husband of her
granddaughter, Nellie, was one of the executors, and he and his
wife and daughter lived at Mount Vernon. He became the active
executor and alone accounted to the court for proceedings during
her lifetime. She had other estate also and he attended to it all.
Her state of health, her great-grandchild and granddaughter, her
devotions and her memories, gave her sufficient occupation.

She received the numerous letters, visits and public resolutions
of condolence, sympathy, eulogy and praise, which poured into
Mount Vernon. She responded to none in person except perhaps

1 She was born June 21, 1731, just eight months before he was.

2 The Inventory of Mount Vernon” (official), page 9. W. K. Bixby, page
10. See Appendix II.

3 Letter of Bushrod Washington, January 14, 1800, Peter collection in the
Smithsonian Institute.Of the Widow 93

to those which came through President Adams. Mr. Lewis acted
as her secretary in most business, but in these, the official cases,
Colonel Tobias Lear was her aid.

It is to be noted that, excepting the furnishings of Mount
Vernon and the lot in Alexandria, Washington made no devise
or bequest to his wife in fee. His gifts to her were for life only.
Of course they were much more than her possible needs. But the
oft-repeated statement that it was her fortune that “ really made

him ”

comes to mind and the question arises: Did he fairly rec-
ognize this fact, if it was a fact, in the distribution of his
estate?

Mrs. Custis inherited from her husband, Daniel Parke Custis,
who died intestate, just what the law allowed her, namely, one-
third of his personal property and the use of one-third of his real
estate and slaves for life.

The late Colonel Custis’ estate was considered one of the
largest in Virginia. Exactly what it consisted of has long been
doubtful, because the records of the General Court at Richmond
and other records bearing upon the subject were destroyed by
fire after the capture of that city at the end of the Civil War,
and the papers of Washington relating to the distribution of
the estate were all supposed to be lost in the passing years.

“How much Washington got with the widow” has long been
a matter of curiosity, debate, and surmise, and naturally the
amount has been magnified. No one seems to have carefully
investigated the subject. Chief Justice Marshall and Washing-
ton Irving, in their respective standard lives of Washington,
agree that the amount was large, and the latter places it at
fifteen thousand pounds sterling, or seventy-five thousand dollars,
which, to put it into modern proportions, would need to be
multiplied by about ten.

George Washington Parke Custis, in his “ Recollections ”, as-
sumed that Washington received from his wife one hundred thou-
sand dollars, and this has been generally accepted.

In Washington’s ledger “ B ”, in the Library of Congress, there

is a note that the accounts which he kept with his wife’s children94 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

as their guardian were to be found in “ the little marble covered
book ” which he used in rendering his accounts to the General
Court. This has disappeared.

Washington’s ledgers, which begin with his eighteenth year in
1749 and end in 1792, are marked respectively “ A” and “B”,
and then refer to a transfer of all accounts to a ledger “C”,
which ran down to the time of his death. The latter has passed
into the collection of Lloyd W. Smith, Esq., of New York, who
also has the diminutive ledger kept by Washington prior to
Ledger “A ” when he was but fifteen years of age. These I have
described in the “ Addendum.”

Ledger “ A”, which begins in December, 1749, covers a period
of twenty-three years, ending in 1772. It was a large stout
volume of nearly four hundred heavy pages, and was bound in
pigskin.* It is ruled like a cashbook, and contains his cash
accounts with the debits on the left-hand page and the credits on
the next. Both pages are numbered alike, i.e., the first two pages
used are numbered one, the next two are numbered two, and so on
through the book.

After a series of pages containing cash entries, a series of
double-entry ledger accounts is interposed, the pages being num-
bered in the regular manner indicated above. Then there is an-
other series of cash-entry pages and then a batch of ledger ac-
counts follows, and in like manner this persists throughout the
book. Nearly every word of the book is in Washington’s beau-
tiful handwriting, not quite as round and firm in the beginning
as in the end, but careful and precise at all times.

In April, 1918, I went through the body of the ledger and
found no account concerning the estate of Colonel Custis or his
children. Surprised at this, I turned to the index in the first part

4The volume, since the discovery related below, has been taken from its
binding by the authorities of the Library of Congress, and each page has been
carefully repaired and mounted and the whole incased. The binding also is
preserved. The book, therefore, must be referred to in the past tense, though
its substance still exists. A photostatic copy is in the Massachusetts His-
torical Association Library at Boston; fourteen other photostatic copies
from this have been made and sold to various persons and institutions by

subscription, among them the Henry E. Huntington Library and Art Museum
at Pasadena, California.LOT, CORNER OF PRINCE AND CAMERON STREETS,
ALEXANDRIA, DEVISED TO MRS. WASHINGTON

The frame building is the duplicate of Washington's office
removed years agoOf the Widow 95

of the book, and there found three accounts noted as follows:

Page
Estate of Colo. Custis dec’d. 57
Custis, Patcy Miss 59
Custis, Jno. Parke 64

Turning to find the pages of the ledger thus indicated, the pages
appeared to be missing. In running through the cash accounts,
I had found a number of entries of receipt of money for these
accounts, but I could not find the ledger accounts.

I thought some error had been made in the indexing, and so I
began a careful examination of each of the sheets of the book
from page 50 to page 65, within the range of which the Custis
accounts were said to be by the index. This revealed only the
irregularities in numbering caused by the missing pages; page 56
was followed by page 58 and not by page 57; 58 by 60, and 63
by 65.

In handling page 56 again and also page 58, which followed
immediately, I noticed the leaves to be of wnuswal thickness, and,
holding them up to the light, I saw that each was double thick,
and that in fact what appeared to be one sheet consisted of two
sheets which had been pasted together, face to face, and that
thereby ledger pages numbered 57 debit and 57 credit, and 59
likewise, were within on the backs of the others. The entries were
quite visible through the paper and clearly revealed the existence
of the accounts there. Turning to page 68, which preceded the
lost page 64, the same thing appeared. In each case the next two
pages were glued together and contained entries visible by hold-
ing them up to the light.

I called the attention of the official in charge of the manuscript
division of the Library of Congress to the facts, and to the careful
work done in the pasting of the pages, which, it seemed, had
escaped detection of all the many students and careful searchers
of the book since the death of Washington, including Bushrod
Washington, Chief Justice Marshall, Jared Sparks, Washington
Irving, J. M. Toner, and perhaps hundreds of others.

The skillful work of the repair man in the Library of Congress96 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

enabled a disclosure to be made after several days’ preparation
of the sheets.

The first pair contains the account of “ the estate of ‘ Danl.
P. Custis, Esq., deceased’”; the next, the account of ‘‘ Miss
Patcy Custis ”, and the last pair shows the account of “ Mr. John
Parke Custis ”, all in the handwriting of Washington, beginning
shortly after his marriage to the widow.

The account of “ The Estate of Danl. P. Custis, Esq., decd.”
is charged “To my Wife’s full third part of all his Personal
Estate
tain, however, by the entries in the children’s accounts.

but the amount is not inserted. It is made cer-

 

“ Jno. Parke Custis” and “Miss Patcy Custis” are each
credited with a “third part of the Estate of Danl. Parke Custis,
Esq., decd. as per settlement ”— sterling £1,617, 18s.°and cur-
rency £7618, 7s. 111d.

The pound in Virginia currency was worth only three and
one-third Spanish dollars in sterling money, while the latter was
valued at five Spanish dollars to the pound; the rate of exchange
on London fixed this value.

Calculating the amounts so credited them on this basis, we
find that each received from the father’s estate $8,090.50 in ster-
ling, and $25,396.65 in Virginia currency, the two making the
total sum of $33,487.15. Mrs. Custis, the widow, was entitled to
receive the same amount and it passed to Washington as her
husband, under the then existing law, which made the husband
and wife one, and the husband that one.

The actual sum which passed into Washington’s hands as his
own from the Custis’ Estate was therefore less than $33,500.

In addition to this there must be considered the value of the
dower right. This was one-third of the net product of the lands
and slaves left by Mr. Custis, for dower must contribute to up-
keep and taxes. Washington worked hard and constantly until
“ Jack ” Custis was of age and later, a period of nearly twenty
years, to manage the plantations and sell their corn and tobacco,
while he never charged a penny for his services. When the lad

came of age, an agreement was made with him in writing byOf the Widow 97

which Mrs. Washington and the General released the dower right
on payment of an annual sum of £525 or $2,100 silver money
Virginia currency during Mrs. Washington’s life. This was
carried out. Money was then worth six per cent., so this sum
would capitalize at thirty-five thousand dollars, but when Wash-
ington’s services to the estate are concerned it amounts to
nothing.

When Patsy Custis died in 1772, her estate of thirty-three
thousand dollars, inherited from her father, had increased under
the thirteen years of Washington’s guardianship to about double
that amount. As in the case of her brother, he made no charge
for his services as guardian. Her estate was inherited by her
mother and brother in equal parts. Mrs. Washington’s share of
about thirty-three thousand dollars became Washington’s under
the law, and thus about doubled the amount he received through
her.

So that in the end Washington, who began life with the estate
left him by his brother Lawrence, the then twenty-seven hundred
acres of Mount Vernon, can hardly be said to have been “ made ”
in the financial sense by the contribution of the Custis estate to
his capital, when we recall that his estate at his death was really
worth more than a million.

Sixty odd thousand dollars in cash capital was truly a not
inconsiderable item in the young Colonel’s business of land de-
velopment and farming, and he used it wisely and actively until
the Revolution withdrew him for nearly twenty-five years from
money-making, and also depleted his ready means.

Nevertheless the twenty-seven hundred acres he inherited at
Mount Vernon, the ten thousand acres on the Ohio River, which
he received as commander of the Virginia troops in the French
and Indian War, and the rise in value of these and the great
tracts he purchased with his earnings, the earnings of his farms
and the fruits of his lumbering enterprise in the Great Dismal
Swamp, made him a rich man in his own right and by virtue of
his own efforts. As Moncure D. Conway well said in comment-
ing on the alliance with the widow of Custis, “ She was advised98 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

to get the best administrator in the colony at any reasonable
salary and she got the better of a good bargain.” °

Recurring now to the situation after Washington’s death, in-
ternal evidence shows that for the two years and five months that
Mrs. Washington survived, Lawrence Lewis and she were the
acting executors, although no express agreement to this effect
is found in or out of court. It is clear, however, from the record
of such action as was taken, all of which appears by Mr. Lewis’
first account as executor, that they acted alone.

Mrs. Washington, being entitled to the net income of the
entire estate and obliged to pay the upkeep and taxes, faced
the facts with which Washington had struggled during the last
ten years of his life, and the problem how to make both ends
meet.

Though she had determined to free them in a year, many of the
Negroes began to take French leave at once or threaten things
dire if not permitted, and little was done to hinder them.

On March 5, 1800, eight horses, four jacks, and five jennets
were sold for $1,514.83, good enough figures when we recall that
it was a presidential election year and that France and England
were at war, which depressed the market. October fifteenth,
cows and steers were sold for $205.64, and on November 12, 1801,
cows, jacks and jennets and sheep for $1,824.90. These repre-
sented perhaps but little more than the annual increase during
the two years, but their total of $3,540.00 helped pay debts.
These sales were made chiefly to the heirs and legatees of the
estate; in only a few instances were friends and neighbors per-
mitted to bid or buy. This carried out Washington’s intentions
as to distribution.®

In Lawrence Lewis’ first account as executor we find only the
following items charged against Mrs. Washington:

5 The letter from her lawyer, Robert Carter Nicholas, dated August 7, 1757,
advising employment of a trusty steward at any reasonable salary, is printed
in full in G. W. P. Custis’ “ Recollections and Personal Memoir of Washing-
ton”, edited by B. J. Lossing, New York and Philadelphia, 1859, p. 497, note.

6 See Fairfax County Court Records. Sales bills of the Estate of George
Washington.ke prawns of Gerd arnre-
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FIRST PAGE OF MARTHA WASHINGTON S
WILL, WITH SIGNATUREOf the Widow 99

Jany. 21, 1800. To Cash detained by Mrs.

Washington, it being in the House at

the time of the General’s death

$254.70 £76. 8. 21%
To Cash paid Mrs. Martha

Washington, interest money

collected of the Potomac,

she being entitled to the same £132. 10. 114

Bushrod Washington’s account shows that he did not meddle
with the estate during the period of her survival.

Warned by the late event and the precarious state of her own
health, Mrs. Washington, on September 22, 1801, made her last
will.’ In this she devised the lot at the corner of Pitt and
Cameron Streets “‘ devised to me by my late Husband George
Washington deceased ”, to her nephew Bartholow Dandridge, and
to her four nieces a debt of two thousand pounds due her from
Tobias Lear. She gave to George Washington Parke Custis all
her silver plate and “ a pipe of wine if there be one in the house
at the time of my death ”, sundry chinaware including the “ Cin-
cinnati”’ set and all family pictures. He also received some
furniture, the General’s iron chest and desk and all her books.

Her granddaughters, Mrs. Law and Mrs. Peter, each received
small pieces of furniture and a print of the General, while Nellie
Custis Lewis received a far greater portion of the furniture at
Mount Vernon. The wine in bottles was divided equally among
the four grandchildren.

A few personal remembrances and a bequest of one hundred
pounds to Truro parish brought her to the devise of the rest
and residue of her estate which she established in a trust fund
“for the proper education of Bartholomew Henly and Samuel
Henly, the two youngest sons of my sister Henly, and also to
the education of John Dandridge, son of my deceased nephew
John Dandridge” after which they were to receive one hundred
pounds each “ to set him up in his trade.”

Final distribution was then to be made in equal parts among
“ Anna Maria Washington, daughter of my niece, and John Dan-

7 For the will in full and the history of its restoration, see Appendix I.100 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

dridge, son of my nephew, and all my great Grandchildren living.”

By a codicil (March 4, 1802) she bequeathed to G. W. P.
Custis “ my mulatto man Elijah.”

Mrs. Washington died, after an illness of about three days,
on May 22, 1802, and two days later her remains were placed
beside her husband’s in the old tomb. Here both remained until
1837, when the executors had completed the present vault on the
westerly side of the hill for which Mount Vernon is named and

which has become the most sacred shrine in America.Chapter VIII
OF THE DEBTS

THERE is no method at this time by which the total of Wash-
ington’s debts can be ascertained. The records are not complete
and all vouchers for payments, which were probably mostly for
debts, are missing. The executors paid what appear to have
been debts, but as the vouchers are not to be found and the record
of the executors’ accounts shows no details, they cannot be traced.

They reported many items in this form:

To Cash paid Bennett & Matts
as per acct. £331. 13. 614

There is no explanatory text. It is impossible to tell what the
account was for, whether it was for a debt of the deceased or a
subsequent expense of the executors.

His correspondence shows that Washington managed to keep
out of debt except for current expenses until about October, 1798,
fifteen months before he died. Then his building and equipment
of a distillery and engaging in a plan to build two brick houses
near the Capitol in Washington promised to involve him in more
expense than his cash means could meet and he began to prepare
to borrow money.

He wrote to William Herbert, the president of the Bank of
Alexandria, on October 4, 1798:

Observing to you, not long since, that the want of money pre-
vented my doing something (I have forgotten now what) you
said, if I understood you rightly that I might be accommodated
at the Bank of Alexandria.

I think it not unlikely that in the course of next spring, or
summer, if I undertake a measure which is in contemplation, that
I shall have occasion for a larger sum than I see prospect of
receiving from what is due to me. Let me ask then (if I was not
mistaken in what you said) what sum you think I could obtain? —102 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

on what terms? —for what time? — and what security to be
required? *

Mr. Herbert’s reply was that six to ten thousand dollars prob-
ably could be arranged for, on his notes at sixty days with one
endorser, which he offered to be.” Washington acknowledged
“ Your obliging offer” and promised to avail himself of it if
circumstances should render it expedient.°

The distillery was built without recourse to the bank, but in
the summer of 1799 borrowing became necessary, as the payments
for the Washington houses were required and on June twenty-
fifth he made his first note to the Bank of Alexandria for fifteen
hundred dollars.t August thirtieth he asked to renew it, which
was done.® Later, it seems, another note of twelve hundred dollars
was discounted there and the first was renewed again in October.

Washington’s ledger “ C ”, which covered the period from 1792
to 1799, recently re-discovered, shows his debts in a few instances
only. (See Addendum.) His memorandum cashbook during the
last year of his life, kept in his own hand, is preserved. It shows
the meticulous care with which he entered his obligations and the
payments he made on account. These are examples :

November 1799
26. Charge The Bank of Alexa. with
the money borrowed from Mr.
Law. Lewis & deposited therein
& credit Mr. Lewis for the same $1000

Charge Mr. Blagden (undertaker of

my Houses in the Federal City with

a check on the Bank of Alexandria

for $906°%00 and a Bank note

of Columbia $934% 00 sent in a

letter of this date to Doc. Thornton.

Credit the Banks therewith $1000

1 Washington to Herbert, October 4, 1798, 1s ©:

2 Herbert to Washington, October 5, 1798, L. C.

3 Washington to Herbert, October 8, 1798, i G3

4 Herbert to Washington, June 25, 1799, L. C.

5 Washington to Herbert, August 30 and September 1, 1799, L. C. In the
latter letter he said: “This business of borrowing and discount (as you will
perceive) I am quite a novice in.” ;PAGES FROM WASHINGTON S CASH BOOK}
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Ea
aOf the Debts 103
December 1799

3. Charge Mr. Lawe. Lewis with cash $100
and with a check on the Bk. of Alex. fr. 400
Credit the Bank therefor 400

This was the last entry and probably the last transaction showing
a debt.°

The mandate of the will to pay the debts punctually and speed-
ily was taken literally by the executors. One of the notes at the
bank came due within a week after Washington’s death and to
meet it Lawrence Lewis, one of the executors, gave his own note,
as William Herbert, the cashier, acknowledged in a letter of
December 21, 1799, to Colonel Lear, saying:

“I am favored with yours of this date, covering Mr. Lewis’
note for fifteen hundred Dollars, to redeem one of an equal amount
drawn by Genl. Washington. The General had money in the
Bank sufficient to pay the discount.”

The redeemed note is still preserved and not long ago ap-
peared at an auction sale.’

The other note of twelve hundred dollars held by the bank
which matured later was paid by the executors, as appears by
their account and they also took credit for five hundred dollars

repaid to Lawrence Lewis due to him ‘

‘as will appear by the
Generall’s books”, as well as the payment of the note given by
Mr. Lewis as above.

Next in importance were the sums still unpaid on account of
the contract for the Washington City houses, and it appears from
the accounts that the executors paid Mr. Blagden, “ the under-
taker ” at various dates, the total sum of $5925.

Lawrence Lewis alone of the executors appears to have trans-
acted the business of the estate during the two years and five
months in which Mrs. Washington survived her husband, and his

6 Thomas Birch’s Sons, Catalogue No. 657, Item 39, p. 8 (Philadelphia,
1890).
7It reads “ Alexandria. 21st. October 1799.”
$1500. Sixty days after Date I promise to pay to Wm. Herbert or
order—negotiable at the Bank of Alexandria—fifteen hundred
dollars.
Value received for the use of.

 

Go, WASHINGTON.”104 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

separate account shows payment of a long series of items “ on
acct.” which presumably were for debts of his decedent. Their
total however is not considerable. Among them is one dated
“ August 16, 1800. To Cash paid Wm. T. Smith on acct. of a
protested bill of General Washington £.121. 8. 1.” Some debtor
to the General failed to meet his draft and the executor re-
deemed it.

The largest item of indebtedness which is mentioned by his
executors is described in the report of Bushrod Washington to
the Chancery Court of Maryland at Annapolis, wherein the execu-
tor accounts for the proceeds of a sale made by the order of that
court, of the farms left by Washington in Charles and Mont-
gomery counties.

These were sold at auction, the former to Nicholas Fitzhugh,
for $2,810.50 and the latter to Thomas Peter for $6,446.37.

The executor’s report proceeds:

And the Trustee begs further to report that Nicholas Fitz-
hugh after deducting the sum due to his wife as legatee of said
George Washington, hath paid and satisfied the balance of the
purchase money to the order of this trustee, who is Executor of
the deceased George Washington, in part discharge of a debt due
from the sd. George Washington dec. to David Stuart. And
that the said Thomas Peter after deducting the sum due to his
wife as legatee of the said George Washington, hath paid the
balance due from him on account of the purchase of the afore-
said land to the order of this trustee as executor of Geo. Wash-
ington decd. to the said David Stuart.

The amounts paid David Stuart are stated in the first account
filed by Lawrence Lewis and Bushrod Washington in the County
Court of Fairfax County, thus:

1806 March 20. To Cash paid Doctor Stuart

in part of his judgment 1333.33
1809 Sept. 14. To Cash paid Thomas Peter

by David Stuart’s order 1173.33

To Cash paid Nicholas

Fitzhugh by do. 1954.

4460.66Of the Debts 105

It recently has appeared (see Addendum) the total amount of
this debt on May 30, 1806, was £2,100, Virginia Currency, and
was fixed on that day by the judgment of the Fairfax County
Court in a suit brought in 1805 by David Stuart as Adminis-
trator de bonis non of the Estate of John Parke Custis, deceased,
against The Executors of General George Washington deceased.
The amount of £2,100 was equal to $8,400 silver dollars, and
with interest to the time it was fully paid by the Executors,
exceeded $10,000. What the debt was that Dr. Stuart could not
obtain payment for until after he had brought suit for it, no
doubt with great reluctance, and had obtained the verdict of a
jury and the judgment of the Court thereon, we do not know as
no story of the case has been preserved in Court record or else-
where. The Court record was destroyed in the Civil War both
as to files and books.

Bushrod Washington’s note in his diary of the estate’s business,
recently recovered to public inspection, merely notes the. fact,
date and amount of the judgment. The account of the Estate
of John Parke Custis, deceased, on Washington’s ledger C was
balanced on June 3, 1799, by a payment by Dr. Stuart and there
was a year’s dower or £525 due Washington on December 31,

1799,Chapter XS
OF THE GOODS AND CHATTELS

Tue contents of the Mount Vernon mansion house, excepting
the library and literary remains and a few personal relics, like
canes, swords, etc., became the absolute property of Mrs. Wash-
ington under the will. All other goods and chattels were hers
to use for life and then became part of the residuary estate to be
divided or sold.

In addition to these, Mrs. Washington had the hundreds of
letters which Washington had written to her in the forty years
which had passed since he met her in the spring of 1758. It is
reported that she destroyed these soon after his death,’ with the
exception of two. One,” the first she received from him after their
engagement, was dated June 20, 1758. This she gave to her
granddaughter, Nellie Custis Lewis. The other,® written just
after accepting the appointment of commander in chief on June
18, 1775, she gave to her grandson, George W: P Custis) in
this letter Washington enclosed his will, which, he wrote, he be-
lieved she would find satisfactory.

To various individuals among her kindred and friends who
sought souvenirs, she gave remembrances of the General. In her
will she gave others and the remainder she directed to be sold by
her executors for ready money. The sale took place July 20,
1802, her will having been probated June 21, 1802.

Washington’s relatives became extensive purchasers at this sale
and in this way obtained many of the relics which they afterwards
possessed. When Bushrod Washington, the heir of Mount
Vernon, took possession shortly after the sale, he found it
stripped and dismantled of most of its furniture, the books and

1 Sparks, III, 2, note.

2 Paul Wilstach, “ Mount Vernon”, 53.
3 Sparks, III, 2. Ford, 2, 483.Of the Goods and Chattels 107

papers excepted, and by the irony of fate, the only portrait
remaining in the house was that of the man who built it and
bequeathed it “to my well beloved brother George” and was
thereby the indirect instrument of its great fame, Lawrence
Washington.*

The later relatives of Washington, since 1890, have sold many
of these relics at auction and in this wise some of them have
found their way back to Mount Vernon through the diligence of
the Ladies’ Association and the generosity of its friends.°

Chief among these is the clay bust of Washington made by
Houdon from the life mask he took of him in 1785 and finished
at Mount Vernon in the presence of the original. It stands in the
corner of the library and with its noble pose and upward look

4 Wilstach, “ Mount Vernon”, 238.

5 See: (a) Thomas Birch’s Sons, Catalogue No. 657, Philadelphia. “Sale
Dec. 10, 11, and 12, 1890, of Collection of the Effects of General George
Washington and of his Executor and Nephew, Lawrence Lewis, and Grand
Nephew, Lorenzo Lewis, sold by order of H. L. D. Lewis, Administrator of
the Estate of Mrs. Lorenzo Lewis. Conducted by Mr. Stan. V. Henkels.”

This catalogue contains illustrations showing the portrait of Betty Wash-
ington Lewis, mistaken by Sparks for Martha Washington—the Franklin
Plaque, the Column Clock and two vases, five art candlesticks, specimens of
cut glass, punch bowl and ladle and chinaware.

(b) Thomas Birch’s Sons, Catalogue No. 663, Philadelphia. Sale
April 21, 22, and 23, 1891, entitled, “The Final Sale of the Relics of Gen-
eral Washington owned by Lawrence Washington Esq., Bushrod C. Wash-
ington Esq., Thomas B. Washington Esq., and J. R. C. Lewis Esq. embracing
documents, letters and maps, besides personal relics.” Among these were:

The original of John Washington’s will, a certified copy of Augustine
Washington’s will and of Lawrence Washington’s, as well as the copy of
xeneral Washington’s will by A. Rawlins now in the Gunther Collection, and
the original patent for Mount Vernon;

The illustrations include John Washington’s will, the Mount Vernon
patent, both complete, an early letter from George Washington to Lawrence,
brief notes from Martha and Mary Washington, a survey by George Wash-
ington, an interesting letter from Washington to Bushrod about the jackass
“Royal Gift”, shoe buckles, violin, spy glass, picture of Louis XVI, mantel
mirror, bust of Necker, picture of the Bastille, Latrobe’s water color of Mount
Vernon, portrait of Washington, the sword bequeathed to Bushrod, silver
and glassware; two hundred and ninety-three items of this type and thirty
books were scheduled and sold.

(c) Thomas Birch’s Sons, Catalogue No. 694, Philadelphia. Sale Decem-
ber 6 and 7, 1892, entitled, “‘ Washington-Madison papers, collected and pre-
served by James Madison, relics of Washington, oil portraits, ete., conducted
Stan. V. Henkels.” The illustrations include communion chalices of Christ
Church, Alexandria, Washington’s study lamp, a Washington pitcher, a
cup and saucer and C. W. Peale’s portrait of Washington.

(d) Anderson Galleries, Catalogue, New York. “Sale April 19, 1917, of
Historical relics of George Washington, inherited and collected by Mr. William108 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

is the most inspiring representation of the “ Father of his Coun-
try ” in existence to-day.°

Houdon had been selected by Benjamin Franklin and Thomas
Jefferson, in Paris, in behalf of the State of Virginia, to make a
statue of Washington for the State Capitol. He arrived at
Mount Vernon with his three assistants, by water from Alex-
andria, late at night on October 2, 1785, and remained nearly
three weeks, making a life mask, and modeling the bust which has
remained at Mount Vernon ever since. A duplicate Houdon took
with him. The complete statue was made by Houdon in Paris,
when Gouverneur Morris posed for the figure, and it now stands,
done in white marble, in the rotunda of the Capitol at Richmond.
Recently replicas in bronze have been made, one of which was
presented to the Republic of France, and stands at Versailles,
and another to Great Britain, which stands in Trafalgar Square
at London. Another is in the Capitol at Washington, a fourth
is in the porch of the Art Institute in Chicago, and a fifth in the
H. E. Huntington Library and Art Gallery at San Marino, near
Pasadena, California.

The remaining chattels, in and about the other buildings, in-
cluding horses and cattle, were kept together, excepting such of
the latter as were sold annually as farm products. The executors
on March 5, 1800, on October 15, 1800, and on November 12,
1801, conducted small sales.’ These items are credited to the
estate in the executor’s accounts, and reported under the head
of “ Public Sales.”

After the death of the widow, two large sales of chattels were
held by the executors, one on July 21, 1802 (the day after the
sale of the contents of Mount Vernon under Mrs. Washington’s

Lanier Washington.” The illustrations include buttons, spoons, wine glasses,
model of a cannon, money scales and weights, dishes, snuff boxes, shoe-
buckles, sugar-tongs, hand trunk, sword-belt buckles, seal and coat of arms,
candlesticks, reading glass, wheat counters, writing case, silver camp cups,
cutlery, trays, from Mount Vernon, as well as many other items.

Many other similar sales have been held from time to time and the items
sold in the earlier sales have occasionally appeared in later sales of the
effects of purchasers.

6A bronze copy was bought by the Carnegie Institute of Pittsburgh at
W. Lanier Washington’s sale in 1917, for $5,000.

7 See Chapter VII.Of the Goods and Chattels 109

will), comprising the carriages, harnesses, horses, jacks, sheep
and cattle, as well as the machinery, farm implements and

**yecord ” house. This

saddles, and the writing materials in the
sale produced $8,349.25, and the members of the family were
almost exclusively the purchasers.

Beginning with the carriage and harness sold to George W.
P. Custis for $610, everything of value in and about the offices,
mansion house, farm and stables, down to a wood saw which sold
for thirty cents, was offered and knocked down. The prices
varied from $405 for a pair of mules to fifteen cents for a lot of
old iron.

The other sale was held on January 3, 1802, comprising mules,
oxen, carts, fishing material, blacksmith’s tools, farming imple-
ments, grindstones, etc., of the outlying farms, and produced
$8,312.27. At this sale a number of outsiders were permitted to
buy some of the “ junk ”, but the valuable items went to members
of the family.

The following is a summary of these sales:

March 5, 1800 $1,514.83
October 15, 1800 205.64
November 12, 1801 1,824.90
July 21, 1802 8,349.25
January 3, 1803 8,312.27

$20,206.89

Of this amount $17,802.02 was realized for live stock, which
“My manager has estimated at £7,000 [Virginia currency, at
$3.33 = $23,333.33] but I shall set it down. . . $15,653”,
Washington had said in his schedule.

The account of * Public Sales made by the Executors of Gen-
eral George Washington, deceased, of his Estate ” is recorded in
Liber J., No. 1, at folio 359, in the Will books of Fairfax County
and though not signed by the executors, it bears this appended:

“ At a Court held for Fairfax County the 15th day of July,
1811, This Account Sales of the Estate of George Washington110 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

deceased returned and ordered to be recorded. ‘Teste Wm.
Moss Cl.”

These sales had been conducted in an exclusive fashion in com-
pliance with a suggestion of Mr. Justice Bushrod Washington,
as a method of satisfactorily dividing the estate among the
persons designated in the will as the beneficiaries of the residuary
estate.

He proposed that at such sales the parties interested should
bid against each other, their purchases being charged on the
books of the executors against the beneficiaries’ respective shares
of the estate on final distribution, the difference, if any, to be paid
by the heir or the executors in cash.

This plan he proposed first to all the executors, except young
Custis, early in June, 1802, and it was agreed to by all. Then
it was proposed to a meeting of the heirs and they accepted it
in writing so far as they were of age, and the minors were
pledged to it in honor by their kindred and guardians, on July
19, 1802, as the agreement shows.

Alexandria July 19th 1802.°

At a meeting of the legatees under the will of the late General
George Washington, deceased, requested by the executors, with
a view to consult them upon certain questions, arising under the
said will.

1. It was agreed unanimously that the opinion of the majority
of the legatees present, upon any question submitted to them
should govern the whole; those acting in the capacity of
guardians consenting to the rule so far only as they are author-
ized by the law to bind their wards, but they deem their wards
in honor bound to conform thereto.

2. It was agreed unanimously by the legatees present; that
they will not contest the validity of the said will as to property
situated out of this state, though the same should be not avail-
able by the laws of such States; and that the said will shall be
executed according to the tenor thereof. Those acting as
guardians consent to this agreement only so far as by law they
are authorized to bind their wards, but they deem their wards
in honor bound to conform thereto.

8In the files of Lawrence A. Washington vs. Bushrod Washington and
Lawrence Lewis. (The friendly suit.) See Chapter XXVIII.Of the Goods and Chattels 111

3. Agreed that the carriages, horses, mules, cattle, sheep, hogs,
together with all the personal Estate, except the stock of the
United States, the Potomac and James River shares and the bank
stock, be sold by the Executors.

4. Agreed that the lands on the Great and Little Kenhawa
[ste] and on the Ohio, be divided, and the residue of the lands
be sold by the executors. The lands in the Northwest Territory
and in Kentucky, are included in those which are to be sold.

5. Agreed that the stock of the United States, the bank stock,
Potomac and James River shares, be divided, except one share in
the Potomac Company, which is to be sold.

Bushrod Washington Andrew Parkes Wm. Augustine Washington
Fielding Lewis George Washington Law. Lewis

Howell Lewis Thos. Lee Jr. for Samuel Washington
William Robinson the children of Thomas Hammond

Francis H. Peyton Corbin Washington N, Fitzhugh

Robert Lewis deceased Law. A. Washington
Charles Carter A. Spotswood Tobias Lear

B. Ashton Thomas Law

Law. Washington Jr.
for the children of
Thornt. Washington
B. Ashton Jr.

We agree to the sale of the James River shares and the nine
shares of the Columbia Bank stock.

B. Washington B. Ashton Howell Lewis
Charles Carter William Robinson Law. A. Washington
Wm. A. Washington Law. Washington Jr. Fielding Lewis
Thos. Lee Jr. for for the children Tobias Lear

the children of of Thornt. George Washington
Corbin Washington Washington, N. Fitzhugh

Francis H. Peyton B. Ashton Jr.

Andrew Parks Robert Lewis

Samuel Washington

The result was a fairly equitable and wholly satisfactory dis-
tribution of the goods and chattels, just as Washington had
intended.}
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Chapter X
OF THE CASH, RIGHTS AND CREDITS

Tuer cash in the house when Washington died, as found in the
iron chest, was the sum of $254.70, which Lawrence Lewis’ first
account as executor says was retained by Mrs. Washington and
was charged to her.

Lewis then proceeded to sell the grain, fish, flour and other
produce on hand, to collect the debts due the estate, and to cash
in the securities of the United States which it owned.

He first received from George Gilpin £163. 9. 6. (Virginia
currency) or about $550 in payment of his note, not mentioned
in the schedule.

Washington, in the schedule attached to his will, specified :

United States 6 per cents $3,746
do. deferred $1,873 \.
3 pr. cts. 2,946 J
2,500 $6,246.

| (x)
and added this note:

(x) These are the sums which are actually funded and though
no more in the aggregate than $7,566 stand me at least Ten
Thousand pounds in Virginia money, being the amount of bonded
and other debts due to me, and discharged during the war, when
money had depreciated in that ratio and was so settled by public
authority.

In other words Washington loaned the United States over
thirty-three thousand dollars during the war and received less
than seventy-six hundred dollars for it. It appears that on
August 4, 1800, Lawrence Lewis, as executor, received from the
Potomac Company for the six per cent. United States stock lent
it by Washington when it was in worse case than he, in 1799,
£1,110. 6. 214, which in Virginia currency equaled $3,700,’ and

1 See his first account, Fairfax County Court.Of the Cash, Rights and Credits 113

that he and Bushrod Washington on July 20, 1802, received for
United States stock $3,750.19 and for interest on same $258.06.’
The total thus realized was $7,450 besides interest.

On this subject Bushrod Washington wrote to his co-executor,
Colonel William A. Washington, at Haywood, Westmoreland
County, Virginia, as follows:

Mount Vernon Dec. 5, 1802
My dear Sir:

Mr. Stith delivered me your letter of the 28th Novr. on the
race field at Washington, after which I did not see him, but have
been expecting him here for two days. At the time I rec’d the
letter, Mr. George Washington who had gone to Baltimore to
dispose of the stock had not returned. He came the next day —
having effected a sale upon as good terms as could be expected,
and I expect him here today — or tomorrow with the money. If
he does not disappoint me & Mr. Stith should also come, I will
pay him your proportion. It will fall however short of your
expectations, as more than half of the United States stock has
been applied by Mr. Lewis some time ago in discharge of debts
due from the estate.°

At various times in 1800 and 1801, Lawrence Lewis also col-
lected $9,200 on account of the bonds of Colonel Ritchie and
Colonel Shreve, of Pennsylvania, through the efforts of James
Ross, Senator from Pennsylvania, Washington’s attorney in fact
and agent to collect these debts. In this wise and with the addi-
tion of some petty items, the total sum of £5,308. 9. 414, or
$17,694.88 was got together by him.

Bushrod Washington, according to his first account (for the
years 1802 to 1811 inclusive recorded in Liber No. 1 on page
573, approved June 15, 1811), received on account of t

Ritchie and Shreve bonds $2,169.27
Tobias Lear’s debt 2,835.77
John Thompson Mason 364.78
Col. Charles Sims, on account of bonds

put into his hands for collection 216.66
a total of $5,586.48

2See their joint account, Fairfax County Court.
3 J. M. Toner Mss., Library of Congress.114 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

Adding this sum to the $17,694.88 collected by Lewis, and
$250 from James Ross, and $500 from Tobias Lear, subse-
quently reported by Bushrod Washington, we have a total of
$24,131.36, collected by the executors from debts due the estate
at the time of Washington’s death. His own debts were about
the same sum.

The debts due him were not particularly described by Wash-
ington in his schedule, but in so far as they resulted from lands
sold by him before the date of his will, they were indicated by
his references to the sales of some of the lands he mentioned.
Thus he noted the sale of the Pennsylvania and Gloucester
County tracts, and his share in the Great Dismal Swamp. Like-
wise the lease and conditional sale of the Great Kanawha lands,
embracing twenty-three thousand acres, on the basis of two hun-
dred thousand dollars, and the same of the lands on Difficult Run
in London County. These debts due to him (see page 15 of the
will) were outstanding when he died and collectible by his execu-
tors as personal estate. The particulars so far as can be gath-
ered from various sources are these:

I. THE PENNSYLVANIA SALE

Washington found during the presidency, when prices rose in
consequence of the great speculation which resulted from Alex-
ander Hamilton’s successful establishment of the credit and finan-
cial security of the United States in 1792, that his salary of
twenty-five thousand a year was insufficient to cover his expenses.
Living in Philadelphia, entertaining the world which flocked
there from all Europe and America, exhausted not only his
salary, but whatever surplus resulted from his costly establish-
ment at Mount Vernon, managed by a superintendent. Wash-
ington never saw his salary. His secretary, Tobias Lear,
received it and disbursed it and Washington made good the
deficiency from his other resources, chiefly from the sales of
land.

Lands, especially in the West, were rapidly rising in price, and
his great holdings in Pennsylvania and western Virginia wereOf the Cash, Rights and Credits 115

doubling and trebling in value. Where he at one time expected
to receive two dollars an acre, six seemed fair money now, and
what he had once asked six for, now was sought at ten and
twelve. He therefore sold to Colonel Israel Shreve, of Uniontown,
Pennsylvania, forty-six hundred acres in what now are Fayette,
Westmoreland and Washington counties in that State, for thirty
thousand one hundred and eighty-four dollars, and received a
part payment in cash. The remainder was secured by judgment
bonds or notes, while the title to the lands remained in Wash-
ington’s hands as security until the bonds should be paid. They
were not paid at maturity and Washington put them into the
hands of Senator James Ross of Pennsylvania for collection.

Washington’s Ledger ‘“‘C” (see Addendum) shows the exact
amount he received in his lifetime on these sales. It was $20,465.
He repeatedly wrote that this sum kept him “ afloat ”, and his
last years were largely devoted to getting the remainder paid.
Colonel Shreve died without paying in full, after having sold part
of the lands at great profit in parcels of one and two hundred
acres to farmers, and part to Colonel Ritchie.

Washington’s method was indicated in the following cor-
respondence:

Mount Vernon 7 June 1797.
To Hon. Oliver Wolcott, Secretary of War.
Dear Sir,

Your favor of 31st ulto. enclosing draughts on the Collector
of the Port of Alexandria for three thousand, four hundred &
sixty-nine Dollars & 20 Cents came to hand by the Post of
Monday; and for so convenient & agreeable an accommodation
for the money received by you from Mr. Ross on my account I
pray you to accept my best thanks. Enclosed is a receipt for
the above sum with a certificate of its endorsation on the bond
of Mr. Wm. Ritchie Esq. to be delivered to Mr. Ross; to whom
I pray you to present my best respects & thanks for his agency
in the business. I must moreover ask the favor of Mr. Ross (if
there be no deposit in the Bank of Pennsylvania previous his
leaving the City) to inform Colo. Shreve in decistve terms that
I cannot submit to his trifling conduct. He has sold part of the
land for nearly the double of what he was to give me, and yet
instead of paying me according to the enstallments he sends the116 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

money (always short) by such driblets and in such a manner as
to be of no real use to me. —I shall be obliged contrary to my
wishes to put his Judgment Bond in suit to obtain justice. — and
this, the bond I mean, would transfer to Mr. Ross before the close
of the Session if he should advise the measure.

Remember us in the kindest manner to Mrs. Wolcott & be
assured always of the esteem & affectionate regard of &c

Go. WASHINGTON.

To Israel Shreve:

M. V. Ist Oct. 1798.

Sir: I have waited four months to see if in that time you would
discharge the installment of your Judgment Bond due the Ist of
June last, and am determined to wait no longer than the pro-
ceedings in a regular course will compel me to do, for which reason
I give you notice that by this day’s Post I have requested Mr.
Ross to obtain from the Bank of Pennsylvania (where it was
deposited for collection) your Judgment Bond and put it in suit
without further delay.

I think myself extremely ill used by your conduct in this busi-
ness. You know that it was in order to raise money that I sold
the land. You have sold a part at nearly the double of what you
were to have given me, and yet I have been trifled by you more
than by any person I have had to deal with.

My own want of money to fulfill engagements is such that I
inform you before hand that any application for further indul-
gence will be unavailing and need not be attempted — and further
that thenceforward if the installments be not paid at the time
they become due, the bond will be enforced without any questions
being asked.

I am Sir;
Yours
Go. WASHINGTON.

The lands in the present Fayette County did not exceed sixteen
hundred acres, perhaps. They included the famous mill on Wash-
ington Creek, the present city of Perryopolis, and the great plant
and holdings of The Washington Coal and Coke Company near
there. The latter alone holds twelve hundred acres. The Wash-
ington mill is about a quarter of a mile below the center of the city
of Perryopolis, called Washington Square. It is on the west bank
of Washington Run, which empties into the Yank River at LaytonOf the Cash, Rights and Credits 117

Street. There is a dam at the mill and some power which is
occasionally used still to grind a little feed. The mill building,
erected in 1776, is in bad repair and rapidly falling to pieces.
The wooden overshot wheel is driven by a stream from a runway
on the hillside and wastes by a cut into the stream next to a
little bridge below. The present owner is O. P. Smith, a farmer,
who owns about twenty-five or thirty acres and the mill, lives in
the stone miller’s house and cultivates the land.

From Cemetery Hill, just above Perryopolis, a fine view of the
“Washington bottoms ” is obtainable. There are three of these,
each about five hundred acres, running southward along Wash-
ington Run a distance of two miles. Most of the land is now
owned by The Washington Coal and Coke Company.‘ Its ex-
tensive mines, coke ovens, offices, town site, dwellings and other
buildings cover the landscape and employ and house three thou-
sand persons and more. ‘The twelve hundred acres it owns
Washington sold at ten dollars an acre. These are now valued
at twenty to twenty-five million dollars without the improvements,
if the neighbors can be trusted to be good judges.

Washington’s lands in Westmoreland and Washington coun-
ties are the remainder of the five thousand acres.

The records of Fayette County, of which Uniontown is the
seat, contain ample proofs of what was done there to make title
to these lands after they were paid for to Washington’s execu-
tors. The executors never probated the will in Pennsylvania. It
gave them no express authority to convey the lands solds to
Shreve. Only the two hundred and odd acres at Great Meadows
were included in their express power of sale and this only if not
partitioned among the devisees.

The Pennsylvania laws would have allowed Washington’s will
to be probated, for that enlightened Province as early as 1705
enacted a law admitting to record and full faith and credit there

The Company has issued some “literature” in the shape of pictured
calendars and historical pamphlets telling the story. Until 1897 the log cabin
in which Washington stayed when he last visited the place, in 1784, was still
in existence. It has now disappeared. It stood on the hill just above Vic-
toria, one of the coke villages. Coal and Coke, a trade magazine, under date
of October 8, 1897, contains a lengthy article on the subject.118 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

a will duly proved and admitted to record elsewhere, “a copy of
such will, with the probate thereof annexed or endorsed, being
transmitted hither, under the public or common seal of the courts
or officers where the same shall be taken or granted.” °

Washington’s will might have been proved also as an original
instrument in Pennsylvania, for its law was similar to that of
Virginia, in that it required no witnesses on the paper, but only
two or more to prove the genuineness of the signature.°

The Honorable James Ross, after he collected the remainder
due the estate on Colonel Shreve’s bonds, brought a suit against
the executors and devisees of Washington in Fayette County and
by a decree was appointed Court Commissioner to convey the title
of George Washington deceased in part to the purchasers from
Colonel Shreve and to the Shreve heirs of the remainder of the
lands. This he accordingly did and there are of record the
following deeds:
George Washington | Agreement for 1,644 acres in Wash-

to rington Run, recorded June 7, 1802, in

Israel Shreve } Book D, at page 349.

Samuel Washington
George S. Washington
and Lawrence Lewis, as Letter of Attorney dated Sept. 4,

Executors of George 1801, recorded June 17, 1802, in
Washington deceased Book D, at page 350.
to

James Ross

George S. Washington
Samuel Washington and
Lawrence Lewis, being
George Washington’s
Executors, by James
Ross, their attorney
to

The heirs of Israel
Shreve and John
Balderson Gray J

5 Smith’s “ Laws of Pennsylvania”, Vol. I, p. 33.

6“ Laws of Pennsylvania”, Annotated, § 2564. Pepper and Lewis’ Digest,
2d Ed., 1910.

Deed dated August 1, 1802, recorded
-August 3, 1801, in Book H, page 220
Conveys the entire tract.Of the Cash, Rights and Credits 119

Three deeds by the above executors by James Ross, their
attorney, all to Joseph Sayre, all dated June 30, 1802, and re-
corded July 9, 1802, in Book E, page 72, conveying 171 acres
each.

Three deeds from the same to Isaac Sparks, of like dates, in
Book E, at page 74, for 180 acres, each, in Franklin Township.

Three deeds from the same to Samuel Ruel Sayre, same dates,

for 201 acres each, in Book E, at page 73.

II. THE WELCH LEASE AND SALE

In December, 1797, and January, 1798, Washington “ made a
deal” with one James Welch, the negotiations for which were
begun and conducted to a finish like an ambassadorial treaty.
Washington was busy when Welch, a backwoods trader, first
appeared and Mr. Anderson, the superintendent of Mount Ver-
non, received him. He brought a letter of introduction from
General Daniel Morgan, Washington’s famous scouting leader
and Virginia ranger, now a resident of Morgantown and later

> of Burr’s treason.

the “ discoverer ’

Welch wanted to purchase Washington’s lands on the western
waters of Virginia, more or less. That is, he had no money, but
offered promises, backed by immigration schemes, and some one
hundred thousand acres of other wild lands he claimed to own in
Roanoke County, Virginia, which he would pledge as collateral
security.

Washington liked not the man nor his ambitious projects.
The fellow was somewhat illiterate, indirect and suspiciously dis-
posed to sharp trading. Morgan’s letter of introduction was
cautious. Doctor Craik, Washington’s intimate friend and
physician, wrote in response to his inquiry, “ He is anxious to
get hold of your lands and mine. Extreme caution is to be
necessary.”

Yet the additional security offered was a temptation to make
the trade, and finally, after an interchange of several letters and
a couple of interviews, Washington instructed his friend, James
Keith, Esquire, attorney at law for The Potomac Company and120 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

a director therein, by a letter dated December 10, 1797,’ that he
had agreed to lease James Welch twenty-three thousand acres,
being his lands on the Great Kanawha River extending from the
mouth at Point Pleasant about forty-eight miles upstream and
constituting nearly half of the bottom lands for that distance.
The lease was to be for one hundred and twenty-nine years on
the basis of six per cent. per annum, on the sum of two hundred
thousand dollars, payable annually, on January 1, 1799, and
thereafter. It was to be coupled with an option on the part of
Welch to purchase the entire tract at two hundred thousand
dollars.

The transaction was the largest Washington ever was party
to on his own account, and the correspondence of its making and
subsequent progress has been preserved. It is to be found in
Appendix IV. Washington received not a dollar from Welch.
The lease to Welch and the trust deed which Welch gave him
appeared in public in Catalogue Number 657 of Thomas Birch’s
Sons as Number 69, and copies of both, in Washington’s hand-
writing, were Numbers 70 and 71 in the same catalogue. The
former were sold as one lot to Mr. Byron Reed of Denver, for
$32.50; Number 70 to the late Chief Justice James I. Mitchell of
Pennsylvania for $90, and Number 71 to Joseph F. Sabin of New
York, a dealer in manuscripts.*

Neither the originals nor copies have been obtainable by the
writer. Where the originals were recorded, if anywhere, is not
known. Neither in Fairfax nor Roanoke County is there any
trace of them, though there is record in the latter that Welch
had large land holdings there. The records of the General Court
at Richmond, where they might have been enrolled, were destroyed
in the Civil War.

The executors collected nothing from Welch, brought no suit
against him and, in their accounts and in the friendly suit to
settle these, never mentioned his name or his lease.

It is to be presumed that Welch failed to make good utterly

7 See Appendix IV.
8See p. 107 for a note of the catalogue.Of the Cash, Rights and Credits 121

and that because of the rising value of the lands which the
devisees were anxious to possess, he was released and his security
returned to him. The lands, as Washington left them, were par-
titioned among his devisees in twenty-three parts as his will pro-
vided, and as we shall fully see in a later chapter.

This account of the transaction and the Appendix IV, which
contains the evidence of it, is the first attempt made to tell the
story of Washington’s largest real estate operation.

III. THE BALL SALE

Washington sold to George Ball,’ his lands in Gloucester
County, on April 10, 1797, and a balance of thirty-six hundred
dollars remained due. The tract consisted of four hundred acres
on the North River near Gloucester, Va. He tells of the sale
in a letter.

To John Page:
Mount Vernon, 17th, Mar., 1799.
Dear Sir,

In April, after I quit the Walks of Public Life (1797) I
agreed with one George Ball for the Land I held in Gloucester
County; on account of which, he made me a small payment of
£200, or thereabouts; was to have paid three hundred more the
April following; and the bale. in two annual installments there-
after.— Since which I have never seen Mr. Ball, nor have heard
from him on this subject.— And what is still more extraordinary,
I do not know whether he removed to the Land, or where he now
lives; consequently, do not know with certainty at what place
to direct to him.—

9 At Birch’s Sons’ Sale in December, 1890 (see p. 107), there was offered
“ Autograph of Genl. Geo. Washington’s for the sale of certain lands to Geo.
Ball dated April 10, 1797, 4° 2 pages. The whole of this contract is in the
hand writing of Genl. Geo. Washington and is signed twice by him, three
times by Geo. Ball and once By Wm. Wirt.” It was sold for $30 to the
Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association, and an “ Autograph Receipt of Genl. Geo.
Washington to Geo. Ball and a memorandum of the terms on which he sold
him [Geo. Ball] Land in Gloucester County, Va., dated April 10, 1797,
4° 2 pages. All in the hand writing of Genl. Geo. Washington. Signed twice
by him and twice by Geo. Ball”, was sold for $30 to Joseph F. Sabin of New
York.122 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

This, my good Sir, must be my apology for giving you the
trouble of the enclosed; in order, if he lives in Gloucester (on
the land) that it may be forwarded to him; — if not, to be re-
turned to — Dr. Sir

Your Most Obedt. Hble. Servant,
Go. WasHINGTON.”

The reply from Page states that Ball is a young lawyer, living
on the land, and that the letter has been delivered to him.

But the executors do not report that anything was ever col-
lected from him. He was an obstreperous chap and in the nego-
tiations with Washington had threatened a law suit unless a
proposal which he had misconstrued was carried out as he
wished. Washington set him down and right in vigorous fashion
and then proceeded to tell him the terms on which he would sell
a little more definitely than the first time, but not for less money,
and Mr. Ball accepted them.”

What the executors did to him is not disclosed by any cor-
respondence, record or account I have been able to find. But in
their first account Bushrod Washington and Lawrence Lewis

charge themselves as follows:

1805. By amount of the purchase of Gloucester lands
by Burwell Bassett for George A.
Washington’s children — $3,836.56

which is just about the amount of the debt and interest due from
George Ball.

This sale or transfer was part of the partition among the
devisees and represented no investment of money. Burwell Bas-
sett took the title in trust for and on account of the legacy to
them, until young George’s children should become of age and
confirm the transaction made for them by their guardian and to
which he had pledged them as in honor bound.

10L. C., W. Mss.
11 Library of Congress. Letter book 15, pp. 113 and 138. W. Mss.Of the Cash, Rights and Credits 123

IV. THE McCLEAN * SALE
There was an unsettled trade with Archibald McClean, by

which Washington had given him the tract known as the Round
Bottom, on the Ohio River, fourteen miles below Wheeling, sup-
posed to contain 587 acres, figured at ten dollars per acre, in
exchange, in part, for a brick house and lot in Alexandria. The
latter was not yet clear of some lien on or defect in the title, so
McClean could not convey it or give possession, and it was
agreed that when he could, it should be appraised by three arbi-
trators, and Washington would accept it at the price fixed, as
payment on account. The transaction was expressed in an
agreement dated August 6, 1798, the purchase money, $5,870,
was payable in annual installments and bore six per cent. interest
per annum, payable annually.

McClean took possession of the land about the time Washing-
ton died or shortly thereafter, and found there were over twelve
hundred acres in the bottom. He had a bitter litigation on his
hands at once with adverse claimants, which lasted many years.
The executors finally received a conveyance of the house and
lot in Alexandria from McClean and held it as late as 1825, but
no money ever came from him. The story is entitled to a separate
chapter.*®

V. THE HENRY LEE SALE

To General Henry Lee, Washington, by written agreement in
November, 1796, sold his interest in the Dismal Swamp Com-
pany and received from him some part payment and the promise
of twenty thousand dollars more in money, payable in three equal
annual installments with six per cent. interest. Washington re-
tained the title to the Dismal Swamp stock and land as security.
This was a share of over ten per cent. in forty thousand acres
of land in Nansemond County. It had originally been but eight
and one third per cent., but had been increased by the reduction

12 Also spelled McLain.
13 See Chapter X XVII.124 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

of the number of shares, some being bought in by the company
from its earnings. Only eight and one fourth shares were out-
standing at Washington’s death and of these he owned one.

“ Light Horse Harry ” Lee was a bold speculator and Wash-
ington was his friend and hearty well-wisher. The good times in
which he made the purchase did not last long and while he
struggled hard and felt grieved about his failure to keep his
promises to his dear Chief, yet the latter went to his grave with-
out having received the much-needed money. Times did not im-
prove. The executors were patient. What became of it all is,
perhaps, an interesting chapter and is told later on.**

VI. THE SHEPPARDS SALE

There was also due to Washington for the land, about three
hundred acres, at Difficult Run, near Difficult Bridge, on the
Leesburg Pike, in Virginia, which he had sold, the sum of
$6,666.66, being the remainder of the purchase price of ten
thousand dollars. This land was quite valuable by reason of its
nearness to the great works of the Potomac Company at Potomac
Falls, and the town of Matilda, which had sprung up there.

The purchaser, William Sheppards, made his first payment of
$2,222.22 to the executors at a date not stated in their account,
and on July 20, 1802, he made one of $1,360, on account of the
second $2,222.22. It was not until September 12, 1811, that
E. J. Lee paid “ the balance due by Sheppards for the Difficult
Run lands ”, as Lawrence Lewis reports, in the sum of $4,791,
which is just about the amount of $862.22, due on the second
payment, added to $2,222.22 the final payment, plus simple in-
terest at six per cent. for nine years.

There was no interest accounted for prior to Mrs. Washing-
ton’s death in 1802; and it was probably paid to her directly
or to the estate in Tobias Lear’s account of his collections which
are credited in the executor’s account in lump sums, of $2,609.86
and $226.61, on July 20, 1802.

14 See Chapter XXIV, “Of the Dismal Swamp Company.”Of the Cash, Rights and Credits 125

VII. THE POTOMAC COMPANY STOCK

The next item was the twenty-four shares in the Potomac
Company, valued at $10,666, which Washington had advised his
legatees to divide and hold for the future rise in values which he
confidently predicted. Twenty-three of the twenty-four shares
were partitioned among the groups and individuals named as
distributees in his will. The subsequent fate of the company we
shall learn in a later chapter. The twenty-fourth share was
retained by the executors as an investment, until it became prac-

tically valueless, after many years.°

VIII. THE JAMES RIVER COMPANY STOCK

The James River Company stock, being five shares, which
Washington stated cost him one hundred dollars each, had really
cost him two hundred dollars each, or the total sum of three hun-
dred pounds, Virginia currency, equal to one thousand dollars, as
appears by the account on page 354 of his Ledger “ B” in the
Library of Congress. His note on these had been: “It is sup-
posed that the shares in the James River Company must also be
productive.— But of this I can give no decided opinion for want
of more accurate information.”

In the letter of Bushrod Washington above quoted he wrote,”
“The James River shares are not sold but may be disposed of
at par at any time in Richmond & we shall do it immediately.”
The shares were not so sold, however, but at auction by the execu-
tors, when the legatees were the bidders and Lawrence A. Wash-
ington secured them on separate bids of $274, $276.25, $279.75,
$280 and $281, respectively, for the total sum of $1,391.50, or
$391.50 more than their original cost.

15 See Chapter XXIII.
16 Page 113.Chapter xi
OF THE BANK STOCKS

Turse were Washington’s favorite investments when he began
to sell his vacant lands and he directed his executors to make
similar ones of the proceeds of his estate if sold during Mrs.
Washington’s lifetime.

He did not invest in the Bank of the United States because he
was President at the time it was organized and had signed the
pill creating it, but he had been greatly elated and impressed by
the subscription rush which had taken the entire sum of its
capital stock in a few hours when offered to the public.*

Washington as long ago as 1759, when he married Mrs.
Custis, had become interested in bank stocks, because it so hap-
pened that part of the estate of Daniel Parke Custis, her de-
ceased husband, was a block of shares in the Bank of England
of the par value of £1,650.

The history of this stock is of vital importance not only in
connection with the above provision of Washington’s will but
also in its effect on the politics and welfare of the United States.
This will excuse, I hope, the repetition here of part of the story
of that investment told in full elsewhere with the details of its
discovery in the dark days of the World War.’

It seems that Colonel John Custis, born Virginian, was an ad-
venturer in England and on the continent during much of his
time, and became a stockholder of the Bank of England for
£1,650, which at his death in 1750 passed under his will to his

1 Sparks, XII, 18. Ford, 12, 77, 78. Washington’s speech to Congress,
October 25, 1791. “The rapid subscriptions to the Bank of the United
States which completed the sum allowed to be subscribed in a single day, is
among the striking and pleasing evidences which present themselves, not only
of confidence in the government, but of resource in the community.”

25. E. Prussing, “George Washington, Captain of Industry ”, Scribner's

Magazine, November, 1921, Vol. LXX, p. 549. Also E. E. Prussing, “ George
Washington in Love and Otherwise ”, Chapter V (Chicago, 1925).fees ee

Poy. Jl’ 7 fe 444 }

  

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son, Daniel Parke Custis. The latter went to England and there
proved his claim to the shares by a duly certified copy of his
father’s will and obtained administration thereon at Doctors
Commons from the Archbishop of Canterbury.

In 1756 Daniel died in Virginia and as he left no will, his widow
Martha and his two children, John Parke and Martha Parke
Custis, became the owners of the stock until the estate was
divided in 1762, when all the stock was allotted to the daughter.

At her death in 1773 one half of the shares fell to her mother
and, according to law, became the property of Washington;
the other half became the property of her brother, John Parke
Custis. Washington arranged to have the stock sold when the
boy should arrive at age in 1774. To this end legal proceed-
ings were begun in London in the court of the Archbishop of
Canterbury, letters of administration were granted to Mrs.
Washington and General Washington with Peyton Randolph, the
first president of the Continental Congress, and Robert Carter
Nicholas, the famous lawyer, who was attorney for the Custis
estate, signing her bond as sureties.

In one of his letters to his manager, Lund Washington, in
1775 from Cambridge, Washington wrote that he intended in his
settlement with “ Jack ” Custis to take over the boy’s share of
the bank stock and give him well-secured bonds and mortgages
for the value of it. And he so directed Lund Washington to
state the account with the lad who came into his estate while his
guardian was investing Boston. He asked his friend and neigh-
bor, George Mason of Virginia, to audit and settle the account
with his ward

This arrangement put upon Washington the loss of the stock
which might result from his participation in the Revolution and
saved the boy from that danger. It being impossible to carry
out the sale of the stock in England for which proceedings had
been begun, Washington promptly took upon himself what he

supposed would be the consequence when he ‘

* pledged his estate,
his life, and his sacred honor ” to the cause of the colonies.

But it turned out otherwise. Perhaps because he was not an128 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

alien enemy, only a rebel, his case was postponed until the rebel-
lion should be crushed. He happened also to owe his London
agents, Robert Cary and Company, to whom Wakelin Welch
seems to have succeeded during or just after the Revolutionary
War, about fourteen hundred pounds sterling for advances made
to him with which to buy lands in the West. Perhaps they held
the bank stock or a lien on it during the war. They certainly
collected the dividends on it regularly, and credited these to his
account while charging against it the interest on his debt.
They made no effort to force the sale of the stock or to em-
barrass him about the principal of their claim. They were im-
porters from and exporters to the ,colonies, and sympathized
heartily with the colonists. Their correspondence shows that
they were great admirers of Washington, and it was promptly
resumed at the close of the war. After an exchange of cour-
tesies and accounts, Washington wrote this letter to Wakelin

Welch:

Mount Vernon, July, 1786
Sir,

I have received the paper-hangings and watch by Captain
Andrews. With the last Mrs. Washington is well pleased, and I
thank you in her name for your attention to the making of it.

If the stocks keep up, and there is not a moral certainty of
their rising higher in a short time, it is my wish and desire, that
my interest in the Bank may be immediately sold, and the money
arising therefrom made subject to my drafts in your hands,
some of which, at sixty days’ sight, may soon follow this letter.

The footing on which you have placed the interest of my debt
to you is all I require. To stand on equal ground with others,
who owe money to the merchants in England, and who were not so
prompt in their payment of the principal as I have been, is all I
aim at. Whatever the two countries may finally decide with re-
spect to interest, or whatever general agreement or compromise
may be come to between British creditors and American debtors,
I am willing to abide by: nor should I again have touched upon
this subject in this letter, had you not introduced a case, which,
in my opinion, has no similitude with the point in question. You
say I have received interest at the Bank for the money which
was there. Granted: but, besides remarking that only part ofure TA ae BO of h fm f
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CONCERNINGOf the Bank Stocks 129

this money was mine, permit me to ask if Great Britain was not
enabled, by means of the Bank, to continue the war with this
country? Whether this war did not deprive us of the means of
paying our debts? And whether the interest I received from this
source did or could bear any proportion to the losses sustained
by having my grain, my tobacco, and every article of produce
rendered unsalable and left to perish on my hands? However, I
again repeat, that I ask no discrimination of you in my favor;
for, had there been no stipulation by treaty to secure debts, nay
more, had there even been an exemption by the legislative
authority or practice of this country against it, I would, from
conviction of the propriety and justice of the measure, have dis-
charged my original debt to you.

But from the moment our ports were shut, and our markets
were stopped by the hostile fleets and armies of Great Britain,
till the first were opened and the others revived, I should, for the
reasons I have (though very cursorily) assigned, have thought
the interest during that epoch stood upon a very different foot-
ing.

I am, Sir, etc.
Go. WASHINGTON.

Mr. Welch sold enough of the stock, one thousand one hundred
and sixty-three pounds nineteen shillings and two pence, at the
price of one hundred and forty-three per cent. of par, to pay
Washington’s debt to him with interest. Later he sold for
Washington’s account the remaining five hundred pounds at a
good figure and accounted for both the transactions as appears
by Washington’s ledger. This ended Washington’s experience
with the Bank of England.

His experience in the Revolution with paper money and public
credit depreciated to the lowest point, his inability to borrow
or collect when he began to restore his dilapidated estates and
buildings from 1784 to 1789, when he was slave and land poor,
had told him the value of banking establishments.

He was applied to, as in former times, for loans by friends
and kindred. He frankly replied that not only could he not loan
them money but he would be glad if they could tell him where
he could borrow even a few hundred pounds on the amplest se-
curity.130 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

Politically the country seemed to be going from bad to worse.
The Continental Congress under the Articles of Confederation
was impotent, while the several States in their imagined inde-
pendence and sovereignty were unwilling to apply the necessary
remedy, namely, a grant to Congress of sufficient powers of taxa-
tion and regulation. Soon the critical period in the affairs of
the nation arrived and prudent, far-seeing men felt that the
choice lay only between a stronger central government and im-
mediate anarchy. The struggle lasted nearly six years. Finally
the Constitution was achieved and Washington became President
of the United States of America.

Facing an empty treasury, with a worthless currency, a total
lack of national credit, a war debt of seventy-five million dollars,
and with no financial machinery whatever, Washington offered
the position of secretary of the treasury to Alexander Hamilton.

For ten years this young lawyer of thirty-two had been
ardently studying political economy and writing and working on
the finances of the nation. He had urged the organization of a
national bank upon the Continental Congress and its superin-
tendent of finance, Robert Morris, but without success. He had
persuaded his friends in New York to establish a bank under
his guidance, which flourished and still exists in honor.

The new Congress of the United States soon received his pro-
posals and financial plans with renewed urgings, and now they
met with sufficient favor despite some opposition. The happy
trade with Thomas Jefferson passed the assumption bill to fund
the war debts in return for fixing the Capital on the Potomac.
The national bank which Hamilton proposed Congress should
incorporate met with more vigorous contention. The narrow
constructionists from the rural communities, especially Madi-
son, Jefferson, Randolph, and Monroe, from Virginia, feared the
money powers of the cities of Philadelphia, New York, Boston,
and Baltimore. They were of opinion that such a bank was
unwise and that such a law would be unconstitutional. There
was no specific grant of power in the Constitution to create cor-
porations for any governmental purpose or otherwise.Of the Bank Stocks 131

But the bill passed and Washington had it before him for
signature or veto.

He asked the opinions of his Attorney-General Randolph and
his Secretary of State Jefferson, in writing. He consulted Madi-
son. ‘They vigorously declared against the policy of a bank
and the constitutionality of the law. Washington’s judgment
that the bill should receive his signature was gravely shaken.
To have his attorney-general, his secretary of state, and the
leaders of his party in his State unanimously advise him that a
national bank was not only unconstitutional but undesirable and
dangerous was a “ facer” for a mere farmer or even a captain
of industry.

With but five days more in which to come to a conclusion, he
sent the written opinions to the secretary of the treasury, and
requested his reply at an early hour.

Hamilton was delayed by official duties, but on the fourth day
he gave Washington his famous and epoch-making opinion on
the constitutionality and necessity of a national bank which
covers over one hundred pages of his printed works, and ex-
pounds the doctrine of implied and inherent powers under the
Constitution.®

Washington carefully considered it and then laid aside the
petty fears and fallacies of his Virginia friends. None of them,
probably, ever had had a bank account or known the use of
bank credit. He recalled the regularity with which his divi-
dends had been paid to him for twenty-five years on Lady-day
and Michaelmas. He probably also remembered his question to
Wakelin Welch four years before: “If Great Britain was not
enabled by means of the bank to carry on the war with this
country?” He signed the bill.

That act created the division into the two political parties
under which for one hundred and thirty years and more this
nation has contended for the control of its government.

If Washington had been as ignorant as Jefferson of the value

3 “The Works of Alexander Hamilton”, edited by H. C. Lodge (New York,
1909), III, 388 to 493.1382 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

of banking institutions, or had taken his narrow view of gov-
ernmental powers, which admitted the grant of them but denied
their exercise by non-enumerated methods, this government
would have become forever a spineless jellyfish like China, as it
was largely from 1801 to 1824, or speedily have gone upon the
rocks. A captain of industry laid its foundations broad and
deep and strong in common sense based on experience, so that it
could function despite mere theorists at the helm in later
days.

The bank stocks held by Washington at the time of his death
were one hundred and seventy shares of forty dollars each in the
Bank of Columbia and twenty-five shares of two hundred dollars
each in the Bank of Alexandria, twenty of which were bequeathed
to the Alexandria Academy. He notes that they usually paid
from eight to ten per cent. per annum and that the shares ought
to be worth at least par.

His home-town bank, in which he kept his account after his
return from the presidency and from which he borrowed in the
last months of his life, was one of the results of his efforts to
make Alexandria a great commercial city. The construction of
the Potomac Canal, which began to operate effectively in 1789,
had already resulted in a substantial increase of population,
from 2,748 in 1790 to 4,871 in 1800. In ten years more it rose
to 7,227. Its subsequent history was affected by other factors.
There was in 1792 no bank south of Baltimore, but when Alex-
andria was selected by Congress as the first subtreasury of the
United States and a customhouse was established there, a bank
became a necessity. Virginia still had jurisdiction over the part
of the District of Columbia in which Alexandria was then situ-
ated, as the Federal Government did not take control until
1800, when it was removed from Philadelphia to Washington.
So an act of the Virginia Assembly was procured on November
23, 1792, which authorized William Hartshorn, William Her-
bert, Charles Lee, Ludwell Lee and Charles Sims, and others,
thirteen in all, to establish a bank there entitled the Bank of
Alexandria. Its capital stock was to be one hundred and fifty\teN
No. IZ 5/.

 

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CERTIFICATE OF STOCK IN BANK OF ALEXANDRIA
IN WASHINGTON’S NAMIOf the Bank Stocks 133

thousand dollars in seven hundred and fifty shares of two hun-
dred dollars each.

In 1795 the stock was increased to five hundred thousand dol-
lars and of this Washington, on July 5, 1796, purchased twenty-
five shares for five thousand dollars. Twenty of these shares it
will be recalled he bequeathed to the Alexandria Academy and
five shares passed to his executors. The five shares they sold to
William Herbert for $1,198.

One of the certificates for a share of stock issued to him has
been preserved and is given in facsimile opposite page 132.

One of the provisions of the bank’s charter (section 22) was
that any one guilty of forging any notes or checks of the bank
or passing or attempting to pass such with knowledge, should
on conviction be adjudged a felon and suffer death without
benefit of clergy.

The bank’s offices were in the building called Braddock House.
The building still exists in good order and the bank vaults re-
main though the iron doors have been removed. The bank
flourished until 1833 when its affairs were wound up.*

The accounts of the executors of Washington’s will show that
on July 20, 1802, they sold the five shares of stock not specifically
bequeathed at $238 per share, for $1,190. The proceeds were
applied to paying the debts of the estate.

The Bank of Columbia was located at Georgetown in the
District of Columbia and its history is long, interesting and
dramatic by reason of its connection with the founding and up-
building of the national capital. It has engaged several his-
torians and a place in literature.

The tale of its salient features has been compounded here
from the authorities named below ® and other, but minor sources,

‘For the history of the bank, see W. B. Bryan, “History of the National
Capital”, I, 208, New York, Macmillan Co., 1914; and Charles E. Howe,
“Columbia Historical Society Collection I”, VIII, 10.

5a. “Financial Institutions of Washington City in its Early Days.”

€ Bank of Columbia.” An anonymous pamphlet in the Library of
b. Pindells « History of Washington, D. C.”

c. W. B. Bryan, “ History of the National Capital ”, II, 222.
d. Chas. E. Howe, “Columbia Historical Society Collection I”, VIII, 10.134 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

without much change of language by the omission of quotation
marks.

It was an indication of the growing needs and importance of
the new Federal City in the District of Columbia, that on De-
cember 28, 1793, the Maryland legislature, which by the act of
cession still had power to legislate for the inhabitants until Con-
gress should actually take possession, chartered the Bank of
Columbia.

This was the second institution of the sort authorized by that
State, the first being located in Baltimore a year or two before.
The capital stock was to be one million dollars divided into ten
thousand shares of one hundred dollars each. Of these the Com-
missioners of the District of Columbia were authorized or per-
mitted by the charter to subscribe for two thousand, but they
exercised the privilege only to the extent of taking one thousand
and fifty-three shares, on which, according to their report to the
President, January 29, 1795, thirty dollars per share had been
paid up to October 1, 1794.

The extent to which the bank was used by the Commissioners is
shown by a statement in the report referred to, that there was
due to the bank previous to January 29, 1795, the sum of
$35,250, for treasurer’s notes discounted, which is, within a few
hundred dollars, equal to the Commissioners’ capital stock sub-
scription.

The Bank of Columbia was organized for the special purpose
of handling the paper of the Commissioners as well as of the lot
purchasers in the District or Federal City. There was a close
community between it and the Commissioners, as is indicated by
their transactions and the personnel of the incorporators. Sam-
uel Blodgett, late supervisor of the city, became the first presi-
dent of the bank; William Deakins, Jr., the treasurer of the
Board of Commissioners, was an incorporator, and so were
Uriah Forrest, John Mason, James M. Laigan, Benjamin Stod-
dert, William B. Magruder and Thomas Peter, Mrs. Washing-
ton’s granddaughter’s husband.

By the end of 1795 forty dollars had been paid in on eachOf the Bank Stocks 135

share, thus giving it a cash capital stock of four hundred thou-
sand dollars. An act of the Maryland legislature dated Decem-
ber 26, 1795, repealed the forfeiture clause in the original
charter in case of nonpayment of installments, and the partially
paid shares were given dividends proportioned to those fully
paid.

On the subject of Washington’s interest in the bank these

letters are preserved.°

Washington, 19th July, 1797.

Dr. Sir:

I do myself the pleasure of inclosing you a certificate of a
Transfer of 29 shares of Columbia stock... .

With sentiments of perfect Regard and Respect, I am Dr. Sir,

Your most obt. Servt.
Gustavus Scorr.

Genl. Washington
Mt. Vernon.

Mount Vernon 23 July 1797
Dr. Sir:

Enclosed is the certificate of the hundred shares of stock in
the Bank of Columbia, given to Mr. Tobias Lear the 6th of April
1790 and transferred by him to me the 18th instant.— A certifi-
cate thereof I pray you to transmit me by the Post — or other
safe conveyance.

With esteem & regard I am Dear Sir

Your obedient Hble Ser.
G. WaAsHINGTON.

Samuel Hanson.

The bank was first located at the northeast corner of 29th and
M streets, and after an existence of eleven years it began the
erection of a building of its own on the high hill facing south on
M Street between Wisconsin Street and 34th Street.

The building was of white stone, and of palatial proportions;
on the first floor were the banking rooms while on the second
floor the president of the bank and his family dwelt in princely
quarters. The hill was terraced, planted with gardens, and

6L. O., W. Mss., Vol. 285, 28022, 28023.136 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

reached by a flight of marble steps. Here the bank did a flour-
ishing business until after the panic of 1837, a landmark in com-
merce and in fact, with its gleaming walls and copper roof, set
on a high hill.

It was an ally, if not a branch, of the National Bank of the
United States at Philadelphia. Like it, it fell under political
and perhaps worse influences. Its charter was once or twice
extended by Congress, after it acquired jurisdiction.

In company with the great Bank of the United States, it fell
beneath the ire and decree of President Andrew Jackson, when
he ordered the removal of the government deposits from the sound
national bank to the rotten “ pet ” banks in 1837. ‘The conse-
quent strain on its resources and the tremendous panic of that
year which the President precipitated by that order and_ fol-
lowed by the famous subsequent circular, demanding payment of
all land purchases from the government in specie, resulted in
the failure of hundreds of banks and the liquidation of the Bank
of Columbia in 1839. Its charter expired or was about to expire
at the time.

The bank’s affairs then disclosed that the bank had been
““ milked ” by its officers and directors in its late years and that
the derisive description of its building as “ the great white cow ”
had been earned. It did not fully pay its creditors. Its stock-
holders got nothing. The building was sold shortly after to a
Mr. Coe for twelve thousand dollars, a tithe of its cost. He
tore it down when he found that the copper roof plates alone
would sell for enough to refund the purchase price. The land
remained to him without cost and is now partly occupied by the
great station of the Washington Electric street railway. Only
the name “ Bank Alley ” survives in the neighborhood to guide
the searcher after its history.

Of Washington’s one hundred and seventy shares of the capital
stock, the executors reported one hundred and sixty-one were
transferred in lots of seven shares each to his twenty-three
legatees and the remaining nine were sold for cash at forty dol-
lars per share and applied to his indebtedness.Chapter XII
OF THE LIBRARY AND LITERARY REMAINS

SEVENTEEN pages of the Inventory and Appraisement are de-
voted to a list and valuation of the books, maps and other mate-
rials in the room which Washington used as a study. The list
begins with the American Encyclopedia of eighteen volumes
quarto, valued at one hundred and fifty dollars and runs on
through a total of nine hundred and three volumes appraised at
twenty-three hundred and fifty dollars.

The number of items was five hundred and sixty-one, including
pamphlets, maps and government publications. These were con-
tained in the eight cases still to be found in the south room at
Mount Vernon, except a few placed about on tables in other
rooms.

The appraisers’ valuations were arbitrary; apparently they
gave but little attention to intrinsic worth, as the books had been
specifically bequeathed and were not to be considered for real
use as a part of the estate.

Washington was not a reader, and was only in part responsible
for the contents of his library. A majority of the books appear
to have been sent to him by their authors or to have been pur-
chased by him to assist the author or publisher in the public
interest.

Works relating to agriculture received close attention and
he made many extracts from them. Military books received some
attention when he was young. There is not much evidence how-
ever that he gave much time to history or general literature. He
even showed little interest in the history of the Revolution and
deprecated any biography of himself.

In his diaries he never mentions the books he was reading and138 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

rarely in his letters. In his early manhood he wrote to a fair
correspondent, “I should think our time more agreeably spent,
believe me, in playing a part in Cato with the Company you
mention, and myself doubly happy in being the Iuba to such a
Marcia as you must make ”,’ from which we may conclude that
Addison’s “ Cato” was not unknown to him, but as he became
increasingly devoted to things of action and the affairs of a
large plantation, his literary interests were limited to the books
that dealt with his business. In his later years, only five, be-
tween the Revolution and the presidency, would have permitted
leisure for general reading. But these he devoted to restoring his
estate and the affairs of his distracted country. In this effort he
helped to build up its commerce and insure its unity, in the great
work of making navigable the Potomac River and finding an
easy and permanent way to reach the Ohio River and Great
Lakes, and the still greater work which directly flowed from this,
the Constitution of the United States. For these two purposes
he gave some attention to books, made ample notes and his
studies bore fruit in the work he did.

There is little evidence that he ever read for the mere pleasure
of it. His time was fully taken up with his affairs and the
voluminous correspondence he conducted as well as the careful
records he kept. No man of his time, probably, has left so many
words written by his own hand behind him. He wrote much that
has become and begotten literature though he read comparatively
little in printed books.

Yet Chesterfield’s “Letters” in four volumes, Gibbon’s
“Roman Empire” and the Federalist stood immediately beside
Fulton’s “Small Canals and Iron Bridges” on his shelves and
may have been equally studied. The many allusions and oc-
casional quotations which Washington employed in his letters
show that he acquired somewhat from the writings of other men.
Most of the books are easily identified, for Washington usually
wrote his name on the upper right-hand corner of the title page,
but occasionally on the first page of the preface or text. He also

1 Washington to Mrs. Sally Cary Fairfax, September 25, 1758, Ford, 2, 95.Of the Library and Literary Remains 139

used a book-plate, which has been forged in the attempt to de-
fraud the public into buying unautographed volumes.

The history of the library has been that Mr. Justice Bushrod
Washington came into possession of it in 1802 when he took pos-
session as the devisee of Mount Vernon and in the twenty-seven
years he lived there he added considerably to it.

When he died in 1829, his will directed that “ all the papers
and letterbooks devised to me by my uncle, Genl. Washington, as
well as the books in my study, other than law books, I give to my
nephew Geo. C. Washington; the books in the cases in the dining
room, I give to my nephew John A. Washington.”

The inventory of Bushrod Washington’s estate schedules all
these items. “In the dining room, 486 vols. miscellaneous works
left to John A. Washington” .. . “658 vols. of miscellaneous
works left to Geo. C. Washington,” besides ‘‘ 169 vols. of State

>

papers ”’,
of Law Books and 22 law pamphlets.” The latter were be-

** 22 vols. of the Journals of Congress”, ‘‘ 649 vols.

queathed to Bushrod Washington Herbert, a grandnephew, in
case he should be trained to the law.

Mount Vernon was next occupied by John A. Washington, the
nephew of Bushrod to whom the latter devised it. The 658
volumes of Washington’s library which were bequeathed to
George C. Washington remained there until 1847 or 1848 when
a considerable portion of them were sold to one Henry Stevens, a
bookseller.

Mr. Stevens announced his intention of sending them over to
the British Museum. To prevent this and to secure them for
Boston, a number of Boston and Cambridge men, particularly
Professor Jared Sparks, Professor Andrews Norton, Mr. George
Livermore and Mr. Charles Eliot Norton, who acted as treasurer,
undertook to solicit subscriptions, and raise the five thousand
dollars which Stevens demanded for them, a sum which he after-
wards reduced to thirty-eight hundred dollars. The books were
then purchased by the subscribers and presented to the Boston
Atheneum and are now there.

Three hundred and fifty-four of the volumes thus acquired140 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

(including thirty-six made up of pamphlets bound together)
may be assigned to Washington’s library, the majority without
question. The remainder of the purchase originally belonged to
Mr. Justice Washington or other members of the family.

The true Washington books comprise eight hundred and
thirty-five entries in the splendid Boston Atheneum Catalogue.”
One hundred and five of the entries represent unbound publica-
tions of the Board of Agriculture of Great Britain and sixty-one
United States Government publications.

The remainder of Washington’s library has been scattered and
no large number of his books now exists in any one place besides
the Boston Atheneum. What became of the rest of the books
left to George C. Washington can only be conjectured. Those
given to John A. Washington passed to his son, John A. Wash-
ington, and then to his son, Lawrence Washington, late of
Washington, D. C.

In 1876 a portion of them, after having been on exhibition in
Philadelphia during the Centennial Exposition, was sold at auc-
tion by Messrs. Thomas Birch’s Sons. Lots 1-138 and 450-474,
including 282 volumes, were stated to be from the library of

2 Much of this chapter is taken from this catalogue of which this is the full
title page:
A Catalogue
of the
WASHINGTON COLLECTION

in
The Boston Atheneum
Compiled and annotated by
Appleton P. C. Griffin
In four parts:
I. Books from the library of General George Washington
II. Other books from Mount Vernon
III. The Writings of Washington
IV. Washingtoniana
With an Appendix
The Inventory of Washington’s books drawn up by the appraisers of
his estate.
With notes in regard to the full titles of the several books, and
the later history and present ownership of those not in the
Atheneum collection.
By William Coolidge Lane
Librarian of the
Boston Atheneum

 

The Boston Athenzum
1897Of the Library and Literary Remains 141

George Washington, and most of them can be identified with
entries on the Inventory. The largest buyer at this sale was
John R. Baker, of Philadelphia, whose collection came under the
hammer in February, 1901, in Birch’s auction rooms, when ex-
ceptionally high prices were realized for the Washington books.
At the same rooms, under the direction of Stanislaus V. Henkels,
in Philadelphia, the effects of Lawrence Lewis and Lorenzo Lewis
were sold, in December, 1890, and April, 1891, when relics,
papers, and books belonging to Lawrence Washington, Bushrod
C. Washington and others were disposed of. Again in December,
1891, April, 1892, and December, 1892, other sales by Mr.
Henkels have given an opportunity to book collectors to bid for
books which belonged to Washington.*

Great pains have been taken by the Boston Atheneum authori-
ties to determine the full titles and to trace the present owner-
ship of the volumes not in their collection, but in about two
hundred and sixty-two cases no clew has been found, and in a
number of others the names of the present owners cannot be
stated although a record of the sale of the books at auction is
at hand. The Atheneum has acquired but one volume since the
original purchase. The classification, made by Mr. Lane, of the
volumes in the Inventory and those purchased from Stevens, not
included therein, shows this result:

Not in Inventory

Literature 64 items 137 volumes 1 missing 8 additional
Periodicals afi} 9 87 re 5 %
Religious works 35 eS 53 a 10 2
Geography and Travels 28 “ 62 ~ 6 i
History 50) = 106 “17 pamphlets 3 eS
Polities, Political Econ-
omy, ete. 68 88 1 pamphlet 3

Law ile oS 28 4 cs
Legislation 261. 80 s ] <
Military works 40) es 42 6 S
Agriculture Wg & 97 1 a
Science DON 35 : ] ¢
Miscellaneous PA 25 : 4 ce
Mise. Pamphlets 45538 53 -
Maps, charts and prints 53 “

Total 893 volumes 52 additional

8A sale of books claimed to be from Washington’s library, but having
spurious bookplates, took place in Washington, in 1883.142 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

The subjects comprised under the heading “ Literature 7 ares

Drama 3
Poetry 19
Fiction 21
Essays 8
Miscellaneous works 4
Biography 1
Allegory 1
Letters 6
Humor 1
Total 64 items

This analysis gives us a bird’s-eye view of the collection. Re-
membering that Agriculture, War, Politics, and Statesmanship
constituted the vocation and avocations of Washington we find
the majority of his “ silent but eloquent friends ” to have been
among the writers of books on these subjects. He had neither
time nor much inclination in the active fifty years of his man-
hood for general reading.

Mr. Lane says: (page 480)

The subject of Washington’s book-plate has long been a
puzzling one to book-collectors. I have indicated by a B in the
list following all the volumes, either in the Atheneum collection or
elsewhere, which contain it, but it will be difficult to draw any
conclusions as to how Washington used it, when he first had it, or
when, if ever, he discontinued its use. Of the 884 volumes noted
below, 187 volumes bear what is in most cases the genuine plate.
Re-strikes from it exist, usually to be detected by the quality
of the paper. The original plate was at one time in the hands of
Mr. George Livermore, and is pretty certainly still in existence
though the statement has been made that it was destroyed. It
has been several times copied for purposes of illustration, but
apparently only once, and then very clumsily, with intent to
deceive. In 1883 about two hundred volumes, many (perhaps
all) of them bearing this spurious book-plate, were offered for
sale at auction in Washington (see the note on p. 475), and the
very fact that the plate if a forgery was such a poor one, has
induced some collectors to suspect that it was a genuine secondOf the Library and Literary Remains 143

plate, but the character of the books in which it appeared in this
sale is a sufficient argument against this assumption. Whether
the original is of English or American workmanship is still dis-
puted, and in spite of the carefulness with which Washington kept
his accounts, no entry bearing on the book-plate has yet been
discovered in any accounts which are preserved. C. D. Allen, in
his “‘ American book-plates””, New York, 1894, discusses the his-
tory of Washington’s book-plate and the counterfeit of it, pp.
90-95.

There are also at present in the library at Mount Vernon a
number of Washington’s books, restored to their original shelves
by patriotic donors. There ought to be more. Many duplicates
of the books Washington owned have been acquired and placed
on the shelves.

One restoration has been made which deserves to be told in
detail. In 1902 Professor Goode, curator of the National Mu-
seum at Washington, D. C., attended an auction sale of old books
in London. He noticed a set of twenty royal octavo volumes
bound in fine brown calf, on the outside of the front cover of
which were stamped in gilt the letters G. W., surmounted by a
bishop’s cap, the signet of the Marquis de Rochambeau. Exam-
ining one he found they were a set of “ Histoire Generale Des
Voyages ”, being Hakluyt’s and other famous voyages, translated
into French and magnificently printed in that language at Paris
in 1746.

The inside of the front cover of the first volume bears the fol-

lowing inscription:

Was Intended for Genl. Washington by the Marquis Rocham-
beau but a British cruiser saved it for me.

AS 1):
London.

Professor Goode purchased the set at a moderate figure,
brought it to America, and presented it to the Ladies’ Associa-
tion at Mount Vernon, so that now, after more than one
hundred years, the twenty volumes have come to rest on the
very shelves for which the valiant Marquis intended them as a144 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

token of his warm friendship for his companion in arms in the
Revolution.

The presumption is that the books were sent in a French ves-
sel during the French Revolution and the war with Great Britain
in the 1790’s, that the vessel was captured, the books were taken
to England as loot and remained in private hands until they re-
appeared in London in 1902, at the second-hand book sale. Their
history during the more than one hundred years of delay in the
“ parcels post delivery ”, might be of interest to many more than
our public officials. They probably hold the record.

Washington’s “ tambour secretary”, a combination of small
roller-top desk and bookcase above, with drawers below, has been
restored to the “ study ” at Mount Vernon and the original sur-
veyor’s spyglass on its tripod, as well as the globe he used, are
beside it.

Colonel H. H. Dodge, now and for over forty years the super-
intendent of Mount Vernon, is not only a material but a spiritual
agent, vigorous in his devotion to his trust, who lets no phase
of it be a stranger to him. Every book or thing which is of-
fered for replacement or emplacement there is carefully investi-
gated and reported on, to the Association, by him, and only such
as are worthy, dignified and authenticated are permitted to find
place in the shrine. In this way the collection of Washing-
toniana, of reproductions and the books and pictures which
now adorn the Mansion House and make it seem real and alive
has been gathered. Much spurious stuff has been kept out and
exposed, so that the public there and elsewhere has been pro-
tected against fraud.

As an illustration of the difficulty of replacing at Mount
Vernon the original books of Washington’s library it may be
noted that on May 17, 1917, the Dial reported that “ Je 0:
Wright paid $1,175 for a collection of nine rare American pam-
phlets, bound in one volume, lettered ‘ Orations ’ from the library
of George Washington, with his autograph signature on the title
page. Mr. George D. Smith gave $600 for ‘The Complete
Farmer ’, London, 1793, with George Washington’s signature onOf the Library and Literary Remains 145

the title page.” The sale was held at the Anderson Galleries in
New York City.

OF THE LITERARY REMAINS

The “Inventory and Appraisement ”’ makes no mention of
Washington’s most valuable asset, his letters and papers, public
and private. On page fourteen of the will is the gift of these “‘ to
my nephew Bushrod Washington”, the public papers, without
limitation, the private papers, “‘ such as are worth preserving ”
and the ‘‘ books and pamphlets of every kind, at the decease of
my wife and before if she is not inclined to retain them.” Such
was the modest thought of the great man concerning his most
interesting remains.

Mrs. Washington naturally retained the books and papers
until her death. She is known to have destroyed all but two
of Washington’s letters to herself, these being her own to do
with as she pleased. What of his private papers met with the
same fate at her hands we can only guess; we hope there were
few or none of them sacrificed. So far as we know it was not
until Bushrod Washington and Mr. Jared Sparks came into con-
trol that the dispersal took place.

Washington’s military papers and correspondence were copied
from 1780 to 1784 under an agreement with Congress. The other
public papers, covering his civil and military administration,
had been segregated and were being copied into stout folio vol-
umes before Washington’s death. These were kept in the two-
story frame building he had built for the purpose in 1784, which
remains to-day the office of the Ladies’ Association at Mount
Vernon and the dwelling place of its assistant superintendent.

In this building, Alvin W. Rawlins and other scribes, George
Washington La Fayette, and sometimes George Washington
Parke Custis, under the eyes and guidance of the General and
Colonel Tobias Lear, his military secretary, labored, more or less
assiduously, by day, but also, it is recorded, held high revels and
played gay pranks after nightfall. The results of their labors146 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

are preserved to us in the one hundred leather-bound volumes
of record form, containing three hundred and twenty pages each,
which now constitute so large a portion of the Washington manu-
scripts collection in the Library of Congress.

The fact that a separate building was required to keep safe
the papers which Washington had written and accumulated in his
more than fifty years of active life gives us a suggestion of their
volume.

It had been his practice throughout to make a draft of every
important letter or paper he signed and to take copies of such
as passed through his hands or might affect his interests. He
seldom kept copies of personal and family letters. As these were
many, it affords an explanation of the great numbers of them
which have appeared from private sources and have been pub-
lished from time to time. Within recent years a number have
come to light full of interest.

Many of the drafts of letters are not in perfect accord with
the letters as finally written by Washington or his secretaries
and signed and sent by him, for he often changed the expression
if not the thought when rewriting. Hence differences of some
moment have sometimes appeared in two publications of what
seemed to be the same paper. In his later years he also used a
letterpress copying machine and many of the copies thus made
have been preserved, especially in the New York City Library
and the Library of Congress. Thus a third copy exists in many
cases.

The great bulk of Washington’s writings (402 volumes) now
rests in the latter institution and its official handbook * contains
an elaborate history and description of them which will be found
reprinted in Appendix IV at the close of this volume.

The first use made of Washington’s papers was by Chief Jus-
tice Marshall in writing his five-volume “ Life of Washington ”,
published in 1804 at Philadelphia. It states on its title page
that it was “compiled under the inspection of the Honorable

4 Handbook of Manuscripts in the Library of Congress (Government Print-
ing Office, 1918), pp. 512 to 515.Of the Library and Laterary Remains 147

Bushrod Washington from original papers bequeathed to him
by his deceased relative and now in possession of the author.”

The public was eager to have the book and the author and Mr.
Washington were anxious to forestall the publication of others.
The result was necessarily hurried and condensed and but little
appears in the form of quotation.

It was not until twenty-two years later (1826) that a partial
publication of the writings themselves was attempted. Bushrod
Washington, with the aid of Chief Justice Marshall, planned to
publish a selection of Washington’s letters and other papers,
without note or comment and had prepared the material for three
volumes, when he received a request from Mr. Jared Sparks for
leave to examine the manuscripts with a view to the publication
of a large collection of the writings of Washington, plus histori-
cal and explanatory notes. These Mr. Sparks proposed to make
after an exhaustive search of the archives of the thirteen original
States and those of France, England and perhaps Spain and
Holland, and an appeal to the public for the originals of Wash-
ington’s letters in their possession.

Bushrod Washington replied by stating his own purpose and
hence refused the request. Mr. Sparks’ interest had been aroused
by the suggestion of the plan by a publisher and he enlisted in it
now on his own account, the publisher declining to go into the
matter without the aid of the Mount Vernon documents.

Mr. Sparks began a correspondence and research which is
best told in the letter he wrote to Bushrod Washington on Sep-
tember 12, 1826, from which the following is taken:

Your favor of March 13th, declining to aid me in a publica-
tion of General Washington’s works, was duly received. I had
already made such progress in the undertaking that I could not
reconcile myself to the idea of abandoning it, although com-
pelled to prosecute it under many disadvantages. Since that time
I have visited all the Southern and Middle States, examined thor-
oughly the public offices in each, and procured copies of General
Washington’s letters, and the replies of the governors. In addi-
tion to these, I have obtained copies of the valuable Revolutionary
correspondence on file in the different offices. These letters con-148 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

tain a rich treasure of historical matter, the substance of which
I shall use in making the notes and historical illustrations to the
edition of Washington’s works. I am now on the eve of a tour
for a similar investigation in the New England States; after
which I shall go partially through all the files in the office of
Secretary of State at Washington, and gather the materials
deposited there. I have, moreover, collected numerous letters
from private sources, particularly from among the papers of
the major-generals of the army, which are with their descendants
in different parts of the country.

In short, I am very confident of procuring nearly everything
which can throw light on the public character and transactions of
General Washington, and these are the points in which the public
is generally interested, and with which posterity will seek to be-
come acquainted. Yet my ambition was to make a perfect edition
of his writings, one that should stand as a perpetual monument,
worthy of his fame and of his country. I can truly say that I
had no other motive in commencing this project, and although
I doubt not the pecuniary results will be adequate to the ex-
pense of money, and perhaps of time and trouble, in carrying it
on, yet this has been and is still a secondary consideration. My
only regret is, that the work must at last be imperfect, my great
purpose defeated, my hopes but partially realized, and a reason-
able expectation of the public disappointed.

After much further argument he proposed to undertake the
risks of the publication and divide the net profits with Bushrod
Washington and the Chief Justice. The entire story forms a
most interesting chapter of Doctor Herbert B. Adams’ monu-

99 5

mental “‘ Life and Letters of Jared Sparks. The upshot was
that Chief Justice Marshall, on reading the Sparks’ proposal,
instantly advised its acceptance and the advice was taken. Mr.
Sparks, as Doctor Adams says, by his thoroughgoing labors had
acquired a virtual command of the situation with respect to
Washington’s writings. Now by this agreement their suitable
publication became assured.

The work of preparing the papers for the press and the story
of their publication is told in other chapters by Doctor Adams
and is almost a romantic adventure. Consequently, the first

5 Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, 1893, Vol. I, Chapter XIII.Of the Library and Literary Remains 149

large and authentic collection of Washington’s writings was pub-
lished by Jared Sparks, in the years 1834 to 1837, in an elegant
set of twelve large octavo volumes, the first of which he devoted
to a life of Washington.°

It aroused great interest and much praise, especially because
of the valuable notes, exhibits and addenda. It also demon-
strated the fact that the letters to Washington, of which it
quoted many, were quite as important and interesting. Some
controversy arose because of seeming differences between the
letters as published and the ones in private hands, and because
of this Mr. Sparks was for a time accused of wrongdoing. But
in the war of pamphlets which resulted the explanations demen-
strated that Washington was responsible for most of the changes
and that in some important cases, the critics were grievously
mistaken. Mr. Sparks claimed the right to exercise editorial dis-
cretion in minor matters and proved that he used none other-
wise, though he made no claim to having given more than a selec-
tive edition of Washington’s writings, dictated in its exclusions
by regard for persons still living or the descendants of some
deceased as well as certain public interests. These conditions
were imposed on him by Bushrod Washington but were not very
serious in their consequence.

The entire controversy is now unimportant and time has re-
leased Bushrod Washington’s inhibitions. Jared Sparks’ fame
chiefly rests on the ability, enterprise, industry and faithfulness
with which he pursued his subject and the brave risk of time,
health and money he made, to the verge of ruin for himself, in
preparing and publishing his work. His edition remained for
sixty years the only comprehensive publication of Washington’s
writings and formed the basis of most of the vast Washington
literature published prior to 1890. More than five hundred book
titles in this country were devoted to the subject up to that time.
Since then the number has more than doubled.”

6 Jared Sparks, “ The Writings of George Washington ”, 12 volumes. Ameri-
can Stationers’ Company, Boston.

7In spite of long delays and almost disastrous financial setbacks, Mr.
Sparks was able to divide with the executors of Bushrod Washington and150 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

A second collection, entitled, “ The Writings of Washington,” :
was edited and published in 1889 to 1893 by Worthington C.
Ford, then of the Library of Congress and later President of
the American Historical Association. He is now curator of the
Massachusetts Historical Society.

Mr. Ford had much new material at his command and added
three volumes to the number given us by Mr. Sparks. These
additions contained many letters and other papers which Mr.
Sparks had omitted and omitted a few he had used, as of minor
importance. But like Mr. Sparks, Mr. Ford was expressly
selective and intended chiefly to illustrate Washington’s char-
acter. At the same time, by a chronological arrangement, he
gave a fairly continuous history of his activities. These pur-
poses were well served, for no biography of Washington can
possibly give its readers so clear and thorough an impression
as his writings. These are self-revealing documents, written with
no thought other than to explain and accomplish the business in
hand honestly and well.

One of the biographies of Washington requires mention here
because it is almost wholly a compilation of his writings. In
1900 Messrs. Charles Scribner’s Sons and Goupil and Company,
under the date line of December 14, 1899, the centennial anni-
versary of Washington’s death, published a “Life of Wash-
ington ” by Worthington C. Ford, in two volumes. This is with-
out doubt the most exquisitely illustrated biography of Wash-
ington extant. It is written almost wholly in Washington’s own
words, being a digest of his letters, dispatches, reports, speeches
and other documents in chronological order, well blended and

Chief Justice Marshall, in 1837, eleven years after the work was under-
taken, the sum of $15,384.63. The costs had been $15,356.37. From subse-
quent editions Mr. Sparks obtained a royalty on each volume and continued
at intervals down to 1856 to divide the profits, but the first fruits were by
far the best.

Mr. Sparks also published four volumes of letters addressed to Washington
under the title, “Correspondence of the American Revolution, Being the
Letters of Eminent Men to George Washington from the Time of His Taking
Command of the Army to the End of His Presidency,” Boston, 1853.

8 W. C. Ford, “ The Writings of Washington”, 14 vols. G. P. Putnam Sons,
New York, 1889-1893.Of the Library and Literary Remains 151

constituting practically an autobiography. Of course it is too
modest by half and falls far short in enthusiasm.

It contains a reproduction in color of Trumbull’s famous
painting of the General and Stuart’s equally celebrated one of
Martha Washington, besides forty-two full-page plates, in black
and white, of portraits of the generals and other colleagues of
Washington and numerous other artistic illustrations.

Partial compilations of Washington’s writings in facsimile
and otherwise have been numerous. The earliest of these, Sir
John Sinclair’s in 1800, relating wholly to their correspondence
on agriculture, soon became a classic and was followed by many
similar ones on various subjects.

Notable among these are the “ Accounts of G. Washington
with the United States, commencing June, 1775, and ending
June, 1783, comprehending a space of 8 years”, wholly in
Washington’s handwriting.” The latest edition of these, with
a subsequently discovered addition bringing the account down
to December 23, 1783, the date of resignation, likewise in auto-
graph, has been edited with ample notes by Mr. John C. Fitz-
patrick, assistant chief of the Manuscript Division of the Library
of Congress.*°

The most voluminous undertaking of this character has re-
cently been completed in the reproduction of Washington’s
Ledger “‘ A.” This has been photostated, page by page, by the
Library of Congress, for the Massachusetts Historical Society
and the latter ‘has published a full-size reproduction in three
volumes. These are edited by Mr. Worthington C. Ford, its
curator. This ledger is almost wholly in Washington’s hand-
writing. His Ledger “ B” is also in the Library of Congress;
Ledger “C” is in possession of Lloyd W. Smith, Esq., of New
York.

There is a long story of neglect and lack of proper appre-
ciation to be told concerning Washington’s private writings.
Mr. Justice Bushrod Washington, busy man that he was, hard

9 Folio. Agar Humblin and Company, New York, 1833.
10 Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, 1922,152 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

at work for thirty years in Philadelphia, Washington and on
circuit, seldom at Mount Vernon for any length of time, under-
took to aid Chief Justice Marshall in his monumental “ Life ” of
Washington. They were partners in the enterprise and to fore-
stall piratical publications they labored hard and hurriedly in
driving that work to premature completion. In the course of these
labors and through the years that followed, Washington’s writ-
ings were subjected to much indiscriminate handling. Many of
them escaped from custody and a number were given or taken as
souvenirs. A number of his diaries are missing. Many letters to —
as well as drafts and copies of letters from — Washington are
gone. In the Alexandria warehouse fire of 1858 many were lost.

One of the most precious samples, Washington’s character-
istic comments in marginal notes on James Monroe’s pamphlet
in defense of his conduct and his attack on that of Washington
in the French crisis, was given to Mr. Jared Sparks and sealed
up and deposited in the Library of Harvard College, where it lay
unopened for two generations, until recovered by accident.

Some of the lost material has in the course of time appeared
in the market among the estates of collectors,** and has been
offered and sold, privately or at auction, bringing often enough
enormous prices from autograph and other collectors. So far as
possible without coming in competition with these usually wealthy
specialists, the Library of Congress, supplied with a modest fund
by Congress, has sought to buy in and to restore to their proper
place in the Government’s keeping these precious memorials.
Often it has succeeded, but more often not. Selfish curiosity,
backed by large means, still beats public spirit and public
interest.

Many generous individuals have placed copies and even origi-
nals in the Library of Congress for the use and benefit of the

‘

public and students, either by gift or “ permanent ” loans. The
practice should increase. In fact it should be deemed a privilege
of high honor to make such gifts.”

11 A large and excellent collection is to be found in the New York Public
Library, comprising parts of the Havemeyer and other collections.
12 The late Theodore Roosevelt gave all his papers to the Library years ago,Of the Library and Laterary Remains 153

A few of Washington’s literary memorials have been acquired
by the Ladies’ Association of Mount Vernon and are either ex-
hibited there or safely kept in its charge. Among these is the list
of his slaves he made out just before his death, to help insure
their liberation according to his last will. Another is the account
book of his business as a miller and distiller during the years just
preceding his death. Newly discovered materials appear from
time to time in the magazines and other publications. The nature
and number of these have been sufficient to warrant the making
of at least four volumes in supplement to Mr. Ford’s, and this
should be done soon.

Washington’s ability and activity as a literary man in the
true sense, in style and form well suited to the average reader, is
available to those who are inclined to become acquainted with
this side of the man who was first in so many things, in the essay
of Mr. James H. Penniman.*®

Washington marches in and through his writings. Just so
far as his biographers have employed them for illustration, just
so far have they truly succeeded in presenting the man.

It is as certain as anything can be that the existence of such
a character, from 1775 until 1790, changed the whole course of
the history of the Western Continent and thus of the whole
world.

His letters — are his own — no editing can conceal the essen-
tial nature the writer has shown in them. Their strong judgment,
the good sense, the calmness and patience, the consciousness of
strength and the ability to control the strength, the absolute
freedom from self-seeking in any form, makes his letters a monu-
ment which will always justify the instinctive popular estimate
of him. Other men have surpassed him in particular phases of
character and ability; but in all phases together, his letters will
show that he was the greatest man the earth has yet seen.
so that no one might be tempted to traffic in them and barter with Congress
for their purchase.

13 James H. Penniman, Litt.D., “ George Washington as a Man of Letters”
(Philadelphia, 1918), published by the author, 52 pp

14 Alexander Johnston, article on Washington, III, 1092, “ Encyclopedia of
Political Science.”Chapter XIII
OF THE NEGROES

Nexr to the care of his wife came the protection and welfare
of his slaves in Washington’s mind, and the longest section but
one in his will is devoted to them.

That Washington was a slave owner has been used as an
epithet and an argument for over a century by the narrow-minded
and inexperienced or by the vicious, in judging his character or
trying to injure his just fame as a lover of mankind. It is only
necessary to quote the language of Charles Sumner, the most
unrelenting and bitter critic of those cursed with slaves, to show
how false and petty that criticism is. He said, “ The will of
Washington is a remarkable document, exhibiting his character
as a proprietor and pater familias and also revealing his best
sentiments. Here will be found the emancipation of his slaves.”

But we are answered, “‘ He freed them only when he could no
longer use them for his benefit, when they could not longer serve
his purpose of gain, when he was dead and gone.” The answer is
untrue. He never profited by slave labor. All his life the slaves
were a burden and a care, a charge upon his efforts and his
estate, exceeding their value as servants. He realized early in
life that slave labor did not pay in Virginia unless abused, and
he would not abuse it, just as he learned that tobacco raising
ruined the land and the planter. He also realized that, as on the
ancient Egyptian monument, the slave owner and the slave are
both chained by the same chain; that neither was free to do his
utmost.

His letters and his acts evidence his belief for years, growing
in intensity as he grew in years and experience. After eight
years’ experience in the north among freemen during the Revo-
lution, the letters grew eloquent. He never after sold a slaveOf the Negroes 155

unless it was to protect the others against his incorrigibility,
and he ceased to buy any long before his death.

He employed those he inherited and those who were charged
upon him by his wife’s right of dower in the Custis estate upon
his home place where he could carefully watch their care and
conduct. He leased over one hundred from one of his neighbors
to help feed and clothe the three hundred he was charged with
and to get labor for his farms, because none other was available,
but even then he found all of them together nothing but a charge
upon his purse and conscience. His farms never paid.

He fostered every effort to free them. He continually urged
legislative action to that end and foretold its early necessity if
the South would keep abreast of the North in population and
influence.

Throughout his career he sought ways and means of making
his lands and his neighbors’ useful and profitable by the en-
couragement of free labor and its immigration and prayed for
help in ridding the community of its slave burden.’

That with all his efforts he did not also succeed within his
lifetime in this great purpose is not to be charged against him.
He had the purpose and so far as in him lay he did the acts
which were best intended to bring about the end. Almost the
entire nation, and especially his own State of Virginia, were
opposed in interest or indifferent. Washington, Jefferson, Paine
and Franklin and a few other eminent men before 1800, together
with the sect known as Quakers, were in a hopeless minority in
their humane ideas. Washington saw no practical hope except
in gradual enlightenment of the people and to this he contributed
his share by manumission and pensions.

That the invention of the cotton gin, the development of the

1See “Washington as an Employer and Importer of Labor,’ by Worth-
ington C. Ford (Brooklyn, New York, privately printed, 1889, 500 copies).
The Library of Congress copy is E. 312. 17. F. 69. This little book contains
an Introductory Note by Mr. Ford and then reprints contracts made by
Washington for a joiner and overseers for crops, for stocking plantations, for
a gardener, and for the hire of Negroes. Also his correspondence in respect
to importing Germans from the Palatinate. His advertisements for run-

aways and a form of indenture for servants close the book. Washington’s
indenture is very humane and fair compared with others of the time.156 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

steam engine, and the consequent enormous increase of manu-
factures would practically reénslave the land and people which
he had just set on its way to true freedom, he could not foresee
and cannot be held responsible for.

To charge upon his character and fame after-happenings and
their consequences is easy but foolish and unjust. As usual,
Washington’s letters and other writings tell his story best. Many
might be cited but a few will suffice to prove his attitude and
conduct. In a letter to Robert Morris, dated April 12, 1786,’
while discussing the conduct of a society of Quakers, in litigating
with one of his neighbors over his right to bring to and take
away from Philadelphia a Negro as slave, he writes:

If the practice of this society of which Mr. Dalby speaks, is
not discountenanced, none of those, whose misfortune it is to
have slaves as attendants, will visit the city if they can possibly
avOoId 1t.0. .

In the same letter he says:

He (Dalby) says, the conduct of this society is not sanctioned
by law. Had the case been otherwise, whatever my opinion of
the law might have been, my respect for the policy of the state
would on this occasion have appeared in my silence.

And then again:

I hope it will not be conceived from these observations that it
is my wish to hold the unhappy people who are the subject of
this letter, in slavery. I can only say that there is no man
living, who wishes more sincerely than I do to see a plan adopted
for the abolition of it, but there is only one proper and effective
mode by which it can be accomplished and that is by legislative
authority; and this as far as my suffrage will go shall never be
wanting.

On September 9, 1786, he writes to Mr. John F. Mercer: *

I never mean unless some particular circumstance shall compel
me to it, to possess another slave by purchase, it being among my

2 Ford, 2, 24.
3 Ibid., 2, 62.Of the Negroes 157

first wishes to see some plan adopted, by which slavery in this
country may be abolished by law.

Writing to the Marquis de la Fayette May 10, 1786,* he said:

. Your late purchase of an estate in the Colony of Cayenne,
with a view of emancipating the slaves on it is a generous and
noble proof of your humanity. Would to God a like spirit might
diffuse itself generally into the minds of the people of this coun-
try. But I despair of seeing it. Some petitions were presented
to the Assembly, at its last session for the abolition of slavery,
but they could scarcely obtain a reading. To set the slaves afloat
at once would, I really believe, be productive of much incon-
venience and mischief, but by degrees it certainly might, and
assuredly ought to be effected; and that too by legislative
authority.

To Sir John Sinclair, his noted English correspondent on agri-
culture, he wrote from Philadelphia on December 11, 1796, a
famous letter. In it he ascribes the greater increase in the
value of farm lands in Pennsylvania over Virginia and Maryland,
first to the denser settlement of the former, but also to this:
“‘ because there are laws here for the gradual abolition of slavery,
which neither of the two States above mentioned have at present,
but which nothing is more certain than that they must have, and
at a period not remote.”

It was in this belief and faith that he sat him down less than
three years later to indite the words in the second, third and
fourth pages of his will, freeing his slaves, which the reader is
besought to return to and carefully read again.

These words were a confession of faith and code of conduct,
as well as a sound and practical method for his beneficent pur-
pose. By caring for them for life amply and wisely, young, old,
infirm, competent and incompetent, with special recognition of
faithful “ Billy ” Lee, he did his utmost and charged his estate
with the burden.

Just after he had completed the writing of his will and the
inventory and history of all the Negroes in his charge, Washing-

4 Ford, 2, 26, 30.158 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

ton had occasion to write his nephew, Robert Lewis, manager of
- his affairs in and about Fredericksburg, on this subject, and
under date of August 17, 1799, said:

To sell the overplus I cannot, because I am principled against
this kind of traffic in the human species. To hire them out is
almost as bad, because they could not be disposed of in families
to any advantage, and to disperse the families I have an aversion.
What then must be done? Something must or I shall be ruined;
for all the money (In addition to what I raise by crops and
rents) that have been received for lands sold within the last few
years to the amount of fifty thousand dollars has scarcely been
able to keep me afloat.®

It is not to be wondered at that the generous impulses and
kindly feelings thus displayed were taken advantage of not only
after his death, but during his lifetime. Washington had his
share of the runaways and held strong feelings regarding their
“bad” conduct and its effect on their fellows. It was difficult
for even this kind and indulgent man to share fully the desire of
a slave lusting for freedom.

The story of the Kentucky slave held as a fugitive by the Ohio
justice of the peace was not current then. The latter said to the
former, “ You say you were well treated, not overworked, well
fed, clothed and cared for. Now why did you want to run
away?”

“IT dunno, jedge, but my place there is still open, if you’d like
to take it.”

And it came about that shortly after Washington’s death Mrs.
Washington’s life was made unhappy by the talk in the quarters
of the good time coming to the ones to be freed as soon as she
died. Many did not wait for the event but took their leave be-
tween two days and followed the road toward the North Star.
The so-called “ black laws ” of Virginia forbade the carrying out
of Washington’s beneficent provision that the freed Negroes
should be taught to read and write and the growing fears

5 Ford, 14, 195, 196.Of the Negroes 159

and prejudices made the life of freedmen in the State well-nigh
impossible.

However, most of them were faithful and trusted to the wisdom
and prevision of “Old Marse Gin’l.” They stayed at Mount
Vernon and performed such duties as the easy-going Lawrence
Lewis and Bushrod Washington assigned to them.

Those that were able and wanted to go when Mrs. Washington
died were properly outfitted and the estate paid the bills. Those
that remained were fed, sheltered, clothed, nursed and in due
course buried, at its expense; a considerable sum was kept in-
vested in bank stocks for their benefit for nearly thirty-three
years, until the last survivor was gathered to his rest.

The entries in the executors’ accounts are eloquent. Beginning
December 29, 1800, Lawrence Lewis shows that he paid ‘“ Will,
the shoemaker,” as Old Billy Lee was called, £3, “‘ as directed by

5

the will of General Washington,” and the payment was continued
quarterly for many years until there came this entry, January
31, 1810, “Paid Dr. Dangerfield for attending Old Billy
Lee $5 —” and soon after a charge for a coffin.

Mr. Lewis’ first charge for the free Negroes was for the period
prior to December 31, 1809, and is $1,645.05, while Bushrod
Washington paid for pensioned Negroes from November, 1802,
until May 31, 1811 — $792.7414. William Fitzhugh was paid
for rent of land for the free Negroes prior to 1817, $216.99,
and in 1818, $55.33. The expense for food and clothing
paid by Mr. Lewis from January, 1803, to January, 1820, was
$5,305.09.

Landon, Mary and Jane survived until late in the twenties and
their support at Mount Vernon never failed. Six free men were
then still living outside on rented land, but later they were
brought back, as their age and infirmities required more care for
them. On December 31, 1829, Bushrod Washington’s last ac-
count tells that Judy died in October, 1828, and that the funeral
expenses of three pensioned Negroes were $12. The last sur-
vivor was buried in 1833, a full generation after “ Old Marse
Gin’ ” had planned and provided for his comfort and care. The160 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

total cost appears to have been $10,080.911% in money, besides
the food and shelter supplied on the plantations.

Most important, however, was the influence of Washington’s
example. Manumission had been unusual before his time, except
in individual cases, but now it became more customary at whole-
sale. Men of sensibility and intelligence frequently, in Virginia
and the border States, at least, gave freedom to many or all their
slaves. Bushrod Washington became the president of the Na-
tional Society whose purpose it was to encourage manumission
and the settling of freedmen in Africa at Sierra Leone. Aboli-
tion societies found aid and comfort in Washington’s example.

But for the revolution in cotton growing and manufactures,
the prohibition of the slave trade in 1808 by the constitutional
proviso and the natural sentiment in favor of freedom would
have succeeded in relieving the nation of the curse of slavery.
That revolution and the profiteering that followed produced in-
stead the attempt to enlarge and perpetuate it, which for sixty-
five years engrossed and finally nearly wrecked the Union.

As it was, Washington’s will was, nevertheless, carried out in
respect to all his slaves. His hopes and wishes as to all others
were only deferred, during a time in which his own influence,
political and economic, suffered a partial eclipse. Since 1865
he has emerged again as the acknowledged counselor, guide and
friend of the nation.Chapter XIV
OF THE MINOR BEQUESTS

Tue bequests of a purely personal nature which Washington
made and which, compared with the money value of the others
may be fairly considered of minor consequence, were nevertheless
as characteristic of the man as any.

He carefully discharged (on page ten of the will) the estate
of his late and financially unfortunate brother Samuel, and also
the estate of the latter’s son, Thornton, of the debt he held
against both for lands once sold to a Mr. Pendleton, but which
they had later in turn acquired and not paid for. Its value was
a thousand pounds Virginia currency or four thousand dollars.

He also provided that Samuel’s two younger sons, whom Wash-
ington had educated and supported at school and college, should
not be charged with the expense, which his ledger showed was
about five thousand dollars.

His brother-in-law, Bartholomew Dandridge, had become in-
volved and died insolvent, owing Washington £425 in 1795.
This was forgiven and the slaves held as security were assured to
the widow of Dandridge for life and to her children for a reason-
able time thereafter and then the slaves were to be free.

Charles Carter, his niece’s husband, was assured of the title
to certain lots in Fredericksburg and Colonel William Augustine
Washington, of Wakefield, was given the chance to speculate in
some lots and acres near Richmond, in which Washington had
taken “a flier ” but not yet realized his hopes.

To the Earl of Buchan he returned the gift received from him
upon conditions which had proved embarrassing* as noted in
Chapter IV.

1See letters from the Earl of Buchan in Sparks, X, 229 and 231. In

the former he requests a portrait and with the latter he transmits the box.
Washington maintained correspondence with him until his death.162 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

On pages seventeen, eighteen and part of nineteen of the will
we find the touches of personal feeling and patriotic sentiment
which Washington never failed to have and rightly show, though
he kept both in controlled reserve. All his intimates among
men and women outside his household are here remembered with
sentimentally valuable gifts.

His beloved younger brother Charles is to receive the gold-
headed cane which Doctor Franklin bequeathed to the General.
Charles was rich by the brother’s help and favor and received
nothing else under the will, as it expressly stated, though ample
gifts were made to his children. So he was distinguished by the
gift of the staff which had supported the wisest man and great-
est scientist of his day in America, and in turn had honored the
bravest and the best. It was Charles’ misfortune not to live to
benefit by that intention of his brother; he died in September,
1799. But the gift passed to his heirs as we shall shortly see.

Two other canes, also gold-headed, he bequeathed to ‘“‘ the
Chotanckers ” as they and their kin were known in the family.
They were descendants of that Lawrence Washington, the
brother of John Washington the immigrant, who came with him
from England to the Rappahannock a hundred and forty years
before, and who in later generations followed that river upward
to its rich plantations on Chotanck Creek, where they settled and
remain. The two of that day, Lawrence and Robert Washington,
‘the acquaintances and friends of my juvenile years ”, survived
there and probably needed the help of canes or found them use-
ful, for they had grown old with the General, whom they had
followed through the wars. Likewise they enjoyed, no doubt, the
thought of possessing “‘ the spy glasses which constituted part of
my Equipage during the late war”, because as he prudently said,
“They will be useful where they live ’— on the waterside.

Doctor Craik, “ my compatriot in arms and old and intimate
friend”, who received “my Bureau (or as the cabinet makers
called it Tambour Secretary) and the circular chair, an ap-
pendage of my study ”, was another of the ardent followers whose
devoted friendship proved again the slander of coldness inOf the Minor Bequests 163

Washington. The doctor no doubt valued the expressions which
accompanied the gift far beyond any patent of nobility or thing
of moneyed worth.

Mr. Callahan’ says: “ Dr. James Craik, the family physician
of General Washington, was a Scotchman by birth, and came to
America in 1750. Of all men, he probably enjoyed the most
intimate acquaintance with the commander-in-chief. As surgeon
of Fry’s regiment, he was with him in the Battle of the Great
Meadows, occupied the same position under Braddock, par-
ticipated in the Battle of Fort Duquesne, and for gallant and
meritorious conduct on that occasion received thirty pounds from
the Virginia Assembly. Through the whole war of the Revolu-
tion the doctor was a member of Washington’s military family,
was surgeon-general in the Continental Army, was in 1777 ap-
pointed assistant director general of the hospital department of
the army and when Cornwallis surrendered was director of the
hospital corps at Yorktown. He nursed Braddock at Mononga-
hela, Hugh Mercer at Princeton, John Custis at Eltham, and was
with both the General and his wife Martha when they breathed
their last at Mount Vernon. He was a zealous Mason and among
the first to join the fraternity in Alexandria. His apron is
among the treasures of the lodge. He died at his Country place
*Vancluse’ near Alexandria, February 6, 1814, in the eighty-
fourth year of his age.”

Doctor David Stuart was given “ my large shaving and dress-
ing table and my Telescope.” The table has been restored to
Mount Vernon and the telescope is the most valued possession
of the Armour Institute of Technology of Chicago, the last gift
of its noble president, Doctor Frank W. Gunsaulus, made just
before his sudden death in March, 1921. Doctor Stuart was
another intimate friend of Washington, whom he accompanied
throughout the Revolution. Later he married the widow of John
Parke Custis, Washington’s stepson. He lived at Abingdon just
at the turn of the Potomac in the District of Columbia below
the Long Bridge. He was one of the commissioners of the Dis-

2 Callahan, “ Washington the Man and the Mason,” p. 317.164 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

trict appointed by Washington to lay out the Capital City and
build the government buildings and assisted in laying the corner
stone of the Capitol.

The Bible in three large folio volumes, with notes which
the Bishop of Sodor and Man had presented to Washington, the
latter bequeathed to his neighbor and friend of fifty years, the
Reverend Mr. Fairfax — now Bryan, Lord Fairfax. This gentle-
man was the son of Colonel William Fairfax and the younger
brother of George William Fairfax, of Belvoir, who had been
the patrons of Washington in his boyhood days and taught him
surveying. Bryan had been for years the rector of Christ Church
in Alexandria and Washington had been one of his vestrymen.
Despite the fact that the reverend gentleman had been a frank
but unobtrusive Royalist during the Revolution, he held his
pastorate and his neighbors’ respect and the regard of his old-
time friend. When he succeeded to the peerage and went to
England to present his claim in May, 1798, Washington fur-
nished him with a number of letters of introduction, among
others to the Earl of Buchan and Sir John Sinclair, in which
he testified to the high character and noble qualities of his
friend. It happened that the latter was among the guests at
Washington’s last dinner party two days before he died. Faiar-
fax died in 1802. The Bible thus worthily bestowed has been
restored to Mount Vernon.

General de la Fayette was remembered with “a pair of finely
wrought steel pistols taken from the enemy in the Revolutionary
war.”

To Hannah Washington, the widow of John A. Washington,
and Mildred Washington, the widow of Charles Washington, his
sisters-in-law; to Eleanor Stuart, the widow of John Parke
Custis and now the wife of Doctor David Stuart; to Hannah
Washington of Fairfield, the widow of his cousin Warner Wash-
ington; and to Elizabeth Washington of Hayfield, the widow of
his life-long friend and distant cousin, Lund Washington, who
had preserved Mount Vernon in the Revolution, he gave “ each
a mourning Ring of the value of one hundred dollars — TheseOf the Minor Bequests 165

bequests are not made for the intrinsic value of them, but as
mementos of my esteem and regard.”

Such emblems of sentiment and feeling it was customary for
friends of a deceased person to purchase and wear as signs of
mourning in the seventeenth, eighteenth and early nineteenth cen-
turies, and many of them survive, especially in the neighborhood
of Philadelphia and Baltimore. They were frequently made in
very elaborate form, enameled in black and white with a bezel
of heart shape filled with a lock of hair. It was often the desire
of wealthy persons that their dearest friends ‘‘ should be at no

expense for a mourning ring”

which accounts for bequests like
these.°

Tobias Lear received the life use of a farm of about three
hundred and sixty acres adjoining the home place of Mount
Vernon. It formed a part of the two thousand and twenty-seven
acres which Washington devised to George Fayette Washington
and Lawrence Augustine Washington, who were Lear’s stepsons.
He was at the time of Washington’s death his military secretary
and held the rank of colonel in the United States army. He had
been engaged as the tutor of Nellie and George Custis in 1785
and from that time forth was a member of the family. During
the presidency he was Washington’s private secretary and major-
domo, attending to all his personal affairs. He returned with him
to Mount Vernon as his business manager and intimate friend
and received his last words. He had married the widow of Wash-
ington’s nephew, George Augustine, and upon her death he mar-
ried Frances Dandridge Henley, a niece of Mrs. Washington’s.
His son was a favorite at Mount Vernon. After the death of
Mrs. Washington, Lear followed the political fortunes of Thomas
Jefferson, was appointed Consul of the United States to Tripoli
by him, where he served from 1803 to 1814 and then returned
to Washington, where he died in 1816. It is he who has pre-
served for us the account of Washington’s burst of grief and
rage upon receiving the news of the ambush and defeat of St.
Clair’s Army in Ohio in 1791, the first army equipped by the

8 Encyclopedia Britannica. Century Dictionary.166 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

United States. He was also the author of the memorial of the
last illness, death and burial of Washington which is referred to
in Chapter III.

Washington’s mother, Mary Ball Washington, had a kins-
woman, Elizabeth Ball Haynie, living in or near Fredericks-
burg, who became a pensioner of Washington during the Revolu-
tion. Mrs. Haynie died in 1796, and thereafter her daughter
Sallie Ball Haynie succeeded to his benevolence and was offered
a home at Mount Vernon.® Miss Haynie did not go to Mount
Vernon but reported her needs and progress to her benefactor
from time to time in letters which are preserved ° and in which
she evidences her gratitude plus a decided preference for phonetic
spelling, addressing him on one occasion as “ My deair and af-
fectionate frend and wellwicher ” and closing, ‘I have nothing
more to wright only I remain single yet. I ever remains yours
til death. Sallie B. Haynie.” 'The result was a bequest of three
hundred dollars, which Lawrence Lewis shows in his account was
paid to her on October 5, 1801, as £90, Virginia currency.

The bequests to Sarah Green, the daughter of Thomas Bishop,
and Ann Walker, daughter of John Alton, who next received
one hundred dollars each, both “in consideration of the attach-
ment of their father to me, each of whom have lived nearly forty
years in my family ”, showed Washington’s continuing interest
in the descendants of his old servants and companions of the
French and Indian War. Bishop had been bequeathed to him
by the dying Braddock and Alton was another of his type, and
both had lived at Mount Vernon to a ripe old age, preceding the
master by a few years only to their last home. Their daughters
lived in Alexandria. The executor’s account shows that they
were paid on June 10 and December 18, 1801, respectively.

The final bequest was that of his five swords to his five nephews
with the famous admonition about their use (see p. 59). Four
of these have been returned by patriotic donors to the place at
Mount Vernon which they held in Washington’s lifetime. The

4 Sparks, XII, 263.
5 Ford, 13, 40, 41.
6 Washington Mss., L. C., Docs. 38277 and 38923.Of the Minor Bequests 167

fifth sword, and the cane of Franklin, bequeathed by Washington
to his brother Charles, came into the possession of the United
States in 1845 and until 1922 were in the State Department, when
in pursuance of a joint resolution of Congress they were trans-
ferred to the Smithsonian Institution for safe keeping and ex-
hibition in the National Museum at Washington as the Secretary
of State had no appropriate place for their exhibition.

The circumstances under which the Nation acquired these
precious relics are fully set forth in a Congressional document
which forms Appendix IX.

The cane bequeathed to Richard Washington, mentioned on
page 162 ante, is now in the possession of Lloyd W. Smith, Esq.,
of New York. (See Addendum.)Chapter XV
OF THE ALEXANDRIA ACADEMY

In this and the two following chapters (on the Liberty Hall
Academy, now Washington and Lee University, and the National
University) the reader may be somewhat wearied by their length
and documentary character. They have been made so delib-
erately. The purpose is to present the full history of Wash-
ington’s continued efforts in the interest of universal republican
education, primary, secondary and collegiate, his pioneer work
in this most important field.

These efforts show that his mind was always on the general
and eternal welfare of the nation, that he always thought con-
tinentally, and that he sought practical achievement through the
instruction of its youth. Once a political idea was fixed in Wash-
ington’s mind as desirable and possible, then his engineer’s passion
was aroused and he set himself persistently to work out its accom-
plishment by practical methods. This was his peculiar genius.
He was enterprising, thorough, patient and persistent. On the
subject of education his views had gradually taken the form of
a system and he did his utmost to express, implant and insure it
during his life; and again, when he wrote his will, he contemplated
the future of the nation and his own final effort before being
removed from the scene.

It engaged his attention and constructive thought immediately
after the provisions for his wife and his slaves, and fully six
pages of his will were devoted to setting forth his ideas in regard
to it. He enforced these in the very practical way of making
gifts for three establishments, of which the fund for the free
education of orphaned or poor children at the Alexandria
Academy was the first.WASHINGTON SCHOOL, ALEXANDRIAf
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The idea was no new thing with him. In fact, this fund was
begun by him in 1785, At that time there was no free-school
system in Virginia. Before the Revolution the Established
Church government of the parishes, which constituted the local
political units, maintained schools of a sort, but charging fees,
in connection with many of the churches. These were taught by
the rectors or curates and varied much, according to the men
and means available. Washington, until he was twelve, attended
two such schools, one near and the other in Fredericksburg. Only
the well-to-do were in the habit of sending their children to these

and the very few other “ pay ”

schools. Boys usually were sent
longer than girls, but the children of the poor went very little or
not at all. The effect of this was that the poor whites gradually
deteriorated and sank until they became the dregs of the com-
munity. They were looked upon with mixed feelings of pity and
contempt, not alone by their more fortunate fellow whites but
also by the industrious slaves. Their number was increasing;
their shiftlessness, their drinking and criminal tendencies made
them a menace to the community.

The disestablishment of the Church during the Revolution, the
poverty of the people after the war and the general disorgani-
zation in social as well as political affairs which followed, now
made the school problem an acute one for the well-to-do also.
In Alexandria, Washington joined with a dozen or more of the
public-spirited residents in establishing the Alexandria Academy,
an ordinary elementary school, and on September 7, 1785, he laid
the corner stone of a modest building for its use, at the corner of
Washington and Wolfe streets, with the aid of the Alexandria
Lodge of Freemasons, of which he was a member. The building
was a two-story brick structure, about twenty by thirty feet,
containing but two rooms, capable of accommodating thirty
pupils each.

It was probably on the occasion of this ceremony that Wash-
ington verbally communicated to the trustees of the academy the
proposition which he put in writing soon after in the following
letter ;170 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

17 December 1785.
To the Trustees of the
Alexandria Academy
Gentlemen, That I may be perspicuous and avoid misconception
the proposition which I wish to lay before you is committed to
writing, and is as follows.

It has long been my intention to invest, at my death, one thou-
sand pounds, current money of this State in the hands of trustees,
the interest only of which to be appropriated in instituting a
school in the town of Alexandria, for the purpose of educating
orphan children, who have no other resource, or the children of
such indigent parents as are unable to give it; the objects to be
considered and determined by the trustees for the time being,
when applied to by the parents or friends of the children who
have pretentions to the provision. It is not in my power at this
time to advance the above sum but that a measure that may be
productive of good may not be delayed, I will until my death, or
until it shall be more convenient for my estate to advance the
principal, pay the interest thereof, to wit, fifty pounds annually.

Under this state of the matter, I submit to your consideration
the practicability and propriety of blending the two institutions
together, so as to make one seminary under the direction of the
president, visitors or such other establishment as to you shall
seem best calculated to promote the objects in view and for pre-
serving order regularity and good conduct in the academy. My
intention, as I have before intimated, is that the principal sum
shall never be broken in upon, the interest only to be applied for
the purposes above mentioned. It was also my intention to apply
the latter to the sole purpose of education, and to that kind of
education, which would be the most extensively useful to the lower
classes of citizens, namely reading writing and arithmetic, so as
to fit them for mechanical purposes.

The fund, if confined to this, would comprehend more subjects,
but if you shall be of opinion, that the proposition which I now
offer can be made to comport with the institution of the school
which is already established, and approve of the incorporation
of them in the manner before mentioned, and thereafter, upon a
full consideration of the matter, should conceive that this fund
would be more advantageously applied toward the clothing and
schooling, than solely the latter, I will acquiesce in it most
cheerfully ; and I shall be ready as soon as the trustees are estab-
lished upon a permanent footing, by deed or other instrument
of writing to vest the aforesaid sum of one thousand pounds inOf the Alexandria Academy 171

them and their successors forever, with powers to direct and
manage these my declared intentions.’

The record of the Academy shows that:

At a meeting of the Trustees, on Saturday the 17th December
1785, present William Brown, President, Benjamin Dulany,
William Hartshorne, James Hendricks, John Fitzgerald, Samuel
Hanson, Charles Lee.

General Washington’s letter to the Trustees bearing date this
17th December, 1785, being read:

Resolved that the proposition therein contained be approved
and accepted, and that an answer thereto be written by the Presi-
dent signifying the same. Ordered that the said letter and the
Trustees’ answer be copied and inserted on the minutes.

December 17, 1785.
To his Excellency General Washington:

Sir: The Trustees of the Alexandria Academy having consid-
ered your proposal of investing one thousand pounds in their
hands for the purpose of educating orphan and other poor chil-
dren, the interest thereof, viz: fifty pounds per annum to be paid
in the meantime and applied to that purpose, are unanimously of
the opinion that the proposal as set forth in your letter of this
date, addressed to them is very consistent with the institution of
the Academy as already formed, and we are ready to accept the
same engaging on their part to do everything in their power to
comply fully with your benevolent intentions.

By Order

Wm. Brown, President.

Each year thereafter, as his books show, Washington paid to
the trustees fifty pounds Virginia currency.

By the act of the Virginia legislature passed in October, 1786,
the academy was chartered “ and made a body corporate and
politick, by the name of the Trustees of the Alexandria Academy.

They shall have power and capacity to”

own property and “ to
make such bye-laws and ordinances as they shall think best for

the good government of said academy . . . not inconsistent with

1 Sparks, IX, 151. Ford, 11, 16.172 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

the laws and constitution of this commonwealth”, and the first
board of trustees shall be “‘ George Washington, William Brown,
David Stuart, John Fitzgerald, Charles Lee, William Baker,
Isaac S. Keith, Samuel Hanson, James Hendricks, William
Hartshorne, Josiah Watson, Benjamin Dulany, and Charles
Simms, gentlemen.” *

The trustees being thus “ established upon a permanent foot-
ing,” as his letter cautiously required and the school having been
satisfactorily administered for more than a dozen years under
his eyes, Washington proceeded in his will to make good the
permanence of his annual gift by a bequest of four thousand
dollars in the stock of the Bank of Alexandria.*

The accounts of the executors show that until Mrs. Washing-
ton’s death the income was paid to the trustees and that upon the
division of the estate after her death, in 1802, the fund was
delivered to the trustees.*

The building built in 1785 was for many years used for the
general purposes of the academy, and the trustees supplied there
the instruction afforded by the fund until free schools for all
citizens were instituted, when the building passed to the school
fund of the city in place of the Washington fund. The building
still stands and its land is now part of the larger grounds of the
public-school system. The old academy became private property
after many years. Robert E. Lee was, perhaps, its most famous
pupil. It ceased to function many years ago, but the Washington
School is still at work.

2Henning’s Statutes of Virginia, XII, 392.

3 See page four of the Will, Chapter V.

4 An account of the Bank of Alexandria is part of Chapter XI, entitled,
“Of the Bank Stocks.”Chapter XVI
OF LIBERTY HALL ACADEMY

“THe hundred shares which I held in the James River Com-
pany I have given and now confirm in perpetuity to and for the
use and benefit of Liberty Hall Academy in the County of Rock-
bridge, in the Commonwealth of Virga.”

In these words Washington, on page ten of his will, closed the
following chapter.

In the latter part of 1784 after his return from a trip to the
Ohio, Washington persuaded the legislatures of Virginia and
Maryland to codperate in an improvement of the Potomac River,
and the former included the James River in its plans. The vast
political and commercial importance of binding the great valleys
of the West to the coastal colonies after the former became
national property was quickly appreciated under the influence of
Washington’s careful report of his survey, eloquently described
in his famous letter to Governor Benjamin Harrison, dated
October 10, 1784.7

Separate acts for the two projects were passed by the Legis-
lature of Virginia and the one relating to the Potomac River was
duplicated in Maryland. Each State subscribed a substantial
sum towards the enterprise in the capital stock of the Potomac
Company, which was organized for the purpose indicated by its
name, and Washington was chosen its president. The State of
Virginia subscribed a like amount to the capital stock of the
James River Navigation Company, of which Washington was
likewise chosen president. To the former company he gave his
best endeavors and for four years devoted much time and energy
to its success. ‘To the other he could only give counsel and some
direction.

1 Sparks, IX, 58. Ford, 10, 402.174 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

When Washington had succeeded in obtaining the coéperation
of both States in launching these enterprises, the Legislature of
Virginia in the last days of its session, without Washington’s
knowledge and when no message of refusal could impede its pur-
pose, passed an act directing the treasurer of the commonwealth
to subscribe the sum of twenty thousand dollars to the capital
stock of each of the companies authorized by the State to con-
struct the works in contemplation, being one hundred shares of
two hundred dollars each in the James River Navigation Company
and fifty shares of one hundred pounds sterling each in the
Potomac Company, then also worth twenty thousand dollars.
These shares the act directed should be placed in the name of
George Washington and presented to him as a token of the
appreciation of the State of his merits and his services to the
nation.

The preamble of the act recites:

Whereas it is the desire of the representatives of this common-
wealth to embrace every suitable occasion of testifying their
sense of the unexampled merits of George Washington, esquire,
towards his country, and it is their wish in particular that those
great works for its improvement, which both as springing from
the liberty which he has been so instrumental in establishing, and
as encouraged by his patronage, will be durable monuments of
his glory, may be made monuments also of the gratitude of his
country. Be it enacted .. .’”

Washington was greatly embarrassed by this action. In reply
to Governor Harrison who notified him of it he wrote:

It is not easy for me to decide by which my mind was most
affected upon the receipt of your letter of the sixth instant, sur-
prise or gratitude. Both were greater than I had words to
express. The attention and good wishes which the assembly has
evidenced by their act for vesting in me one hundred and fifty
shares in the Navigation of the rivers Potomac and James is
more than a mere compliment.— There is an unequivocal and
substantial meaning annexed. But, believe me sir, no circum-
stance has happened since I left the walks of public life which

2 Henning’s Statutes of Virginia, XI, 5265.Of Liberty Hall Academy 175

has so much embarrassed me. On the one hand, as I have already
observed, is a noble and unequivocal proof of good opinion, the
affection, and disposition of my country to serve me, and I should
be hurt, if by declining the acceptance of it, my refusal should
be construed into disrespect, or the smallest slight upon the gen-
erous intention of the legislature; or that an ostentatious
display of disinterestedness, or public virtue, was the source of
refusal.

On the other hand, it is really my wish to have my mind and
my actions, which are the result of reflection, as free and in-
dependent as the air, that I may be more at liberty (in things
which my opportunities and experience have brought me to the
knowledge of) to express my sentiments and if necessary, to
suggest what may occur to me, under the fullest conviction that
although my judgment may be arraigned, there will be no sus-
picion that sinister motives had the smallest influence in the sug-
gestion. Not content then with the bare consciousness of my
having in all this navigation business, acted upon the clearest
conviction of the political importance of the measure, I would
wish that every individual who may hear that it was a favorite
plan of mine, may know also, that I had no other motive for pro-
moting it, than the advantage which I conceived it would be
productive to the union at large, and to this state in particular,
by cementing the eastern and western territory together, at the
same time that it will give vigor and increase to our commerce,
and be a convenience to our citizens.

How would this matter be viewed then by the eye of the world,
and what opinion would be formed when it comes to be related
that G. Wn. exerted himself to effect this work, and the G. Wn.
has received twenty thousand dollars and five thousand pounds
sterling of the public money as an interest therein? Would not
this (if I am entitled to any merit for the part I have performed,
and without it there is no foundation for the act) deprive me of
the principal thing which is laudable in my conduct? Would it
not in some respects be considered in the same light as a pension?
And would not the apprehension of this induce me to offer my
sentiments in future with the more reluctance? In a word under
whatever pretence, and however customary these gratuities may
be in other countries, should I not thenceforward be considered
as a dependent? One moment’s thought of which would give me
more pain than I should receive pleasure from the product of all
the tolls, was every farthing of them vested in me.°

3 Sparks, IX, 83. Ford, 10, 433.176 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

He deliberated in what form he could best decline the gift with-
out offending and finally he wrote to Patrick Henry, then Gov-
ernor of Virginia: *

October 29, 1785.
Sir:

Your Excellency having been pleased to transmit to me a copy
of the act, appropriating for my benefit certain shares in the
companies for opening the navigation of James and Potomac
Rivers, I take the liberty of returning to the General Assembly,
through your hands, the profound and grateful acknowledgments
inspired by so signal a mark of their beneficent intentions towards
me. I beg you, Sir, to assure them, that I am filled on this
occasion with every sentiment, which can flow from a heart warm
with love for my country, sensible to every token of its appro-
bation and affection, and solicitous to testify in every instance a
respectful submission to its wishes.

With these sentiments in my bosom, I need not dwell on the
anxiety I feel in being obliged in this instance to decline a favor,
which is rendered no less flattering by the manner in which it
is conveyed, than it is affectionate in itself. In explaining this
observation I pass over a comparison of my endeavours in the
public service with the many honorable testimonies of approva-
tion, which have already so far overrated and overpaid them;
reciting one consideration only, which supersedes the necessity
of recurring to any other.

When I was first called to the station, with which I was honored
during the late conflict for our liberties, to the diffidence which
I had so many reasons to feel in accepting it, I thought it my
duty to join a firm resolution to shut my hand against every
pecuniary recompense. To this resolution I have invariably
adhered, and from it, if I had the inclination, I do not feel at
liberty now to depart.

Whilst I repeat, therefore, my fervent acknowledgments to the
legislature for their very kind sentiments and intentions in my
favor, and at the same time beg them to be persuaded, that a
remembrance of this singular proof of their goodness towards
me will never cease to cherish returns of the warmest affection
and gratitude, I must pray that their act, so far as it has for its
object my personal emolument, may not have its effect. But if it
should please the General Assembly to permit me to turn the des-
tination of the fund vested in me, from my private emolument,

4Sparks, IX, 142. Ford, 11, 4.Of Liberty Hall Academy 177

to objects of a public nature, it will be my study in selecting
these to prove the sincerity of my gratitude for the honor con-
ferred on me, by preferring such as may appear most subservient
to the enlightened and patriotic views of the legislature. With
great respect and consideration, I have the honor to be &c.

After this letter had been read, the legislature passed an act
withdrawing the donation, and adding, “ That the said shares,
with the tolls and profits hereafter accruing therefrom, shall
stand appropriated to such objects of a public nature, in such
manner and under such distributions, as the said George Wash-
ington, by deed during his life, or by his last will and testament,
shall direct.” ° The letter is printed in the preamble to the
statute. In writing to Mr. Madison on the subject, at the time
he sent the letter to the governor, he said:

Conceiving it would be better to suggest a wish, than to propose
an absolute condition of acceptance, I have so expressed myself to
the Assembly; and I shall be obliged to you, not only for in-
formation of the result, but (if there is an acquiescence on the
part of the country) for your sentiments respecting the appro-
priations. From what may be said on the occasion, you will
learn what will be most pleasing, and of the greatest utility to

the public.

While thinking of the matter during the preceding summer
Washington had written to Edmund Randolph: °

July 30, 1785.
Sir:

Although it is not my intention to derive any pecuniary adyan-
tage from the generous vote of the Assembly of this State, in
consequence of its gratuitous gift of shares in the navigation of
each of the rivers Potomac and James; yet, as I consider these
undertakings of vast political and commercial importance to the
States on the Atlantic, especially to those nearest the centre of
the Union, and adjoining the western territory, I can let no act
of mine impede the progress of the work. I have therefore come
to the determination to hold the shares, which the treasurer was
directed to subscribe for on my account, in trust for the use and

5 Henning’s Statutes of Virginia, XII, 44.
6 Sparks, IX, 116. Ford, 10, 481.178 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

benefit of the public; unless I should be able to discover, before
the meeting of the Assembly, that it would be agreeable to it to
have the product of the tolls arising from these shares applied as
a fund, on which to establish two charity schools, one on each
river, for the education and support of the children of the poor
in this country, particularly the children of those men of this
description, who have fallen in the defence of the rights and lib-
erties of it. If the plan succeed, of which I have no doubt, I
am sure it will be a very productive and increasing fund and the
moneys thus applied will be a beneficial institution.

Cautious as ever he took no action which might raise false
hopes and so he permitted the work of the James River Navi-
gation Company to go on until it seemed probable to become
profitable and the shares productive. In the meantime much
water had gone under the bridges. Ten years had elapsed and
in more than six of them Washington, practically, had not been
a resident of Virginia. He had been deeply engrossed in the
labors of the presidency, intent upon the upbuilding of a great,
unique Federal republic and its defense against foreign entangle-
ments and assaults.

But he now pressed upon Congress and the Commissioners of
the District of Columbia his plan of an American university edu-
cation for American youths. With this uppermost in his mind
his thoughts recurred to the James River Company shares and
his earlier plans for primary and secondary education as steps
to the main end. He wrote to Governor Robert Brooke of Vir-
ginia in pursuit of his idea: *

Philadelphia 16 March 1795.
Sir:

Ever since the General Assembly of Virginia were pleased to
submit to my disposal fifty shares in the Potomac, and one hun-
dred in the James River Company, it has been my anxious desire
to appropriate them to an object most worthy of public regard.

It is with indescribable regret, that I have seen the youth of
the United States migrating to foreign countries, in order to
acquire the higher branches of erudition, and to obtain a knowl-
edge of the sciences. Although it would be injustice to many to
pronounce the certainty of their imbibing maxims not congenial

7 Sparks, XI, 22. Ford, 13, 52.Of Liberty Hall Academy 179

with republicanism, it must nevertheless be admitted, that a
serious danger is encountered by sending abroad among other
political systems those, who have not well learned the value of
their own.

The time is therefore come, when a plan of universal education
ought to be adopted in the United States. Not only do the
exigencies of public and private life demand it, but, if it should
ever be apprehended, that prejudice would be entertained in one
part of the Union against another, an efficacious remedy will be,
to assemble the youth of every part under such circumstances as
will, by the freedom of intercourse and collision of sentiment, give
to their minds the direction of truth, philanthropy, and mutual
conciliation.

It has been represented, that a university corresponding with
these ideas is contemplated to be built in the Federal City, and
that it will receive considerable endowments. This position is so
eligible from its centrality, so convenient to Virginia, by whose
legislature the shares were granted and in which part of the
Federal District stands, and combines so many other conven-
iences, that I have determined to vest the Potomac shares in
that university.

Presuming it to be more agreeable to the General Assembly of
Virginia, that the shares in the James River Company should
be reserved for a similar object in some part of that State, I
intend to allot them for a seminary to be erected at such place
as they shall deem most proper. I am disposed to believe, that
a seminary of learning upon an enlarged plan, but yet not coming
up to the full idea of a university, is an institution to be pre-
ferred for the position which is to be chosen. 'The students, who
wish to pursue the whole range of science, may be rendered co-
operative with the latter.

I cannot however dissemble my opinion that if all the shares
were conferred on a university, it would become far more im-
portant, than when they are divided; and I have been constrained
from concentrating them in the same place, merely by my
anxiety to reconcile a particular attention to Virginia with a
great good, in which she will abundantly share in common with
the rest of the United States.

I must beg the favor of your Excellency to lay this letter be-
fore that honorable body, at their next session, in order that I
may appropriate the James River shares to the place which they
may prefer. They will at the same time again accept my ac-
knowledgments for the opportunity, with which they have favored180 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

me, of attempting to supply so important a desideratum in the
United States as a university adequate to our necessity, and a
preparatory seminary. With great consideration and respect,
eamesirs s . -

This letter was accordingly communicated by the Governor of
Virginia to the Assembly at their next session, when the following
resolves were passed:

In the House of Delegates, 1 December 1795.8

Whereas the migration of American youth to foreign countries,
for the completion of their education, exposes them to the danger
of imbibing political prejudices disadvantageous to their own
republican forms of government, and ought therefore to be ren-
dered unnecessary and avoided ;

Resolved, that the plan contemplated of erecting a university
in the Federal City where the youth of the several States may be
assembled, and their course of education finished, deserves the
countenance and support of each State.

And whereas, when the General Assembly presented sundry
shares in the James River and Potomac Companies to George
Washington, as a small token of their gratitude for the great,
eminent, and unrivalled services he had rendered to this common-
wealth, to the United States, and the world at large, in support
of the principles of liberty and equal government, it was their
wish and desire that he should appropriate them as he might
think best; and whereas, the present General Assembly retain the
same high sense of his virtues, wisdom, and patriotism ;

Resolved, therefore, that the appropriation by the said George
Washington of the aforesaid shares in the Potomac Company to
the university, intended to be erected in the Federal City, is made
in a manner most worthy of public regard, and of the approba-
tion of this commonwealth.

Resolved, also, that he be requested to appropriate the afore-
said shares in the James River Company to a seminary at such
place in the upper country, as he may deem most convenient to
a majority of the inhabitants thereof.

By this action the matter was again referred back to Wash-
ington’s discretion and we are told that the friends of an insti-
tution known as Liberty Hall at Lexington in the upper Shenan-
doah Valley brought its claims to his attention.

8 Sparks, XI, 24, note.Of Liberty Hall Academy 181

The history of Liberty Hall prior to that time was briefly
this. It was a classical school established by Robert Alexander
in 1749, named Augusta Academy and patronized by the early
settlers of the Valley of Virginia. During its infancy it was sus-
tained by its founder who secured a charter from the legislature
in 1782. It was then named Liberty Hall and was removed into
the neighborhood of Lexington. Here it led a somewhat pre-
carious existence and Mr. Graham, the rector, was about to resign
when the suggestion of the donation came as hope of relieving
financial embarrassments.®

The narrative is:

General Andrew Moore of Rockbridge and General Francis
Preston of Washington County, who were then representatives in
Congress from western Virginia called the attention of the illus-
trious patron of learning to Liberty Hall Academy as a suitable
object of his donation, and then General Moore wrote to the
rector, Mr. Graham, suggesting that they should apply to
General Washington for the donation.

When Mr. Graham received the information he promptly called
a meeting of the trustees to act upon the information he had
received. . . . They prepared and forwarded an address to
President Washington in Philadelphia. . .. They gave him a
sketch of the institution and pointed out the convenience of its
situation and the extent of its present means for the education
of youth. They stated that the buildings were capable of ac-
commodating between forty and fifty students, and that the
whole property of the academy was worth nearly two thousand
pounds.

Mr. Graham . . . drew a map of upper Virginia and sent it
with the address, that the illustrious donor might see at a glance
the central situation of Liberty Hall in relation to the country
which the institution to be endowed was to accommodate. The
reasons assigned by the trustees were good and therefore pre-
vailed. In September 1796, the Father of his Country officially
communicated to Robert Brooke, governor of Virginia, his de-
cision in favor of Liberty Hall Academy. The donation was
subsequently confirmed by a deed of conveyance.

9 “ Historical Papers No. 1”, 1890. Washington and Lee University. “The

Early History of Washington College, now Washington and Lee University ”,
by Rev. Henry Huffner, D.D., LL.D., late President of the College.182 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

The trustees of the academy were notified of the gift by
the Governor of Virginia and wrote their thanks and announced
the public evidence of their gratitude (by changing the name
of the institution to Washington College) in this letter to
Washington:

Washington Academy *°
Apr. 12, 1798.
Sir,

It was not earlier than September 1797, that we were officially
informed of your liberal donation to Liberty Hall Academy.

Permit us, as its immediate guardians, to perform the pleasing
duty of expressing those sentiments of gratitude which so gen-
erous an act naturally inspires. We have long been sensible of
the disadvantages to which literary institutions are necessarily
subjected whilst dependent on precarious funds for their support.
Reflecting particularly on the many difficulties through which this
seminary has been conducted since the first moments of its exist-
ence, we cannot but be greatly affected by an event which secures
to it a permanent and independent establishment. Convinced, as
we are, that public prosperity and security are intimately con-
nected with the diffusion of knowledge, we look around with the
highest satisfaction on its rapid advances in these United States;
unfeignedly rejoicing that the citizen who has long been distin-
guished as the asserter of the liberties of his country, adds to
this illustrious character the no less illustrious one, of Patron of
the Arts and Literature. And we trust that no effort will be
wanting on our part to encourage whatever branches of knowl-
edge may be of general utility.

That you may long enjoy, besides the uninterrupted blessings
of health and repose, the superior happiness which none but those
who deserve it can enjoy, and which arises from the reflection of
having virtuously and eminently promoted the best interests of
mankind, is the fervent prayer of the trustees of Washington
Academy, late Liberty Hall.

By order of the Board,
SamuEeL Hovston, Clerk.

His Excellency,
George Washington,
Late President of the United States.

10 L. C., W. Mss., Vol. 288, 38439.Of Liberty Hall Academy 183

To which General Washington returned the following answer,
the autograph of which is carefully preserved in Washington
College.

Mount Vernon, June 17, 1798.
Gentlemen, —

Unaccountable as it may seem it is nevertheless true, that the
address with which you were pleased to honor me, dated the 12th
of April, never came to my hands until the 14th inst.

To promote literature in this rising empire, and to encourage
the arts, have ever been amongst the warmest wishes of my heart.
And if the donation, which the generosity of the Legislature of
the Commonwealth of Virginia has enabled me to bestow on Lib-
erty Hall, now by your politeness called Washington Academy,
is likely to prove a means to accomplish these ends, it will con-
tribute to the gratification of my desires.

Sentiments like those which have flowed from your pen, excite
my gratitude, whilst I offer my best vows for the prosperity of the
academy and for the honor and happiness of those under whose
auspices it is conducted.

Grorce WasHINGTON.

At the time this donation was made the stock was real estate
and passed by deed. The trustees prepared a deed, and sent it
by Mr. James Gold, then a merchant of Lexington, who was on
his way to Philadelphia to buy goods.** He went by Mount
Vernon and presented it to General Washington, who on reading
it and observing that it was with general warranty, took up his
pen and struck out the word “ general” and inserted “ special ”,
remarking that as he was giving the stock the trustees ought to
be satisfied with a deed with special warranty. The deed was
executed and recorded in the auditor’s office, but the book in which
it was recorded is missing from the office.

The later story of Washington College, until the Civil War
stopped its activities, is part of the history of Virginia. Its
work was resumed in the summer of 1865 and then General Robert
E. Lee was elected its president. He refused great financial in-
ducements in commerce, preferring this, and having no money,
gave himself for life to its service. Its endowment by Washing-

11 L. C., November 14, 1798, Vol. 292, p. 39169, W. Mss.184 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

ton, enlarged by the contribution of twenty-three thousand
dollars by the Society of the Cincinnati and other generous
patrons, enabled it to go on, until the death of its illustrious
president in 1870 made it a shrine.

Since then it has flourished under the name of Washington
and Lee University and justly claims distinction for the quality
of its service and the character, if not the great number, of its
graduates, trained for leadership. Less than one third of its
student body now comes from Virginia and three fourths of the
States of the Union are represented.

Its chief characteristic is its absolute independence of state
or denominational control. Three fourths of its endowment has
come from residents north of Mason and Dixon’s Line. This
enabled its slow but sure development along modern lines of uni-
versity work. For generations the honor system has been a dis-
tinguishing feature of its student self-government and its appli-
cations cover almost the whole of the student’s daily routine.
“The doors of all the administrative offices,” we are told, “ reci-
tation rooms, library, stock-rooms, laboratories, etc., stand un-
locked day and night, while the ‘honor-system store’ on the
campus, with an open cash register and no clerk, treasurer, or
guardian, is the wonder and admiration of every visitor.” ” The
claim to leadership in war and in peace justly made on behalf of
its small but valuable alumni (from an average student attend-
ance of less than three hundred since the Civil War) is truly
remarkable.

At present several weeks before the opening of the term the
maximum number of new students which it is possible to receive
usually has been reached and the corps of professors and labora-
tory equipment are sufficient for the training of only five hundred
men, with six hundred as a possible maximum. It must there-
fore consistently subordinate numbers to quality, train its men
for leadership and reject for their own sake those who are morally
or intellectually unprepared, while it seeks throughout the wide
area of its patronage and influence those whose character and

12 Washington and Lee University Bulletin, XX, January 2, 1921.Of Liberty Hall Academy 185

ability have already marked them for future influence and service
and made them quick to feel the inspiration of great names and
ennobling association. It stands well outside the streams of
politics and commercialism and has a sphere and service of its
own. In this it truly fulfills the purpose and hope of its greatest
benefactors, Washington and Lee. It deserves and should receive
much greater financial endowment, commensurate with the history
of its foundation, its past, and its opportunities.Chapter XVII
OF THE NATIONAL UNIVERSITY

Tus was the chief object of Washington’s interest in public
education and it received treatment in the longest section of his
will. He devoted four pages to the subject and he made to it
his largest bequest, five thousand pounds sterling or between
twenty-two and twenty-three thousand dollars at the then pre-
vailing rate of exchange. He firmly believed that this large sum
would suffice to induce the Federal Government sooner or later to
find the means, legal and financial, to heed his urgent suggestions
of the need of such an institution.

He had been making these for a long time. When the Virginia
Legislature consented to his diverting its generous gift of this
stock, intended for him personally, he had planned to give it to
some institution near Mount Vernon.’ There was none in exist-
ence at the time, but two years later, the Constitutional Con-
vention sitting at Philadelphia, of which he was president,
afforded an opportunity. Consequently Mr. Madison, of Vir-
ginia, who was Washington’s agent in presenting matters to the
convention, moved to include among the enumerated powers of
Congress the power “to establish and provide for a national
university at the seat of government ”, but it was declared need-
less as the power was already given to it to legislate on all
subjects for the District.

Washington in his address to Congress on January 8, 1790,
being the second session of the first Congress under the Constitu-
tion, urged “ that there is nothing which can better deserve your
patronage than the promotion of science and literature. Knowl-
edge is in every country the surest basis of happiness... .

1 See p. 179, ante.Of the National University 187

Whether this desirable object will be best promoted by affording
aids to seminaries of learning already established, by the institu-
tion of a National University or by other expedients will be well
worthy of a place in the deliberations of the legislature.” ”

It was too early however to expect action there, as all the
great questions involved in the establishment of the govern-
ment machine, the assumption of state debts and the building
up of national, economic and foreign policies were pressing for
decision.

Five years later, however, the matter had taken practical form
in Washington’s mind and he had found the agency through which
he hoped for action. The Commissioners of the Federal District
were his appointees, neighbors and friends. They were charged
with the duty of laying out the Capital City on the Potomac and
providing buildings there for public purposes. With them he
worked and talked, and carried on a voluminous correspondence
from Philadelphia, besides frequently visiting the embryo city in
his trips to and from Mount Vernon. Doctor Stuart, Doctor
Thornton and the other gentlemen who served on the commission,
as well as Mr. Jefferson, the Secretary of State, who supervised
their work, were all scholars and devotedly attached to the cause
of learning. And so, as the selection of sites for public buildings
progressed, one for a national university was included.

On January 28, 1795 Washington at Philadelphia sent the
Commissioners this letter: *

Gentlemen,

A plan for the establishment of a university in the Federal City
has frequently been the subject of conversation; but, in what
manner it is proposed to commence this important institution, on
how extensive a scale, the means by which it is to be effected, how
it is to be supported, or what progress is made in it, are matters
altogether unknown to me.

It has always been a source of serious reflection and sincere
regret with me, that the youth of the United States should be
sent to foreign countries for the purpose of education. Although
there are doubtless many, under these circumstances, who escape

2Sparks, XII, 10. Ford, 11, 456, 457.
3 Ibid., XI, 14. Tbid:, 13, 36.188 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

the danger of contracting principles unfavorable to republican
government, yet we ought to deprecate the hazard attending
ardent and susceptible minds, from being too strongly and too
early prepossessed in favor of other political systems, before
they are capable of appreciating their own.

For this reason I have greatly wished to see a plan adopted,
by which the arts, sciences, and belles-lettres could be taught, in
their fullest extent, thereby embracing all the advantages of
European tuition, with the means of acquiring the liberal knowl-
edge, which is necessary to qualify our citizens for the exigencies
of public as well as private life; and (which with me is a con-
sideration of great magnitude) by assembling the youth from the
different parts of this rising republic, contributing from their
intercourse and interchange of information to the removal of
prejudices, which might perhaps sometimes arise from local
circumstances.

The Federal City, from its centrality and the advantages,
which in other respects it must have over any other place in the
United States, ought to be preferred, as a proper site for such
a university. And if a plan can be adopted upon a scale as ex-
tensive as I have described, and the execution of it should com-
mence under favorable auspices in a reasonable time, with a fair
prospect of success, I will grant in perpetuity fifty shares in
the navigation of the Potomac River towards the endowment
of it.

What annuity will arise from these fifty shares, when the navi-
gation is in full operation, can at this time be only conjectured ;
and those, who are acquainted with it, can form as good a judg-
ment as myself.

As the design of this university has assumed no form with which
I am acquainted, and as I am equally ignorant who the persons
are, who have taken or are disposed to take the maturing of the
plan upon themselves, I have been at a loss to whom I should
make this communication of my intentions. If the Commissioners
of the Federal City have any particular agency in bringing the
matter forward, then the information, which I now give to them,
is in its proper course. If, on the other hand, they have no more
to do in it than others, who may be desirous of seeing so im-
portant a measure carried into effect, they will be so good as to
excuse my using them as the medium for disclosing these my
intentions; because it appears necessary that the funds for the
establishment and support of the institution should be known to
the promoters of it; and I see no mode more eligible for announc-Of the National University 189

ing my purpose. For these reasons, I give you the trouble of this
address and the assurance of being, Gentlemen, &c.*

This received the hearty approval and coéperation of the
commission. Finally a site extending south of Washington Circle
along and between Twenty-second Street and Twenty-fifth Street
to the high land known as Peter’s Hill, overlooking the Potomac
River, was selected. It was approved by the President in a letter
dated October 21, 1796, in which he wrote:

Had not those obstacles opposed themselves to it, which are
enumerated by one of the commissioners, I should, for reasons
which are now unnecessary to assign, have given a decided prefer-
ence to the site, which was first had in contemplation for a uni-
versity in the Federal City. But, as these obstacles appear to be
insurmountable, the next best site for this purpose, in my opinion,
is the square surrounded by numbers twenty-one, twenty-two,
thirty-four, forty-five, sixty to sixty-three, and I decide in favor
of it accordingly.

Then on November 21, 1796, the Commissioners addressed
Congress in a memorial on the subject. They set forth the Presi-
dent’s action in offering to donate the Potomac stock and sug-
gested that a law be passed authorizing the proper persons to
receive donations of money and land for a university. The
memorial was referred to a committee and received a favorable
report which was presented to the House by Mr. Madison. This
was discussed, but not acted on.°

Despite Congressional lethargy Washington persisted and in

his last address to both houses of the Congress on December 7,

1796, he recurred to the matter in these words:

I have heretofore proposed to the consideration of Congress,
the expediency of establishing a national university, and also a
military academy. The desirableness of both these institutions
has so constantly increased with every new view I have taken of

4In a letter to Alexander Hamilton, Washington wrote, “I have not the
smallest doubt that this donation, when navigation is in complete operation,
which it will be in less than two years, will amount to £1200 or £1500 of
sterling a year and become a rapidly increasing fund.” “ Works of Hamil-
ton,” VI, 147 (Lodge Ed.).

5 The Memorial is in American State Papers, I, 153.190 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

the subject, that I cannot omit the opportunity of once for all
recalling your attention to them.

The assembly to which I address myself, is too enlightened not
to be fully sensible how much a flourishing state of the arts and
sciences contributes to national prosperity and reputation. ‘True
it is, that our country, much to its honor, contains many semi-
naries of learning highly respectable and useful; but the funds
upon which they rest are too narrow to command the ablest
professors, in the different departments of liberal knowledge, for
the institution contemplated, though they would be excellent
auxiliaries.

Amongst the motives to such an institution, the assimilation of
principles, opinions, and manners of our countrymen, by the
common education of a portion of our youth from every quarter,
well deserves attention. The more homogeneous our citizens can
be made in these particulars, the greater will be our prospect of
permanent union; and a primary object of such a national in-
stitution should be, the education of our youth in the science of
government. In a republic, what species of knowledge can be
equally important, and what duty more pressing on its legis-
lature, than to patronize a plan for communicating it to those,
who are to be the future guardians of the liberties of the
country.

But the matter received no further attention during Wash-
ington’s presidency. The discussion had developed a variety of
opinions; there was the growing opposition to Washington per-
sonally which culminated in the following spring when he left
office with the feeling that especially the people of Virginia as
represented in Congress by Mr. Jefferson’s partisans were op-
posed to him and his policies; then there were alleged doubts as
to the constitutionality of federal legislation in the absence of
an express power to deal with education; again there were local
jealousies, because the colleges of the northern States feared
that European countries would pay no attention to students bear-
ing their degrees if a national university were in being at Wash-
ington. Altogether the subject did not arouse enthusiasm, there
being as yet no city in existence and no strong local interest to
foster it or press its demands.

When he came to write his will Washington set forth at lengthOf the National University 191

the circumstances which enabled him to make the donation and
the weighty reasons which moved him to it, which should be read
again at this point for their careful and eloquent statement of
his nationalism.°

After Washington’s death, during President Adams’ adminis-
tration, nothing appears to have been done in Congress. Presi-
dent Jefferson, having views different from Washington’s as to
the power of the Federal Government, nevertheless agreed with
him as to the desirability of a national university and to that end
recommended an amendment of the Constitution which should
expressly grant the power to establish one.

In his message to Congress on December 2, 1806, he said: 7

Education is here placed among the articles of public care not
that it would be proposed to take its ordinary branches out of
the hands of private enterprise, which manages so much better
all the concerns to which it is equal; but a public institution can
alone supply those sciences which, though rarely called for, are
yet necessary to complete the circle, all the parts of which con-
tribute to the improvement of the country, and some of them
to its preservation. The subject is now proposed for the con-
sideration of Congress, because, if approved by the time the State
legislatures shall have deliberated on this extension of the federal
trusts, and the laws shall be passed and other arrangements made
for their execution, the necessary funds will be on hand and with-
out employment. I suppose an amendment to the Constitution,
by the consent of the States, necessary, because the objects now
recommended are not among those enumerated in the Con-
stitution, and to which it permits the public moneys to be

applied.

But the amendment did not result and so Jefferson’s adminis-
tration passed without action.

President Madison in the middle of his first term, on December
5, 1810, resumed the charge, urging “ Such an institution, though
local in its legal character would be universal in its beneficial
effects. By enlightening the opinions, by expanding the pa-

6 Pages 47-49, ante.
7“ Writings of Thomas Jefferson,” III, 423 (Washington, 1907).192 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

triotism and by assimilating the principles, the sentiments, and
the manners of those who might resort to this temple of science,
to be redistributed in due time through every part of the com-
munity, sources of jealousy and prejudice would be diminished,
the features of national character would be multiplied, and
greater extent given to social harmony. But above all, a well
constituted seminary in the center of the nation is recommended
by the consideration, that the additional instruction emanating
from it, would contribute not less to strengthen the foundations
than to adorn the structure of our free and happy system of
government.”

Congress was not impressed, however. Later, President
Madison in his message of December 5, 1815, after the close
of the war with Great Britain, said, “‘ Such an institution claims
the patronage of Congress as a monument of their solicitude for
the advancement of knowledge, without which the blessings of
liberty cannot be fully enjoyed, or long preserved; as a model,
instructive in the formation of other seminaries; as a nursery of
enlightened preceptors; and as a central resort of youth and
genius from every part of their country, diffusing on their return,
examples of those national feelings, those liberal sentiments, and
those congenial manners which contribute cement to our Union,
and strength to the great political fabric, of which that is the
foundation.”

Nothing came of the eloquent appeals of three presidents.
Congress remained obdurate and the nation failed to see the light
though “ the long entertained opinions of such men could not have
been hastily conceived and nothing but the differing views of the
national Congress as to the power of the general government to
act in the matter and the pressure of other claims, could have led
to the continued neglect of these repeated executive recommenda-
tions. Washington’s legacy of shares in the Potomac Company
had in the meantime become valueless by the failure of the com-
pany. Jefferson, after his presidency accomplished for his state
in the University of Virginia what he despaired of for the nation,
and since Madison’s day private enterprise has been left to meetOf the National University 193

a want which public patronage would not assume of itself, though
it has at times, in a meagre way fostered such enterprise.” ®

The work of higher education in the National Capital was
undertaken by private enterprise, notably by the Georgetown
University, founded by the Jesuits over a century ago, and by
the institution now known as The George Washington University,
but founded in 1821 as The Columbian College in the District
of Columbia, and in 1873 enlarged in scope and given the name
Columbian University, and in 1904 reorganized and expanded
under the name The George Washington University. In addition
to these two long-established institutions, each with virtually a
century of continuous useful activity, there have been founded in
the District of Columbia the great and splendidly endowed Cath-
olic University of America, sustained by the wealth and power
of that denomination, and liberally attended by its youth, and
also The American University, established some years ago by the
Methodists, but limiting its activities solely to post-graduate
work, and having prior to the outbreak of the war an attendance
of less than fifty students.

Of all these four institutions, The George Washington Uni-
versity is the only one that is strictly non-sectarian. Never-
theless it stands for the highest moral and ethical principles and
affords opportunity for spiritual as well as mental development.

This University receives today no financial support from the
government. It never has had any aid from it except a gift of
some land worth about $25,000, made to it at about the time
of its establishment. Its alumni have been more conspicuous
because of their fidelity to the government in public service than
because of the amassing of wealth in business pursuits, and con-
sequently have not been able, despite their loyalty, to endow it
liberally. Yet, in the face of many obstacles and notwithstand-
ing many discouragements and disappointments, it has stuck to
its work and has steadily endeavored to increase its means for
service, until today it offers the cultural education of the college,
the scientific school, and education in all the learned professions
except theology.

It is not only true to the aims of its founders as expressed at
its first commencement in 1824, when President James Monroe,
Secretary of State John Quincy Adams, and Lafayette (then

8 Charles Herbert Stockham, “A Historical Sketch of George Washington

University.” George Washington University Bulletin, Vol. XIV, No. 2,
Washington, D. C., 1915.194 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

visiting America) were its guests, but it has also kept in mind
those special opportunities of usefulness that a university in the
National Capital possesses, as repeatedly set forth by George
Washington. Nor need we hesitate to say that all that he hoped
for from the establishment of such a university can be gained by
the strengthening of the existing George Washington University,
which strives for his ideals and which has chosen his name as its
name not only to indicate its determination to carry to fulfillment
his cherished wish, but also to keep ever before its students as
its model of manliness and its type of Americanism the great
Father of His Country, whom Senator Lodge in his biography
of Washington in The American Statesmen Series, has justly

declared to have been “ the first thorough American in the broad

national sense.” °

The idea that Washington so fondly cherished still persists
and patriotic souls continue to foster the hope that in some form
it may be nobly embodied.

The George Washington Memorial Association was incorpo-
rated under the laws of the District of Columbia in September,
1898, and for nearly thirty years has steadily endeavored to
carry out Washington’s wish for the promotion of science, litera-
ture and art and to provide an institution for the general dif-
fusion of knowledge, at the seat of the national government.

Under the presidency of Mrs. Susan Whitney Dimock, widow
of the late Henry F. Dimock, a resident of Washington, the work
has lately taken the definite form of the erection of The George
Washington Memorial Building, in the city of Washington, for
which Congress has granted a valuable block of land at the corner
of Sixth and B streets, south of Pennsylvania Avenue near the
Smithsonian Institute and the National Museum. The original
idea was enlarged after the armistice of 1918, to include a “ Vic-
tory Memorial” as “ A National Tribute to its Gallant Soldiers,
Sailors and Marines” and this met with the approval of Con-
gress, President Wilson and General Pershing.

Funds have been solicited nationally and a large sum has been

9 William Miller Collier, “George Washington’s Will and George Wash-

ington University.” George Washington University Bulletin, Vol. XVII, No.
2, June, 1918.Of the National University 195

contributed so that the organization has felt that construction
of its building might be begun. ‘The corner stone was laid on
November 14, 1921. President Harding in his address on this

occasion said: *°

There begins here today the fulfillment of one of the striking
contemplations contained in the last will of the Father of his
Country. It is an impressive fact, worthy of our especial
thought, that in the century and a half since Washington became
the leader, the heart and soul, of its struggle for independence
and unity, this nation has so many times found occasions to
record devotion to the precepts which he laid down for its guid-
ance. So today, after more than a century’s delay we are come
to pay tribute to the foresight which first encouraged and en-
dowed the institution here established — an institution which is
to be alike a monument to those who sacrificed in a noble cause
and a beacon to shed afar the light of useful knowledge and
grateful understanding among men. For I need not remind you
that Washington, in his last will and testament, first conceived
the idea which we here see shaping into forms that shall combine
loftiest sentiment and truest utility. He proposed, and gave a
bequest to found an institution to disseminate learning, culture,
and a proper understanding of right principles in government.
In furtherance of that purpose patriotic women and men have
made possible the institution of which we are now to lay the
corner. Very properly they have conceived Washington’s im-
pelling thought to have been a gathering place for Americans,
where American minds could meet in fruitful exchanges. We can
better appraise this thought when we recall the limited publicity,
the slow transportation and the difficult process of translating
public sentiment of his day.

 

10 New York Times, November 15, 1924.Chapter XVIII
OF MOUNT VERNON

Tuts estate was Washington’s most cherished possession. For
more than fifty years it was his home and the center of his
thoughts. He admired and loved it. He was devoted to it and
lavished upon it endless care, labor and expense. ‘The last
thought he gave to business before he was seized with his last
illness was to transcribe a lengthy plan for its future manage-
ment covering a period of five years and his last walk out of
doors, on the afternoon of the day before he died, was to mark
some trees on the lawn to be removed for its improvement.

A great part of it had come to him through a century and
a quarter of family ownership, from John Washington, the im-
migrant. True, in 1674 it was but an undivided half of five thou-
sand acres of wild land on the Indian frontier, granted to him
and Nicholas Spencer for bringing settlers into the colony, and
now it comprised more than eight thousand acres according to
Washington’s estimate. How it looked in his eyes we learn from
his own description. Writing to Arthur Young in England, on
December 12, 1798, when he thought of leasing the outlying
farms about the home place at Mount Vernon, Washington said:

No Estate in United America is more pleasantly situated than
this. It lies in a high, dry and healthy country three hundred
miles by water from the sea, and as you will see by the plan, on
one of the finest rivers in the world. Its margin is washed by
more than ten miles of tide-water; from the bed of which, and the
innumerable coves, inlets, and small marshes with which it
abounds, an inexhaustible fund of rich mud may be drawn, as a
manure either to be used separately, or in compost, according to
the judgment of the farmer. It is situated in a latitude between
the extremes of heat and cold, and is the same distance by land
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To Col. Nicholas Spencer and Colonel John WashingtonOf Mount Vernon 197

the Federal City, Alexandria and Georgetown; distant from the
first, twelve, from the second, nine, and from the last sixteen
miles.*

It lay on both sides of the King’s Highway, the famous road
of travel through Virginia which connected the northern with the
southern colonies. It had become not only one of the most beau-
tiful spots in the land by Washington’s patient efforts, but it was
fast becoming the Mecca of all patriotic Americans as well as a
great center of attraction for all foreigners traveling in the
new land of liberty. Letters and pamphlets described and lauded
its beauties and its wonderful management.

Among the kindred of its proprietor and its mistress it was
regarded as the ideal in agriculture and the acme of elegance
and taste in domestic life. What Washington would do with it
in the disposition of his estate was naturally the subject of much
speculation among the members of the large family connection.

The original plantation’ of twenty-five hundred acres con-
taining the home place, faces south on a bend of the Potomac
River and lies between Dogue Creek on the west and Little Hunt-
ing Creek on the east, a distance of two miles. Lawrence Wash-
ington added only two hundred acres to it.* These he acquired
by purchase from one of the Spencer heirs, and so when Wash-
ington came into possession, in 1752, the estate comprised twenty-
seven hundred acres.

Washington was a persistent buyer of land adjoining Mount
Vernon and with the exception of “ Hayfield ”, which he sold to
Lund Washington just after the Revolution, he never parted with
any of his purchases. At the time of his death he held eight

1 Sparks, XII, 310. Ford, 12, 358, 360. A long letter completely describ-
ing 3260 acres of the farms and their possibilities, to be leased at $1 per
ee The original patent from Thomas, Lord Culpeper, to Col. Nicholas Spencer
and Lieut.-Col. John Washington for 5,000 acres of land being the original
Mount Vernon tract, dated March 1, 1674 (40, 11% by 17% inches), bearing
the endorsement in Washington’s handwriting identifying it, was sold at
Birch’s Sons’ sale, April 21, 1891, to a Mr. Wilson for $190.

3 The Deed of lease and release from William Spencer to Lawrence Wash-
ington for these 200 acres, described as (then) in Prince William County,

dated March 1 and 2, 1738, was sold at Birch’s Sons’ sale, April 21, 1891, to
a Mr. Collins for $9.198 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

thousand and sixty acres or nearly thirteen square miles in and
about Mount Vernon. The result of his purchases carried the
limits of his plantation far beyond the original boundary on
the east and north and northwest, but he kept from crossing the
broad estuary at Dogue Creek’s junction with the Potomac which
formed the ancient boundary on the west. To the south ran the
wide Potomac for more than four miles and with its creeks and
bays gave Mount Vernon a water frontage of ten miles.

The map made by Washington, when he thought of leasing
the outlying farms in 1793, shows the division of the estate into
five tracts, described as the Mansion House Farm, the River
Farm, Union Farm, Muddy Hole Farm and Dogue Run Farm,
and each of these is subdivided, showing about one-half woodland
and about one-half in tilled fields with a few small meadows
interspersed.

Each of the outlying “ farms ” was in truth a large plantation
and each of their fields was a good-sized farm running from sev-
enty to two hundred and twenty acres. The Mansion House
Farm and its great woodland, stretching northward back from
the river and the rich bottom lands of the creeks on both sides,
comprised about four thousand acres. The main wagon roads
to the north and south ran along and through this tract, touch-
ing the Grist Mill on the west and the Gum Spring at the head
of Little Hunting Creek, making the fields below a separate and
self-contained estate, which naturally fell into four parts as it
was attached to the two creeks, the river and the swampy spot
known as Muddy Hole. Beyond Dogue Run on the high land to
the west lay Dogue Run Farm, and adjoining it the wooded
heights which Washington selected for Nellie Custis’ home, after-
wards called “ Woodlawn.”

On each of the “farms” was established a superintendent’s
farmhouse with Negro quarters about it; and it was to these
that Washington made his daily horseback journey of inspec-
tion which occupied him from eight until two o’clock when the
weather permitted. He employed a general superintendent, as
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MAPOf Mount Vernon 199

the care and employment of the slaves assigned to and quartered
on their respective farms. The plan of cultivation he made
himself, with the aid of the superintendent, and directed the
latter in carrying it out. Nearly four thousand acres of plow
land were thus tilled, with the help of nearly three hundred
“ servants ” of his own, those of Mrs. Washington and those
leased from a neighbor.

In addition to his large farming operations, the grist mill
which Washington’s father established in 1734 at the upper end
of Dogue Creek was engaged not only in grinding into flour all
the grain not needed at Mount Vernon for seeding or feeding
purposes, but also in milling for the farmers in all the
countryside.

Washington also bought grain and shipped the surplus flour
he made to the West Indies and even to England, as his books
of account and correspondence show, and it was said his brand
became so well known for quality and quantity as to be passed
without inspection.

There were attached to the great water frontage on creek and
river valuable fishing grounds where herring, sturgeon and other
river denizens were caught in great numbers in season, and salted,
packed and sold or used by the master and servants of Mount
Vernon. Often kindred and friends received gifts of a barrel or
two to remind them of his affection.

Tobias Lear, for long years the tutor of the Custis children,
and then Washington’s faithful private, and later military secre-
tary, had become a member of the family by marriage and was
assigned the easternmost land beyond the River Farm, comprising
more than three hundred acres, and here he lived at the time of
the chief’s death. The place was called “‘ Wellington ” and bears
this name to-day.

Thus surrounded by a small principality, the Mansion House
of Mount Vernon stood on the promontory facing the great river,
one hundred and twenty-five feet below. It was now a stately
structure, dignified and distinguished, though not at all massive.
It had been increased to nearly threefold its original frontage and200 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

the two-storied columns of its portico gave its ninety-foot front
an imposing look. To the east and west ran smaller colonnades
connecting the main building with the kitchen on the one hand

> 2

and the spinning house and other “‘ offices ” on the other, so that
the effect as viewed from the river was a long and graceful sweep.
Back of these a dozen buildings, one and two stories in height,
were grouped about the vegetable and flower gardens and the
great west lawn. All the buildings except the brick barn were
of wood painted white and kept scrupulously neat, and the entire
plantation was managed in princely fashion but with careful aims
and modest show.

It was with this picture and its history in mind and his interest
and affection most deeply aroused, that Washington contem-
plated the buildings, the beautiful lawns, gardens and meadows,
the rich fields and glorious woodlands which constituted his home
and planned their future ownership and enjoyment by others, as
he wrote the nineteenth of the stately pages of his last will and
testament, saying:

And now, . . . I proceed to the distribution of the most im-
portant parts of my Estate, in manner following:

First ‘To my nephew Bushrod Washington and his heirs
(partly in consideration of an intimation to his deceased father,
while we were bachelors and he had kindly undertaken to super-
intend my Estate, during my military services in the former war
between Great Britain and France, that if I should fall therein,
Mt. Vernon (then less extensive in domain than at present) should
become his property), I give and bequeath all that part thereof
which is comprehended within the following limits —viz:...
containing upward of Four thousand acres, be the same more or
less, together with the Mansion House and all other buildings and
improvements thereon.

This generous gift to his most eminent nephew, the learned
Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States and the son of
his best beloved brother “ Jack”, paid in full and much more
the debt to which Washington refers. It also raised an inter-
esting legal question.Of Mount Vernon 201

Washington’s right and title to the twenty-seven hundred acres
which he acquired by devise from Lawrence Washington were
limited by a clause in the latter’s will so that in case of Wash-
ington’s death without issue the land should go to Augustine
Washington and his heirs. Augustine was Lawrence’s full
brother and all the provisions of the latter’s will for his half-
brothers were limited in like manner. George was the only one
of the four half-brothers who died without issue.

The legal effect was that Augustine’s heirs were now the owners
of the original twenty-seven hundred acres of Mount Vernon
under the terms of Lawrence Washington’s will. But there was
a rule of law that if the person or class of persons so entitled
to claim an estate mistakenly or wrongfully devised (as these
twenty-seven hundred acres were to Bushrod by his uncle George),
were given other estate by the same will, then the person or
persons so entitled were put to their election as to whether or
not they would accept this later devise and renounce their
legal rights to the former estate, letting the latter go accord-
ing to the will of him who thus mistakenly or wrongfully
devised it.

And in this case the heirs of Augustine Washington (who died
long before his brother George) chose to take the later devise
and permit Mount Vernon to go unchallenged to their cousin
Bushrod. They were Colonel William A. Washington, his sisters
Elizabeth Spotswood and Jane Thornton, and the heirs of his
sister Ann Ashton. Moncure D. Conway in his book on “ George
Washington and Mount Vernon” (being Vol. IV of the Memoirs
of the Long Island Historical Society) at page XCII says, “I
learn on good authority that Washington’s widow wrote to Col.
William Augustine Washington asking him if he intended to break
the will. He answered that although a wrong had been done he
would not oppose the will.”

That Washington had carefully considered the nature of his
title many years before is proved by the entries in his cashbook
and ledger and a letter from his attorney. The former (“ A”,
p: 60) shows;202 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

1754. Cash. Sosy de
Jany. 11. By Mr. Mercer for his opinion
of the devise of my Brother’s

Negroes ...----++++-+:-27> tile. 6
By Ditto on his opinion on the
devise of Mount Vernon Tract
LONIMON neal ee ree ices) . 6G

In Volume III of ‘‘ Letters to George Washington ”, page 358,
under date of July 3, 1769, Edmund Pendleton writes:

The Prince William Lands * then are limited to Lawrence in
fee simple upon the Contingencies of his leaving Issue at his
death. He takes notice of a daughter in his will and if she
survived him, your father’s Will has no operation on the Estate,
but it must go according to the will of your brother Lawrence
by which you take an estate tail, with a ‘remainder to your
brother Augt. in fee simple; for tho. the devising clause would
give you a fee, yet by a subsequent one he directs that if you,
Saml. John & Charles or any of you, die without Lawful Issue
such Land as was given you or any of you, should become the
property of his brother —- Augustine & his heirs forever, which
changed your & their estates in all Lands claimed under his will

into estates tail.
He adds, however:
P.S. I see no impropriety in docking the Intail.®

Washington took no proceedings however to cedockia OF bets
minate the entail then or at any subsequent time. His life was
still too young and the hope of issue was not yet dead, and sub-

sequently he was too busy for many years to give much thought
to the future of his own affairs. When he came to write his will
the great change in the laws of Virginia made by the statutes
written and promoted by Jefferson abolishing entails by changing

4Mount Vernon was in Prince William County until Fairfax County was
set off from it.

5 By the will of Augustine, father of Lawrence and George Washington.
This provided: “In case my son Lawrence should dye without heirs of his
body Lawfully begotten that then the Land and Mill given him by this my
will lying in the County of Prince William shall go & remain to my son
George & his heirs.”

W. C. Ford, “ Wills of George Washington and His Immediate Ancestors ”
p. 48 (1891).

6 This letter is also in Ford’s “ Wills”, p. 53.Of Mount Vernon 203

them into estates in fee in the hands of the life tenant’s heirs,
may have led him to think the question disposed of. However
that may have been, the fact remains that he gave the original
estate of Mount Vernon, after the death of his wife, to Bushrod
Washington, in fee, and then gave, by a later clause, four twenty-
thirds of his great residuary estate to the heirs of his half-
brother Augustine, which fully compensated them for the loss
they thus had sustained.
There is furthermore in the hands of some unknown collector,
pec eae to Birch and Sons’ Catalogue Number 663, Item 4,
“ An Autograph legal opinion of Bushrod Washington, as to
Genl. Geo. Washington’s right to devise Mount Vernon. A rather
lengthy and interesting document in the handwriting of Judge
Washington.” It was sold to a Mr. Wilson. Whether it was
dated before or after Washington’s death has not been learned.‘
That Bushrod Washington was fully alive to the question of his
title under his uncle’s will we know, for we find this memorandum
in his handwriting on his copy of Washington’s will — As to
the principle laid down in Noys Mordarent that a person can’t
claim under & agt the will, see an exception to it where the will
is not executed according to the Stat. Uses, Pw. on Dev. 460.” *
It would require volumes to detail the sabes gent history of
this, the most interesting and fairest of Washington’s posses-
sions. It would deserve to be read and much of it will be found

7 The legal history of the acquisition of the original estate by John Wash-
ington and its subsequent descent through his will and that of his son
Lawrence, his grandson Augustine, and his great grandson Lawrence, who
left it to his brother George, may be traced in Ford’s “ Wills.”

The story of the occupancy of the land, the construction of the various
buildings and their uses from the time of the original grant by Lord Culpeper
to John Washington and Nicholas Spencer in 1674 until 1916 has been amply
and interestingly told by Paul Wilstach in his brilliant volume entitled,
“Mount Vernon, Washington’s Home and the Nation’s Shrine.” Mr. Wil-
stach takes no note however of those parts of the estate lying outside of the
less than three hundred acres now comprised in the ow nership of the Mount
Vernon Ladies’ Association, which for sixty-five years has maintained the
Mansion.

Much of the detail of Washington’s life at Mount Vernon and his efforts
at farming is also pleasantly told in the volume entitled “ George Washing-
ton, Farmer ” by Paul Leland Haworth (Bobbs-Merrill Company, Indian-
apolis, 1915), reprinted under the title, “ George Washington, Country Gentle-
man,” in 1924.

8 In Chicago Historical Society, “ The Gunther Copy of Washington’s Will.”204 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

well told in Wilstach’s book. For the purposes of this work it
must be briefly summarized.

Bushrod Washington took possession of Mount Vernon shortly
after Mrs. Washington’s death in 1802. He found it a fine but
dismantled and deserted establishment, for on July 20, 1802,
Mrs. Washington’s executors had sold the contents of Mount
Vernon at auction, excepting the books and papers which were
bequeathed to Bushrod; and the furnishings had been removed
by the purchasers.

The greater part of the Negroes, freed by the will of Wash-
ington upon Mrs. Washington’s death, had departed. Bushrod’s
duties kept him either in Washington or Philadelphia most of
the year. His conduct of Mount Vernon farms was not vigorous
or profitable. He used the place as a summer residence during
the twenty-seven years of his ownership. The only mark he made
upon it which remains is the little porch on the southwest end
of the mansion.

During the war of 1812, when on August 24, 1814, the British
fleet sailed up the Potomac on its way to seize the Capital, in-
stead of attacking and destroying Mount Vernon, as the people
of the neighborhood feared, it is said the commander, Captain
Gordon, caused the seven vessels of his fleet to fire salutes as they
came abreast.

General La Fayette was a visitor there in 1824, when he and
his son, George Washington La Fayette, toured the country as
guests of the nation. Both had enjoyed the hospitality of Mount
Vernon in its great master’s day and the younger one had been
sheltered there and cared for as a son, in the distressful days of
the French Revolution.

Bushrod Washington died at Philadelphia while holding Cir-
cuit Court there, on November 26, 1829, and his wife survived
him only a few days. They were buried in the new family vault
at Mount Vernon.

Having no children, Bushrod Washington by his will ® divided

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£Of Mount Vernon 205

his estate at Mount Vernon among his nephews and a niece. The
Mansion House and 1,225 acres he devised to John Augustine
Washington, 707 acres to Bushrod C. Washington, 6485409 acres
to the heirs of Bushrod C. Washington, Junior, 602540 acres to
George C. Washington and 410 acres to Mary Lee Herbert, the
daughter of Corbin Washington, his brother,” all of which ac-
counts for thirty-five hundred and ninety-six acres, instead of
the “ four thousand acres more or less ” bequeathed to him by
his uncle, a “ shortage ” not uncommon in the early days of large
land holdings.

John Augustine Washington lived at Mount Vernon from 1829
to 1832, when he died. He devised the estate to his widow, Jane
Washington. Bushrod’s heir foresaw that Mount Vernon would
eventually ruin any member of the family who undertook to wring
a living from its well-worn acres and remained to meet the tide of
visitors with open house and open-handed hospitality, which is
the tradition of the planters. In his will he wisely included per-
mission to his heirs to sell to the National Government.** The
widow endeavored to maintain herself and her family of four chil-
dren under eleven years of age and tried to carry on the work
her husband had undertaken of cultivating and improving the
famous property.

When her eldest son, John Augustine Washington, married in
1843, at the age of twenty-two, she retired from Mount Vernon
to her estate at Blakeley in Jefferson County (now in West Vir-
ginia) and turned Mount Vernon over to him. In 1850 she
made him a deed of the more than twelve hundred acres, which
he continued to occupy until February 22, 1860.

“The mansion and the estate reached [him] in a depleted
and ruined state. Had he the means to restore it to its original
condition it would have required an annual fortune to keep it in
repair, under the normal wear and tear of pilgrims, and to main-
tain a corps of guards against the idle, conscienceless visitors who
not merely stole but destroyed to bear away souvenirs of the

10 As shown by the plat of division recorded in the office of the Clerk of

the Fairfax County Circuit Court, January 22, 1833, in Liber III, p. 161.
11 Wilstach, ‘“ Mount Vernon”’, p. 256.206 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

great hero.” ** John A. Washington on February 22, 1860, de-
livered possession of the Mansion House and the two hundred and
two acres immediately surrounding it to the Mount Vernon
Ladies’? Association in consideration of two hundred thousand
dollars.

This purchase was the result of ten or twelve years of en-
deavor to place the estate in public or quasi-public ownership.
As early as 1848 the burden had become too great for John A.
Washington, and speculators sought to acquire the home and
tomb of Washington. Offers of one thousand dollars per acre
for the house and three hundred acres or less were made and re-
fused, because of the owner’s sense of the impropriety of its
passing into private ownership. He offered to let either the
State of Virginia or the United States take the estate at its own
price, but both declined.

Mount Vernon seemed doomed to decay and perhaps destruc-
tion. By good fortune it had survived a hundred years of the
chance of destruction by fire and the effects of wind and weather,
but now its time seemed to have come. But in 1853 a frail woman
in poor health, inspired by the danger in which the neglect by
State and Nation placed this shrine of patriotic affection, began
a movement among the women of the land to save and care for
the home and tomb of the “ Father of his Country.”

John A. Washington did not meet her plans with cordial favor
and for three or more years her efforts met with little encourage-
ment elsewhere. But the determination which inspired Miss Ann
Pamela Cunningham, despite her feeble health, finally won recog-
nition and funds, and the State of Virginia, through its legislature
on March 17, 1856, granted a charter to the Mount Vernon
Ladies’ Association of the Union. It later amended it to facili-
tate its plans, on March 19, 1858.

As soon as the incorporation took place, John A. Washington,
under date of April 6, 1858, made an agreement with the Asso-
ciation to sell, and gave four years’ time in which to complete
the purchase. He reserved to the deceased Washington heirs

12 Wilstach, “ Mount Vernon”, p. 256.Of Mount Vernon 207

their burial rights and provided that no one should thereafter
be interred or entombed at Mount Vernon.

Edward Everett, of Massachusetts, formerly senator from and
governor of that State and one-time president of Harvard Col-
lege, perhaps the most noted and gifted orator of the time, for
four years devoted his time and talents to the task of raising the
funds necessary. By lectures, speeches and essays delivered and
published throughout the land, he raised a little over sixty-eight
thousand dollars, or more than one-third of the required sum.
The remainder was contributed by patriotic friends of the cause,
mostly women and children, through the vice-regents of the Asso-
ciation, and the final payment, with the exception of twenty-
eight hundred dollars, was made in December, 1859. It was fol-
lowed on February 22, 1860, by formal delivery of possession.

It was most fortunate that the transaction was thus happily
practically closed just a year before the outbreak of the Re-
bellion. For John Augustine Washington joined the Confederate
Army early and served with the rank of colonel on the staff of
his kinsman, General Robert E. Lee, until September 13, 1861,
when he was killed at Cheat Mountain.

Although the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association had thus
acquired the possession and equitable title to the two hundred
and two acres and the structures at Mount Vernon which con-
stituted Washington’s home and park, yet the legal title was not
conveyed and it remained in Colonel John A. Washington when
he fell.

Not until October, 1868, were steps taken to complete the
title. Then Miss Cunningham, as regent of the Association, filed
her sworn bill in equity in the Circuit Court of Fairfax County,
addressed to the Honorable Henry W. Thomas, Judge of that
Court, for the purpose of obtaining a conveyance of the land.

She charged that the Association, duly incorporated, entered
into a contract of purchase with Colonel Washington on April
6, 1858, and agreed to pay him two hundred thousand dollars
for the property and to comply with certain conditions, pro-
visions and restrictions set up in the contract, a copy of which208 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

was her Exhibit A; that the purchase money was paid in install-
ments as they became due and sometimes before, and that pos-
session had been given to the Association which it still held.
That it was agreed that a good and sufficient deed of bargain
and sale in fee simple should be given the Association with a
general warranty and free from dower when the final payment
was made. That all but two thousand eight hundred and ten
dollars of the purchase money had been paid when Colonel Wash-
ington died, and that this sum had since been paid to Richard
B. Washington of Jefferson County, West Virginia, his sole
executor. That Mrs. Washington had died before him and that
no deed had been made. That the Colonel left a will in which
he appointed his brother, Richard B., his executor and devised
his entire estate to his seven children, Louisa F., Jane C., Eliza
F., Anna Maria, Lawrence, Eleanor L., and George Washington,
of whom the five last named were minors.

That the will had been duly admitted to record in Fauquier
County and that the executor was duly qualified as such and had
been appointed guardian of the minors, who together with their
two elder sisters now owned the legal title; that by reason of their
minority these five could not make a deed and thus a case for the
action of a court of equity was presented, to enable the Asso-
ciation to get the legal title which was equitably its due.

The bill made all the heirs and the executor and guardian
defendants and prayed for a decree appointing a special com-
missioner to make a deed on behalf of the minors, in which the
two heirs of age should be required to join.

The suit went by default and on the sixth day of November,
1868, the court decreed as requested and appointed William
Arthur Taylor, Esquire, such commissioner. On the twelfth day
of November, he as special commissioner for the five mmmors, and
Louisa F. and Jane C. Washington for themselves joined in a
deed to the Association:

_ . to be held used and employed by it as in the said recited
order and decree expressed and subject to the conditions and limi-
tations of the contract therein referred to, the tract of land in theOf Mount Vernon 209

said decree mentioned, the same being bounded and described as
follows (according to a survey and plat thereof made by Samuel
R. Johnson, Surveyor on the 28th day of May 1858) that is to
say: Beginning at a stone near a large wild cherry tree and
running North forty-seven degrees West five thousand one hun-
dred and twenty-five feet to a stone in the centre of the old road;
thence with the road, South eight degrees and twenty five minutes
West, seventeen hundred and twenty-two feet to a black oak
tree — South eighteen degrees West four hundred and thirty-five
feet to a stone on the East side of said road; thence South sixty-
two degrees forty-five minutes East, two thousand six hundred
and sixty feet to a stone at the mouth of Hell Hole, and with
the river, South eighty-seven degrees east two hundred and
twenty-seven feet, North seventy-three degrees East seven hun-
dred and twenty-six feet, North fifty-one degrees East, two
hundred and eighty-one feet to the beginning — Containing two
hundred and two acres.

The deed was duly acknowledged and on May 138, 1869, was
recorded in Liber J, Number 4, at page 474, in the clerk’s office
of Fairfax County Court.

During the Civil War by common consent that part of Mount
Vernon which comprised the home place was free from molesta-
tion by the contending armies. While but little could be done
to improve its grounds and buildings in that period, yet during
the fifteen months before the outbreak of hostilities, much had
been accomplished in the way of restoration of the buildings,
and despite the war the work of conservation went on quietly, so
far as the scant means afforded.

Mr. U. H. Herbert, the first superintendent of the Associa-
tion, lived on the grounds during the entire war and at its end
declared, “ There was no effort to disturb the tomb or the place
by troops on either side during that period.”

After the war the Association was so poor that it was unable
to pay a superintendent’s salary, and Miss Cunningham came in
1868 and lived at Mount Vernon and directed operations until
her frail health broke down entirely in 1872. J. M. Hollings-
worth then took up the work as resident secretary and super-
intendent. He remained in charge until May 30, 1885, and was
succeeded by Harrison Howell Dodge who has held this post210 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

more than thirty-one years. (1916) James Young came to
assist Mr. Dodge as clerk in 1886 but he has been assistant
superintendent and James Archer has been resident engineer since
these offices were created in 1890 and 1907 respectively. .. .
Miss Cunningham died May 1, 1875, at her home in Laurens Co.,
South Carolina, a little over one year after resigning the office
of Regent, which she had held from the birth of the Association.
In her letter of resignation to the Council of Vice-Regents she
left this declaration of purpose: “ Ladies, the Home of Wash-
ington is in your charge, see to it that you keep it the Home of
Washington. Let no irreverent hand change it; no vandal hands
desecrate it with the fingers of progress! Those who go to the
Home where he lived and died, wish to see in what he lived and
died. Let one spot in this grand country of ours be saved from
change. Upon you rests this duty.” om

The ideal sought by the zealous patriots who have the custody
of Washington’s home is to maintain the environment which he
created in the eighteenth century. So the restoration of Mount
Vernon may be said to progress backward. But the cycle of
fashions has played a paradoxical trick on the old place by mak-
ing the new fashions in domestic landscape and architecture those
of the days when old Mount Vernon was new.

Though it is the tomb of Washington the place is instinct with
life. The house is kept with the nice domestic simplicity that
suggests the personal presence of the master and mistress. The
solemnity of death is only sensed when one stands uncovered be-
neath the open sky among the trees before the reliquary of all
that is mortal of the immortal Washington or not less poignantly
when upon the broad Potomac one hears the unfailing requiem
of the bell of every passing vessel.”*

The faithful and happy performance of this duty, which has
been carried on for nearly fifty years by Miss Cunningham’s
colleagues and their successors, has maintained Mount Vernon
not only as an example of beauty but has preserved it a shrine
for reverence and a monument of Washington’s character, fame,
abilities and ideas.

By the generosity of Jay Gould, of New York, thirty-three and
one-half acres adjoining the original tract of two hundred and
two acres on the northeast, were conveyed to the Association on

18 Wilstach, “ Mount Vernon”, pp. 261-263.
14 [bid., p. 267.Of Mount Vernon 211

July 23, 1887, and Christian Heurich, of Washington, conveyed
to it two acres on the southwest side on November 10, 1893.

Recently (June, 1922) Senator Capper of Kansas introduced
into the Senate a resolution directing an examination to be
made of the probable cost of the maintenance of Mount Vernon
by the National Government with a view of opening it at all times
and free of charge to the public. The small entrance fee of
twenty-five cents required by the Association to help defray the
cost of maintenance of the estate and the very reasonable rules
against picnicking and other carelessness in visiting the premises,
to say nothing of the control of the few but highly honorable
offices and employees of the Association, have become a tempta-
tion to meddlers and politicians, and again the long, long struggle
to maintain the sacredness of Mount Vernon is on. Since our
entry into the World War brought an enormous increase of
population about Mount Vernon, in the establishment of Camp
Humphreys adjoining it on the south, the great shipyards at
Alexandria on the north, and the almost doubling of the number
of inhabitants of Washington City only a few miles beyond, the
procession of visitors at Mount Vernon has naturally greatly in-
creased and the character of them, for the time being, has de-
cidedly changed. It is hoped that in a year or two the return
to normal conditions elsewhere will bring about also a return to
pre-war conditions here, and that the peace, quiet and nobility
of the tomb and home of Washington will remain intact and
devoted solely to the inspiration of the people.

WELLINGTON

The second portion of the eight thousand acres at Moun!
Vernon being that part east of Little Hunting Creek and facing
the Potomac Washington devised in these words:

Secondly — In consideration of the consanguinity between them
and my wife, being as nearly related to her as to myself, as
on account of the affection I had for, and the obligation I
was under to their father when living, who from his youth212 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

had attached himself to my person and followed my fortunes
through the viscisitudes of the late Revolution, afterwards
devoting his time to the superintendence of my private con-
cerns for many years whilst my public employments rendered
it impracticable for me to do it myself thereby affording me
essential services, and always performing them in a manner
the most filial and respectful: for these reasons I say, I give
and bequeath to George Fayette Washington and Lawrence
Augustine Washington & their heirs my Estate east of little
hunting creek lying on the River Potomac, including the
farm of 360 acres, leased to Tobias Lear, as noticed before
and containing in the whole, by Deeds, Two thousand &
seventy seven acres be it more or less, which said Estate, it
is my will and desire should be equitably & advantageously
divided between them, according to quantity, quality & other
circumstances when the youngest shall have arrived at the
age of twenty-one years, by three judicious and disinter-
ested men, one to be chosen by each of the brothers and the
third by these two,— In the meantime if the termination of
my wife’s interest therein should have ceased the profits,
arising therefrom are to be applied for their joint uses and
benefit.

The father of these two young men thus carefully and amply
provided for was Colonel George Augustine Washington, the
son of Washington’s youngest brother Charles, of Charles Town,
in Jefferson County. He was born in 1763 and died in Wi9ss ive
married Frances Bassett, a niece of Mrs. Washington. In 1795
she married Tobias Lear, Washington’s secretary, and with her
young sons always resided on the Mount Vernon Estate, their
home being the extreme easterly farm called Wellington.

George Fayette Washington was born January 17, 1790
(probably at Mount Vernon), and died at Waverly, Virginia,
in September, 1867; he married at Charles Town, West Virginia,
on November 18, 1813, Maria Traner. Five children were born
to them, of whom Matthew Barwell Bassett Washington survived
his father, dying at Waverly, Virginia, August 1, 1868.

Lawrence Augustine Washington, the other beneficiary of this
munificent devise, was born November 3, 1791, and in the clause
distributing the residuary estate on page 25 of the will is namedOf Mount Vernon 213

Charles Augustine, which appears to have been his baptismal
name. He never married and died young while traveling in Spain,
at Cadiz, accompanied by his brother, George Fayette, who
went abroad with him in the hope that a sea voyage would be
beneficial.

I have not followed out the distribution of subsequent owner-
ship of this tract as it became divided into numerous small parcels
and is now so held.

WOODLAWN

The third portion of Mount Vernon, that devised to Lawrence
Lewis, son of Betty Washington Lewis, and to Eleanor Parke
Custis Lewis, his wife, the granddaughter of Mrs. Washington,
had been the subject of considerable discussion during the last
months of Washington’s life. Nellie, as she was called, had for
seventeen of her nineteen years been an inmate of his household
and the possessor of his fondest hopes and warmest affections.
When she budded into womanhood in 1797 and he at the same
time felt the need of assistance in his affairs, it so happened
that he invited his youngest nephew, Lawrence Lewis, to come to
Mount Vernon to take the place which his cousin, George Augus-
tine Washington, and his brother, Howell Lewis, had so ac-
ceptably filled in past years.

The letter which led to this event is interesting enough to be
given in full:

TO LAWRENCE LEWIS:

Mount Vernon, 4th Aug. 1797
Dear Sir,

Your letter of the 24th ulto has been received, and I am sorry
to hear of the loss of your serevant; but it is my opinion these
elopments will be MUCH MORE, before they are LESS fre-
quent; and that the persons making them should never be re-
tained, if they are recovered, as they are sure to contaminate and
discontent others,— I wish from my soul that the Legislature of
this State could see the policy of a gradual Abolition of Slavery ;
it would prev’t much future mischief.214 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

Whenever it is convenient to you to make this place your home
I shall be glad to see you at it for that purpose and that there
may be no misunderstanding in the matter, I shall inform you
beforehand, that you, servant (if you bring one) and horses,
will fare in all respects as we & mine do, but that I shall expect
no Services from you for which pecuniary compensation will be
made.— I have already as many on wages as are sufficient to
carry on my business, and more indeed than I can find means to
pay, conveniently.— As both your aunt and I are in the decline
of life, and regular in our habits, especially in our hours of
rising & going to bed, I require some person (fit and Proper) to
ease me of the trouble of entertaining company; particularly of
nights, as it is my inclination to retire (and unless prevented by
very particular company, always do retire) either to bed, or to
my study, soon after candle-light.— In taking these duties (which
hospitality obliges one to bestow on company) off my hands, it
would render me a very acceptable service, and for a little time
only, to come, an hour in the day, now and then, devoted to the
recording of some Papers which time would not allow me to com-
plete before I left Philadelphia, would also be acceptable.— Be-
sides there is nothing at present, that would require any portion
of your time, or attention; both of which, if you have inclination
for it, might be devoted to Reading, as I have a great many in-
structive Books, on many subjects, as well as amusing ones, &c.,
&c., &c.

Your Aunt unites with me in best regards for you, and I am
your sincere friend and Affectionate Uncle

Go. WASHINGTON.

Irving tells us:

In consequence of this invitation, Lawrence thenceforward
became an occasional inmate at Mount Vernon. The place at
this time possessed attractions for gay as well as grave, and was
often enlivened by young company. One great attraction was
Miss Nellie Custis, Mrs. Washington’s grand-daughter, who, with
her brother George W. P. Custis, had been adopted by the Gen-
eral at their father’s death, when they were quite children, and
brought up by him with the most affectionate care. .

She was now maturing into a lovely and attractive woman,
and the attention she received began to awaken some solicitude in
the General’s mind. This is evinced in a half-sportive letter of
advice written to her during a temporary absence from Mount
Vernon, when she was about to make her first appearance at aOf Mount Vernon 215

ball at Georgetown. It is curious as a specimen of Washington’s
counsel in love matters. . . . (He wrote) “ Although we cannot
avoid first impressions, we may assuredly place them under
guard. . . . When the fire is beginning to kindle and your heart
growing warm, propound these questions to it. Who is this in-
vader? Have I a competent knowledge of him? Is he a man of
good character? A man of sense? For, be assured, a sensible
woman can never be happy with a fool. What has been his walk
in life? ...Is his fortune sufficient to maintain me in the
manner I have been accustomed to live, and as my sisters do live?
And is he one to whom my friends can have no reasonable objec-
tion? If all these interrogatories can be satisfactorily answered,
there will remain but one more to be asked; that, however, is an
important one. Have I sufficient ground to conclude that his
affections are engaged by me? Without this the heart of sensi-
bility will struggle against a passion that is not reciprocated.”

The sage counsels of Washington and the susceptible feelings
of Miss Nelly, were soon brought to the test by the residence of
Lawrence Lewis at Mount Vernon. A strong attachment for her
grew up on his part, or perhaps already existed, and was
strengthened by daily intercourse. It was favorably viewed by
his uncle. Whether it was fully reciprocated was uncertain. A
formidable rival to Lewis appeared in the person of young Carroll
of Carrollton, who had just returned from Europe, adorned with
the graces of foreign travel, and whose suit was countenanced
by Mrs. Washington.”

Early in 1799 Nellie and Lawrence had become engaged and
we find Washington writing in January to Lawrence, “ Your
letter of January 10th, I received in Alexandria on Monday,
whither I went to become the guardian of Nellie, thereby to
authorize a license for your nuptials on the 22nd of next month.”
Later we find among the Washington Mss. in the Library of
Congress this draft of a letter.

Mount Vernon 19th. Feby 1799
Sir: You will please to grant a license for the marriage of
Lawrenee Lewis [sic.] Eleanor Parke Custis with Lawrence Lewis
and this shall be your authority for so doing from Sir,
Your very Hble. Servt.
Go. WasHINGTON.

Capt. Geo. D. Neale.
15 W. Irving, “Life of Washington,” Vol. V, pp. 276 to 278.216 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

Captain Neale was the clerk of the court which issued marriage
licenses and Nellie was not yet of age and so she needed the
consent of her guardian, whose careful and courteous methods
are again here exemplified.

On February 22, 1799, Washington’s diary records, “The
Revd. Mr. Davis and Mr. Geo. Calvert ** came to dinner and
Miss Custis was married abt. Candle light to Mr. Lawe. Lewis.”

It is common report even to-day that Nellie and her grand-
mother, Mrs. Washington, hoped that the Mansion House of
Mount Vernon would always be the home of the young couple,
as indeed it was so long as Washington and Mrs. Washington
occupied it. Here on November 27, 1799, Washington’s diary
records, “ Dr. Craik who was sent for to Mrs. Lewis (who was
delivered of a daughter abt. ? o’clock in the forenoon) came to
breakfast and stayed dinner. Mr. Dubois dined here and both
went away afterwards.”

While these events were unfolding in the long, hot summer,
Washington was meditating and drafting his last will and pre-
paring for the future security and happiness of these dear ones.
As we have seen, for reasons of justice and affection the Mansion
House was given to Bushrod, in the will. For equally serious but
different reasons the welfare of young Lewis and his bride was
carefully considered and provided for and after he had signed
the will Washington put his plan into practical and immediate
effect. While Lawrence Lewis and Nellie were down in Culpeper
County, visiting his sister, Mrs. Carter, Washington wrote him
this letter (which appears in Birch’s Catalogue Number 657,
Item 3).*"

TO LAWRENCE LEWIS

Mount Vernon 20th Sep 1799
Dear Sir,
From the moment Mrs. Washington & myself adopted the two
youngest children of the late Mr. Custis, it became my intention
(if they survived me, and conducted themselves to my satisfac-

16 Nellie’s kinsman; her mother was a Calvert.
17 Ford, 14, 209.Of Mount Vernon 217

tion) to consider them in my will, when I was about to make a
distribution of my property.— This determination has undergone
no diminution, but is strengthened by the connexion which one of
them has formed with my family.

The expense at which I live and the unproductiveness of my
Estate, together, will admit of no diminution of income, while I
remain in my present situation; on the contrary, were it not for
occasional supplies of money, in payment for Lands sold within
the last four or five years, to the amount of upwards of Fifty
thousand dollars; I should not be able to support the former
without involving myself in debt and difficulties.

But, as it has been understood from expressions occasionally
dropped from (Nelly Custis, now) your wife, that it is the wish
of you both to settle in this neighborhood (contiguous to her
friends) and as it would be inexpedient, as well as expensive for
you, to make a purchase of land when a measure which is in con-
templation would place you on more eligible ground, I shall
inform you, that in the will which I have by me, and have no
disposition to alter, that part of my Mount Vernon tract which
lyes north west of the public road leading from Gum Spring to
Colchester (from a certain point which I have marked) contain-
ing about two thousand acres of Land, with the Dogue run
Farm — Mill — Distillery — Gray’s heights, &c., is bequeathed
to you and her jointly.

If you incline to build on it,— and few better sites for a house
than Gray’s hill, and that range, are to be found in this Country,
or elsewhere,— you may also have what is properly Dogue run
Farm,— the Mill — and Distillery on a just & equitable Rent;
as also the hands belonging thereto on a reasonable hire; either
next year or the year following, it being necessary, in my opinion,
that a young man should have objects of employment. Idleness
is disreputable under any circumstances; productive of no good,
even when unaccompanied by vicious habits; and you might
commence building as soon as you please; during the progress of
which, Mount Vernon might be made your home.—

You may conceive, that building, before you have an absolute
title to the land, is hazardous.— To obviate this, I shall only
remark that it is not likely that any occurence will happen, or
any change take place, that would alter my present intention,
(If the conduct of yourself and wife is such as to merit a con-
tinuance of it) but be this as it may, that you may proceed on
sure ground with respect to the buildings, I will agree, and this
letter shall bear evidence of it, that if, thereafter, I should find218 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

cause to make any other disposition of the property here men-
tioned, I will pay the actual cost of such buildings to you, or
yours.—

Although I have not the most distant idea that any event will
happen that could effect a change in my present determination,—
nor any suspicion that you, or Nelly would conduct yourselves
in such a manner as to incur my serious displeasure; yet at the
same time that I am inclined to do justice to others, it behoves
me to take care of myself, by keeping the staff in my own hands.—

That you may have a more perfect idea of the Landed property
I have bequeathed to you & Nelly in my will, I transmit a plan
of it, every part of which is correctly laid down & accurately
measured — shewing the number of Fields,— Lots,— Meadows,—
Wastelands, &c., with the contents & relative situation of each,—
all of which, except the Mill Swamp (which has never been con-
sidered as part of Dogue run Farm, and is retained, merely for
the purpose of putting it into a better state of improvement, you
may have on the terms before mentioned,— with every kind wish
for you & Nelly, in which your Aunt who has been & is very much
indisposed unites.— I remain,

Your Affectionate Uncle,
Go. WasHINGTON.

 

Mr. Lawrence Lewis.
I have just received an account of the death of my brother
which is the occasion of my sealing with black.

Address : Mr. Lawrence Lewis
at Mr. Charles Carters in
Culpeper County — near
Stevensburg **
From

Go. Washington

This was accompanied by a carefully worked out statement
showing the rental value of the Dogue Run Farm, the hire of
the Negroes thereon and other expenses and also the probable
produce of the farm (independent of the lands annexed to it) in
ordinary years. In making this estimate every debit that could
be recollected is charged and the yield thereof, on a moderate cal-
culation, is credited.*®

18 Birch’s Catalogue Number 657, Item A.
19 The statement is now in the collection of the late Henry E. Huntington,
Esq., San Marino, California.Of Mount Vernon 219

A week later, probably in reply to Lawrence’s answer to his
letter, Washington wrote him again under date of September 28,
1799, in decided, though kind terms, of his dissatisfaction with his
overseer, Mr. Anderson, and explains more fully his intended gen-
erous gift of lands to Lawrence and Nellie. He also mentions his
reasons for wishing them to take at a fair rental the Dogue Run
Farm, mill, etc., viz.: that he may do without the services of an
overseer, and attend to his estate himself, if he should not be again
called into the public service of the country.”

This was written while Washington was commissioned lieu-
tenant general of the forces raised under President Adams, which
he had promised to lead if it became necessary to take the field
to repel the possible invasion by the French Republic.

Mr. Anderson had persuaded Washington two years before to
build a distillery near his mill under the supposedly profitable
conditions of the government excise tax and regulations, which
had been instituted five years before and brought about the
threatened “ Whisky Rebellion.” The enterprise was costly, far
beyond the estimates, and the business of buying grain, with bor-
rowed money or on credit, and the making and selling of whisky
proved most distasteful, as several letters testify. Mr. Anderson
and his son offered to lease the distillery and there is some cor-
respondence with him on the subject, but it came to nothing,
except perhaps to give Washington the thought of enlisting
Lawrence in the business.

Lawrence Lewis and Tobias Lear seem to have been looking
after the enterprise in 1799, as the ledger kept by the latter
shows. It is now in possession of the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Asso-
ciation. The proposition which Washington urged upon Law-
rence was accepted, as we now know from this recently recovered
letter from Washington to his nephew, Colonel William Augustine
Washington of Haywood in Westmoreland County.

20 Birch’s Catalogue, Number 657, Item 5.220 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

TO WM. AUGUSTINE WASHINGTON

Mount Vernon,
Oct. 29, 1799
Dear Sir: —

Your letter of the 8th instant has been duly received and this
letter will be handed to you by Mr. Law. Lewis, to whom I have
rented my Mill & Distillery, and who comes into your parts to see
if he can procure (on reasonable terms) grain with which to keep
them employed. Your advice and aid in enabling him to obtain
these would be serviceable to him, & obliging to me. Mr. Lewis
is a cautious man, and I persuade myself will scrupulously fulfill
any contracts he may enter into,— you will be perfectly safe, I
conceive, in declaring this.

Two hundred gallons of Whiskey will be ready this day for
your call, and the sooner it is taken the better, as the demand for
this article (In these parts) is brisk. The Rye may be sent when
it suits your convenience, letting me know in the meantime, the
quantity I may rely on, that my purchase of this grain may be
regulated thereby.

Mrs. Washington has got tolerably well again, and unites
with me in every good wish for you and yours. With very great
esteem and friendship, I remain

Your affectionate Uncle,
Go. WasHINGTON.”

A month later when Colonel and Mrs. Edward Carrington of -
Richmond visited Mount Vernon for three days, and were the last
visitors who spent more than a few hours there, they reported the
General in splendid health and spirits, having much to interest
him in considering the organization of the Provisional Army, as
he had chosen Colonel Carrington, his Revolutionary colleague,
as his quartermaster-general. The family did not retire before
midnight during this visit as Washington had so much of anec-
dote to recall and made so many inquiries about old friends.
Mrs. Carrington, on December 1, 1799, further writes, “The
family was happy over a recent event, lovely Mrs. Lawrence
99 22

Lewis, nee Nellie Custis, had become a mother.

21 Copy in Washington Mss., Library of Congress. Original in private
hands.

22Miss Elizabeth Bryant Johnston, “George Washington Day by Day,”
p. 177 (New York, 1895).Of Mount Vernon 221

Thus just two weeks before the end came to him Washington’s
careful plans for Lawrence Lewis and Nellie were well under way
to fulfillment.

Not until 1805, Colonel Snowden tells us, did the Lewises build
on their estate “a most commodious dwelling, much more pre-
tentious than that of Mount Vernon, indeed the stateliest of all
the manor houses of the upper Potomac.” ** The plans were made
by Doctor William Thornton, the architect of the United States
Capitol. Nellie was then about twenty-four years of age. The
house commanded from its height three miles inland a splendid
view of Dogue Bay, the broad Potomac and the wide-stretching
valley of the distant hills of Maryland, while behind it in the dim
distance rose the Blue Ridge, forty miles away. To-day the
dome of the Capitol is visible to the northward, and to the south
only the limits of vision determine the beauties of forest and field
and stream.

Woodlawn was so named because that was Lawrence’s youthful
home in Culpeper County and here he lived and died as a gentle-
man should, cultivating his own broad acres and administering
the trusts imposed upon him by Washington’s last will in con-
junction with his neighbor and cousin, Mr. Justice Washington
of Mount Vernon.

These two, by an agreement among the six surviving executors,
were the active trustees, and when in 1829 Bushrod Washington
passed on, Lawrence became the sole acting executor until his
death on November 20, 1839, while visiting his brother-in-law,
George W. P. Custis, at Arlington.

For forty years Nellie Custis was mistress of Woodlawn and
ever dispensed a generous hospitality to the guests from all lands
who thronged there. Of course General La Fayette was a wel-
come guest on his visit in 1824 and renewed his acquaintance of
forty and more years before with his hostess, who had played
about his knees in her childhood.

Four children were born to the Lewises at Woodlawn: Eleanor

23 William H. Snowden, “Some Old Historie Landmarks of Virginia and
Maryland”, p. 82 (Washington, 1904).222 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

Parke, who married General E. G. W. Butler and died at Pass
Christian, Mississippi, near the end of the last century; Angela,
who married C. M. Conrad, of New Orleans; Agnes, who died at
sixteen while at school in Philadelphia, and Lorenzo, born in
November, 1803. He married in 1826 Esther Marion, daughter
of John Redman Coxe, of Philadelphia, and until 1840 they re-
sided either there or at Audley near Berryville in Clarke County,
Virginia, where Lawrence Lewis owned an estate.

After the latter’s death, about the year 1840, Nellie Custis
Lewis, his widow, removed from Woodlawn to Audley and lived
there until July 15, 1852, when she died at the age of seventy-
four. She was buried beside the vault at Mount Vernon and her
place is marked by a monument which also bears inscriptions
respecting members of her family buried there and elsewhere.
Lawrence Lewis is said to have been buried in the vault.

The fate of Woodlawn is thus described by Colonel Snowden:

In 1845, the entire domain of this estate, having been almost
entirely neglected through many years, presented a most forlorn
appearance. Only here and there a patch of ground was under
cultivation — not a handful of grass-seed was sown, not a ton
of hay cut. The fields were overgrown with sedge, brambles,
sassafras and cedars, and all traces of fencing had disappeared.
Not a white man was living on an acre of it. Only a few super-
annuated slaves remained in some rickety cabins, and these were
subsisting on product from a farm in another county. The tax
assessment was thirty dollars— one cent and a half an acre,
although the buildings alone had cost near one hundred thou-
sand dollars, just forty-three years before. It was at this period
that the New Jersey colony of Quakers, purchased the property
at $12.50 per acre, and subsequently, the whole tract was divided
and subdivided into small farms, and occupied by improving
proprietors.

The mansion having a main building sixty by forty feet, with
wide halls, spacious apartments and ample wings united by cor-
ridors was most substantially constructed of the best materials,
and doubtless its builders imagined their structure would endure
for centuries, and it is only because of great neglect and severe
usage that its condition now only ninety-seven years after the
laying of its corner stone is so dilapidated, with its leaky roofs,Of Mount Vernon 223

its loosened casements and unhinged shutters and blinds, its
broken windows and the bricks and stones falling away from its
massive walls.**

In recent years Woodlawn has been more fortunate and has
been beautifully restored by Miss Sharp of Pittsburgh. Now it
is the property of Mrs. Bertha W. Underwood, the wife of Sen-
ator Oscar W. Underwood, of Alabama, and Woodlawn, like its
neighbor, Mount Vernon, is again an example of what “a gentle-
man’s seat ” should be.

The old mill at the head of Dogue Run is all gone but the wheel
pit, and the distillery long ago disappeared. Dogue Creek is no
longer navigable to the mill site, being pretty well sanded in. I
found a fisherman’s boat stuck deep in the mud and decaying on
the bank below it. To-day the sloops and schooners of Washing-
ton’s fleet could not take on their accustomed cargoes within two
miles. The “ run”, which was so carefully maintained by Wash-
ington to bring water to the mill, is overgrown.

The present occupation and ownership of the eight thousand
and ninety acres of the entire Mount Vernon Estate are divided
into many, perhaps over seventy, parcels.

The construction of the Mount Vernon trolley line from Wash-
ington to Mount Vernon twenty-five years ago, and the exten-
sion of that line during the World War to the west and south
to reach Camp Humphreys (formerly the Belvoir Estate of
George William Fairfax), five miles below, has brought the lands
into market and they are favorite purchases by those, especially
from the North, who, for sentimental or other reasons, desire
homes in “ OI’ Virginny.” It is to be hoped that the movement
will continue and result in making Mount Vernon the nucleus of
a numerous and patriotic settlement of country houses.

24 William H. Snowden, “Some Old Historic Landmarks of Virginia and
Maryland”, pp. 86-87. Also, for a recent and interesting account of life at

Woodlawn while the Lewises occupied it, see Charles Moore, “The Family
Life of George Washington” (1926), Chapter XV.Chapter XIX

OF “MY LAND AT FOUR MILE RUN”, AND
SQUARE TWENTY-ONE

Grorce Wasuincton Parke Custis, the youngest child of
Colonel John Parke Custis and Eleanor Calvert, his wife, the
grandson of Mrs. Washington and the bearer of the names of
both families, was born at Abingdon on the Potomac, just at the
turn of the river below the famous Long Bridge in the district
which ties Dixie to the Capital City. He first saw the light of
day on the thirtieth day of April, 1781, and his father in the
same year died of camp fever at Eltham near Yorktown, the
night after Cornwallis’ surrender. His wife and Washington were
at the bedside.

Washington made the thirty-mile ride at night to be present
and closed his eyes. Custis’ two elder daughters were taken by
their mother when she returned to Mount Vernon, as her own
charge, but Eleanor (Nellie) Custis and baby George were
adopted by Washington as his own and remained to cheer and
brighten the old age of the childless man whom a nation called
<< Father.”

Young George’s life at Mount Vernon as the bright, handsome
boy grew up may be easily imagined. Idolized by his grand-
mother, petted by his mother and three sisters, spoiled and pro-
tected by three hundred slaves for one reason or another and
envied or admired by the entire world that ebbed and flowed
through the gates of Mount Vernon, this young heir-at-law of
the Custis fifteen thousand acres and the heir presumptive of
all that Washington could give to or make of a willing and well-
behaved son, he had hardly a chance to reach manhood’s estate
uncorrupted. That he lived to the good old age of seventy-six
honored and respected, without having made anything but decentOf “ My Land at Four Mile Run” 225

use of his power and wealth, though he did not “ set the world on
fire ”, is to his credit.

However, when Washington tried to instill into him a fair
share of his own enterprise and ambition as the boy reached
adolescence, the great commander failed, and it was again demon-
strated that heredity and not environment most largely fixes the
character of man. Custis’ father and mother came of a line of
country gentlemen, land and slave holders, horse breeders and
fox hunters, raising tobacco, corn and large families, but very
little given to study. If they controlled the animal passions, left
wine, women and cards more or less in their place, were polite in
good company and discreet elsewhere, church, state and society
were well satisfied and the future was secure.

Washington had had a hard time trying to get young Custis’
father to study and stick to school and college, and failed. Many
letters attest this. But in time Jack Custis attached himself to
Washington at the siege of Boston and throughout the war served
faithfully. .

And when “ young Washington ”, as he was called, came to the
years of storm and stress, Washington, then President, on
November 28, 1796, and January 11, 1797, wrote to him at
school:

You are now entering into that stage of life when good or bad
habits are formed, when the mind will be turned to things useful
and praiseworthy or to dissipation and vice. Fix in whichever
it may, it will stick by you; for you know it has been said, and
truly, “that as the twig is bent” so will it grow. This in a
strong point of view shows the propriety of letting your in-
experience be directed by maturer advice, and in placing guards
upon the avenues that lead to idleness and vice. The latter will
approach like a thief working upon your passions, encouraged
perhaps by bad examples, the propensity to which will increase
in proportion to the practice of it, and your yieldings. This
admonition proceeds from the purest affection for you, but I do
not mean by it that you are to become a stoic, or to deprive your-
self in the intervals of study of any recreation or manly exercise
which reason approves.

Another thing I would recommend to you — not that I want226 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

to know how you spend your money — and that is, to keep an
account book, and enter therein every farthing of your receipts
and expenditures, the doing of which will initiate you into a habit
from which considerable advantage would result. Where no
account of this sort is kept there can be no investigation, no
correction of errors, no discovery, from a recurrence thereto,
where too much or too little has been appropriated to particular
uses. From an early attention to these matters important and
lasting benefits may follow.*

And much more to the like effect. Custis did not graduate at
college, however, but when the French troubles arose in 1798
promptly enlisted as an ensign and Washington gave him a fine
uniform.

A year later, in drafting his will, Washington had all this in
mind and much more as he wrote the principle he held “ to con-
sider the grandchildren of my wife in the same light as I do my
own relations and to act the friendly part by them”, and so the
devise of the large tract he owned nearest to Mount Vernon
follows.

Fourth: Actuated by the principle already mentioned, I give
and bequeath to George Washington Parke Custis, the Grandson
of my wife and my ward and to his heirs, the tract I hold on four
mile Run in the vicinity of Alexandria, containing one thousand
two hundred acres more or less —& my entire square, number
twenty one in the City of Washington.

In addition to this generous gift, he bestowed upon him the
distinction of making him, then a boy of not yet nineteen, one
of his executors, the youngest of the seven he named. “If the
Lord gives a man an office he usually gives him sense enough to
fill it ” is an old proverb and it proved true in this case. For the
death of Washington soon afterwards had a very sobering effect
on young Custis. He devoted himself to his grandmother, and
until her death a little more than two years later was assiduous
in her service.

Custis had inherited from his father the eleven-hundred-acre

1G. W. P. Custis, “Recollections and Private Memoirs of Washington”,
pp. 79 and 86.Of “My Land at Four Mile Run” 227

estate of “ Arlington ”, part of which is now the National Ceme-
tery opposite Washington. It adjoined Abingdon, the home of
his parents, which he also owned subject to his mother’s dower
right.2_ It was doubtless because of his ownership of these prop-
erties, on which Doctor and Mrs. Stuart then lived, the latter
being the mother of Custis, that Washington chose to give the
boy the adjoining forest and the block of land on the opposite
height in the Capital City. The latter is on the high point ad-
joining the old Naval Observatory overlooking the recently built
Lincoln Memorial and the Potomac to the heights of Arlington
beyond.

Washington had acquired the twelve hundred acres on Decem-
ber 2, 1774, by a deed from George Mercer and others for £900,
the tract being described as 1,168 acres on Four Mile Run.* The
land lay on the north side of the stream which empties into the
Potomac midway between the Long Bridge and Alexandria, where
the machine shop, power house and barns of the electric railway
now stand. It ran up the little stream to the west and uphill to
the north, fronting on the Potomac for a mile and abutting two
miles away on the Columbia Pike and what is now Fort Barry.*

The tall trees on Washington’s land at Four Mile Run were
a constant temptation to his neighbors and their depredations

2The old house in which he and Nellie Custis first saw the light is still
standing, dilapidated but still beautiful in its arrangement and finish, the
home of a brick-yard superintendent. It ought to be restored and preserved
by its owners, the Washington Brick Company, instead of being permitted
to go to ruin.

3 Washington’s Mss., 15, 1908, L. C.

4Mr. A. Jackson’s note 27 to page 3 of Washington’s will (in the pub-
lication sold at Mount Vernon), to the effect that “this is the tract now
known as ‘ Arlington’ which the late war has made historic as ‘Arlington
Heights’; after the death of George W. P. Custis it descended to General
Robert E. Lee, who married the daughter of Mr. Custis, and is now held by
the United States as confiscated property, and used as a National Cemetery
and home for Freedmen”, was written in 1868, and is, perhaps, an excusable
blunder. The Washington forest adjoined Arlington on the south, but was
not confiscated. Neither was Arlington Heights. The Government took pos-
session only of the latter at the beginning of the Rebellion, for hospital pur-
poses, then bought it in at a tax sale under an act of Congress levying a
direct tax, but its title was successfully disputed after the war and it pur-
chased the claim of the grandson of Mr. Custis, General George W. C. Lee,

for $150,000 and now the title is clear. See United States vs. Lee, 106, U. S.
Supreme Court Reports, p. 196 (October, 1882).228 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

during and after the Revolution disgusted him. He wrote to
Bushrod Washington (January 8, 1792) asking him to proceed
legally against the trespassers but “ in the name of George Aug.
Washington, as my Attorney, who, I think, has been announced
as such in the Gazette of Alexandria and Richmond, and I pre-
sume has a power from me to that effect — not being willing to
have my own brought forward in the Court on this occasion.” °

It was one of the numerous pieces he personally resurveyed
during the last year of his life, as if to leave no doubts after his
death concerning the monuments and distances of his possessions.

On April 26, 1799, he wrote to his neighbor, Ludwell Lee, who
owned some land near by and invited him to be present with
others on April 29th when he purposed to run the lines and re-
mark the boundaries of his land, which “ was much depredated
on.” The notes Washington took of this survey were written by
him on the back of a letter of introduction given by Patrick
Henry to an aspiring youth. This and Washington’s transcript
of the description in full are now in possession of the owners of
a large portion of the property, The ‘Trustees of the Protestant
Episcopal Theological Seminary at Arlington, Virginia.

At the time of Washington’s death Custis was absent from
Mount Vernon, he and Lawrence Lewis having gone to New Kent
County on business and they did not return in time for the
funeral.

After their return they both remained at Mount Vernon until
Mrs. Washington’s death in 1802. Meanwhile Custis came of
age in the spring of that year. He then began the construction
of a house in classic style for himself fronting the Potomac on
land he also owned adjoining the Washington forest on the north.
This became his home in 1805, when he married Miss Mary Lee
Fitzhugh, daughter of Thomas Fitzhugh of Chatham on the
Rappahannock. She was but sixteen years of age. He named
the house and estate “‘ Arlington House ” in memory of the one
owned by his great-grandfather on the eastern shore of Virginia,
who honored the Earl of Arlington in naming his.

5L. C., W. Mss. Letter book 11., p. 82.Of “ My Land at Four Mile Run” 229

George Custis’ subsequent career is a matter of history and
easily available. He lived the life of a very wealthy country
gentleman and a dilettante in art, literature and science. He
posed a bit on political occasions. He attended, for example,
every presidential inauguration from Washington’s second to
Buchanan’s. He entertained La Fayette and other foreigners
lavishly. He died in 1857.°

What Custis did with the Washington forest is matter of
record. First he obtained from the County Court of Fairfax
County, which had jurisdiction, a license to build a mill dam in
Four Mile Run and establish a grist mill there. This had been
one of the points of value of the tract in Washington’s eyes.
The mill Custis built was operated almost until the Civil War.

In the course of time he was persuaded, by two deeds, to give
or sell to The Protestant Episcopal Theological Seminary the
southeasterly portion of the tract, the hill site on which its
structure stands. Just how much he had left of the twelve hun-
dred acres at his death is not now known, but it was perhaps one
half. He was desirous, when he came to draw his will at seventy-
four years of age, that his name should be continued despite the
fact that his only child was a daughter, namely, Mary Ann Ran-
dolph Custis Lee, the wife of General Robert E. Lee (then Colonel
Lee).

He therefore left to her Arlington’s eleven hundred acres “ and
my mill on Four-Mile Run, in the county of Alexandria and the
lands of mine adjacent to said mill in the counties of Alexandria
and Fairfax in the State of Virginia, the use and benefit of all
just mentioned during the term of her natural life, together with
my horses, carriages, furniture, pictures, and plate, during the
term of her natural life.”

“On the death of my daughter, Mary Ann Randolph Lee, all
the property left to her during the term of her natural life I
give and bequeath to my eldest grandson, George Washington

6 His career has been described by the authors of the pamphlet entitled
“ Historic Arlington” (Karl Decker and Augus McSween, Washington, 1892),

and his own Memoirs (Washington, 1859), and, with notes, by B. J. Lossing
(New York, 1860).230 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

Custis Lee, to him and his heirs forever, he, my said eldest grand-
son, taking my name and arms.” *

The will is dated March 26, 1855, and Custis died on October
10, 1857. Mrs. Lee survived him until 1873. Meanwhile the
Rebellion came and Colonel Robert E. Lee’s son, George Wash-
ington Custis Lee, followed his father into the Confederate Army
and rose to the rank of major general on his own merits. He
had no fancy, it seems, to drop the historic Lee from his patro-
nymic and never took his grandfather Custis’ name and arms.
His brother and sisters helped him to keep his father’s name and
the estate of his grandfather also. They gave him a release of
their possibility of claim to their grandfather Custis’ estate be-
cause of his failure to adopt his name and arms * and thus his
title was perfected.

Major General Lee was a bachelor and after recovering the
sum of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars from the United
States for the Arlington estate in 1883 (pursuant to the decision
of the Supreme Court of the United States in the case of United
States vs. Lee), he lived the life of a country gentleman on part
of his estate at Four Mile Run. He succeeded his father as
President of Washington and Lee University.

On August 29, 1898, he conveyed three pieces of the tract,
of 156, 182.09 and 36.27 acres respectively, to the Theological
Seminary, or a total of 324.36 acres, by a deed which is recorded
in Rosslyn Court House.

That part of the tract not acquired by the seminary is now
divided into numerous farm tracts extending from twenty acres
upwards and is rapidly being subdivided into suburban tracts for
villas and smaller lots.

During the Civil War the timber was cut by the military forces
of the United States which camped there in thousands for four
years. A second growth covers much of the ground to-day.
Earthworks and small forts abound but are fast disappearing,
and unless soon preserved by markers of historic sites, Wash-

7¥For G. W. P. Custis’ will, see Appendix VI.
8 Recorded in Liber B, No. 4, p. 414, Alexandria (Va.) County CourtOf “My Land at Four Mile Run” 231

ington’s forest and all local knowledge of it will have disappeared
before the waves of progress and expansion which no one more
clearly foresaw than he.

OF SQUARE TWENTY-ONE

The reader will recall that in the devise to Custis quoted in this
chapter Washington also gave him “my entire square number
twenty-one in the City of Washington.”

These were the words with which he closed page twenty-three
of his will and it is the only time that he is known to have men-
tioned that city by that name. It is also the page of the will on
which he did not place his signature, although he wrote on the
first page “ every page thereof subscribed with my name.”

Square Twenty-one is situated in the southwest portion of
the city on the edge and downward slope of Peter’s Hill, between
E and D streets and 26th and 27th streets, N. W. The Naval
Hospital (formerly the Naval Observatory) lies east of it; the
Heurich Brewery, now devoted to Volstedian products, is south
of it. It overlooks the famous Potomac flats, now rapidly chang-
ing into a magnificent National Parkway, called the Mall. The
Lincoln Memorial is just beyond it and in the hospital garden
near by, but in a well and eight feet below the surface of the
newly made ground, is the famous “ Braddock’s rock ” on which
he landed that division of his unfortunate army which took the
north bank of the Potomac in its march to oust the French from
Fort Duquesne. To the south and west Square Twenty-one faces
the Potomac and Arlington.

In selecting this block as one of his purchases in September,
1793, to encourage the sale of lots at auction in the embryo
Federal City, Washington may or may not have been moved by
sentimental reasons or merely those of taste and business policy.
The location was on one of the three hills which graced the lowest
bench of the Potomac valley, the President’s “ Palace ” and the
Capitol being located on the other two, as he had planned the city
with Major L’Enfant, the engineer and Mr. Ellicott, the sur-
veyor who succeeded him.232 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

Near by it was old Mr. Peter’s dwelling which stood until
a few days ago, just east of and beyond the Naval Hospital.
Mr. Peter was Washington’s friend. His son had married Miss
Custis, Mrs. Washington’s granddaughter, and the families were
intimate. There was an old subdivision on this point and the
bottom land just below it running to the river. It was an ad-
dition to Georgetown just west across the mouth of Rock Creek
and as evidence of its mercantile and shipping ambition its owner
had called it Hamburg. It was laid out to meet the growth of
the town caused by Washington’s Potomac Canal.

In one of his letters Washington tells how he unwillingly (being
poor) invested much good moneys in this Square Twenty-one and
in some water lots in Square 654 on the Eastern Branch at the
diametrically opposite end of the town map, to stimulate the
bidding at the sale held by the Commissioners and rather deplores
the unprofitable prospect, years later. His prudent method also
is shown in his letter to the Commissioners dated March 14,
1794, saying in reference to his purchase on the Eastern Branch
“the doing of which was more the result of accident than pre-
meditation and being, unwilling, from that circumstance, it should
be believed that I had greater predilection to the Southern part
of the City, I proposed the next [day], the sale being continued
to buy a like number of lots m Hamburg Square 21.”

The plan Washington had for the location of a national uni-
versity was to put it on the near-by upper portion of Peter’s Hill,
running from the then water’s edge back to what is now Wash-
ington Circle. This would have made the university his next-door
neighbor and he would have realized the dream he had of spending
part of his declining years in academic shades, watching the
development of his favorite project for the education of the youth
of our land, in an environment ensuring republican political
principles and simplicity of social life rather than foreign views
and habits.

For Washington had the intention of building a home for him-
self on this Square Twenty-one if he ever could afford it. He had
his friend, Doctor Thornton, the first architect of the Capitol,Of “ My Land at Four Mile Run” 233

make a topographical survey of the tract, giving him the exact
lines of elevation of the surface which is half on top and half on
the slope of Peter’s Hill, as it runs off to the Potomac, three
hundred feet to the west. Doctor Thornton evidently did a good
job in more respects than one, as will be seen by a careful read-
ing of these letters.

T'o Washington City of Washington
Oct. 6, 1797
Respected Friend:

I have sent the section of Square No. 21 with an Alteration
made by the red line which is allowing as much as the Surveyor,
on attentively considering the Ground, thinks can be made with
propriety. I have directed the general plan of the Levels to be
made correspondent.

I request you will be pleased to accept a Dozen Bottles of
what may be truly called the Heart of Oak. It is old Spirit that
was distilled upon my own Estate in the Island of Tortola, 28
years ago and has obtained the deep colour by standing in oak
Casks ever since. It is as good as a Tincture of Bark and would
be of no dis-service to a Virginia Planter in a Dram Fog.

Your respectful friend
Wiri1Mm THorNTON.

To Dr. Wiliam Thornton
Mount Vernon
10th Oct. 1797.
Sir:

Your favors of the 6th & 8th instant have both been received,
and I pray you to accept my thanks for the rare & valuable
present you have made me. Being the produce of your own
Estate renders it more acceptable, and nothing will add more to
the gout * of it, than your coming sometimes to participate in the
taste — fog or no fog.

I have no doubt that the section of Square No. 21 is judiciously
designed. It is perfectly agreeable to me. Mrs. Washington
unites with me in best regards for Mrs. Thornton and yourself
& with great esteem

I am Dear Sir
Your obedient & Humble Servant
Go. WasuinecTon.*®
9 French, meaning taste or relish.

10 See Vol. II, p. 291, “The Doctor William Thornton papers”, L. C.

?234 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

Block Twenty-one consisted of four lots of equal size.

The records of the Recorder of Deeds in the District of Colum-
bia show that Washington acquired title to lots two and three
by deed from Robert Peter dated May 11, recorded May 16, 1795,
and to lot four by a similar deed dated October 3, recorded
October 10, 1798. No conveyance to Washington of Lot one
appears of record. The title to that remained in Peter, who re-
ceived it from the Commissioners, under the scheme of division
of the lands. The block is not large, containing but 49,998
square feet or about one and one-sixth acres. It lies at the
remotest point from both the center of Georgetown and the Capi-
tal. In the subsequent development of the two towns and after
they grew into one city, it was always in the neglected part of
town.

After Washington’s death the value of land, especially in the
remoter parts of the city, depreciated materially. His plans
for a national university on the hill near by came to naught.
The old breast-works which were built there during the War of
1812 indicate its remoteness then from the settled portions of the
city, and its present neighbors, the gas tank on the north and the
brewery on the south, characterize its continued “ back-yard ”
nature in the later enlarged city. Just below it on the river bank
was the extreme end of the dock line of the canal improvement
and the storage warehouses there and a railroad switch track in
27th Street indicate its uses.

That part of Washington has always been neglected, and part
of its streets are not yet paved. The hillside is rough and ragged
to-day and the neighborhood has the appearance of a dump.
Lots one and four of Square Twenty-one, on the hilltop, are
occupied by the icehouse and shipping plant of the Heurich
Brewery, a part of the hill having been cut away to make a level
foundation for them; lots two and three, on the lower level, are
built over with rows of very small two-story brick tenements of
the poorest class, inhabited by laborers.

What Custis thought and did about the Square we have little
means of knowing, except that in his will, dated in 1855, he said,Of “My Land at Four Mile Run” 235

“TI give my lot in Square No. 21, Washington City to my son-
in-law Lieut. Col. Robert E. Lee, to him and his heirs forever.”
When Custis died in 1857, Colonel Lee was in Texas but returned
to Washington shortly afterward and remained for a couple of
years, taking command in 1859 of the U. S. Marines who were
sent to protect the State of Virginia from the riotous doings of
one John Brown and his handful of followers at Harpers Ferry.
That excursion being successfully accomplished, he returned to
his post in Texas until the fateful days of March and April,
1861. He seems never to have moved to possess himself of Square
Twenty-one nor did his kin.

In spite of the fact that every glance northward from his
home at Arlington across the gleaming river fell upon Peter’s
Hill and Square Twenty-one, Custis did nothing to preserve his
right and title to Washington’s gift. In the first place he learned
soon after Mrs. Washington’s death, if not before, that Wash-
ington’s will was legally ineffectual in that part of the District
of Columbia derived from the State of Maryland. In that part,
called the County of Washington, the laws of Maryland in force
at the time of the cession to the General Government prevailed
and by virtue of these no will of lands and tenements was valid,
though written by the testator himself, unless three witnesses
saw him sign it, heard him declare it and joined their signatures
to his in attestation of his act. When these facts became known
to the executors and heirs, they nevertheless filed a copy of the
will in the District Court of the United States at Washington
City, asked that it be admitted to record upon the certificate of
its probate in Fairfax County, Virginia, under the rules of comity
prevailing between the States and the full faith and credit clause
of the Constitution, subsequently held by the Supreme Court to
be inapplicable. The court admitted the will to record and issued
letters of administration to two of the executors, but nothing
further was done. The proceeding died there,’* under the
Supreme Court decision.

Then the beneficiaries under the will who were of lawful age

11 See Chapter XXYV.236 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

and the guardians of those who were not entered in the agree-
ment of 1802,”* by which it was agreed that the provisions of the
will should be carried out despite its invalidity beyond the con-
fines of Virginia, and in respect to all the lots in the District
except those in Square Twenty-one, steps were subsequently taken
by proceedings in the Chancery Court to sell them and apply the
proceeds to the purposes of the will.

Square Twenty-one, having been specifically devised to Custis,
was not included in these proceedings and he was left to “ gang
his ain gait.” Nothing further appears of record, until 1830.
Shortly before that date, Congress authorized the sale of lands
in the District of Columbia or City of Washington for the non-
payment of taxes (a power which had not theretofore existed)
and on August 10, 1830, there were conveyed, as appears by a
deed of that date recorded December 10, 1830, by the City of
Washington to one William Gunton, lots one, two and three in
Square Twenty-one, and by a like deed dated June 23, 1864,
recorded July 11, 1864, the City conveyed lot four to John
Fearson. Gunton died without a will and his heirs partitioned
their lots into small sublots. They still own those in lots two
and three, but they conveyed their interest in lot one to the
Heurich Brewing Company. The Fearson interest in lot four
was acquired also by the company after the Civil War and long
possession under these titles has made them apparently good.

One of the incidental reasons for the neglect of this property
was the proximity to the unwholesome tide lands just below it
on the east, known as the Potomac flats. When the expansion
of railroads began to make these valuable for their purposes, and
the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company undertook to re-
claim them under its riparian rights by virtue of a narrow right
of way along the river bank, a litigation arose in which the
Government was victorious after a long struggle.

Then began that course of improvement by filling in and rais-
ing the flats eight feet or more and securing them by docks
against the riyer’s overflow, from all of which grew the splendid

12 See Chapter IX.Of “My Land at Four Mile Run” 237

system of parks and boulevards which now constitute the front
yard of Washington. Sometime, as planned, these will be con-
nected along the west front of Square Twenty-one with the
near-by valley of Rock Creek, where it debouches into the
Potomac, and join the Rock Creek Park system.Chapter XX

OF THE FINAL CLAUSES AND THE
WASHINGTON MONUMENT

Havine thus finished with the particular gifts of his estate,
Washington turned to the necessary plan or scheme of distribu-
tion of the great bulk of his property. The parts he had so far
given (after the death of his wife, who received it all for her
natural life) were in value perhaps equal to two hundred and
fifty thousand dollars, omitting any estimate of the one hundred
and twenty slaves whom he owned in fee. Upon the remainder
of his estate, of which he appended a schedule to his will, he
placed a very moderate estimate which totaled five hundred and
thirty thousand dollars; it probably was worth even then seven
hundred and fifty thousand. So we can easily understand why it
was that he was rated a millionaire.

His remaining possessions, covering sixty-four thousand acres
of the best bottom or other arable lands, were selected by the
most skillful “land lookers ” of the time,— himself, the Craw-
fords and other agents. They constituted an estate of one hun-
dred square miles, which was the finest stake in the outcome of
the Revolution. It is no wonder that the shrewd Yankee, John
Adams, chose to back its master, in preference to John Hancock,
for the position of commander in chief of the armies, with the
reported declaration, when Washington accepted, “ There goes
with him the Greatest Estate in the Colonies to fight King
George.” Of course he had in mind also the great Custis
possessions.

For the purpose of an equitable distribution of the residue of
his estate, Washington devised an almost automatic scheme of
division with the alternative which would enable all or any part
of the estate to be sold by his executors and the money receivedThe Final Clauses and Washington Monument 239

for it divided in place of the land. He placed the partition of
the land first, however, and permitted a sale only “if an equal,
valid and satisfactory distribution of the specific property can-
not be made without.” His purpose clearly was that his kin and
his wife’s should follow in his footsteps and be and remain land-
owners and planters. Even his holdings in the Potomac Company
(deemed real or land property) he advised to be held for the
great future which he saw for its canal project, this being in his
opinion chiefly an improvement beneficial to lands though also
profitable in dividends.
And so he wrote:

Fifth: All the rest and residue of my Estate, real and personal
not disposed of in the manner aforesaid — In whatsoever con-
sisting — wheresoever lying and whensoever found — a Schedule
of which as far as is recollected, with a reasonable estimate of
its value is hereunto annexed —I desire may be sold by my
Executors at such times —in such manner and on such credits
(if an equal valid and satisfactory distribution of the specific
property cannot be made without) as, in their judgment shall
be most conducive to the interest of the parties concerned, and
the monies arising therefrom to be divided into twenty-three equal
parts and applied as follows — viz:

 

Then followed the list of distributees which has been explained
in Chapter VI.*

In the course of later chapters we shall see the history of that
distribution under the heads of the various tracts of land con-
stituting the residuary estate. We have heretofore referred (in
Chapter VI) to the wise plan Washington followed in naming
seven executors and their conduct of the estate will be exhibited
in the concluding chapters.

At this point it seems suitable to deal (in the order of the will)
with the next subject it touches upon, “the family Vault at
Mount Vernon requiring repairs, and being improperly situated

1In the groups and individuals so named he included all his own and his
wife’s kindred and the proportions were fixed by the natural laws of con-
sanguinity, except in the last clause wherein he rewarded his two nephews,

Bushrod Washington and Lawrence Lewis, and his grandson, Custis, for
their services as executors.240 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

besides. I desire that a new one of Brick, and upon a larger
scale, may be built at the foot of what is commonly called the
Vineyard Inclosure,— on the ground which is marked out.— In
which my remains with those of my deceased relatives (now in the
Old Vault) and such others of my family as may chuse to be
entombed there, may be deposited.— And it is my express desire
that my Corpse may be interred in a private manner, without
parade or funeral oration.”

The funeral oration was omitted, the funeral was private
enough, considering everything, but as may be learned from Mr.
Lear’s narrative the military and masonic parade, though small,
was not avoided.

The old tomb is still in existence and is situated on the hillside
just south of and a little to the right of the Mansion House.” It
was subject to seepage and earth slides and so needed constant
watching and repair. It was also too small, and, to Washington’s
practical mind, altogether lacking. He selected the spot to the
west of the mansion on the sunny side of the grounds, free from
the faults mentioned, and early in the December of his death,
while indicating some improvements about his grounds which he
intended to make, he pointed it out to one of his nephews and
explained his purpose, saying, “This change I shall make the
first of all for I may require it before the rest.”

But it was not until a vandal tried to steal his body from the
old vault thirty years later that the executors found time or
money to carry out his careful plan. Then Lawrence Lewis and

2As an executor of his brother’s (Lawrence) will, George faithfully ful-
filled the wish it expressed “that a proper vault, for interment, may be made
on my home plantation, wherein my remains together with my three children
may be desently laid, to serve for my wife, and such other members of my
family as may desire it.” Ford, “Wills of George Washington and His in-
mediate Ancestors.”

“He built the vault on the brow of the hill about two hundred yards South
of the house, and in plain view of the South windows. It was built of brick
and sandstone and survives today, with its arched entrance over oak doors.
It sinks into the green bank in such a way that it seems part of the hill
side. There Lawrence and his children were laid, and it received and held
the remains of the family who died at Mount Vernon, for nearly one hundred
years.” Wilstach, “Mount Vernon”, p. 34.

Beginning at page 223 and ending at page 286 of that excellent book will
be found, in a dozen places, the paragraphs from which the remainder of this
story of the tomb is mainly compiled.The Final Clauses and Washington Monwment 241

George W. P. Custis undertook to fulfill his desire. The wooden
casing of Washington’s leaden casket had been three times re-
newed in the three decades since his death, so rapidly did damp-
ness and decay perform their work.

In 1830 the executors contracted for the construction of the
new tomb, and in 1831 it was ready for the transfer of the remains
of the deceased members of the Washington family. When this
had taken place the centennial year of Washington’s birth came
on and in 1832 the proposal to remove his remains to the Capitol
was again agitated. Congress renewed the request to the Wash-
ington family, and a platform was prepared for his sarcophagus
in the crypt under the center of the dome of the Capitol of the
United States. But it remains untenanted to-day, and the Gen-
eral and his wife repose in the quiet of beloved Mount Vernon, as
his relatives refused to give a permission contrary to the desire
expressed in his will.”

At this time, John Struthers, of Philadelphia, asked and re-
ceived permission to present sarcophagi for the two bodies, which
he proceeded to chisel from solid blocks of marble. When the
Congressional effort was finally abandoned and it became certain
that Washington’s wish to remain at Mount Vernon would be
respected, Mr. Struthers presented the sarcophagi to the Wash-
ington family for use in the family vault.

* Attention was called to the fact that the marble would dis-
color and perhaps decay with damp and darkness behind the iron
door of the vault. It was then decided to build the vestibule that
the marble caskets might have air and light. This was com-
pleted in 1837, when the remains of George and Martha Wash-
ington were sealed in the marble sarcophagi in the places where
they have since rested in the open vestibule before the vault.*
The marble receptables are severely plain. That of Washington
has on its upper surface a sculptured device in high relief repre-

3 The inscription on George Washington’s coffin is — name, date of birth and
death. “‘ Gloria Deo” —“‘ Surge ad Judicum.”

4The original contract between Lawrence Lewis, as executor and William
Yeaton, dated June 26, 1835, for building the wall and gateway around the
tomb was sold on December 10, 1890, at Birch’s sale to W. R. Benjamin for
$65.242 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

senting the eagle above the American shield against a drapery of
the Flag of the Union. Beneath this is the single word ‘ Wash-
ington.’ Martha’s has carved on its upper surface the words
‘Martha, Consort of Washington’ and on the upright surface at
the end ‘ Died May 21, 1801, aged 71 years.’ This is obviously
erroneous. Martha Washington died May 22, 1802.” °

From that date on the tomb of Washington has been America’s
Mecca and the nations of the earth have sent their noblest repre-
sentatives to do it honor in admiration, respect and affection.
Here inspiration has been sought and made vocal in many a crisis
and many a solemn festival. In the greatest effort of the people,
during the year 1918, of July fourth, it was here that Woodrow
Wilson and the people of the United States joined in their pledges
of faith to the Allies and justice to the enemies of democracy and
declared their high resolve to carry through in the spirit of

Washington.°

THE WASHINGTON MONUMENT

Every man of estate is entitled to a proper burial and burial
place and a monument to mark his grave, suitable to his means,
his position in life, his estate and his deserts. This is the rule of
probate courts in determining the reasonableness of the amounts
expended for these purposes by executors and administrators.

5 Wilstach, “ Mount Vernon”, p. 250. Since the text was written the date
on Martha Washington’s sarcophagus has been corrected.

6 [bid., p. 266: “ From the time that the bodies of Washington and other
members of his family were removed in 1831 the old tomb was abandoned and
allowed to decay. This spot so precious in association was reclaimed in 1837
by contributions from the State of Michigan and restored as nearly as possible
to the condition in which Washington put it when he built it in pious ful-
fillment of his brother Lawrence’s will. The Capstone inscribed “ Wash-
ington Family” had been removed and was lost sight of for many years.
It was discovered at Woodlawn Mansion, worn by service as a carriage
block and was replaced in its ancient position.” Page 268: “ Washington
declared the old tomb to be ‘improperly situated.’ The reasons thereof
were the springs which on an extensive stratum on the Virginia side of
the Potomac, render the adjoining banks liable to slides. Mount Vernon
Mansion and the old tomb stand on a height which has been peculiarly
susceptible to danger from this source. Minor slides occurred at intervals.
To forestall further danger the hill was, in 1904, tunnelled by Mr. Archer’s
suggestion, and under his direction, and is now drained of twenty thousand
gallons of water a day, an engineering feat as unique as it was successful
in its preservative effect.”The Final Clauses and Washington Monwment 243

Washington’s will made no provision beyond the necessary
tomb for himself and his kindred. He troubled not about a
marker or a monument. Neither did his kin, his State or his
Country. True, the latter made an attempt at it by proposing
to place his remains underneath the new capitol and Mrs. Wash-
ington concurred, but as we have seen nothing came of it. Later,
when it was proposed to the State of Virginia to purchase and
protect Mount Vernon, the State declined. The interference and
aid of the United States Government was not welcomed and for
that reason perhaps was not obtained. It was the glorious day
of “ States rights.” Later the efforts of the women of the nation
purchased and protected the tomb and preserved the home of
Washington and the nation from disgrace.

The monument question had a long, strange and eventful his-
tory. It gave rise to years of talk, resolutions, struggle, plan-
ning and effort and then seemed to end in disgraceful failure.
Not until 1833 was the Washington Monument Association, a
voluntary private enterprise, instituted, and only in 1848 was the
corner stone of the great shaft beyond the White House in
Washington City laid. But the work lagged and for thirty and
more years the stump of the proposed shaft stood as a symbol
of a disunited and perhaps irretrievably broken Union. Finally,
after a civil war greater than any other, Congress was induced
to appropriate funds to finish the work as originally planned, in
substance, but the emblematic porch surrounding it, to be deco-
rated with sculptures of the heroic acts of the Revolutionary
heroes, was abandoned.

On February 21, 1885 (the twenty-second falling on Sunday)
the great shaft had been completed and was dedicated with elabo-
rate ceremonies. From that day forth it has dominated the City
and the lands about in a circle of fifty miles diameter, and stands
as a symbol of unity. Its shining aluminum tip, touched by the
sun, is a gleaming light five hundred and fifty-five feet and five
inches above the surface of the ground. Its nearest neighbors on
the west are the tops of the Blue Ridge, while on the east the
gentle hills of Maryland look up to it. The broad Potomac244 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

glistens like silver as it courses about it on three sides, east, south
and west, and behind it rises the great dome of the Capitol.
While that shaft stands, the memory of Washington should not
again suffer the eclipse it fell into from 1800 to 1865. If it ever
does again, the nation will go with it and deserve to.

Robert C. Winthrop, of Massachusetts, Congressman from
1842 to 1850, Speaker of the House of Representatives in 1848,
Senator in succession to Daniel Webster, and an orator superb,
who had been sworn into the office of speaker by John Quincy
Adams, ex-President of the United States and then Dean of the
House, who in turn had received his first commission as a public
servant under the signature of Washington as President, with
the brand new seal of the United States in 1791, was called upon
=n 1848 to make the address at the laying of the corner stone of
the monument, as substitute for the selected orator of the day,
Mr. Adams, who fell at his post in Congress and died on
February 22, 1848.

The corner-stone ceremony took place on July 4, 1848.

Again in 1885 Congress asked the then aged Mr. Winthrop,
well on in his seventy-sixth year, to deliver the dedicatory address
on the twenty-second of February of that year. He prepared an
oration which fully met the occasion but on the day appointed
was confined to his home by illness. His address was most effec-
tively read for him by John Davis Long, then Congressman from
Massachusetts, later Secretary of the Navy, and himself a finished
orator in the prime of life. And so, after nearly a century, the
tallest shaft in the country suitably memorialized its greatest

man.Chapter XXI
OF THE ESTATE IN THE CITY OF WASHINGTON

Tue agreement of the beneficiaries under Washington’s will
that its provisions should be fully carried out, notwithstanding
the will’s insufficiency in States other than Virginia was soon put
into execution in the District of Columbia.

A petition was filed on November 15, 1802, in the office of the
Register of Wills for Washington County (as Congress had
designated that part of the District north of the Potomac and
lately a part of the State of Maryland). The prayer of the
petition was that the will be probated and that letters testa-
mentary be issued to George Steptoe Washington, Samuel Wash-
ington and Lawrence Lewis, three of the executors named in it.
The case is on the administration docket (Number 1) as cur-
rent Number 22 and the record shows that letters were issued
accordingly the same day.

The executors filed their bond in the sum of fifty thousand
dollars, with James Barry and Thomas Grafton Addison as
sureties, running to the United States of America. It is recorded
in Book J. H., Number 1, on page 28.

The will was duly recorded in book J. H. 1, of wills, but the
record has become so dilapidated that a fair copy in typewriting
has now been made in Will Book I, at page 27. It shows a duly
certified copy of the will and the probate record in Fairfax
County, Virginia County Court, and a printed copy of the will
and schedules (the first or Alexandria edition) is in the files.

Except the executors’ oath (in Bushrod Washington’s hand-
writing) duly signed by the executors, but not attested by an
officer or dated or bearing file mark, there is no further proceed-
ing in this office in the estate. As it owned no personal property
in the District no accounting was had there.246 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

The lands Washington owned in this county of the District
were Square 21 (to which we have already referred), the water
lots on the Eastern Branch and two houses and lots on Capitol
Hill. The water lots were numbers 5, 12, 18 and 14 in Square
667 near the then new ferry on the road to Baltimore via South
Capitol Street, and the houses were on North Capitol Street,
east front between B Street and Indiana Avenue, on the crest
of a hill which has since been leveled.

THE NORTH CAPITOL STREET HOUSES

The story of Washington’s investment here is preserved in his
correspondence and is an illuminating example of the difficulties
encountered in establishing a nation’s capital in a forest far from
every base of supplies.

Washington had strongly favored the location of the capital
on the Potomac for political reasons, to aid in cementing the
Union and to avoid local jealousies and influences. He had
selected the site, after a personal survey of the seventy miles
along the river north to Williamsport prescribed by Congress.
He had induced the planters who owned the site to join in grant-
ing the necessary streets, avenues, alleys and parks, besides one-
half of all lots to the Federal Government, in the magnificent plan
which Major L’Enfant had constructed under his direction by
laying the diagonal avenues of Versailles across the regular
squares of conventional American design.

When it came to selling the lots held by the Government in
1793 to raise the money for building its buildings and laying
out streets, etc., for which Congress made almost no appropria-
tions, there was a European war panic in the land and only
meager prices prevailed. Washington attended the sales in
person and to encourage bidders he bought the water lots on
the Eastern Branch, and then to show no favoritism he purchased
also Block 21 on the opposite end of town.

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LETTERS TESTAMENTARY ON WASHINGTON S WILL,
ISSUED IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIAOf the Estate in the City of Washington 247

connecting them by streets and providing the necessary stores,
dwellings, hotels and other accommodations had dragged along
for five years more, through commercial stringency and political
opposition when Thomas Law in May, 1798, wrote to Washing-
ton, then out of office:

An example alone is wanting to encourage private buildings.

Pardon the liberty I take in suggesting to you how much your
building one house at this crisis would ensure the rapid rise of
the city by doing away doubts. . . . Your name would effect
much. I speak my most real solemn sentiments when I say that
some measure of this kind is necessary lest this year should pass
away and Congress depute a member to report whether accom-
modations are ready or preparing for Congress.*

Washington visited the city at once and spent several days
at the home of his wife’s granddaughter, Mrs. Law, on Capitol
Hill.

But scarcely had he returned to Mount Vernon when another
and far more serious matter engaged his attention. Hamilton
wrote him of the return of the United States Commissioners from
France and the probability of a rupture and war, “ You ought
to be aware... that the public voice will again call you to
command the armies of your country. . . . All your past labors
may demand to give them efficacy, this further, this very great
sacrifice.”

He was appointed and confirmed commander in chief July 2,
1798, and until well into September was busily engaged in the
correspondence which set in train the organization of an army.

September twelfth, in a letter to Alexander White, one of the
District Commissioners, he resumed the subject of a purchase of
lots on Capitol Hill and said:

As I never require much time to execute any measure after
I have resolved upon it, if an undertaker could be engaged in the
City or its vicinity to dig the cellars and lay the foundations and
the Commissioners would do me the favor to enter into a con-
tract therefor to the basement story, I could wish it to be set

1L. C., W. Mss., Vol. 287, 38461.248 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

about and executed this fall, the earlier the better. . . . I have
determined to commence two and if I can procure the means, com-
plete them both in the course of next summer.’

A few days later he received a letter from John Francis, the
Philadelphia hotel keeper at whose house President Adams had
resided for the past three years, saying that he had learned of
Washington’s intention to build and asking terms of rental if the
buildings be adapted to boarding-house purposes.®

A building permit was issued by the Commissioners on Sep-
tember 24 and the purchase of two lots, one from the Commis-
sioners and the adjoining one from Daniel Carroll of Duddington,
was concluded. ‘These lots comprised fifty-four feet and eight
inches on the west side of Capitol Street between B and C streets.
(The latter is now Indiana Avenue.) The legal description was
Lots 6 and 16 in Square 634, and the price for the former was
$428.40 payable cash and for the latter was $535.70 payable in
installments, one-third cash and the remainder in two equal annual
payments. Washington closed the purchase at once by sending
his checks for the money required and asked the Commissioners
to pass on the estimate of Mr. Blagden for the buildings, ‘‘ to
prevent any Imposition on me.”

On October 4, Washington writes to the Commissioners that
the estimate “ far exceeds any aggregate sum I had contemplated
or think I could command. . . . Eight or ten thousand dollars
was the extent of my calculation.”

A little later he wrote them again, “I have resolved to agree
to Mr. Blagden’s terms, that is to give him $11,000 to build the
two houses I taking upon myself the painting, glazing and iron-
mongery. For I find including the price of the lotts and en-
closing them, with the cost of the buildings in the manner I am
proceeding, the Rent I shall be able to obtain will scarcely give
me common interest for the money that will be expended,
but having put my hand to the work I must not now look
back.”

21. C., Commissioners of District of Columbia Papers.
31. C., W. Mss., Vol. 297, 39867.Of the Estate in the City of Washington 249

The contract was signed accordingly, but as usual the pros-
pective tenant and the contractor soon suggested changes in the
front and cellar, in which Washington concurred, and thus had
a bill for “ extras ” on October 28, 1798,* even before the ground
was broken. Likewise his trip to Philadelphia, which immedi-
ately followed in the interest of army organization, resulted in an

*‘ can be given a pediment in the

inquiry on his part if the houses
roof and dormer windows on each side of it with sky lights in the
rear and what the additional cost will be.” °

Doctor William Thornton, the architect of the Capitol, made
the plans for the houses and superintended their construction.
His papers have been preserved and are to be found in the Library
of Congress, Manuscripts Division. It appears from them that
his services, probably gratuitous, were duly appreciated by Wash-
ington, for he wrote him on July 2, 1799, enclosing a check for

> and saying: “* Your favor of the 25th has been

the “ undertaker ’
received, but you have mistaken the case entirely with respect to
the Asses who were sent to my Jacks, charging you nothing for
the services of the latter, and not designed to lay you under
obligation, but a feeble effort to repay the kindness you have
heaped on me.”

Other payments soon followed and on November 27, Wash-
ington sent Doctor Thornton a payment on account of the build-
ings, making seven thousand dollars to date and that ended his
connection with the enterprise, for before the next payment
matured Washington had gone to another mansion and his execu-
tors hurriedly provided the sum due.

Doctor Thornton continued to represent the estate in the com-

5

pletion of the buildings ° and has left a perfect record of his pro-

ceedings prior to Washington’s death in a letter and account
(of which a duplicate is in the Thornton papers, Vol. III, p. 381)
addressed to Colonel Tobias Lear, on January 20, 1800.

4 Washington to Commissioners of District of Columbia, L. C.

5 Washington to Doctor William Thornton, December 20, 1798, L. C., Vol.
219, W. Mss.

6 An interesting account of the buildings is to be found in Vol. VII of
Columbia Historical Society records, p. 66, written by Henry B. Looker.250 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

The houses were completed during the year 1800. It appears
from the executor’s accounts that General Henry Dearborn, the
Secretary of War in Mr. Jefferson’s Cabinet, occupied one of
them in 1802, for he is credited with paying Bushrod Washington
$450 on account of rent. Who occupied the other house, or
whether or not General Dearborn found use for both, is not
told in recorded form. Presumably John Francis or some other
caterer to Congressmen held the lease.

In the year 1814 General Dearborn was still Secretary of War,
then under James Madison’s presidency and when the British
made their unwelcome visit to our Capital that year in the course
of the War of 1812, the commander ordered the White House,
the Capitol and its contents destroyed by fire. In an inquiry
subsequently made by the House of Representatives as to the
cause of the loss of some of its records not properly removed
in the flight from the Capitol building of that day, it appears
that on the day before the fire “after the first defeat of our
troops at Bladensburg, Mr. Frost removed them [certain books |
to the house commonly called General Washington’s, which house
being unexpectedly consumed by fire, these records were unfortu-
nately lost.” ‘

Thus the respect shown for Washington’s estate at Mount
Vernon during the Revolution and in this war suffered an eclipse.
The records were undoubtedly sent to the house of the Secretary
of War for the supposed safety assumed in case of private build-
ings, but either the persistent pursuit by the soldiers or the acci-
dent of proximity sealed their fate when the Capitol was de-
stroyed. With them went the only structure in the District
erected by Washington for himself.

The sound brick walls, charred and blackened, stood until the
estate sold the lots “‘ as is ” to David English on July 25, 1817.
Then, Mr. Looker tells, the structure was remodeled and rebuilt
into the Hillman House and subsequently named the Kenmore

7In Vol. II, American State Papers, Mss. 245, is printed a report made
to the House of Representatives on September 20, 1814, by its clerk, to

explain the destruction of part of its records by fire during the invasion the
month before.Of the Estate in the City of Washington 251

House (after Betsy Washington Lewis’ house in Fredericksburg,
Va.). The new Kenmore was an enlarged structure comprising
five stories and mansard. The original left by Washington was
only three stories and dormer. On pages 64 and 68 of Mr.
Looker’s essay will be found illustrations which depict the build-
ing during the late Civil War and at the time the land was taken
over by the Government in 1910. Then the building was torn
down and the lots embodied in the space intended for park pur-
poses between the Capitol and the great Union Station. At
present the land is occupied by dormitories, built to house female
clerks of the Government during and after the World War, in
1918.

The title to the lots was linked together with the water lots
owned by Washington situated a mile or more away at the south-
ern extremity of South Capitol Street, because the court pro-
ceedings required for their sale joined both tracts. The record
of these proceedings is quite complete and from it most of the
following has been taken.

THE WATER LOTS

The agreement between the beneficiaries under Washington’s
will made in writing at Alexandria on July 19, 1802, provided
that they “ will not contest the validity of the said will as to the
property situated out of this state, . . . and that the said will
shall be executed according to the tenor thereof.” *

In pursuance of this agreement the beneficiaries held a sale
among themselves as a practical method of partitioning the per-
sonal and all the real property except the western lands. At this
sale held on June 7, 1803, the Washington City houses were not
sold, but the water lots were.

Washington’s schedule valued them as follows:

Lots No. 5, 12, 18, and 14 in Square 667, 34,438 sq. ft.
@ 12 cts.— $4,132
They were sold by the executors:

8 See the agreement in full in Chapter IX.252 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased
Lot 5 to Andrew Parks, Harriet Washington’s hus-

band, 11,890 sq. ft. @ 61% cts. for — $772.83
Lot 12 to Thomas Peter, Martha Parke Custis’ hus-

band, 5,730 sq. ft. @ 744 cts.— 429.75
Lot 13 to the same, 3,542 sq. ft. @ 714 cts.— 256.79
Lot 14 to Geo. S. Washington, 3,321 sq. ft. @

8 cts.— 265.68

A total of — $1,725.05

or $2,416.95 less than the schedule.

It was then found that the executors could not make title to
the lots because Washington’s will was ineffectual in the District
of Columbia. Under the laws of Maryland which prevailed in
that part of the District of Columbia in which Washington City
was situated, the real estate of Washington descended to his
kindred.

The Maryland law also excluded the relatives by the half-blood,
that is to say, in this case, the descendants of Washington’s
elder brother, Augustine Washington, of Wakefield, namely:
William Augustine Washington, Elizabeth Spotswood, Jane
Thornton and the heirs of Anne Ashton, who were to take four
twenty-thirds of the estate according to the will.

It became necessary therefore to begin a suit in chancery for
the partition of the lots among the next of kin, with the alterna-
tive that in case such partition could not be made without ma-
terial injury in the division, then the property should be sold
under the order of the court and the proceeds disposed of accord-
ing to law.

“ According to law ” meant by division among the heirs-at-law.
In this case however, to attain the division desired by Washing-
ton, there was invoked the equitable doctrine of election and it
was claimed that these heirs-at-law, by reason of their taking
property under the will in Virginia, were fairly and equitably
bound to stand by the will in Maryland and the District of
Columbia or elsewhere, at least to the extent of giving the other
beneficiaries credit for the advantage they reaped by the tech-Of the Estate in the City of Washington 253

nical difficulty in enforcing the will in these outside jurisdictions.
The simplest method of accomplishing this just purpose was to
provide in the order of sale that the proceeds of sale should be
paid over to the executor, Bushrod Washington, who was a party
to the suit, so that he might put them into hotchpot with the
remainder of the estate and distribute them altogether as directed
by the will among all concerned. The books of the law covered
the case fully and Bushrod Washington explained and carried
out the plan.

We have heretofore located the houses built by Washington.
There remain to be described the lots on South Capitol Street
extension. The lots are on the east and west side of Water Street,
a short street near Buzzard Point, between South “U” and
South “V” streets and they front on the east branch of the
Potomac, called Anacostia River, near Jones Creek Canal, at the
south end of South Capitol Street and as far remote as possible
from the city’s life. They are now nearly worthless. Lot 5
fronts west on Water Street and east on the river. It is 32 feet
front and perhaps 50 feet deep. The other three — Lots 12, 13
and 14— comprise 126 by 140 feet on the opposite side of the
street and together with Lot 5 they would have made a favorable
warehouse site if a dock had been built and business had come.
Washington acquired these lots from the United States on Sep-
tember 18, 1793, as appears by the certificates, recorded the same
day in book B, on pages 310 and 311 in the recorder’s office in
the City of Washington.

In the present Supreme Court of the District of Columbia in
file wrapper Number 35 are the papers of the case of Thornton
Washington and others vs. Bushrod Washington, which appeared
on the Chancery Docket as Number 1, in pursuance of a bill in
chancery filed October 3, 1805, in the then Circuit Court of the
District of Columbia for Washington County established by Con-
gress a few years before, but now superseded by the said Supreme
Court.

In this suit there came into court as complainants all the de-
scendants of Washington’s sister Betty and his brothers Samuel,254 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

Charles and John Augustine, except Bushrod Washington.

The husbands of those who were married were obliged to join
their wives in the suit for the latter were legally incapable of
suing alone.

They made Bushrod Washington defendant and it was a
friendly suit. They alleged against him that George Washing-
ton, late President of the United States, of Mount Vernon in
the Commonwealth of Virginia, owned Lots 5, 12, 13 and 14
in Square 667.

Here the paper shows four blank lines as if it had been in-
tended to insert the description of further property, but it was
not done; the houses and lots on Capitol] Hill were not included
at that time. The bill proceeds —that Washington made his
will, of which a copy was made a part of the bill, and that he
died in 1799.

“That the said will is not executed with the solemnities
requisite to pass the real estate aforesaid within the limits and
jurisdiction of the District of Columbia, in consequence whereof
the said George Washington hath died Intestate as to said real
Estate. That by reason of the said intestacy and by Virtue of
the act of Maryland entitled an Act to direct descents, the said
real estate hath descended to the plaintiffs and Bushrod Wash-
ington, the defendant, who are the heirs of the whole blood to
George Washington aforesaid.”

The bill further claimed that said lots “will not admit of
division among so many heirs, that the Executors of the said will
have sold said lands for a full and fair price which they are de-
sirous of confirming but by reason of their, the plaintiffs, mmority
the same cannot be done.”

They therefore ask a partition or sale by the court or that the
sale already made by the executors be confirmed and for other and
ample relief and that Bushrod Washington be compelled to
answer the suit and show cause, if any, why their prayer should
not be carried into effect.

Philip B. Key signed the bill as solicitor for the complainants.

Bushrod Washington did not wait to be summoned by theOf the Estate in the City of Washington 255

Marshal but came into court the same day and filed his answer,
which is signed by Francis Scott Key, author of “The Star
Spangled Banner”, as his solicitor. The song writer was then
twenty-six years old and had but recently been admitted to the
bar.

The answer admitted all the claims of the bill of complaint “ if
it be true that the laws of Maryland are as stated ”, and that he
and the other executors and beneficiaries of age ‘‘ to perfect the
intention of the Deceased, sold said lands for a full and fair price
but by reason of the infancy of many of the heirs the legal title
cannot be made to the purchasers.” He joined in the prayer of
the plaintiffs.

The court on the same day entered an order appointing Daniel
Carroll ‘of Duddington”,® Robert Brent, Frederick May,
Thomas Munro and Samuel Hamilton a commission to determine
whether the property could be partitioned without injury or loss
to the parties, in conformity to the act of 1786: Cap. 85, and
also appointed William A. Washington guardian of the minors
to protect their interests in the matter.

Not until the 28th day of September, 1807, was the commis-
sion issued by the clerk to the commissioners. On October 1,
1807, the commissioners took the oath of office required by law
and reported on the 24th of June, 1808, that it would injure the
value of the property to divide it into so many parts; that the
water lot is worth $16 per front foot “it may have on the edge
of the water”, and the remaining lots, ten cents per square
foot.

On June 20, 1809, an order to sell the property was made.

9 Daniel Carroll of Duddington was a cousin of Charles Carroll of Carroll-
ton, the signer of the Declaration of Independence, and himself a member
of the Constitutional Convention. He owned a large portion of the lands
taken (given) for the City of Washington reserving to himself every alternate
sub-lot. He resided on his estate on Capitol Hill known as Duddington,
which he appended to his name to distinguish himself from his more famous
cousin. Daniel Carroll was a lawyer and a very able financier and faithful
friend of Washington and with his cousin Charles had joined Washington in
financing the Potomac Canal. He also built the block of five elegant dwell-
ings on the northeast corner of First and “A” Streets, S. E., which became

the temporary Capitol after the destruction of the original in 1814 by the
British. :256 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

This order was never carried out, but on April 13, 1810, Philip
B. Key filed an amendment to the original bill alleging that “ an
omission was made of three lots No. six, No. seven and No. six-
teen, in square 634 having two brick houses built thereon of which
General George Washington was seized in fee, which descended
to his heirs and which they pray may be divided or sold accord-
ing to the provisions of law, and that the former commission and
return may be suspended and a new commission issued ” and that
Bushrod Washington be called to answer.

Again Bushrod Washington answered the same day but this
time in his own handwriting and admitted the claim as to the new
premises and declared that “he is willing that the same shall be
valued and sold or otherwise disposed of according to law,
and that a speedy settlement and decision would benefit the
Estate.”

Whereupon the court suspended and annulled the commission
theretofore issued and the proceedings thereunder and ordered
that a new commission issue to the same commissioners.

Under the new commission, which issued April 18, 1810, the
commissioners on June 11th again took the oath and made their
report against a division and that a sale would be advantageous.
They valued the water lot at $16 per front foot, the others at ten
cents per square foot and the lots and buildings in Square 634
at ten thousand dollars. It was so found and ordered by the
court on the 4th day of January, 1812, by William Cranch,
Chief Judge, and Buckner Thurston Esquire, his assistant, and
again Philip B. Key was appointed trustee to sell the property
at auction and bring the proceeds into court after giving bond
for twenty thousand dollars. Philip Barton Key gave the bond
with William Brent as surety and they signed it in the presence
of Charles Glover as a witness.

But under date of March 18, 1816, there is this note written
at the foot of the decree.

I consent that Geo. C. Washington shall be appointed by the
Court the trustee for the sale of the within property.
BusHrop WASHINGTON.Of the Estate in the City of Washington 257

Between these dates there came the War of 1812, the sack of
the city in August, 1814, and the removal of many court papers
to Rockville, ten miles away in Maryland. ‘Those in this case
were saved from destruction.

Philip Barton Key was now dead and young George Corbin
Washington, grandson of John Augustine Washington, took his
place. George C. Washington, with Francis Scott Key as surety,
gave bond in the sum of twenty thousand dollars on July 3, 1816,
to conduct the sale and this time William Brent witnessed the
paper.

The Trustee’s report filed November 30, 1816, shows that he
sold on July 25, 1817, at public sale to:

David English, lott 16 & part of lotts Nos. 6 & 7 in Square
No. 634, at thirteen & a half cents pr. square foot amounting to
$1,446.1214.

Charles Glover lotts No. 12, 13 & 14 in Square 667 also lotts
numbered 4, 5, & 6 in Square East of Square 667 at three cents
pr. square foot amounting to the sum of $379.29.

John G. McDonald lott No. 5 in Square 667 at one and a
quarter cents pr. square foot amounting to the sum $148.6214.

The first tract sold was that on which stood the burned and
naked walls of the two brick houses on Capitol Hill and so the
invasion of the city cost the estate of George Washington de-
ceased the difference between the valuation of fifteen thousand
dollars he made, or ten thousand dollars made by the Commis-
sioners in 1810, and the beggarly $1,446.121% so received.

The price of the water and other lots had fallen from a total
of $4,123, as Washington thought them worth, to $527.9114 pro-
duced by the sale.

The entire loss was $17,048.96 on the capital cost. Washing-
ton indeed ‘‘ paid pretty smartly ” for the investment he pa-
triotically made as he explained to the Commissioners in his letter
of September 28, 1798.

Even at that, the purchasers did not pay cash. McDonald258 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

gave his bond (still on file) for $148.621, in double the amount,
payable in a year without interest, Lewis H. Machen being his
surety and Mountjoy Bayly the witness; and Charles Glover
likewise took a year’s time to pay his $379.21 without interest,
giving William Cocking as security in the presence of Jane
Glover.

At the December term, 1816, there was made the final order
of the court “ that the sale made by George C. Washington, the
trustee in this case, be ratified and confirmed, unless cause to the
contrary be shown to this Court on or before the first Monday of
June next, and publication of the order in the National Intelli-
gencer three times a week for three weeks was directed to be
made before that date.” The certificate of publication shows that
this was done, beginning January 25, 1817, as Gales and Seaton,
the publishers, attest, and on November 6, 1817, the court con-
firmed the sale. This ends the record.

The important question of distribution of the proceeds of sale
is not settled by any of the papers on file. The court record of
its orders is not preserved ; the book was probably lost in the flight
or the fire at the time of the British invasion. The papers re-
maining now in court are all original documents and the lawyer’s
‘drafts of the court’s orders approved by the judges. There
probably was an order directing the proceeds to be paid over to
Bushrod Washington, as executor, for distribution under the
terms of the will, for the latter in his account says:

Oct. 14, 1817 — By cash received of David English in part of
his purchase of City Lotts $600.

November 27, 1817 — By cash received of Geo. C. Washington
the Commissioner appointed by the Court to sell the City prop-
erty $1,150.

The total of $1,750, plus reasonable expenses of suit and sale
$227.06, accounts for the purchase price.

Thus ends the story of Washington’s patriotic efforts to aid
in the establishment and upbuilding of the Capital on the
Potomac.

While the lots on the hill have been incorporated in the PlazaOf the Estate in the City of Washington 259

grounds and are public property, the water lot and those adjoin-
ing are in the same condition they were one hundred and thirty
years ago, that is, covered with weeds and unused. A paved
street leads to them but except the smelly plant of the asphalt
paving company near by, there has been no improvement made
in the neighborhood and the farmsteads there have gone to rack
and ruin within sight of the Capitol and almost in its shadow.
The trend of development has been away from the ferry which
hoped to attract it. Washington’s third purchase, that of
Square 21 in the opposite quarter of the city, fared nearly as
badly as these two, as we saw in the last chapter.

The original deed given by George C. Washington as trustee
to Charles Glover has lately come into possession of his grand-
son, Charles C. Glover, Esq., president of the Riggs National
Bank of Washington, as a present on the seventieth anniversary
of his birth. He tells me his grandfather abandoned this pur-
chase and let the lots be sold for taxes and when it was later
proposed to attack the title of the purchasers at the tax sale,
his grandmother, to whom the title had enured, refused either
to disturb purchasers in good faith or “to send good money
after bad.”

The original deed to John G. McDonald from George C. Wash-
ington was lately in the possession of a bookseller and collector
in Washington and was for sale.

The present owners of the four water lots, apparently, are
Charles B. Howison, Fannie Jackson, Hattie King and Frank
R. Davis; lot 5 is valued for taxation $475, and lots 12, 13 and
14 are so valued at $176, $109, and $100 respectively, a total
of $860; in 1816 they sold at auction for $527.9314.Chapter XXII
OF THE MARYLAND FARMS

Two farms in Maryland, one in Charles County opposite
Mount Vernon and one in Montgomery County, about thirty
miles above Washington near the Potomac River, were listed in
the schedule of the estate.

In pursuance of their plan of dividing the estate, the executors
offered these for sale to the highest bidder among the beneficiaries
under the will and reported the result to the County Court as a
public sale as follows:

1803. April 16. To Thomas Peter
The Montgomery County Land
519 Acres @ $10.55 $5,475.45
June 7. To Nicholas Fitzhugh
669 ‘A; 0}, Re 258 of, land
in Charles County Maryland
@, $5.50 $3,680.35

THE CHARLES COUNTY FARM

This county lies on the east or Maryland side of the Potomac,
opposite the lower part of Fairfax County in Virginia and ex-
tends from Mount Vernon down the river around the Great Bend
to the Wicomico River’s broad mouth at Rock Point, halfway to
Chesapeake Bay. La Plata is the county seat. Port Tobacco
was its famous place of export and import to and from all the
world in ancient days, but the one railroad now there has de-
flected the traffic landward and northward, and Port Tobacco
is about “‘ sanded up.” The county is rich and prosperous. The
sheriff says that “ mighty few executions run here, especially to
the southward.”

Washington’s ferry at Mount Vernon connected the county
with Virginia and made business and social intercourse easy.Of the Maryland Farms 261

Many of his friends and compatriots in the French and Indian
and Revolutionary wars settled there and were favored by
his enterprise in the ferry, the mill and other industries he
maintained.

‘© made

So it came about too that prior to February, 1775, he
a deal” with Daniel Jenifer Adams, son of Jonas Adams, the
captain of a vessel plying between Port Tobacco and the West
Indies, Jamaica especially. Daniel was the agent of the Lord
Proprietary of Maryland in those parts, that is, tax collector.
His father owed Washington £570. 18s. lld. Jamaica currency
and £106. 6s. 6d. Virginia currency, in 1774 when the father died,
and in Washington’s ledger “B” at page 99 and in certain
letters appears the way in which the debt was settled.

First, Washington agreed to take the farm of the late captain,
which the widow and heirs urged upon him, at a price which was
generous to them. It cost him £1,075. 3.314 Virginia currency
or about thirty-six hundred silver dollars (a sum which it brought
at the sale of Washington’s estate about thirty years later). To
enable the heirs to make title to him, he had to invest a sum nearly
as large as that due him, in paying off the late captain’s debts to
others, sending nearly $1,900 of “ good money after bad.” But
he did it to save something for the widow and children of his friend
and debtor. He promptly leased the farm back to the son, Daniel,
and the widow at a low rental and then forgot about it for nearly
twenty-five years of revolution and reconstruction.

Daniel Jenifer Adams wrote on February 4 and March 14,
1775, to Washington agreeing in the first letter to release to him
the land (and slaves) in question, with the consent of his mother
and sisters, and in the latter letter he pleads pathetically on
behalf of one of the slaves, married and having children, “ who
protests against the possibility of being taken to Virginia; he
will rather kill himself.”

When Washington came to write his will in July, 1799, he
noted this farm in his schedule as:

acres price

Charles County 600 $6 $3,600 (1)262 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

(1) I am but little acquainted with this land although I have
once been on it. It was received (many years since) in discharge
of a debt due to me from Daniel Jenifer Adams, at the value
annexed thereto, and must be worth more.— It is very level, lyes
near the River Potomac.

Washington’s ledger “ B” showed the old account as follows:

Mrs. Daniel Jenifer Adams —
1775
Decr. By Deed for the following Tracts
of land in Charles County, Maryland
(all I am likely to get for my debt)

 

Acres
viz: Josias Help 109
Wade’s Addition 33%,
Adam’s retirement 100
Ditto outlet 50
Williams folly 260
Total 552%
Dr.
fe aes. 28 Sa Gs
Jamaica Cy SHOES! asl 106. 6 6
My assumpsit to the following
persons in order to obtain Deeds for the
Land per Contra.
Messrs. Knox & Ballie Oo ek
Mr. Geo. Gray SOLO eo,
Mr. John Stromat 214 16° 3
Mr. R. Mundell 3s oO
Mr. Wm. Hanson Shff. 5 59 LOS Sas
Mr. West 100) 32 39
Deduct 25 prct. to S55

reduce to Va. Cy. 140 0 6 560 2 3%Of the Maryland Farms 263

The farm is located in Durham Parish in the southwestern
section of Charles County near Liverpool Point and about op-
posite Maryland Point, Virginia.

The deed to Washington from the widow and heirs of Jonas
Adams deceased describes the land only by the quaint names and
acreage stated in Washington’s ledger, into which he evidently
copied these items. It was acknowledged before two of the jus-
tices of peace for the county, Dan Jenifer and Joseph Craik,
and was recorded in Liber V, No. 3, folios 60 and 61, but not

until it could be said, as the deed shows:

Charles County ss 5th January 1776. Then Received of the
within mentioned Genl. George Washington the sum of Twenty
two Shillings Sterling as an alination fine on the within men-
tioned Land for the use of the Lord Proprietary and by virtue
of a Commission from Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer, Esquire His

Lordships agents.
Pr. Puit Ro FENDALL

The subsequent history of this land is joined with that which

follows:

THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY LAND
This is described by Washington in his schedule as:

acres price
Montgomery County 519.12 6.228 (m)

(m) This tract lyes about 30 miles above the City of Wash-
ington not far from Kittoctan. It is good farming land, and by
those who are well acquainted with it, I am informed that it would
sell for twelve or $15 per acre.

The deed for this land to Washington, dated January 13, 1794,
is recorded in the Maryland Land Office at Annapolis in Volume
J. G. B., No. 3, at page 324. It was between “John Francis
Mercer, of the City of Annapolis in the State of Maryland,
Esquire and Sophia, his wife, James Stewart of the Town of
Baltimore, in the state aforesaid Gentleman and Rebecca, his264 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

wife, and Elizabeth Sprigg, of Ann Arundel County in the State
aforesaid, Spinster, of the one part and George Washington,
Esquire, President of the United States of America, of the other
part”, and in consideration of “ the sum of Three thousand s1X

>

hundred and thirty three Spanish milled dollars ” conveys Lot 2,
being 519 acres, “ a certain part of a large Tract of Land called
Woodstock Manor situated in the County of Montgomery in the
State of Maryland aforesaid . . . by a survey made of the same
in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty-
GWOl sca

The payment of the purchase price was acknowledged at the
foot of the deed by Mercer, Stewart and Miss Sprigg, and the
signatures to the deed were acknowledged in due form, that of
James Stewart being taken before Samuel Chase, then Chief Judge
of the General Court of Maryland, and later the Justice of the
Supreme Court of the United States, whom President Adams
appointed and President Jefferson sought to have impeached for
his Federal partisanship.

There is no correspondence preserved in the Washington manu-
scripts showing how or why Washington purchased this land.
Ledger “‘ C ”’, recently found in the collection of Lloyd W. Smith,
Esq., of New York, shows that in April, 1793, there was due
Washington from the Estate of John F. Mercer, deceased, the
sum of £908. 15. 11. plus interest from May 31, 1791, at five per
cent. per annum, £83.4.9, and that Washington paid John
F. Mercer, the son of said deceased, £97.17. 4. in full of
£1,089. 18. 0. for which he received this tract of land, “ conveyed
to me by yourself and others ”— 519 acres at 42 shillings per
acre = £1,089.18. In spite of the French crisis, the Genét affair
and other conditions in 1794, the purchase was a good one. The
manor was ancient, having been patented in 1725 to Thomas
Spriggs as one thousand acres, and now was being partitioned
between heirs, some of whom were willing to sell half of it at a
very moderate price, a little over six dollars per acre.

In the year 1798 the land and some slaves on it were assessed
to George Washington as the owner of Woodstock Manor atPoe cdr tear 7 Wo Zard tnht hore (ld Hr Jor Lam fay a frte

of: iv

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BUSHROD WASHINGTON S ANSWER IN
MARYLAND SUIT

LAST PAGE OF

And his oath taken before Chief Justice MarshallOf the Maryland Farms 265

nineteen shillings and eightpence per acre, or £510. ‘7s. for the
tract “‘ tobacco valu.” *

It is not difficult to-day to locate the tract, though it is no
longer called by the aristocratic name it bore a century ago. It
lies on the road from Boyd’s Station on the Baltimore and Ohio
Railroad to Seneca on the Potomac, about six miles from the
former place. It is twelve miles north of Rockville and this about
tallies with Washington’s memorandum. It is worth one hundred
dollars per acre to-day, without improvements.

On October 31, 1804, steps were taken by the executors to make
good title to Fitzhugh and Peter for the Charles and Mont-
gomery County lands. On that day, in the Land Court of
Maryland at Annapolis, addressed to the Honorable Alexander
Counter Hanson, Esquire, Chancellor of Maryland, the heirs of
George Washington, deceased, filed their bill of complaint against
Bushrod Washington, also an heir, for the purpose of a partition
or sale of both tracts. The record of that proceeding is complete
in files and record books.

It is in substance the same as the bill for like purposes in the
District of Columbia described in the preceding chapter and is
all in the handwriting of Philip B. Key, the solicitor for the
complainant. It prays that if possible the sales already made of
the two tracts to Peter and Fitzhugh be confirmed but otherwise
a partition or sale at auction be had under the statute. The
copy of the will attached is the printed one of the Alexandria
edition, the first page of which is here reproduced.

The answer of Bushrod Washington, filed the same day, is all
in his handwriting except the signature of the officer who swore
him to it. The reproduction of the closing sentences and sig-
natures is also shown here.

A preceding clause of the answer runs thus: “ This defendant
hath also been advised & therefore he admits that the afsd. will
of the said George Washington was not executed with the solemni-
ties requisite to pass real estate within the limits & Jurisdiction
of the state of Maryland, in consequence whereof the said George

2 Assessors’ Book Number 1, Montgomery County Records, Rockville, Md.266 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

Washington died intestate as to the tracts of land before
described.”

At the June term, 1805, on the ninth day of July of that year,
the court decreed that it appeared that the land could not be
divided advantageously and that a sale should be had after three
weeks’ public notice. The sale might be for cash or credit with
security with interest for twelve months.

Bushrod Washington was appointed trustee to make the sale
on giving bond in the sum of five thousand dollars with sureties.
His sale or sales must be approved by the court and the purchase
money paid before he may give a deed, and then the purchaser
shall become possessed of good title against any one claiming
under George Washington. The purchase money is then to be
brought into court for application as the chancellor shall direct
after paying costs of suit and such commission to the trustee as
the chancellor shall think proper “ on consideration of the skill,
attention and fidelity wherewith the Trustee shall appear to have
discharged his trust.”

The bond for five thousand dollars with Nathaniel Crawford
of Greenwood, Maryland, as surety, running to Luther Martin,
attorney for and on behalf of the State of Maryland, was dated
the first day of September, 1805, and was wholly in Bushrod
Washington’s painstaking handwriting. It was acknowledged
by him before Jonah Thompson, Mayor of Alexandria, on Sep-
tember 5, 1805, and by Crawford two days later before Samuel
Hepburn, one of the justices of the peace in and for Prince
George’s County. At the end is written:

This security is very ample.
Puitip B. Key.
Yet the cautious chancellor endorsed it thus: “ This bond ought
to have been executed to the State of Maryland — However as
a bond to the Attorney Genl. may be considered tantamount —
the bond is approved. A. C. Hanson — Ch.”

The report of Bushrod Washington as trustee for the sale of
the real estate of George Washington, deceased, was filed in the
court and approved July 2, 1807, “unless cause to the con-Of the Maryland Farms 267

trary be shown before September 15, 1808 ”, after notice in the
National Intelligencer for three times before August 2, 1808.
The trustee reported:

“that in pursuance of said decree he caused the annexed
notices to be given of the time, place, manner and terms of sale
of the tracts of lands mentioned therein: That on the 24th day
of March, 1806, he sold at public sale at Montgomery Court
House the lands lying in Montgomery County mentioned in said
advertisement, at which sale Thomas Peter became the highest
bidder of the entire tract containing five hundred and nineteen
acres more or less at and for the sum of six thousand four hun-
dred & forty six dollars thirty-seven cents payable on the sixth
of May next following with interest on five thousand four hun-
dred & seventy five dollars forty-five cents at the rate of six per
centum per annum from the said 24th day of March for which
bond and security was taken. And the 21st day of March 1806
this trustee according to the terms of the said advertisement, at
Port Tobacco in Charles County exposed to public sale five hun-
dred and eleven acres twenty five perches of land lying in Charles
County of the Estate of the deceased George Washington at
which sale the said Estate and lands in one body was struck off
and sold to Nicholas Fitzhugh the highest bidder at and for the
sum of five dollars & fifty cents per acre amounting to the sum
of together with interest thereon after the rate of
6 per centum per annum from the 6th of June 1803 at which
time the said land was sold to the said Fitzhugh by the executors
of Genl. Washington and he was then put into possession thereof.

And this trustee states the said sales were openly, fairly and
publicly made and in his Judgement and belief at a full and fair
price, satisfactory to all parties concerned, and the trustee begs
further to report that Nicholas Fitzhugh after deducting the sum
due to his wife as legatee of said George Washington hath paid
and satisfied the balance of the purchase money to the order of
this trustee, who is executor of the deceased George Washington,
in part discharge of a debt due from the sd. George Washington
decd. to David Stewart. And that the said Thomas Peter after
deducting the sum due to his wife as legatee of the said George
Washington, hath paid the balance due from him on account of
the purchase of the aforesaid land to the order of this trustee
as executor of the said Geo. Washington, decd. to the said David
Stewart. The trustee begs further to report that the legatees
and others of full age interested in the estate of the said George268 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

Washington and the guardian of those under age, assembled, and
entered into a written agreement, to consider the will of George
Washington as the rule of distribution of all his estate. In con-
formity to which this trustee as executor hath pay away the
proceeds of said sale and hath not produced the money into this
court, and he prays the said sales and proceedings may be ratified
and confirmed on due and full notice of this special Report, pub-
lished under the authority of this court, in such places and such
time as this court shall direct all of which he submits &c.”

He made oath to the report February 28, 1807, before William
Cranch, Chief Judge of the Circuit Court of the District of
Columbia, ‘‘ on the holy Evangels of Almighty God.”

In due time, on February 1, 1808, the sale was finally con-
firmed,

and the same is on account of the reasons stated in the report
hereby declared to be absolutely ratified and confirmed no cause,
etc., etc., although notice, etc., etc.

Ordered likewise that the Trustee for the whole trouble &
expense by him incurred in the Execution of his trust be allowed
the sum of one hundred and sixty five pounds and the proceeds
to be applied according to the will without being brought imto
Court except the amount of the Costs which is to be brought into
Court and paid out of the proceeds — W. Kitty.

The words italicized above were inserted in the draft of the
order evidently by or at the dictation of his honor.

This concludes the court proceedings, but there is in the files
a copy of the advertisement in the National Intelligencer certified
by Samuel W. Smith on August 2, 1807, and a copy of the bill of
costs against Bushrod Washington.

The subsequent proceedings as to the Montgomery County
land, evidenced by the deed of Bushrod Washington, trustee, to
Thomas Peter, are easily traced because Mr. Peter carefully filed
his deed for record, but the deed to Nicholas Fitzhugh for the
Charles County land near Port Tobacco has not been found on
record, either in La Plata, the county seat or in the Land CourtOf the Maryland Farms 269

record at Annapolis, where it might have been mistakenly filed in
compliance with ancient custom existing before the Revolution.

There is, curiously too, no subsequent deed from Fitzhugh or
any one claiming under him, to this land, so that the last record
in Charles County is that of the deed to Washington from the
Adams family filed in 1776.

The deed from Bushrod Washington to Thomas Peter is
recorded in the Recorder’s office at Rockville, the county seat of
Montgomery County. It is dated March 29, 1810, signed in the
presence of John Hoye and William Crawford and has at the end
the unusual note following:

Know all men by these presents that I Bushrod Washington
of Mount Vernon in the State of Virginia have nominated con-
stituted & appointed & do by these presents nominate constitute
& appoint Upton Beall my lawful attorney for me & in my name
to acknowledge the annexed deed & for my act and deed to the
end that it may be admitted to record. In witness whereof I
have hereunto set my hand & affixed my seal this 29th day of
March in the year eighteen hundred & ten.

Teste:
Joun Hoye Won. Crawrorp BusHrop WasHINGTON
(seal)

On September 24, 1810, the witnesses testified before John
Ott, Justice of the Peace in Georgetown, Washington County,
District of Columbia, that Bushrod Washington signed, sealed
and delivered the deed and the power of attorney and on Septem-
ber 26, 1810, Upton Beall, as attorney in fact, acknowledged the
execution of the deed as the deed of his principal before Walter
B. Beal and John Fleming, two of the justices of the peace in and
for Montgomery County. The deed appears in Liber “P” as
Folio 31 of Land Records. It had mistakenly been filed for
record on July 21, 1810, and recorded in Liber “O” as Folio
525, before either the witnesses or the attorney in fact had ac-
knowledged it, and so, after their action had been had and duly
certified, the deed was recorded again as above.

The deed recites the proceedings in court to sell the land as
well as the executors’ original attempt to sell it to Peter at a270 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

fair price; that at the auction sale on March 24, 1806, the
trustee sold it to Peter for $6,446.87 payable on the 6th day of
May next with interest on $5,475.45 at 6 per cent., he being the
best and highest bidder for it; that Peter with Lawrence Lewis
as his surety gave his bond for the sum, which sale was con-
firmed by the court. Therefore the trustee conveys to Peter the
tract of land being the part of Woodstock Manor bought by
George Washington, January 13, 1794, from Mercer and others.

There is no further description. There is also no complete
chain of record of the title from the time Peter acquired the
land to date. There is a deed from Peter to Eleanor Kennedy
and Alexander Mitchell, dated April 1st, recorded May 22, 1812,
conveying the 519 acres, also a deed from Eleanor Kennedy to
Alexander Mitchell, dated December 21, 1821, recorded May
15, 1822, conveying her interest; but there is no subsequent
conveyance by Mitchell or any one purporting to claim under
him, and his estate is not probated either in this county or Wash-
ington, where he is said to have lived, by the deeds to him.

The present owner appears to be Henry Allmuth, son of Ben-
jamin W. Allmuth, a former owner. He lives on the premises
which are on the road between Boyd’s (the B. & O. railroad
station thirty miles north of Washington) and Seneca, on the
banks of Seneca Creek, which flows into the Potomac. The
neighborhood is purely agricultural and is as placid and pros-
perous as it was in Washington’s day, preserving much of the air
of a century ago, although it was in the center of the pass and
repass of Confederate and Union armies during the four years
of the Rebellion. The automobile has brought it nearer town
recently and soon it will pass into the suburban class.

The Charles County land, excepting in very dry weather, is
not easily reached, as the roads below La Plata are not in much
better condition than in Colonial days. Some day, when cement
highways are constructed, the eastern bank of the river will be a
delightful suburban neighborhood of the Capital, and its rich
lands may reach a high state of cultivation.Chapter XXIII
OF THE POTOMAC COMPANY SHARES

Tue Potomac Company was Washington’s first public engi-
neering enterprise after the Revolution, as it had been his last
before it. He had tried from 1769 to 1775 to interest the people
of Virginia and Maryland in the improvement of the navigation
of the Potomac River to its northern branch* and the attempt
to join it to the headwaters of the Ohio, either by road and
portage or canal connection, in the hope of securing the fur trade
and other commerce of the great valleys beyond.

In October, 1774, he and John Ballendyne had circulated a
subscription paper to raise at least £30,000 of capital to make a
beginning of the work, but the troubles with the Mother Country
soon intervened and so nothing had come of that.

December 23, 1783, he resigned as commander in chief and
the next day arrived at Mount Vernon to resume his vocations
as farmer and engineer. As soon as he had planted and harvested
his first crop, had measurably restored his buildings and secured
his family and dependents, he set out on September 1, 1784, on
his fifth and last tour up the Potomac and across the Alleghenies.
He wanted to settle with his partner in the mill at what is now
Perryopolis in western Pennsylvania and to look after his large
land holdings there and along the Ohio and Kanawha rivers, but
also “to obtain information of the nearest and best communi-
cation between the Eastern and Western waters, and to facilitate
as much as in me lay, the inland navigation of the Potomac.”

He made the tour on horseback across the ten ranges of moun-
tains which formed the headwaters of the Potomac, the Cheat
and Monongahela rivers, much of the time alone, and sleeping out

1In the House of Burgesses records it appears that on December 5, 1769,

he moved and it was ordered that he have leave to bring in a bill for this
purpose and in 1772 trustees were authorized to solicit subscriptions.272 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

at times, and returned to Mount Vernon on October 4th, having
covered a distance of six hundred and eighty miles.”

The history of the forceful letter to Governor Harrison, of
Virginia, depicting the results of his tour and the resultant in-
corporation of the Potomac Company, the first great interstate
commerce corporation of the United States, by the States of
Virginia and Maryland, has been quite well told in two slender
volumes. The first is entitled, “ A New Chapter in the Early Life
of Washington, in connection with the Narrative History of the
Potomac Company”, by John Pickell (New York, 1854, D.
Appleton and Co.). It is now long out of print and is seldom
met with even in public libraries. Occasionally a copy is offered
at secondhand. Mr. Pickell was connected with the Chesapeake
and Ohio Canal Company and in its records found the evidences
of a neglected chapter of history, which he undertook to trace
from the time of Washington’s embassy to the French in 1753,
when his vision of a great trade route to the West was born,
until the Potomac Company, his concrete attempt at realization,
was merged in the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Company in 1828
at the end of seventy-five years.

The second book is a collection of three essays, founded on the
original papers also, published by the Columbia Historical
Society at Washington, D. C., in 1912, entitled “ The Potomac
Route to the West ”, by Mrs. Corra Bacon-Foster, and is chiefly
valuable for its illustrations and quoted documents and letters.

In the first chapter of Volume Two of Lodge’s “ Life of Wash-
ington” (American Statesmen Series. Houghton Mifflin Com-
pany, Boston) is the story of the immediate connection between
the Potomac Company and the Constitution of the United States,
in the four years which followed Washington’s tour of 1784.
They saw first the incorporation of that company with George
Washington as president in 1785; the Mount Vernon Compact
between Maryland and Virginia to regulate tolls on and use of
the Potomac and Chesapeake, in 1786; the Annapolis Conven-

2 A. B. Hulbert, “ Washington and the West ”, The Century Company, 1905.
Also Fitzpatrick, ‘“ Diaries of George W ashington Pay 2s eaePOTOMAC FALLS IN FLOOD

 

LOCK IN CANAL AT POTOMAC FALLS,
BUILT BY WASHINGTONOf the Potomac Company Shares 273

tion of 1786, called by Virginia to enlarge such commercial regu-
lations to include the entire country; the consequent call for the
Constitutional Convention at the instance of Virginia in 1787;
the creation of the Constitution under the chairmanship of
Washington, its adoption by the people under his influence in
1788, and his election as President in the next year; and finally
the establishment of the nation under his presidency in 1789.

The impetus given to internal improvements in the form of
canals in Pennsylvania and New York, and in roads to connect
these across the mountains with the Ohio valley, was the im-
mediate result of Washington’s far-sighted and courageous
example. Never was his genius and true vocation more clearly
demonstrated than in this instance of engineering enterprise.

He not only gave his time, thought and energy, without com-
pensation, but he also invested ten thousand dollars of his own
money in the work, when money was the hardest thing to raise.

The State of Virginia sought to give him twenty thousand
dollars’ worth of Potomac Company stock and a like amount of
James River Company stock as an evidence of its appreciation,
but he declined both and asked permission to devote them to
public-school purposes.

Naturally he felt that the investment he had made in twenty-
four shares of Potomac stock, of the par value £500 sterling
each, had a great future, despite the delays which had developed
in the fourteen years since he had promoted it. Its work on the
Potomac River was the largest of its kind ever undertaken in
America to date, and it had resulted in facilitating transporta-
tion in great measure but not in regulating and conserving the
flow of water so as to insure adequacy at all seasons. Neverthe-
less he had faith in its ultimate success, its security and
profitableness.

On page 26 of his will, after advising that the sale of his
western lands be not hurried “if from temporary causes the sale
thereof should become dull”, he added, “and I particularly
recommend it to such of the Legatees (under this clause of my
will) as can make it convenient, to take a share of my stock in274 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

the Potomack Company in preference to the amount of what it
might sell for, being thoroughly convinced myself, that no uses
to which the money can be applied will be so productive as the
Tolls arising from this navigation when in full operation (and
this from the nature of things it must be ere long) and more
especially if that of the Shenandoah is added thereto.”

The executors and legatees followed Washington’s advice in
so far as the division of the stock was concerned. The record
book “ A” of the Potomac Company, now in possession of its
successor the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Company, at George-
town in the District of Columbia, shows that on November 16,
1802, “ Lawrence Lewis and George S. Washington as acting
Executors of the late General George Washington deceased ”,
conveyed by separate deeds of conveyance, each in consideration
of one dollar, to each of the twenty-two legatees or distributees
of the residuary estate one share of the capital stock of the
Potomac Company. The twenty-third share, which fell to Bush-
rod Washington, Lawrence Lewis and George W. P. Custis, was
never conveyed and the twenty-fourth share was retained by the
executors for sale.

The deeds are recorded in Book “A” of deeds, pages 403 to
452 inclusive, and are all in the form of conveyances of real
estate with a covenant warranting the title.

The capital stock of the Potomac Company was not evidenced
by stock certificates in the modern form. The right of partici-
pation of the stockholders was shown by their subscriptions in
the original subscription books which had been opened in Rich-
mond, Alexandria and Winchester in Virginia, and Annapolis,
George Town and Frederick Town in Maryland. The shares
were deemed real estate and their conveyance was made by deeds
and then recorded in the books of the company.

The legatees did not all follow Washington’s advice to hold
the stock. Within eighteen months after distribution by the
executors, Robert Lewis, Howell Lewis, George Lewis, George
S. Washington, Mildred Hammond and Elizabeth Spotswood, for
prices varying from $860 to $380 per share, sold their shares,Of the Potomac Company Shares 275

as the record of their deeds shows in the subsequent pages of
Volume A.

The prices show a range of about eighty-one to eighty-five per
cent. of par, which was about $444.44 or £100 sterling. The
company never paid but one dividend, and that was after Wash-
ington’s death. It ceased to exist in 1828, when on August 15th
its property was conveyed to the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal
Company. An exchange of stock took place but no trace re-
mains of the Washington ownership in the new company. The
latter was organized to build a continuous canal along the Mary-
land bank of the Potomac River from Georgetown in the District
of Columbia to the headwaters in the Alleghany Mountains and
there to connect with the streams flowing westward and forming
the Ohio River.

Washington’s hopes and the purposes of the Potomac Company
had been only to clear the Potomac River channel of rocks and
dredge the shallow places, and to build a few miles of canal
around the Great Falls and the rapids called the Little Falls,
which was accomplished. He further intended to find and build
a road from the headwaters of the Potomac, across the mountains
to the headwaters of the Ohio, which should permit of an easy
portage or transfer of goods to and from the western waters
and plains.

All these plans were hindered and finally shattered, however,
by the financial depression caused by the long-drawn-out wars
between Revolutionary and Napoleonic France and the rest of
Europe. Not until long after the end of our War of 1812, and
during the administrations of Presidents Monroe and John Quincy
Adams, did the policy of internal improvements of which Wash-
ington was the sponsor and the Potomac Company the example,
again find favor, in the establishment of the National or Cumber-
land Highway and the incorporation of the Chesapeake and Ohio
Canal Company under the Acts of Virginia, Maryland and the
Congress of the United States.

Out of these in due time grew not only the canal which was
completed to Cumberland, but also the Baltimore and Ohio Rail-276 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

road system which follows Washington’s road up the river and
across the mountains. ‘This now reaches not only from the
Potomac River to Pittsburgh, but down the Ohio and across the
plains until it ends on the banks of the Mississippi and thus binds
the plains to the coastal colonies in one indissoluble Union based
on the true interest of the people, as Washington planned when
he predicted “ the rising Empire.” Recently, owing to a great
storm and consequent flood which have destroyed the canal, its
operation has been abandoned by the owners, the Baltimore and
Ohio Railroad Company.

It remains for the future historian of the life of Washington
to trace in detail and in true relationship the full significance of
the first great interstate commerce corporation and highway
which led so directly to the formation of the Constitution in
1787 and the establishment of the United States of America, in
permanent form.Chapter XXIV
OF THE DISMAL SWAMP LAND COMPANY

WasHINGTon’s interest in this company is noted in his schedule
as:

Great Dismal Swamp. My dividend thereof abt. $20,000 (h)

(h) This is an undivided Interest weh. I held in the Great
Dismal Swamp Company containing about 4,000 acres, with my
part of the Plantation & Stock thereon belonging to the com-
pany in sd. Swamp.

There is a suppressed story involved in the valuation given
here.

During the financial boom which marked the third and fourth
years of Washington’s first administration of the presidency, he
bestirred himself to sell his outlying lands and investments in
order to concentrate his interests nearer home as became one of
his years and employment. He not only offered his Ohio and
Kanawha River lands for sale, but offered to his young friend,
“Lighthorse Harry” Lee an opportunity for enterprise and
speculation, which had once strongly attracted the older man.
The following document in Washington’s handwriting, recently
acquired by the Library of Congress, tells not only of the offer
but succinctly describes the entire subject.

Memorandum for Govr. Lee.

G. Washington is one of a Company who took up, in or about
the year 1762, all the ungranted land lying in the Great Dismal
Swamp; in the vicinity of Norfolk, Portsmouth & Suffolk; and
holds two twenty one parts of the Interest therein.—

Forty thousand Acres of the interior and richest part of this
Swamp has been (as the subscriber is informed) patented in the
names of the Members of said Company; and probably is all they
will ever obtain, altho’ it is far short of what they expected.—278 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

This swamp, in fertility of Soil, cannot be exceeded. It is
covered with the finest Cypress & Juniper, & other lofty wood.
Its undergrowth is luxurient canes.—

In the opinion of the Subscriber it may be easily drained; &
when drained is equal to the richest rice land of So. Carolina,
which in its unreclaimed state, sells from ten to fifteen pounds
sterling pr. Acre; and from thirty to fifty when reduced, and in
order for cultivation.—

Its vicinity to the places above mentioned, & its contiguity to
the fine Rivers of Nansemond & Elizabeth on which these places
are, gives this tract advantages over almost any other of equal
quantity in the United States; & the Canal which is now opening
from Elizabeth River to Pasquetanck, a River of Albemarle
Sound, passing through the same, adds infinitely to its worth.—
To describe all its advantages, would require more time than my
hurry, & the few minutes you allow me, will enable me to do.—

The Company have a Plantation, marked on the plat herewith,
Dismal Plantation; which is seperate and distinct from the 40,000
Acres.— On this there are, or were a number of Negros, as may
be seen by the Agent’s (Mr. Jameisons) letter to me — besides
some money in hand, or in the loan Office.— the quantum I know
not.

For the whole of this Interest, be it little or much, and it cannot
be less than %1 parts of 40,000 Acres, I will take Five thousand
pounds Virginia Currency; estimating dollars at Six Shillings,
and other silver & gold in that proportion, provided the bargain
is now struck; but shall not think myself bound by this offer if
it is not.

Philadelphia eo
February 18th hh io

Go. WASHINGTON.

Despite the warning note with which this closes, the negotia-
tion seems to have dragged and it was not until nearly two years
later that a tangible result came in form of this letter addressed
“The President ” and now bearing the endorsement in Washing-
ton’s handwriting, “ From General Lee 7th Nov. 1795,” to fix
the date.

Sir: I am to receive in the course of next month Judge Wilson’s
bonds payable in one & two years to the amount of your demand
for your dismal swamp lands. If you will take your originalOf the Dismal Swamp Land Company 279

price thus payable I will purchase. My enquiry respecting the
Judge’s affairs leaves not a doubt in my mind of his ability & I
had full conviction from a recent transaction of his honor &
integrity.
Most respectfully
Your obt. Servt.
been
City Tavern
7th Nov.

Mr. Justice Wilson was one of Washington’s closest friends.
He had been the leading lawyer of Pennsylvania for many years
and as such had been selected by Washington to become the
preceptor of Bushrod Washington after the Revolution. When
the Supreme Court was organized, Washington had appointed
Wilson one of the justices of that court and he was perhaps its
strongest member. His standing may be judged by the fact
that he was the only man in the United States who had signed
the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation
and the Constitution of the United States.

He was at that moment, however, deeply engaged in the pre-
vailing land speculations, especially in Georgia Indian Lands.
Just how General Lee became his creditor we do not know, but
find in a letter from Washington to Lee several years later the
statement, “I declined receiving notes when they were proposed
because I could not depend on converting them.” ”

Nevertheless the deal was closed on acceptable terms to both
parties, for there is extant this letter dated only nine days later.

Philadelphia 16th Nov. 1795
To the Members of the
Dismal Swamp Company.

Gentlemen: Having disposed of my share and all interest in the
Dismal Swamp Company to Henry Lee Esq. I request that he
may henceforward be considered as being standing in my place.
He is not only to receive the profits which may hereafter arise
from that concern but if anything is due thereto he is entitled
to my share thereof & in like manner to pay all unsatisfied de-

1L. C., W. Mss., Vol. 276, Doc. 36806.
2L. C., Washington to Lee, September 8, 1797.280 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

mands upon me on this acct. & to come. With respect I am

Gentm.
Yr. mo. obt. Hble. servt.
Go. WaAsHINGTON.®

That the sale was made for $20,000 or £4,000, Va. cy., payable
in three equal annual installments, we learn from Ledger C, page
590. In the subsequent correspondence Washington urges his
need of cash and Lee describes his misfortunes by reason of which
he could not keep his promises. Meanwhile the title to the prop-
erty remained in Washington and Lee’s rights were evidenced only
by some agreement to sell. The first deferred payment came due
December 1, 1796, and evidently was not fully met, for Wash-
ington wrote Lee under date of September 8, 1797, urging com-
pliance. He had paid $750 on Feby. 24, 1797.

By the transfer of seventy shares of Bank of Columbia stock
valued at $2,800, by the endorsement of a note for one thousand
dollars, and even by the delivery of thirty barrels of corn, Lee
struggled to make good* and Washington patiently accepted
them, though at considerable loss in realizing upon the bank
stock, and the note went to protest.

The French troubles had intervened and the financial distress
became acute. Not only Mr. Justice Wilson failed to meet his
obligations, but the great financier of the Revolution, Robert
Morris, became the inmate of the debtor’s prison, and thereby,
as Lee wrote, he lost £10,000.°

Finally Lee closes the chapter with this pathetic letter:

Alexa. 22 May 1799
Dear General:

I have waited here two weeks chiefly to try to finish my engage-
ment with you. But all my endeavors are vain. I shall never
recede from my exertions till I do accomplish the end, for no
event of my life has given me more anguish.

I would if you consider yr. sale injurious rather relinquish
the contract and give up the payment made, than be the instru-
ment of damage to you, the loss of money I am used to, the loss

3L. C., W. Mss., Vol. XV, p. 4.

4Ibid., September 8, 1797.

5 Tbid., Letter of February 28, 1799. Mr. Justice Wilson practically fled
to North Carolina, where he became the guest of his friend and colleague, Mr.
Justice Iredell, and died there.Of the Dismal Swamp Land Company 281

of mental quietude I cannot bear & pained as I am, I wish to
regain tranquillity.

Every conversation I hold with you on the subject furnishes
additional matter of regret to me. ‘Till then I can close the
contract I must avoid their repetition, this I am sure notwith-
standing the present & general distress, I shall be able to do in
the course of the summer. In June I return here for the

purpose. ...
H. Le«.°®

It was six weeks after this avowal that Washington wrote and
signed his will and schedule of property. There seemed at the
time little or no hope of Lee’s performing his contract, and so in
the notes left for the guidance of his executors and legatees Wash-
ington omitted all comment upon the unfortunate situation of
his friend which might thereby become public, contenting himself
with limiting his valuation of the property to the unpaid prin-
cipal sum still due him.

After Washington’s death, nothing appears of record in the
accounts of the executors or other proceedings to show that
General Lee paid anything on account of his purchase or that
any dividends were received from the company by the executors,
and until a printed circular letter was sent by the latter to the
legatees, the matter seems to have lain dormant throughout the
financial slump which marked President Jefferson’s administra-
tion. That circular letter has been preserved in at least two
copies, one in the Library of Congress and one in the Massachu-
setts Historical Society in Boston.

(CIRCULAR)

1151
To the Legatees of Gen. Washington.

GENTLEMEN, May 138th, 1809.

You have no doubt been informed, that our testator, some
time before his death, sold his Dismal Swamp property to Gen.
Lee, without however, having made a deed for the same. Some
part of the consideration money was paid, but the exact amount
is not now recollected.

6L. C., W. Mss.282 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

Gen. Lee has lately proposed to rescind the contract, without
requiring a return of the money paid by him; and believing that
the property is likely to become very valuable, and could now
be sold for a good price, it is our decided opinion that his offer
ought to be accepted. Should this not be done, we may be de-
layed a considerable time in obtaining a decree for the sale, with-
out the slightest probability we think, of recovering more than
what the property would sell for. An application was lately
made to one of us in Philadelphia, by a gentleman who wished to
purchase it; and who mentioned at the same time, that there was
a sum of money now in the hands of the Directors received from
the profits of the estate, to a proportion of which we are entitled.
But until the business is settled with General Lee, we cannot
receive it.

Anxious, as we have always been, to obtain the concurrence of
the legatees to any measures of importance in relation to the
estate, we make this communication to you, and request immediate
answers, that no time may be lost in answering the General’s
letter. We repeat the opinion before mentioned, that it will
be greatly to our interest to accede to the proposition made
to us.

We are, gentlemen, respectfully, yr. mo. ob. serv’ts.

BusH. WaAsHINGTON
Lawe. Lewis
Colo. Wm. A. Washington

This letter seems to have produced prompt replies, for we find
of record in Norfolk County, Virginia, a deed dated May 6, 1809
(presumably the date of General Lee’s offer to release), acknowl-
edged July 8, 1809, from Henry Lee and Ann, his wife, recorded
on August 24, 1809, whereby they convey, in consideration of
five dollars to the Hon. Bushrod Washington of Mount Vernon,
“IN TRUST to pursue the directions of the late Gen’l. George
Washington all the right, title and interest of him the said Henry
Lee and Ann, his wife, in and to a certain tract or parcel of land
situate, lying and being in the County of Norfolk and Common-
wealth aforesaid, and described as the share of the late Gen’l.
George Washington in the Dismal Swamp Company.”

The company seems then to have prospered. From the execu-
tor’s accounts it appears that dividends were collected each yeary ; rene

(CIRCULAR.)
To the Legakees of Gen. Wofhington ms
GENTLEMEN, ~May 73 1809.
You have no doubt teen informed, that our testator, some
time before his death, sold his Dismal Sramp fruperty £0 Gen.

Lee, without honere 7, ha ving made a deed for the Jame, ome

Sh ae F

part of the consideration money mas patd, tut the exact anwunt 3
not non recollected. * e

Yen. Lee has lately proposed to rescind. the contract, mithout ;
requiring a return of the money fratd by him ; and tclic ving that 4
the hroperty és bike ly lo tecome very vatuatle, and could non be
sold for a good prrice, tt 6s our decided opinion that his offer ought
to te accepted. Should this nob te done, WE may be de layed a
constderable time tn oblatning a de cree for the sate, withoot the
lightest probabdlity-we think, of recovering more than what the
hroperty would sell for. An ofiplication was late ly mide to one
of ua tn Philadelphia, by a gentleman juhoo wished to pareh ide 40 = 2 2 1
and mho mentioned at the same time, that there VAs 2 oy O Toe ”
ey 20m tn the hands of the Directors received from the profited 4
of the cotate, lo a proportion of which We ATE entitled, But ante
the tusiness ts settled mith General Lee, we cannot recewe tt. i

Aneious, as we fave abmays deen, to obtain the CONCUVIENCE.
of the leyatees to any meafures of importance in relation to the of
tate, we make this communication to you, and wgueft immediate
anfive 1d, that no time may te loft in anfrcring the General's Lek.
ter. We wficat the opinion tcfore mentioned, that tt wild be
gre atly to our (nterfe to accede to the prope ition made l0 Ud,

We are, gentlemen, refpectfitlly, Y7 mo. ob, fervtd,
6 Bier h. Im k ing bre
Jo Aue
Ot. Ip 2. Irak ing KE HAL OLD ee
W i ae ae eae UJ gi 4 Z

CIRCULAR FROM WASHINGTON 'S EXECUTORS
ABOUT THE DISMAL SWAMP STOCKOf the Dismal Swamp Land Company 283

from 1810 to 1825 inclusive, varying from $580 to $2,400, and
amounting in all to $18,815.16 or nearly $1,200 per year.

Finally, when in 1823 the executors and the legatees joined in
a friendly suit in the United States Circuit Court at Alexandria
(then in the District of Columbia), for the purpose of closing up
the administration of the estate and making a final settlement of
the executor’s accounts, a petition was filed for leave to the
executors to sell the share in the Great Dismal Swamp Company
at public sale and on April 12, 1825, a decree was entered
accordingly.’

Pursuant to that decree a deed, which was recorded in Norfolk
County in Deed Book 52, at page 207, on August 1, 1825, shows
that the then surviving executors, Samuel Washington, George
Washington Parke Custis, Bushrod Washington and Lawrence
Lewis, and one Noblet Herbert, as court commissioner, sold and
conveyed to one James L. McKenna under date of July 22, 1825,
for $12,100 the one share of the stock of the Dismal Swamp Land
Company belonging to the estate of George Washington, the
same having been sold to him at public auction at Alexandria
after proper notice.

But recorded on the same day in the same book 52, at page
207, is a deed from said James L. McKenna, of Alexandria, to
Bushrod Washington, of Mount Vernon, dated July 22, 1825,
whereby, in consideration of $12,100, he conveys the same share
of stock to said Bushrod. And in his account as executor, Bush-
rod Washington credits the estate with the sum of $12,100
received on “ July 23, 1825. By sale of Dismal Swamp stock as
pr. Commissioners’ Report.”

Bushrod Washington died November 26, 1829, and by his
will, dated July 28, 1828, devised his Dismal Swamp Company
stock to his wife for life and upon her death to his nephews and
grandnephews. Their interest of record continued down to the
Civil War.

The history of the company is a long one. It was one of

7 The record of this proceeding is preserved in the present successor to the
U. S. Court, the Circuit Court of Arlington County, Va., at Rosslyn Court
House, Va.284 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

Washington’s earliest and most profitable enterprises. He put
into it for a good part of five years his best energies, besides
considerable money. It arose out of a grant from the Common-
wealth of Virginia dated November 1, 1763, when by an order
in council William Nelson, George Washington and ten others
as members of the Dismal Swamp Company were authorized to
undertake the reclamation of the swamp. Their purpose was to
drain and make arable the great stretch of spongy land in south-
eastern Virginia below the James River, extending from the
Nansemond River east and south to the North Carolina line and
far into that state, and originally it contemplated much more
than forty thousand acres.

Washington was chosen manager of the enterprise and as
Irving says: “ With his usual zeal and hardihood he explored it
on horseback and on foot. In the center of the morass he came
to a great piece of water, six miles long, and three broad, called
Drummond’s Pond, but more poetically celebrated as the Lake
of the Dismal Swamp. Having made the circuit of it, and noted
all its characteristics, he encamped for the night up on the firm
land which bordered it, and finished his explorations on the follow-
ing day.” ®

The record of this trip is found in Washington’s diary of 1763,
in which he carefully noted in October, in pencil, the details of
his journey. In his diary of 1764 he has copied these notes in
ink and in Ford’s edition of Washington’s Writings, they are
printed.

Washington’s diaries for 1764, 1765, 1766 and 1767 are not
kept up during the winter months, while he was in attendance at
the House of Burgesses in Williamsburg and incidentally looked
after the Dismal Swamp Company, but in 1768 he notes: °

Oct. 26— Breakfasted in Suffolk, dined and lodged in ye
Dismal Swamp at Jno. Washington’s.

27th — Went up to our Plantation at Norfleets in Carolina
and returned in ye afternoon.

8 Irving, “ Life of Washington,” 1, 323.
9 Fitzpatrick, “ Diaries of George Washington,” 1, 296.Of the Dismal Swamp Land Company 285

28th — Went into the Pond with Col. Lewis, Majr. Riddicks
& Jno. Washington and at night went to ye Majrs.

29th — Got to Smithfield in return to Wmsburg.

30th — Set out early, breakfasted at Hog Island and dined
in Wmsburg.

This is the last trace we have of his presence there. The tradi-
tion which persists even to-day in Suffolk that Washington spent
a goodly portion of five years in that town on the business of
the Dismal Swamp Company, finds some but only slight cor-
roboration in the account kept in his Ledger A’*° entitled ‘* Ad-
venturers for Draining the Dismal Swamp.” ‘This stands charged
with his expenses incurred in seven trips as follows: May, 1763,
£15. 5. 1014.; Oct., 1763, £2. 7. 2.3 July, 1764, £7. 14. 1.; Nov-,
1766, £1. 2. 10.; Apl., 1767, £1. 2. 6.; Oct., 1767, £17. 10.; Oct.,
1768, £2.16.8. Sundry charges for surveyor’s expenses, the
services of slaves furnished to do work for the company, and
cash payments made on account of assessments to carry this on
or make payments in purchase of adjoining lands bring the total
of Washington’s ledger account against the company up to
£524. 6. 6.

The plan of the company to build one or more canals on the
east side of the Lake of the Dismal Swamp to carry off the
surplus water to the sound and the sea, was not realized in
Washington’s lifetime. The fine growth of timber was, however,
cut and transported by the short canals on the west and north
sides of the lake to Suffolk and in merchantable forms to the
markets of the upper country. Sawmills were established in
Suffolk and docks on the Nansemond River there, whence the
passage to the James River and the Chesapeake was easy.

A well-stocked plantation was established and maintained about
six miles south of Suffolk at the end of the Washington Ditch,
a canal about four miles long, running to the lake. On this
canal the logs were brought out of the timber to the edge of
the ridge or escarpment which bounded the swampy land, and
thence they were hauled by road across the ridge and down into

10L, C. Also photostatic copies in the Massachusetts Historical Society
and a number of other libraries.

aetna LO286 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

the valley to Suffolk. There was also a near-by creek which
afforded a waterway for this purpose to the Nansemond River
in high water.

The road, the clearing, a farmhouse and the Ditch are there
to-day, though no longer in such service. The growth of wild
wheat about the place shows that at one time cultivation was
maintained there.

Another and larger canal was cut later, running more directly
to Suffolk from the lake and through it logs were brought to the
east branch of the Nansemond River. This was called the Jericho
Canal and was quite a pretentious piece of work, being carried
across an intervening watercourse at one point. It also remains
to-day as a drain, but in a dilapidated state.

Washington, after 1768, left the management of the property
to others. John A. Washington, his brother, seems to have been
on the ground. No record of proceeds exists. When the end
of the Revolutionary War left him leisure for attention to his
own affairs, we find Washington alive to the subject, however, and
a record of his further participation in the affairs of the company
is seen in the long letter of March 31, 1784, to Hugh Williamson
and the incidental mention in one of his letters on another subject,
that he called a meeting of the proprietors of the company at
Richmond on May 1, 1785.

At this time he was actively engaged in promoting the Potomac
and James River Canal companies before the Virginia Legislature
as well as taking part in the elaborate public entertainments of
the Marquis de la Fayette, who was making a tour of the country.
What became of the Richmond meeting we do not know, as no
* and from thenceforward the Potomac
Canal and its consequences until they culminated in the Constitu-
tion of the United States and the presidency excluded all other
enterprises from Washington’s mind.

available record remains *

There are however two documents of record, one just before
and the other just after the date of the Richmond meeting, which

11A copy of the “Resolutions of the Dismal Swamp Company, May 1,
1785,” as endorsed in Washington’s handwriting, was sold in 1891 by Thomas
Birch’s Sons, Philadelphia.Of the Dismal Swamp Land Company 287

indicate that there were tangible results. Up to that time no title
to any of the land involved in the enterprise had passed from the
commonwealth to the adventurers who invested their money and
endeavors in reclaiming the swamp. Only the order of council
of November 1, 1763, existed to show who and what was intended.
Now the king’s government which made that promise was gone,
driven overseas and in its stead reigned democracy. Many of
the old proprietors had either gone with that government or had
passed to the bourne whence no traveler returns. Yet to the
credit of the successor government it clearly appears in Norfolk
County records (the state record was destroyed at Richmond
in April, 1865) that under date of October 20, 1784, the Com-
monwealth of Virginia by grant or patent conveyed in pursuance
of the order of council of November 1, 1763, to Nathaniel Nelson
and William Nelson, devisees of William Nelson deceased, forty
thousand acres of land in Nansemond and Norfolk counties, sur-
rounding Lake Drummond, familiarly known as “ The Washing-
ton Entry.”

The grant ran however not for themselves alone, but also for
certain others who were associated with them in an unincorpo-
rated company known as the Dismal Swamp Company. ‘This
grant was recorded in the land office in Book “ M” at page 463,
but only a recital of it now exists and that is to be found in the
deed which was subsequently made by Nathaniel Nelson and
William Nelson to their associates, including George Washing-
ton, under date of March 15, 1786, which is recorded in Deed
Book “ O”, at page 401, of Nansemond County records, and Deed
Book 402, at page 423, of Norfolk County records. The original t))
proprietors, we thus learn, were William Nelson, Thomas Nelson,

seen OE ie

Robert Burwell, John Robinson, George Washington, Thomas
Walker, Fielding Lewis, Anthony Bacon & Co., J. Syme, Samuel |
Gist, Robert Tucker and William Walters, a fairly good direc- :
tory of the leading spirits in politics and business of the period
between the French and Indian War and the Revolution. The
shares which fell to each owner under the deed in 1786 were *41

9/

instead of 724 as originally held, though the reason is not given.288 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

Not until 1793 did Washington bethink himself actively again
of his Dismal Swamp interest. He was then and for four years
had been President of the United States. Other men were deep
in speculations and seemingly making fortunes out of the credit
and confidence which were born of the successful establishment
of the new government on the firm foundation of constitutional
law and financial justice. In that, of course, he could have no
part. All he knew in his own affairs was that his salary, though
large, was insufficient to keep up his establishment as expected
of him in Philadelphia and as necessity required of him at Mount
Vernon. The only way he could make both ends meet was to sell
some of his holdings and we know that he offered his western
lands at moderate prices for several years. And we saw at the
beginning of this chapter that he offered his Dismal Swamp share
to Henry Lee, and what became of it.

We shall not attempt here to trace the ownership of that share
after the death of Bushrod Washington or to follow out the
history of the company further than to say that it was incor-
porated on December 23, 1814, by an act of the General As-
sembly, which was amended in 1820, and in both acts the devisees
of Washington were named as proprietors. It was not until
1877, however, that an act was passed making the shares per-
sonal property and then the fifty-three proprietors conveyed
their several interests to the corporation in return for stock
certificates.

The construction of the canal system on the east side of Lake
Drummond during the middle of the nineteenth century, connect-
ing its waters with the rivers flowing south and east until they
empty into Albemarle Sound, carried out the plans but did not
quite realize the hopes Washington and his early associates enter-
tained during the century before.” ‘The land did not become
arable. It remained, as before, a fine timber preserve and despite
the lapse of a century and the conflict of the Civil War was

12 Washington to Hugh Williamson, March 31, 1784. Sparks, XII, 267.

Ford, 10, 381. Same to Patrick Henry, Governor, November 30, 1785, in the
Virginia State Library.Of the Dismal Swamp Land Company 289

maintained until 1899, in the form of the Dismal Swamp Land
Company.

Then the entire tract of forty thousand acres was sold to the
John L. Roper Company and the proceeds were distributed to
the stockholders. The Roper Company subsequently sold it to
the Camp Manufacturing Company, of Franklin, Va. This com-
pany continues to hold it in its entirety as a timber preserve.

On December 1, 1918, no work was going on there when Mr.
Robert Atkinson, the superintendent, showed me the way Wash-
ington followed into Lake Drummond. The World War, just
then concluded, had paralyzed the timber industry for the time
being. The inner recesses of the little principality of sixty-two
or -three square miles were given over to deer, wild cattle and
an occasional bear, besides the vast numbers of wild fowl which
make it a home. The placid waters of Lake Drummond were
undisturbed except by some venturesome hunter or fisherman.
All was waiting for the resumption of activities dependent on
peace overseas, just as Washington and Lee had waited more
than one hundred years before. Since then development of the
eastern part for farming purposes has been begun and the fifth
crop of juniper timber is being cut from the section south of
Lake Drummond.Chapter XXV
OF THE LANDS ON THE EASTERN WATERS

Tue lands which Washington died possessed of and which he
did not specifically devise by his will to particular individuals
were naturally and easily divided into two classes, those on the
Western Waters, that is beyond the Alleghenies, and those on
the Eastern Waters, the Potomac, the Shenandoah and in and
about tidewater.

These were the lands which he directed should be sold by his
executors and the money divided, “if an equal, valid and satis-
factory distribution of the specific property cannot be made
without.”

The executors addressed themselves to the problem of a division
of the residuary estate into the twenty-three parts in which Wash-
ington had devised it, as soon as Mrs. Washington’s death in
May, 1802, gave them power to act.

Bushrod Washington devised and proposed the general plan
that the lands on the Western Waters be divided and that the
Eastern or near-by properties should be sold at auction to and
among the legatees as bidders, that each bidder should receive
credit on his bid for his proportionate share of the total sum
realized, and pay the difference in three equal annual installments
with six per cent. interest.

This plan was quite feasible as most of the devisees were of
lawful age and they, or in case of the women their husbands, were
nearly all considerable landholders and willing to acquire more,
especially of the excellent type of Washington’s eastern holdings.
An agreement to the above effect was therefore reached on July
19, 1802. It was carried out at a meeting of the legatees at
Alexandria.

The auction sale was held and the executors later filed in theOf the Lands on the Eastern Waters 291

Fairfax County Court, as part of their report of Public Sales,
a statement of the result.

From this it appears that the several tracts entered in Wash-
ington’s schedule quoted below were disposed of to the persons
and for the amounts stated in the same connection, which gives
us at a glance Washington’s view of values and that of his
successors four years later of the same subject. He scheduled

his holdings according to the various counties, viz. :

Loudon & Fauquier
Ashby’s Bent 2,481 $10 24,810
Chattin’s Run 885 8 7,080 (b)

(b) What the selling prices of lands in the vicinity of these
two tracts are I know not; but compared with those above the
ridge and others below them the value annexed will appear mod-
erate, a less one would not obtain them from me.

The Ashby’s Bent tract in fact measured 2,690 acres and was

sold by the executors in three parcels, viz. :

To General Spotswood 725 acres @ $6 $4,350.
oe : 725 « “© $6% 4,470.83
‘Colonel: hornton 1,240) <2 oS 9,920.

Producing a total of — $18,740.83

or $6,069.17 less than Washington’s valuation.

The Chattin’s Run tract measured 1,068 acres instead of 885,
but it was sold to Robert Lewis at $5.75 per acre, or $6,112.25,
which was $967.75 less than Washington had hoped, despite the
178 acres surplus.

The records of the deeds from the executors to these pur-
chasers are preserved at Warrenton Court House in Fauquier
County, Virginia. The lands are situated on the eastern slope of
the Blue Ridge near Upperville and are as fair as any out of
doors. They are near the route of Washington’s first trip to the
valley as assistant to George William Fairfax, and as surveyor
for Lord Fairfax in 1748, and half of them were purchased by
Washington from Bryan Fairfax, who succeeded to his uncle’s

eS ee
\ =

\ tansy meet AOE292 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

title but derived his chief claim to distinction as the rector of
Christ Church at Alexandria and the lifelong friend of Washing-
ton, despite his loyalist attitude during the Revolution.

The schedule next mentions:

Berkeley.

So. Fork of the Bullskin 1,600
Head of Evans’s M. 453
In Wormeley’s Line 183

 

2,236 $20 $44,720. (c)
and to these this note is added:

(c) The surrounding lands, not superior in soil, situation and
properties of any sort, sell currently at from twenty to thirty
dollars an acre — The lowest price is affixed to these.

These tracts are now in Jefferson County, West Virginia,
which was set apart from Berkeley. It is a distinctly “ Wash-
ington ” County, as it was settled by Charles and Samuel Wash-
ington, the younger brothers, who made large purchases and
built splendid homes there. Charles Washington laid out the
city which is the county seat. It was called after him, Charles
Town. Harpers Ferry at the northern end of the county was
selected by Washington as the location of the winter quarters for
the Maryland and Virginia troops during the French troubles
of 1798 and 1799.

The Washington lands were in the southerly portion of the
little county about six miles beyond Charles Town, near his
brother Samuel’s seat ‘“* Harewood ” and a little farther south
across the line in the old county of Frederick, but now Clarke
County, from which Berkeley and Jefferson both were detached,
he owned more of the same kind, for the schedule shows:

Frederick acres.

Bo’t from Mercer 571 $20 $11,420 (d)

and the note says:ETWEEN Gorse Wa

   

 

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Acres of Land, with free Ing E

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YIELDING AND PAYING forthe fame,

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y for himfelf, his Heirs, Execut
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Month, = any Year during
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fhall be replaced ar
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fhall be planted in their
demifed Land, thall be fown with
be kept in Meadow, well fenced in ay di lecured :
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that the faid Rent, or any Part thercof, flall be rand unpaid, for the jar M rth

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thereof as may be th of DiftrefS te; or if Default or breach fh C in any €
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7 Perfon appointed by him, orthem, without ; ed J
and former Eftate, as fully and amply as er been m
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LEFT-HAND PAGE OF WASHINGTON ’S FORM OF LEASE

Cg IOf the Lands on the Eastern Waters 293

(d) The observations made in the last note applies equally to
this tract being in the vicinity of them, and of similar quality
altho’ it lyes in another county.

This was the group of farms which Washington had long be-
fore leased “ upon three lives ” and constituted a considerable
portion of his income-bearing estate. The long printed form of
lease which he employed is preserved in the Library of Congress,
and its terms show the fairness and farsightedness of the land-
lord. One, of the number of half a dozen or more which are
recorded in Fauquier County, runs to John Dyer and provides
for the careful use of the timber and that in no event shall it be
so cut down as to leave less than an acreage specified to be suffi-
cient for the future support of the plantation, that a good dwell-
ing house of good framed work or sawed logs or well hewed, also
a barn or tobacco house answerable to the quantity of lands shall
be built and kept on some convenient part, and furthermore that
the tenant will within ten years plant on some convenient part,
an orchard of one hundred winter apple trees at thirty feet dis-
tance every way from each other and one hundred peach trees
at sixteen feet distance every way from each other, and keep the
same always protected and cared for. This orchard provision
was in all his leases and the fame of the Washington orchards
continues to this day in the Virginias and Maryland.

At the auction sale these farms in old Berkeley and Frederick
brought varying prices. The executors report that they sold:

To Andrew Parks 310 A. 3 R. 4 P. of land in Berkeley

on Bullskin @ $25 $7,774.06
To Col. Thos. Lee for Corbin Washington’s

heirs 550 acres of land on Bullskin

in Berkeley County @ 27.50 15,125.
To Burdit Ashton Jr. 359 acres of land,

Greegs & Byron’s lotts on Bullskin @ $10.1214 3,634.86
To same 416 acres on same, Dimmitt’s &

Riley’s lotts @ $7.1214 2,964.

Total $29,497.92

nl294 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

These sales account for 1,635 acres on the Bullskin, a surplus of
35 acres, but at prices which left a deficit of $2,502.08 in Wash-
ington’s modest valuation.

They further report the sale “ to Robert Lewis of the tract of
land at the head of Evan’s Mill Run 542A. 3R. @ £4 or
$7,236.66 ” which shows a surplus of 89 acres with a deficit of
$1,823.34.

The tract in Wormley’s Line showed a surplus of 118 acres
(probably a lapse of memory on Washington’s part), and was
sold to Burdit Ashton at $5.30 for $1,605.33.

Why these various tracts sold at low prices we are not in-
formed, but it was probably because the long outstanding leases
were fixed at low rentals, thus depreciating the reversion. The
tract of 571 acres in Frederick County of similar character and
near by sold to Lawrence Lewis at $16.16%3 per acre and despite
a slight shortage of 17 acres brought $8,968.45.

It would be idle to try to trace the subsequent history of the
separate tracts into which these large holdings fell, as the Valley
of Virginia became one of the garden spots of the world. Present
values are from one to two hundred dollars per acre. The lands
are held to-day by thrifty prosperous farmers in fifty and one
hundred acre farms, each with its good homestead, and the old
mill on Evan’s Run is still doing business. The descendants of
Charles and Samuel Washington are numerous in Jefferson
County and its leading citizens. The fame and beauty of Hare-
wood, Happy Retreat, Claymont, Cedar Lawn, Clear View, Rock
Hall and Belair, the various manor houses they built from 1765
until “ just befo’ the war”, testify to their taste, wealth and
enterprise. The tract in Frederick County became the noted
“ Audley ”, five miles from Berryville, Clarke County, Virginia,
when the latter county was set off. Here Nellie Custis Lewis,
the widow of Lawrence Lewis, lived from 1840 until she died on
July 15, 1852. It is still occupied by her descendants.Of the Lands on the Eastern Waters 295

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY

The land in Hampshire County which Washington scheduled
among his possessions is now in Morgan County, West Virginia,
the latter having been set off from the former after his death.
It lies within one of the several “ horseshoe” bends in the
Potomac River just below the city of Paw Paw.

He noted it in these words:

Hampshire
On Ptk. River above B. 240 — $15 — $3,600 (e).

(e) This tract though small, is extremely valuable it lyes on
the Potomac River about twelve miles above the town of Bath (or
Warm Springs) and is in the shape of a horse-shoe, the River
running almost around it. Two hundred acres of it is rich low
grounds with a great abundance of the largest and finest Walnut
Trees; which with the produce of the soil might (by means of the
improved navigation of the Potomac) be brought to a shipping
port with more ease and at a smaller expense than that which is
transported 30 miles, only by land.

At the auction sale Samuel Washington bid $20 an acre for
this tract and at the exact measurement shown by survey of 249
acres 3 rods and 37 perches it cost him $4,999.06 or $1,399.06
in excess of his uncle’s valuation.

The executors however did not convey it to Samuel Washing-
ton, for it appears from the recital in their deed that the latter
sold the land to John Thornton before a deed could be executed
and requested the deed to be made to the latter, which was done,
not only once but twice. The first deed was dated March 14,
1807, and perhaps by mistake was recorded in Alexandria County
of the District of Columbia instead of being merely acknowledged
before George Deneale, the clerk of the United States Court there.
At any rate, on February 5, 1810, another deed was made, ac-
knowledged in the Fairfax County Court and duly filed for record
in Hampshire County on April 16, 1810, where the record still

exists.

ied a

a296 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

THE NANSEMOND COUNTY LAND

Allied to the Dismal Swamp investment was this land which
Washington’s inventory specifies as:

Nansemond:
Near Suffolk 4 Acres. Price.
1,119 Acres 373 $8 $2,984 (g).

and the note is:

(g) These 373 acres are the third part of undivided purchases
made by the deceased Fielding Lewis, Thomas Walker and my-
self, on full conviction that they would become valuable, the land
lyes on the road from Suffolk to Norfolk, touches (if I am not
mistaken) some part of the navigable water of Nansemond River,
borders on and comprehends part of the rich Dismal Swamp,
is capable of great improvement and from its situation must
become extremely valuable.

Colonel Fielding Lewis married Betty, Washington’s only
sister. He lived at Fredericksburg and was at one time very
wealthy. He was considerably older than Washington and at
the time of the Revolution he was physically disqualified for
service in the field. He rendered great service however in other
respects and especially by devoting his energies and a large por-
tion of his fortune to the manufacture of munitions at Fredericks-
burg. He died shortly after Cornwallis’ surrender, and as ap-
pears from the letter below had involved his large landed estate
deeply in debt. Washington was very fond of him and looked
after the welfare of his large family, taking two or three of the
sons into his service as agents and secretaries, the youngest one,
Lawrence Lewis, being one of his managers when Washington
died, and the husband of Mrs. Washington’s granddaughter,
Nellie Custis.

Washington wrote to Colonel Fielding Lewis’ son about these
lands from his headquarters on the Hudson:Of the Lands on the Eastern Waters 297

To John Lewis

Newburgh Apl. 17th 1782 *
Dear Sir:

I have heard, and sincerely lament, the death of yr. father; and
my concern is increased by the information in your letter of the
24th ulto. of his dying much indebted.

So far as I am interested in the lands which he has directed,
by his will, to be sold I consent to the disposal of thm. on 12
months credit. The necessity however, of selling them, at this
time, is to be regretted; as Lands, except such as happen to be
under peculiar circumstances must sell to a disadvantage when
they are not in general demand, & when there is a dearth of
money, especially those which have been, and may again be ex-
posed to the invasions of the enemy, as is the case of the lands
purchased of Doctrs. Wright and Jones. I mean this as a gen-
eral observation, not to oppose it to the sale you have in con-
tempIn. For I am convinced from experience, that Lands far
removed from the Proprietors of them, however valuable in them-
selves, are very unprofitable, and because I, as well as your
Father’s Estate stand in need of the money which my part of
them will fetch. When I say this, I take it for granted, that you
do not mean to sell these Lands unless you can get the value of
them, or near it; because this would not only defeat the end you
have in view, but do injustice to Doctr. Walker and myself.

I have not a sufficient recollection of them (especially the tracts
in which Doctr. Walker holds a share) to describe any of them
accurately. ... The Lands purchased of Jones and Doctr.
Wright lye between Norfolk & Suffolk, 6 or 8 m. from the latter,
& on or near Nansemond River. They are if I recollect right,
well timbered and of good quality — level (as all the land there-
about is) and capable of being rendered exceedingly valuable. I
do not remember what kind of buildings are on the last mentioned
LEacts. - .

I have directed Mr. Lund Washington to furnish you with all
the Deeds & other papers which may be in my possession relative
to any of these Tracts. I pray you to give my best love to my
Sister & the family — My complimts. to Mrs. Lewis & believe
that I am —

Dr. Sir
Yr. Most obedt. serv.

Jno. Lewis Esar.
a Go. WaAsHINGTON.

Fredericksbg.
1 Ford, 9, 470,298 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

Nothing seems to have come of the matter, for more than
fifteen years later we find Washington writing to the son of
Doctor Walker:

To Francis Walker

Mount Vernon, 10th. Oct. 1797 ?
Dear Sir,

In answering your favor of the 28th ulto. which has been duly
received I wish it was in my power to give you more satisfactory
information than you will find, in this letter relative to the land
near Suffolk.

Some years ago (before, if my memory serves me, I was called
to administer the Government of the U. States) Mr. John Lewis,
as Executor of his father, Colo. Fielding Lewis’ will informed me
that the circumstances of that estate required that his father’s
interest in the lands wch. were bought by him, your father &
myself, lying as above, should be sold—In reply, I told him
that any bargain for it that Doctr. Walker & himself would make,

I would abide by.— Since which I have never heard a tittle from
either on this subject — nor do I know in whose possession, or

under what circumstances the lands are now.— That they are

not sold I am inclined to believe, because the title papers are still

in my care, & no application has ever been made for them.—
These from a cursory examination appear to be from

 

Acres

Josh Jones to G. W. T. W. & F. for 2 tracts 872
Jas. Wright Do. Do. Do. 50
Stepn. Wright Do. Do. Do. 100
Kings Patent Do. Do. Do. 188
Total 1,210

I thank you for offering to sell me your interest in the above
lands, but I have no disposition to become the purchaser, having
lately sold my share of the Company property in the Dismal
Swamp & formerly a tract adjoining thereto, held by the de-
ceased Colo. Lewis & myself; I shall be willing however, at any
time, to join you & Mrs. John Lewis in disposing of them to any
other purchaser.—

With esteem & regard I am Sir,
Yohr Most Obedt. Hble. Servt.
To Francis Walker, Esqr. Go. WASHINGTON.

21. C., W. Mss.Of the Lands on the Eastern Waters 299

The records of Nansemond County were destroyed by fire in
1866, but there were saved to us three documents showing the
ancient history of the tract. These have been recorded again
and from them we gather the facts.

In an agreement to fix boundary lines made in 1856 between
John C. Cohoon, R. J. Saunders and Wm. B. Whitehead, it is
recited “ for the better understanding of the premises, the follow-
ing history of each interest is given: Ist. General George Wash-
ington, Fielding Lewis and Thomas Walker were the owners of
certain swamp lands in Nansemond County, the interest wherein
of Gen’l. Washington was purchased by said Whitehead of
George W. P. Custis, the surviving executor of Gen’] Washington
by deed dated the 25th day of September 1851, and the interest
of the heirs of Fielding Lewis and Thomas Walker were sold by
a decree of the Circuit Court of said County to Whitehead, as
appears by deed from John R. Kilby Commissioner to said White-
head dated the 13th of December 1852, so that the said White-
head became the owner of all the lands in said county owned by
said Washington, Lewis and Walker.”

The deed from George W. P. Custis, as sole surviving executor,
to Whitehead, originally recorded on November 1, 1851, was re-
recorded September 27, 1867, in said Book O, at page 210, and
shows that on September 25, 1851, nearly fifty-two years after
the date of Washington’s death, in consideration of $290, or
about seventy-five cents an acre, “all the lands in the County
of Nansemond, in the State of Virginia, of which the said Gen’l.
George Washington died seized and which were held by him and
Fielding Lewis and Thomas Walker as tenants in common”, were
sold to William B. Whitehead.

In their answer to the “ friendly suit ” in Alexandria County
in the District of Columbia in 1825, the executors of Washing-
ton had specified this land as one of the few unsold tracts belong-
ing to the estate, but no effort appears to have been made in
that case to sell it.®

3 This was the last conveyance by an executor of George Washington’s last
will and testament. Custis described himself in a letter dated December 1,300 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

The equal neglect of the interests of the Lewis and Walker
heirs of their share in what Washington believed to be very
valuable property is shown by the last of the three instruments,
the deed from John R. Kilby as court commissioner to William
B. Whitehead, dated June 15, 1853, originally recorded on that
day and re-recorded September 27, 1867, in Deed Book O, at
page 211. In this conveyance is made (in consideration of
$1,035) in pursuance of a decree of the Circuit Court of Nanse-
mond County, in the suit for partition or sale brought by White-
head as owner of the Washington share, against “* Unknown
parties ”, owners of the Fielding Lewis and Walker shares. It
recites a sale at public auction after proper procedure, and
conveys “* All the lands in Nansemond County belonging to Genl.
George Washington (now belonging to the plaintiff) and Field-
ing Lewis and Thomas Walker, being swamp lands, a part of
which adjoins the lands of John C. Canoon and others.”

The property now forms part of a tract of about thirty-five
hundred acres which has been assembled by the ‘** Highlands of
Norfolk Corporation.” It is said by its owners to be excellent
land for agricultural purposes, needing only to be cleared and
drained, a description which is in substance that given by Wash-
ington one hundred and twenty-five years ago. Its present value
is about thirty dollars per acre. It lies only four miles from the
borders of Suffolk. It is a part of the celebrated Western Branch
Trucking Section and no less than four important railroads pass
over or near it and a power line carrying electric current skirts
its southern borders, but it has never been touched by ax or
plow.*

1847, to John A. Washington, then owner of Mount Vernon, who was en-
deavoring to close the General’s estate, thus: “I am so poor a man of busi-
ness that I do not feel myself competent to advise in matters of which I
have neither knowledge, nor have had any experience, but with the energy
and method of your illustrious ancestor I feel that you, my Dr Sir, will “go
ahead.” But he was mistaken. It was left to him to sell the Nansemond
lands for a tithe of what the General believed them worth more than fifty
years before. Custis Mss., L. C.

4 Robert W. Mallet, Esq., Attorney at Law of Norfolk, Va., has generously
loaned me an abstract of the title to these lands which he made in 1918.Chapter X XVI
OF THE OUTLYING LANDS

Tuese consisted of tracts of varying size in Pennsylvania, New

York, Ohio and Kentucky.

THE PENNSYLVANIA LANDS»
The land scheduled as being in —

Pennsylvania acres

Great Meadows 234 $6 $1,404 (n)
Washington described :

(n) This land is valuable on account of its local situation and
other properties. It affords an exceeding good stand on Brad-
dock’s Road from Fort Cumberland to Pittsburgh and besides a
fertile soil possesses a large quantity of natural meadow fit for
the scythe. It is distinguished by the appellation of the Great
Meadows, where the first action with the French in the year 1754
was fought.

This brief reference to the battle of Great Meadows and the
surrender of Fort Necessity on July 3 and 4, 1754, is the only
mention Washington has made of this connection with the pur-
chase and ownership of the premises. Nowhere else does he refer
to the personal or historic interest the land had for him.

In “ The Washington-Crawford Letters ” * the correspondence
is gathered showing Washington’s plan in 1767 to purchase two
thousand or more acres in the neighborhood of what is now
Uniontown, Fayette County, Pennsylvania, along the line of
Braddock’s Road and somewhere in the neighborhood of the
Laurel Range. To this end he requested his former companion
in arms, Captain William Crawford, then settled in that neighbor-
hood, “to look me out ” not a piece of ordinary land, “No, a

1C. W. Butterfield (1877), Cincinnati, R. Clarke & Co.

¥

son’

ee302 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

tract to please me must be rich (of which no person can be a
better judge than yourself) and if possible, level. . . . The sur-
veying I would choose to postpone, at least till the Spring, when
if you can give me any satisfactory account of this matter, and
of what I am next going to propose, I expect to pay you a visit
about the last of April.”” Then followed a plan also to select
lands in “ the King’s part ”, that is, land beyond the Ohio, at that
moment forbidden by the King’s proclamation, but believed by
Washington “a temporary expedient to quiet the minds of the
Indians.”

The visit was postponed for one reason and another until
October, 1770, when Washington made his fourth tour to the
Ohio, this time in search of lands not only for himself but for
those two hundred thousand acres which had been promised his
soldiers and himself as a bounty for their services in the campaign
of 1754. His diary shows that he inspected the Great Meadows
and the lands near what is now Perryopolis at the suggestion of
Captain Crawford, and his correspondence covers the details of
the purchase.”

He returned home December 1, 1770, and on December 16,
1770, Crawford wrote him, “ Agreeable to your desire I have
bought the Great Meadows from Mr. Harrison for thirty pis-
toles to be paid to Mr. Jacob Hite, and inclosed is an order upon
you from Mr. Harrison in favor of Mr. Hite and the bill of sale
filled up by Mr. McLain. I also inclose a draft of the land, to
be run as you think proper. Any alteration you want done
please let me know and I will see it done when Mr. McLain comes
up next Summer.”

The bill of sale here referred to came to light recently as Item
261, in a sale of Americana at The American Art Association in
New York City on January 31, 1921, and the catalogue quotes

it as follows:

William Brooks for and in Consideration of the sum of Thirty
Pistoles lawful Money of the Province of Pennsylvania to me in

2A. B. Hulbert, “ Washington’s ‘Tour of the Ohio’,” Vol. XVII, p. 431,
et seg. Ohio Archeological and Historical Society Publications.Of the Outlying Lands 303

Hand well and truly paid by Colonel George Washington of
Fairfax Coty. & Colony of Virginia do Grant, Bargain and Sell
unto said Col. George Washington and to his Heirs, Executors,
Administrators, and Assigns, forever all my Right to a certain
Application, by me, or for me, entered in the Proprietaries Land-
Office in the Province aforesaid, [for] Three Hundred Acres of
Land at the place called Great Meadows on both Sides of General
Braddock’s Road including an improvement made by Grant from
Capt. Charles Edmonston No. 3383.
(Signed) Lawr. Harrison for
WitiiaMm Brucks
(Witnessed by)
Bob Bell — Alexander McLean.

This “ float ” or claim to the land had to be specifically located
by a survey and maintained by improvement of the land, and
Washington seems to have had trouble about it for he did not
acquire a patent to the land for several years, but when he made
his last tour to the West in September, 1784, searching out the
route for connecting the headwaters of the Potomac and the Ohio,
he notes in his diary on September 12:

Left Daugherty’s about 6 o’clock, stopped a while at the Great
Meadows and viewed a tenement I have there which appears to
have been but little improved, tho capable of being turned to
great advantage as the whole of the ground called the Meadows
may be reclaimed at an easy comparative expence & is a very
good stand for a Tavern. Much Hay may be cut when the
ground is laid down in Grass & the upland is good for grain.
Dined at Thomas Gist’s at the Foot of Laurel, distant from the
Meadows 12 miles, and arrived at Gilbert Simpson’s about 5
o’clock 12 miles further.

A full account of the campaign of 1754 which made this pleas-
ant tract of rolling farm land famous as the first battle ground
of the French and Indian War and the training place of the great
commander in chief of the Revolution, is to be found in Chapter
V of “ Historic Highways”, Vol. 3, entitled ‘‘ Washington’s
Road ” by Archer B. Hulbert (Cleveland, O., 1908. The Arthur
H. Clark Company).** It is illustrated with maps and goes into

G

2a See also “ George Washington”, by Rupert Hughes (1926), New York.

————304 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

the controversy respecting the details of the location and size of
Fort Necessity. It also bemoans the lack of a suitable monu-
ment. Since then the fine Braddock Monument has been erected
near the spot, for here it was that the ill-fated British General
died and was buried in the road, so that his grave might be
obliterated and not be rifled by the Indian allies of the French.
And on June 20, 1920, the Great Meadows Chapter, Daughters
of the American Revolution, dedicated a tablet which will per-
manently mark the site of Fort Necessity, commemorating the
spot “where Lieut. Col. George Washington fought his first
battle and made his first and last surrender July 3-4, 1754.”

The location of the land by the surveyor included but two hun-
dred and thirty-four acres, running on both sides of the old road,
from the three rivulets that supplied water to Washington’s
troops, northward to the top of the hill now called Mount Wash-
ington. To-day it is and for over a hundred years past has been
a farmstead on which a brick house is built by the side of the
road, perhaps a century old. It has become a show place of late
and bears a large signboard inscribed “ Fort Necessity.” The
highway is part of the old Cumberland Road of national fame
and is now a highly improved automobile road along which a
constant stream of vehicles rolls. Washington’s guess that it
might be a fair stand for a tavern was never realized, but about
two miles to the westward the great hotel at The Summit marks
the spot where the road branches off to the north to the near-by
place where he surprised Jumonville and his “ peaceful embassy ”
of armed men hiding in the woods. From this point Braddock’s
Road leads through the woods towards his ill-fated battlefield
near Pittsburgh while the main line of the Cumberland Road pro-
ceeds to Uniontown.

At the auction sale of Washington’s eastern lands the Great
Meadows tract containing two hundred and thirty-four acres was
sold to Andrew Parks (husband of Harriet Washington) for five
dollars per acre. The executors on December 1, 1805, by their
deed recorded in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, at Uniontown
in Book H, at page 28, conveyed to Parks the premises “ calledOf the Outlying Lands 305

Mount Washington situated on the East side of Laurel Hill where
Braddock’s Road crosses the Great Meadows which was granted
to the said General George Washington by Wm. Moore President
by patent dated February 28, 1782 and bounded as follows ”, etc.,
etc.

It cost Mr. Parks one hundred dollars to acquire in 1808 the
tax title which one Christian Farr had obtained on the land in
1804 for twenty-two dollars, as appears by a deed recorded in
Book G, at page 132; and on June 15, 1809, Parks and his wife
by their deed conveyed the land to Archibald Henderson of Balti-
more and Joshua Longstreth of Philadelphia (in Book H, page
199) to secure many debts of the said Parks in a total sum of
about fifteen thousand dollars.

That, so far as the record shows, was the end of the Wash-
ington interest. The present ownership is in the widow and
son of Lieutenant Edward L. Fazenbaker, Company E, 168
Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers during the Civil War. The
widow lives in the farmhouse and has a case of relics gathered
from the fort and battlefield, and despite her more than eighty-
two years enjoys telling the story of the farm. The present value
of the land is about one hundred dollars per acre. (1923.)

Some day the nation may be sufficiently interested to acquire
this spot and suitably preserve the land on which first developed
the military character of its greatest man.

THE NEW YORK LANDS

The schedule recites:

New York acres
Mohawk River abt. 1,000 $6 $6,000 (0)

(o) This is the moiety of about 2,000 acrs. which remain un-
sold of 6,071 acrs. on the Mohawk River (Montgomery Cty.) in
a Patent granted to Daniel Coxe in the Township of Coxebourgh
& Carolana as will appear by deed from Marinus Willet and wife
to George Clinton (late Governor of New York) and myself.
The latter sales have been at six dollars an acre and what remains
unsold will fetch that or more.H
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306 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

The original purchase of 6,071 acres lies between New Hart-
ford and Clinton, from six to twelve miles southwest of Utica,
New York, and is to-day rich in farms and suburban villages
attached to that city.

The acquisition of this tract by the two great Georges of the
Revolution, during the year 1783, just before news of the defini-
tive treaty of peace was received, was the result of the tour to the
northward which they made in the summer of that year and which
Washington announced to his friend, General Philip Schuyler, at

Albany, in this letter:

To General Philip Schuyler

Headquarters, Newburg 15th July, 17838
Dear Sir:

I have always entertained a great desire to see the northern
part of this State, before I returned to the southward. The
present irksome interval while we are waiting for the definitive
treaty, affords an opportunity of gratifying this inclination. I
have therefore concerted with Governor Clinton to make a tour
to reconnoitre those places, where the most remarkable posts were
established, and the ground which became famous by being the
theatre of action in 1777. On our return from thence, we pro-
pose to pass across the Mohawk River, in order to have a view
of that tract of country which is so much celebrated for the
fertility of its soil and the beauty of its situation. We shall
set out by water on Friday the 18th if nothing should intervene
to prevent the journey.

And to Congress he wrote the next day:

Finding myself in most disagreeable circumstances here, and
likely to be so long as Congress are pleased to continue me in
this awkward situation, anxiously expecting the definitive treaty,
without command, and with little else to do, than to be teased
with the troublesome applications and fruitless demands, which
I have neither the means nor the power of satisfying; in this
distressing tedium I have resolved to wear away a little time, in
performing a tour to the northward, as far as Ticonderoga and
Crown Point, and perhaps as far up the Mohawk River as Fort
Schuyler. I shall leave this place on Friday next and shall
probably be gone two weeks, unless my tour should be interruptedOf the Outlying Lands 307

by some special recall. One gentleman of my family will be left
here to receive any letters or commands and to forward to me
anything that shall be necessary.°

The trip from Newburg to Albany was made by vessel but from
there to Lake George and return on horseback, and then they
proceeded up the Mohawk Valley to Oneida Lake. In this way
the beautiful country about Utica was crossed twice and the
vision of the future course of a canal connecting the Hudson
River with the Great Lakes was opened to Washington. A mes-
sage from Congress requesting his attendance at Princeton inter-
rupted the westward course of the travelers and they hurriedly
returned to Newburg.

His entire absence was nineteen days and he traversed a dis-
tance of seven hundred and fifty miles. What the effect was on
his mind he has left record of. In the well-known letter to his
late companion in arms, the Chevalier De Castellux, Washington
wrote, soon after he was settled at Rocky Hill near Princeton, on

October 12, 1783: *

I have lately made a tour through the Lakes George and
Champlain, as far as Crown Point. Thence returning to Schenec-
tady, I proceeded up the Mohawk River to Fort Schuyler (for-
merly Fort Stanwix), and crossed over to Wood Creek, which
empties into Oneida Lake, and affords water communication with
Ontario. I then traversed the country to the head of the eastern
branch of the Susquehanna, and viewed the Lake Otsego, and the
portage between that Lake and the Mohawk River at Carna-
joharie — Prompted by these actual observations I could not help
taking a more extensive view of the vast inland navigation of
these United States, from maps and the information of others:
and could not but be struck with the immense extent and im-
portance of it, and with the goodness of that Providence which
has dealt its favors to us with so profuse a hand. Would to God
we may have wisdom enough to improve them.

I shall not rest contented till I have explored the Western
Country, and traversed those lines, or great part of them, which
have given bounds to a new empire.

3 Ford, 10, 288, 290.
4 Sparks, VIII, 488. Ford, 10, 324.

we SS?308 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

On the same day he wrote to La Fayette,” who had returned
to France the year before, “I have it in contemplation to make
a tour through all the Eastern States, thence into Canada, thence
up the St. Lawrence and through the Lakes to Detroit, thence to
Lake Michigan by land or water, thence through the Western
Country by the River Illinois to the River Mississippi, and down
the same to New Orleans, thence to Georgia by the way of Pensa-
cola and thence through the two Carolinas home. A great tour,
this you will say. Probably it may take place nowhere but in
imagination, though it is my wish to begin it the latter end of
April of next year.”

This wish and intention, never quite fulfilled, never left his
mind, and beginning in September, 1784, he visited again the
Ohio country, in 1789 all the New England States and in 1791
all the Southern States.

The records still existing in New York State do not show the
conveyance to Clinton and Washington, and Clinton’s private

5a

papers were destroyed by fire.°* As he had charge of the prop-
erty we are largely dependent on the letters preserved in the
Washington manuscripts for information, except that in Oneida
County, of which Utica is the county seat, the county clerk’s office
has a series of deeds recorded there after 17792 which show the
sales made from the tract after that date.

On November 27, 1793, at Philadelphia, Washington con-

cluded a letter to Clinton on other business with this paragraph: °

Whenever it shall be perfectly convenient to you, I would thank
you for a statement of our joint concern in the Mohawk Lands;
that is for Information of what Lots have been sold & what
remain on hand with the number of them.

And on December 25, 1798, he wrote again: *

Your favor of the 18th instant enclosing a statement of sales
of lots in Coxburgh belonging to us, has been duly received; and
I thank you for the particular manner in which they are rendered.

5 Ford, 10, 325, note.

5a Washington’s Ledger C contains at page 1 in his autograph a full state-

ment of his account with George Clinton. See Addendum.
6 L. C., W. Mss. Copies, Vol. 14, p. 85. 7 Ibid., Vol. 264, Doc. 35132.Of the Outlying Lands 309

I did not mean to give you so much trouble; to know summarily
what had been sold and what remained on hand, was all I had in
view. I hereby acknowledge the receipt of a Bank note (New
York) for sixteen hundred and fifty-nine °%0oo0 dollars being the
Ballac. per account stated on the sales above mentioned.

Two years later under date of November 23, 1795, Washing-

ton wrote again: *

My enquiries after your health have been constant and my
concern for the ill state of it has been sincere. I beg you will
not suffer the business in which I am jointly interested to give
you a moments concern, for I can assure you it has never occupied
a thought of mine. But in order to make the transacting of it
as easy to yourself and as convenient to others as the case is
susceptible of, I will empower you to act for me in the same
manner you do for yourself if there is no incompatibility in it,
and I see none.

A month later he executed a power of attorney to George
Clinton accordingly, which is recorded in Oneida County, in
Book of Deeds No. 15, at page 483.

Just before leaving the presidency, on February 28, 1797,°
Washington wrote acknowledging the receipt of twenty-five hun-
dred dollars:

On account of our joint concern in the lotts in Coxburgh, and
which as appears by the items of an account enclosed, overpays
my Dividend of the Receipts £26.0.17. York Currency. . . . I
have been constant in my inquiries after your health, and with
sincerest pleasure heard latterly, that it was well restored. As
early in next week as I can make arrangements for it, my journey
for Mount Vernon will commence, Twenty miles from which I
think it is not likely, I shall ever be again. But if business, in-
clination or any other cause, should ever induce you to visit
that hemisphere I can assure you with much truth, that I shall
be extremely happy to see you under the shade of my vine and
fig tree.

From the ten deeds recorded in Oneida County by which Clinton

and Washington conveyed various-sized lots running from 8714

8 L. C., W. Mss. Copies, Vol. 15, p. 5.
9 Ibid., Copies, 15, 116.310 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

to 358 acres, it appears that during that time 2,238 acres were
sold by them for prices varying from $2 to $6.79 per acre and
totalling $8,404 at an average of $3.75 per acre. Probably fif-
teen hundred acres had been sold before 1792 and the deeds
recorded in older counties, whose records no longer exist.

One of the deeds from Washington and Clinton of part of this
tract has been preserved *° and bears in addition to the signatures
of the two principals, those of Colonel David Humphreys and
Colonel Tobias Lear, Washington’s secretaries, as witnesses, and
the certificate of acknowledgment by James Kent, then Master in
Chancery, later Chancellor of the State of New York and the
famous author of Kent’s “Commentaries.” ‘The grantee in this
deed (recorded in Oneida County in Book T of deeds, page 333)

is David Risley, and it was his grandnephew, Colonel Risley, Civil

‘ 39

War veteran “79 years young ” who guided me over the tract in
September, 1919, and showed me the farms his granduncle and
grandfather had acquired and on one of which the Colonel was
born.

At the time Washington drew his will he declared himself owner
of the half of two thousand acres, and their value six dollars per
acre.

At the executors’ sale on June 5, 18038, there was sold to

George Washington the Mohawk land,
1,000 acres @ $5 $5,000.00

This was George Steptoe Washington and in September, 1806,
he made two sales, one for his share of 1,031 acres and the other
for one-half of 262 acres; the former at $6.50 per acre and the
latter at $6.40. Later sales were at six and seven dollars per
acre under a power of attorney from George Steptoe Washing-
ton to George Clinton, dated January 16, 1807, recorded in
Oneida County, June 21, 1808, in Book 15 of deeds, page 481.
The last sale was made June 22, 1808, and brought the total
number of acres sold after Washington’s death to 2,253 for
$13,200, or $6,600 for the 1,126.5 acres which fell to Washing-

10 In the New York Historical Society, New York City.Of the Outlying Lands 311

ton’s legatee. No conveyance from Washington’s executors to
the younger George is of record.

The grantees from Washington, George S. Washington and
George Clinton, in the various deeds remaining of record in
Oneida County, are Nathaniel Griffin, Jerediah Sanger, Elias
Hopkins, Cornellius Glen, George Brownell, Thomas Hart, Deo-
dalus Clark, Rufus Willard, Judah Stebbins, Jr., Elijah Smith,
Samuel Starr, Ephraim Beese, Joseph Bladgett, John Baxter,
John Young, Treat Baldwin, Darius Scovill, Peter Seleck,
Daniel Babcock, Asa Turner, Stephen Hutchenson, John Bab-
cock, Ebenezer R. Fitch, John Wicks, Nathan Thompson and
David Risley. Farm land in the tract is selling at two hundred
dollars an acre and upwards, but a great part of it is town or
suburban property and much more valuable.

THE OHIO OR NORTHWEST TERRITORY LANDS

Under this head Washington described his tract in the present
State of Ohio just east of the City of Cincinnati:

North Westn. Territ’y acres
On the little Miami 839
Ditto 977
Ditto 1,235

 

3,051 — $5 — $15,251 (p)

(p) The quality of these lands & their situation may be known
by the survayer’s certificates, which are filed along with the
Patents. They lye in the vicinity of Cincinnati, one tract near
the mouth of the little Miami, another seven & the third ten miles
up the same. I have been informed they will readily command
more than they are estimated at.

The agreement of the legatees provided that:

The lands in the North West Territory and in Kentucky, are
included in those which are to be sold.

The sales report of the executors however, does not show that
there was any sale of either of these tracts.

———— eG312 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased
The Ohio lands had a curious and eventful history. They

were in what is known as the Virginia Military District of Ohio,
which that State reserved from its grant to the United States
and out of which the State of Virginia compensated its soldiers.
Washington had declined to apply for or accept his quota of
the Virginia land bounty, although he was entitled as a major
general to 23,33314 acres. He placed his refusal upon the same
principle on which he declined pay as commander in chief, that
no pay would have induced him to accept the post, and so having
accepted it he would receive none.

The lands given by Virginia to its Revolutionary soldiers were
to be taken from the territory northwest of the Ohio River con-
quered by Colonel George Rogers Clark and his Virginia militia
during 1777 from the British, and thereafter claimed by the State
of Virginia as its own County of Illinois. This claim however was
disputed by other States and long formed the stumbling block
to the ratification of the Articles of Confederation from 1777 to
1781. Maryland persistently refused to ratify these unless all
States, and especially Virginia, should agree to put all claims
to western territory beyond the Ohio River and the present boun-
daries of New York and Pennsylvania, into the Federation and
thus make that national territory. One by one the States agreed,
Massachusetts, Connecticut (with a reservation) and others and
lastly Virginia ceded the point, but the latter reserved a military
district (north and east of Cincinnati) to compensate its soldiers.

When the ordinance of 1787 was finally adopted in lieu of the
former one on the subject, there were warrants for thousands of
acres outstanding ready to be located on the Virginia Military
tract and they had been dealt in like stock certificates in our
day, in the open market. Of these, Washington acquired two
by purchase; one for three thousand acres issued to John Rootes,
and one for one hundred acres issued to Thomas Cope. In the
summer of 1787, Washington placed his warrants in the hands
of Colonel John O’Bannon, a deputy surveyor of the Virginia
Military district of Ohio for location and accordingly on Jan-
uary 17, 1788, there were entered in Washington’s name 839Of the Outlying Lands 313

acres in what is now Franklin Township, Clermont County, Ohio
(as entry Number 1,650), and on May 13, 1788 (as entry
Number 1,765), 1,235 acres on the Little Miami River, three and
one-half miles above the mouth of its east fork, in what is now
Miami Township, in the same county.

These two entries were made on the warrant for three thou-
sand acres. On May 12, 1788, O’Bannon made entry Number
1,775, in Washington’s name, for 977 acres, 848 acres of which
lie in Union Township, Clermont County, and 129 acres in Ander-
son Township, Hamilton County. These entries exhausted the
Rootes warrant and took fifty-one acres out of the Cope warrant
of one hundred acres.

The entries were surveyed in April and May 1788, and were
duly recorded in the books of Colonel Richard Anderson, the sur-
veyor of the Virginia Military District of Ohio. The entries and
surveys were made under the law enacted by Virginia in 1783
and Washington and his agents were under the belief that they
should be returned, or reported, to the Land Office of the State
of Virginia at Richmond. ‘This was done at sometime prior to
April 20, 1790, and on December 1, 1790, patents were issued
to Washington accordingly by Beverly Randolph, as Governor
of Virginia, in the belief that it was incumbent on the State of
Virginia to complete the title.

It so happened, however, that meanwhile Virginia had ceded
the lands to the United States, subject to the soldiers’ claims and
that the title was no longer in the State but in the national gov-
ernment in trust for the soldiers and the people.

The legal minds in the government had discovered the point
even before Washington’s patents were issued to him, but after
he had applied for them. The Congress of the new United States
on August 10, 1790 (Volume I, page 182, U. S. Laws), had
enacted and Washington as President had approved, “ An act
to enable the officers and soldiers of the Virginia Military line,
on continental establishment, to obtain title to certain lands lying
northwest of the Ohio River, between the Little Miami and the
Scioto”, which, while it recognized the locations and surveys

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314 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

made under the laws of Virginia, required that these be re-
ported to the National Land Office and there patented within
five years.

Washington was too busy with other affairs to realize the
effect of this law upon his own land and rested easy until 1798
in the belief that his Virginia patents gave him good title. In
January, 1798, Washington at Mount Vernon was told that a
Mr. Massey from the Northwest Territory, passing through
Alexandria recently, had said that Washington was in danger of
losing his lands in that territory.”

Washington promptly acted on the information by writing to
Rufus Putnam, United States land agent at Marietta, Ohio, and
Winthrop Sargent, governor of the territory, at Cincinnati, Ohio,
informing them of his rights and the doubt raised, and asking for
advice if any error had been committed in making his title. He
sent the letters through the Secretary of War, McHenry at
Philadelphia.

Putnam replied under date of February 17, 1798, but Sargent
did not receive the inquiry until June 6th, although enclosed in
one from the Secretary of State. Both denied any knowledge of
the danger and promised to advise him if it should come to them.
All these letters are preserved in the Library of Congress.

But again the question was raised as these letters show.

T'o Richard C. Anderson

Mount Vernon 30th July 1798.”
Sir:

In the course of last winter a Mr. Massey passed through
Alexandria on his way to Philadelphia, & reported at the former
place, that I should lose my land in the Northwestern Terri-
tory — On the little Miami.

Not perceiving how this could happen fairly, and not supposing
it would be taken from me otherwise without allowing me a hear-
ing, I paid but little attention to the Report until Mr. George
Graham called upon me the other day, and in conversation on

11 Letter from James Welch to Washington, L. C., W. Mss., Vol. 287, Doc.

ane
en C., W. Mss., Vol. 290, Doc. 38776.Of the Outlying Lands 315

this subject gave it as his opinion that the land was in real
jeopardy, by reéntry under some errors in the former proceed-
ings, and advised me to write to you relatively thereto.

This I now do, under full conviction however, that as the former
surveys were made under your auspices,— examined & recorded
in your office and Patents granted thereupon in the year 1790 —
with the following recital “ In consideration of a Military war-
rant of 3,000 acres granted to John Rootes by Lord Dunmore
the 7th December 1773 and assigned by the said Rootes unto
George Washington, Esqr. the 14th February 1774 and ex-
changed by a resolution of the General Assembly passed the
30th December 1784 for a Warrant of 3,000 acres No. 3753
and dated the 14th Feby. 1785.” I say under full conviction
that you would not suffer the land to be wrested from me by any
subsequent transaction in your Office without giving me notice
thereof in time to assert my prior claim, I now give you the
trouble of this address,— adding at the same time that if any-
thing is necessary on my part to give more validity or greater
legality to former proceedings, I am willing to incur the ex-
pense, rather than enter into a tedious & expensive Chancery
suit which I assuredly will do before my property shall be taken
from me.

I would thank you, Sir, for full information, and your advice
relative to the matter as soon as it is convenient. Being

Your Most Obedt. Hmble. Servt.
Go. WasHINGTON

Richd. C. Anderson, Esq.

To Washington

Jefferson County near Louisville **
September 5th, 1798.
Sir:

Yours of the 30th of July I have the honor to receive, and
cannot conceive from what circumstance Mr. Massie or Mr.
Graham could found an opinion that your military claim, was in
the least danger, no other entry as yet to my knowledge ever
having been made on the same ground. It is probably however
that the opinion was founded on a resolution of Congress which
was intended to prevent those, who from the time of service
were not entitled to lands, but from the liberality of the State of
Virginia obtained warrants by resolution of the Assembly; but,

13 L. C., W. Mss., Vol. 291, Doc. 38915.316 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

as this in my mind was not your case, yours being exchanged by
a resolution of the Assembly, I did not trouble your Excellency
with the conjecture of a few on that head, and you may rest
assured should any attempt be made in this office by entry or
otherwise that I shall take the liberty of giving you immediate
notice thereof. And as it is a matter of consequence as I am
informed yours are valuable lands provided you think there can
be the least danger from the lands being laid in consequence of
a resolution warrant, that you make yourself acquainted with
that particular circumstance, and if you think it in danger to
send out other warrants to cover its place.

With much respect and esteem

I have the honor to be, Sir,

Your most ob. servant
(Genl. Washington) Ricuarp C. ANDERSON.

This answer came while Washington was in the midst of his
controversy with President Adams about the selection of Alex-
ander Hamilton as first major general and the preparations for
going to Philadelphia to organize the army of the United States
to repel the threatened French invasion. When he read the
letter he probably laid it aside for future action, or rested upon
the mistaken opinion of Colonel Anderson. At any rate, when
he wrote his will in the following July, no danger seems to have
been present to his mind. The time for obtaining United States
patents had expired in August, 1795, but Congress, by a subse-
quent act, extended the time to 1800. Meantime Washington
had died.

Washington’s executors paid taxes on the lands for several
years after his death. In 1806 they learned that one Joseph Kerr,
a U.S. deputy surveyor (subsequently senator from Ohio), had
made locations on warrants in the name of General John Nevill,
who had died July 20, 1803, at Pittsburgh, which locations were
upon the identical lines and field notes of Washington’s surveys
and patents. Nevill had left a will devising the claims to his
son, Presly Nevill, and his daughter, Amelia Craig. Kerr and
Nevill had “ jumped ” Washington’s land.

On March 14, 1806, the executors petitioned Congress for anOf the Outlying Lands 317

act to confirm their title to the land. There was some delay in
passing it and it was amended so as to make it of general appli-
cation. On March 3, 1807, it became a law under the title “ An
act authorizing patents to issue for lands located and surveyed
by virtue of certain Virginia resolution Warrants.” It was gen-
erally known as “‘ the Washington land act”, and granted two
years’ time for the necessary action.

Meanwhile Joseph Kerr had filed the Nevill claims and surveys
in the U. S. land office and soon afterwards obtained patents,
on April 30, 1807, under which he subsequently bought the lands
from the Nevill heirs.

The executors do not seem to have contested the matter and
to-day the titles rest on these patents. The land which Wash-
ington believed to be worth more than fifteen thousand dollars
was lost to his estate.

In 1907, a century later, a lawyer at Portsmouth, Ohio, be-
stirred himself in the matter, and certain descendants of Wash-
ington’s legatees were induced to have Robert E. Lee, Jr., a
grandson of the famous General, appointed administrator de
bonis non with the will annexed of George Washington deceased,
by the County Court of Fairfax County, Virginia, to prosecute a
claim against the United States for compensation because of the
wrongful patenting of these lands.

A petition was presented to Congress in which this adminis-
trator and four others as individuals joined, requesting a re-
imbursement at the alleged then value of the land of one hundred
dollars per acre or $305,100, but in spite of elaborate hearings
and a favorable report by a House committee, there has been
no final action. Within late years the administrator and the chief
promoter of the petition have both died and Congressman James
R. Mann, “ the watchdog of the treasury ”, who consistently op-
posed it, has also gone to his last account.

The lands are just east of the city of Cincinnati, are rapidly
becoming very valuable, and during the World War a large
portion of them were devoted to a plant for the manufacture of
T. N. T. by the national government.**318 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

THE KENTUCKY LANDS
These were noted in the schedule as follows:

Kentucky acres
Rough Creek 3,000
Ditto, adjoining 2,000

 

5,000 — $2 — $10,000 (q)

(q) For the description of these tracts in detail, see General
Spotswood’s letter filed with the other papers relating to them.
Besides the general good qualities of the land, there is a valuable
Bank of Iron Ore thereon; which when the settlement becomes
more populous (and settlers are moving that way very fast) will
be found very valuable, as the rough creek, a branch of the Green
River affords ample water for Furnaces and forges.

The destruction of the records in Richmond, Virginia, in 1865,
prevents us from knowing how Washington acquired these lands.
They were in all probability received by him from General Henry
Lee in 1788, as payment in the purchase by the latter of Wash-

> as such a trade is recited in Wash-

ington’s stallion * Magnolia,’
ington’s Diary under date of December 9, 1788 (see Fitzpatrick
Diaries 3, 452). Many eminent Virginians, including Washing-
ton’s kinsmen, Colonel Fielding Lewis and General Spotswood, had
large holdings in the same neighborhood, and Colonel Thomas
Marshall, the father of Chief Justice Marshall, who had migrated
to Kentucky, had charge of the lands.

These were situated about one hundred miles southwest of
Louisville on the branch of the Green River known as the Rough
Creek, which flows westward out of the rolling and heavily
timbered uplands of middle Kentucky. At points six and ten
miles east of the present town of Hartford there are considerable
falls in the creek. The upper one, known to-day with the village
about it as The Falls of Rough, develops considerable power

14See papers of the 60th and 62nd Congress. House bill 5489. Senate
bill 1238. Hearings, March 25 and May 23, 1912, and March 19, 1914, before
the sub-committee of the Committee on Public Lands. H. R.

Also: “ Washington’s Ohio Lands”, an article by E. O. Randall, Esq., on
pages 304 to 319, Volume XIX (1910) of the Ohio Archeological and Histori-
cal Quarterly.Of the Outlying Lands 319

and early in the nineteenth century flour and other mills were
established there which made their owners wealthy. Five or six
miles farther down stream is another fall, not so large, known
as Hite’s, but it has never been developed as a mill site. This
site is on a three hundred acre tract known as Woodrow’s Survey,
around which extended Washington’s five thousand acres. In
1798 Washington tried to buy this from Mr. Hite * for one thou-
sand dollars, but Hite wanted three thousand dollars and Wash-
ington withdrew with the observation that he was glad to know
that his property adjoined such valuable land.

There is a mass of correspondence in 1797, 1798 and 1799
about this land in the Washington Mss. It was mainly with
General Spotswood, who journeyed to Kentucky on business of
his own, but being in the neighborhood also saw Washington’s
land and made him a careful report upon it.’

To Washington

Lexington, State of Kentucky.
June 23, 1797.
Dr. Sir: Having already wrote respecting your lands purchased
of Genl. Lee laying on Rough Creek, shall now only observe that
I arrived on them with the gentlemen mutually chosen by Lee
and myself to value the same on the 25th of May. After tracing
the lines so as to keep us within the bounds of the two tracts, we
proceeded to traverse the same and found the Two tracts to con-
sist as follows:

1st — Rolling land. 2nd— very Hilly land running up into
points. 8rd — Ridges Running out from the creek. 4th — much
flat land grown up with cane. 5th—very high land with much
Hurtleberry land.

The first described land lays well for the plow & very rich
but I believe no great quantity, the 2nd do — poor —here the
settlers say is much iron ore and very rich but of this I am no
judge. 3rd (Ridges) the whole of them do not contain more
than 60 acres, very rich, lays well for the plow, and surrounded
with the flat canary land, which is immensely rich, but every year
flooded with the back water from 18 Inches to 21% feet deep,

15 L. C., W. Mss., Vol. 284, Doc. 37965.
16 [bid., Vol. 284, Doc. 37695.

ee

crt —

ina320 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

which is of great advantage to the land by leaving every year a
rich coat of manure & no disadvantage to the farmer as the water
coming on gradually and going off as gradually will never take
away fences, and returning to the creek from whence it comes by
the 20th of March, gives the farmer full time to prepare his crop.
The last described land, has very steep hillsides, on arriving at
the Top of the ridges fields may be got from 40 to 50 acres of
good farming land, the ascents and descents from ridge is grad-
ual, (as far as I saw & examined). This land was valued at one
dollar per acre. It is thought here to be of no great value but
with us it would be deemed champion land. . . . The Mill seat is
claimed by a Mr. Hite in this country who says Andrew Woodrow
sold the warrant to his father 12 yrs. ago. . . . Col. Marshall
informs me that he has paid your taxes to 1796. Please present
me affectionately to Mrs. Washington & believe me Dr. Sir to be
with much esteem & affectionate regards
Yours Sincerely
A. Sporswoop.

In another letter (June 16, 1797) he writes: “

I viewed the situation for a mill on Andrew Woodrow’s 3800
acre survey, which runs on both sides the creek & includes the
Qnd falls on Ruff and think it equal to any situation I ever saw in
my life, and certain I am from the immense fine country around
it and the very few mill seats in that country with water carriage
from the spot, that the day will come when this seat will be valued
to £10,000.

Washington had declined to sell the land when Colonel Marshall
wrote to him on the subject, as his nephew, George Lewis, was
going out to settle near it and would advise him later about it
(January 2, 1796), and after Spotswood’s report he concluded
to hold it.

The agreement among the Washington legatees provided that
this land should be sold by the executors and the account of one
of the latter, under date of July 23, 1810, shows this item: ‘* To
Cash paid Warner Lewis to defray his expenses in view and sur-
veying Kentucky lands $180.00.”

Nowhere, however, does it appear that the lands were sold by
the executors.

17L. C., W. Mss., Vol. 284, Doc. 37954.Of the Outlying Lands 321

Originally they were in Hardin County but they were included
in Ohio County in 1799 when that was set off from Hardin. In
1810, Greyson County was likewise set off from Hardin and the
east ten miles of Ohio County were given to it also. This included
the Washington lands and Hite’s Falls.

The records of Greyson County began in 1810 when Washing-
ton’s executors apparently still held title to the land. Wash-
ington’s deed from Henry Lee had been given before Kentucky
was admitted as a state,’* being then still Kentucky County in
the State of Virginia, and so Washington had recorded his deed
in the General Court at Richmond, Virginia, which had jurisdic-
tion of the land. Up to that date therefore (1810) there was
no record of the Washington title in the State of Kentucky.

The records were destroyed during the Civil War, those of
Greyson County during the raid of General John H. Morgan,
and the Richmond records in the fire of April, 1865. There has
been no restoration of either which throws any light on the Wash-
ington title and an examination of the records of the Hardin,
Ohio and Breckinridge counties, which adjoin Greyson, also
yielded negative results.

The Spotswood description of the lands is a fair one to-day.
True, they have been divided into farms of one and two hundred
acres and are under cultivation now, but their character is the
same. The iron ore deposits have not materialized. In general
the neighborhood is strictly rural. How and to whom the Wash-
ington estate parted with its title seems unascertainable and the
subsequent story of the land, except for Morgan’s raid, seems
to belong, if not exactly to “the short and simple annals of the
poor”, yet among those “along the cool sequestered vale of
life”, that “kept the noiseless tenor of their way.”

181. C., W. Mss., Vol. 296, Doc. 39789. Letter from Wilson Allen Clark,
June 28, 1799.

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Chapter XXVII

OF THE OHIO RIVER AND GREAT KANAWHA
RIVER LANDS

Tuesr, by far the largest of Washington’s holdings, con-
sisted of four tracts on the Virginia or easterly side of the Ohio
River, between Wheeling and the mouth of the Great Kanawha
River, and five tracts on the latter river, four below the present
city of Charleston, West Virginia, and another a few miles above.
The latter was small, being a half interest in two hundred and
fifty acres known as the Burning Spring tract.

The total acreage of these tracts was a little more than
thirty-three thousand or nearly fifty-two square miles, but be-
cause they were wholly “‘ bottom” or riverside lands and hence
narrow in many places, they actually had a frontage on the two
rivers of fifty-six miles and lay between the near-by hills and
the river banks. That they were rich and covered with heavy
timber Washington certifies and the present growth of the great
walnut trees of the famous Washington bottoms testifies.

It is necessary to treat of these tracts in three parts: first
the Round Bottom, which Washington sold to Archibald Mc-
Lean in 1799, but did not convey before his death intervened;
second, the thirty-three thousand acres ‘‘on the Western
Waters”, which were divided into twenty-three tracts among
the legatees; and third, the Burning Spring tract, which was
a peculiar purchase and by accident was omitted from the parti-
tion made by the legatees.

The record as to all of these is full in spite of the fact that
the chief and original repository, the records of the General
Court of Virginia at Richmond, no longer exist. For our pur-
poses they have been saved however, mainly in a certified copy
on file in the Circuit Court in the little town of Lewisburg, theOf the Ohio River and Great Kanawha 323

county seat of Greenbrier County, West Virginia, which in its

mountain-high valley escaped both the ravages of fire and war.
There, by reason of a suit concerning the Burning Spring

tract, in 1819, was preserved a certified copy of the plat and

deed of partition entered into by the Washington legatees.

THE ROUND BOTTOM

This tract is referred to in the schedule as one of the Ohio
River tracts, containing 587 acres and valued at ten dollars per
acre. It is made the subject of an especial paragraph in the

note (a) appended to the schedule:

The smallest of these Tracts is actually sold at ten dollars an
acre, but the consideration therefor, not received.

The little tract made a lot of history. It first came into
Washington’s knowledge in 1770 when he made his fourth tour
to the Ohio, this time in search of lands for himself and his
soldiers.

Leaving Pittsburgh on October twentieth with Doctor Craik,
Captain Crawford and others, he proceeded down stream “ im-
barked in a large Canoe with sufficient store of Provisions &
Necessaries . . . and the Indians who were in a Canoe by them-
selves.”

On the twenty-fourth, when they had passed the Indian settle-
ment on the west side of the Ohio called Mingotown, near the
present city of Steubenville, he records that “ Abt. a Mile and
half below this again comes in the Pipe Creek, so called by the
Indians from a stone which is found here out of which they make
Pipes — opposite to this (that is on the East side) is a bottom of
exceeding Rich Land, but as it seems to lye low, I am appre-
hensive that it is subject to be overflowd — this Bottom ends
where the effects of a hurricane appears by the destruction and

havoc among the Trees —.” *

1 Diary of 1770. Ford, 2, 285, 307. Also see “ Washington’s Tour of the
Ohio”, by Archer B. Hulbert. Ohio Archeological and Historical Society
Publications, XVII, p. 456.}
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324 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

Returning from the Great Kanawha River on the fifteenth of
November, he again passed the same spot but not without a
careful inspection of the land. He noted it as unusually rich
land and that with some of the “ Timber Land adjoining — may

99 2

be 12 or 1500 acres (can be) got in this manner.

3 is a most

In the “ Washington-Crawford Correspondence ”
interesting account of the difficulties which he encountered in
holding his lands and which led Washington to write (p. 81)
on June 16, 1794, “ From the experience of many years, I have
found distant property in land more pregnant of perplexities
than profit.”

Crawford reported to Washington on August 2, 1771, “I
have run out the different tracts of land described in your
memorandum between the Little Kanawha and the Big Kanawha
and that tract above the Captina or opposite Pipe Creek. It
as not large.”

This is the Round Bottom and it is located on the east side
of the Ohio River in what is now Marshall County, West Vir-
ginia, about fifteen miles below Wheeling, near the railroad
station called ‘ Cresap’s.”

In 1773 Washington learned in some way that one Michael
Cresap, whom he knew personally and had visited on his tour in
1770, was interfering with his claim to priority of right to the
Round Bottom, and he wrote him this characteristic letter.

To Michael Cresap

Mount Vernon 26th September 1773.4
Sir:

In my passing down the Ohio in the Fall of the year 1770, I
made choice of a piece of Land, being the first bottom on the So.
East side of the river above Capteening, as also a little above a
place where the effects of a hurricane appear among the Trees,
and opposite to a Creek on the other side near the upper end of

2“ Washington’s Tour of the Ohio”, by Archer B. Hulbert. Ohio
Archeological and Historical Society Publications, XVII, p. 472.

3C. W. Butterfield (Cincinnati, O., 1877, Robert Clarke & Co.).
4¥Ford, 2, 392.Of the Ohio River and Great Kanawha 825

the bottom, call’d Pipe Creek. The next Spring when Capt.
Crawford went down the Ohio to survey, I desired him to run out
this Land for me, which he accordingly did, & returned me the
Plat of it, as you may see by the enclosed copy, intending as
soon as a Patent could be obtained to apply for one. The
summer following, hearing that Doctor Brisco had taken pos-
session of this bottom, (altho’ informed of my claim to it) I
wrote him a letter, of which the enclosed is a copy.— And within
these few days I have heard (the truth of which I know not) that
you, upon the Doctor’s quitting of it, have also taken possession
of it. If this information be true, I own I can conceive no reason
why you or any other person should attempt to disturb me in
my claim to this Land, as I have not, to my knowledge, injur’d or
attempted to injure, any other man in his pretensions to Land
in that country; it is a little hard, therefore upon me that I can-
not be allowed to hold this bottom (which is but a small one)
in peace and quietness, till a legal right can be obtained, which
I always have been and am still ready to pay for as soon as I
know to what office to apply.—I would feign hope that my
information respecting your taking possession of this Land, is
without foundation, as I should be sorry to enter into litigation
of this matter with you or any other Gentleman; but as I con-
ceived that I had as good a right to make choice of this bottom
as any other person has; as I am sure that I am the first that
did so, and have had it surveyed so as to ascertain the bounds,
upwards of two years ago, I am resolved not to relinquish my
claim to it. But if you have made any Improvements thereon
not knowing of my claim, I will very readily pay you the full
value thereof, being &c.—

Go. WasHINGTON.

There is another letter, dated in 1774, from Washington to
Thomas Lewis, the official surveyor, in which Washington refers
to Cresap’s pretenses to thirty miles of frontage on the Ohio
River, and urges the issue of his patents to head him off.®

On May 8, 1774, Crawford wrote to Washington: “ Inclosed
you have the drafts of the Round Bottom and your Chartier’s
land, finished agreeable to Mr. Lewis’ direction. . . . Mr. Cre-

sap and some other people fell on some Indians at the mouth of

5 Ford, 2, 408, 409.326 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased
Pipe Creek, killed three and scalped them. Daniel Greathouse

and some others fell on some at the mouth of Yellow Creek and
killed ten.” °

These massacres of Chief Logan’s kindred sent him upon the
warpath against the Virginians and resulted in what is known as
Lord Dunmore’s War, which was ended October 10, 1774, by
the battle of Point Pleasant at the mouth of the Great Kanawha,
in which Chief Cornstalk and the Indians were badly defeated.

Washington wrote Crawford a reply on May 27, 1774, but it
has not been preserved. Crawford refers to it in writing on
June 8, 1774,’ and continues, “I shall take the opportunity of
the first scouting party down the river to comply with your re-
quest in regard to the Round Bottom, and send you a plat and
another to Mr. Lewis. Then I hope no door will be left open
for disappointment.”

The “ disappointment ” was undoubtedly the possibility that
some one had interfered since the first survey had been made,
and Washington, having now received his land warrant, wanted
a subsequent survey and plat to obtain his patent on.

The Indian War was in active progress and surveying became
difficult. Crawford had entered the military service of the com-
monwealth as major and was at the head of five hundred men.

He wrote to Washington from

Stewart’s Crossing, September 20, 1774. . . . I do not hear
anything of Cresap’s claim now, as no person lives upon it or
any of your land since the Indians broke out. I spoke to Lord
Dunmore in regard to it, and what manner your property is
claimed and how these people took possession of the land. He
says it can make no odds as you have the first claim, and a
patent besides, so I believe it is out of the power of any person
to prejudice him against you.

And finally on November 14, 1774, he concluded:

6 Washington-Crawford Correspondence (Robert Clarke & Co., Cincinnati,
1877), p. 52.

7Ibid., p. 51. See also letter of Washington to Thomas Lewis, surveyor
of Augusta County, then comprising all of what is now West Virginia, dated
February 1, 1784, asking for information of the State of his lands on the
Western Waters. Ford, 10, 350 to 356.Of the Ohio River and Great Kanawha 327

I have run your land at the Round Bottom again and will
send you a new draft of it by Valentine Crawford who is to be
at your home in a few days, at or before Christmas. ... I
spoke to Lord Dunmore about your lands at Chartiers and the
Round Bottom, and it happened that Mr. Cresap was present,
when we spoke of it. Cresap was urging his claim and I was
walking by. He wanted it run for him according to a warrant
he had purchased. I then told his Lordship the nature of your
claim before Cresap’s face; upon which he said nothing more
at that time, but wanted me to survey it for him also and return
it. I told him I could not at any rate do such a thing as I had
surveyed it for you.*

In April of the next year the battle of Lexington sent all
men’s minds to the eastward and not long afterward Washington
forgot all his land investments for eight or nine years as com-
mander-in-chief of the Continental Army.

Michael Cresap, having escaped the vengeance of Chief Logan,
though not the undeserved ill-fame in the latter’s supposed ora-
tion, joined Morgan’s rifle corps and marched towards Boston.
In New York City illness overcame him and he sleeps in Trinity
Churchyard.

Colonel Crawford, though deeply engaged on the frontier and
at Valley Forge as colonel of his regiment, did not forget his
duty to his chief’s personal affairs, and so, when in 1779 the
State of Virginia provided by statute how those soldiers of 1754
who had remained faithful in 1776, should obtain the patents
for the bounty lands promised them by King George III, Craw-
ford promptly wrote to Washington from Fort Pitt on August
10, 1779, and reported conditions, and as to the Round Bottom
said, “‘ Young Tomlinson who first improved the land was with
me when I surveyed it, and carried the chain round it, and gave
up any title he had to you, upon my informing [him] that you
claimed the land. There was no improvement on the land when
I surveyed it for you but Tomlinson’s as I saw. Your houses
down the river are all burnt by the Indians.”

Later, on May 23, 1781, he wrote, “ Sometime ago I wrote you

8 Washington-Crawford Correspondence (Robert Clarke & Co., Cincinnati,
1877), p. 56.328 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

 

relative to your Round Bottom tract of land. I can never find
out what was done about it, whether Thomas Lewis has returned
it or not. If you can give me any direction about it, I will do
anything in my power for you. The survey ought to be returned
to the office if it has not been. This I will have done, if it has
not been returned as I can have it done immediately.”

Washington was too busy trying to induce Rochambeau to
join him in that campaign against New York which later sud-
denly became the campaign against Yorktown, to give his lands
attention and nothing was done. In May, 1782, Colonel Crawford
was captured by the Indians in Ohio and most cruelly put to
death by torture. Not until October 30, 1784, did the State of
Virginia issue its patent to George Washington, granting the
Round Bottom. It described the tract as containing five hundred
and eighty-seven acres as certified by the surveyor in 1774.

Thus matters stood for nearly fourteen years when on July 2,
1798, his neighbor Archibald McClean of Alexandria, wrote
him “to know if you are inclined to dispose of the tract (called
I think Round Bottom) before mentioned. If you are, please
inform me of your terms & whether you would be willing to take
in exchange for it improved property in the town of Alex-
andria.” °

Washington replied on July 4th, “I am not indisposed to
part with my small tract (587 acres) . . . nor to receiving im-
proved property in the town of Alexandria in exchange for it.” 2°
There were several more letters and some delay about consulting
a partner of McClean’s, and then on August 6, 1798, Washington
delivered to McClean the following:

MEMORANDUM

A tract of Five hundred and eighty acres, as by Patent, bear-
ing date the 30th day of Oct. 1784, lying on the Ohio River in
EHemcountysOlj: -%).. 0. 5.05. formerly Augusta, is valued at
five thousand eight hundred and seventy dollars — be the quan-
tity more or less. It may be taken now at that quantity — or

9L. C., W. Mss., Vol. 289, Doc. 38597.
10 [bid., Doc. 38621.Of the Ohio River and Great Kanawha 329

now be determined to abide by the quantity that shall be found
therein if resurveyed.

This tract George Washington agrees to lease to Archibald
Mc@lean’ for, the term) of{ sss years, the rent is to be
equivalent to the interest of the above mentioned sum of $5,870,
at 6 pr. cent pr. annum the first of which is to become due &
payable on the first day of Jany. 1800.

It is optional in the said Archibald McClean to become the
proprietor in fee of the said tract of 587 acres within seven
years from the time of granting the lease; he, the said Archibald
paying therefor the above sum of $5,870. in installments of not
less than $2 or $3,000 dolls., at a payment.

The year succeding the payment of each installment the rent
is to be reduced in proportion to the interest of the said install-
ment so paid.

If the said Archibald McClean sh’d incline to let the improved
lot on which he lives in the town of Alexandria go in part pay-
ment, the said George Washington agrees to allow him for the
same whatever three disinterested men shall value it at, each of
the parties to choose one of the valuers & the two chosen to make
the choice of the third.

The rents until the Fee simple departs from the said George
Washington or his heirs to the said Archibald McClean or his
heirs are to be satisfactorily secured by the latter to the former.

If McClean is disposed to make an absolute purchase of the
land in preference to obtaining it on lease in the manner afore-
said, and will let his improved property in Alexandria go in
payment — valued as above—a Deed may be drawn accord-
ingly to convey the estate in Fee — and for securing the balance
at a period to be fixed, or by installments as can be agreed upon,
with annual interest until paid of six pr. ct. pr. ann., a mortgage
will be taken of the land so conveyed in fee.

 

 

This would be the easiest and simplest mode of completing the
business . . . other security than what is mentioned above ;
whereas securing the rents may be attended with more difficulty
while the fee simple is withheld — But I am equally ready to
execute writings to either effect, I am willing to allow the full
value for your property in the judgment of disinterested men
although I have set too low a price on my land in the opinion of330 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

a very judicious gentleman (well acquainted with the land) whom

I have seen since I concluded to bargain with you.
Go. WasHINGTON. **

Mount Vernon
6th Augt. 1798.

Two days later Washington and his wife joined in a warranty
deed to McClean conveying the Round Bottom, describing it by
metes and bounds as shown by his patent.

McClean went into possession of the Round Bottom and found
that instead of 587 acres for which he was paying, he had actually
within the lines of the survey 1,293 acres of the richest land on
the Ohio. Later “ young Tomlinson” and a younger Michael
Cresap disputed his possession, claiming four hundred acres of
the survey, and after 1810 actually held it for several years until
McClean drove them out. Meanwhile they had brought an eject-
ment suit against McClean on the technical ground that Wash-
ington’s grant recited that his survey was made before he had
received a warrant from the State for that purpose, and they
had won in the Superior Court of Ohio County at Clarksburg
(now in West Virginia).

The effect of this victory was to invalidate the Washington-
McClean title and give Tomlinson and Cresap part of the land
and leave the remainder open to any new claim that might be
based on a state warrant.

In the papers of the late Justice Joseph Story, of the
Supreme Court of the United States, preserved in the Massa-
chusetts Historical Society at Boston, there is a printed circular
signed by Bushrod Washington and Lawrence Lewis, the active

executors, which continues the story.

Circular to the legatees of G. Washington

March 10th 1807
Gentlemen:
Genl. Washington in his life time sold to Arch. McLain what
was called the round bottom tract on the Ohio, as containing

11 The original is on file in the suit of Cresap vs. McClean, in Chancery,
in the Circuit Court of Ohio County, at Clarksburg, West Virginia, here-
inafter referred to.Of the Ohio River and Great Kanawha 331

587 acres, with a general warranty, at the price of ten dollars
an acre. He was bound to take in part payment a house in
Alexa. at valuation. The house has been valued, (very high as
we think) and possession delivered to us. McLain has been sued
by Tomlinson for a considerable part of this land, and a Judgt.
was rendered against him as we understand upon the ground that
the survey was made prior to the warrant. If this be the ground,
and the opinion is sanctioned in the Court of Appeals where the
cause now is depending, the objection will go to the whole tract
and not merely to the part claimed by Tomlinson. There appear
to be other objections made to the General’s title, of which we
can’t so well form an opinion from a mere view of the
record.

Should the objection to our title be sustained, the estate of
Genl. Washington must remunerate McLain in damages which
will be a serious matter on two accounts — Ist that the land is
supposed to be worth much more than what he gave for it, and
2dly, that the Jury find the quantity to be upwards of 1,200
acres instead of 587 as sold for, and the sale is not for this
quantity more or less, but by metes and bounds.

In the event of an unfavorable issue to this business, it is diffi-
cult to say what may be the amt. of damages which McLain may
recover. It is therefore our decided opinion that it wd. be best
to compromise with him as soon as possible, by taking back the
round bottom under the cloud which at present hangs over the
title, and paying him such a sum as we can get him to be satis-
fied with. This step however, we cannot take without the consent
& authority of the legatees.

We therefore request an immediate answer to this letter, either
authorising us to act in the business according to the best of our
Judgment, or refusing your consent thereto. We shall do nothing
more in the business than sound McLain, until all the answers of
the legatees are received.

We are Gentn.

respectfully yr. mo. ob. Servt.
Busu. WasHINGTON
Law. Lewis.

P. S. As it would be a hardship for the Majority of the
legatees to be prevented by the dissent of a few from making a
compromise which they may deem beneficial to them, we propose
to any dissenting legatee, should such there be, to consent to be
bound by the agreement of a Majority or if he pleases, of two
thirds, and that he should say so in his letter.332 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

There does not appear to have been any compromise with
McClean, but from the executors’ accounts showing payments of
attorney’s fees to their counsel in the subsequent litigation of the
controversy between McClean and his adversaries, we know that
the executors fought the claim to the end.

The first result was that the Court of Appeals on October 8,
1811, reversed the judgment of the court below and sent the case
back for a new trial on the ground that the facts found in the
special verdict of the jury were not sufficiently explicit, particu-
larly in not finding whether or not the terms of the Washington
patent “‘ comprehended within the boundaries thereof those of
the land in controversy.”

This case was not reported in the printed decisions of the court
but appears from a later one.

In McClean vs. Tomlinson, 5 Mumford (Virginia Court of Ap-
peals reports), p. 221, we find that ‘* Another trial was had, and
a special verdict found, agreeing in substance with the former,
except that it finds in express terms that, the Grant to George
Washington includes the whole of the land in dispute. It also
finds that the dates of the warrants and survey are truly recited
in the grant to Washington; that on the 14th of July 1778, the
surveyor of West Augusta made a private survey, and that, after
the 17th of May 1774, the date of the latest warrant, George
Washington procured him to make out the plat and certificate of
Survey on which the grant was issued.”

On these findings the Ohio County Superior Court again found
the law against McClean and he again appealed.

Mr. Wickham appeared for the appellant (and the Washing-
ton estate) at Richmond and Mr. Doddridge for the claimants.
Many ancient cases were cited upon the argument, and much
argument spent in analyzing the situation which had resulted
from the fact that the governor’s council had first by resolution
authorized the location of claims, and subsequently the legis-
lature authorized the issue of land warrants to legalize the survey
of such locations, to be followed by patents.

On Tuesday, November 19, 1816, the Court of Appeals by itsOf the Ohio River and Great Kanawha 333

president announced the opinion of the court that the judgment
below should be reversed, “the law arising upon the special
verdict being for the appellant and that the appellee take
nothing ”’, etc.

No further reasons are given, but the reporter in his head notes
to the case concludes that the case was decisive of these points:

1.— That a patent is not void on the ground that the survey
was made first and the warrant was obtained afterwards, though
such irregularity appeared on its face.

2.— An omission to insert the name of the County in which the
land lies is not sufficient to vitiate a Patent; the place being
described with reasonable certainty.

Upon the point strongly urged on the argument that only the
State could take advantage of the mistake, if it be one, no opinion
was expressed by either the court or the reporter.

This ought to have been the end of McClean’s troubles but land
claims are notoriously long lived. In 1823 Michael Cresap (the
younger) filed his Bill in Chancery in the Superior Court of Ohio
County against McClean and Roberts, claiming that his father
had settled on the Round Bottom in 1770 next to Tomlinson,
before Colonel Crawford came to survey the land, and that Gen-
eral Washington had full notice of Cresap’s prior settlement, that
he procured the survey to be made by metes and bounds that
included the whole of the Round Bottom, but not being able to
procure military rights for more than 587 acres, he procured the
plat and certificate of the survey to be made and returned ac-
cording to the original lines of survey, describing them as con-
taining only 587 acres, whereas in fact they contained 1,293
acres; that Crawford’s survey was, in truth, only a private
survey, that it was postdated, that it was made with full knowl-
edge of Cresap’s prior settlement upon the land . . . and that
the whole proceeding was fraudulent and void against Cresap’s
heirs, who had obtained a grant of 400 acres on a survey made
in 1784 and patented in 1791, which the younger Cresap had now
acquired. ‘These astounding charges brought on the final battle.

McClean, in his answer, showed that Washington believed in

—

4334 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

1798 that there were but 587 acres and so sold the tract (as the
memorandum on page 328 conclusively proves). He denied all
fraudulent intent, though he admitted 1,293 acres lay within the
boundaries, and he claimed that only the commonwealth could
deprive him of the excess, that no individual was entitled to avail
himself of the objection to his private advantage. He did not
admit that Cresap the elder ever made any settlement before
Crawford’s survey or that McClean had notice of any claim until
after his purchase and possession taken, and then he relied on the
great length of time, more than twenty years, as a bar to the
equity of the plaintiff’s claim.

This time McClean prevailed in the lower court and there is
to-day a persistent tradition that Chief Justice Henry St. George
Tucker of the Court of Appeals, sitting at circuit in Ohio County
to determine the cause, dismissed it with the remark that “no
man who charged General Washington with fraud had any stand-
ing in a court of equity.”

Cresap, however, was not satisfied and appealed from the
decree. The case is reported as Cresap vs. McClean, 5 Leigh 381,
wherein the Court of Appeals (the Chief Justice, Tucker, took no
part) held that the Washington patent was valid and that twenty
years’ adversary possession of which the claimant had notice
barred even an alleged equitable claim.

Tomlinson, the claimant in the former suit, appeared as the
star witness in this to prove by his testimony that the elder
Cresap had settled on the land before Crawford’s survey, but he
made the mistake of swearing that it was in 1772, while Craw-
ford’s survey was made in 1771. It also appeared that in 1781
Tomlinson and the Cresap family had made an agreement, which
continued in force until shortly before he testified in 1823, that
the title to Round Bottom should be prosecuted at their joint
expense and for their joint benefit.

Thus in April, 1834, was given peace to the claim which Wash-
ington made in October, 1770, and which either a very high spring
flood or the excess of Crawford’s zeal caused to be expressed in
the figures 587 instead of 1,293. The claim of Cresap that Wash-Of the Ohio River and Great Kanawha 335

ington had insufficient military claims was silly; he had claims
to more than thirty-three thousand acres, and the Round Bottom
was the first survey made under them.

Archibald McClean conveyed to the acting executors of Wash-
ington by his deed dated August 19, 1813, but not recorded until
May 18, 1819, in Book I (2), page 63 of the United States Cir-
cuit Court at Alexandria, a lot on the east side of Water Street
in Alexandria, just south of Wolfe Street, bounded as follows:
“ Beginning upon Water Street 97 feet to the Southward of
Wolfe Street and running thence Southwardly on Wolfe Street
and binding thereon 24 feet thence east with a line parallel to
Water Street 120 feet to Potomac Street, thence Northerly 24
feet and then in a straight line to beginning.”

The premises are now known as Numbers 410 and 412 Lee
Street, the name of Water Street having been changed. On
Potomac Street the numbers are 411 and 413. There are two
small two-story brick buildings on the lot, one on each street.
That on Potomac Street is evidently more than one hundred years
old and very dilapidated, that on Lee Street is of more recent i!
date, but also decrepit. Both are occupied by a poor class of white |
tenants and the present value is well under five thousand dollars.

To whom the executors sold the property and for what price

THE TRACTS ON THE OHIO AND GREAT KANAWHA

neither their accounts nor the records disclose.
|
RIVERS WHICH WERE DIVIDED i

The remaining eight of the nine tracts on the Western Waters
of Virginia, which the legatees determined to divide in their agree-
ment of July 19, 1802, Washington had scheduled together with
the Round Bottom tract as follows:

Ohio River acres Dollars
Round Bottom 587
Little Kanhawa 2,314

16 miles lower down 2,448
Opposite Big Bent 4,395

9,744 —10— 97,440 (i)336 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

Great Kanhawa acres Dollars
Near the mouth west 10,990
East side above 7,276
Mouth of Cole River 2,000
Opposite thereto 2,950
Burning Spring 125
23,841 200,000 (k)

(1) These several Tracts of land are of the first quality on the
Ohio River in the parts where they are situated; — being almost,
if not altogether, River bottoms. ‘The smallest of these Tracts
is actually sold at ten dollars an acre, but the consideration there-
for, not received, the rest are equally valuable and will sell as high
especially that which lyes just below the little Kanhawa and is
opposite to a thick settlement on the west side of the River.

The four tracts have an aggregate breadth upon the River of
Sixteen miles and is bounded thereby that distance.

(k) These tracts are situated on the Great Kanhawa River
and the first four are bounded thereby for more than forty miles.
It is acknowledged by all who have seen them (and of the tract
containing 10,990 acres which I have been on myself, I can assert)
that there is no richer, or more valuable tract in all that
Region. ‘They are conditionally sold for the sum mentioned in
the schedule — that is $200,000 and if the terms of that sale are
not complied with, they will command considerably more.— The
tract of which the 125 acres is a moiety, was taken up by General
Andrew Lewis and myself for and on account of a bituminous
Spring which it contains, of so inflammable a nature as to burn
as freely as spirits and is nearly as difficult to extinguish.

The twenty-three thousand acres on the Great Kanawha River
had been placed under lease and option to purchase to James
Welch and we have seen the story of his failure to make good
on either in Chapter X. The remaining lands were free of
complications.

The executors, soon after the agreement of July, 1802, em-
ployed a surveyor to survey and plat the lands, dividing them
into equal lots, size and value considered as nearly as might be,Of the Ohio River and Great Kanawha 337

giving to each legatee or group of legatees according to the
will one twenty-third of the whole.

The original plats and deed of the partition which followed
in 1805 have been lost and also the record thereof in the General
Court at Richmond, Virginia, which was destroyed by fire in
April, 1865. It was, however, the good fortune of the writer to
receive at Charleston Court House (West Virginia) a suggestion
which led him to Lewisburg, Greenbrier County, and in the moun-
tain valley courthouse there he found a certified copy by the clerk
of the General Court, of the plats and deed of partition. Not
only that, but further, a record of that copy in the decree of
the Circuit Court (formerly the Superior Court) in the Chancery
suit of Lawrence A. Washington against Bushrod Washington
and others begun in 1816.

This suit involved the title to the Burning Spring tract and
was brought by Lawrence to vest the title to it in him. He
claimed that the tract was assigned to him in the partition to-
gether with another tract farther down the river, but by accident
or mistake it was omitted from the deed of partition.

The defendants were all the legatees and executors of Wash-
ington and in the course of two or three years they were all sum-
moned. They made no defense. There was introduced in evidence
a copy of the patent from Thomas Jefferson as Governor of
Virginia to George Washington and Andrew Lewis, dated July
14, 1780, granting “ for military services . . . according to the
terms of the King of Great Britain’s proclamation of one thou-
sand seven hundred and sixty-three, two hundred and fifty acres
by surveys bearing date the twenty-sixth day of May 1775 lying
and being in the County of Greenbrier on the East side of the
Great Kanawha, including the burning Springs and bounded as
follows to wit, . . .” This was supported by a printed copy of
the will of Washington, the certified copy of the deed and plats
of partition and the deposition of Bushrod Washington, sworn
to before his co-executor Lawrence Lewis as a Justice of the
Peace for the County of Fairfax on the 31st day of July, 1818,
in which he testified:

some338 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

that he is one of the executors of Genl. George Washington
dec’d, and in that capacity he together with the other executors
did sometime previous to the 5th of June 1805 cause the lands
belonging to their Testator lying in the Western parts of Vir-
ginia to be surveyed & divided as equally as might be into twenty-
three parts, for the purpose of partition among the devisees of
the said Genl. Washington. On the said 5th day of June 1805
the said devisees met at Alexandria and made partition of the
lands by Lot according to the plats thereof and to an agreement
annexed thereto which was afterwards recorded in the General
Court.

This deponent states that the burning Spring tract which be-
longed to the said Genl. Washington & to Col. Lewis as tenants in
common was not surveyed or included in the different Platts on
which the division was made; but it was agreed amongst the said
devisees that the part held by Genl. Washington in this tract
should be added to Lot No. 19, containing 3,110 acres which was
represented to be of inferior quality by the surveyor, in order to
make that lot as nearly equal as possible to the other lots. This
agreement by some oversight was not inserted in the above written
instrument or partition deed, but the same was perfectly under-
stood by all parties to it.

This deponent further says that the above Lot No. 19 to-
gether with the part of the Burning Spring tract which belonged
to Genl. Washington’s Estate were drawn by Lawrence A. Wash-
ington, one of the Devisees; This deponent finds by a Memoran-
dum taken by him at the time, that on the 23rd of August 1805,
he, this deponent sent by Andrew Parks to the said Lawrence A.
Washington a copy of the Patent for Burning Spring tract of
land considering the said Lawrence A. Washington as the owner
of a moiety thereof in virtue of the above partition, & further
this deponent says not.

This testimony carried conviction and thereupon in November,
1819, the court decreed the Burning Spring and Washington’s
half of the two hundred and fifty acre tract containing it to be
equitably the property of Lawrence A. Washington. It directed
the defendants to convey the same to him and that in case they
failed to do so Andrew Parks, one of the defendants, as com-
missioner of the court, should make the deed for them.

The certified copy of the Washington heirs’ deed of partitionOf the Ohio River and Great Kanawha 339

and its voluminous plats is still in the files of the court in this
case, and it is also recorded in the complete record of the case
made up when the decree was entered in the Chancery record of
1819. From this a certified copy was obtained by the writer and,
as it tells the story of the partition tersely and completely, is
given place here.

To all whom it may concern, Be it remembered that the under-
written persons claiming as legatees under the Will of General
George Washington decd.— having agreed to Divide all the lands
of the said decedent lying on the western waters except those
Tracts on the west side of the Ohio and those in Kentucky which
said lands so agreed to be divided have been surveyed and
specially divided into twenty-three parts according to quantity
and quality which said survey and Division the under named do
hereby ratify and confirm: and whereas the under named acting
for themselves or as Guardians for other legatees or by virtue
of power granted by absent legatees have drawn lotts for the
respective tracts so surveyed and divided and upon examining
the same they are found respectively to be entitled to the Tracts
of land herein under mentioned, NOW KNOW YE that the under-
signed do severally and respectively for ourselves our executors
and administrators hereby ratify and confirm the said division
and allottment and do bind ourselves our heirs executors and
administrators to execute and perform any act which may be
necessary for confirming the division hereby made. It is per-
fectly understood that the numbers prefixed to each name re-
spectively refers to the tract of land in the annexed surveys to
which such person is entitled under this division.

In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands and affixed our
seals this 5th day of June 1805.

Acres.

NUMBER 1— Charles Carter,— 1,186
2 — George Steptoe Washington,— 1,186

ss 3 — Thomas Peter,— 1,425

oe 4 — Mrs. Ann Ashton’s heirs,— 1,425

cc 5 — Andrew Parks,— 1,400

sé 6 — Mrs. Eliza. Law,— 1,100

ss 7 — George Lewis,— 1,300

5S 8 — Fielding Lewis’ heirs,— 1,300

cs 9 — Washington, Lewis & Custis,— 1,200

10 — Lawrence Lewis,— 1,207|
|
|
j
|

 

340 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

 

 

Acres.
NUMBER 11 — William A. Washington, (for
self) ,— 1,202
$ 12 — George A. Washington heirs,
by Burwell Bassett his
Guardian,— 1,180
as 13 — William A. Washington for
children,— 1,160
ss 14 — Colo. John Thornton,— 1,100
pl 15 — Robert Lewis,— 1,100
ss 16 — Thornton Washington’s heirs
by Lawrence Washington Exor.,— 1,100
<s 17 — Thomas Lewis,— 1,531
ss 18 Samuel Washington,— 2,233
es 19 — Lawrence Washington,— 3,110
- 20 — Alexander Spottswood,— 1,311
;. 21 — Frances Peyton,— 880 & 670
es 22 — Thomas Hammond,— 1,300
ce 23 — Corbin Washington’s Heirs,— 1,330

In testimony of the above we have hereunto set our hands and
seals the day and year above mentioned.

Then the deed is signed by nineteen of the legatees in person.
The remainder signed by guardians or attorneys in fact and all
acknowledged their signatures before George Deneal, Clerk of the
United States Circuit Court at Alexandria, on July 5, 1805. His
attestation is followed by a certificate of conformity signed by
Chief Judge William Kitty, of that court and the deed ends:
Virginia. To wit:

At a General Court held at the Capital in the City of Rich-
mond this the thirteenth day of November 1805. This Indenture
together with the Certificate from under the hand and seal of
George Deneal Clerk of the United States Court of the District
of Columbia for County of Alexandria thereon endorsed and the
platt & survey of Indenture annexed on the motion of the parties
thereto was ordered to be recorded.

Teste: Witson ALLEN

CG: Cz
12 Mr. Joseph F. Sabin of New York has permitted me to make a copy of
the following paper relating to this instrument: “ Recd. March 2nd 1805 of
the Executors of Genl. Washington the sum of Six hundred dollars, it being
in full of Fifteen hundred dollars by them contracted with me for my services
in dividing Kanahawa and Ohio Lands.
$600 GaBL. LEWIS.”PARTITION OF OHIO AND GREAT KANAWHA RIVER LANDS

 

 

 

 
   

        
 
 
 
  
 

 

  
 
  
  

 

     
   

     
  
 
 
   
        
 
 

     

 

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Survey D Contains 10549 Acres
For the notes of this survey see
Platts N° 8-9-10-11-12-13-14-1§ and 16 Record Book | Page 240

The Original Survey called for 10990 Acres’
Lest survey made 10549 5

= 10349
441 Acres lost. This hes been owing to 2 mistake
‘meade by Col. W. Crawtord the oridinel surveyor in the length of the protracted line (marked x)
“Crawford calls for 290 poles by protraction to the river. “The actual distance by measurement
1s only 105 poles to the bedinaing corner Every othee coraer in the survey was feond
except the upper coraer on he back line and the upper cornec called for oa the river. Neither of vee
those coroders could! be foond! althou 4 several days were spent i looking for them. / have in
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|Of the Ohio River and Great Kanawha 341

The northerly one of the large tracts, the second on the Ohio
River, is about five miles below Parkersburg, opposite the lower
end of Blennerhassett’s Island, where Aaron Burr’s conspiracy
was said to have had its base. The tract is known as Washing-
ton’s Bottom. It lies sixty to eighty feet above the Ohio River,
is all agricultural land and highly cultivated in small farms,
worth from one to two hundred dollars an acre. The Baltimore
and Ohio Railroad skirts the river and crosses this and the re-
maining tracts. A station named Washington is located here and
marks a hamlet of about fifty inhabitants.

The records of Wood County show (at Parkersburg) that the
widow of George Steptoe Washington received at the rate of
eight dollars an acre for 490 acres in 1810 and at the rate of five
and one-half dollars an acre for 407 acres in 1811, both sold to
Francis Keene.

The third tract, containing 2,448 acres “ sixteen miles lower
down ” is in Jackson County and the town of Ravenswood is sit-
uated on it, having about eleven hundred inhabitants. No at-
tempt has been made to follow out the title as the multiplicity of
parcels renders it practically impossible.

The fourth tract, “ Opposite Big Bent ”, comprising forty-
four hundred and seventy acres, is in Mason County, and like the
others is rich farming land. Until recently that part of it which
is the eleven hundred acre tract known as number six in the
partition was covered with heavy timber, which when sold pro-
duced fifty thousand dollars, leaving the cleared land worth one
hundred dollars an acre. The adjoining tracts have long been
divided into small farms and highly cultivated.

Washington’s efforts at acquisition of these splendid domains
have been partly told in the story of the Round Bottom. Those
who wish to follow in detail his account of the trip down the Ohio
River to Point Pleasant at the mouth of the Kanawha and up
that stream fifteen miles, will find the journey fully described in
the diary of 1770, and the Crawford correspondence.

The substance is that after this personal inspection, he had
Colonel William Crawford look up and survey in the following
three years all the bottoms on the east side of the Ohio River and|
1
f

 

342 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

on both sides of the Little and Great Kanawha rivers on behalf
of his soldiers and himself, under the benefits of Dinwiddie’s proc-
lamation of 1764, and then procured warrants from Dinwiddie’s
successor, Lord Dunmore, to make the necessary official surveys
accordingly. On these, patents were to be based and were largely
procured but the Revolution intervened and it was not until 1784,
when peace reigned and the Commonwealth of Virginia was sub-
stituted for King George III, that Washington acquired his titles
for all the lands. Before the Revolution he had purchased many
warrants and held forty thousand acres in addition to the fif-
teen thousand allotted to him as lieutenant colonel of the
regiment.

In the issue of August 20, 1773, the first number of the Mary-
land and Baltimore Journal, is an advertisement which is a

ee

model for modern “ realtors ” in its ample and fair details and

argument.

Mount Vernon in Virginia, July 15, 1773.

The Subscriber having obtained Patents for upwards of
TWENTY THOUSAND Acres of LAND on the Ohio and Great
Kanhawa (Ten Thousand of which are situated on the banks of
the first-mentioned river, between the mouths of the two Kan-
hawas, and the remainder on the Great Kanhawa, or New River,
from the mouth, or near it, upwards in one continued survey)
proposes to divide the same into any sized tenements that may
be desired, and lease them upon moderate terms, allowing a
reasonable number of years rent free, provided, within the space
of two years from next October, three acres for every fifty con-
tained in each lot, and proportionably for a lesser quantity, shall
be cleared, fenced, and tilled; and that, by or before the time
limited for the commencement of the first rent, five acres for every
hundred, and proportionably, as above, shall be enclosed and laid
down in good grass for meadow; and moreover, that at least fifty
good fruit trees for every like quantity of land shall be planted on
the Premises. Any persons inclinable to settle on these lands may
be more fully informed of the terms by applying to the sub-
scriber, near Alexandria, or in his absence, to Mr. LUND
WASHINGTON; and would do well in communicating their in-| which are fituated on the banks of the firft-mentioned
| river, between the mouths of the two Kazhawas, and
| the remainder on the Great Kanhawa, or New River,
| from the mouth, or near it, upwards, i in one continued
| furvey) propofes to divide the same into any fized tene-
| ments that may be defired, and leafe them upon moderate
| terms, allowing a reasonable number of years rent free,
| provided, within the space of two years from next
Oétober, three acres for every fifty contained in each
| lot, and proportionably for a Jefler quantity, fhall be
cleared, fenced, and tilled; and that, by or before the
| time limited for the COnteneenicnt of the firft rent, Rye
acres for. every hundred, and proportionably, as above,
| fhall be enclosed and laid down in good grafs for meadow; |
| and moreover, that at leaft fifty good fruit trees for every
like quantity of land fhall be planted on the Premifes.
'-Any perfons inclinable to settle on thése Jands may be
more fully informed- of the terms by applying to the
| fubscriber, near A/exandria, or in his absence, to Mr.
| LUND WASHINGTON; and would do well in
communicating their intentions before the ft of O€tober
next, in order that a fufficient number of lots may be
laid off to-anfwer the demand.

As thefe lands are among the firft which have been
furveyed in the part of the country they lie in, it is
almoft needlefs to premife that none can exceed them
i

\
{

Mount Vernon in Virginia, ‘July 15, 1773, >
HE Subfcriber haying obtained Patents for upwards
of TWENTY THOUSAND Acres of LAND
n | on the Objo and Great Kanhawa (Ten Thousand of
/

—_

in luxuriance of foil, or convenience of fituation, all of
| them lying upon the banks either of the Ojo or. Kan-
bawa, and abounding with fine fifh and wild fowl of
various kinds, as alfo in moft excellent meadows,
many of which (by the bountiful hand of nature) are,
in their prefent ftate, almoft fit for the fcythe. From
every part of thefe lands water carriage is now had to
Fort Pitt, by an eafy communication ; and from Fort
5 | Pitt, up the Monongahela, to Redflone, yeflels of con-
y | venient burthen, may. and do pafs continually; from

 

whence, by means of Cheat River, and other navigable
branches of the Monongahela, it is thought the portage
| g , g }
| to Potowrack may, and will, be reduced within the
d

compafs of a few miles, to the great eafe and convenience |

| of the fettlers in tranfporti ng the pr oduce of. their lands
|
Ee eS wWakketle To which say be added, trie as ;
* . have: now aétually pafled «he feals for the feveral rratls \

ff | here offered to be leafed, fettlers on them may cultivate

and enjoy the lands in peace and fafety, notwithftanding
Y the unfettled counfels refpeéting a ay colony on the
Ohio; and as no'right money is to be paid for thefe

lands, and gquitrent of two fillings felt a hundred,
bs | demandable fome years hence only, it is highly pre-
tir | famable that they will always be held upon a more
{i)- , defirable footing-than where both thefe are laid on with {
eq | avery heavy hand. And it may not be amifs further to
em obferve, that if the fcheme for ef tablishing a new govern-

lo | ment on the O//o, in the manner talked of, ee ever \

ye be affected, thefe muft be among.the moft valuable lands )

{ in it, not only on account of the goodnefs of foil, and \

Yies | the other advantages above enumerated, but from their |
ys | contiguity to the feat of government, which more than

| Kanhawa. GEORGE WASHINGTON,

    

 

probable will be fixed at the mouth of the Great

“TERS deft at M

  

of L.E T
WASHINGTON S ADVERTISEMENT OF THE
OHIO RIVER AND THE GREAT KANAWHA
RIVER LANDS|
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tentions before the 1st of October next, in order that a sufficient
number of lots may be laid off to answer the demand.

As these lands are among the first which have been surveyed
in the part of the country they lie in, it is almost needless to
premise that none can exceed them in luxuriance of soil, or con-
venience of situation, all of them lying upon the banks either of
the Ohio or Kanhawa, and abounding with fine fish and wild fowl
of various kinds, as also in most excellent meadows, many of
which (by the bountiful hand of nature) are, in their present
state, almost fit for the scythe. From every part of these lands
water carriage is now had to Fort Pitt, by an easy communica-
tion; and from Fort Pitt, up the Monongahela, to Redstone,
vessels of convenient burthen, may and do pass continually; from
whence, by means of Cheat River, and other navigable branches
of the Monongahela, it is thought the portage to Potowmack may,
and will, be reduced within the compass of a few miles, to the
great ease and convenience of the settlers in transporting the
produce of their lands to market. To which may be added, that
as patents have now actually passed the seals for the several
tracts here offered to be leased, settlers on them may cultivate
and enjoy the lands in peace and safety, notwithstanding the
unsettled counsels respecting a new colony on the Ohio; and as
no right money is to be paid for these lands, and quitrent of two
shillmgs sterling a hundred, demandable some years hence only,
it is highly presumable that they will always be held upon a more
desirable footing than where both these are laid on with a very
heavy hand. And it may not be amiss further to observe, that if
the scheme for establishing a new government on the Ohio, in the
manner talked of, should ever be affected, these must be among
the most valuable lands in it, not only on account of the goodness
of soil, and the other advantages above enumerated, but from
their contiguity to the seat of government, which more than prob-
able will be fixed at the mouth of the Great Kanhawa.

Grorce WaAsHINGTON.

The advertisement was without results and Washington in-
creased instead of lessening his holdings on the Great Kanawha
and then, because of the Revolution, it was not until the summer
of 1784 that he was able to give this investment further atten-
tion. In that year, however, he took steps to perfect his title
to the two tracts on the Ohio nearest the Great Kanawha and
patents for these to him, signed by Benjamin Harrison as Goy-344 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

ernor of Virginia, are among the archives in the Library of Con-
gress, dated July 6, 1784. He also intended to inspect them
again in the tour he made to the Ohio country in September,
1784, but on the advice of Captain Luckett, the commandant of
Fort Pitt, and others, he says, “ I resolved to decline it ” because
“of the late Murders and general dissatisfaction of the Indians
occasioned by the attempt of our people to settle on the No. West
side of the Ohio.” **
His return to Mount Vernon on October 4th he noted thus:

And tho’ I was disappointed in one of the objects which induced
me to undertake this journey namely to examine into the situation
quality and advantages of the Land which I hold upon the Ohio
and Great Kanhawa and to take measures for rescuing them from
the hands of Land Jobbers and Speculators — who I had been
informed regardless of my legal & Equitable right, Patents &c.
had enclosed them with other Surveys & were offering them for
Sale at Philadelphia and in Europe. I say notwithstanding this
disappointment I am well pleased with my journey, as it has
been the means of my obtaining a knowledge of facts,— coming
at the temper & disposition of the Western Inhabitants and mak-
ing reflections thereon, which, otherwise, must have been as wild,
incohert, or perhaps as foreign from the truth as the incon-
sistency of the reports which I had received even from those to
whom most credit seemed due, generally were.

And then he proceeded to initiate that movement in Virginia
and Maryland which immediately resulted in the Potomac Com-
pany and the James River Company for the improvement of those
rivers as highways to the Ohio country, but equally resulted
within five years in the Constitution of the United States and his
own election to the presidency.

It was, therefore, not till ten years later that he again be-
thought him of his Ohio and Kanawha lands and we find him
writing on May 6, 1794, to his secretary, Tobias Lear,** who had

13 A. B. Hulbert, “ Washington and the West”, pp. 44 and 46. “ Diary of

1784”, Fitzpatrick, 2, 290, 291.
14 Sparks, X, 408. Ford, 12, 370, 424.Of the Ohio River and Great Kanawha 345

gone to England in the interest of the Potomac Company, that
he desired to rent his Mount Vernon farms and wished to sell
his Pennsylvania and Ohio River and Great Kanawha River lands
because of the unproductiveness of his estate, and to reduce and
concentrate his holdings.*© Soon afterwards on June 16, 1794,
he authorized by letter his friend, James Ross, the senator from
western Pennsylvania, to sell the Pennsylvania tracts and informs
him that he has determined also to sell the lands on the Ohio and
Kanawha rivers at $34 per acre.*®

From that time on until his death, a little more than five years
later, much correspondence but no tangible results came out of
these lands. The arrival of James Welch in 1798 with his
scheme for settling emigrants upon them, as we have seen, was
a great temptation. The price had risen to ten dollars per acre
in less than five years, and had produced the belief that it was
going higher still.

It was because of this that he urged his executors not to hasten
sales of land, “ experience having fully evinced, that the price of
land (especially above the Falls of the Rivers and on the Western
Waters) have been progressively rising and cannot be long
checked in its increasing value.” 7”

The history of these lands after their partition among the
legatees would fill volumes. The younger men among them and
the sons and daughters of the older ones ventured out into the
wilds in the early years of the nineteenth century and experi-
mented in salt wells and farming in these great valleys and to
this day their descendants are to be found thereabouts among
the best families on both sides of the Ohio. Dozens of towns and
villages have sprung up and railroads skirt the streams, until
now the lands Washington selected, saved and firmly believed in
represent “ riches beyond the dreams of avarice”, and have be-
come part of one of the most remarkable industrial districts on
the globe, in the short period of a century.

15 Ford, 10, 403, note.

16 L. C., W. Mss.
17 “Last Will,” p. 26.346 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

THE BURNING SPRING TRACT

The Burning Spring deserves a few words in addition. It is
(or rather was, for it no longer burns) situated near the north
bank of the Great Kanawha River just beyond the little town of
Levi, on the Kanawha and Michigan Railroad a few miles east
of Charleston, W. Va. The two hundred and fifty acres which
Washington and General Andrew Lewis located there and held
as joint tenants under patent from Thomas Jefferson, is a long
narrow bottom. The suburbs of Charleston extend nearly to it
and factories line the banks of the stream until within a mile.

6

The land is farmed and a mountain “ run ” tumbles through it
into the river, which is forty feet below the bank.

A century-old red-brick house is on the land near the spring.
The truck gardener who inhabits it cultivates about thirty acres

> crops of beans, onions and cabbages.

there and raises “ bumper ’
The remainder of the tract is divided into small farms and the
railroad runs alongside at the foot of the high, precipitous hills
which form the back line. For farming purposes the land is
worth about one hundred and fifty dollars per acre, but it is
coming rapidly into demand for town and factory sites, which
sell at one thousand dollars per acre just below.

The Burning Spring no longer burns, though it still furnishes
good and abundant water. The story is that about forty years
ago, prospectors for gas sank two wells somewhat lower down the
stream than the Burning Spring, and at the depth of eighty feet

6

one of them struck a “ pocket ” of gas which blew out the der-
rick and pumps with a loud explosion. The gas flowed freely for
a while but was soon followed by water from an underground
stream and that ended the gas. The Burning Spring, which had
been the wonder of the neighborhood and the Indians, who had
perhaps worshiped it for ages, ceased to burn at the same time.
But there is another monument of the Burning Spring which
gives us satisfaction. Recorded in the office of the county clerk
of Kanawha County at Charleston on September 14, 1820, in
Deed Book E, page 321, is a long, carefully drawn deed fromOf the Ohio River and Great Kanawha 347

Lawrence Augustine Washington and wife of Ohio County, Vir-
ginia, to “ Thomas Lewis, Andrew Lewis, Willm. Lewis, Evans
Lewis & Samuel Lewis, the first four of whom are of the County
of Mason of the said Commonwealth, and the last of the State of
Ohio, and who are the sons of the late Thomas Lewis, of the
second part and John Reynolds and Aaron Stockton, of the
County of Kanawha in said Commonwealth of the third part.”

It recites that Generals Washington and Andrew Lewis by
patent dated July 14, 1784, acquired as joint tenants the Burn-
ing Spring Tract represented as two hundred and fifty acres
“but found by a recent survey to contain about four hundred
acres.” That General Lewis died before the act was passed by
the legislature of Virginia, abolishing the right of the survivor
in joint tenancy to claim the whole of the land so held, and that
thereby Washington became entitled to the entire tract. That
under his will Lawrence Augustine Washington acquired Wash-
ington’s interest. That Thomas Lewis, son of General Lewis, ac-
quired as he thought all of his father’s share, partly under the
latter’s will and partly by purchase from his brothers and there-
upon sold in good faith a part of it to John Morris, and he in
turn sold this to Aaron Stockton and John Reynolds. The deed
continues :

On full consideration of all of which facts and circumstances,
the said Lawrence Augustine Washington and Mary Dorcas his
wife regard the law of Survivorship unjust in its operation, think
that the descendants of Genl. Andrew Lewis and those claiming
under them ought to inherit and hold the part of the Burning
Spring Tract which he owned while alive & as far as they have
the power to remedy the defect and injustice of the laws in rela-
tion to joint Tenancy, as they existed at the death of Genl.
Andrew Lewis, they feel disposed to do so, and from all the testi-
mony they have been able to procure they believe that the parties
of the second part, sons of the late Colonel Thomas Lewis as to
that part of the upper division not sold by him in his lifetime to
John Morris, and the said Andrew Stockton and John Reynolds,
as to the one hundred and twenty-five acres sold to John Morris
as aforesaid have the fairest claims on them for the boon they
mean to grant to the descendants of Genl. Andrew Lewis and348 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

those claiming under them; in furtherance of this determination
the said Lawrence Augustine Washington caused the said tract
of land to be divided into two parts (describing them) and for
the purpose of satisfying himself of the equality and justice of a
division of the said tract of lands by annexing one of the two
burning springs to each half of the land . . . caused the said
tracts to be examined by Joel Shrewsburg and Leonard Morris
whose certificate bearing date 17th June in the year 1820 ascer-
tains that in their opinion . . . such division is fairly equal,
Now therefore said Lawrence A. Washington and wife, convey,
without receiving or expecting any remuneration therefor, to the
respective parties of the second and third parts the parts as-
signed to them for the sole reason that they are thereby doing an
act of justice and equity.Chapter XXVIII
OF THE EXECUTORS’ ACCOUNTS

Tue collection of the personal assets and the disposition of
the real estate of Washington’s estate has now been followed out
and described in so far as changed conditions and defective
records have permitted, and it remains only to show how the
executors reported their proceedings to the courts in their
accounting.

These accounts are voluminous and were made to two courts.
The first was the County Court of Fairfax County, and in this
the usual form of accounts to a probate court was followed.
They carried the business of the estate from Washington’s death
in December, 1799, to the thirty-first day of December, 1819,
just twenty years.

The second was the Circuit Court of the United States in and
for Alexandria County in the District of Columbia, in the so-
called “ Friendly Suit ”, entitled “ Lawrence A. Washington et als
vs. Bushrod Washington and Lawrence Lewis” begun May 26,
1823. The accounts in that suit began where the former ones left
off, January 1, 1820, and were brought down to the death of
Bushrod Washington in November, 1829, in his case, and to
November 22, 1839, in the case of Lawrence Lewis, when he died.
There were subsequent proceedings in the case which resulted in a
statement of the affairs of the estate on May 26, 1845, and in
May, 1847, a settlement was reached disposing of the litigation.

IN THE COUNTY COURT

As we saw in the chapter entitled “‘ Inventory ” the executors,
after the will was proved, took no steps in the County Court for
ten years. Then they were moved to act and at the same time
that they returned the inventory and appraisement into court,
Lawrence Lewis filed an account which showed his individual acts
from January 1, 1800, to July, 1802.350 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

This was referred by the court to Alexander Moore, as com-
missioner for examination and he reported, “I have carefully
examined this account of Lawrence Lewis, one of the Executors,
with the original vouchers produced to me, and find the same
correctly stated. The Commission as charged, the Court’s com-
missioner humbly conceives to be perfectly reasonable as the
settlement of this estate is very complicated and unusually
troublesome.”

The court agreed with the commissioner and on August 20,
1810, allowed the account and ordered it to be recorded.

Neither the account nor the vouchers remain in the files, but
fortunately the record book into which the account was copied is
preserved. It is Liber J, and the record begins at page 317.
It appears that Mr. Lewis kept his account in pounds, shillings
and pence and received the total sum of £5,308.9. 414 accord-
ingly, while his disbursements were £5,994. 8. 314.

These the commissioner translated into dollars and cents in
the following summary, for the purpose of allowing the executor’s
commission and striking a balance at the date of the last entry,
to wit:

Dr. The Estate of General Washington Deceased, in account
with Lawrence Lewis, Executor.

1802
July 20 To amount brought forward £5,994.
8. 314 $19,981.37
5 per cent commission on $17,694
recd. 884.74
214 per cent commission on $19,981
paid 499.53
$21,365.64
Cr.
1802
Oct. 15 By amount brought forward £5,308.
9.414 $17,694.88
Balance due the Executor 3,670.76

$21,865.64Of the Ewecutors’ Accounts 351

The following year Bushrod Washington filed an account of
his individual acts beginning August 1, 1802, and brought down
to May 31, 1811, which was examined by Mr. Moore and on
July 15, 1811, approved and ordered recorded by the court.
(Liber J, No. 1, page 370.) This account exhibits receipts
amounting to $5,829.94 and disbursements of $3,812.00, leaving
$2,017.94 in hand to which the commissioner adds nine shares
of Potomac Bank stock (par value $900) purchased for the
estate.

At the time of the approval of this account the commissioner
stated and reported to the court a joint account of the acting
executors beginning July 20, 1802, and ending June, 1811,
wherein was shown the results of the “ family ” auction sales of
real and personal estate, as well as the distribution of a dividend
equal to $5,179.05 on each 443 share of the estate.

The sales account approved at the same time showed
$124,928.01, realized in that manner and the collections brought
the total up to $163,030.82 including the balances still due from
a majority of the legatees for the excess of their purchases over
their dividends.

In this account the commissioner also allowed the acting
executors commissions as follows:

To 5 per cent commission on $5,829.94 received by

B. Washington $294.49
214 per cent commission on $3,811.53 paid by
same 95.29
5 per cent commission on $137,124.17 received
on the a/c 6,856.21
214 per cent commission on $138,457.04 paid
on ditto 3,461.43
Amount of Commission $10,707.42

And, including this sum, there appeared the balance of $15,707.95
due the executors.
The commissioner’s report appended to this account is:|
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352 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

Pursuant to an order of the Worshipful Court of Fairfax
County, I Alexander Moore the Commissioner named in the said
order have settled the joint and separate accounts of Lawrence
Lewis and Bushrod Washington Esquires, Acting executors of
General George Washington, deceased, upon the following prin-
ciples, First, an account of Lawrence Lewis while he acted in his
individual capacity before any other qualified, which I heretofore
reported to your Worshipful Court. Upon which account there
is a balance due the executor of $3,670.76. Second. The ac-
count of Bushrod Washington with the Estate for transactions
of his own as executor whereby it appears he is indebted to the
estate of $2,017.94 exclusive of nine shares in the Bank of
Potomack Stock. Third. A general account current of the
acting executors with the estate exhibiting a full view of their
whole transactions upon which last account there is a balance
due the executors of $15,707.95, including their commissions.
In stating the general account current of the executors I have
charged them with the full amount of all the public sales made
viz: $124,928.01, Accounts of which are herewith returned to
the Court, and credited them with such sums as have not been
paid by the purchasers but particularly with the sum of
$15,125.00 for purchases made of lands by the late Colo. Thomas
Lee as Guardian of Corbin Washington’s children which pur-
chase their present guardian did not think himself at liberty to
confirm, whereby there is a suit now.depending in the high Court
of Chancery of Virginia. Consequently this as well as other
matters relative to the Estate remain open till a further settle-
ment. I have carefully compared the charges made in the dif-
ferent accounts with the vouchers and documents produced to
me by the executors and find them all to be correctly stated.

Respectfully submitted to the Court by
ALEXANDER Moore
Commissioner.
Mount Vernon

July Ist 1811
100 hours attendance

75 cts. per hour $75.00

A. Moore Comr.

The claim of $15,125 against Corbin Washington’s children
was, of course, secured by the estate known as Rock Hall and
five hundred and fifty acres in Berkeley County and practically
balanced the sum of $15,707.95, reported as due the executors.Of the Ewecutors’ Accounts 353

In 1820 the acting executors reported again to the County
Court. Lawrence Lewis filed an individual account from July
12, 1806, to January, 1820, only the first three items of which
preceded 1811, the date of the former accounting, and repre-
sented small omitted items. The remainder of the account showed
substantial transactions, chiefly concerning the taxes on western
lands, the Rock Hall litigation and the care of the free Negroes,
on the one side, and collections of various rents and sales on the
other, but concluding with the charge of his share of the execu-
tors’ commissions allowed in 1811 and interest thereon, to wit:
$11,492.30, as well as these additional amounts:

To 5 pr. ct. commission on $15,385.96 ree’d in this a/e $769.30
21% pr. ct. commission on $11,252.12 paid 281.30

which resulted in a total sum due the executor of $13,714.23 on
balancing the account. At the end of twenty years the executor
had not received any compensation.

The commissioner Alexander Moore again approved the ac-
count and stated, “ The Acting Executors Lawrence Lewis and
Bushrod Washington have mutually agreed to divide the com-
missions between themselves on all business they transact, except
the commissions which accrued on Lawrence Lewis’ account with
the Estate while he acted alone, which are considered exclusively
his own.”

On September 18, 1820, this account was approved by the
court and ordered recorded (Liber M, No. 1, page 77).

Bushrod Washington also filed his individual account at this
time, covering the period from July 11, 1811, to January
1, 1820. It showed (including the balance he owed at the last
account) receipts amounting to $20,462.22 and disbursements
of $26,738.56, which included these:

VY of $10,704.42 commissions due the acting execu-
tors on the General acct. reported to the Court
July Term 1811 $5,352.21;
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354 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

To 5 p. ct. commission of $16,066.28 rec’d on this

account $ 803.21
214 p. ct. commission on $17,382.92 paid on do. 434.57
which made a total due on commissions — $6,589.99

while the net balance due the executor was $6,254.34. In other
words this executor also had thus far worked without pay.

The account showed, however, the careful investment of the
proceeds of the estate in bank stock to raise the income necessary
for the support of the free Negroes and the disbursement to the
heirs of Corbin Washington for their share of the real estate
which their later guardian had demanded in cash instead of ac-
cepting the real estate agreed to by Colonel Thomas Lee on their
behalf. The collections were the dividends on the bank stocks
and the Dismal Swamp stock, which had been returned by General
Lee in 1810 and proved the life saver of the estate.

THE FRIENDLY SUIT

The Corbin Washington difficulty having been solved by the
sale of the Rock Hall estate, and the Archibald McClean suit at
law about the Round Bottom being disposed of for the time being,
the executors now sought to close the estate. They found them-
selves confronted however with a long and tedious calculation of
interest on each of the twenty-three accounts with the various
individual and group legatees, because a majority of them had
been overpaid in 1803 by being permitted to purchase property
of the estate in excess of their distributive shares, while the
minority had received less in property and cash than they were
entitled to and hence were claiming interest on the balances due
them.

Then there was a question of a claim against Mildred Ham-
mond’s estate, whose husband had accepted for her a mortgage
from-one Burdet Ashton to the executors on account of her

share, which however exceeded the amount due her and Hammond, , A. y iM pies
Ly! Shee Ly ee) t tut. Wp. A Vad hv yi

e; Jury 3. P23

AS we hope that the time isnot far distant when we shall be enabled to close our executorial
duties, we fecl anxious to do so under such a sanction as to prevent all future disputes when we
are gone, Ouraccounts to the Jast of the year 1819 have been settled, under orders of Fairfax
Court and approved. ‘The only difficulty we apprehend, and wish to avoid, is, the settlement ofthe
individual accounts of the legatees; and this difticulty consists, as we apprehend, principally in
the mode of calculating the interest. To us, it is unimportant which rule is adupted, provided
it is the legal one, and works uniformly ;—Ssuch too must be the wish of the legatees. But we can-
not undertake to say what isthat rule, nor are we willing to hazard future responsibility by dis-
tributing the assets recciyed, and to be received, according to what we might consider a just rule,
but which might not hereafter be decided to be the legalonc. ‘There are but two modes by which
our object can be attained ;—a reference of the accounts to arbitration, or asuit. ‘The former we
should prefer, as most consonant with the injunction of our testator, if it were not attended by insu-
perable difficulties, on account of the dispersed sifuation ofthe Jegatees, who, consequently, ;
could scarcely be expected to agree upon the arbitrators. We therefore Propose that the lega-
tees should concur in instituting an amicable suit in chancery against us, to which we will imme-
diately file an answer, and obtain an order of reference tothe master, to adjust and report the pre-
cise suin to which each legatec is entitled = y hich being done, we can proceed with safety to pay
Such sums as fast as the money comes toourhands. We propose that the suit should be brought
in the District of Columbia, partly as an indulgence to us, on account of the greater convenience of
carrying there our books and papers, and appearing before the master: and partly , With aview to :
accelerate the final settlement, which might be greatly delayed by the official duties of one of us,
which seldom permits him to Jeave home, for any time, after he has returned from his cireuits.—
This Court will, we conceive, be equally convenient to all thelegatees, and onthe score of learn-
ing and integrity is above all exception. For the convenience of the legatees, and in order to pro-
duce as much unanimity amongst them as possible, without which the plan we propose cannot be
executed, we name the following lawyers practising at that bar, viz:—Mr. Thomas Swann, Mr.
Robert I. Taylor, and Mr. Walter Jones, and select the latter to attend to the settlement on the
part of the executors. We should cheerfully give you the choice of the three, if we supposed it
probable that so many persons, scttled indifferent parts of this, and the adjoining states, would con
cur in appointing any one or two of the number.

We flatter ourselycs that t

his proposition will be acceded to unanimously by the legatees, and
that they will Ao justice tothe motives which lead us to make it. Unless some plan is proposed by
us to them, it is most obvious that they, without meeting together, can never concur in any; and
should this fail, few of us may live to see a final settlement of the estate of our testator, as we can-
not pay away the remaining asscts, until we are assured that it is legally done.

Should you concur inthe aboye proposition, be so good as to say so, and to write to us without
delay. Youcan authorize us to put your answer into the hands of Mr. Swann, Mr. Taylor or any
other lawyer except Mr. Jones, or you can write to such lawyer a separate letter if you please.

We hope to receive answers from all the legatees in 4or 5 w ecks, and if the bill can be filed :
this winter, a final decree may be had in the course of the next summer, which will be most des:-
rable to us, and, as we should presume, tothe legatees.

We are,
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servants,
A b :
JjJimh. Wy a1 friar G SFL

> =
of ae he tes

CIRCULAR FROM WASHINGTON S EXECUTORS ABOUT
A FRIENDLY SUIT TO SETTLE THEIR ACCOUNTS|
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had given his obligation to refund the surplus when collected on
the mortgage.

The mortgagor had defaulted and on foreclosure of the mort-
gage far less than the sum due had been realized, and the ques-
tions were who should stand the loss and must Hammond make it
good to the executors or not. There were other questions also,
and it was high time for a general settlement.

We are indebted to the papers of the late Mr. Justice Joseph
Story of the Supreme Court of the United States, who was Bush-
rod Washington’s colleague for a quarter of a century and more,
for the preservation of the document which evidences the next
step of the executors, and hence we may reasonably infer that
that great equity judge, whose textbooks are still the foundation
of American Chancery practice, was consulted in the questions

what should now be done and how.

CIRCULAR.
Robt. Beverly Esqr. Ext. Wm. A. Washington, decd.

Jany. 3, 1823.
Sir:

As we hope that the time is not far distant when we shall be
enabled to close our executorial duties we feel anxious to do so
under such a sanction as to prevent all future disputes when we
are gone. Our accounts to the last of the year 1819 have been
settled, under orders of Fairfax Court and approved. The only
difficulty we apprehend and wish to avoid is the settlement of the
individual accounts of the legatees; and this difficulty consists
as we apprehend, principally in the mode of calculating the in-
terest. ‘To us it is unimportant which rule is adopted provided
it is the legal one and works uniformly; such too must be the
wish of the legatees. We cannot undertake to say what is that
rule nor are we willing to hazard future responsibility by dis-
tributing the assets received and to be received according to what
we might consider a just rule, but which might not hereafter be
decided to be the legal one. There are but two modes by which
our object can be attained; a reference of the accounts to arbi-
tration, or a suit. The former we should prefer as most con-356 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

sonant with the injunction of our testator; if it were not attended
by insuperable difficulties, on account of the dispersed situation of
the legatees who consequently would scarcely be expected to agree
upon the arbitrators. We therefore propose that the legatees
should concur in instituting an amicable suit in chancery against
us; and obtain an order of reference to the master to adjust and
report the precise sum to which each legatee is entitled; which
having done, we can proceed with safety to pay such sums as
fast as the money comes to our hands. We propose that the suit
should be brought in the District of Columbia partly as an in-
dulgence to us on account of the greater convenience of carrying
our books and papers and appearing before the master; and
partly with a view to accelerate the final settlement which might
be greatly delayed by the official duties of one of us which seldom
permits him to leave home, for any time, after he has returned
from his circuits. This Court will, we conceive, be equally con-
venient to all the legatees and on the score of learning and in-
tegrity is above all exception. For the convenience of the legatees
and in order to produce as much unanimity amongst them as
possible, without which the plan we propose cannot be executed,
we name the following lawyers practising at that bar viz: Mr.
Thos. Swann, Mr. Robert I. Taylor, and Mr. Walter Jones, and
select the latter to attend to the settlement on the part of the
executors. We should cheerfully give you the choice of the three,
if we supposed it probable that so many persons, settled in this
part of this, and the adjoining states, would concur in appointing
any one or two of the number.

We flatter ourselves that this proposition will be acceded to
unanimously by the legatees, and that they will do justice to the
motives which lead us to make it. Unless some plan is proposed
by us to them, it is most obvious that they without meeting to-
gether, can never concur in any, and should this fail, few of us
may live to see a final settlement of the estate of our testator,
as we cannot pay away the remaining assets, until we are assured
that it is legally done.

Should you concur in the above proposition, be so good as to
say so, and to write to us without delay. You can authorize
us to put your answer into the hands of Mr. Swann, Mr. Taylor
or any other lawyer except Mr. Jones or you can write to such
lawyers a separate letter if you please.

We hope to receive answers from all the legatees in four or
five weeks and if the bill can be filed this winter, a final decree
may be had in the course of the next summer, which will be mostOf the Ewecutors’ Accounts 357

desirable to us, and, as we should presume to the legatees. We
are very respectfully —
Your obedient servants
Busy. WaAsHINGTON
Lawes. Lewis?

The desired answers to the circular were received promptly
and in favor of the plan, although not without prodding perhaps.”

The bill was filed accordingly on May 19, 1823, in the Circuit
Court of the United States at Alexandria. None of the original
papers in the case have been preserved and the court itself passed
out of existence in 1846 when Congress retroceded that part of
the District of Columbia south and west of the Potomac to the
State of Virginia.

The record books of the court passed into the possession of
the clerk of the Circuit Court of the present Arlington County
of Virginia (formerly Alexandria County) and are to be found
in the courthouse at Rosslyn near Fort Meyer. Fortunately a
complete copy of the files and orders was entered on the record
book when the decree disposing of the case in 1826 was made.
This is in Volume N, pp. 439 to 516.

There was an appeal by the administrator of the deceased
Mildred Hammond, taken to the Supreme Court of the United
States with respect to that part of the decree which affected her
share, and for the purposes of that appeal which we shall touch
upon later another complete copy of the record was made and
filed in the Supreme Court. Here it was printed for the use of
the judges and lawyers and one printed copy is preserved with

1 Joseph Story papers, Massachusetts Historical Society, Boston. Another
copy of this has recently appeared as part of the collection of Washing-
toniana, presented to the Naval Academy at Annapolis by Richard T. Crane,
Esq., of Chicago.

2The following postscript in Bushrod Washington’s handwriting to the
circular in the Crane collection is addressed to Alexander Spottswood, Esq.
“The above is a duplicate of our letter to you forwarded some months ago
to which no answer has been received. As we shall lose six months unless the
bill is signed during the present session of the court, we shall venture to
insert your name in it, leaving you at liberty to direct it to be struck out if
you decline joining in the suit. Please let us hear immediately from you.

All the legatees who retain an interest in the estate and from whom we have
secured answers concur cheerfully in the proposed plan.”|
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358 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

the original manuscript, in the files. It covers one hundred
octavo pages.°

To return to the bill. Lawrence A. Washington and (pre-
sumably) all the other surviving legatees and the heirs of those
deceased were the complainants and Bushrod Washington and
Lawrence Lewis the only defendants. Chief Justice Cranch, in
his decision of the case, says the greater part of the bill was in
Bushrod Washington’s handwriting.* Messrs. Thomas Swann
and R. I. Taylor signed it as solicitors and counsel.

The official title of the cause is:

Lawrence A. Washington and others Legatees under the last
will and Testament of the Late General George Washington
of Mount Vernon and the Representatives of said Legatees,
Complainants,

against

Bushrod Washington and Lawrence Lewis acting Executors of
the last will of the said General George Washington, Defendants.

The bill of complaint sets up the interest of the complainants
in the estate, the terms of the will, the names of all the executors
and the agreement that Bushrod Washington and Lawrence Lewis
should have the entire management of the estate, which they
undertook. That the lands on the western waters and parts of
the personal property were divided and the remainder, except a
small portion, was sold by the executors.

That considerable payments have been made to the complain-
ants by the executors but that a large sum remains undistributed,
which the executors refuse to pay without the sanction of a court
of equity by which the sums due each shall be ascertained as sug-
gested by the circular letter.

After setting up the deaths, marriages and assignments which
have taken place since Washington’s death in the ranks of the
legatees, the bill concludes with the prayer that the executors

3 File No. 1602, Case No. 12, January Term, 1843; and Vol. I, Records of

1843, Supreme Court of the United States.
4 Vol. 3, Cranch’s Circuit Court Reports, p. 977.Of the Ewecutors’ Accounts 359

may be required to answer under oath, may account for the real
and personal property sold and unsold and that the amount
which the complainants severally are entitled to may be ascer-
tained and the defendants decreed to pay the same.

On the same day that the bill was filed the defendants appeared
in court by William Jones their solicitor, and filed their sworn
answer admitting the allegations of the bill to be true and saying
further:

that except 373 acres in Nansemond County, a house and lot
in Alexandria bought of Archibald McLean and a small tract
of land conveyed to them by the assignee of John Gill, bankrupt,
also one share in the Dismal Swamp Company, the real and per-
sonal estate hath been sold by them but they charge that a great
proportion of the real and personal estate so sold was purchased
by said plaintiffs and defendants, as will appear by a statement
thereof and by the accounts of these defendants

exhibited as part of their answer.

They admit that they have money and property still subject
to distribution and then set up the difficulty respecting the ques-
tion of interest on the indebtedness of the legatees to the execu-
tors and vice versa. That their accounts to January 1, 1820,
have been approved by the Fairfax County Court and that the
payments and receipts since then are still to be settled and an
account thereof is filed as part of this answer. They admit
sending the circular letter and are willing to abide by the order
of the court.

By consent of all the parties the court on the same day re-
ferred the cause to Alexander Moore as special auditor and
commissioner, ‘‘ to take account of all such matters touching or
relating to the execution of the last will and testament of General
George Washington, deceased, in the bill or answer, or as either
party shall produce, state accounts and ascertain just balances,
together with an explanation thereof; also special or alternate
statements as either party may suggest or he may deem proper to
illustrate any matter in dispute, to take depositions on reasonable

notice ”’, and the cause was set for hearing on bill and answer, re-|
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360 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

ports and exceptions at the session of the court, November, 1823.

There was nothing further done in court however until April
12, 1825, and then an order was entered directing Noblet Her-
bert as commissioner to sell the one share of Dismal Swamp stock
belonging to the estate. Alexander Moore, the commissioner of
accounts had, however, been actively engaged in taking proofs in
the case and stating the accounts of the parties, and on April
20, 1825, Bushrod Washington and Lawrence Lewis filed a cross-
bill in the cause, praying leave to bring in additional parties
whose existence has been ascertained since the filing of the origi-
nal bill and whose presence in court is declared necessary “to a
valid and final discharge or acquittance of the executors other-
wise they will be continuously liable to be harrassed and vexed
with successive claims at great loss and vexation.”

On April 28, 1825, Mary Washington as widow and executrix
of Lawrence A. Washington, deceased, the first-named com-
plainant, filed a bill of revivor, alleging that while Alexander
Moore, the special commissioner was engaged in taking the proofs
in this case, said Lawrence died, leaving a will of which she is
executrix and she prays that the suit may be revived and con-
tinued in her name.

On May 6, 1826, a decree was entered by the court against all
parties who had been notified by publication, and by consent of
all others, that the report of Alexander Moore, “ to which no
exceptions have been filed except by Nancy N. Hammond, Ad-
ministratrix of the estate of Thomas Hammond, deceased, is
ratified and confirmed except as to the Hammond account.”

It was therefore ordered adjudged and decreed that the execu-
tors shall pay as follows:

To Bushrod Washington Jr. and George C. Wash-

ington, sons of Wm. A. Washington — $536.11
William Robinson 328.02
Fayette Ball admr. of Francis Peyton 1,131.40
Geo. F. Washington for self and as

Executor of Maria Thornton 2,560.78

5 This fact is not in the “complete record”, but appears from the deed
referred to in Chapter XXIV on that subject.Of the Ewecutors’ Accounts 361

Ellen Lewis Admx. of Howell Lewis $866.65
Charles Carter 146.98
George Carter & Thos. Peter, Trustees

of Eliza. P. Custis 619.79

and that said Bushrod Washington and
Lawrence Lewis be at liberty severally

to retain out of said assets, after making
the above payments the sums reported to
be due them respectively.

That there be paid to the executors as follows with interest
from June 1, 1824:

By Wm. L. McCarty Spottswood Executor of

Alexander Spottswood deceased $1,028.83
Wm. Thornton Execr. of John Thornton 1,113.03
Hy Fitzhugh Exr. of Sarah Fitzhugh Extx

of Nicholas Fitzhugh 28.17
Lucy Todd, late widow & Ex. of George

Steptoe Washington 5,768.28
Mary D. Washington, Extx. of Lawrence

A. Washington 408.01
Andrew Parkes 331.03
Samuel Washington 1,692.35
Robert Lewis 1,559.60
George W. P. Custis 705.36
John A. Washington and B. C. Washington 620.08 *%4
John A. & B. C. Washington as Exrs. of

R. H. L. Washington 310.04%
Thomas Peters 1,435.01
Robert Lewis Admr. of Fielding Lewis Wbsecl
John J. A. Washington and Samuel Scholly

Assignees of Saml. Washington 226.12

and that all costs be paid out of the estate of George Washington.

That thereupon the executors do distribute the assets in their
hands or which may hereafter come into their hands among the
persons entitled thereto by the will of their testator and in the
proportions therein directed, with leave to apply for further
orders of the court.

And it is further decreed and ordered that the said Bushrod
Washington and Lawrence Lewis do retain in their hands as much362 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

of the bank stock purchased by them with the assets of the estate
as may be sufficient to support the survivors of the free Negroes
whom they have heretofore supported out of the assets of the
said estate; and that they do sell the residue of the said bank
stock at public or private sale, as they may think most to the
advantage of all the parties concerned and do distribute the
proceeds in the manner above mentioned.

There was filed at this time and approved, the account and
report of Alexander Moore on behalf of the executors entitled
“ Exhibit A’, and his statement of their accounts with each
individual legatee showing all payments to and purchases by
them from the estate, together with the calculations of interest
on each item from 1803 to 1825. It covered sixty-two large
record pages.°

That only one of the twenty-three groups of legatees found
cause for complaint is strong commendation of the executors and
the method pursued by them, but even then an error crept into
the case.

The executors came back into court again on November 23,
1826, and presented their petition showing that since the decree,
“ considerable assets have come into their hands which they are
willing to distribute ” and also that by reason of the proceedings
in the District of Columbia Courts at Washington to sell the
Washington City houses certain of the legatees should have been
credited with proceeds of those properties or relieved from the
charges made against them as the purchasers thereof at the
executor’s sale in 1808.

They therefore prayed that their accounts to this date may be
approved and that the special commissioner report if said pur-
chasers are entitled to anything on account of the aforesaid
sales and exactly what sums are due the residuary legatees out of
the balance in their hands.

6 The original of this document has disappeared, but in addition to the
record copies in the Circuit and Supreme Courts, it appears that a duplicate
was made for each of the executors in book form, and these books were used
by them for entering their subsequent dealings with the estate. Bushrod
Washington’s copy is in the R. T. Crane collection of Washingtoniana at the
Annapolis Naval Academy. The first fifty-eight pages show the court ac-
count in the handwriting of Mr. Moore or his copyist.Of the Ewecutors’ Accounts 363

By consent the commissioner was ordered by the court to
examine and report upon these accounts and on December 12,
1826, it was ordered that the report of Alexander Moore so made
be confirmed and the objections of the legatees be overruled and
that the executors pay and distribute the assets. Mr. Moore’s
report gives credit to Mr. Parks and Mr. Peter, and George S.
Washington’s estate for the proceeds of the Washington City lots
and houses which they failed to receive under their purchases
from the executors, in the first accounting herein, but they are
charged with the amounts they promised to pay therefor, thus
relieving the estate from the resulting loss.

He further reports, “‘ In stating the interest accounts, the same
rule has been applied to each legatee by making an account cur-
rent for interest, bringing the calculations down to the Ist day
of June, 1824.”

With the entry of the order approving this report, the greater
part of the administration of the estate was closed. Only the
care of a few Negroes, the sale of the Nansemond County land,
and the Hammond Appeal remained.Chapter XXIX
OF THE HAMMOND APPEAL

Mitprep G., the daughter of Charles Washington, was entitled
to one twenty-third of the residuary estate under her uncle’s
will. She had married Thomas Hammond and the latter acted
for her in her relations with the estate. At the sale of the real
and personal estate for the purposes of division in 1802 and
1803 he bought nothing, evidently preferring to take cash.

Mrs. Hammond died and her will was probated in Jefferson
County, Virginia (now West Virginia), on February 138, 1805.
It specifically bequeathed her interest in her uncle’s estate to her
husband Thomas Hammond for life, to her children thereafter,
and in default of children, then to her brother Samuel for life
and the remainder to his children. Mr. Hammond was appointed
executor.

When the executors of Washington in March, 1806, declared
the dividend of $5,179.05 on each one twenty-third share of the
estate out of the net proceeds of collections and sales to that
date, under the laws of Virginia, beneficiaries were required to
accept securities in the hands of the executors in payment; Mr.
Hammond received from them a mortgage and bond given to
them by Burdet Ashton, Jr., one of the distributees who had
purchased lands at the sale in excess of his distributive share.
The mortgage was for $9,410.20, but was subject to a deduction
of said Ashton’s distributive share of the estate (subsequently
ascertained to be $2,589.26) leaving really due but $6,830.94.
The debt bore interest at six per cent. per annum.

As the amount really owing from Ashton had not been ascer-
tained in 1806 when the executors turned over this mortgage to
Hammond on account of his wife’s share of the estate, they
required him to covenant and agree in writing (and to secure thisOf the Hammond Appeal 365

by a mortgage on certain land of his) that he would account for
the proceeds of the mortgage and pay over to them any surplus
due thereon beyond Mrs. Hammond’s $5,179.05, approximately
$1,651.00.

Hammond, almost immediately, i.e., on April 2, 1806, assigned
the mortgage to Smith, Calhoun and Company, merchants of
Baltimore, to secure his debt in the sum of $5,604.64, which was
somewhat in excess of his share of the mortgage, although the
amount collectible by him on it was $6,830.94, when definitely
ascertained.

It soon appeared that Ashton was unable to pay the mortgage
and became wholly insolvent. The Baltimore merchants fore-
closed the mortgage in the Superior Court of Chancery at Rich-
mond, Virginia, in a suit against Ashton, Hammond and the
executors of Washington. The sale of the mortgaged premises
followed but produced less than the amount of the debt, in fact
less than Mrs. Hammond was entitled to receive from the Wash-
ington estate.

On the accounting of the Washington estate in the Circuit
Court of the United States in the friendly suit, detailed in the
last chapter, the question arose on settlement of the Hammond
share, who should stand the loss on the Ashton mortgage.

Mr. Moore, the special commissioner, reported to the court:

The case of Thomas Hammond (account No. 11) is the only
one of difficulty that presents itself to the auditor; he was entitled
to a full share of the residuary Estate in the right of his wife
for which he has credit on his account. Hammond took an as-
signment from the Executors of a mortgage given them by Burdet
Ashton, Jr. to secure the sum of $9,440.20. Ashton being en-
titled in his own right and in right of his sister to 3% ds. of a
share of the residuary, which deducted from the amount of the
mortgage left a balance due on the mortgage of $5,957.50 to bear
interest from the 7th day of June 1808.

The Defendants contend that this Debt and mortgage was as-
signed to Hammond in discharge of his claim on the residuary
Estate to the period of the assignment amounting to $5,178.68
and that he is bound to them for the excess of Ashton’s debt
above his, Hammond’s, claim, to secure which he gave the366 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

executors a mortgage on his Estate in Jefferson County, Virginia.

Hammond assigned the mortgage of Ashton to Smith, Calhoun
& Co. who instituted a suit to foreclose the same. The Chan-
cellor referred the matter to Commissioner Keith to state an ac-
count between the parties, which he did and made the balance due
on the mortgage $6,865.95 on the 22nd August 1808 and the
Chancellor decreed upon that sum with interest from 22nd August
1808 until paid, although the account was erroneously stated by
the Commissioner, he having debited Ashton with interest from
March 12, 1805 to 22nd Aug. 1808, which should have been from
7th June 1803 as is shown by the mortgage.

On the 15th of October 1810 the assigned mortgage was fore-
closed and the lands therein mentioned sold for the sum of
$4,001.24.

In this case the auditor presents for the Court’s consideration
three accounts, 1, 2, & 3, in the first he charges Hammond with
the balance due by Ashton on the mortgage June 7th, 1808, in
the second with the sum the mortgaged premises sold for and in
the third account with the balance due on the mortgage accord-
ing to Commissioner Keith’s report.

All the papers relative to the matter are herewith filed.

The Circuit Court of the United States disposed of the ques-
tion (as appears by its opinion reported in Volume III of
Cranch’s Circuit Court Reports on page 77) on June 2, 1827,
and by Cranch Ch. J., after stating the facts, it held that the
net amount of the excess due from Hammond was $778.45 and

decided:

Hammond’s mortgage was absolute to pay that sum whether
Ashton became insolvent or not or whether the land produced
more or less, than his own claim. Such was his covenant. We
therefore think that he could not have had recourse to the Execu-
tors even if he had not expressly exonerated them. But it is said
the estate is not exonerated although the Executors are; &
that the estate is liable as assignor of Ashton’s debt under the
equity of the 41st Sectn. of the Statute of Virginia, (P. & P’s.
Rey. Co. 165) which compels the distributees to take the specific
bonds of purchasers of the personal estate when sold to pay debts
or become perishable, in which case if the bonds are not good they
are to be made good out of the Estate.

It is admitted that the present case is not within the letterOf the Hammond Appeal 367

of the Statute and we think it is not within its spirit, for here
the debt of Ashton was voluntarily received in payment. Ham-
mond was not obliged to receive it. We think that Genl. Wash-
ington’s Estate is not bound to make it good and that the Execu-
tors may recover from Hammond the difference between Ashton’s
debt & Hammond’s share of the estate.

The decree was prepared accordingly but by some oversight
was not entered of record until ten years later, when on October
31, 1837, Chief Justice Cranch ordered it recorded, “ It appear-
ing to the Court that the foregoing decree had been rendered in
the above cause at November Term 1827 and had then been
omitted to be entered, it is now by the Court ordered to be entered
on the record of the proceedings in said suit to take effect as a
decree of that term.”

The decree directs that “ account No. 11” shall stand and
that Nancy M. Hammond, administratrix of the said Thomas
Hammond do, out of the assets of her intestate in her hands to
be administered, pay to the executors of the said George Wash-
ington the sum of $2,158.66, the balance appearing to be due
them by statement Number 11 with interest on $1,027.27, the
principal sum due, from the Ist day of June, 1824.

** From which decree the Complt. Nancy Hammond prays an
appeal to the Supreme Court of the United States, which is
granted upon her giving bond and security in the sum of $400
to be approved by one of the Judges of this Court.”

The appeal was filed in the Supreme Court of the United States
on September 25, 1829, two months before the death of Bushrod
Washington, then a member of the court.

The docket of the Supreme Court shows that no proceedings
were had upon the appeal until 1837, when a new administrator
of the Hammond estate appeared. It was then that it was dis-
covered that the decree below was never entered, and that error
having been remedied, a certified copy of the decree was filed in
the Supreme Court in 1839. In 1840 Lorenzo Lewis, as executor
of Lawrence Lewis, late executor of General Washington, entered
his appearance and on January 10, 1843, the case was argued.|
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368 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

On January 23, 1843, it was decided and the decree below was
reversed with costs by the Supreme Court and the court below
directed to proceed conformably to the opinion of the court.

‘The opinion of the court by Mr. Justice Daniel is reported in
Volume I of Howard’s Supreme Court Reports at page 14. It
decides that Hammond’s estate is to be charged to the extent of
the amount due him on distribution, he having taken the mort-
gage in satisfaction to that extent, and that, as he had used due
diligence, his estate was not to be held for the deficit, nor could
it claim any compensation for its share of the loss from Wash-
ington’s estate.

The effect was to divide the loss fairly between the parties but
it left Hammond’s estate entitled to claim the subsequently de-
clared dividends from the distribution of the Washington estate.

What proceedings were next taken in the court below at Alex-
andria we are unable to state because the record has not been
fully preserved but it appears of record there that on October
19, 1843, that court decreed, in pursuance of a masters’ report
filed May 26, 1843, and confirmed on June 9, 1843, subject to
exceptions heard that day and overruled, “that the defendant
executors do forthwith pay over out of the assets of the estate
of the said General George Washington to the Complainant Ad-
ministrator of the Estate of said Thomas Hammond the sum of
Ten Thousand two hundred and twenty-eight dollars and thirty-
four cents, being the amount reported to be due and payable by
the said defendants to the Complainant on the said 26th day of
May, 1843, aforesaid with the costs of this suit to be taxed by
the Clerk.”

At the same time the accounts of the several legatees were
ordered referred to Joseph Eaches, as commissioner (Alexander
Moore being dead) to be restated “ to ascertain what reductions
or abatements from the balance struck in favor of the legatees
severally and respectively or from the credits allowed them in
the accounts heretofore audited . . . should be made upon re-
casting and restating such balances or credits conformably to the
principle of the decree and opinion of the Supreme Court.”Of the Hammond Appeal 369

Commissioner Eaches’ report is lost, so far as the court files
are concerned, but a copy was fortunately preserved in the
archives of one member of the Washington family, together with
correspondence relating to it, from which Mr. Lawrence Wash-
ington rescued it in 1918 and permitted the writer to take a
copy of it.

The report is voluminous, consisting of about five thousand
words. It is dated May 26, 1845, and purports to be based on
the books of the acting executors, both now dead, and the reports
and accounts of their respective executors together with the
receipt of balances due from them acknowledged by George W.
P. Custis, the youngest and now sole surviving executor and
concludes that “ the remaining debts yet to be collected except
from the debtor legatees are inconsiderable and the Nansemond
lands are represented to be of little value.”

The commissioner then restates the amounts due from the
debtor legatees and the amounts due to the others down to date.
The report was probably not approved but was presented to
court for the court’s minute book, page 217, notes “* October 18,
1845, Report filed, leave to file bill of revivor and contd.” The
bill of revivor (probably on behalf of a new administrator for
Hammond and against Custis as the surviving Executor of Gen-
eral Washington) is lost but it appears that the cause was
pressed to a hearing, for on page 265 the clerk’s minute book
records “ Oct. 7, 1846 submitted.”

At this date the court must have been in doubt as to its own
power to act, for on September 1 and 2, 1846, the election took
place in Alexandria County under an act of Congress, to deter-
mine whether or not that portion of the District of Columbia
should be retroceded to the State of Virginia by the Federal Gov-
ernment. The vote was very unexpectedly in favor of the plan
and on September 7, 1846, President Polk proclaimed it done
accordingly.

The next order of the court which interests us here is —
“ October 31, 1846. The Court adjourned sine die.” It came
to an end with our case in its bosom, to the accompaniment of the370 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

regretful, polite and eloquent salutations of the bar and responses
by the court, also duly entered of record.
The “ Circuit Superior Court of Law and Chancery of the

3

County of Alexandria ” was instituted by the State of Virginia
to take upon itself the business and jurisdiction of the late United
States Circuit Court, and in that court we find of record the next
and final order in the Hammond case. On June 21, 1847, its
record shows:
George Washington’s Legatees
agt.

George Washington’s Executors

In this cause the complainant Geo. W. Hammond admr. of
Hammond having been convinced that several grievous errors
existed in the Commissioner’s report materially reducing the
amount hitherto supposed to be due from the said Executors to
the Estate of said Hammond and it being further impossible from
lapse of time to ascertain the sum due, the Complainant has
agreed to accept by way of compromise a less sum than hitherto
claimed & supposed to be due & that the bill should be dismissed
finally without costs, wherefore under the said agreement the com-
plainant now here dismisses said bill and abandons said suit.

The real reason for the compromise appears in the cor-
respondence above referred to * which contained a copy of Com-
missioner Eaches’s report as well as a copy of a letter from
Mr. Bushrod C. Washington, the executor of his late uncle Bush-
rod Washington, deceased, and a copy of the agreement com-
promising the claim for three thousand dollars paid by the
executors of the two deceased acting executors on May 4, 1847.
It was the impossibility of collecting the nearly fifteen thousand
dollars due Hammond’s estate from the widely scattered, or de-
ceased or insolvent legatees and the willingness and ability of
the two executors to pay three thousand dollars to relieve their
estates and take their chances in an attempt to reimburse them-
selves from the distributees. In the particular case in which this
correspondence was preserved both death and insolvency inter-
vened to prevent recovery. And thus ended, in Court, the admin-
istration of the estate of George Washington deceased.

1A copy of the correspondence is in the Library of Congress, Mss. Division.Chapter XXX
CONCLUSION

No attempt has been made to summarize the story of the estate.
Each reader will find for himself such conclusions as he is inter-
ested in. The questions, what it was, how it was acquired and
how disposed of and why, have been answered as well as possible
by the writer, and in some measure the records have been indicated
and preserved. That was the main purpose. If in addition a
new interest in the man Washington has been aroused and a
reasonable curiosity to know something of his methods and per-
sonal affairs has been satisfied, enough has been accomplished. A
history of manners, such as this, is not without value, perhaps,
in illuminating both his character and his times.

There is, however, another, an incidental conclusion which it
may be of value to state.

The study involved in tracing the history of Washington’s
estate was carried back not only to its acquisition by him, but
also into the history of all his forebears in this country. The
first of them acquired Mt. Vernon. So far as possible the ques-
tion, “‘ Where and how did he get it? ” has been answered without
undue prolixity.

This has given the writer an intimate view of the daily life,
the thoughts, purposes and methods of Washington which seems
far to exceed that conveyed to us by most of the historians who
have written about him. Only Sparks and Ford, in their editions
of his writings, seem to have touched with any fullness that great
tract of years and action which lies outside his share in the
French and Indian War, the Revolution and the Presidency.
Yet there is to be found the explanation and character of his true
greatness. So it is almost as true to-day as it was thirty-five or|
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372 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

more years ago when Mr. MacMaster penned the line, “ George
Washington is an unknown man.”

The greatness of Washington is taken for granted by all. His
purity of character and his glory as the successful leader in all
that resulted in the creation of our nation and government have
overshadowed the rest of his story.

The puyposes and intent of the man, his daily thoughts, habits
and methods of constructive action in the ordinary affairs of his
long and varied career have been largely overlooked. Yet these
details formed the real basis of and made possible its glorious
features.

In this neglect of the personal details, the chief value and most
impressive lesson of his career have been largely lost, for Wash-
ington was the embodiment of great physical and mental ability,
inspired by enterprise and moral purpose to the height of genius.

We have been told that he was no genius, that all he did was
the result of honest hard work and patient plodding, and that
therefore what he did lies within the compass of any other intelli-
gent, earnest and industrious man. It is not the truth.

Washington had, in addition, an intense, passionate nature,
which he controlled and used as a dynamic force, instead of per-
mitting it to spend itself in selfish ends. He made it a driving
spirit, to accomplish great patriotic and unselfish ends, while he
kept an outward calm and straight path. This ruling of his
spirit, devoting its energy to the good of mankind, is his true
right to greatness. It is the essence of his example to the world.

It seems to the writer that a new study of the character and
career of Washington is in order. It should begin and proceed
to the end from a new point of view. Washington never meant
to be either a great soldier or a statesman. After his first ex-
perience in the field, he hated war and he always disliked executive
office. Though for sixteen years he sat in legislature and in Con-
gress to aid in guiding his State and country, he never cared for
either power or glory.

He preferred to devote his capacities to surveying, farming
and business, to road and canal building, land exploration andHOUDON’S STATUE IN THE VIRGINIA
STATE CAPITOLH
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settlement and to be a man of affairs. His constantly enlarging
career in this constructive work made him in turn a soldier, a
legislator and commander in chief, the greatest promoter of the
Constitution and President of the United States.

Yet he wanted no history of himself written except as a member
of the community. He was a good, successful and great citizen,
because he was unselfish, loved his fellow men, desired justice,
loved work and labored constantly to leave the world better than
he found it. He possessed extraordinary power within him which
he faithfully thus used.

The result was a character which astonished the world by its
purity, moderation and completeness, and a work which endures
as “ a standard to which the wise and honest can repair ” forever.

Washington, in fact, was an engineer; he planned and did
great, practical things, and he was a genius. The depth and
clarity of his vision, the patience, persistence and thoroughness
with which he conceived and pursued the plan to bind the coastal
colonies to the rising Empire beyond the Alleghanies, until after
forty-five years he saw the firmly accomplished fact in an in-
dissoluble Union, proved beyond all question his “ infinite ca-
pacity for taking pains.”

His was a genius for enterprise and his glory was that it was
always based on sound moral principles.

Some day, it is hoped, the definitive story of his life will be
thus written. If here anything substantial has been contributed
to that end, the best hope of the writer has been fulfilled.|
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iAddendum
CONCERNING NEWLY DISCOVERED MATERIAL

Arter this book was in type the author discovered in the recently
begun collection of Washingtoniana of Lloyd W. Smith, Esq., of New
York City, among many other interesting items, the long “lost”
Washington Ledger “C,’ begun in 1792, by transfer of all his ac-
counts from Ledger ‘“‘ B,” which is in the Library of Congress. He
also found there the Cash book and Ledger of Washington’s salary
and expenses, as President, from April 2, 1789, to April 20, 1791,
covering fifty-four pages, kept by Tobias Lear, his Secretary, and
marked “G.’’ On the inside of the front cover of this is written,
“ This old Ledger in which Some accounts of the General’s are stated
I have used in stating my Executor’s Account. Bush. Washington.”

After the General Washington entries it contains one hundred and
seventy-four pages in Bushrod Washington’s handwriting, showing in
complete detail the original entries of all his dealings as Executor
from June, 1802, to December 20, 1827. Then two pages follow in
another hand, closing the account on October 1, 1829, which was
shortly before Bushrod Washington’s death.

These Executor’s accounts are all checked and verified by Alexander
Moore, who was appointed Commissioner of the Fairfax County Court
in 1810 and 1820, and again by the United States Circuit Court at
Alexandria in 1823, to examine the Executor’s accounts. Only a few
of the details have been taken by me from this ledger, as it simply
confirms the records existing in the Court records, all of which I had
examined before. Its value as an original record, however, is great.

Mr. Smith also has a bound volume in which are gathered a number
of pages taken from a diary of actions as Executor, kept by Bushrod
Washington, showing, from day to day during the long administration
of the estate, the conduct of its affairs. With these are bound up the
original memoranda, mostly in his own handwriting, of the various
sales at auction made by the executors to the legatees of personal and
real estate, besides the drafts of the various agreements between the|
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376 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

legatees concerning the enforcement of the will, despite its invalidity
outside of Virginia, the sale of far western lands, the partition of the
Kanawha lands and the Ohio River lands in Virginia, the powers of
attorney to and from the executors, and other confirmatory deeds,
which Bushrod Washington devised, advised and insisted upon, and
by which Washington’s will was literally carried out by all the
legatees of lawful age and in which they bound the minors to do
likewise. Full and most valuable support of the text was there
found.

The only important new item in these papers is that relating to
the debt of General George Washington paid to David Stuart by the
Executors. It appears that this was done in pursuit of a judgment
of the Fairfax County Court, rendered in 1806, in a suit brought by
David Stuart, as administrator of the estate of John Parke Custis,
deceased, against the Executors of General George Washington, de-
ceased. The Record Book showing that judgment was destroyed in
the Civil War, but Bushrod Washington made a note that the judg-
ment was for £2,100 (Virginia currency), on May 30, 1806. I have
amended the text as originally written so as to avail myself of these
facts.

Mr. Smith also owns Washington’s original “ Little Ledger ” cover-
ing the period from September 10, 1747, to the beginning of his
Ledger “A”, in 1748. It is a small, blank book, six inches square,
ruled by Washington, with index and cash columns, containing a dozen
accounts and a few pages of cash entries, all written in Washington’s
boyish hand. He was from fifteen and a half to sixteen and a half
years old at the time. In this Ledger, on September 10, 1747, he
debits

“Thomas Turner. To Cash, won at billiards EO: loom

He has accounts with his kinfolk, Bailey, Lawrence, Robert and Mary
Washington, and with George Fairfax, besides his half-brother Augus-
tine Washington, against whom, on page 8, he charges:

“1748
9ber To Cash won at Whist down at Nomony 1G:
Per Contra
1748
Ober By one bottle of Peach Brandy He Gh

Feby. 5. “ Cash in full aAddendum 377

The remaining entries in the book are items of cash disbursements
made in attending to business for his mother, brothers and Mr. Fair-
fax, of great interest as showing Washington’s care and prudence.

There is also in Mr. Smith’s possession a document showing Doctor
James Craik’s account for professional services rendered to General
Washington and his family during the year preceding the General’s
death. Doctor Craik made no charge for services in attending the
General in his last illness. The Executors added $25.00 for this, that
being the amount allowed by them to each of the other two doctors
called in consultation with Doctor Craik at the time. ‘The account is
approved, paid and receipted.

Mr. Smith also has a large cash book about eight inches by fifteen
inches, entitled, ‘“ Accounts of the Mansion House and Other Farms,
Distillery, Smith Shop, etc.”, covering the period from March, 1797,
to January 1, 1799. It is mostly in the handwriting of James Ander-
son and Tobias Lear, the former being Washington’s Superintendent
and the latter his Secretary. From time to time it contains a para-
graph and signature showing Washington’s examination and approval,
or comments requiring further details and prompter accounting.

Another document in Mr. Smith’s possession is the original account
of George Clinton, from December, 1782, to January 7, 1787, of the
$2,500 loan at seven per cent. made by him to Washington, showing
various credits which reduced it to $325.60. This loan was used in
their joint purchase of 6,050 acres of choice Mohawk Valley land
while the Peace Negotiations were pending, and fully described in
Chapter XXVI.

Mr. Smith is also the fortunate owner of the long, handsome, gold-
headed cane on which Washington leans in the statue by Houdon, in
the State Capital at Richmond, Virginia, and which has been dupli-
cated in bronze a number of times. This cane was bequeathed by
Washington to Robert Washington of Chotanck, “friend of my
juvenile years.”

Many other items have been collected by Mr. Smith which will
prove interesting to future historians but do not directly concern us
in this account of his estate.

The author desires to express to Mr. Smith his thanks for the cour-
teous and prompt permission given to use his material fully and freely,
wherein Mr. Smith further waived his prior right, which he had in-
tended to use, of writing and publishing an account of his collection.;
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378 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

Mr. Smith appreciated the effort here made, and generously assisted

in making it as complete as possible.

LEDGER “C”

This covers the period from 1792, transferring accounts from
Ledger ““B”, and runs to December, 1799. The beginnings are in
George Washington’s handwriting but the bulk of it is in other hand-
writing. It is in the same form as “A” and “ B”,— first an Index,
then sundry ledger accounts, debit on one page and credit on the
other, and ruled in cash-book form. Eighteen double pages are used
thus, and then come twelve double pages of cash entries, debit and
credit, $24,012.84 of the former and $14,481.92 of the latter, and
not balanced, but “ Taken from Cash. Memo kept by the General.”
These ran from 1794 to August 31, 1797, and among them is this:
Nov. 28/94 By Dr. Tate gave him 15 guineas for curing

my cancer £26. 5. 0.
The ledger accounts which precede these cash entries, in some in-
stances, where they evidence long-standing matters of complicated
nature, are copied out in full, running back many years to the be-
ginning of the business, while others are merely transfers of balances
from Ledger “B.” Of the former kind is that on page one, showing
Washington’s debt to and settlement with Lund Washington. This
begins September 2, 1790, with a debit,

To Sundry Items from Ledger “B”, Folio 315, £18.18.8, and
five payments, in four years in the total sum of £1,460, and then Credit
Mar. 2, 1789. By my Bond to this date for bal. due on final settlement
of accounts, as per Ledger “B’’, page 315. £1,220 —

1794 By interest on the above

July 8 Bond which is paid and taken up and
which settles all accounts 258. 18. 8.

£1,478. 18. 8.

The payments run from £80 in 1791, £105 and £300 in 1792, £525
in 1793, to £500 in July 8, 1794.

These payments were in addition to conveying to Lund Washington
“ Hayfield ” which adjoined Mount Vernon on the west, described by

‘ >

Washington as “my best farm’—to cover Lund’s eight years of
labor and advances in the care of the Estate during the Revolution.

This account is only begun in Washington’s handwriting, but theAddendum 379

next is all in his handwriting. It is on page two, and is entitled,
“His Excelly Govr. Clinton ”, and begins:

1787
June 16. To Cash at sundry payments, as pr. Ledger “B”
in full discharge of the Contra Bond with the
interest due thereon to the date £1,875.

Then follows a statement of sales of various lots to various persons
and in various amounts, for the total of 4,300 acres and £3,400. 2.,
“as will appear by his letter of the 18th of December, 1798, accom-
panied by an account of which the following is an exact copy, viz:”
The copy shows that the sales began May 1, 1788, and ran to October,
1793, and are accounted for to the extent of the cash payments made
by the purchasers, either partial or in full, to the same date,
£1,472. 10, of which Washington received one-half, £736. 0. 5., in two

items:

1790
June 20 By Cash £ 67.19. 314
By half of Printers’ Bills for Deeds,
Mortgages, &c. 4. 5.0.
1793
Dec. 18 By a Post Note on the Bank of

Pennsylvania 663. 16.114
£736. 0.5.

To this Washington adds a note to explain that the payments in excess
of the sales amounts include interest on deferred installments. Then
follows a statement of lots (9) unsold, making 2,019 acres

“sold 4,084 “

 

Total’ G03) oa. ae

And it ends with this credit:
1797
Feby. 27 By Cash recd. from you, for my one-half
of the land sold per Contra
$2,500 £750

It is evident that during the presidency, with its repeated journeys
back and forth to New York, Philadelphia, Mount Vernon, New Eng-380 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

land and the Southern States, Washington was not able to keep or
have kept for him exact and complete accounts, especially after Tobias
Lear went to England in 1793. After the presidency, and beginning
in March, 1797, until his death in December, 1799, he again resumed
and maintained accurate accounting in this Ledger “C.” As the book
shows his affairs at his death, I make an abstract of it here. The
cash account for that period begins on page thirty-nine and runs to
page fifty-five, inclusive, and shows down to December 3, 1799, in
much detail, his receipts and disbursements. Among these were loans
to Tobias Lear of $2,500, and to Samuel Washington of $2,000, in
May, 1799 — before he began to borrow himself for the city houses.

Tobias Lear also acted for him in buying Bank of Columbia, Bank
of Alexandria, and Potomac Company stock, and the details are shown
in his account.

The remaining ledger accounts include these investments and also
the following: John F. Mercer. This begins with a balance against
the Estate of

John Mercer £ 908. 15.11.
To Int. to date 5 p.e. 83. 4. 9.
“Cash paid you in full Oe Niiey As

£1,089. 18. —

Contra Cr.
1783 Apl.1. By tract of land lying in the
County of Montgomery, State of
Maryland, containing 519 acres,
being part of a tract called
Woodstock Manor, conveyed to me
by yourself and others @ 42/ per acre £1,089. 18.

This explains the “ Woodstock” Maryland Farm purchase.

It is followed by an account with

Neill, McCoal & A. Blair, Attornies for John Henry Cazenove and
Elia Linds, of London, for £450, “ for a tract of land bo’t by me at
4 mile Run near Alxa”

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Contra

See note under the account of the Estate of Jno. Mercer in Ledger
“B”, Folio 225. By which it appears that I am exonerated from the
payment of the Bond per Contra.Addendum 381

This relates to the twelve hundred acres devised to George W. P.
Custis, known as, “ My land at Four Mile Run.”

Tobias Lear’s account covers pages four, five, six and seven, and is
interesting in detail. It ends in a balance due Washington, May 1,
1799, of £784.8.11. The cash account shows that on that day
Washington also lent him $1,500.

The next account is that of the Estate of John P. Custis, and opens
with a debit balance brought over from Ledger ‘“ B”’— Folio 272, of
£1,355. 12.914. Then follow debits for ““My Annuity”’ for the years
1793-1798, inclusive, at £525, which was the annual payment for Mrs.
Washington’s dower in her first husband’s lands, as per agreement
when John P. Custis became of age, and the credits show various
payments from year to year by Doctor Stuart, who married John
P. Custis’s widow, down to June 3, 1799, in full. The dower right
in the Custis Negroes was settled by Washington taking one-third of
them and using and supporting them and their “increase” on his
plantation at Mount Vernon.

Another payment of the annuity was due at Washington’s death,
but is not noted, or accounted for by the Executors, as far as I
recollect. Mrs. Washington lived till May, 1802, and collected the
dower herself probably, as she was entitled to it.

The next account is that of Washington’s deceased brother-in-law,
Bartholomew Dandridge —

Bal. from Ledger “B” £2,328. 1.6.
Int. to Oct. 1., 1795 494. 7.21%
Contra £2,822. 8.814
By amount of negroes bot on my account from the

Estate of Bart. Dandridge £1,357. 9.
By a tract of land in Gloucester County,

conveyed to me in Oct/89 800.
By interest on the above from Oct. 1, 1789, to

Oct. 1, 1795 240.

£2,879. 9.

Vide. John Dandridge account Oct. 1, 1795
By the will of Genl. Washington the
Estate is exonerated from the balance 424.19. 814

£2,822. 8.814382 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

This closing entry is made by Lawrence Lewis the Executor. This
account shows how Washington acquired the Gloucester County land
and the Dandridge Negroes, mentioned in his will.

On page fourteen, beginning in 1773 is a statement of the account
of The Estate of Thomas Colville, deceased, of which Washington was
an executor and finally the surviving Executor (in 1796), and it is
closed by this entry on page fifteen:

1796 To Cash paid into the Bank of Alexandria agreeably to a

July 8 Decree of the High Court of Chancery of Virginia, being the
balance due from me as Surviving Executor to this Estate,
as per settlement with the Court of Fairfax, which is in
full £932. 17. 33,

He was allowed five per cent. commission on collections and two and
one-half per cent. on payments.

The next account is

The Estate of John Colvill, who was one of the heirs of Thomas
Colvill, and represented by Colonel Hooe. It runs from 1772 to 1793,
and amounts to £4,611. 17.9%4. Washington was allowed £345 com-
mission, and the account was closed at the time.

The next account is that of Clement Biddle, Washington’s Phila-
delphia broker and friend, on page nineteen, and then comes the Cash
Account, which runs from page twenty to page thirty-one inclusive
(double), through the years 1794 to August 31, 1797. The debit total
is $24,012.84, and the credit total is $14,481.92. It is not balanced.
It begins with items, “Taken from Cash Memoranda kept by Genl.
Washington’, and shows first receipts and expenditures on the road

to Philadelphia, etc., etce., including the “cancer” item already noted
above.

These further items only are of interest here.

Dr.
Feby. 27/97. To George Clinton, Esq., reed from him on

account of sales of land in partnership

between him and me $2,500

To Henry Lee, Esq., received from him in

part payt. of my shares of the Great

Dismal swamp sold him 700
Apl. 10. To Mr. George Ball received from him acct.

of Land sold him lying in Lancaster

County, State of Virginia £197 Va. Cy. 656.67Addendum 383

Then follows this series of accounts.

(Page 33.)
Dr. POTOMAC CANAL COMPANY
To Cash paid the several calls on 5 shares subscribed for
by me @ £100 stg. each as pr. Ledger “ B” £500 $2,222.22
1796
Apl. 10. To Tobias Lear bought by him for me 3 shares
(@ $450 each 1,350.
OG
May 12 To ditto received from him as pr. his a/e 15
shares @ $450 each 6,750.

P. 34. STOCK IN JAMES RIVER CANAL COMPANY

To Cash paid the several calls on 5 shares subs.

for by me @ £50 sterling each, or £250 Deletes
P. 36. BANK OF ALEXANDRIA

25 Shs. @ $200 4,970.
Beat BANK OF COLUMBIA

100 Shares thru Lear @ $40 4,000.

To Genl. Henry Lee for 71 shares recd of him

a/c Dismal Swamp 2,800.

BP. 38: GEORGE DUNNINGTON

Dr. Bond for rent of 1789 to 1796 @ 2,000 lbs. Tobc.
per year and interest £325. 14. 1. Md. Cy.
Cr. By Cash $270.

Then follows again a Cash Account, from pages 39 to 55, inclusive,
showing, among many others, the following interesting items:

Cr.

May 1, 1799. By Tobias Lear lent him $1,500.
Os eae -)  Samly Washington ae 1,000.

(another $1,000 lent him Sep. 13/97)

Dr.

July 2, 1799. To Bk. of Alex®. recd as loan $1,500.

Nov.26, “ ‘““ Lawrence Lewis borrowed of him 1,000.

Cr.

Dec. 3. By Mr. Law. Lewis 500.

This is the last cash entry.
Then follow these ledger accounts, viz.:384 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

let, fifo GENL. HENRY LEE
Dr.
1796
Dec. 1. To the first instalment due this day on the pay-
ment of my share in the Dismal Swamp
Company, as per Agreement dated Nov. 16,
1795. The whole amount being twenty
Thousand dollars to be paid in three equal
amount instalments with Interest $6,666.67
To the Second instalment due this day as above 6,666.67
To the Third instalment due this day as above 6,666.67

 

Contra
1797
Feby. 24 By Cash $ 700.
nee ces “71 Columbia Bank shares 2,800. 3,500.
Peabo: GEORGE BALL
Ds

To a tract of land sold you lying in Gloucester County,
Virga., which I bought of Mr. John Dandridge for £1,169. 6. 8.
$3,897.78

The conditions of sale and with weh. Mr. Ball is
to be charged are that he is to pay for the land £800
(which it cost me) with interest at the rate of six
per cent. per annum from the first day of August,
1789 (being the day on which Mr. Dandridge con-
veyed the land to me) until it is discharged. That
on or before the 10th day of April, 1798, he is to
pay me £303 and to give a mortgage on the land as a
security for the payment of the residue of the pur-
chase money, with interest as aforesaid, in two equal
annual instalments Whereupon I have obliged my-
self, my heirs, etc., to convey the land to him or to
his assigns with a warrantee against any person
claiming under me or said John Dandridge but no

others.
Contra
Apl. 10/1797. By Cash £197 $656.67
G0: JAMES WELCH
Dr:
1798

Dec. 31. To Rent due this day for lands leased to you
on the River Kanhawa as per agreement
dated the 16 Dec’r, 1797 $5,000.Addendum 885

JOHN GILL
Dr.
1797
Nov. 29. To my agreement with you this day for arrear-
ages of Rent etc. due by you for land leased
you on Difficult Run (vide agreement)
£260 $866.67

The book evidently is a first attempt to resume regular bookkeeping
after the manner of Ledgers “A” and “B” prior to the Revolution,
and later to state his affairs in 1797-1799, but it is not quite complete
because Washington had to depend on secretaries not quite capable.

LEDGER “G”

The first twenty-seven pages (double) are a cash account with the
United States of America, in the handwriting of Tobias Lear, be-
ginning April 2, 1789, and ending April 20, 1791 (about the time he
went to England for the Potomac Company). Some pages are blank,
and some are used for ledger accounts with individuals. They show
only Washington’s receipt of his salary and his expenses as President
in New York and Philadelphia — but even so are not complete. Then
follow eighty-seven double pages in the handwriting of Bushrod Wash-
ington from July, 1802, to December 20, 1827, showing his cash
receipts and disbursements, as Executor, and accounts in ledger form
with all the legatees of Washington. On the last half of page eighty-
seven and part of page eighty-eight the closing entries are made in
another hand from July 25, 1828, to October 1, 1829. Bushrod
Washington died October, 1829.

These items are of interest here:

July 19/02 By 5 shares in Alexa Bank sold Herbert $1,198
Nov. By U. S. Stocks 3,750.19
“8 Sh. Col. stock + 16/Divd. 320.

P. 27. The acct. of “Children of Geo. A. Washington” shows the
“Gloucester land sold your guardian Mr. Basset for you
for the sum which was deeded to
Geo. Ball, viz: ” 5,215.62
less payments by Ball ’97 977.55

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386 The Estate of George Washington, Deceased

Cash

p. 49.

June 23, 1810. Paid Warner Lewis to defray his expenses in
viewing and surveying the Ky. lands $180.

All other matters shown were also in the court accounts already noted.

In the book which Mr. Smith also has in which are leaves taken
from another book and sundry original papers, the first being Bushrod
Washington’s memoranda from day to day of transactions concern-
ing the administration of the estate, it appears, inter alia, that the
Kanawha and Ohio River land partition deed was sent to the General
Court at Richmond for record July 19, 1805, that a power of attorney
was given Warner Lewis, March 27, 1810, to sell Kentucky lands;
that on May 30, 1806, David Stuart, as administrator of the Estate
of John Parke Custis, decd., recovered a judgment in Fairfax County
Court against the Executors of General Washington for £2,100; that
the McLain house in Alexandria was valued by William Harper and
John Cohagan, June 1, 1805, at $4,500; that on July 18, 1805, Bush-
rod Washington wrote to the Richmond Land Office about new patents
for the Northwest Territory lands to use in support of a petition to
Congress; that he divided the lot on the Kanawha River assigned to
him, Lawrence Lewis and George W. Custis, into three equal parts and
took the middle four hundred acres himself.

There is also a copy of a printed circular letter, August 4, 1823, by
Attorneys Thomas Swann and R. I. Taylor to the Legatees about act-
ing for them in the Friendly Suit and before Moore on accounting.
Then follow Mr. Moore’s original reports on the Executor’s Accounts
in 1810 in the County Court, and a statement of account with David
Stuart, showing payments by orders on Fitzhugh and Law, who pur-
chased the lands in Maryland, showing a total paid him on his judg-
ment for £2,100 vs. the Executors in the sum of £2,876. 19. 5., prob-
ably including interest.

Bushrod Washington’s accounts also show that they were revised
and checked by A. Moore, the Commissioner, and approved in the
various accountings in Fairfax County Court and the United States
Circuit Court in 1810, 1820 and 1823, respectively. Then Moore and
Bushrod Washington died, and the final accounts were made by
Lawrence Lewis and Bushrod Washington’s executors before another
Commissioner in the United States Circuit Court.

Although many of the corrections and amendments made necessaryAddendum 387

in the text of the foregoing volume by reason of the belated dis-
covery of Mr. Smith’s valuable collections have been made there, much
of the material could not be thus used. It has been necessary, there-
fore, to write this addendum, from which the careful and patient
reader who has followed the story thus far may gather further proofs
of the justice and care with which George Washington and his
Executors dealt with all things and all men.i
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—eereoei—sAppendix I

THE WILL OF MARTHA WASHINGTON OF
MOUNT VERNON

In the name of GOD Amen

I Martha Washington of Mount Vernon — in the County of Fairfax
being of sound mind and capable of disposing of my Worldly Estate
do make Ordain and declare this to be my last will and Testament
hereby revoking all other Wills and Testaments by me heretofore
Made IMPRIMIS, It is my desire that all my Just Debts may be
punctually paid, and that as speedily as the same can be done —

Item. I give and devise to my Nephew Bartholow Dandridge and
his Heirs my lot in the town of Alexandria situate on Pitt and Cam-
eron Streets devised to me by my late Husband George Washington
deceased —

Item. I give and bequeath to my four Nieces Martha W. Dan-
dridge, Mary Dandridge, Francis Lucy Dandridge and Francis Henly
the debt of Two Thousand pounds due from Lawrence Lewis and
secured by his bond, to be equally divided between them or such of
them as shall be alive at my death and to be paid to them respectively
on the days of their respective marriage or Arrival at the age of
Twenty One Years whichsoever shall first happen together with all
the Interest on said Debt remaining unpaid at the time of my death,
and in case the whole or any part of the said principal sum of Two
Thousand pounds shall be paid to me during my life then it is my
Will that so much Money be raised out of my Estate as shall be equal
to what I shall have received of the said principal debt and distribute
among my four Nieces aforesaid, as herein has been bequeathed and
it is my meaning that the interest accruing after my death on the said
sum of Two thousand pounds shall belong to my said Nieces and be
equally divided between them or such of them as shall be alive at the
time of my death, and be paid annually for their respective uses until
they receive their shares of the principal.

Itrm. I give and bequeath to my Grand-son, George Washington|

 

390 Appendia I

Parke Custis all the Silver plate of every kind of which I shall die
possessed, together with the two large plated Coolers, the four small
plated Coolers with the Bottle Castors, and a pipe of Wine if there be
one in the house at the time of my death — also the Set of Cincinnati
tea and table China, the bow] that has a stop in it, the fine Old China
Jars which usually stand on the Chimney piece in the New Room
also — all the family pictures of every Sert, and the pictures painted
By his sister, and two small skreens worked one by his sister and the
other a present from Miss Kitty Brown—also his Choice of —
prints — Also the two Girandoles and Lustres that stand on them —
also the new bed stead which I caused to be made in Philadelphia
together with the bed, mattrass, boulsters and pillows and white
dimity Curtains belonging thereto; also the two other beds with
bolsters and pillows and the white dimity Curtains in the New Room
also the Iron Chest and the desk in my Closet which belonged to my
first Husband; also all my books of Every Kind except the Large
Bible, and the Prayer Book, also the set of tea China that was given
me by W Vanbram every piece having M W on it —

Irem. I give and bequeath to my Grand Daughter Elizabeth
Parke Law, the dressing Table and Glass that stands in the Chamber
called the Yellow Room, and General Washingtons Picture printed
by Trumbull.

Irem. I give and bequeath to my Grand Daughter Martha Peter
my writing table and the seat to it standing in my Chamber, also the
print of General Washington that hangs in the passage —

Irem. I give and bequeath to my Grand Daughter Eleanor Parke
Lewis the large looking glass in the front parlour, and any other
looking glass which she may choose—also One of the New side
board Tables in the New Room also twelve Chairs with Green Bottoms
to be selected by herself also the marble table in the Garret also the
two prints of the dead soldier, a print of the Washington Family in
a box in the Garret and the Great Chair standing in my Chamber;
all the plated Ware not hereinbefore Otherwise bequeathed, also all
the sheets table linen, Napkins towels pillow cases remaining in the
House at my death, also three beds and bedsteads Curtains Bolsters
and pillows, for each bed such as she shall choose and not herein
particularly otherwise bequeathed, together with counter-pains and a
pair of blankets for each bed, also all the Wine Glasses and decanters
of every kind, and all the blue and white China in Common use.Will of Martha Washington 391

Irem it is my will and desire that all the Wine in Bottles in the
Vaults to be equally divided between my Grand-Daughters and Grand-
son, to each of whom I bequeath Ten Guineas to buy a ring for each.

Irem it is my will and Desire that Anna Mariah Washington the
daughter of my Niece be put into handsome Mourning at my death
at the Expence of my Estate and I bequeath to her Ten Guineas to
buy a ring —

Item. I give and bequeath to my Neighbour Mrs. Elizabeth Wash-
ington five Guineas to get something in remembrance of me —

Irem I give and bequeath to Mrs. David Stuart five Guineas to
buy her a ring —

Irem I give and bequeath to Benjamin Lincoln Lear one hundred
pounds Specie to be vested in funded Stock of the United States
immediately after my deceased and to stand in his Name as his
property which investment my Executors are to cause to be made.

Irem When the Vestry of Truro parish shall buy a Glebe I
devise Will and bequeath that my Executors shall pay one hundred
pounds to them to aid of the purchase, provided the said purchase be
made in my life-time or Within three years after my decease —

Irem. It is my Will and desire that all the rest and residue of
my Estate of whatsoever kind and description not herein specifically
devised or bequeathed shall be sold by the Executors of this my last
Will for ready money as soon after my decease as the same can be
done and that the proceeds of thereof together with all the Money
in the House and the debts due to me (the debts due from Me and
the legacies herein bequeath being first satisfied) shall be Invested
by my Executors in Eight p. Cent stock of the funds of the United
States and shall stand on the books in the Name of my Executors in
their Character of Executors of my Will and it is my desire that the
Interest thereof shall be applied to the proper Education of Bartholo-
mew Henly and Samuel Hendly the two youngest sons of my Sister
Henly, and also to the Education of John Dandridge, son of my
deceased Nephew John Dandridge so that they may be severally fitted
and accomplished in some useful trade and to each of them who shall
have lived to finish his Education or to reach the age of Twenty-one
years, I give and bequeath one hundred pounds to set him up in his
trade —

Irem. My debts and legacies being paid and the Education of
Bartholomew Henly, Samuel Henly and John Dandridge aforesaid392 Appendix I

being completed, or they being all dead before the complition thereof
it is my will and desire that all my Estate and Interests in whatever
form Existing whether in money funded stock or any other species of
property shall be equally divided among all the persons herein-after
mentioned who shall be living at the time that the interest of the
funded stock shall cease to be applicable in pursuance of my Will
hereinbefore Expressed to the Education of my Newphews Bartholo-
mew Hendly, Samuel Hendly and John Dandridge, namely among
Anna Maria Washington daughter of my Niece and John Dandridge
son of my Nephew and all my Great Grand-children living at the
time that the interest of the said funded stock shall cease to be
applicable to the education of the said B. Hendly, and John Dan-
dridge and the same shall cease to be so applied when all of them
shall die before they arrive to the age of Twenty One Years, or those
living shall have finished their Education or have arrived to the age
of twenty one Years, and so long as any one of the three lives, who
has not finished his Education or Arrived to the age of Twenty One
years, the Division of the said Residuum is to be defined and no
longer —

Lastly I nominate and appoint my GrandSon George Washington
Parke Custis, my Nephew Julius B. Dandridge, and Bartholomew
Dandridge and my son in law, Thomas Peter Executors of my last
will and testament.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this
Twenty-Second day of September, in the year eighteen hundred.

Martrua WasuHINcTon, (sEAL)

Sealed, signed acknowledged and Delivered as her last Will and
Testament in the presence of the Subscribing witnesses who have been
requested to subscribe the same as such in her presence —

Roger Farrell.

William Spence.

Lawrence Lewis.

Martha Peter.

March 4th, 1802.

I give to my Grand Son George Washington Parke Custis my
Mullatto Man Elijah, that I bought of W. Butler Washington to
him and his Heirs forever —

M. WasHINGToNnWill of Martha Washington 393

AT A COURT held for Fairfax County the 21st day of June 1802
This last Will and Testament of Martha Washington deceased was
presented in Court by George Washington Parke Custis and Thomas
Peter, two of the Executors therein Named, who made oath thereto,
and the same being proved by the oaths of Roger Farrell, William
Spence, and Lawrence Lewis three of the subscribing witnesses thereto
is together with a Codicil or Memorandum endorsed, ordered to be
recorded — and the said Executors having performed what the law
requires, a certificate is Granted them for obtaining a probate thereof
in due form —

Teste,

Wm. Moss, C. C.

This will is now exhibited in the stout oak box which also
contains the General’s will. It is impossible to obtain a photo-
graphic copy of it.

The last will and testament of Martha Washington, subsequent
to its recording in court, had a checkered career, disclosed in
the following proceedings.

At the October term, in the year 1914, of the Supreme Court
of the United States, the Commonwealth of Virginia filed its bill
in equity against John Pierpont Morgan (the younger), to wit:

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES

October Term, 1914.

CoMMONWEALTH oF Vireinia, Complainant,
vs.
Joun Prerpont Moraan, Defendant.
In Equity No.

To the Honorable, The Chief Justice and the Associate Justices of
the Supreme Court of the United States of America:

Your Oratrix, the Commonwealth of Virginia, complainant, by Jno.
Garland Pollard, Attorney General thereof, brings this bill of com-394 Appendi« I

plaint against John Pierpont Morgan, a citizen of the State of New
York, and a resident thereof, and alleges:

I.

That your Oratrix is one of the States of the United States of
America, and that the defendant is a citizen of the United States of
America, and that the defendant is a citizen of the United States and
of the State of New York, another of the States of the United States
of America, and a resident thereof.

Il

That on June 21, 1802, the last will and testament of Martha
Washington, deceased, the wife of the first President of the United
States of America, dated September 2, 1800, was duly admitted to
probate and record before the county court of Fairfax County, in
the Commonwealth of Virginia; that, in accordance with the terms
of the statute in such cases made and provided, said will and testa-
ment was left and remained in the clerk’s office of the county court of
Fairfax County, in the Commonwealth of Virginia; that said will and
testament thereby became and now is the property of the Common-
wealth of Virginia and a public record thereof, and a document be-
longing to the Commonwealth of Virginia; that said will and testa-
ment is a chattel which has such special, extraordinary, uncommon,
and unique value that it cannot be replaced by means of money, and
is not susceptible of being compensated for by any practicable or
certain measure of damages; that said last will and testament is a
muniment of title under which large and valuable real and personal
estates located within the Commonwealth of Virginia have been dis-
posed of; that said last will and testament, left as aforesaid in said
clerk’s office, was in the possession of the Commonwealth of Virginia
at the time it was illegally abstracted as hereinafter set forth; that
said last will and testament was wrongfully and illegally abstracted
from the possession and control of the Commonwealth of Virginia
and has come into the possession and under the control of the said
defendant; and that as against your Oratrix, who is the lawful owner
of the said last will and testament, the said defendant has not ac-
quired, either at law or in equity, any right, title, or interest in and
to the said last will and testament.Will of Martha Washington 395

III.

That the said last will and testament came into the possession of
the said defendant in a manner and at a time unknown to your Oratrix,
and the fact that the said document was in the possession or under
the control of the said defendant was unknown to your Oratrix until
it was brought to the attention of the General Assembly of Virginia
at the last regular session which began on the 14th day of January,
1914, although your Oratrix has exercised all reasonable diligence in
endeavoring to locate the said document, and to regain the possession
thereof.

Iv.

That although the said defendant has been duly requested so to
do, he has failed and refused, and still doth refuse to deliver to your
Oratrix the said document, which the said defendant from your
Oratrix unjustly detains; that the said defendant denies the right of
your Oratrix to the possession thereof, and asserts his absolute right
thereto, and that if he should attempt to exercise such asserted right,
he would seriously and might, by removing the same from the juris-
diction of this Court or otherwise disposing thereof, irretrievably in-
terfere with the efforts of your Oratrix to recover the possession
thereof.

Inasmuch, therefore, as your Oratrix is remediless in the premises,
save in a court of equity, she prays that the said John Pierpont
Morgan be made a party defendant to this bill and be required to
answer the same, an answer under oath being waived; that this Court
may order said defendant to deliver said document to your Oratrix,
and pending a decree to that effect, that he be enjoined and restrained
from disposing thereof and removing the same beyond the jurisdiction
of this Court or that he be required to place the same in some appro-
priate custody to await the said final judgment of this Court, and
that your Oratrix be granted such other and further relief, general
and special, as in the premises may seem meet.

And your Oratrix will ever pray, etc,

CoMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA.

By Jno. GarLtanp Po Lrarp,
Attorney General
of Virginia.396 Appendix I

I have read the foregoing bill of complaint by me subscribed, and
the facts therein stated are true, to the best of my information and

belief.

Jno. GarLanp Po.uarp.

Subscribed and sworn to, in the City of Richmond, State of Vir-
ginia, before me, G. Stanley Clarke, a notary public in and for the
City of Richmond, this 25th day of February, 1915.

G. STantey CLARKE,
Notary Public.

Subsequent proceedings were had to bring Mr. Morgan into
court. Much newspaper notoriety resulted and many stories
were published relating to the manner in which the document had
been acquired by the late J. Pierpont Morgan and the alleged
fabulous sum involved.

The legal questions involved aroused some interest. The late
Judge Peter S. Grosscup told me that he had been consulted or
asked his opinion whether or not the law of Loot applied to this
country and if so what its terms might be in this case. He asked
my opinion. I replied, “There is no such term as Loot or Law
of Loot in any book of law in America with which I am ac-
quainted. The law dictionaries and encyclopedie omit any refer-
ence to it.”

Judge Grosscup and I soon agreed that the case was simply
one of theft of a public record, and that nothing remained to be
done except to return the paper to the lawful custodian, the
County Court of Fairfax County, Virginia.

The following letters are self-explanatory:

Mr. Morgan’s Library, New York,

September 25, 1915.
The Hon. James Keith,

President of the Supreme Court of Appeals,
Richmond,
Virginia.
My dear Sir:
You are, of course, aware of the unfortunate controversy which has
arisen as to the ownership and possession of the original Will ofWill of Martha Washington 397

Martha Washington. When I was first approached on this subject,
an imputation seemed to me to be involved which was most unjust in
character and deeply painful to me; this caused me at the time to
determine to stand upon what seemed to be my legal rights, and to
make no concessions in regard to them.

The facts in regard to the history of this paper are as follows,
according to the statement of Miss Mary Espy Thomson, from whom
it was purchased by my Father in the year 1903. Miss Thomson’s
statement is:

“ Lieutenant Colonel David Thomson, commanding the 82nd Regi-
‘ment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, was during the spring or autumn
“of 1862 stationed at Fairfax Court House, Va. His headquarters
“were in the Court House building. The safes had previously to this
“been broken open by The Blenkers, a command of men noted for
“their reckless vandalism. The papers were on the floor and had
“been destroyed in large quantities, used to kindle fires. My father,
“ going into the office, found his men shovelling the material from
“the floor for this use,— called them to stop, and looking over them
“found the document in question. Just preceding his death in 1892,
“he gave the document to me, to be done with as I thought proper.

(signed) Mary Espy Tuomson,
2655 Irving Ave., So.,
Minneapolis, Minnesota.”

‘

The facts in the case have been submitted to eminent counsel, and
I am advised that the title of my Father’s estate to the paper is, on
well-recognized legal principles, perfect and unassailable. An answer
to the suit in the Supreme Court of the United States, brought by the
Commonwealth of Virginia, has been prepared and is ready to be
filed. Should the case, however, come to trial, issues will be raised as
to the late war, and the status of participants therein, which it seems
to me better should not be raised in view of the fifty years of peace
and unity which have elapsed since the termination of the war. I
do not wish that, through any act of mine, differences long settled
should be recalled. Rather than revive the memories of ancient strife,
long since consigned to oblivion by the good sense and good feel-
ing and patriotism of the people of the United States, I greatly
prefer to waive such personal rights as I believe I have in this
matter.

Moreover, I have the highest regard for the People of Virginia,
and the pride of all Americans in their splendid traditions and lofty
spirit. I have good reason to believe that their sentiment and interest|
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398 Appendix I

have been aroused in respect to this document, and feel it to be a
proper act on my part to return it to their keeping.

In view of the foregoing, and of your eminent position as Presiding
Justice of the Supreme Court of Virginia, and of the confidence and
esteem in which you are justly held by that Commonwealth, I hand
you herewith the original Will of Martha Washington, with a request
that it be disposed of by you in such way as will best meet the ap-
proval and gratify the sentiment of Governor Stuart and the people
of Virginia.

If I might be allowed to offer a suggestion, it would be that, because
of my Father’s well-known interest in Mount Vernon and of my own
connection with it as a member of the Advisory Board of the Mount
Vernon Association, it,seems to me peculiarly appropriate that a relic
so closely associated with Washington should be preserved and avail-
able to the public at the place especially consecrated to his personal
memory. I should be much gratified if you could, in consultation with
Governor Stuart, find a way by which this Will shall eventually be
placed at Mount Vernon and confided to the keeping of the Mount
Vernon Association. This suggestion is in accordance with the sug-
gestion in my letter to Governor Stuart of March 17, 1914, and is
what I had hoped to do when the Supreme Court had upheld my title
to the document. Should it become possible to carry out this idea,
it would give me satisfaction to provide at Mount Vernon an appro-
priate and fireproof receptacle for the safe keeping and preservation
of this and other precious relics of ‘the place.

I have intrusted this letter, together with the original Will of
Martha Washington, to our mutual friend Mr. Fairfax Harrison, who
has kindly undertaken to deliver them to you.

With great respect, I am

Sincerely yours,

(Signed) J. P. Morean,

State oF VIRGINIA
Supreme Court of Appeals
Richmond
September 30, 1915.

Mr. J. P. Moraan,

New York City.

Dear Sir:

I have received the original will of Martha Washington and theWill of Martha Washington 399

letter which you entrusted to our friend, Mr. Fairfax Harrison, and
I shall endeavor to dispose of it in such a way “as will best meet the
approval and gratify the sentiment of Governor Stuart and the people
of Virginia.’”’ I am in full sympathy with your suggestion that Mt.
Vernon should be the final repository of the will of Martha Washing-
ton. As you well say, “it is peculiarly appropriate that a relic so
closely associated with Washington should be preserved and available
to the public at the place specially consecrated to his personal
memory ’’, and I shall cheerfully endeavor in consultation with Goy-
ernor Stuart and others to bring about this result. There are, how-
ever, difficulties in the way which you will at once recognize. The
people of Fairfax County have a just pride in being the custodians
of the wills of Washington and his wife, but I trust that this senti-
ment will yield to the advantages presented by Mt. Vernon, which
must for all time be hallowed as the home and final resting-place of
Washington, where it will be available to the public and safely pre-
served for all coming time in the fire-proof receptacle which you
generously offer to provide. The people of Fairfax will, I trust,
remember, that this relic, if placed at Mt. Vernon, will still be within
the limits of the county of Fairfax.

Permit me, Sir, to express my appreciation of your position in this
matter. Much doubtless has been said and written which must have
distressed you and might well have excited a spirit of resentment, but
you have risen to a higher plane and viewed the subject in a spirit of
generosity and magnanimity which I am sure will be recognized and
appreciated by the Governor and good people of this Commonwealth.

I do not understand your letter as imposing any condition with
respect to my disposition of the will. The only trust imposed is that
it shall be disposed of in such way “as will best meet the approval
and gratify the sentiment of Governor Stuart and the people of Vir-
ginia.”” You then proceed to offer as a suggestion, but not by way
of imposing a condition, that Mt. Vernon shall be the final repository
of this interesting relic. I shall endeavor to discharge the trust
reposed in me to the best of my ability, and shall earnestly endeavor
to have your suggestion adopted.

I thank you for the kindly terms in which you refer to me person-
ally, and beg to remain, with great respect,

Very sincerely yours,

James KgITH.400 Appendix I

CoMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA
Office of the Attorney General
Richmond
April 7, 1920.

Eugene E. Prussing, Esq.,
1527 Rhode Island Ave.,
Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:

I am in receipt of your favor of April 2 in which you ask for
copies of the letters between Judge Keith and this office in connection
with the return of the will of Martha Washington.

In reply, I will state that I find no correspondence between Mr.
Pollard, who was Attorney General at that time, and Judge Keith.
Judge Keith had an office just across the hall from this office, so I
presume there was no need for correspondence between him and Mr.
Pollard. I have correspondence between the Clerk of Fairfax Court
and Mr. Pollard, and a copy of the resolution of the Board of Super-
visors adopted by Fairfax County in reference to obtaining the will.
I presume, though, you have copies of these papers, as I find in the
files a letter from you to Mr. Pollard.

Yours very truly,
Jno. R. SaunpErs
Attorney General.

The will was returned to Fairfax County Court and the suit
of the Commonwealth of Virginia against John Pierpont Morgan
in the Supreme Court of the United States was dismissed.Appendia II

Tue original Inventory and Appraisement of the Estate of Wash-
ington was presented to the Ladies’ Mount Vernon Association of
the Union by William K. Bixby, Esq.

Mr. Bixby had previously published the document in a small
volume in a limited edition, which is reprinted here in full, with Mr.
Bixby’s kind permission.

INVENTORY
of the
CONTENTS OF MOUNT VERNON
1810
With a Prefatory Note
by
WORTHINGTON CHAUNCEY FORD
1909
INTRODUCTION

This inventory, now printed in full for the first time, was filed in
the office of the county clerk of Fairfax county, Virginia, by those
charged with the final appraisement of the personal effects of Wash-
ington at Mount Vernon. Mr. William C. Lane, librarian of Harvard
University, states in his “Inventory of Washington’s Library” that

“ The original will (of Washington) is still to be seen there (Fair-
fax Court House), and this with the other papers mentioned was
copied into the large record volumes, but at the bottom of p. 326,
Liber J. 1 following the ‘account of the estate of the late Gen’l
Washington with Laurence Lewis’ is found this note,—‘ Inventory
and appraisement of the Estate of Gen’l George Washington Deceased
(ought to be here Recorded). For Inventory look to Wills &ec of
August Court 1810 filed. T.C. Nash.’ But on inquiry for the files
of this date it appears that all the original papers of this time and
earlier were scattered during the occupation of Fairfax by the Federal
troops during the Civil War. The Washington Inventory may pos-
sibly have been saved, but its present location, if it is extant, is
unknown to the writer.”4.02 Appendix II

Fortunately this paper was preserved, and has now found a fitting
niche in a collection of manuscripts where it not only will be free
from accidental loss but is now made accessible by publication. An
imperfect copy of the Inventory was in the possession of John A.
Washington, of whom Edward Everett obtained a copy for use in
his “‘ Life of George Washington ’’, printed in 1860; but some leaves
of the manuscript had been lost. This imperfect form has been
reprinted several times, but never as a separate piece. What pertains
to the library of Washington has been fully studied and annotated by
Mr. Lane in the volume on the Washington collection in the Boston
Atheneum (Griffin-Lane), printed in 1897.

?

In view of that study I have not thought it necessary to annotate
that part of the Inventory, not even to correct the many errors in
names and titles. The document is printed as it was written, and
may thus serve as a basis for detailed study in special lines.

The document has a high personal interest. The values affixed to
each article are purely arbitrary, and are in no sense correct ap-
praisals, whether of the market value of the thing, or of the value to
its possessor, from actual cost or from association. The estate was
not in dispute; there was no tax system which imposed making a cor-
rect valuation upon the executors; and the formal presentment of the
list fulfilled the requirements of the occasion. The sums affixed could
be omitted without impairing the real value of the paper, for this
value lies in the light it throws upon the contents of the house at
Mount Vernon, and incidentally upon the taste of Washington in
gathering them.

It may be said at this point, that Washington himself was not
wholly responsible for the contents. This is especially true of the
library, which had grown through gifts rather than through purchases,
and this only in a slight degree reflected the personal taste or judg-
ment of the man. It would give a very wrong impression to pass
upon his reading from the list of his books, for it becomes evident at
a glance that a majority of the volumes had either been sent to him
by writers looking for recognition, or been bought in a desire to
assist author or publisher in a venture affected with some public
interest. Washington was no reader, and his only enthusiasm lay in
books on agriculture, which he studied and laboriously extracted with
a minuteness that was extraordinary. As a young officer in the
colonial militia he gave some attention to military books, and he isInventory of Contents of Mount Vernon 403

known to have read the play of “ Cato.’’ There is little evidence that
he cared for history, even of the War of Independence; and in only
one instance has a political volume, immediately dealing with his own
conduct, been found with his marginal notes.1_ An unusual instance of
his attention is that of the single word in his copy of Adam Smith’s
“ Wealth of Nations’”’, where he has questioned the printing of the
good Scotch word “‘fiars”’, believing it to be a misprint for the word
“fairs.”’ In his diaries he never mentions the books he was reading,
and his correspondence rarely refers to books, unless formally to ac-
knowledge a gift or a dedication, or gives any evidence of a bookish
learning. To speak with frankness, he read for a purely commercial
purpose; to fit himself for service in the camp, and to conduct his
farming on a profitable basis. He never became a great general; and
his agriculture never became a source of profit. In neither case
was he responsible for this result. He never had an army efficient
for acting on the offensive consistently, and a necessity for using slave
labor balked every effort to improve his lands.

In other respects the Inventory is more satisfactory, meagre as it
is. In the last forty years the Washington estate, as it was called,
was finally settled and a number of relics and manuscripts came into
the market. There was much of undoubted value, and the prices were
adequate, so much so as to encourage the fraudulent. For many years
a rather clumsy imitation of Washington’s writing was sold to the
unwary, in the form of checks purporting to have been drawn upon
a bank in Alexandria.” This was an innocent deception compared to
some that have been put forth in recent years, and sometimes by
dealers of recognized position, who could not plead ignorance as an
excuse. Not only have papers been wrongly assigned to Washington,
but also to members of his family, and often without a particle of
evidence to prove their origin or authenticity, and in the face of proof
that they could not be as represented. His book-plate has been re-
produced and inserted in volumes that this Inventory could show had
never been in his library. Undated manuscripts have been assigned
to a particular year, and a story woven round them that would grace
any work of fiction, and that has proved of great profit to the
romancer. Unfortunately this Inventory can be used only within
narrow limits to correct such offers and offenses, and will not serve

1 Monroe’s “ View of the Conduct of the Executive of the United States 23,
now in the Library of Harvard University.

2 These checks were the work of Robert Spring of Philadelphia.j
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404 Appendix II

at all in testing fraudulent documents. The descriptions given of
pictures, for example, are not sufficient to permit a full identification,
but if twenty portraits of Washington are reported as coming from
Mount Vernon, there is ground in this volume for meeting so wholesale
a claim.

It is from the letters of the earlier years that a really fair idea
can be gained of Washington’s tastes in household furnishings. A
Virginia planter had only one market for his principal product,
tobacco, and that market was in England or Scotland. Sending his
tobacco there, the account was settled almost entirely by such manu-
factures and other articles as were needed on the plantation. The
system was as costly as it was unsatisfactory. The planter was rarely
contented with the price he obtained for his tobacco, and the difficul-
ties of ordering goods at such a distance were greatly increased by
the poor quality of the goods themselves. Carelessness, shopworn
articles, indifferent workmanship, and an open disregard of orders
complicated the transaction, and the time required for a correction
(even if a correction was possible) made the remedy ineffectual. A

<

definite quality of exports, commercially known as “colonials’’, of
second and third qualities, was considered as good enough for the
colonies, and hence arose the exact descriptions included in the
planters’ orders.

In the colonial days of Virginia almost every article used in the
household, apart from what was grown in the garden or fields, was
obtained from England. An invoice was a formidable affair, ranging
from tools and nails to medicines, perfumed powder and suits, from
pickles and cider to shoes and cloths. The last order by Martha
Custis, in 1758, amounted to £309. 8s 5d and it would be difficult to
name any article of ordinary use that had been omitted. This hap-
pened only three months after an order amounting to £103. 15s 514d
had been filled. In 1764 the total invoice ordered was £474. 2.9,
and there is no evidence to show that the demand diminished in the
years after the stamp tax troubles, when domestic industries were
supposed to be rising into importance. The plantation of the south,
with its large number of slaves, was economically too dependent upon
England to be made free by a local, limited, and probably temporary
industry in the northern colonies.

I now quote from some of these early orders which Washington
sent to his English agents.Inventory of Contents of Mount Vernon 405

In April, 1757, when Washington was at Fort Loudoun, he directed
his kinsman, Richard Washington, of London, to send him

“A marble Chimney piece of the Dimensions Inclosed (given by
the Workmen) the Cost not to exceed 15 Guineas. N. B. let it be
carefully packd ”

Also “1 Neat Landskip 3 feet by 2114 Inches = 1 Inch Margin for
a Chim y’’— a somewhat crude way of obtaining anything of merit.
These London merchants at times sent to their Virginia customers a
gift of a picture or piece of furniture; but they could hardly have been
connoisseurs of art. It was safe to look to them for “Two neat
Mahogany Tables 414 feet square when spread and to join occasion-
ally’; and “1 Dozn neat and strong Mahogany chairs at 21/.”
There was some standard by which to judge a “neat” Mahogany
bit of furniture, or a “ fashionable lock for a partition door”; but a
“neat Landskip ” was too indefinite. It is safe to say that few of
the paintings at Mount Vernon, apart from some of the portraits, had
any artistic value. In November the goods came by the Peggy and
Elizabeth. The Chimney-piece was in thirty-one feet of “fine new
veined marble”, with plinths and iron cramps for mounting it
(£8. 6.6); the two mahogany tables cost £6.10, and the chairs, de-
scribed as “‘ best gothick chairs, w. t Pincusion seats, stufft in ye
best manner and covered with horse hair’’, were billed at £12. 12,
exclusive of packing. The landscape was “after Claude Lorrain”
and cost £3. 15. 6.

In the cargo of the Salley, Captain Dick, bound to Rappahannock,
in Virginia, came in August, 1757:

“e

A Bedstead with Mahogany carved and fluted pillars for
feet Posts, yellow silk and worsted Damask Furniture,
lind with Tammy, and carved cornishes compleat, cost

AL AMVAUCHION 2 fc cic  oisye/ jee ec elesete suche oleio aenmeeeerre £25.10
3 pr yellow silk and worsted Damask Window Curtains,
COD SGN) «5p ooun poop on DO bOU AnD OOM OSSON HOODS 9.
A Mahogany easy Chair, on Casters coverd with ditto and
a Check Caselcost at) Ditto... 2. eee 3.10
6 Mahogany chairs, Gothick arched Backs and Seats of
Ditto and an Elbow Chair cost at, Ditto............ 7.12.6

A fine neat Mahogany serpentine dressing Table with
Furniture Compl., drawer, Glass &c a, handl Locks
and: brass Works... : <3.5. 5)... < sss cere 10. 10
‘Afine Mahogany, ‘lea Table. .3. « .. -..:.. ayerteeraeete 3.15
Av pr fine carvd and! gilt; Sconces). 5. -\3)-1. «sei eles eee a406 Appendix II

with Wilton carpets and wall papers and the following china and
glassware:

iipeoneroplongechinawDishes Will/ a 4. ~ s.er ci elle eet el ie 6.1

JL UUGRES (ie) TIAN IDA S SE boo oR oonn odo aobacogcnoao4KC 14
gmdozn-gtineselates (14) 0... so see tae ee ee 1.8

ledOzZN | DILLOMSOOPsdO) across oc eee eee Shes ae 14
maw compleatesett ine, Emare china... 160 ee 3.10
Zadozn. aneswinero lasses (ngravd.).c2. 4- 00s aoc ee re 17
6 Quart Decanters do 21/ 12 beer glass Mugs &c 12/...... 1.13

with knives and forks on which the crest was engraved.
A short time after Washington wrote:

(September, 1757)
To Richard Washington
Dear Sir:

Be pleasd over and above what I wrote for in a Letter of the 15th.
April and 10th. Instt. to send me one dozn. strong chairs of about
fifteen shillings price, the bottoms to be exactly made by the Inclosd
Dimensions and of three different colours to suit the paper of three
of the bed Chambers (also wrote for in my last). I must acquaint
you, Sir, with the Reason of this request. I have one dozn. chairs
that were made in the Country neat but too weak for common sitting.
I therefore purpose to take the bottoms out of those and put them
into these now ordered, while the bottoms which you send will do for
the former and furnish the Chambers: for this Reason the Workman
must be very exact, neither making the bottoms larger nor smaller
than the dimensions, otherwise the change cant be made. be kind
enough to give directions that these chairs equally with the others and
Tables be carefully packd and stowed, without this Caution they are
liable to infinite damage. I am Dr Sir, Yr most obedt &c.

G WasHINGTON

From Philip Bell, Upholsterer, was obtained in August, 1759:

70 yds of Chintz Blew plate Cotton furniture.......... S11. WG
bamyds.ocoteh) Linnensto line Witton. 4-0 oe ee oe 2.18.6
a Beach Bedstead colourd all over, Castors, a strong sack-
ing Case Slips a Compass-Rod, Brass Caps & neat
plain Mahy. foot Posts, & a neat cut Cornish.......
Making a Blue Chintz of yr. Cotton Lined..............
7 yds of blue Gard. figrd Lace 7 yds of white Hessars
to line the head and Tester, Ring Tape and paper
EOMUneROps s <i eee ck et ye Ce 1. 16
Making 11/4 Quilt of the above Cotton on one side, Scotch
Wiothvon the ‘other? 2h 0 Ser ih: Shs ee eee tee!

Ls

14. 6
=o

—Inventory of Contents of Mount Vernon 407

2) Neat cut window Cornishess.4-5--:-- 0 0 18
Making two Festoon Window Curtains & covg ye Cornishes 12
3 dozn. of Lace to ditto, Leads & Owees, 28 yds. of worstd.

and thrd. Line 2 Tossells, 4 brass cloak pins, studs

& ‘Curt; hoops: . . .. 342.22 ae eer 18
2 Wilton Ingrain bedside Carpets...................--- 1. 16
2 Neat Mahay Pillar & claw fire Screens India Paper

on both: Sides’... 3... 1. jase ee eee ee 2. 2

1 Neat Mahay Marb: Couch with a Roll head & Leathr
Casters to ditto, stufft up in the best mannr & covd
with black Leathr, quilted, best princes metal Nails,

Boulster and 2 pillows, filld wt Goose Feath........ 7
50 yds of ye best Royal Matting yd wide............... 3. 6.8
DPB COSCLE Wien sal. ov sieleepe Woke See ey eee 3.6
2 fine large check Mattrasses filled with hair............ 6. 16.6

The whole charge amounting to £48. 7. 2.

In the same shipment came from Richard Farrer some glass ware
and branched candlesticks, and “1 pair Seasons, & 1 pair Music’s
figures” for the sticks.

Another invoice of some interest came in the following March, for
it included some articles of ornament. Washington had in September,
1759, asked his factor to obtain for him 8 pieces, as follows:

4. One of Alexr ye Great; another of Julius Cesar; anr of Chs. 12
Sweden; and a 4th of ye King of Prussia. N. B. These are
not to exceed 15 Inchs. in hight, nor 10 in width — for brokn
Pedimts.

2 other Busts of Prince Eugene & ye Duke of Marlborh — somewht
smallr.

2 wild Beasts — not to exceed 12 Inchs in highth nor 18 in length.

Sundry small Ornaments for Chimy piece.

The selection showed his evident taste for great generals, and he
was still ambitious of military service, if it could be given without
injury to his claims of rank. It must have been something of a dis-
appointment to find, on opening the cases, that his wishes had been
thus carried into effect:

A groupe of Aineas carrying his Father out of Troy with 4
Statues, viz. his Father Anchises, his wife Creusa, him-
self and his son Ascanius, neatly finisht and bronzd with
Gopper «oi. tet os Sete oc: «los at eet oo. £3. 3
Two Groupes, with two Statues each of Bacchus & Flora,
finisht neat, & bronzd with copper, £2.2 each.......... 4.4408 Appendix II

Two Ornamented Vases with Faces & Festoons of Grapes &
Vine Leaves &c (a) finishd neat & bronzd in Coppr.... 2.2

The above for ye Chimney Piece.

Two Lyons after the Antique Lyon’s in Italy, finisht Neat
<abronzdawithscopper) x O.each. 1.) 1 ia ele ae 2.10

The agent thought some explanation was necessary, for he wrote:

“These is ye best Ornaments I coud possibly make for the Chimney
Piece, and of all the wild Beasts as could be made there is none
thought better than the Lyons. The manner of placing them on ye
Chimney piece shd. be thus

A groupe of Vase /Eneas Vase Groupe of
Flora Bacchus

There is no Busts of Alexander ye Great (none at all of Charles
12th. of Sweden) Julius Cesar, King of Prussia, Prince Eugene nor
Duke of Marlborough of the size desired; and to make Models woud
be very Expensive, at least 4 Guineas each; but I can make Busts
exactly to the size wrote for (15 Inches) and very good ones at the
rate of 16/ each of

Homer, Virgil, Horace, Cicero, Plato, Aristotle, Seneca, Galens,
Vestall Virgin Fausina, Chaucer, Spencer, Johnson, Shakespear,
Beaumont, Fletcher, Milton, Prior, Pope, Congreve, Swift, Addison,
Dryden, Locke, Newton.”

March, 1761
A Neat Mahogany Square Case with 16 Galln Bottles in
ditto with ground Stoppers, Brass lifting handles and
brass:castersi newt eae oto ee £17.17

In April, 1763, Richard Farrer sent another china set complete, of
fine blue and white, consisting of

AMONGST shes: ccdrie cis eee Mice Shia iene ee
24 plates, 12 soop plates, 1 Tureen Covr & Dish....... 12°) 030
4 Sauce Boats 4 Salts

S110) 0); 7 0u ale. 0) el6)/e)@).e1e\ ale! eile /e).0) a) (0/1010) eee) 6

February, 1764

12 chairs covered with Leather and brass naild....@ 16/ 9.12
ZMPDOMSELONGILLO |. 2, 2) een o.. 6 hg tare 24) 25.58
6 Windsor Chairs painted Green............... Uf. 222

NOMNAtS Er. oi. ok as 'hoin ees ibis Seas ee 13d 10.10Inventory of Contents of Mount Vernon 409

March, 1765
10 Mahogany chairs hair bottoms............... 27 1851050
2 Arm: Dos oo. <:0j.'0 2 sieve os ole chee ne eran 40/6 4. 1

In June, 1768, he asked for “as good a spy glass as can be bought
for 60/ of a good artist.” A year later he wanted “a large hunting
horn, bound tight round with small brass wire from one end to the
other, and secured in such a manner as to prevent the wires slipping ”,
quite an order for “ ye most fashionable kind of Queens Ware”, and
as handsome a fowling piece, three and one-half feet in the barrel,
as could be bought for three guineas. In July, 1771, he orders “a
candlestick with two lights, and a shade to read and write by, such
as they have in the Public Offices, not to exceed 29/”’, and two sockets
for seals, one to have topaz or some other handsome stone, with the
Washington arms neatly engraved thereon, and the other, a plain
stone, with the Washington crest.

The extracts could be extended, but enough has been given to show
the little connection possible between the articles bought and those
listed in the Inventory. During the War of Independence little was
added to the Mount Vernon household, and after the peace, Wash-
ington was too much occupied in making good the sad results of
neglect and inefficiency to buy largely. His correspondence with
Tobias Lear is suggestive, and that with Clement Biddle would add
much to our knowledge of his purchases. After all, the net result
is to be found in this Inventory, and it will hardly be possible to go
beyond it in seeking to reconstruct Mount Vernon as it was in his
day.

The survey is an early product of Washington’s work, and is ob-
tained from the Library of Congress. It is strange that there is no
floor plan of the house at Mount Vernon that could be used in this
volume. The only one in print was in such a form that its reproduc-
tion was forbidden.

WortTHINGTON CHAUNCEY Forp
Boston, May, 1909410 Appendix II

An Inventory &c. of Articles at
Mount Vernon.

WITH THEIR APPRAISED VALUE ANNEXED

In the New Room Ds C: DIC:
PeltarcvemlookingmGlassesiae ae el eee 200
4 Silver plated lamps.......... oa ate 60
6 Mahoganey Knife Cases ......-...-...-.....- 100
2 Side Boards on each of which is an Image &
Chinaw flower shotese 3 909-5 ie 160
DieMahorane yaa Chall sw sae oe eee ee ee 270
2e Candle Stands 396 565 woo 8. Be mec arens 40 830
DeWITe I SKTCCNS eect en cnc on es 40
eblepant ustres) ccc eae coltrane 120
2 large Gilt frame Pictures representing falls
Ole RIVETS co tes cs crs: Seite 160
4 do. representing water Courses............... 240
1 do. small “ Likeness of Genl W —n.. cadan 100
dos bewas them 6th cece ic ee 50
ZSeTINGS es Death OL Montromenyie. jc. re «ace 100
2ndos «battles Bunkers; Hillis ssn ee: 100
2dos Dead! Soldier .)44- 0. 4. ae ee 45 955
ielikenessigesaint Ohne yen foe Sioa 15
eCOmaVarcin! Manyer nr. cree ee ce ose 15
4 Small Prints (1 under each lamp)........... 8
lePaintines Moon) lighten.  4o0 cae es 60
SaG@hinawJarntsre. vor ec ee ei cr ees 100
Ale the tmapes) se. fis ties erties eee ae cis 100
De Matt erratic cae cist ire a maiicraitecpaie tas 10
Shovel longs: poker (@ fender. 9.74404. os 20
2 LOUNd eStoolse ces oe ee ore ors 6
Window (Curtainst. 270 eco oe cece eee 100 434

(2) In the little Parlour

looking: Glassman cee ae acer eer 30
Wea Dable'. ih yon. ieee ies ene eb 8
We Settee sy. ceca. cece ae creeper cho ioe 15
LOA Windsor Chaitsicn-o- sec lo eee 20
2 Prints representing Storms at Sea............ 30

1 do. a Sea fight— between Paul Jones of the
Bon Hoome Richard & Capt. Pearson of

the Seraphis: . eens c oc eee ie on 10
1 do. the distressed situation of the Quebec &e. .. 15
2 do. 1 the whale fishery at Davies Streights &

the other, the,.Greenland doy -e2-- 465) ee 20Inventory of Contents of Mount Vernon 411
iD), GC 1d), G.

1 Likeness of Genl. Washington in an Ovolo

{VAMC Ae 6 Sse he he Ce ee cece oe 4
dog Wa fayette: sans e a seo erry ts 4
Idoy Dre Nrankling 4 oe ere 4
1 Gilt frame of wrought work contg chickens

inia, basket cnc. see is 20
ldo: doy The likeness) ofa) Deer... a 5
J Painted likeness of an Alloe:::.°--:...-:- 2
6yothers of different) Paintines sane eee era 12
IiCarpet) cece yee ee era 10
2 Window, (Curtainshy. <6 qe a ee eee 5 1
And Irons, Shovel, Tongs & fender.............. 6 220

(3) In the front Parlour

il Hlevant, looking) Glassimrcmrcme ccc ee errr 60
lo Meay Table; ose ac ee eee 15
We Sopha 2c jc eee ee eis ee rior 70
I Mahocanys Chairs) sccm ocean ae enc eae 99
Selampss 2) with) minions ee ee ee ne 40
6) China’ flowery potSee case sie leer 50
1 Gilt Frame the likeness of Demarquess & family 100
dow Genls Washingtonte eer ee ea 50
dos Mrss Washine tones eo oe ie cre 50
Vdos Mri Wawra ae fe ee ce ee ee ee 80
1 dos, Mrsi Weare ceo. insincere os tats oe 10
I dos Mrss Wi-—ms) 2) childreniss score eo) 50
1 do. Mrs. Washington’s daughter when grown... 10
1 Small Ovolo Gilt frame, containg the likeness

of Wi n\ Custis: 302. eo a 10
I dos Geos We Hayettes i002 coe eer 10
I do: Genls Washington). 955-950 ee ie 10
Os VETS i Wir ctercve wesc tenor excrete terre 10
1 Gilt Square frame, “The likeness of Miss

Custis) a6 5. icida i eke cee er ae 10
1 do. emblematic of Genl. Washington.......... 10
2) Window Curtains: .cs 302-5. eee 16
ICarpety ero coe eee Nace OR eres 80
Andelrons, Shovels Tongs Gch. 23a eres 8 842

(4) In the dining Room

1 Ovolo looking; Glass. 3.6... eae 15
1 Mahoganey,; Side: board... oe are 23
tl Tea’ Tables sci2. 2500s a. . os ee eee 2
2) Dining: Tables\s-.-ce.5-. 5s. soc eee 30
l uarge! Caseic et. 5on cc. s- eee ee ee 40
2, Knife Cases). 25.6 5650 ca. oc 6.) ce ere 6412 Appendia II

1D}, DIAC

10 Mahoganey Chairs @ $5 ................... 50
1 large gilt frame print the “death of the late

Harlgore @hatham senpeciem cri cite circle eele ar 50
WdomGenlenWOOlteracice eyo acl seiner ciateicle i= 15
1 do. Penns Treaty with Indians............... 15
i GQ; IDG Lens 56500005600b000000000000 5
AMC OMPD CMe Hr anne cle ccc tlle er 10
il Ge, Call WEAR oosoceuadsa0c0000008000 7
I Ge, Gamil, CHEER coc aacbo0n0a0d00000000000006 7
i} Gey LATE. 500 09 0d 00 p00 DD DODO OONDDWOOONDRC 6
1 do. Genl. Fayette on Closusion’ of the late

VEE GosaododoobonOODaDOCODOdODOOO DA OO00C 7
il ae, Gal, WERAND500900000009000 0000000000006 7
1 do. the Washington family of Mount Vernon.. 20
1 do. Alfred visiting his Noblemen............. 9
1 do. do. dividing his loaf with the Pilgrim..... 9
Ne Carpeom crete tec feciicrieiroecien iar: 2
Windows Curtains nc ccaceceeic meri. eco 2
Waters Pitchers criecteiisis cle cle crete clereleten c ciesercies, 50 337 50
And Irons, Shovel & Tongs & Fender............ 8

(5) In the Bed Room
i Vind ety? (HEGEL eceoodnsonoauunousodocdqucdd 50 10
WemalleTable -piccmcec sce -ccrec e 5
li Beds Bedstead: @ Mattrasss..: cscs sees Cee 50
4 Mahoganey or Walnut Chairs................ 8
1 large gilt frame “a battle fought by Cavalry ” 30
Window, Curtains (Wiav~ Blind@ 2 eee ee 1 50
i OS S0d0000 G00 dp00dDHOUO doo GeudaooKOdONS 5 109 50
And Irons, Shovel Tongs & Fender#............. 4
In the Passage

14 Mahoganey Chairs @ $5................... 70
1 Print “Diana deceived by Venus”............ 5
1 do. “ Adonis carried off by Venus”........... 5
idoveatne dancing, Shepherdsiqanc ieee 5
dos <(Morming 3 acre ee nmcr mie at ees cit 5
Mido. Mvening ack, eects este chic bie cies ees 8
I ‘do: Sa View on) the River Po in Italy. .-....-- 8
edo: .aConstantine!s) Arch) siqaece «cies aoa ie 8
idoxcaGenl. Washington@ery nics eee a 25
1 do. “The Key of the Bastile with its Repre-

SENUALIONY «2,5 Sye:Srcmm erin eis Atak ecco 10
ReePNeTMOMECLED: <. vcs % Seite ina esis teenie 5

3 Conclusion?
4A line added.Inventory of Contents of Mount Vernon 418

4 Images over the door............-.2..--++2-s 20

MSpye) Glassy. << acac cece eect ierer errors 5 179
In the Closet under the Stair Case

Iefire Skreenii.nsce. cece een errr: 2

1 machine to scrape shoes on..............-..- 2

In the Piazza

30) Wandsor) Chairs ys. ciel crs itl itera: 30 34
)
(6) From the foot of the Stair case to the Second floor
1 Gilt frame Print ‘‘ The musical Shepherds”.... 10 1
Me doseMOonlignty rer ccrciee selecii tier ier helt 10
dose DUNG ers SLOLM ace cleric ialcierater tere teterei ore 10
Idoss battle of Bunkers phillies 5
dons Death of Montgomenyase. «2 elect: 15
In the Passage of the Second floor
ielookingy Glass=< circ cee recite rte 4 54
In the first Room on the second floor
Ndressings Cable sercmerertertcirerlreierl tithe 8
6 Mahoganey, Chairsiinrs i )eiere alert 15
Beds Bedsteady cr) CUuntains eet vere ein tier 75
Window, Ourtainsen soc ecerecieccr acer 1
large, lookines Glasser aceite treet: 15
1 Print) Gainsborough forest. csc) 8
ledospNiyanp hs) ba thingie erate) totel stirrer eraieiet: 8
ie dosetlobimasyaVallage mace ietie ciel ier 6
ake Rien“ Gye peaecugadodcounduodcDesapes 7
We Carpeurrterricretcirs cietie cial leieier tele clei etter 5
Wash pason’ & Pitcherwen ae ee 1
And Irons, Shovel, Tongs & fender.............. 5 154
In the Second Room
Armed) Chait. 50545. cc0 ees ee ee ee 6
Bed, Bedstead, Curtains & Window Curtains....
looking Glassen se eee ec ae eee 15
Ie dressing Pablesctca ceteris ereiteicre a teeretorets 8
Tnkenessrot Genls Wayettes cect clerical teiiet 50
Ne Carpety sine oe iene erie nee eteerere 10
4, Chairs! .. deohack donees ote hc eee es eee 6
Wash’ bason’ & ‘Pitcher. 432205 .<00 cc ns neon 1
And Irons, Shovel Tongs & fender.............. 4 170

(7) In the third Room
6| Mahopaney, (Chairsiye cre 10): lactone 24
1 Bed; Bedstead’ & Curtains). .: : 3505244 85414 Appendix II

Oo
a
o
Qa

Wandows: GUrtaInSe nese pee reel cecater 1
@hestmotearawershanc oe oe eee 15
I ibpwtabye GMOS, on osoouogoucppacdoo90C00Ga000 6
lewashestandsibason os DOLCE... sce eels orl 4
OETA conovaoencsonddeUnodeooguRdousds dooucr 7
ierinieuhe Young, Herdsmanagin cms re oer 5 50
Ndossembnemniohti cee oe een cia oe 5 50
1 do. “ Morning ” oes Bits Ls ee ne 5 50
Ot eel VCNIN GB ee en ote 5 50
And Trons) Shovel “ongs & tender.) =~ 2.44... 450 168 50
Fourth Room
5 nina? OMEN soocoacacoda 700 000000C C06 16
1 Bed, Bedstead and Curtains............ 77 50
Windows Curtains eco ere Beas 2
I (Closer Chairs 2.2 oo. Py orice es Lee 6
iePinesaresspiha bles acme ee eee ace 1
OHH) cocoguoobspuGapnodG sh doouGnes 5 G0nh our 10
il barge booking, Glasses. joc cs. oc ee 15
TpPrint ce Sun: VIsSingisst ss oc ste ee 6
Ho DOm es Os SetuIng ee ahs oh clo eer 6
VaDorceCupidis Pastimes 35.02 6. sean 6
I Dow se Cottages. ccs ociec sco ee 6
DOS ep EeTaSMeN 24k aes se gee oe ee 6
laWashbasonl Gebitcher noes gyn sec ye 1 50
And Irons, Shovel, Tongs and fender............ 450 163 50
(8) In the Small Room
i Dressing y lable sci. oct oe eee 3
lL Wash Stands csc ack oe See 4
3, Windsor -Chairs 45) 55-4. so oe ee 1 50
1 Bed’ (& Bedstead: 20.2 3s. a oe eee a 40
1 Dressinpy Glass... 8 A. a es ae ee ints. 3 51 50
Glass & China in the China Closet up Stairs &
thatrin the Cellar: 5.07. octavo ene 850
In the Garret
Room No. 1.
2 Windsor & 2 old Mahoganey chairs........... 1 50
Bedi & bedstead... eee os ic sak ee 30
Lasmallomahoganey Lablete oo. c. =< «ser see se. 2
And Irons, Shovel, Tongs & fender.............. 1 34 50
No. 2
SRC DAISY 6o 5 iss etate urate cen ene ee trorel seceanc eis nestor 2
SRL ADES) cre oor viyecsencl nace ne sien See 4Inventory of Contents of Mount Vernon = 415
1, GC, iD, Gh

lL. Book (Case tas och eee ae ee on eee 4

1 Bed} Bedstead''& Mattrass47. 5.05 550 te 35 45
Lumber Rooms

2: Bedsteads) 2.665. cic iy eee oe rn irs 2

3 Beds: $40 052562 eh ee ee ee eee 120

5 Mattrasses:: 46 0i6bcct er saws ee ne ee 130

Parcell (old) Carpets :s . 5. cs nee ee 30

Sy.O@hairs: S66 kk os Ao ee ee see 1

6 Trunks .. lis 5 Sig VERA a ee Oe 8

3) Large Chests! 2s 2:0. 55 ia ee ee 7

16 Volumes Journals of Congress & others...... 3

2) fire Skreens.os sc cck Se ee ee ee 2

6chair (Trunks 260204. Sao ee ee 6

Ie Weather dos = esis Fo eo ee 1

2 Painted: Presses 2.15.5 i055 o eee ee 6

4, Traveling: Chests... 3:00) Geo ee 6

9 marble Lablesi, 4: shack nos ee eee ee 25

lStraw: matt) :25055535.0.5 one ee 5

23: Pictures, “Seasons: ..5a5 0 seo oe ee 23

li Bedstead a5 55 ces ee ee ee 75

5 Small: Trunks 256435505 2 aco a er ee 2

1 (Olde Sides Saddle. oe ee ee 4

2: Sets? Blatteaux.45) 35 100

2 fire: Skreens he eect ee eee 7

I oWarming? Pan) bs ckcn bu es ee 1

2 Mahoganey Stands for Skreens.............. 5

2-3((Surveyors)) machines) -.3 fig. .5 5.148 6

Gi flat sLronst4.36 ye 5 ee ee ee 1 501 75
In the Passage

leather: Couch «2... .cu-ce coe eae mee 4

2 hain: “TRUNKS. ic 82a ee ee re eee By

PeAvm’?d: Chairs. ches esac ce er eee 2 11
In the Room Mrs. W —n now Keeps

I Bed) Bedstead! & mattrass...2.055.--. 00-5. or 50

T Oval looking; Glass: : 55.5652. 4-5 40. soc 10

1 fender: 5c eae Se eee 2

And trons; Shovel &)longsie. 4. 6 eee 2

3 Chairs .25schse dd soto oes ie eee eee 3

1 Vable: so 25 oes a eee ie eee 3

l Carpet. 220 eee aa no eee 3 73

In the little passage on the Second floor next to Mrs.
W —ns Old Room
3 Pictures nailed to the house416 Appendia II

D. C De
In Mrs. W—ns Old Room
Bede Bedstead: & Curtains. <.cte ce «ei or 70
NE GASB ee reeeteretererKclote vote) elarel steele tarate oe telefereletareia ol 2
iL IbyKesybres AAI So605dco005n0000000000G0000L 6
OAV TL GIN AO statics tiie feline ie oc iiera> 25
Hed Ona Chiti teeters oye) rere clon! sole sracleiie loon 2
MAS Va CHA Tercrty cytes iers cies ocraieiee siicks/ ie ick 10
(10) ZeNighopaneymC@hairsy «3c. oe ne cyan cece “
AX APIS FEES ‘SpoccsooddaavaauouGobdndcoDs6our 100
Me Chestonvdrawers sce. \6 eis cee 30
6 Paintings of Mrs. W—ns family 10$........ 60
HaSmalledra wan Os yaniv creer mire cielo ci rics 2 50
1 Picture “ Countess of Huntington............. 75
i Gh, SeanG HOM nw ooonoabonoouas baosnososodc 1
ON ANAT SON were eryeleaie one yt siclo silts eiereicic 1
Omomalle PICturesprecrerccyach aioe cick feriere ciate 2 316 25
In the Closet
2 leather virinks) 100 cere) ce cierle oe 20
MeMahopaneyandOs cre eerie ire 20
Wash bason! 220 acces ce eer 50
Close Sil 3 ye ie cee ccc cue cea 3
And Irons, Shovel Tongs &. .......... 8 51 50
In the Study
WOSwordsi(a@ Ui bladey coy cis vacein chalet eke cls ereve = 120
AA CANCS yey scree ios cote cooTe sede eee ole ere crcl one 40
he GUNS are cine cicrciereie cise ei ole sic oe cee eepeleiooies sale 35
Me Spye, (Glasses. 2. icctcccs)s ac ciaycftels hats oh elec 110
Latin canistendrawebapern esc ee oe co 50
Trumbuls (Prints cress s se 6 sce ores oe: 36
1Casey Surveyors sinstrumtshe. rere ere 10
U Praveling Ink Caseuc ce aoe cc Ge cere: ac 3
1 Globes 2h. 66 cicn cee as acetal acacia kin os 5
Lboxaconte) 2ibapermnouldsh crease ene ce 25
DePICture, 2c kG see cicreers Sioe susie hoes Ree ee hee oe 3
b Chestyot Tools: ie 3c 53a o eco os hice ee eee ees 15
PB URCA Uc ss cce oie xo rele ceove oli syepivs ar csete ore ereisreperae ere 7
a Dresse: Table) ccs ei fe ies ic ee ie ae 40
(11) ilambour Secretary, sem secc 4<\. cu cieces oe 80
MEWialnuty Ee ble 5 tvs ere iss sie ene ache: 5
PeCopying' press +. 2). Weer. ci. es en ee 30
MaCompass-Stall & 2/Chairs:. 2.5... 2.2000. eho. 30
umOldE Copying’ press: = cpa ce ec. er IlInventory of Contents of Mount Vernon 417

DEC: Dia

I Case} Dentists! Instrumtse 1). ease erie 10
ZeSetus) moneys wellhtsat ii sierra ere 20
a Nl (S(t) (eerie ENA GGachosboudoedud bc 50
l Box Paints Ges. ccc: sro cla se seus rer oie 15
1 Bust of General Washington in plaister from

the life: ..4 cis. ee ese eee ete 100
Udo. Marble). cs sccc cue cee ue it eee 50
1 Profile‘in’ plaister::;. occ ec sce meee 25
Z seals) withilvony, handleseermer meena 8
ly Pocket Compass). (2255.2 occ. aon aac 50
li Brass Level. 8.05. eee ee eee 10 i
1 Japan box containg a masons Apron.......... 40
1 Small case containg 3 Straw rings) =

Serer ero eere 1 75

1 Farmers Luncheon box J
1 Silk Sash (Military)............. eats ee 20
1 Velvet housing for a saddle & holsters trimmed

with: silver laceso5..25 cco eee 5
1 Piece of Oil cloth contg orders of Masonry.... 50
Some Indian presents... 5.54: ca atone ane 5

In the Iron Chest
Stock of the U. S.

Six ipr Cent? Stock. : 4.0 shone 3,746$

Do} Deferred) SNS a eee 2,500 6,246

3 p. et 2946 [ ‘
Do. of Bank of Columbia

iO; Sharesi@-40$) 23.2 ee 6,800
Do. Bank of Alexandria

25: Shares!/@) 2008. 22255 06.024 2 eee 5,000
Do. James River company

5) Shares (@) V00S) 2.36 ae ee ee 500
Do. Potomac Company

24: Shares(@ £100) Stes 225.455 ee 10,666

Ca gys ose crete aie cia Kesiapats Ree Se 254 70
1 Set of Shoe and knee buckles Paste in Gold.... 250
1 pr Shoe & knee buckles silver................ 5
2) Gold? Cincinnati@Earles-: 465... .4 7 ee 30
U Diamond Hagles do: jinn coche 387
1 Gold watch, chain, 2 Seals & a Key. gs cea 175
1 Compass ‘in’ a brass|Case.2... .. 4. aa. ree 50
1 Gold box presented by the Corporation of New

WOrk, Gece Steet eed. sas: ee ee 100
1 Large Gold medal of Genl Washn ........... 150
1 Gold medal of St. Patrick Society............ 8
1 Gold (or other metal) antient medal.......... 2418 Appendix II

Il WHI Hn @ CHESS oreo donc cs4040000-
large medal of Paul Jones..............--.--
Othersmetalamedalsmas sore cee snr
Brass engraving of the Arms of the U. States..
iRocketaC@ompass) saeco de oe oo

 

Bustaineblaster of Laul JONeSse a... ee eee

Case Instruments, Parallel Rule &e.

IRocketmeBbookee ee ne ee

Pinemwiitinglalblesirr. 1m cee «eee ar

IBOxse Mali Lat ypu PUNeS rameters ome re eet

iBrassemodela@annonne noe. oS:

Brass candlesticks. ce see sen meee ee

GEES WANN coco oodgunogdo09000 bbc 000000000"
Dig SteclmedStOlsmeeee ree ere ero area ak
Copper Wash) basonirr asa ese a6 ae ec
Chest & its contents (Gloves &c).............
Mane @haiyS ies one oe oe see se. Se
Winitines stand <a) apparatus. ce jece air

(Green) shield) Book 5004 re

Balloonenag sarc ce ae eee eae
MonrsE shoveled eiend elmer crite caer cereal:
A Painted likeness of Lawe W—mn.......-:...-
MOvaletiookinow Glassnnssa. on en ci oe i
SEPT EISLO See oe a omen ieee ier

(13) Library
Case No. 1

American Encyclopedia ............
Skambeaud! :Dictionanyey 5. 10 6 oc
Memoir of a map. Hindostan........
SOung se Lravel sia ree
Johnsons| Dictionanye 4 ee
Gutheries Geography ...............
Hlementsot Ripin peri cnc en
IPTANCIples| OL taxatloner aes rere
ILA) OMERBOING 6 560000600500000000C
Mawes Gardner. 4.0. wee
Geofreys Aerial Voyage.............
Beacon sels sr ses cere = 6 as
Memoirs of the American Academy

(one of which is a pamphlet).....
DuHamels husbandry. 23-3545...

5 Chain?

1
1
3
1
1
1
]
1
2
leiG@irculara@haite rch ec oe oe  be eeees
]
1
2
2
1
1
]
1
1
1

25

or

50Inventory of Contents of Mount Vernon 419

Vs. Ds. 0] | D2 CG
Langley on Gardening..........---. 1 4to 2
Price’s Carpenter.........--..-.-::: Ve 1
Count) de Grace). ce see oe De 1
Miller’s Gardners Dictionary......-. Lae 5
Gibsons diseases of horses......---- ee 3
RumMOrds) HSSAySi. sees secrete 3
Maes eeractscicmerscc oecierr sere 1 8vo 2
Rowleys works. (3. oc sede ee Gees 12
Robertsons Charles the 5th.......... 4 16
Gordons history of America......... As 12
Gibbons) Roman’ Empire....3.25::+-) 3G) = 18 '
Stanyans Grecian history........--- De a 2
INGSINB Se ROMC he tree a Qe Ss 4
Andersons Institute .............-.. le 2
Robertsons America ............---- 2 4
Genl Washingtons letters ..........- Oe 4
CESS IEE pacodusso000s000009¢ 1 2
Humphrey’s works...............-- Ls 3
King of Prussia’s works ............ Se. 26
(14) Gillies) Mrederickes. 409 ee Ls 1 50
Goldsmiths natural history.......... 8 “ 12
Locke on Understanding..........-. 2a 3
Shiply’s Works .............-----:- Dees 4
Buffon’s natural history abridged.... 2 ‘ 4
Ramsay’s history..........-.------- Ds 2
The Bee the 13th vl missing......... 1S) AS 34
Sulliesismemoirse eee 6 : 9
Fletchers Apeal.............----.-. Lee 1
History, of Spanier a. = 3 Die is 3
IPorteus! SCLMONS) ce eee cee ee Dee 2
Chapman on education........-....-- 1 75
Smiths wealth of nations.........-. Ses 4 50
History of Louisiana ............--. 2S 2
\Wiantens) POCMSre ame aera er Ls 50
MIMS Ss eeULeLB ee ee ere reer Les 1
Citys Addresses ioe LS 1
Conquest of Canaan.............-.. Lea 1
Shakespears Works...........-----. os 2
Antidotes to Deism......-.......... Dias 1
Memoirs) 0 2000 erie eee lea 75
445 50
In Case No. 2
INES WONEIES) ao caocoangpooanoNedc 1 4to 3
Don Quixotewas oot e oe ce es 44S

Furgusons Roman History.......... on ee 12420

(15)

Appendix II

Watsons History of Philip 3rd.......
Barklaysy eA pOlogyerjeridei celle cee er
Uniform of the forses of Great Britain

OtwaysrArtoL waren c. sc: 6c s- ace
Political State of Europe...........
Wianchestersi Wecbnresi circ cca
Principles) of) Hydrolics:.)...-- -c.--1-

Heighvon Opium ccc. vos es ce:
Hethismmemoirsi hc ois es ee
American! Museum cic .c conc ccc: of
Wertots! (ROMO cs ie oie ce oe se a

Mooress Navigation nce. cri:
Graham jon hducation nee ee cece
History of the Mission among the

Indians in No. America...........
Wrench Constitutions). oes ec
IWiyntrops) J Ourmalien ay. tas ieee
American yMacazine sje ceils cece ore
Wiattsisi Views! 5. 2)s0.c dc ccicn cise. ec
History of Marshall Turenne........
Ramsays Revolution of So Carolina..
Mistoryor Quadrupeds)).--6 46.6
Carvers) “Travel nccis oss ls 6s sigs cee
Moores tally ceens sci co eerie
IDs inthe) oo dogosoggadadonudoGonDc

Chareloix’ Voyage) -6s.).nsc eioelen
Volneyst Travele: o. cc ene cee ee
DittomRuins eee seas cst fees case
Warvills voyage in French..........
Warvills in the relation of France &

these Se sees c eects asec

No. 3

Miscellanies: 2.5.63 ose oe Co acne
Fulton on Small Canals & Iron

Ls o ta RB ear anca dooce
Mibertyy a Poems... eee ecctss soc
Hazards collection of State Papers...
WOUNTS Travels: < Soccce sek oils ok «the
Wests Discourse

© |e 06/0) 610] 0) a) eje e.0 se) 2) 0 se

po Pp Oe

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4to 20
8vo 2
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75

50
50

50
50

50

75

50(16)

(17)

Inventory of Contents of Mount

A State of the Representation of Eng-

Nand .& (Wales. 3. o<jcicceie yore oer
Miscellanies) <.05.20s «ce eon ee
Political Pieces) cy... osc
FETCAULCS) 7 cre crelore «cls icie oils e Ce eraerereree
Annual Register for 178].......--..
Masonic Constitution... .6005. 0c
Smiths dos accuses eee
Prestons) Poems. .)2). 5/2 sci cies
Eistony, of uhe Ws Sy li9Geer se nae
Parliamentory debates..............
Mairs Book-keeping .......:........
Parliamentory, Debates ....54-4-5-10-
Plays: Mrs) Tewisis i)... «vases
Miscellanies) <j. ci.5. = ire ie
Proceedings of the E. India Compy...
Ladies Magazine (Taken by Bushd

Washington)? crc ose are er eee
Parliamentory Register.............
iPryors) GOcumMents) 4-4 ee ace
Remembrancer 2s. ian oe
Huropean Magazine.................
Columbian dittorese eee
American do. (taken by Judge Wn)..
New: Vorkidow miecmicin racic rcs «ire
Christians dOsaeciccesiienice 7 eae
Walker on) Magnetism’... ......-..)
Monroe’s view of the Executive......
Massechusets Magazine (taken by

Judge Wim). cs ects cc ee co
A 5 Minutes Ansr. to Paynes letter

Proceedings on Parliamentory Reform
Poems on Various Subjects..........
Plays (Ge) ce sisic tin see ance
Annual Rerister s.. 3. see eae
Botanico Medical disertation........
Oracleyol Mibertyn. s--iseee

Cadmus) 45 sacs. ores ee ci Se
Doctrine of projectiles..............
Patricug) the Utilists caer eee
Ahymen’ ‘Rezon.-7). 03 eee
Sharp) on’ Prophecies). ssf 52 ee
Mintot on’ Planets 7. ss jasc. 3

Vs.

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Vernon

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50

50

75

50

50

50
50

50

50
75

50

50
25
25

A421
DiC:422

Appendix II

Sharp on the English Tongue........
Do. on limitation of Slavery.......--

Do.
Do.

on the Peoples rights........---
Remark coer eae ac eee

National defence.........-..------:-
Sharps free Military.........-..---.
Do. on Congressional Courts & .....
Ahymen Rezon............---------
Vision of Columbus, 2 Setts.......-.
Walsons Gectures...--..0-.9++-----
WEECOUERIES secocnoagqso0as090G0000C
The Contrast a Comedy.............
Sharp an appendix on Slavery.......
IMIINS bya leer eieys ee kl = eke
IDG, GH WD. 50009000000000000000000
Erskins view of the War...........-
Political Magazine....-..-.-.......
Ane ler OF INPUT. s00000000000000C
Washingtons legacy ............----

Political Tracts. .

INTNCTICAG eo ees ern eee cis ee
Proof of a Conspiracy...--:-....-.-
Mackintosh’s defence ...............
Miuscellanies. saeco cr 0 ice cee ee
IMarabeal eo tie ise ars cle ons sore
Wire, dowel... ssp0c0cgca000000¢
Mascellanies: 822. cance ce ct ens
POCMSRUC eee ee ere
Morses Geography. .

INKS CO socoonovse0ccopecgeons
istonyaofnelandt ssc scerre ri
HartesieWOLkS 54 bcc node cc cre
Politically bamphlevien sa awse ee
Burnesis peOeCMSin so. eo eee ec

Political Dra cts: secant ci
Miscellanies) sare croe ee oeetci
Higgans on Cements.........-....-.-
LXANOMOIA? oogaoounaccocn000nD00006
Reign of George the 3d.............
IPoliticaleUracts ss 41 tere eras or
Maneater aos se ae ees sen
ManotsyHuStony erie seer eee ances
Mease on the bite of a Mad dog......
(Political wWracts..04 > sass soa
IRAE oodcondvapbaneoanncn0naaoN

ee OOO Oe

ee OO OOO Oa i RE BE RK Oo

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DH BH NBD EB Be ee oe ee ee

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or(19)

Inventory of Contents of Mount

Reyolution) of Wrances. jo5 2-9. eee
Hgsay on Property ....- 6-0: 4.-0-
Sir Henry Clintons narrative........
Lord Norths Administration.........
lloyds) Rhapsodiyr cence ee
Tracts .:...-
imland) Navicationes 1. cee ir
Chesterfield letters .................
Smiths Constitution: °°. °.-.----- =~
Morses Geography. ::...------45-4-
Belknaps American Biography (taken

out by Judge W—n)-:....-..-
Do. History of New hampshire......
IDX, IDs cocac
Minots History of Massachusetts.....
Jenkinsons collection of Treaties.....
District, of Mainewaen see oe
Gullivers) ravelsie oe eer
Siracts) On) SIavely~ iio soca cro
Priestleys evidences.............----
mitevoL Buncleee eee ee ee oe
Wiebsters) HISS@Y Sis sciecicie elie

Bartrans

Travels (taken out by

Judge W—M) ........------+:::
Bossu’s do. .
Situation) OLeAMeCriCa ie cece <i)
efrersonse NOLES eine «rere

Coxes view..
Ossians Poems (Mrs. W—ns).....-.
(Ndamsion) Globesea seem creer
IPikesiAnithmebicne yee eer rere
Banaby’s Sermons & Travels........-.
Champion on Commerce.......-..---

No. 5

Browns Bible
Bishop Wilsons ditto.............--
Ditto, dos .WOrkss 466 son oer
ia WS OfmNe wr OL Ky eerie tl) cere
ID, OF Wilysttbhooosocagaecqugdes0gc
Middletons Architecture ............
Millersimavaly dittoeerriocis steer
The Senators Remembrancer.........
The Origin of the Tribes of Nations

in

America

3

De ee oS oe i oS oS

NOR We We DH

mH oO

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ee |

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804

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50

50

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oo

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J

ID}

423
C.424

(20)

Appendix II

A Treatise on the principles of Com-

merce between Nations............
PATINA eel Is LETue merece ise cnis ee
Genl Washingtons Letters...........
INGULNCCULION Marya: cele cs Necicio as sone
American Remembrancer............
Hpistles#ton the ladies. cc. 5-
Discourses upon Common Prayer.....
Lhe tryal of the 7 Bishops..........
ibebaines|SULVeyOr an ccs se cis a
ShaAGPSeSCEMONS ce se ee et ce
IMUIrS ee dISCOUTSE nacre cree

D’ Ivornois on Agriculture, Colonies

ands Comme isis oe ns
Rocket Dictionaryenc.cce ee oe
Prayer Book (Mrs. W—ns)........
Royal English Grammar............
Principles of Trade Compared.......
Dre Morses) Sermonynee ee ee ieee
Duchéiseisermons diibe ee e

SERMONS eevee ee Seek etek Sake
Hales contemplations moral and divine
Sermons S26 sin ee Seen eee
Himbassyaton China 3) e er ee
Warrens) Boemsy 5.2). sc5c

Sermonsie ee nic ielo Mailsnolareerereeyeiniote
Humphreys linkers 4.5 nope ae

POCMS AS ace ci wise ok ae see

History of a foundling (3d wanting)
Adventures of Telemachus...........
Naturetdisplayedyy fra) ce ac
Solyman and Almenia..............
PI AVS) het ce hace hee see Ss
The high German Doctor............
Benezets)) DIsScourses4- eee eee ae
Life and Death of the Earl of

Rochester. 4 i. ei he ees

No. 6

Journals of the Senate and House of
ROPIOSUS (0\.:475' sic ici cE RN. Coke's

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27Inventory of Contents of Mount Vernon

ihaws) of the) Ws Stateseece 7 eo:
Revised Laws of Virginia...........
Acts of Virginia Assembly..........
Crutwells) concordance... 3-406
Dallasis) Reports! .. ccaa.e eso
Swiits System -.. 3:2.
Journals of the Senate and house of

IREPLCSUS): ec... 5 scree oie sorte
State, Papers) sch. uence ee
Burn:s'\ JUStice: ec a eid ee
Martins) laws of Nationses een:
View of the British Customs.........
Debates) of (Conpressy. 6-4
Journals: of dos sic canines ee
Laws of the United States..........
Ksirbys}) Reports) scene eee
Virginia, Justice... 065. ca- nae ee

Dogrexot, Criminal sbawee eee ee
iiaws) of the UW. States..-.-- 4-0-7 5.
Debates of the State of Massechusets

onsthe Constitutionses.sneeee ee

Sharp on the law of Nature........
Do. on the law of Retribution........
Ony ibels and) Juries seo ce eee
Acts. (of Congresses 5s cca oe
Debates of the Convention of Virga..
ihe andlordsy awa see
Attorneys #hO0cKkets BOOK nen oe
Presidents) Messages: 5-4. 5.054. 40..
SAYS) CTCRUY) coi soos ese done een ee
Debates of the Convention of

Massechuts) oc.nhicsace eae

Debates in the Convention of Penn-
Sylvania sees ecic se ee ee
Dos ins Virginians eee
Do. in the house of Representatives
of the United States with respect
to their power on Treaties........
Sundry Pamphlets containing mes-
sages from the President to Con-
PTCSS ACEC CCICC eee i a ae

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1,120 25

425

DEC:4.26

Appendix II

No. 7

Orationse ee ec ce
Original and present State of man...
Gospel@Newsrcmr cere ce
MosaicaleOrationee es. 3
Sermons) 30 ee oe ee alls
IPoliticalee ditto. och. ieee os ars we cre
Maiscellaniesi ee a. eens ee ee
Ray on the wisdom of God in Creation
Orations Baan,
Medical@ilractse: s(n. ss
Masonice sermons. 4... -

IMiscellanies' er hos. a acto
IBacktsis i OISLODYse see ie oe cre
Sick (Man) visited): i4.6.2.65..4. ook
Statesot Mana 359-5. hs wesc
Ghurchilss@sermoneernes
Account of the Protestant Church....
Exposition of the 39 Articles........
Modineton’s dianyed..4 46 oe
Davies Cavalry... a0 ace spe
Simons military course.............

Gentlemens magazine...............
ibrany,Catalopuenoenn.. 6 cine ;
Transactions of the royal humane
SWGEAY SocaodanoduauncoonCUSODNS
Zimmermans Survey................
Istonyofebanbaranaca cic oes ora
Ansons voyage round the world......
Horseman) ang tarrien ane ae 0
Gordons Geography......... ae
Kentucky, (965 tra. ee esas
Histonysot VAroinian sc. ee asa:
American: Revolution. se se
Cincinnati 58 see a ce
Political: Tracts: ace cer oo ee
Remarks on the encroachment of the
River bhames: 6 oe jon ncn
Sharpron Crown law... ri oe oe
Commonisense: Gc carne cer cacrce
Hardys thabletic.: sc caeres as sche
Beauties ol Sterne: ee eye nek
Pereerin: (Pickle... 5226, apiscgeu. 2 sh
Me mRingal. .oic 5 see ee ae
Memoirs of the noted Buckhorse.....

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Vs. 1D, 1D}, (
Odyssey (Pope of Homer).........-- 5 8vo 3
Miscellanies’ =. 4055-065 ee ee Leos 1 50
indostiany Wettersers 4p) ae vol 50
Voltaire: do8) 4.5540. oo eee Les 50
Guardiames acs - Qe 1
Beauties OL SwiltG snes: oer 1 50
The Gleener® .. RS Ase Ui ee eee 3 3
Mascelanies’S 4255.0. oan sass 2 150
Tees’ Memoirs’. <. «occ es Po 1 8vo 1
The Universalist .. Bc ae 1 i 1
@hesterheld letters: aac eee AGS 2
Mouisi the: V5th: =. 36. 4. 2hee ae 3
Panopticony aes eer er Sa 2
Reason GC) 24. vee s hoes ee 1 ee 50
Tour thro’ Great Britain............ 4 is 3
Female fortune hunter........- 3 1
The supposed daughter .......... oh 0 Oe 1 50
G@ullblass: 35.2500 eo eer 4. 3
Columbian, Grammane.s- 54 oe 1 ce 50
Hrasers) assistants asserts 1 fs 50
Review of Cromwells life....-.-....- 1 s 75
Senecazs) morals ere eee er 1 ¢ 75
Pravelsiot CyRUSe se) seer cr os 75
Miscellanies’ 4-5-5046 oe 1] sf 75
@harles) ther lathe. 0e se ee 1 % 50
Emma Corbet (the 2d wantg)..... 2 ‘ 1
(23) Popes works...........-----+-++::. 6 12mo 2
WOresters: sock oh ee ee oe 1 oe 50
‘Adamsis. detence.=.. 40sec 1 8vo 75
Butlers sHudibiasi- 3456 oe ee a 1 % 1
Spectator te oe eek GS 3
New. @Tuso0e sce) so ieee ee 1 sf 75
1,200 25
No. 8
Philadelphia Gazette ...........-.-- tol 10
Pennsylvania Packet.............-.-- Dir a 12
Gazette of the U. States............. 105 40
Atlas to Gutheries Grammar........ 1 s
Molls:atlasiz 3). ope ee ee 1 10
West: Indiavdos: .326 cys eee 1 20
Genll Kotoprapher cone ee oe Los 30
Atlaswot NowAmenicamecre: 1 ce 10
Mancwuvres 3825.06 t ee ee ees 1 8vo 1

6 These six items were inserted in the margin in writing of Lear.428

(24)

Appendix II

Military Instructions...............
Count Saxe’s plan for new modeling

GHC MET CHCH WATINYAetaerierte erator treet
Welbon? GEC oo5qo05qndc0000000¢
IESE GLUMAOMS Fo 5.q5q5000000000
Code of Military Standing Resolu-

WOUS -scogoouo ta dopemene auc acoso.
Mield) Hn gineerrs 6 sch ae es
ATMNY ASU cos he ke eee ee
Prussiane hvolutionss-6.- 6.5 sae oe
Weeblonds; Hingineer 4.) 6). scr. - tie ees
Mullerionitortifications een -ce
Essay on field Artillery by Anderson
A System of Camp discription.......
Hissay, on) the Artof War...........-
Treatise by Blaine of Military dis-

CIPMM Fae cccs Sees ee ee pre os
List of Military officers British &

lbytIN ah Wi foseoaeadcdoapaoGono.
Vallance on fortification............
MullerzonPArtillenyand- are ee.
Dossonitortificationas-.4- aoa ae
WMRLITIA) eis cp eto oe i eee et

Stubendsereoulation 4)... 44-5 sea
rate: cavaleer ci ccc ssc scone ee

Truxton on Latitude &e. &. ........
Ordinances; ofthe Kanga see ey
Maonetic Atlas wj.8 soc ae:
Roads: thro, tngland\s. sans see
Careyis War Atlas. 0350520 355-05 5:
Collisis) Survey, of Roadsese- see
Military Institutions for Officers.....
Norfolk Wxercise: 2). cso Secs e
Advice of Officers of the British Army
Webbs Treatise on the appointmts of

Che army. oe ee eee a
Acts of Parliament respectg militia. .
PHO MBATCIZAN: «3. 25s cece ae:
Anderson on Artillery in French.....
List of Officers under Sr. Wm. Howe

aNPAMOLICA . <5 ote tor SORA ies fee
PhereMilitary ‘Guide....c2000-- 06. ;
The duties of Soldiers in General.....

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Ce OO OrInventory of Contents of Mount Vernon 429

Vs. DC: 1D), (OL
On the Table
VOTE UKTI oo ocapdo0D gd coo 0000006 2 8vo 3
Moyon) Agriculture sac ects erie 265. 5s
Note. 17 vos. full bound, 8 half and
Ie spamphietijnyc cis seiae eo rolrrt: 50
Anderson on Agriculture............ 4S
(1 vol. full bound, the others in
boards) Ae ke see cee eee 8
Lisles observations on husbandry.... 2 “ 3
Musenm Rusticum) sy. recei- Gh 10
Marshalls rural ornament........... Zi 4
iBarlows) nusbandnype eee Qh iag 3
Kennedy on Gardening ............. Zi 2
Hale oni husband ry) rere era oer 4 6
Sentimental Magazine.............. 5 10
Price on the Picturesque............ Zire 4
PNGZEOTMRIERS). 50 000000000000000000000 2 ts 2
Millers Gardners Calendar.......... de ees 2
Rural) Ciconomyeriee eect Lee ss 1
Agricultural enquiries.............. lee 1
Maxwells practical husbandry....... 1s 2
Boswell on Meadows................ lee 1
Gentlemans) Warmerrn 7. o5 os cle Tees 1 50
IPTACULCA LEAD Os era cimicietiele terete oi ereiaiere ly ae 1 50
Millwright and Millers guide........ Les 2
Bordley on husbandry.............. lie oe 2 25
Sketches and Enquiries............. oa 2
Farmers Complete guide............ 1a 1
The Solitary or Cathusian Gardner... 1 “ 1
Homers Illiad by Pope (first and
seed) Wanting) seeace eee racer 44% 2
IDLE GUE Googoandocoagonooodconc 4. 3
Hedergliste elec eco ere cir Qe 3
The world displayed (the 13th wantg) 19 12mo 9 50
Nearches| WASRYS). -)ecieelarleileteelkciet tele 2 8vo 2
Mreneais) hoemsisc- i eemeraciee orate Ieee 1
Cattles Doctoral erecta er 1 aes 75
Stevens) Directoryan- cies ee el Wie as 50
New System of Agriculture......... lias 50
Columbus’s discovery .............- Lies 25
Mooresi Lraivels\ecreteeterlerie itera tele Bo Ae 4
Agricultural Society of New York.... 1 4to 2
Transactions of ditto............... os 1
Annals of Agriculture.............. deat 2
Dundonnales connection between Agri-
culture and Chymestry............ To 1430 Appendix II

Vs IDL, Ch DSc

Babours) an husbandry, 3.) 152-11 1 4to 1
Acct. of different Kinds of Sheep.... 1 8vo 50
The hot house Gardner.............. lS 1 50
Historical Memoirs of Frederick the

De eee cicke shelf alel vale oielt choke oF 1
ereatisesot beat Mossi. lsc ic eae 50
Do. on bogs and swampy grounds.... Dae 75
Compleat Warmer (77...) 1) ool i fol 6

Pamphlets in No. 1
Reports of the national Agricultural

Society of Great Britain.......... 100 4to 25
Massechusets Magazine....... oa ale V0 6
iNew: SVOLEKNdON 42 fie oe tes oe aes ci 38.9 6
london dos ee cienic ites vee LS 3
(26) Politicali Magazines mn) sos Saks 1
Wniversale 7A ssylumirn certo er oes 1 50
Mos Ma gazinenmer ct fcc 10s 1 Dy eS 1 50
Countiyxdos 2 ns cee 15S 2
Monthly and Critical Reviews....... Le as 2
Gentlemans) Mapazines. 05. -...0)- 4: Sis 1
Congressional Register.............. Or aes 1
Miscellaneous Magazine....... gee ee oe 3
Tom Paynes Rights of Man.......... a3. 15
No. 2
Miscellanious Magazine............. Zier 4
Books in Lower Part of No. 3
Hazards collection of State papers... 2 fol 5 taken out
Morses American Gaziteer........... 1 8vo 2
Annals of Agriculture (No. 20 & 21) 2 “* 3 do.

Boucher on the American Revolu-
CIONG ee ec 1 8vo 150

15 Pamphlets Annals of Agriculture. . 2 50
Judge Peters on Plaster of Paris 3

setts (le taken Out) ieee crt. 6 Lines 1 50
Belknaps) BiosrTaphynen joc. oe Liens 1 50
American Remembrancer............ 1 50
Wederalist,. 6.) cscs ee ieee sci. 2a ee 1 50
A Pamphlet the debates of Parliament

on the articles of Peace........... he 25

History of the American War in 17
Pamphlets i .c. i scien ves 1 50Inventory of Contents of Mount Vernon

Miscellaneous Pamphlets.........-.-
Washington a Poem 9 Setts (2 out) .-.
A manuscript on finance.........-..
Bruto Primo an Italian Tragedy.....

Fragment of Politics and literature
by Mandrillion in French.........
Revolutions of France and Geneva do.
History of the Administration of the
finances of the french Republic....
History of the french administration
The social compact in french........
Chattelleaux travels in N. America do.
1 Pamphlet of the french Revolution
at; Geneva)... 456 666 ile oe er
America delivered a Poem in french..
Sinelairs Statystics do. ...........-
The works of Monsieur Chamouset do.
Letters of an American farmer do. ...
@Germanichus doy eases eee oroerce
Triumph of the New World do. ......
United States of America in German
Abbe Rynals discourse on the advan-
tage of the discovery of America..
AY German Booker soso acre
The french murcury in french.......
Essay on weight, measure &. .......
History of England............ :
Political Journal in German.........
Letters in french and English do. ....
A disertation on the Bragans of Silks
ily poooedenonudeuoagudUcodDOOdnr
History of the holy Scripture do. ....
Dos of Gillblass) don {acerca eee
“AONE GIO, coagcecaanencogconae
Poems of M. Grecourt do. ...........
Court Register in English...........
6 pamphlets, Political Jou(r)nal in
German) 3335.35 eae eee

In No. 5

Description of a monument..........
Beacon Halli rece terri
Letters on the English and German

JEWVGIEY) oovocoocovc00banvo00c0RC
A’ family house) Keeper... -..-.-----
Pamphlets of different discriptions...

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1D,432

Appendix II

(28) Maps Charts &c.

Chart of the Navigation from the Gulph of
Florida to Philada (by Hamilton Moore)
and @rromedo: to, Hunday, Bayenciie oe as oe

Howells large Map of Pennsylvania.............

GrifhthssMaprof Maryland andiy-..5--cen acne:
Sketchy ofeiDelaware: scam. © see oe ere

HennryseMap Ol Varpiniany <4 e at  eeee

Bradley’s do. of the United States..............

Hollandisidos of ‘Newhamshires...-- 5-66 ee ee

Ellicots Map of the west end of lake Ontario...

Hutchins Map of the western part of Virgina,
Pennsylvania, Maryland and North Carolina

Adlum and Wallaces Map of Pennsylvania.......

MapyorsWwennebec Rivere@cay ..-e eee oe

Andrews, Military Map of the seat of War in the
Wetherlands) 802600036 Uo seca ccs ee

Howells small Map of Pennsylvania............

Great Canal between Forth and Clide..........

Plan of the line between North Carolina and
WAN SUNITA ei os cc sce cots iste siete winnie eae

McMurrays Map of the United States..........

Military plans of the American Revolution........

Evans’s map of Pennsylvania, New Jersey New

Works and Delaware 4) hrs s cocicnas ee
Plan of the Mississippe from the River Iverville

Copthe River Wazous ssc .kie ecco tories
Maps on pindiacinc). cn. sites veces cous soho sce:
Sundry Plans of Federal City and District......
Chartiopelrance tina. se ot ie eee ct ae
Mapgrotsthes World}: oo foas cence een: see
Map of the State of Connecticut................
Spanish Mansyy sit acne ass ots Ns ceeoe ei:

Man ofsHolandinn erage Aue coy a eee
Table of Commerce and Population of France....
Battlevot the Niles &0 053. asus ee ee
Routs and order of Battle Genl Sinclair and

EL ATMer ieee res ee we ee ILE Oe
Truxton on the rigging of a Frigate.............
View of the encampment of West Point..........
Emblematic Prints by Dr. Buxton..............
Prints of Washington and la Fayette...........
Plan of the Government house of New York......
Chase and action between the Constellation and

Insurgeant 2 prints

40
10
10

m— DO & Hm GC Or

nw

—

50

50Inventory of Contents of Mount Vernon 433

1D}, (Ot 1D), (Of
Genl. Wilkinsons Map of Part of the Western
AUB PLENIAY 60000000000000009000000000000000 1
Plan of Mt. Vernon by Jno. Vaughan............ 1
Specimen of Penmanship .......-..--++++++++:- 50
Plans of the Federal City and District.......... 5
1) WERE ZS IDS gogo 0g000090000000000000000000060 3
Plan of the City of New York, Panocticon....... 50
Hoops Map of the State of New York.......... 1
Howells Pocket Map of the State of Pennsa...... 2
French Map of the Carolina’s..............--.. 2
Fry and Jeffersons Map of Virginia............ 2
Howells Small map of Pennsylvania............ 2
A map of New England............-.-.++++++: 2
(30) 9 Maps of different parts of Virginia and Caro-
lina and a number of loose maps and Charts,
S&C. BO esti ee ee eee ees 52
Carltons Map (2 Setts) of the Coasts of North
INTHE, ggog00uc000 000000000 SSD NGORNONANS 8
Treatise on Cavalry with large Cuts............ 50
Walkers view in Scotland....................-. 3
A large Port folio with sundry engras.......... 40
Alexanders Victories and 6 prints.............. 100
8 Reames large folio Paper.................-- 40
Odo small don eer eee eect ttt ett 8
13) dow letters dots eee el. 39
5 Whole Packages Sealing Wax................ 5
5 leaden Paper presses........-.+--++s+e-+-0-s —_
6eBlanky Bookssee ce ae eee eee 18
133 GOs HA oecocogontensocoduaoco0DMCoGaoNOC 2
1 large Globe ........c.ceceeese cere weer ereses 50
MDT URN Ka repestette reese ee eel eae roreheeta= ereterader teckel t-ekel- 6

2,266 2,266
Books Omitted.

Vs.
Dictionary of Arts and Sciences...... 4 8vo 20
Smolletts History of England........ ne 11
Handmaid: to).they Artss ec) el 2
Bencrofft on permanent colors....... ly os 1
OE) WMT. 5500000700 3000000005 50
(31) In the Closet under Franks direction
24 China Dishes... :22 ce. ee eee 15
Qi butter’ boats) sacs .e = le roe 25
20: | deep) splatesie. soc cee sac ereier 3

48)— shallow :d0: 2.555 ocd aces eel eats 8434 Appendi«a II

OA@hingasalladudishes a. seo oe ere cee
Cree Pickle (Plates mac sac is che oreika aiakele ere
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48 Saucers

cae } Wee) a eee
Tie TOA MMR OU eo os ssh colclie eters oul sini Cie uence seers

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7 Glos Say GH. 0 coconecorcnoosGOHo DDC ND OdNC
bierarteeM ouldsieryeiccic cee cicie iets aces erekeyeticis
i Wikyesal Gen, Lael, oceadsnonoencadno0enoGdOO[C

In the Cellar
Pie LAM DS reyes eye retel eho ols otelclel=) ale nin\ wie - tel el cate ialelalelolal=
MeB lin hurpencine erie reer fete iii
DO PRICK ePPOtS or ile oo cla cieveis sieiciciclcre viele siarsieoye
LPB UGLeL Ons aicitereicte) ie steieiee o eariorsiale cl etieie exe
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VPRACKIOL POLS aie eieieics cicieelo ole otic cievclo o1acs! el oleyele cle

Up the Kitchen Stairs
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GreLinwCoversernretietile circle ciel cielo eieiels

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Me Oldt@hainae oye ere eis cere ciciae
NAV fOrksyandio KNIVES erectile eile
2 Doz. pewter Candle moulds..................
IK) Olas WEN ocononahopanaccouanboocoanasc
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Wel Car ereneteeteieeistaiobaterotetel eielelieiiel et heickelotetaiclieretetnerey

IPretongs and Shovel rtacrera iereie crac eee
Ve Salamander sie secs cee are oe crsralssuyelo ln eeniae
GP CO Wc) 5 scokkc cus bey cacdenere tare Kemeneu Se Woe ousione lee Peevete serch ote
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Inventory of Contents of Mount Vernon

rons) likes hooks) serie cede iether
Door of a dutch oven. ...2---.-sces sees voce
Stands) tor ditto neice cries ele ser
Kaitchent Solera ttette relere er elke
IPTESERVAIN Os EADS electri irre eye loli els tlre
(Oba Bagoqnaane GoucdodedocuoddodcdoOnuaobC
IBIISE TOC) Varma sec crete nk terre erker Tel:
Still Bes ec oc pace ishcie tio ieee mariotieree?
Canister Pattepan a. pacers errr
iRewter ice) Cream) Potsee emcee rr:
Man COs eccisyor cd cis cies «feo eels Cuevore oer Cra ers iarere
dos Bakingapans\ae ect ce aera
Wopperidos sec. eee cack ac: 1

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Copper Stue) Pankroce cee eee eee eer 3
Peay Strainerensoe eee eee eecir rae
Wihorflings Uronsia ee eoiemerrere echt rer teraler:
Copper Stuenbanst ase ncaa trea.
Chairs) jasc sce ce eee ee eee
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Meg: Katte: co. een cers Gacicre conte Seer
Pewter Platesin. sc oc <inss ccs stews eccrine ein
DISHES! sh. ae sire c's os wie oiesai bra roses igte Mie aero ee
Copper sauce Pansicrr saeco eereiecticr
SDS) ecco oer ci sp severe irene) rene teers
fish kettle: : coes ee see cs cine oe eee
Grid! {ETON ). iirc s cisce Ge srerecererer ae esi cre eee
Bryan Pee ans) creer iarieicle aiitciticioe ereraeetente
Dutch: Ovens os: cies) «scl coarse vale ot her) cece eS ot eed
Marble: Mortar: 5 o.oo 6 1cc tee osicicoicheis sree ere
Bells Metal: dos oc2 ca svaccileicos ose Acer
Skillets | seis sicleccisve sie ovcicre soi van oes sicko etavel terrae
Tron ‘Ste: Pans’ sco oy sso ako as vstel ciclo aero eres
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42 20436 Appendix II

D. C. Dae
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SapIspot Hoosiers 5 hes sca Hees clos mee 1
oS} Iba 6a0doscusecoun oe Hb ba tecne ste so haes on 75
ZaSupports forthe Spite. cco. cs seinen ec 5
ESPIPANG FIT ONS Aoife Sg ei ie ore orseas cies reer sare 1
2 (Shovelss cspererce civ co 2 crete is sieve sts cio as 1 84 75
(34) 2 PPiInemlaplesh icy ce eon oo eee 1 50
SACS Bee teint cis cic aves< cue rare Glare hodcne Sree 1
MASIMMeY eee eas So seis ois Golo: 33
GelLroneS poonseseryse cic seis id Wo cea ieee 1
SaSkewersy seco tenn econ se cen 33
LeBepersboxs ladrudpe: dos a. ..cicce tee occ 5
Pe tiregSkreen cic s csec ce Grace cee 1
4 OG) cuodce noqub6n Cee aan eae ane on eo sha as. 1
MS AI OM erie eerie cle Ssielcicted cies oy S oe cate 3
lpr scaleswandmWelghtsin se 70 es- ns Wee 1 50
A ATUDS are srs Cishere cs syle oe sie ie iaslcrel eye sa cist eave 1
Gy SOKA): no gencdoododgenonadn shot on ae 56: 1
3 Ligpansiand | ibrewp Kettles... 66. 6 se oe 8
a ackwand chains ssi cs css os esc cnet 10 30 71
In the Wash house
DEUS ire res cksrcvale ick hs cies oitciareecveiere a. eos ere 4 50
AMR SS eerie eirety elie nic lec elects oi sce ieee 75
ZBI PANS ceteris ee ees Shearer cee fers 50
AmyLablesiesice co se ce a ee 7
ZABoUers ae ee ee ee ens cece 20 32 75
In the Office
S Old AChairs ese ce os es cea ys ec eh ee 50
JieePinenwiritingsdesks. 6.4308 ce ber ase 2
DM PYOSSg epe een chs ee A eee OR Soe ei ee 1 50
1 pBedvand Bedstead sera. cc en ee 20 24
In Store house
BO STEAD NOOKS ae cere eee fe ec eee ie Sion 13
opNewsscythe’ blades 2s. cnese ts occ comes 2 50
PABOIDEAO: ste eye ce tees Chechens ese eee 1 10
2eEdate Older nc cso See ech cde chee 2
DBE OLB eerie secs sisice srs ee nia ons Ene 3
SRN WAT UDG. 8c ci Tees cert eee 1
PRON ASG IN S63 see ener eee eee crete 50
Weparrel.old tron'jand ‘Copper---.;..6c.60.. 4: 1 24 10Inventory of Contents of Mount Vernon 487
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iNew, constructed hoe =n .. nen nee 1
G) Doze Pew ber Plates noc cmraciecacieriiettetcilens 6
If GHENEGE) 655054500090000000900000000000000000 6
5eBlis#Partly, full ofmarlsreerrecre etter ar rrr 30
73 MERA SIEME 665500000000 000n000000000000008 20
le Dozrold’ Stock locks serie ererte 1
I ARS Ob, 595000000000000000000000090000000C 1
Ie Steel malt millvandi flys ace secre 5
73 WER? VStOhA 660050000000000000000000009 0000000 50
Il GARI USD>6 90000000000000000000N 0000006 25
LOld: Bell... 555 sos aie ccieis cynics eers cor eire acters 25
Part) of. 2) boxes) Glasser reer 2 50
i Botatoe Sifter one ricr init. 1
copper plate driers) eiae ecient 2
PAIRS A VERSIE 5 600000900009060000C00000C 11
4 New and 2 old wheat fan seives.............. 3
NRE wirelccoeeice ccc eter cir 50
4 ON TAP ANON on coco cao 00 00c000000000000006 2
CL SINS) MAR 6 0000200000 99000000000000000000 10
6) foot) Stovess- cee eee eee ere erie cere 3
2 pr Scales; (1 wood) and wits <-3.--<-....---.- 5
Ch IMENT IR o5990900900000000 0000000000000 “
FX ERE MERTON UOE9606000000900000000000000¢ +
il Doz bedstead Screws teilecrciececie tree 2
tf SORRY BUETEB. 0 on p00 bo 0 Dn Db ODD DD UD ONQUONOOE 42
SS Gomimnyn Gy sogn5q0d0 00000000 00n sObD00000NC 80
I SONS SEN 59000500600000000000499000030500C 50
I Whip do secu. «ose coco eiee ae tece 1
Ve W00ds dos sis < a sisicins cries es crosiie reyes ee 50
lebundlejcarniave reins sooner 10
40) Brass, rods) -.02..---- sere ee rer 6 40 147 82
(36). “Shook: bille:...: 2.63. ascoree «eee eee 75
4eDozVold plain lronss. ec eeeeeere 1 50
Quantity, small) brass) nails s 7 ee meme olieieiete 25
2 pr brass hinges and 3 brass locks............. 7
2 Japan and 3 old brass locks.................. 1 50
Zawharflin og Irons) smelter silty rire 1
10 pr Lronwbingesie scene rerio ei kek rere 5
2| Doz; brass, Screws) 35.20). 000-1- «lesterol: 4
2) window, fasteners)... -ca-- eles ie erie 50
2) doziold) Small plainwirons ie cre aie leis terete 72
8 Screws platesyeemrecieitieieieeei teint rire 80
Ae Carty wheels DOxireryoten ciererereerslelelolelnieteiet terrence 25438 Appendi« II

DIC: D. ©

iebeamurorsscaleseemrcr ect stale ree ieee eie rei 3

5} GRE socodoondandodq90000n s00n0Ng009000F 4

74 JOS) VOPR so dn odnH oD endo DODONDONOOONNR0C 75

Sebiecess Sheeby Copper cr eletle loci ie cle sels ie 5

SP ElOWmUOCS tpeteeictcioe <chs 4 icle)o15 oe els sieeineleel sc sl 3

I ebumpetor a Greennouseyenverce sere cin loci eis 3

a Setrohbed ScrewsWe ccs). ie cece tie ee 1 50

Le shaperslargembradsrya ascii aciye re elie 10

parteoreay Darrel a UM 3. sors oe iors ose ode ye 1

NM boxaupures’ plaister/ nic ais pect nele oye creole cree 2

ake, jromncleal aly ponocodasnonhonasooosoGnooNe 33

Livmpbya Chestirs cece oc rics sce. ceils is beers 50

WGreens@arriave) Seaticc.c2- sao sec ens ies 25

LsChating sy dishes ore die os eipen ta cee «ne 50

ACM PUVMOALTS veers iy iy ses cre acl = cs user ne 1

HESUNVCYOLSE Staller cries cece le ee ee etee 1

GeMahopaneye Walters aii <2 3s/.s0 cc seis cle ele 2

SomesStuccoe Mouldsimana- es ene 50

4 sirons)sbelongine to Plowsy..150-52056s¢ sce ene 2
(37) 2 glar gem Baskets eens wen ser cere foe cess saris oe 1

ieblesantehrench horns) o.5 cscs nee 15

2 Saddle Cloths wie. ecco cs ae ee 50

eBlindebridleswithoutereins: sop). 4 seo ee ee 50

ZELronsptorsan tram sst cy. cioe ie eecin cot 1

Zlignamvavites All se sis ccc cnc ee ccisee 1

Z2q0lde Spyos Glasses vgs iyo esis sins os sees oh lee 50

LO leather, canteens... cccaticicciecticss odes cde 10

Ue Gls Abi <5 ne cobAR Ono Ob OG un AGT og Nn pe air 10

4Backs Saddlesis: fey sss. s oe os sero Shas aie cae: 4

2 bags and 2 leather valices contg Markee

ANS TS <ch aes ona sae An enna Gatos cdannd Gude 100

1 ‘Small dleather bape. c2ec ek ass cies sce ast 50

3 preold holsters) sao cce one cece ose ie ta eire oe 25

2 trineedeleather housingsii.. cio seco es 1

ASH alters shee a aan cic seinea co ce Sc ae Gk 40

Lepr, bellowsiss jes coe Ss sce Oe et oe 50

S0Vy ds: ageing es cs nen car eee ee 5

GONbe Sheet (Coppersn cscs for cee eee 30

Ping Clever Machinescn ci. nce os ree 1 182 15

In Servants Hall

GECamp aSeats' oe iirc ee Nacreneto cin s cisinncis eee, 1

ZawWalnut Tables) wc acace sce oe Wee ee 4

BBETCSSCS cc aycis resin sts ae eter ciclo cra isles ue cpio 6

Gitirem buckets: oi. t/ fre wy tee sae sf Se 9Inventory of Contents of Mount Vernon 489

DiC: D. C.
1 pr And Irons)... . 2... 2+ 0-21 occ e ete nsec 4 24

(38) Gardners house
1 Bed, 2 bedsteads, walnut Table and 1 Chair.... 20

Overseers house

1 Bed, beadstead and 2 Chairs......--.-.+++-+- 15
In Salt house

V4) Tron RodStcceienct cee ees ies etianecan: 12

AW Screw. bolts scuicss coo ee sole kcieat 1

2 Iron plow beams 1 colter and 2 Shares......- 3

A few old Scythe blades........----+-++++-+--+s 16
OWowt) LLOMss tec a eee cee ee cnr elerelp teeter eked: 12

2 old Seives and a quanty rope.....-.-.-+-+-++:> 200

3} Thier} (brn IBN G5 00 00d0000009000900009009000 4
12Old! bellows! = 2-5. cc oe eee eee eer: 1

Te (Ghest) sco sc ecs foc ee eer eclerie kate 50
1 Hogshead ......--.- 002s cece cece ener ee scenes 50
Te 2TeT Ce eco os sie eee OI eel henson 25 269 41

In Black Smiths Shop
1 New Bellows .ccc <0 occ eee er acter.
1 An Ville: cnc chs os ce oer ernie eee ieie wie sierstanerey ie
WAR ad A inc ndo ou mano acoddoddodoudouc
Buck? LVOM se cede ere ieee ie ele eiete oe eral
LGR deo dd Foca Gop oCnodG UU ouaUGti
PY Tongs... . 2.2 r cere creer sree rete escees
RaspS— old ......- eee sees rete eee e treet eee 50
Screw Plates <2... «cece settee oe een yee 50
Naila moulds samo. eee coerce etre 50
Some) old: [ronkiccciste seis ete te ernie re 2
Te Scoteh Plowiecit «. «cccleres cvsieeie emit cinrercrolerero these 4 41 50

_

wNnwnM Or Ct

awk ODP Re Ww
_

(39) 44lb 150z Silver plate.........-..---+++-+seees 900
Plated

Pihbottle etands: science cisive sete ete ers eels
large Waiter .........-.-0-22s cece senses
dO: 2d: BIZ s co cies Scie oriole eine siete oe lenetarerenere
GOs is oe Cire ie abcde bie tafe eee as teen eared
Bread’ basketsnc.c< con sce eel tierra
Nth abhicives Sado oop OO nOUGUUNOUC OOO ORDA UO
Salt: stands! 3.46 cece cc ee ere ie eres
Bottle Slidersi... cee <r sieeee e eierors
Coffee Urn 2.4 eee ee een
M6a ds. 2c,cise ceiae vie Seeley eee eters sree 20

_
COorPNW NW COW DH © WH

= PR De — PD KH440

Appendix II

4oprehighvcandleystickss. eae. ce en ee ee
Spr chamber, do! sc. ce = ee ee ees oe
IP (Stns CHRIS 3055 qn500d005000000000090000006

Mustard
Salts! 25.

“In hw wp

Tea Urn

Gream@pDishesterctcn cc ies os oice eo os Oe erences
Sugaredishes eric. ceric ooo ts eo

Pots er eee

pr nighY Candlesticks: 3 225.060 cw see coe cree

pr small

COS ee ee aS ee ee

Breads Baskets sso 3 ssc 6 ie ee ee

Ladle ..

pr large: Coolers) sacsce oc: sts sts onsen

]

1

1

1

2

1

1 lamp) ~~.

]

1

1

2 pr small

1 Waiter .

(40) River Farm
5 Mares ..

(as bine Heo OU rE Ca pene rt oe

Oe Working Mulese coo... sce s sass cs cues
rd VON? GO Sogo dod aus aquduac dgena dene oon aa:
RARWOrkingsOXen ccc ccieos si. sks cea:
2aOxenwiatting 409s lbulle4Onan. yee ae ee

19 Cows ..

Ale Stears!Sayears Old. «orcs nee sins esas

6 do. 2 do

4 Cow do.
111 Sheep
i SOWS)
i Boar...

large: Shoatsy.c-i. ci os eso Kees ee
ZosSmalwydoi eee en econ chs aoe ie

8 Plows ..
14 pr Iron

PV ACES re ee ee

Silarge and small Trees) for do; .....- << 0-226
ZBlarge Narrows: .caisah ee lacion es os caters weer:

8 small do.

SeleaGIne, ines cic is ns Se se

3 Ox carts

—
Cm Oe TI Rh CD

—_— eo o
oo wo &

60
60

115
900
60
140
80
190
110
48
50
42
15

222
42

38

or
oOo

50

50
50

90

1,324Inventory of Contents of Mount Vernon 441

iDe.C: 1D),

Chairs: o- ascencoee oee ee ener. 4

I Horse) Cart and (Geaneny een eee) 5

2 Dutch’ fans qe ee ee oe 20

i) Cuttings Box: ands knitesii ieee Ter 3

ehalf buslimeasures ieee eee ee cicrer 50

3 ISR popogonoododo DUNK oGDOK00D D0 abDDDUOGC 4

2 Mortisingy (AXes sacra 50 2,250 90
(41) 20 weeding and hilling hoes................... 3

2 spads) and 3) Shovelsyoldeae merece err 50

GeMattoxs! 2.6. eeset dee eee eerie rererae 1 50

8) Iron’ teeth) Rakes. 27. <- cs oa eee 33

3 ply mauling wed geshne cern eere niente 2 25

Mepra steele Vand secrete er ieoerecr err 1

oebagsemuch’ Worn eee cence 3 75

t Corm. barrel. 35.2 a5 cs eee eee 50

Vier Ce) eis co ond cele cere eer ene Soke eine 50

PA UTHIKIE). - oog0qn000060000000000 0000000500000 1

lt flax: brakes. cj cece ecto 1

I Grindstone .62.05s-c-cocme re ee 2

Te Roller is cjcscys hs eee re vote sien res cr 5

6 Milk: Pans) cc pccrccre eee eee eee 48

I Gun) cose eee eee ie ee oon 4

lvold) hhandsawi os. 505655 sr ion one 50

Sareap) nooks) eee ec eee ee ecierrererice 75

3 Augers 1 bill hook and a Gouge.............. 1

1 Driller or Plow to open furrows.............. 1 30 06

Muddy hole Farm

2TOldy Mareseesn cnr coe cee ccireicios 7

6 Mules! goccs. oases ce sec coc eee oer 300

Ue Oe. CNS pap neogaeonoogdnooeoucooduopOo.buduCE 70

WeBulle ph aactisi sce ee sees eee eerie 15

EO Gl acca code cone suo boenAcbosuanoonod0S 90

Mvoungybullva year oldeecmme cece sii sea 8

AgStears) 2isyearsy Oldman ceietietret rete 28

AptHeifers, 2100s cing. cscs eer acm irre 24

ANOON Le dOn ceric lle ee reesei: 12

V Gali 3s. cece. acc asae es Sh cece een eee 2

74 Sheep all last years lambs.................. 111

BY SOWS) acces ee ce ec ccereert 23

l. Boar ee ces cance ces | se coe ae eee 2 692
(42) 9) largershoats) (pened))ijsiacecie er) rere rere 18

25) Shoats) and) plese ecciiee ele o)ivie eieriere 17

4 PIOWS: 26s oie s heels race ce ee errs 34.4.2

(43)

Appendix II

3 joe UA WIACE 9 g00000000009000000000000000C
large and small Trees for 4 do. ................
Orns IED UEMONo6580000d05000000009000 050000
Desmall ed Onmerrmmeiere cere cia yeien tie ieiicicie
ik UNE coggondopaudood edad quoondoaGunECouGd
ALB) gocoggcan0 dono UDCA GOO OOS ODODUDOHOODND
NOMMataxeste rer cre celia oo rs cern rerio:
IIMA sooo sceogooogaandodoo qo oDoHDONON OKC
7 IDI? HOES 6 o.do5o5000bn00000000000000006008r
Me DutcheWanerccir erie cere ceili teri
LO@n ling ehoesieenm ce ci orice ors
OB AOS erry estate lee se ioies eile ciel sicis @ scare Oe ces
Ze MAINS Maw eOP CS tanrecleyyeiie sie /aiels -keloele ier ise
Ne Crosse @utr Sa wen. ceri stoii coos ciccvm@ers «cree
Wee ANOS A Wy sere rays lei eis cic oos eo cio! «secre cher vcueteicrelale

Ie CuitinepBoxsande Kuite rics ecicie ncier:
lhe lie pus] smeasure), 2s cei oes Sei bce See oe
MAGTINGd ea Stone. <r) ye ee es hn os ase

Doguerun Farm
Me OldGim aren gee rsa ie levee ois iste winters cece sranco ues ec
MM AT CO Recess fcc tevepe cis fe aie ies we Sielorss a Gb sie cle aie
I oly UEOGINGs 6a Socnesoded oon eno cata eee oF
SO WorkingyMulesecryriiceccivacls crite cea
4 VAULTS GOS Gong sandodsoucnanooba nono oaconode
WS ROXEN D2 Grey eietas hrs sil a isronsistac cs cae:
DB eresye cherie ckecers ore ore ioe iis sive iouecienc «

SStears2\ years old's. 3252 sac ce aes
Wi Heiters2) dot ean ces. oa Ho San Seino
6 Helfer (Calves jae scan ct eeic ech ae ene
GP Buuedos ei ccia ee rs ree
Me MOung Ee Cali hare crac ceils cians
Gor Sheep s,s crises cicero is cides ee ee
SEB IOWS risers eed coe se er ls ine utes Gee ane
SPT CHAINS! ii. icici cst gs ie ete a cr sicicr ee ose
larzgesand; small trees for 4ipr w.-<so5 45-6 eee
Mplarge narrow, sic sisc esa cs ocr Cae
ABSA IO oo iereseloregoice ate ar ieisreecere ieee sce ee wae

ORCUITIVALOLS) (sich on ees oe
SIIB AS reece geuc coi)s)s oro sie ei eeueyere lay aroeicracer ele ice es a:

on = & & dS OC

495

180

wOnmnm on

i or)

50
25

10
50

50

5

~I

50

75

100 60

1,002Inventory of Contents of Mount Vernon 448
De Ci Dic:

1 IDFA MEIN ooc0can00 000 600000600000000000090 8

DRollersy nie cin ele ro deletes rer elstekelholeleiolete cask 6

AAK OS hole olor cee neil del holensrerecivolown 1 25

GuMattocks! sericea ete ekelerne tal sel eeletR rete) ons 2

12 Weeding and hilling hoes..........-+---+-++> 2

bi iron! teeth Rakeshe anit lor tcieiine 20

8) IDS? 3A) 6G50008000000060900000000000000G 1

4 mauling wedges .........-+-seeeeereereeeces 2

Gil iWemitkeresco00004b00000500008050000000006 50

2 do. augers and | chizzel.........---+--++-++: 50

1 Cutting Box and Knife...........--+-++-+-:: 1 50

1 Reap hook ........----ceseecee cee ccceeseces 10

I half busi) measures cc scree elt etehe nett 10

DAOX) Carts ce eele cc en reletelrer ry otrei neler ne 30

AS chains {Ol CON ee screrer ele enetterekerelet reel terret et 4 464

(44) Union Farm

3 working horses ........----++-sseeceereees

I Brood, Mare) scone eee creo 15

12 working Mules...........------+s+sesseee- 555

1 Mule Colt 2 years old...................-.-- 60

2 Mare Colts 3 years old............--+-+++---- 60

93 G@, GO; 1 3G Olle 5 0000000000000G0000000000C 30

PD Wee GOs 1 GOs socadso00on0GaQ00bODG0NODOC NO 35

11D Oren GaocosvadcnooudoboodnUodododag bo odKC 108

DO GOWS! sare cis cis wie eee rei dole leleneparete/oletclfeleveero 200 |

Te Bulle sis eee econ Sees rks 50

Ne ORG AGEL eet ele otetare tele yel eke rade eotenerotone reser 2

Ve Wows GOs saci cise ie hele os slorepnloreleyunteketelene 15

4 Stears 2 years old...............----+---->s 28

Sitdow Weyear oldiyec nee ett rie 40

8 Heifers 2 years old.............-----------:: 56

TSR doveld0s Qacese ee ee era eee 45 50

8 Bull Calves near 1 year old 3... .-.....-1-- 24

83 Ines Gy Gs Socadaccodogcc0nb on onusnOseC ¢

106) Sheep) 0-15 fee) ite ete ther 212 1,682 50
(ol Youns horsesecee ae oer eer 60

Ab HCEry 4 old do. itso ech ere 12 50

LBS LE ooaguopocdacdococbocducnanooded 645000 66

V BOarl oe cre ole heer coe etree reek oredey le ie ere ket ke 2

1 Barrow and 10 Shoats (Penned)............. 33

90) Shoats! andi2) Blosre cree eerste erste tater 21

8 "PIOWS) <cnosr eeiceon: ecre cler aenire 20

12 pr, Iron Traces -.--- ~~... jn - oe weil 12

8 large and small Trees.............-.--...--- 4

I large Warrow (020. -jo ee sole me tnt 2 50444 Appendix II

1D), (Oh 1D, ©
(45) SasSMAllNATTOWS af ee ee ee 4 50
15) JOY opp oopboneeenea ose ed cn soo acon aoe 3
ieDoublesmouldsboardidow- ee ee eee ee 3
DAROUCTS ey eer i ne isc Cee ees ek 6
LeDutch stan 6 cs ee ee 12
eCormebarreliens -. <6  i e 75
PAS Bags MUCH WOM it oe ese ee ok ieee 3 50
PAKOS er Ree ais nso ee eis we eee ae 3 50
Ue MONLISIN OG, GOs cys sie cee ee 25
33 Joe dino bre: MCU 6 da ad anadac dauduouddscon- 2 25
OeMattockseee rr erin ee 4 50
LOREine shoes eee caine tae oe 2 66
iePattentablowsand harrow. ....550- 4-4, 4
SO OxXeCartsi a ccc cis hoe ee 60
Oy Chaivseyr ee ce ses eee 3
MS Pade eer ce oc er ee ee 50
2 Dune WOrksec ss sk es eee 67 114 -8
Distillery
MOFOxenG re ee se ee 85
GE COWS@ cra ce ase eee os aS 128
PabulleG@alvesy eee ee ee er 30
| QBheitersudon ery. yes, fs Sie pe 30
i UR SDAGC ey oie hi oe oa. 50
| MiMi BAA ers rife says oso cs cee ek 50
ParcelieoldsPoolase) py 524.0. 5. 50
I@artwandg@hain. 9a ee 12
CWoopers@lool space sits sah he cc 8k 8 18
hogs large and small 96) nese. 180 33
| S/SOORDIM Staves: eye ee : 58 532 38
| (46) Mansion house
5)  Setshoinarness 10.2) horsese, sn eee 200
1 I Coachee chee eerste con ee ee 250
f Me Charriot: nace ei oc ok oom ee 300
4: JCoachy Morses 5 sige sis cs oe 450
SPRIdINGRGO.ye ern i eK eee ee 220
| ZRH ACKACON oe. e Mae AR on ond 70
de Brood@mare eee ie es a 40
Me Steed arr eevee ao a ee 100
zeCoveriligg Jacks 200) age et cs aes dee 800
WB ackwp wvears Olds fey ek crcl en. oe 250
3 Us CGO earners cap oude soe ace porn moh nee: 450
; NG OMURdO. So oe a 200
Edom COltg cc kes cor Ge tik 160
Wu ennetsa foc ee oe 950Inventory of Contents of Mount Vernon

I dow Colte. eerie octet cir einen
10 Working Mules.........---++eeees sere eeees
OQ Cowsy es ne erections Clee rensclat rere cerener=

SOW ccs oc Sard toes Ere eh Nererenero crete seers
Waggon and Gear........--+2.+eeer reer ees:
(Obwars faral (OCE8T5000500000000000000000000000
Opianites 1m) Go gagg00000000000000050000000C
half bus) Measure; sos ieee err
Measure, 1 side a Peck and the other a %....
re Coe eR AAD oa oa bouGdoncHudondongno od
Mattocks: < ccc cece oc ce ers eterere cperencle elerets
Wikling? Noes) <select elektro nale tat re
mauling Wedges.........---+<seeseeeeeeeees
mortising Axes .....--..-- +s eee eee teeters
Spades) <.. yerctere cle siete ictal koto otele iota hereon
@ld Shovels) co ore ee ce lettre ereior-
Lront Pitch fOLksiye coe ee ee eaciet ne ear

OP OR RK WON KE KE

wow

eo

TS) old) bagssceecine ele ett
A wheel barrowsSiece cece oie reileiere ar
Uo SCow: 365 oe sete eet
HW 1a) lethigg oo bon o0cda000 dod 9500000000005 0C
1 old fishing Boat .........---- ss ees eeeeeeeees
Vemews On ses cee ote hc eerste oetetateyee

Green house loft
27 Cradles with Scythes..............--+++++:-
i AnNES. AaiGlseacoooubooouoUGdDODOOnOoUNODObOOR
VReel. en ik oe a ee oe Ol ee oer sererenoys
Si Mlax Wheels os 435 oso coe lace etcieeenrar
(( (uuinnts Gy GoapepeceocoecoouGcoccodanoddcc
140 ‘bus pbeassin alles ss ae oe sie ae

Fish house
65 Empty hhds............--..+-+seeeseee-ees
A doy ‘Tiercesee 3 cnc ec cie eoeieiikerekenene
50) Bliss Shaders cece o ccc cite i skereig trite
7b) dos Herring tee encircle Tre
25 do. Supposed as they are in Hhds ...........
9 do. with Lacey in Londonn...................
8 do. with Col Gilpin........-..:....-.-.. 0
5 do. Gos Shade ctr le lela oteloeel tien Rotate

DEC:
30
750
175
2
100
70

4 33
10
60
25
12

10

50

bo
tN
oon
oo

445
1), Ch

5,692 77

182 80

126 33

553 50446 Appendix II

D. C. D. C
Barn
is Machine for drillino wheats.) 94.246 eee 3
2GO: Ol, COMe isc ii toe us eee as ee ee 1
I do. for Gathering Clover seed:............:... 1 50
ledomfonsrakingaup av heater see aes sae 2
AN GUERRA? Gi UBIO S sec homoeccos Gob oo bonne 6
Dos PinesScantlinge eas. eet ee 50
Dowincheandaquarter planks sa ynnce en enemas 50 113 50
(48) Durning laithy so sc otis eo kc ea ect 8
NOMAKCS tiers cypo serene sieve ovawiaulpeiee 10
SRA ZO ae pevereye hiciefepe ie tolscys asckeicisisveisis sienna recs oe 1 50
Zomlarze mouldingwblainsens 1) acer 25
Soy Smaller Coster cy yc a sets Grn cv dace ae 17 50
SBIOW GON yrrt el ri seis os siairsials Ubeckownd Givin femiee 3
MSS PVA SEC Ostkec syste chloe tey ve ohexearcd storey eee 1
WORSmoothing dos were icysiolec ois) varcver-c-iohs oo eee 7 50
A \OIAGST TONS erates coclnc Soh isc ae es 40
USRChizels) errr iyrs cccesniins vorscaies sks oe 72
Sy IDM Gobo se dota sueeaucn octane shears 5655 50
Ms Gaerne casi siaceiel accpt- rei sis stenecl core one 4
a urmingsGOugesi eis. . oa sane che eee 40
ZepteCompassne sya ss ccc aes ales te: 25
Grhandsawsipecrisce sive es fies ea ace grote oe 7
SHAUPCTS ree oer era Bi oe oo oc erateemel oh oye 1 33
Me PLOW gee ie eh a oe cen ce fac oe 16
ADWHIDESAWS Cerise recs i ielvaec soe owe oeets ce 10
Wie Grindstoneaee yc ce ee ne eles eects 1 50
SAIN OLS rer geye ies cele eres ate her rea seroic rc 30
PLAN Ws be Ab OOM OS MBO HH Ona Go Ces ne rete | 25
SEGRUBCBE Tere ry cit er mel cries eT Senos 9
Shinglesgrr Cop cherry ci etches a ee 6
VW centregbitti&e: ey paaae ee ciee e  eee 6
ArqQuanvityeb ricky ina kiln hep eer en ee ser 60
aaquantity, Oyster Shellasnenss. 40 oe 6
DOs DUM IP eye stereo ors eee cis ee tees a 6 174 54
(49) In the Paint Cellar
I Marble Slab and (Grinders... 4.4) ose 3
Shoemakers)lools sin Shope eee ne 1
Gardners Tools
SHOSDAGES! clinic. coc wie OE Ra tes sis mee Fen 1
awlromateethy rakes: : se ce 6s cc. RA 1Inventory of Contents of Mount Vernon

1 Turning Knife... 2-23 0 eee ne eeenninc
stone) Toller creosote cle rekon
3 small hoes and 2 large do. ......--+--++++-++:>
1 Grubbing do. ....- 2.05. --- eer e ns
Reelvand! Line ses. crc erick ole etree ens ter ca
2 Watering pots.......-.-----2:+---seseeessee
1 Pump for Green house........-----+++-++++-:
laWiheell DALrOW oe cee reclaim seiete clearer:
I Edging Tron... .02-- 3-2-2 eset:
Dipeiry Shears) fe oo yale tte i one

Amount carried forward.........----+-.++::

The whole Number of Negroes left by Genl.
Washington in his own right are as follows:
40 Men
37 Women
4 Working boys
3 do. Girls
40 children
124 Total
Which Mrs. Washington intending to liberate at
the end of the present Year, can only be valued
for the Service of the Working Negroes for one
year.

Amount brought forward.........--+-+++ee+ees

To this sum must be added the amount of the
following Articles which were not extended in
the Inventory when the foregoing was cast up,
To wit:

Books ommitted and a Theodolite.. $84

Bank Stock, United States Stock,

Potomac and James River Shares 29,212

Gash on) hand's) cee eee 254.70
Addition to Gold Buckles and Knee

buckles: .as ace soe eit 200.00
Diamond Hagle.............-...-- 387

D.

bw Ww wv

C.

25

50
25

AAT
Dic:

21 25

$27,158.34

$27,158.34

30,137.70

$57,296.04

In obedience to the annexed Order of Court, we the Subscribers
being duly sworn, having viewed and appraized all the personal4.4.8

(51)

Appendix II

Property of the late General George Washington decd. which was

presented to us for that purpose, agreeably to the foregoing Schedule.
THOMSON Mason
Topras LEAR
THOMAS PETER
Wma. H. Foore

At a Court held for Fairfax County the 20th day of August 1810.
This Inventory and appraisement of the Estate of George Wash-
ington deceased Returned and ordered to be Recorded. teste
Wm Moss ClAppendix III

Public Sales made by the Executors of Genl. George Washington,
deceased, of his Estate.

When sold
1800
March 5

Octor. 15th

Purchasers

Philip Stuart,

Do.

A. Rawlins,

Sam Washington,
Doctr. Stuart,

Do.

Geo. Rawlins,
Doctr. Stuart,
Thomas Peter,
John Bassett,

Do.

Sam. Washington,
Bush. Washington,
Doc. Wm. Thornton,

Pete Chichester,
Thos. Marshall,
L. Lewis,

James Sanderson,

Do.

Beal Fowler,

J. Anderson,

Sam. Collard,
Dowdal,

L. Lewis,

James Keaton,

James Anderson,

Sam Collard,

Do.

James Anderson,

Articles sold

old Grey Horse,
Jack

old Grey Mare,
horse Traveller,
old mare,

sorrel do.

old bay Mare
Old White stockings,
Bay Mare,
Jack,

Jennett,

Jack Colt,

Do.

Jennett $100
Do. Do. $80.
Do.

Do.

Do.

a

ee ee a

1 Mottled Cow,
1 Cow,

1 do. and calf,
1 Cow,

1 Do.

1 Do.

1 Buffaloe Cow,
1 Yearling,

1 Cow,

1 Do.

1 Do.

1 Yoke of Oxen,

Amount

30.—
221.—
25.33

58.—
250.—
136.—
100.—

50.—

180.—
83.—
90.—
91.—

$1,514.83

8.67
8.33
13.33

12.17
12.50
9.98
6.17
8.50
10.33
8.33

15.—

sia et OT450

When sold
1800
Octor. 15th

1801
Nov. 12

Appendix III

Purchasers

Do.

Mr. Bates,

S. Collard,
James Anderson,
Lawrence Lewis,
Do.

James Anderson,
Do.

Rob Benson,
Hugh Violett,
Davy Gray,
Ben Glover,
Do.

Cathbert Harris,
Sam. Taylor,
Do.

James Ford,
David Davis,
Edward Mitchell,
Rob. Benson,
David Davis,
Richd. Wallace,
Wm. Boyd,
Wm. Johnson,
Henry Taylor,
Edw. Taylor,
David Thomas,
James Patton,
Do.

Sam. Lightfoot,
James Patton,

Major Johnson,
David Thomas,
Ben. Glover,

L. Lewis,
James Patton,
Saml. Lightfoot,
Geo. Rawlins,
Wm. Baggott,
Wm. Lightfoot,

Articles sold

1 Black Steer,
1 do. do.

1 Black Heifer,
1 Red Steer,

2 young Steers,
Buffaloe Heifer,
1 Cow,

1 Do.

Cow,
do.
do.
do.
do.
do.
do.
do.
Cow,

do.

do.

small steer,

do.

red do.

Black do.

red do.

do. do.

Steer,

red steer $17.67. One
do. do. $18.16

do. do.

do. do.

do. do.

old Bull,

young do.

small steer,

do. do.

do. do.

do. do.

Prt pe et tte ttt padded fad fel ed et ped fd ed
Qu
°

Prt mt pe fp

Amount

10.34
5.—
8.33

11.—

23.50
5.83
9.33

10.—

$205.64

15.83
20.83
13.50
14.17
14.33
17.17
18.33
15.83
20.—
16.67
20.00
15.83
12.50
13.83
12.17
10.00
10.00
20.00
21.67
15.00
13.83
15.83

35.83
20.17
22.83
19.17
11.50
26.67

8.17
10.00
16.17
13.50When sold
1801
Nov. 12

1802
July 21st

Public Sales

Articles sold

Purchasers

Major Johnson,
Edwd. Mitchell,
Geo. Colbert,
Frs. Hammersley,
T. Mason,

Mr. Chichester,
Thos. Peter,

G. W. P. Custis,
Do. Do.

Wm. H. Foote,
Moses Kenny,
Do.

M. Reardon,
James Patton,
Do.

]
1
1

_
fu
9

OK eK Ke

«

aI co

Qu
9

large do.
do. do.
Jennett,

oO.

° 9

d
d
d
do.
d

°

Jack,
Weathers,

—
°

dwes

a
2

Amount brought over —

Mark Riley,

Francis Hammersley,
Wm. Simpson,

Wm. Boyd,

Rob. Benson,

John Johnson,
Bryan Johnson,

G. W. P. Custis,

Charles Carter,

Doct. Smith,

G. W. P. Custis,
Ditto

Wm. A. Washington,

John Stith,

Rob. Lewis,

Howell Lewis,

B. Washington,

Doct. Smith,
Do.

Doct. Stuart,

Hanson Javins,

Thos. Peter,

iA
1
]
1
1
1
1

Ewes,

Jack, (Leatherhead),
Steer,

Cow,

Steer,

do.

do.

Carriage and Harness,

C

ouchee and Do.

General’s Riding Horse,
One Mare Nancy,

1
]
]
]
]
1
1
1
]
1
C

Young Horse,
Horse Poppet,
do. Liberty,
Mare Polly,
do. and mule colt,
Young Mule,
Mule,

Do.

Black Mare,
Bay Colt,
lover Machine,

451

Amount

23.33
20.33
120.00
101.00
102.00
101.00
51.00
61.00
61.00
203.00
14.33
13.00
17.00
16.00
11.50

$1,446.82

$1,446.82
$ 10.25
282.00
22.83
13.50
16.17
17.33
16.00

$1,824.90

610.00
250.00
130.00
100.00
175.00
141.00
151.00
45.00
135.00
115.00
40.00
40.00
10.00
82.00
6.50

seen oer452 Appendix III

 

 

 

 

When sold Purchasers Articles sold Amount
1802
July 21st Judge Washington, 20 sheep @ $13. 260.00
Lewis & Carter, 20) @) 2 9-107100 182.00
Do. 20 “ @ _= 6-10/100 122.00
Do. 20) SS @i 4 80.00
Lewis & Carter, 20 “ @ = 4-10/100 82.00
Do. 205 @)373'60 72.00
Lewis & Carter, 20 sheep @ 3.60 72.00
Do. 20% do; @ 3.60 72.00
Judge Washington, AV oh @ B= 60.00
Do. 20) dos 3@) 4320 64.00
Lewis & Carter, 207 do. @) 3510 62.00
Do. a) Go, @ Sky 62.00
Do. 20 do. @ 3.10 62.00
Do. 20 do. @ 3.30 66.00
Do. 20 do. @ 3.30 66.00
Do. 20 do. @ 3.10 62.00
Law. Lewis, 20 dO @ie as —— 60.00
Lewis & Carter, 20) do; «@ 3510 62.00
Law. Lewis, 20 do. @~ 2.50 50.00
Lewis & Carter, 20) do; @) 3410 62.00
Do. 20 do. @ 3.— 60.00
Do. 20 do. @ 3.— 60.00
G. W. P. Custis, 1 Ram, 33.00
Judge Washington, 1 do. 12.00
Charles Stuart, 1 do. 3.00
Thos. Diggs, 1 do. 2.50
Lawrence Lewis, 1 West India Ram, 2.—
Do. 1 do. do. do. ee
Judge Washington, 1 Bull $334.—
Colo. Lee, el xdo: 115.—
Lewis & Carter, 1 do. 50.—
Judge Washington, 1 Cow 105.00
Do. 1 do. 100.—
Lewis & Carter, 1 Lot, 5 Cows & Calves 205.00
Sam. Washington 1ixdos 1 do. 205.—
Sam. Washington, 1 Lot, 5 Cows & Calves, 170.00
Lewis & Carter, dos 75 do. 190.00
Do. 1 do. do. 200.00
Do. 1 do. 130.00
Do. 1 do. do. 140.00
Do. 1 do. do. 160.00
Do. 1 do. do. 125.00
Do. 1 do. do. 130.—
Sam. Washington, 1 do. do. 105.00
Lewis & Carter, 1 do. do. 70.—Public Sales 453

When sold Purchasers Articles sold Amount
1802
July 21st Do. 1 do. do. 80.—
Do. 1 do. do. 60.—
Sam. Washington, 1 do. do. 85.—
Lewis & Carter, 1 do. do. 55.—
Do. 1 do. do. 60.—
Do. 1 do. do. 50.—
Do. 1 do. do. 50.00
Do. 1 do. do. 50.—
Do. 1 do. do. 45.00
Do. 1 do. do. 45.00
Do. 1 Lot 5 Cows & Calves, 45.00
Do. 1 47.00
Do. 1 42.00
Do. 1 37.—
G. W. P. Custis, 1 35.—
Lewis & Carter, 1 37.—
Do. 1 37.—
Do. 1 32.—
G. W. P. Custis, 1 Markee, 161.—
Judge Washington, 1 Tent, 11.—
Law. Washington, 1 do. 8.—
Judge Washington, 1 pack saddle, 2.00
Doct. Stuart, 1 do. do. 1—
Law. Lewis, 1 do. do. .50 |
Judge Washington, 9 Canteens, 9.00
Lawrence Lewis, 1 Tin Machine, 1.—
Mr. Hattersley, 1 Wood Saw, .30
Law. Lewis, 21% doz. Reaping Hooks, 4,—
Do. 3 Cutting knives, 2.25
Do. 4 plough irons, 2.75
G. W. P. Custis, 2 whip saws, —
Law. Lewis, 1 Malt Mill, 3.—
Wm. Robinson, Knight of Malta, 320.—
Judge Washington, 1 ream of paper, $4.—
Wm. Robinson, 1 do. do. 4,—
Judge Washington, 1 Ae

Do. 1
Law. Washington, 1

Judge Washington, 1 3.25

W. A. Washington, 1 3.—
Law. Washington, 1
Judge Washington, ]
Law. Washington, 1
Judge Washington, 1
]

Do. box wafers, 3.25454

When sold
1802
July 21st

1803
Jan’y 3,

Appendix IIT

Purchasers

Law, Washington,
Law. Lewis,
Howell Lewis,
Judge Washington,
Edmund I. Lee,
Law. Lewis,
Do.
G. W. P. Custis,
Do.
Judge Washington,
Do.
Lawrence Lewis,
Judge Washington,
Do.
Doct. Stuart,
Lawrence Lewis,
Do.
Do.
Doct. Stuart,
Howell Lewis,
G. W. P. Custis,
Law Lewis,
G. W. P. Custis,
Jno. Coffer,
Judge Washington,
Colo. Washington
Judge Washington,
Do.
Do.

Lawrence Lewis,

Do.

A. Spotswood,
Do.

Mr. Custis,

Mann Page,

Bush. Washington,

Mann Page,

Bush. Washington,
Do.

Articles sold

1 paper sealing wax,
Ido; do:

1 do. do.

Copying ink, &c.

1 French Horn,
Sheet of copper,
Lot of Iron,
Screw plate,
Trimmer,

1 Hoe,

1 cask of sundries,
Rods,

Stucko,

1 Pump,

Oker,

Old locks,

Chest of tools,
Harrow hoes,

Old irons,

1 conductor,

1 do.

1 do.

1 Seine & Rope,

1 old do.

13 Hhds.

1 copying press,

1 Yawl,

75 Hhds. @ 85 Cts.,
1 Beef,

39 sheep @ $1.25
39) do: @ 1:50

2 mules,

2 do.

1 gray do.
2 do.

1 do.

2 gray mules
2 do.

2 do.

Amount

1—
15
15

1.10

7.—

10.—

1.75

3.00
20

2.—

5.—

2.00

2.50

1.75
25
25

50.—

4.—

4.—
-50
-60
50

78.—
20.—
13.—

5.—

38.—
63.75
50.00

8,248.00

48.75
52.50

$8,349.25

401.00
401.—
131.—
315.—
75.—
$405.—
350.00
285.—Public Sales 455

When sold Purchasers Articles sold Amount
1803
Jan’y 3 Mr. Custis, 2 do. 401.—
Bush. Washington 2 do. 295.—
Lawrence Lewis, 2 do. 310.—
Mr. Custis, 2 do. 331.—
Mr. Custis, 2 Mules, 226.—
B. Washington 2 Gray Mules, 235.—
Mr. Custis, 2 do. 311.—
Law. Lewis, 2 do. 235.—
Mr. Custis, 2 do. 295.—
Lawrence Lewis, 2 do. 201.—
Do. 2 do. 285.—
B. Washington, 2 do. 240.00
Mr. Custis, 2 do. 206.—
Howell Lewis, 2 do. 226.—
Bush. Washington, 2 do. 125.—
Mr. Custis, 1 do. 100.—
Law. Lewis, 200; 150.—
Fieldg. Lewis, 2 Horses 101.—
James Anderson, 2 do. 131.—
Bush. Washington, 1 do. 43.—
Mr. Custis, 1 do. 75.—
Dan’l. Dulany, 1 do. 50.—
Do. 1 do. 53.—
Geo. Rawlins, 1 do. 15.—
John Anderson 1 do. 50.— ;
G. W. P. Custis, 1 Mule 113.—
Davy Gray, 1 Horse 20.—
Mr. Custis, 1 pair oxen, 49,—
Do. 1 do. 58.—
Thos. Peter, 1 do. 32.—
Do. 1 do. 70.—
B. Washington 1 do. 30.—
Do. 1 do. 40.—
D. Dulany, 1 do. 31.—
Sam. Washington, 1 do. 32.—
B. Washington, 1 do. 36. —
Do. 1 do. 38.—-
Lawrence Lewis, 1 do. 49,—
Do. 1 do. 61.—
Thomas Peter, 4 Oxen, i ——
Bush. Washington 1 Ox Cart, 11.—
Do. 1 do. 8.—
Mr. Custis, 1 do. 7.—
B. Washington, 1 do. 12.—
Thos. Peter, 1 Ox Cart 13.—456

When sold
1803
Jan’y 3

1803,
Jan’y. 4,

Appendix III

Purchasers

Mr. Custis,
Do.
Do.
Do.
Geo. Rawlins,
Mr. Custis,
Do.

Law. Lewis,
Do.
Mr. Foote,

Jno. Kent,
Mr. Custis,
Law. Lewis
Mr. Foote,
B. Washington,
Do.
Law. Lewis,
Do.
Do.
Mr. Custis,
B. Washington,
Do.
Do.
Mr. Custis
Law. Lewis,
B. Washington,
Mr. Custis,
B. Washington,
Do.
Do.
Mr. Custis
B. Washington
Do.
Do.
Thos. Barrett,
Law. Lewis,
Do.
B. Washington,
Mr. Custis,

Articles sold

1 Horse Cart

A cart body,

A wagon do.

1 Cart,

1 Horse Cart,

1 Boat
Blacksmith’s Tools,

=

Lot of old hoes,

do.

do. mattoxes, grubbing
hoes &e.

do. Hoes,

do. Axes,

do. Mattoxes, rakes, &e.

do. Hoes,

do. Swingletrees,

do. Hames & traces,

do. Swingletrees,

do. Hames

do. Old Hoes

do. hames & an old wheel

do. old iron,

do. ef

do. Hames,

do. old iron,

do. do. wheel &c.,

old ploughs,

corn drilling machine

wheat do. do.

Turnip do. do.

wheel plough Swingletree,

plough

do.

plough stock,

potatoe plough,

plough,

old ploughs,

do. do.

do. do.

4 Harrows,

je

,

EH eet Fees pred Pe Pet Fa fd Fed Cy nd FF ed fed ped ed fs) (posal psa pos pss) posal poe gc

Amount

7.—
6.75
71.—
5.—
$5.50
41.—
71—

$8,041.25

2.00
1.60

5.25
3.50When sold
1803
Jan’y. 4,

1803
June 7th,

Public Sales

Purchasers

Bush. Washington,
Mr. Custis,
Do.

Do.
Lawrence Lewis,
B. Washington,
James Caton,
Jno. Kent,
Michl. Omera,
Mr. Foote,

Mr. Custis,
Mr. Custis
W. P. Bayliss
Mr. Foote,
Mr. Custis,

Do.

Wm. Spencer
Forrester,
Isaac Cox,
Ben Burton,

Do.
Lawrence Lewis,
Thomas Barrett,
Mr. Custis,
Bush. Washington,
Mr. Custis,

B. Washington
B. Burton,
Mr. Custis,
Jno. Kent,
Mr. Custis,

Do.

Do.

B. Washington

Do.

Thos. Peter,

 

Articles sold

old do.
Old Wheels,
1 Cutting Box $3 — plough
shares,
1 do. do.
Hackles,
1 Harrow,
2 iron backs
Old hames & iron
Scales & weights,
Peck & 1%4 do. measures,
2 flax wheels,
1 large auger,
4 cradles & scythes,
4 do.
old iron,
old seythes cards &c.,
Old wheel,
1 do.
2 do.
Old iron &e.,
Old plank,
Wheat fan,
do.
do.
Harrows
do.
Grindstones,
Cutting box,
flax break,
Old iron,
brick moulds,
Potatoe Tiddle & 2 wheels,
Old seow,
2 large grind stones,
2 Wheels,
1 Harrow & clover machine

KS OND & eS

_

Nicholas Fitzhugh, 669 A. 0. R. 25 P. of land in
Charles County Maryland, @ $5.50............
Doct. T. Peyton, Lot No. 1 on Pitt Street, in Alex-

andria, 21 feet 6 in. @ $27.25,

457
Amount

9.—
3.60

9.10
10.70
2.50
4.50
1.68
1.55
1.30
1.40
1.10
$1.40
1.60
2.20

4.20
1.40
1.30
1.20
15
26
12.50
17.50
12.10
2.50
2.50
3.20
.50
20
1.05
56
2.80
6.50
2.50

3.75

$271.02

$3,680.35

587.87

SS esa458

1803
June 7th,

Appendix III

Do. Lot No. 2 on same street, 20 feet @ $29.25, ....
L. A. Washington, Lot No. 3 do. do. 20 feet @
SSO sae aes eens Sia Risin ie cin eae coeva Sick sa nicds seer

Do. Lot No. 4, do. do. 20 feet @ $34.—, ...........
Do. Lot No. 5, corner of Pitt and Prince Streets,
QO uto uN @SO2:205 soc s ccis alee Caen ie ee

Burdet Ashton, Lot No. 6, Hugh Barrs lot under
ground rent & sold subject thereto 24 feet @
CRYIN C Sond eanemapsoon dsenplodaosoachoons

Geo. S. Washington, No. 7, Lunts lot sold as above
245 Tbs 4o1ns | @ Golo ooo. saiacee see

Geo. S. Washington, No. 8, unimproved 24 feet @
SOOIOOS sere ec are stele sic secu Stree Ere eee

L, A. Washington, No. 9, Gordons Lot fronting on

iPrincesstreet,«20 st. @) $50:255 45 42 oe. cae
Do: lewdames River Share: ..7.. 450 e ec ee
DON dOMd 0s oe thie os coc Rae ee
DOS Os Ossie eel ono ole sud cic eis slate Cees
DOT CONdON sui iaesians oo esis wie Te ane
DOE IG! COs eck se ee aes ols ee ee
Andrew Parks, Lot No. 5, Square 667, Washington,

LIeSSOusquare) feet, @) 626) Cts, 45. .4e eee ee
Thos. Peter, Lot No. 12, in same square, 5,730

SOG (tee Ctssria is cise te wins cians cle olratne oee

Genl. Spotswood, Lots No. 19, 20, 12, 11, 13 and as
much of the reserved land as will be included by
extending the S. E. line of Lot No. 19/, divid-
ing this lot from Lot No. 18/ until it intersects
Glascocks line on the Mountain and so with that
line, being part of the Tract called Ashby’s bent,
P2OCACTES MapGseee sacs cs Sl ects ee
Lots No. 18, 17, 16, 15, 14 and the balance of
the reserved land of the above tract, 725 acres
DES ST me Oye eee oe lcs alc ce

Robert Lewis, 1,063 acres Land on Chattins Run
@eSbil Ore Bee eee ee os ans VRE ee ee

Law. Lewis, 554 A. 3 R. of land in Frederick
A a ae Pies ses ce ccs Ge LR Goto:

Burdit Ashton, Jr., 301 acres land in Wormley’s
line; 3827) 3 ae can oe a a rele a ecient Ore

Andrew Parks, 310 A. 3 R. 4 P. of land in Berkely
ony Bullskins2@ S208 ee sie eine ne ee

Bush. Washington, A lott & dwelling house in bath,

Do., A lott in COs Re ae

Colo. Thos. Lee for Corbin Washington’s heirs, 550

Amount
585.—

605.—
680.—

1,613.33

1,206.—
1,244.55
1,212.—
1,005.—
274.—
276.25
279.75
280.—
281.—
772.83

429.75

4,470.83
6,112.25
8,968.45
1,605.33
7,774.06

320.—
60.—Public Sales 459

1803 Amount
June 7th, acres of land on Bullskin in Berkely County
S250) eee eect eel ener ah teeke 15,125.—
Burdit Ashton, Jr., 359 acres of land Greggs &
Bryons lots on Bullskin @ $10.12%4 .........---- 3,634.86
Do., 416 Acres on Do. Dimmits & Riley’s Lotts @
STUDS 5. se lela ene erences cio chica 2,964.—
Andrew Parks, Great Meadows 234 Acres @ $5.— 1,170.—
Thos. Peter, Lot No. 13 square 667 in Washington
City cont’g 3,542 sq. ft @ieas CtSey eek. eer 256.79
Geo. S. Washington, Lot No. 14, in same square
3.321 feet @ 8) Cts. oe me ee ns 265.68

1803
June 5th George Washington, the Mohawk land, 1,000 acres
GQ) SBS aie ele eter eto aretale ar e ieletreee $5,000.00
April 10th, Thos. Peter, The Montgomery Land, 519 Acres,
(TY ENG, aoc coo pnoocorobnnonopooDOgoDNN Sods 5,475.45
“ 14th, Rob. Lewis, The tract of land at the head of Evens’
Mill Run, 542. A. 3 R. @ £4, ........--+--e+-e- 7,236.66
. S Saml. Washington, 249 A. 3 R. 37 P. land in Hamp-
shire @ $20.— ......--.---eeeeeerreseerseree 4,999.06
D2ei ely [
June 5th, Colo. Thornton, 1,240 acres of Land, part of
Ashbey’s bent tract @ $8. ...------+++s esses: 9,920.—
32,631.17
Total amount of Sales, .........--+----+--«s0- $124,928.01

At a Court held for Fairfax County the 15th day of July, 1811. This
Account of Sales of the Estate of George Washington deceased re-
turned and ordered to be recorded. Teste,
Wo. Moss, Cl.

A Copy — Teste,

F, W. Ricuarpson Clerk
Recorded in Liber J, No. 1, at folio
359, and Ex. Will Books of Fairfax Co., Va.Appendix IV

“cc

Extract from the ““ Handbook of Manuscripts in the Library of Con-
gress.” (Washington Government Printing Office, 1918,
pp. 512 to 515.)

GEORGE WASHINGTON

The Washington papers were purchased from the Washington
family in two separate lots, by the Acts of June 30, 1834, and March
3, 1849, and deposited in the Department of State. They were trans-
ferred to the Library from the State Department by Executive Order
of March 9, 1903, under authority of the Act of February 23, 1908,
and combined with the Washington papers already in the Library,
acquired with the Force purchase. The papers have been carefully
repaired and when bound will fill 302 royal folio volumes, besides
about one hundred volumes of letter copy books, diaries and account
books in their original bindings.

The papers were first arranged in 1780, by Richard Varick, Wash-
ington’s Recording Secretary. He caused to be copied the letters
written by Washington, the proceedings of the councils of war and
the general orders of the commander in chief, from July 8, 1775, to
December 31, 1782. These copies, in forty-four folio volumes, are
known as the “ Varick Transcripts.” The original drafts from which
the copies were made were tied up with the unarranged letters received
by Washington, packed in chests, and, with the volumes of transcripts,
carted to Mt. Vernon at the close of the war. They were added to,
at the close of Washington’s administration as President, by various
letter-book records and miscellaneous loose files of political business,
and a mass of documents growing out of the military activities in
raising and officering the provisional army in 1798 and 1799. A por-
tion of them, which in later years was stored in a warehouse in
Alexandria, was destroyed by fire.

After the papers came into possession of the Government, the“ Handbook of Manuscripts ” 461

drafts of Washington’s letters were bound up, as classified by Varick,
under the direction of Jared Sparks. He made an alphabetical index,
which furnishes a working basis of consultation of the larger part
of the letters received. In the general series of letters to Washington
were grouped the army returns and muster rolls of the Continental
forces, forming Nos. 99-108 inclusive of the collection, and amounting
to thirty-seven volumes as arranged by Peter Force in 1834. These
were transferred by the State Department to the Adjutant General
of the Army in the War Department, and are still in the custody of
that department.

Although arranged in strict chronological order the papers natu-
rally group themselves under three heads,— the military, political,
and (the largest) the personal and private papers. The personal
papers begin with the earliest writings of Washington, at the age of
twelve, and end with the diary entry of December 13, 1799. The
early papers are school exercises, copies of business forms, rules of
etiquette, mathematical problems, survey notes, etc. The financial
and personal business papers begin about 1750, and are full as to
accounts, expenditures, credits, invoices of goods ordered from Eng-
land, tobacco and weaving accounts of the Mt. Vernon estate, cash
memorandum books, the poll list of Frederick County and the vestry
lists of Fairfax and Truro, lists of tithables, etc.

The diaries begin with the journey across the western mountains
in 1747, and, with some gaps, come down to the date of his appoint-
ment as commander in chief in 1775. It appears that no diary was
kept during the war and an attempt commenced in May, 1781, was
abandoned in November of that year. The diary record is resumed
again in 1784. The total number of original diaries in the possession
of the Government is thirty-six and the last one ends with the entry,
which is presumed to be his last writing, of December 13, 1799.

The letter books, drafts of letters and miscellany of a personal
character were discontinued in June, 1775, resumed in 1784, and
continue, with some gaps, through the year 1799. From 1789 to
1797 the personal correspondence is less than for other periods.
From 1794 to the end the letter-book record is supplemented and
often duplicated by the press copies, of which there are many.

There is much correspondence, during his administration as Presi-
dent, with managers and overseers, relative to the Mt. Vernon estate;
but a part of the official correspondence of this period is still in the462 Appendix IV

Department of State by virtue of its character of an official adminis-
trative record.

The military group begins with the French and Indian War, the
Braddock expedition, orders, letters, instructions, muster rolls, re-
turns, financial accounts of the Virginia militia forces, etc., down to
and through the year 1758.

The Revolutionary group begins with the speech to Congress, June
16, 1775, accepting command of the army, and ends with the speech
at Annapolis, December 23, 1783, when he resigned his commission.
There are lists of discharged officers, proceedings of boards of of-
ficers, negotiations for the exchange of prisoners, accounts and
vouchers of headquarters expenses, etc.

The last distinct sub-group under the military papers are the papers
relative to the Provisional Army of 1798-1799, which is, in the main,
lists of names from which to appoint officers; lists which contain many
names of former officers of the Continental Army, with interesting
notes of personal qualifications and Revolutionary services.

The third main group of the Washington papers is the political.
Colonial politics, pre-Revolutionary activities in Virginia, and papers
relative to Washington’s short service in the Continental Congress are
closely allied to the personal group. The prominent political affairs
properly begin with Washington’s inauguration as President in 1789.
The major portion of the papers from 1789 to 1797 are in the form
of folio record copy and letter books, being letters to the War Depart-
ment, letters to and from the Treasury Department, messages and
communications between the President and the two houses of Con-
gress, the miscellaneous or general correspondence. These record
books are supplemented by press copies and drafts, which are not,
however, numerous until after the year 1794, and in some instances
duplicate the copies entered in the record books. There are compli-
mentary and political addresses or documents, sometimes partaking
of the nature of protests or memorials, the observations, extracts, sum-
maries, memoranda, etc., in Washington’s autograph, of various of the
political problems of his administration, and copious summaries of
conditions, together with opinions from members of his Cabinet upon
certain matters submitted to their consideration; and a journal of the
proceedings of the President during 1793-1797, which is a sort of
diary of official action taken upon the documents and letters submitted
to his consideration.“ Handbook of Manuscripts” 463

This is the collection known as the Washington Papers. Other
Washington manuscripts are in the Papers of the Continental Con-
gress, the Alexander Hamilton Papers, the Jefferson, Madison and
Monroe collections, the Theodorick Bland Papers, the Rochambeau
Papers, and a few in the Benjamin Franklin and John Paul Jones
Papers.

The Library of Congress has issued calendars of the miscellaneous
Washington manuscripts (from the Peter Force purchase) that were
in its custody prior to the transfer of the Washington Papers from
the State Department (Washington, G. P. O., 1901), one volume, and
of the latter papers, a calendar of the Washington correspondence
with the Continental Congress (Washington, G. P. O., 1906), one
volume, and a calendar of the Washington correspondence with the
military officers of every rank and in every service during the Revo-
lutionary War, 1775-1783 (Washington, GiB OF 1915) tous

volumes.

1 There is also a most interesting volume published by the Library of Con-
gress entitled, “ Aids and Secretaries to Gen. George Washington, Com-
mander in Chief of the Continental Army” (Washington, Go Par Os, 190%);
which contains thirty-six reproductions in facsimile, from the originals in
the Division of Manuscripts, published under the direction and editorship of
Mr. Worthington C. Ford.

It includes “all the regularly appointed aids and secretaries, the General
Orders, a resolution of the Continental Congress, or a definite statement from
the Commander in Chief being the authority. It does not include the many
individuals who were transiently at Headquarters and occasionally pressed
into service as amanuenses.”

An example page of the handwriting of each of these is exhibited in the
book. Facsimiles of Washington’s and Mrs. Washington’s handwriting are
added.

The plates are arranged alphabetically and the roll is such an honorable
and noble one that we feel we will be pardoned for reproducing here the list
of those who helped Washington through the Revolution in his marvelously
great literary record:

Thomas Mifflin, Joseph Reed, John Trumbull, George Baylor, Edmund Ran-
dolph, Robert Hanson Harrison, Stephen Moylan, William Palfrey, Caleb
Gibbs, George Lewis, Richard Cary, Samuel Blatchley Webb, Alexander Contee
Hanson, William Grayson, Pierre Penet, John Fitzgerald, George Johnston,
John Walker, Alexander Hamilton, Richard Kidder Meade, Peter Presley
Thornton, John Laurens, James McHenry, Tench Tilghman, David Hum-
phreys, Richard Varick, Jonathan Trumbull, Jr., David Cobb, Peregrine Fitz-
hugh, William Stephen Smith, Benjamin Walker, Hodijah Baylies.Appendix V
THE JAMES WELCH CORRESPONDENCE?

To Washington

(End.) Received abt. Nov. 24/97.
Dear Sir:

This will be handed to you by Mr. James Welch on Greenbryor
County who is Desirous to lease your Conhaway lands. I am not
acquainted with Mr. Welsh myself only from History and by sight.
I know he is in trade at Greenbrier Court house, he brought letters
from some of my acquaintances in Augusta wishing me to Introduce
him to you by a line.

I set out for Congress on Wednesday week. Old Robin my old
opponent has been Draging me about the District by notifications
taking Depositions for five weeks past but I believe the old man
conceives himself Defeated now. I recd. a letter from Presley Newell
from Pitsburg of a very late Date who says by way of P. S. to the
letter that the post had just arrived with the Intelligence that the
Inhabitants of the Natchees have Declared in favor of France and
hoisted the White flag, that the Indians had attact fort recovery but
were beaten off with the loss of one killed & several wounded. I am
afraid for Ellicott, am also afraid of French influence. I have the
Honor to be with great esteem

Your obt. Servt.
Danie, Moraan.

To Washington
His Excellency George Washington:
Sir, I will lease your Land on the Great Kanawa for
99 years (viz) 28,000 acres for which I will give
you £50 per Thousand yearly which will amount

LOY falters Woes s Riera eye es £1,150 p. year
otal: “amountir 40 £113,850
Endorsed —

From
Mr. James Welch

presented

24th Novemr. 1797.
1In Vols. 286 et seg., Washington Mss. in the Library of Congress.The James Welch Correspondence 465

To Washington
His Excellency George Washington

Sir: I will lease your Land on the Great Kanawa (viz) 23,000
acres in the Manner following to wit

e.
Twill give you,yannually.) 54: oe ems a $9,583.84
The lease to commence in the year 1800

And I will pay you in the following Manner — Ci
inetherT8Ol. i... sao ee ee ee ee $19,166.68
theynext payment) to) be madesin S07 ee ee 47,916.70
im thevyear USlO) i200... eee eee ee 28,750.—2
And after that time I will pay annually............... 9,583.34
for 3 years & from that time forever yearly............ 19,166.68

with the privilege of purchasing the land at eight Dollars p acre at
any time in 10 years from the Commencement of the lease on my
paying you yearly agreeable to the above proposition for the Term of
10 years. Security to be given for the first payment to be paid in
Alexandria, the lease and contract to be null and void on the money
not being punctually paid. Your Excellency will please to view the
proposals and give me an answer by the Bearer Mr. James Cooper.
I am with respect —
Sir Your Hbl. Sv.—

James WELCH.
November 29th. 97.

T'o Washington

Decr. Ist. 1797
Dear Sir

Ever Since the rect of your Letter yesterday I have been trying to
obtain the necessary information, which you required; but cannot say
that I have recd any satisfactory information with regard to the
Person— He says himself that he is an honest man but some seem
to doubt it— He has been trading with some of the people in Town
but I have not been able to learn anything from any of them yet
He certainly seems desirous to get possession both of your Land and
mine, but I must own that I am affraid to bargain with him. And
think the greatest caution necessary in entering into any Engagement
with him— I had your Letter of to day delivered to him by one of
my Young men whom he told no Answer was required — [I shall still
endeavour to discover what kind of a man he is, and if I do discover
his Character & situation I shall immediately inform you— Some of
my friends have promised me their Assistance — With great sincerity

mom Dear Sir
Your Devoted & obed. huml. Ser.
Addressed: Jas CRAIK.

His Excely. Genl. Washington
Mount Vernon.466 Appendix V

To James Welch

Mount Vernon Ist December 1797
Sir,

Your proposition to lease my several tracts of Land on the Great
Kanhawa, containing by Patents 23,216 acres, being handed to me
by Mr. James Cooper, while I had company, and was just going to
dinner, allowed me scarcely time to make a few hasty remarks to him,
nor am I much better enabled now I have considered them — to answer
your propn — first because I do not understand the principle upon
which you have established the rents,— 2dly because I am not inclined
to give a lease in perpetuity,— 3dly because my interest will certainly
require that I should attend to the manner in which these lands are
to be disposed of to subtenants (notwithstanding they may be let to
an individual for a certain term) and how they are to be improved —
also what proportion of the wood should be reserved for the support
of each farm &c. &c. 4thly how the fulfillment of the bargain is
to be insured and the Rents secured; for it is not to be presumed that
I would place it in the power of anyone to strip the land of all its
growth in the course of a few years, leaving me, or my heirs, no other
alternative than to repossess it thus injured, or to sell it at an under
rate to those who might hold the Woodland back of it. 5thly as I
have no doubt of selling these lands for more than eight Dollars pr
acre by instalments, if divided into lots of from one to five hundred
acres (one fourth of the money to be paid down and the residue in
three annual payments with interest) it is hardly to be expected that
I would part with the fee simple thereof for eight dollars an acre at
any time that might best suit the lessee within ten years. While the
Rent, according to your proposition (after two years exemption) is
fixed at $9,583 until the year 1801 —and then, if I understand your
scheme, but suppose I do not, as (besides lying out of the Rent 6
years) they, contrary to all usage, are reduced instead of being in-
ereased. I say an indulgence of this sort — under such circumstances,
arising from the sale of 23,000 acres at eight dollars only, would amt.
to $11,040 annually from the day of sale.

If after giving you this view of my sentiments of your last proposi-
tion you should think a personal interview would contribute to the
removal of difficulties I shall, as I am rarely from home, except my
usual rides between breakfast & dinner be ready to give you it, at
any time, that may be convenient to yourself, before you leave
Alexandria.

I am — Sir — Your very Hble Servant
Go. WasHINGTON.
Mr. James Welch.The James Welch Correspondence 467

To James Welch
Mount Vernon
7th Decr. 1797.
Dear Sir:

I have revolved the subject of our yesterdays conversation and as
you disclosed a spirit of liberality in it, I wish we may agree; but I
shall inform you with frankness that to part with the fee simple in
my Kanhawa lands is the greatest impediment in the way of our
bargaining; and I will, as frankly assign the reasons.

It has got about, I do not know how, that eight dollars pr. acre is
the price I had fixed upon my Kanhawa lands but that is a mistake,
the most I ever said on that subject (unless my memory has failed
me much) has been that I had been offered eight dollars an acre for
some of my lands on the Ohio of inferior quality (in my estimation)
& had refused it,— and it is likely I might have added, that if the
whole of my Western lands cd. be disposed of at that rate, that I
would accept the offer, but it is to be recollected that this would
have included near 10,000 acres on the Ohio, between the Great &
Little Kanhawa and 3,000 acres on the little Miami near the mouth
thereof. It is well known that I have declared often that no one
should have my tract of 10,990 acres on the Great Kanhawa for less
than ten dollars per acre, if for that. I know the qualities of it myself
well, having been three days on it myself & you yourself observed, yes-
terday, that you conceived the other tracts of mine on that River, were
very little inferior to it.

Notwithstanding this detail and expression of my sense of the value
of these lands, I shall candidly acknowledge that the rent you offer
for them is as much as could be expected under present circumstances,
if the annual payment of it can be secured for the first six years in the
manner you have suggested — after which the presumption being,
that within that time, for your own security you will take care to have
responsible tenants thereon, the risk will be less & the property pos-
sessed by them, together with the right of Re-entry may be deemed
sufficient.

Under this statement of the case I make you the following offer,
which comes pretty near to your own proposition,— that is to say
as the four tracts on the Kanhawa contain 23,216 acres by the Patents,
and by presumption more, you shall have a lease of the whole, with
proper covenants, skilfully drawn, for thirty years at the rent of
$11,148 pr annum, to become due the last day of Decr. in every year,
and payable the first day of Mar. in each — April being an improper
season to the operations of the years agriculture., which is
equivalent to interest of a sale at $8 per acre and shall be subject
thereto in fee within six years from the first day of January next,
provided the rents are punctually paid during that time — and pro-
vided also, that the sum of $200,000 is paid down at the time of the
transfer of the Land in fee simple.—— And that you may be the better468 Appendix V

enabled to provide the tenants to do this, the first years Rent (to
become due the last of Dec. 1798) shall be only $5,000; and the 2nd.
years rent shall be $8,000 only.— 23,216 at $8 would amount to no
more than $185,728 but so sure am I that such lands as these must
rise in price, that it admits of no doubt, in my mind, that the latter
sum paid in a short time & vested in stock (3 pr. cts. particularly)
would be more advantageous than the former, at or near the end of
the sixth year, I should therefore not hesitate a moment in giving it
the preference.

At the end of thirty years, if the land before the expiration of six
years, is not disposed of in fee simple as above, the lease may be
renewed so as to complete ninety-nine years on the same covenants,
conditioned however for payment of the annual Rent during that
period of $22,286.

If these, which are the great outline of the proposed agreement,
are acceeded to, there can be little or no difference in opinion with
respect to other matters; but it may not be amiss, nevertheless, to
add that, the tracts are to be laid off into tenements of a proper size
or sizes, say for instance, from one to 300 acres; that suitable build-
ings shall be erected and orchards planted, within a limited time, that
a certain proportion of the Woodland & Timber on each tenement,
shall be reserved for the support thereof &c. &c. as not unusual for
the security of the rights of both Landlord and tenant.

As you requested to have my sentiments on your proposal today, I
have written you this long letter, in haste, if the contents meet your
approbation, a line or two will express it or it may be verbally com-
municated to, Sir, yr. very Hble Servt.

Go. WAsHINGTON.
Mr. James Welch.
To Washington

His Excellency Geo. Washington.

Sir: I Received your favor by the Boy, viewed the contents and
shall answer it Tomorrow or visit you in person myself. I am your
Excellency’s most obt. Sv.

James WELCH.
December 7th 97.
To Washington

His Excellency Geo. Washington.

Sir: As I wish some longer time to consider on the Business between
you & me with respect to your last Letter as it is a matter of Import-
ance to me. Tomorrow I shall attend you in person & Deliver you
my last proposition.

I am sir your Excellency’s obt. Sv.
James WELCH.
Dec 8th 97.
His Excellency Geo. WashingtonThe James Welch Correspondence 469

To Washington

Endorsed
(by G. W.)
From Mr. James Welch handed
in by him 9th Decem. 1797.
His Excellency Geo. Washington.
Sir: I am satisfied to lease your lands agreeable to your proposition
in part that is I am willing to comply with your first proposition. I'll
give you $5,000 for the first year the lease to commence Jay. Ist 1798
& $8,000 for the 2nd year — $11,143 after that yearly for the Term
of 30 years at the expiration of which time I will pay you annually
$22,286 until the expiration of 99 years with the privilege of purchas-
ing out in 7 years after the Commencement of the lease, the purchase
money to be paid in the following Manner $50,000 to be paid in the
year 1806 on the Ist of Jay. do annually for 3 years which will amount
to the money you ask.

 

I am sir your Excellency’s obt. Sv.

James WELCH.
N.B. Any part of the Money paid as purchase Money on failure of
the payment of the whole shall answer as payment for the Lease
agreeable to the proposals herein mentioned the rent to decrease
agreeable to the payments, further I wish to remark that I think from
50 to 300 acres will be best siz’d lots to lay of & that as may best
suit the lease orchards agreeable to the size of the lots as is common
throughout the Inhabited part of the Country & comfortable Country
Houses to be erected thereon & left in good order at the end of the
Lease.

To James Keith
Mount Vernon 10th Deer. 1797.
Dear Sir:

I have just concluded a bargain with Mr. James Welch of Green-
brier County, for four tracts of land of which I am possessed on the
River Kanhawa or in the County of Kanhawa, now Kanhawa, formerly
in sevl. other counties (as you will see by the Patents & conveyances
herein enclosed) on the following terms: — that is to say —I agree
to lease the said lands, to the said James for the term of 30 years, to
commence on the Ist day of January next (1798) at the Rent of
$5,000 for the first year, to conclude the 31st of Decr. following, for
$8,000 the next year, and from thence until the expiration of the 30
yrs. for $11,143 annually, and for 99 years thereafter on an annual
Rent of $22,286. The Rents are always to become due on the afore-
said 31st of Decr. in each year and distrainable in two Calendar
months thereafter, with express covenants to Re-enter upon the Land,
if the same is not regularly and duly paid.470 Appendix V

It is further agreed, that the said James Welch not only may, but
shall, lay out the aforesaid tracts of land into convenient tenements,
of from 50 to 300 acres according to the abilities and force of the
applicants, & may let the same, but for no longer term than is granted
to himself.— Each tenant being obliged within years to build a com-
fortable dwelling house of stone or brick, or of wood with a stone or
Brick chimney, build a Barn, plant Orchards and make meadow, suit-
able to the size, and is moreover, to be compelled to keep a fourth of
the wood timber in reserve (for the support of the premises) until the
expiration of the term for which the tracts are granted, Namely 30
years — and ¥% to remain so at the expiration of the further term of
99 years — The Sub Tenants to be subject to all the covenants that
the principal is, for the Landlord’s security, except the quantum of
Rent, which is to be a matter between themselves.

Lastly, it is agreed that the said James Welch, shall have the
priviledge of purchasing the fee simple of the aforesaid tracts on the
following conditions — that is, if on the 1st day of Jany. which shall
be in the year 1804, he shall pay the sum of $50,000 one fourth
part of the Rent of $11,143 shall cease for that year, if on the 1st day
of Jany. 1805 $50,000 more shall be paid another fourth of the rent
shall be diminished for that year, if $50,000 more shall be paid on
the first of Jany. in the 1806 another fourth of the rent shall cease
for that year, and if on the 1st day of Jany. 1807 $50,000 more shall
be paid, then and thereafter, the rents are to cease altogether and the
said James Welch is to be seized in fee of the property and a con-
veyance thereof is to be made accordingly. But it is understood, and
must be clearly so expressed, that in failure of exact payments on or
before the days above mentioned, all rights or pretension of right to
the purchase of the fee simple, ceases from thence forward, but if
the first $50,000 is paid & a failure takes place of the second on the
day appointed, then, and in that case the whole Rent of $11,143
recommences from that time and the $50,000 so paid to go in dis-
charge of the future rents which it secures in that way, and the same
if the 2nd payment is added to the first, and the 8rd fails or the 3rd
added to the other two & the 4th fails, the positive agreement being,
that nothing less than the whole sum of $200,00 pd. precisely at the
times aforesaid, shall entitle the said Welch to a fee simple estate
in these lands and that all payments short of the whole sum shall be
applied in discharge of the future rents, at the rate of $11,143 per
annum, until they are expended in this manner.

Being informed that you occassionally employ yourself in draughts
of this sort, I apply to you, on this occasion, in preference to any
others being persuaded, as it is a matter of importance that you will
give due attention thereto. Whether it is usual for the lessor or
lessee to pay for documents of this sort I know not — but I will see
you compensated. I have told Mr. Welch that I would be in Alex-
andria on that day next week, against which time if you could haveThe James Welch Correspondence 471

the draught (in rough copy form) ready, it would be convenient for
us both. The right of Re-entry and usual covenants for security of
the Landlord, will of course be inserted. Welch is to give me col-
lateral security for the payment of the first rents but this will be an
after matter.
I am
Go. WASHINGTON.

James Keith Esq.

To Washington

His Excellency Geo. Washington

Sir: I waited on Mr. Keith this morning & he informs me that
the writings cannot be finished before Monday and then they can be
signed and acknowledged before Court. Therefore shall expect you
in then if consistent with your affairs. I am your Excellency’s most
obt. servt.

James WELCH
Dec. 15th 97.

To Washington

Jany. 1798 Alexandria
His Excellency Geo. Washington
Sir: I take the liberty of sending to you for copies of the plats of
the Land I leased of you. Doctor James Craig informs me you have
copies of the plats. I'll take particular care of them & return them
to you as quick as I get them copied; a few days ago I happened in
company with Mr. Joseph Massey surveyor in the North Western
Territory, he mentioned that you cou’d not hold the Lands you claimed
on the Miamies, the reason why I do not know, but by applying to
Mr. Massey I expect you can get full information.

I am Sir your Excellys obt. sv.

James WELCH.

Certificate

Mr. James Welch having signified to me, that he has it in his power
to dispose of part of a tract of Ninety nine thousand nine hundred
and ninety five acres of land, lying on Elk River in the County of
Randolph, conveyed to me in Trust, and proposing to subject other
Lands of equal or greater value in lieu thereof, in like trust, and
estimating further that it will be an accommodation to him, and a
benefit to me, in his payments to make the exchange.

I do therefore hereby certifie, that upon the ascertainment of this
fact, that is, that the substituted property is of equal value, & free
from all disputes & incumbrances, I am willing to receive it in lieu
of such part of the aforementioned tract of 99,995 acres as he shall472 Appendix V

dispose of, and that I will release my claim accordingly, to the same,
upon receiving a proper conveyance of the substituted property —
Given under my hand this 11th day of Oct. 1798.

G. WasHINGTON,

To Welch

Mount Vernon 15th Feby. 1799
Sir: The first of January is past and February half gone, without my
receiving any money from you; — seeing you or even hearing anything
from you on this subject—I am in real want of it, and depended
upon your repeated assurances of punctual payment at the time the
first Rent became due. I hope I shall not have occasion to remind
you of this matter again.

I am Sir,
Your very Hble. Servant
Go. WasHINGTON.

Mr. James Welch.

To Washington

Rockingham County Virgn. March 10th 99
His Excellency George Washington:

Sir: No doubt you expected to have seen me some time ago! I do
ashure you that sundry disappointments has been the cause that I
have not complied with my contract. I am preparing as fast as pos-
sible to start 20 Famileyes from this county on to the Kanawa by the
time I get thrue that Biseness I expect the young gentleman from
Kentucky that I sent them last June in order to sell my Lands for
the porpos of Reseing money To pay you; when he arives I hope to
have it in my power To make the first payment, if you can with con-
venience indulge me at this time and not expose my property to the
publick I shall deme it as a grate favour; and be more puntule for
the future. You will plese write me by post to this place. With
due respect your Hm. Svt.

James WELCH.

To Welch

Mount Vernon April 7th 1799.

Sir: I have received your letter of the 10th of March from Rocking-
ham County, and although I have no expectation of deriving any
payment from your Kentucky Expedition, yet, I will (inconvenient
as it is to me) wait a while longer to know the result of it: desiring
you to be persuaded meantime, that you have not got a person now,
that will be trifled with in your dealings.

It would be uncandid, Mr. Welch, not to inform you, that I have
heard too much of your character lately, not to expect tale after
tale, and relation after relation, of your numerous disappointments,The James Welth Correspondence 473

by way of excuses, for the noncompliance of your agreements with
me; — but this I can assure you will not answer your purposes. It
is not difficult for a person who has no ground on which to expect a
thousand cents, to talk with facility and ease of his expectation of
receiving ten times as many dollars — the relation of disappointments
in which according to his account, he conceives is quite sufficient to
ward off the payment of his own solemn Contracts, & to satisfy his
Creditors.

I am not unacquainted, Sir, with your repeated declarations of your
having purchased my Lands on the Great Kanhawa & endeavouring by
that means and such like impositions & misrepresentations to obtain
extensive credit where you were not known. Letters, to enquire into
the truth of these things, have been written to me on the subject. Be
cautious therefore how you provoke explanations that must inevitably,
end in your disgrace and entire loss of character. A character is
valuable to all men and not less so to a speculator.

I will, before I conclude, assure you in the most unequivocal terms
of two things. First, that I am in extreme want of the money which
you gave me a solemn promise I should receive the first of January
last,— and secondly — that however you may have succeeded in im-
posing upon and deceiving others, you shall not practice the like game
with me, with impunity.

To contract new Debts, is not to pay old ones. Nor is it a proof
that you have any disposition to do it when you are proposing to buy
lands &c &c on credit (or partial advances) which can answer no
other purpose than that of speculation— or (if you have them) of
withholding the means which ought to be applied in the discharge of
engagements & debts, proceeding therefrom, which you are bound by
every tie to do.

Consider this letter well, and then write without any deception
to, Sir,

Your very Hbl. Sevt.
Go. WAsHINGTON.
Mr. James Welch.

To Washington

Stantown Aprl. 25d. 1799

His Excl. Genrl. Washashington

Sir: I reed. yours of the 7th. instant and Take notes to the contents;
it gives me much uneseness To think that I am to Suffer by the Miss
Representattion To you (by I know not hoo) you Say you have herd
To much of my character Lately not To Expect Sundry disapoint-
ments; hwo it is that is disposed To inger me I know not nor am I
abl to prevent pepel from asarting things that is falee; I know my
own Feelings and that my intentiones is not to Trifel with you or
Eney other parson (Time will Try all things) Bad as I stand with
you at present I am detarmned To prove to you that I am not the474 Appendix V

man you now think me to be;— as to my decleretion of haveing
purched your Land I do deny I never in my Life menched the trans-
action To Eney parson but have been frequently asked if I had
purched you Land and have answered Yese if Further inquiry was
made. I told the parseon or parseons that the purches depended on
the payment of a Large Sum of money at a futer day; as to my
indevering to obtain credet in concequence of haveing Transacked
Bisenes with you; I do deny I am not a man that inqires into Other
peppeles Bisenes nor do I make it my Bisenes To tell my Bisenes to
Eney parseon; as to my contraction other Debts I do ashure you Sir
that the onely Debt I have contracked since you and I had Dealings
Was the purches of Two thousand pounds worth of Goods at 18
Monthes credet; these Goods was aplied to The Starting of ireon
works and to be paid out of the produc of the Same the Works is now
agowing; this transaction Toke plac Last winter and was dun in order
to inable me To make payments to you if other Recorces should fail)
I do a shure you that in all my tranactions I have made it my Study
To fix my property in Such a way as To make me abel to pay you; as
to my proposing to purch Lands on credet or for cash since I delt
with you I do deny Sundry aplecations has Been made To me but
my answer was that my present circumstance wold not admit of me
perching I have Exchanged a considerabl quanty of my Lands for
other Lands this was also dun in order that I may be abel to pay
you I ad no more at present you may be Sure of Seeing me at your
plac in the corce of Next Month.
I am Sir your Very Hbl. Sarvent
James WELCH.

To Washington

Fredrecksburg May 16th 1799
His Excl Genrl George Washington
Sir I find it out of my power To Rese the money in this place;
that I am at this time indebted to you; Money is Verry Scarce amoung
the marchanes of this place, the cannot be temped to advance money
for paper that has Longer than 60 dayes To Run; the paper that I
have will be Due on the 25th day of Novembr Next it is Well
Securd and Will be puntuelly paid that you Shall have I start this
day for Greenbrere and Will procede on to Kentuckey or Send my
Brother in order to Rese money for you; this you may depend upon
that I will Exart my Self to Rese the money Due you and will make
Every a Rengement in my power To be more puntul With you for
the future; at Eney Time you Wold think proper To Wright me
dereck your Leter to Stantown from that it Will be Sent to me.
I am With Due Despt Your
Hm Sarvent
James WELCH.
N.B. if you dont find it consistant with your Self to Giv me a LitelThe James Welch Correspondence AT5

indulgence Let me know and I Will cum down and Giv up the Bargeon
and Sacrafise as much of my Property as Will Rese a Sum of money
as may be thougt Reseanble for disapointment, the Exposeing of my
property To the publick will a meduately prevent the Setelment of the
Land from Gowing on of corce that wold prevent me from holding the
Bargeon; for my own credet and the Good of that country I prefer
Coming to Eney tarmes you may lay down that is Resenabl I have
no dout that Eney you will Shall be So.Appendix VI

WILETOR GW. Pa CUSRIS

In the name of God, amen. I, George Washington Parke Custis, of
Arlington House, in the county of Alexandria and State of Virginia,
being sound in body and mind, do make and ordain this instrument of
writing as my last will and testament, revoking all other wills and
testaments whatever. I give and bequeath to my dearly beloved
daughter and only child, Mary Ann Randolph Lee, my Arlington
House estate, in the county of Alexandria and State of Virginia, con-
taining eleven hundred acres, more or less, and my mill on Four-Mile
Run, in the county of Alexandria, and the lands of mine adjacent to
said mill, in the counties of Alexandria and Fairfax, in the State of
Virginia, the use and benefit of all just mentioned during the term of
her natural life, together with my horses and carriages, furniture,
pictures, and plate, during the term of her natural life.

On the death of my daughter, Mary Ann Randolph Lee, all the
property left to her during the term of her natural life I give and
bequeath to my eldest grandson, George Washington Custis Lee, to
him and his heirs forever, he, my said eldest grandson, taking my
name and arms.

I leave and bequeath to my four granddaughters, Mary, Ann, Agnes,
and Mildred Lee, to each ten thousand dollars. I give and bequeath
to my second grandson, William Henry Fitzhugh Lee, when he shall
be of age, my estate called the White House, in the county of New
Kent and State of Virginia, containing four thousand acres, more or
less, to him and his heirs forever.

I give and bequeath to my third and youngest grandson, Robert
Edward Lee, when he is of age, my estate in the county of King
William and State of Virginia, called Romancock, containing four
thousand acres, more or less, to him and his heirs forever.

My estate of Smith’s Island, at the capes of Virginia, and in the
county of Northampton, I leave to be sold to assist in paying my
granddaughters’ legacies, to be sold in such manner as may be deemed
by my executors most expedient.

Any and all lands that I may possess in the counties of Stafford,
Richmond, and Westmoreland, I leave to be sold to aid in paying my
granddaughters’ legacies.

I give and bequeath my lot in square No. 21, Washington city, to
my son-in-law, Lieut. Col. Robert E. Lee, to him and his heirs for-
ever. My daughter, Mary A. R. Lee, has the privilege, by this will,Will of G. W. P. Custis AT7

of dividing my family plate among my grandchildren, but the Mt.
Vernon altogether, and every article I possess relating to Washington
and that came from Mt. Vernon is to remain with my daughter at
Arlington House during said daughter’s life, and at her death to go
to my eldest grandson, George Washington Custis Lee, and to descend
from him entire and unchanged to my latest posterity.

My estates of the White House, in the county of New Kent, and
Romancock, in the county of King William, both being in the State
of Virginia, together with Smith’s Island, and the lands I may possess
in the counties of Stafford, Richmond, and Westmoreland counties are
charged with the payment of the legacies of my granddaughters.

Smith’s Island and the aforesaid lands in Stafford, Richmond, and
Westmoreland only are to be sold, the lands of the White House and
Romancock to be worked to raise the aforesaid legacies to my four
granddaughters.

And upon the legacies to my four granddaughters being paid, and
my estates that are required to pay the said legacies being clear of
debt, then I give freedom to my slaves, the said slaves to be emanci-
pated by my executors in such manner as to my executors may seem
most expedient and proper, the said emancipation to be accomplished
in not exceeding five years from the time of my decease.

And I do constitute and appoint as my executors Lieut. Col. Robert
Edward Lee, Robert Lee Randolph, of Eastern View, Rt. Rev. Bishop
Meade, and George Washington Peter.

This will, written by my hand, is signed, sealed, and executed the
twenty-sixth day of March, eighteen hundred and fifty-five.

George Wasuineton Parke Custis. (SEAL)
26th March, 1855.
Witness:
Marrua Custis WILLIAMS.
M. Eveene WEBSTER.Appendix VII
WILL OF MARY C. LEE

In the name of God, amen. I, Mary Custis Lee, widow of General
Robert E. Lee, do make, publish, and declare this as my last will
and testament.

In compliance with the wishes expressed in the last will and testa-
ment of my deceased husband, Robert E. Lee, and by virtue of the
power and authority therein conferred upon me, I appoint and direct
as follows:

First. That owing to an arrangement between my children satis-
factory to them, and my sons W. H. F. Lee and Robert E. Lee having
in writing relinquished all benefit, present or prospective, in the estate
of their father, Robert E. Lee, deceased, it is my will and desire, in
view of said agreement and relinquishment, that the said W. H. F. Lee
and Robert E. Lee be excluded from any participation in the estate
of said Robert E. Lee, deceased.

Second. It is my will and desire, and I do so appoint and direct,
that all of the estate of the said Robert E. Lee shall, upon my decease,
be equally divided between my son G. W. Custis Lee and my three
daughters, Mary, Mildred, and Agnes, share and share alike, each
taking one equal fourth part.

Third. Should my son, G. W. Custis Lee, recover the estate called
Arlington, situated in the county of Alexandria, Va., or be paid
therefor by the Government of the United States, then, and in that
event, it is my will and desire, and I so appoint and direct, that the
one-fourth part of his father’s estate given to him, the said G. Custis
Lee, in the foregoing clause of my will, shall pass and belong to my
three daughters above named, in equal portions.

I appoint my sons G. W. Custis Lee and W. H. F. Lee executors of
this my last will and testament without security.

Given under my hand and seal this 9th day of june, A. D. 1873.

Mary Custis Lex.
Witnesses:
A. M. Lez.
Francis G. Smirn.Appendix VIII
THE WILL OF ROBERT E. LEE

I, Robert E. Lee of the U.S. Army, do make ordain & declare this
instrument to be my last will & testament revoking all others.

1. All my debts, whatever they may be, & of which they are but
few, are to be punctually, & speedily paid.

2. To my dearly beloved wife Mary Custis Lee I give & bequeath
the use profit & benefit of my whole Estate real & personal, for the
term of her natural life, in full confidence that she will use it to the
best advantage in the education & care of my children.

3. Upon the decease of my wife it is my will & desire that my
Estate be divided among my children, in such proportions to each, as
their situations & necessities in life may require; and as may be
designated by her; and I particularly request that my second daugh-
ter Anne Carter, who from an accident she has recd. in one of her
eyes, may be more in want of aid than the rest, may if necessary be
particularly provided for.

Lastly I constitute & appoint my dearly beloved wife Mary Custis
Lee & my eldest son George Washington Custis Lee (when he shall
have arrived at the age of twenty one years) executrix & executor of
this my last will & testament, in the construction of which I hope &
trust no dispute will arise.

In witness of which I have set my hand & seal this thirty first day
of August in the year one thousand eight hundred & forty six.

R. E. Lee (sear)
Witness
Frep A. SMITH
Capt. ENnars
R. CruiksHANK

Schedule of Property
100 Shares of the Stock of the Bank of

Virginia Richmond ...........--+-+++-- $10,000.00
39 Shares of the Stock of the Valley of

Virginia Winchester ......---.--+++-- 3,900.00
$6,100 of Jas. R. & Kanawha Compy.

Bonds) e065 cccgs ene e citer: cae ene 6,100.00

$2,000 Virginia 6 per cent State Bonds... 2,000.00
$2,000 Phil: Wil: & Baltimore Rios
6 per cent loan.......-+-++seee reece 2,000.480 Appendix VIII

$2,000 Bonds of Kentucky 6 pr. cts ...... 2,000.
6 per cts Bonds of the State of Ohio..... 5,000.
Bond of John Lloyd & wife;.3:........ 3,000.
Bonds of Workner & Rice of Louis Engel,
SEMUOniSMMOn en oe re 4,500.
1 Share of Nat: theatre, Washington City 250.

$38,750.00

Nancy & her children at the White House New Kent all of whom I
wish liberated, so soon as it can be done to their advantage & that of
others. An undivided third part of the tract of land in Floyd Va.
devised to me by my mother, of which I am negotiating a sale with
M. N. Burwell for $2,500.
My share of property in Hardy Va belonging to the estate of my
father.
My share of a claim of the property leased to the Government by
my father at Harpers Ferry & believed to belong to his estate. My
share or ¥4 of 200 acres of land in Fairfax Co. Va.

R. E. Lex:
At Rockbridge County Court November 7th, 1870.

The last will and testament of Genl. R. E. Lee was produced in
Court and the hand writing of the testator as well in the body of
the will as the signature thereto & the schedule thereto attached, was
proved by the oaths of Govr. I. Letcher and Col. Wm. Allen, to be
the genuine hand-writing of the testator and ordered to be recorded.
And on the motion of George Washington Custis Lee the Executor
named in the will who made oath thereto and together with Mrs.
Mary C. Lee, W. H. F. Lee, and R. E. Lee his securities who justified
as to their sufficiency entered into and acknowledged a bond in the
penalty of $100,000.00 conditioned according to law —

Certificate is granted him for obtaining a probat of said will in
due form and said bond is ordered to be recorded.

And Mrs. Mary C. Lee the Executrix named in the will not now
desiring to qualify reserved the right to join in the probate & qualify
hereafter.

And it is ordered to be entered of record that the estate passing
by the will was estimated not to exceed $50,000.00 that $1.00 stamp
duty was paid on the executors bond $25.00 on the probate of said
Will and $50.00 State tax.

Teste Jno. F. Greentree D. C.
A copy
Teste: A. T. Suriexps, Clerk.Appendix 1X

PROCEEDINGS IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
OF THE UNITED STATES, ON THE PRESENTA:
TION OF THE SWORD OF WASHINGTON AND THE
STAFF OF FRANKLIN, FEBRUARY 7, 1843.

In the House of Representatives of the United States. Washing-
ton, February 7, 1843.

Mr. Summers, one of the Representatives from the State of Vir-
ginia, rose, and addressed the House as follows:

Mr. Speaker: I rise for the purpose of discharging an office not
connected with the ordinary business of a legislative assembly. Yet,
in asking permission to interrupt, for a moment, the regular order
of parliamentary proceedings, I cannot doubt that the proposition
which I have to submit will prove as gratifying as it may be unusual.

Mr. Samuel T. Washington, a citizen of Kanawha county, in the
Commonwealth of Virginia, and one of my constituents, has honored
me with the commission of presenting, in his name and on his behalf,
to the Congress of the United States, and through that body to the
People of the United States, two most interesting and valuable relics
connected with the past history of our country, and with men whose
achievements, both in the field and in the cabinet, best illustrate and
adorn our annals.

One is the Sword worn by George Washington, first as a Colonel
in the Colonial service of Virginia, in Forbes’s campaign against the
French and Indians, and afterwards during the whole period of the
war of Independence as Commander-in-chief of the American army.

It is a plain couteau, or hanger, with a green hilt and silver guard.
On the upper ward of the scabbard is engraven, “J. Bailey, Fish
Kill.” It is accompanied by a buckskin belt, which is secured by a
silver buckle and clasp, whereon are engraven the letters “G. W.”
and the figures “1757.” These are all of the plainest workmanship,
but substantial, and in keeping with the man and with the times to
which they belonged.

The history of this sword is perfectly authentic, and leaves no
shadow of doubt as to its identity. The last will and testament of
General Washington, bearing date on the 9th day of July, 1799, con-
tains, among a great variety of bequests, the following clause:

“To. each of my nephews, William Augustine Washington, George482 Appendix 1X

“Lewis, George Steptoe Washington, Bushrod Washington, and
“Samuel Washington, I give one of the swords or couteaux of which
“I may die possessed; and they are to choose in the order they are
named. These swords are accompanied with an injunction not to
“unsheath them for the purpose of shedding blood, except it be for
“ self-defence, or in defence of their country and its rights; and, in
“the latter case, to keep them unsheathed, and prefer falling with
“them in their hands to the relinquishment thereof.”

In the distribution of the swords hereby devised among the five
nephews therein enumerated, the one now presented fell to the share
of Samuel Washington, the devisee last named in the clause of the
will which I have just read.

This gentleman, who died a few years since in the county of
Kanawha, and who was the father of Samuel T. Washington, the
donor, I knew well. I have often seen this sword in his possession,
and received from himself the following account of the manner in
which it became his property in the division made among the devisees:

He said that he knew it to have been the side-arm of General
Washington during the Revolutionary war; not that used on occasions
of parade and review, but the constant service sword of the great
chief; that he had himself seen General Washington wear this identi-
cal sword, he presumed, for the last time, when, in 1794, he reviewed
the Virginia and Maryland forces, then concentrated at Cumberland
under the command of General Lee, and destined to co-operate with
the Pennsylvania and New Jersey troops, then assembled at Bedford,
in suppressing what has been called the “ Whiskey Insurrection.”

General Washington was then President of the United States, and
as such was commander-in-chief of the army. It is known that it was
his intention to lead the army in person upon that occasion had he
found it necessary, and he went to Bedford and Cumberland prepared
for that event. The condition of things did not require it, and he
returned to his civil duties at Philadelphia.

Mr. Samuel Washington held the commission of a captain at that
time himself, and served in that campaign, many of the incidents of
which he has related to me.

He was anxious to obtain this particular sword, and preferred
it to all the others, among which was the ornamented and costly
present from the great Frederick.

At the time of the division among the nephews, without intimating
what his preference was, he jocosely remarked, “that inasmuch as
he was the only one of them then present who had participated in
military service, they ought to permit him to take choice.” This sug-
gestion was met in the same spirit in which it was made; and, the
selection being awarded him, he chose this, the plainest, and, in-
trinsically, the least valuable of any, simply because it was the “ Battle
Sword.”

I am also in possession of the most satisfactory evidence, furnished

“ecProceedings in Congress 483

by Colonel George C. Washington, of Georgetown, the nearest male
relative now living of General Washington, as to the identity of this
sword. His information, as to its history, was derived from his
father, William Augustine Washington, the devisee first named in the
clause of the will which I have read; from his uncle, the late Judge
Bushrod Washington, of the Supreme Court; and Major Lawrence
Lewis, the acting executor of General Washington’s will —all of
whom concurred in the statement that the true service sword was that
selected by Captain Samuel Washington.

It remained in this gentleman’s possession until his death, esteemed
by him the most precious memento of his illustrious kinsman. It then
became the property of his son, who, animated by that patriotism
which so characterized the “ Father of his Country”, has consented
that such a relic ought not to be appropriated by an individual citizen,
and has instructed me, his representative, to offer it to the nation, to
be preserved in its public depositories as the common property of all,
since its office has been to achieve and secure the common liberty
of all.

He has, in like manner, requested me to present this Cane to the
Congress of the United States, deeming it not unworthy the public
acceptance.

This was once the property of the philosopher and patriot, Ben-
jamin Franklin.

By a codicil to his last will and testament, we find it thus dis-
posed of:

“My fine crab-tree walking stick, with a gold head, curiously
‘wrought in the form of the cap of Liberty, I give to my friend,
“and the friend of mankind, General Washington. If it were a
‘““sceptre, he has merited it, and would become it.”

General Washington, in his will, devises this cane as follows:

“Ttem. To my brother, Charles Washington, I give and bequeath
“the gold-headed cane left me by Dr. Franklin in his will.”

Captain Samuel Washington was the only surviving son of Charles
Washington, the devisee from whom he derived, by inheritance, this
interesting memorial; and, having transmitted it to his son, Samuel
T. Washington, the latter thus seeks to bestow it worthily, by asso-
ciating it with the battle sword in a gift to his countrymen.

I cordially concur with Mr. Washington in the opinion that they
each merit public preservation; and I obey, with pleasure, his wishes
in here presenting them, in his name, to the nation.

Let the sword of the Hero and the staff of the Philosopher go
together. Let them have place among the proudest trophies and
most honored memorials of our national achievements.

Upon that staff once leaned the sage, of whom it has been said,
“He snatched the lightning from heaven, and the sceptre from
tyrants.”

A mighty arm once wielded this sword in a righteous cause, even484 Appendia 1X

unto the dismemberment of empire. In the hand of Washington,
this was “the sword of the Lord, and of Gideon.”

It was never drawn except in the defence of public liberty; it was
never sheathed until a glorious and triumphant success returned it
to the scabbard, without a stain of cruelty or dishonor upon its
blade; it was never surrendered except to that country which be-
stowed it.

Mr. Summers, having concluded his address, delivered the Sword
and Staff to the Sergeant-at-arms of the House, who bore them to the
Speaker, the latter rising from his seat to receive them.

Mr. John Quincy Adams, one of the Representatives from the State
of Massachusetts, then addressed the House as follows:

In presenting the resolution which I hold in my hand to the House,
it may perhaps be expected that I should accompany it with some
remarks suitable to the occasion; and yet, sir, I never rose to address
this House under a deeper conviction of the want of words to express
the emotions that I feel. It is precisely because occasions like this
are adapted to produce universal sympathy, that little can be said
by any one, but what, in the language of the heart, in tones not loud
but deep, every one present has silently said to himself. My respected
friend from Virginia, by whom this offering of patriotic sentiment has
been presented to the Representative Assembly of the nation, has, it
seems to me, already said all that can be said suitable to this occasion.
In parting from him, as, after a few short days, we must all do, it will,
on my part, be sorrowing that in all probability I shall see his face
and hear his voice no more. But his words of this day are planted
in my memory, and will there remain till the last pulsation of my
heart.

The sword of Washington! The staff of Franklin! Oh, sir, what
associations are linked in adamant with those names! Washington,
the warrior of human freedom — Washington, whose sword, as my
friend has said, was never drawn but in the cause of his country, and
never sheathed when needed in his country’s cause! Franklin, the
philosopher of the thunderbolt, the printing press, and the plough-
share! What names are these in the scanty catalogue of the bene-
factors of human kind! Washington and Franklin! What other two
men, whose lives belong to the eighteenth century of Christendom,
have left a deeper impression of themselves upon the age in which they
lived, and upon all after time! Washington, the warrior and the
legislator! In War, contending by the wager of battle for the inde-
pendence of his country, and for the freedom of the human race; ever
manifesting, amidst its horrors, by precept and example, his reverence
for the laws of Peace, and for the tenderest sympathies of humanity:
in Peace, soothing the ferocious spirit of discord, among his ownProceedings in Congress 485

countrymen, into harmony and union, and giving to that very sword
now presented to his country a charm more potent than that attributed
in ancient times to the lyre of Orpheus. Franklin! the mechanic of
his own fortune, teaching, in early youth, under the shackles of in-
digence, the way to wealth, and in the shade of obscurity the path to
greatness; in the maturity of manhood, disarming the thunder of its
terrors, the lightning of its fatal blast, and wresting from the tyrant’s
hand the still more afflictive sceptre of oppression: while descending
into the vale of years, traversing the Atlantic ocean, braving in the
dead of winter the battle and the breeze, bearing in his hand the
charter of Independence, which he had contributed to form, and
tendering, from the self-created nation to the mightiest monarchs of
Europe, the olive branch of peace, the mercurial wand of commerce,
and the amulet of protection and safety to the man of peace, on the
pathless ocean, from the inexorable cruelty and merciless rapacity
of war. And, finally, in the last stage of life, with four score winters
upon his head, under the torture of an incurable disease, returning
to his native land, closing his days as the Chief Magistrate of his
adopted Commonwealth, after contributing by his counsels, under the
Presidency of Washington, and recording his name, under the sanc-
tion of devout prayer invoked by him to God, to that Constitution
under the authority of which we are here assembled, as the Repre-
sentatives of the North American People, to receive, in their name and
for them, these venerable relics of the wise, the valiant, and the good
founders of our great confederated Republic — these sacred symbols
of our golden age.

May they be deposited among the archives of our Government! and
may every American who shall hereafter behold them ejaculate a
mingled offering of praise to that Supreme Ruler of the Universe by
whose tender mercies our Union has been hitherto preserved through
all the vicissitudes and revolutions of this turbulent world, and of
prayer for the continuance of these blessings, by the dispensations of
his Providence, to our beloved country, from age to age, till Time
shall be no more!

The resolution moved by Mr. Adams is as follows:

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United
States of America in Congress assembled, That the thanks of this
Congress be presented to Samuel T. Washington, of Kanawha county,
Virginia, for the present of the sword used by his illustrious relative,
George Washington, in the military career of his early youth in the
seven years’ war and throughout the war of the National Inde-
pendence, and of the staff bequeathed by the patriot, statesman, and
sage, Benjamin Franklin, to the same leader of the armies of Freedom
in the Revolutionary war, George Washington. That these precious
relics are hereby accepted in the name of the Nation; that they be

%486 Appendix IX

deposited for safe keeping in the Department of State of the United
States, and that a copy of this resolution, signed by the President of
the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, be trans-
mitted to the said Samuel T. Washington.

The said resolution was read; and the question was put, Shall it
pass?
And passed in the affirmative, unanimously.

It was then, on motion of Mr. Taliaferro,

Ordered, That the addresses of Mr. Summers and Mr. Adams be
entered on the Journal; that the resolution be taken to the Senate
by the Clerk, accompanied by the sword and staff, with a request that
the Senate will concur in the said resolution.

The House then adjourned until to-morrow.
The following are the letters referred to in the address of Mr.

Summers:

Coal’s Mouth, Kanawha County, (Va.,)
January 9, 1843.
My Dear Sir: With this you will receive the war sword of my
grand uncle, General George Washington, and the gold-headed cane
bequeathed to him by Dr. Benjamin Franklin.
These interesting relics I wish to be presented, through you, my
dear sir, to the Congress of the United States, on behalf of the nation.
Congress can dispose of them in such manner as shall seem most
appropriate, and best calculated to keep in memory the character and
services of those two illustrious founders of our republic.
I am, with esteem, yours,
SamMuet T. WASHINGTON.
Hon. George W. Summers,
House of Representatives.

Georgetown, January 31, 1843.

Dear Sir: I have before me your letter of the 30th instant, request-
ing me to give you any information in my possession in relation to
the sword placed in your hands by Mr. Samuel T. Washington,
(alleged to have been the service sword of General Washington during
the revolutionary war,) and which he has instructed you, in his name,
to present to the Congress of the United States.

General Washington, by his will, made disposition of his swords
in the following words: ‘“‘ To each of my nephews, William Augustine
‘““Washington, George Lewis, George Steptoe Washington, Bushrod
‘““ Washington, and Samuel Washington, I give one of the swords, or
“ couteaux, of which I may die possessed; and they are to choose inProceedings in Congress 4.87

“the order they are named. These swords are accompanied with an
‘injunction not to unsheath them for the purpose of shedding blood,
“except it be for self-defence, or in defence of their country and its
“rights; and in the latter case, to keep them unsheathed, and prefer
“ falling with them in their hands to the relinquishment thereof.”

Two of these swords are in my possession, being devised to me,
the one by my father, William Augustine Washington, and the other
by my uncle, the late Judge Bushrod Washington. The descendants
of George Lewis and George Steptoe Washington have two other of
these swords, and that in your charge is without doubt the one which
was selected by Colonel Samuel Washington.

My father was entitled to the first choice under the will, but was
prevented by indisposition from attending at Mount Vernon when the
distribution took place, and Judge Washington selected for him the
most finished and costly sword, with which associations were con-
nected highly complimentary to General Washington; but I often
heard my father say that he would have preferred the sword selected
by Colonel Samuel Washington, from the fact that it was used by
the General during the revolutionary war. I have at different times
heard similar statements as to this fact made by Colonel Samuel
Washington, Judge Washington, and Major Lawrence Lewis, and
am not aware that it has been questioned by any member of the
family. The sword was represented to me as being a couteau, with
a plain green ivory handle.

I entertain no doubt whatever as to the identity of this sword, and
hope that the information I have given may prove satisfactory.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

G. C. WASHINGTON.
Hon. George W. Summers,
House of Representatives.

In Senate of the United States,

February 8, 1843.

A message from the House of Representatives, by Mr. Clarke, their
Clerk:

Mr. President: The House of Representatives have passed a reso-
lution presenting the thanks of Congress to Samuel T. Washington,
for the service sword of George Washington and the staff of Benjamin
Franklin; in which they request the concurrence of the Senate. The
sword and staff accompany the resolution.

The Senate proceeded, by unanimous consent, to consider the reso-
lution; when

Mr. Archer rose, and said that, as the grounds of a proceeding sent
from the other House of Congress to this, for concurrence, could
not be assumed to be known necessarily, and the resolution before the
Senate imparted a distinguished compliment to a native of his own
State, he had been advised, and had yielded to the admonition, that488 Appendia IX

a few words from one of the Senators of Virginia might be regarded
as not inappropriate, and perhaps be expected, in explanation of the
resolution. It was known to every member of the Senate that General
Washington, by his will, had bequeathed swords to five of his nephews.
One of these swords, plain and the least valuable according to ordi-
nary estimates of value, the gentleman to whom the first choice had
been permitted had had the just taste to prefer, as that which his
glorious ancestor had invariably worn, in real service, from the period
of early life, when he had, in the cause of his country, then in a
colonial condition, first commended himself to honor, and through the
entire progress of that great conflict which had resulted in the estab-
lishment of our liberties and of his immortal renown. There was not
room for a question that the weapon which had just been laid on the
table of the President was the identical one to which these interesting
associations attached. It might have been proper for him to have
stated the evidences of this fact, but the task had already been dis-
charged by his colleague and friend in the other House, who had yes-
terday, in fulfilling the office of presenting these relics to the nation,
added another wreath to the honor of being selected for the function,
by the chaste, appropriate, and beautiful address — in entire keeping
with the simplicity of the memorial and of the character of its illus-
trious proprietor — with which he had gratified that body.

There might be persons, Mr. Archer said, disposed to regard the
reception of memorials so slight as a sword and a cane as not in
keeping with the dignity of a Senatorial body. If such there were,
he (Mr. A.) was not to be included in the number of them. The
disposition he indulged was widely different. Nor was such the
thought of our great precursors in the love and maintenance of lib-
erty in the ancient Republics. They had the practice, and regarded
it as inestimable, of erecting statues to great departed worth. And
why? Could the reason be any other but the effect to keep alive the
principle of generous virtue, by presenting and keeping perpetually
before the eyes the symbols of its authors?

Mr. Archer said that, for his own part, he thought that slighter
memorials than statues and mausoleums were far more conducive to
this effect, where they had appertained to the common use — been
connected with the offices of service — shed a light on the peculiarities
of temper or habitude or achievement of the persons to which they
related. If this remark were just, how applicable, above all others,
to Washington, and this symbol, his sword, the type in its simplicity
of his character, in its office of his achievements! WASHINGTON!
the only name requiring no eulogy, for the name itself comprehended
all eulogy. It had been said by one of the most eminent public men
of the age, himself the subject of a Monarchy, (Lord Brougham,)
that “ of uninspired men Washington was to be esteemed incomparably
the greatest.” Nor was this to be regarded as exaggerated praise,
when it was recollected that greatness was to be measured, not byProceedings in Congress 489

virtue only, but a combined consideration of its effects ; and this same
consideration proved that no man great as Washington could perhaps
now live. Men, not the inferiors of Washington in virtue and in
wisdom, might come into existence, but to the fullest development of
grandeur of character, circumstances must conspire, and form no
unimportant part; and no man could again be placed in circumstances
such as marked the situation of Washington. Many men, it was to
be hoped, were destined, in that progress of free institutions which
marked the character of the age, to be the founders of liberty for their
own countries and times; but what was the peculiarity of the position
and office of Washington? He was probably appointed, by the ordi-
nation of Providence, to prove the founder of liberty for the human
race in all times. From the germ which he had planted promised to
spread the influence which was destined, it might be hoped, to gather
nation after nation under its shadow, and to yield the life-sustaining
fruit to all periods in succession.

And Franklin, whose name was associated with Washington’s in
the presentation of these relics! How curious the coincidence that
they should have been associated by such symbols! FRANKLIN,
second only to Washington as one of the founders of our Republic,
in science a founder greater still! Recent developments made it not
improbable that the power of which Franklin had been the first to
bring us acquainted with its laws, was the one the most efficient and
diffused through the entire processes of physical nature; the thorough
knowledge of which was to produce results the most imposing and
most important which had ever been unlocked to human vision! These
were the men associated with the relics now presented to us, and
which, as emblems, these relics were appropriate to recall to memory
whenever they were viewed; to inspire admiration of the wisdom they
had displayed, gratitude for the benefits they had rendered, venera-
tion for the virtue which had adorned them! We had been accus-
tomed to call these illustrious men ours. But the time would come
when they would equally be exalted as benefactors of human kind,
as they had been ours, and their fame the property of their whole
race.

Dr. Franklin, in the bequest of the cane to General Washington,
which was now exhibited to us, had said that he gave it to his friend,
and the friend of mankind, who, had it been a sceptre, would have
deserved it. And the sceptre that friend has attained which he de-
served. It had been an expression, in the ceremonial offices which
occurred on the death of Washington, that he was throned in the
hearts of his countrymen. The expression fell far short of the full
extent of his destiny. It was to be throned in the homage — in the
admiration — no! these did not convey the just phrase — in the bound-
less veneration of mankind !

Mr. Archer said he would no longer be the impediment to the ex-
pression of the acclaiming sentiment which he knew beat in the bosom|

 

490 Appendix LX

of every Senator, to respond, even by the tribute of this humble
resolution, to the great titles of Washington and Franklin to our
affection, gratitude, and reverence.
Mr. Archer having concluded, the question was put, and it was
Resolved, unanimously, That the Senate concur in the resolution.
On motion of Mr. Archer, the Senate then adjourned.INDEXIndex

[Figures in bold face type refer to the literal copy of the Will.]J

“ ABINGDON ”, the Custis estate on
the Potomac, 224, 227

Accounts, the executors’, 349-363;
made in two courts, 349; in the
County Court of Fairfax County,
349-354

* Accounts of G. Washington with the
United States, commencing June,
1775, and ending June, 1783, com-
prehending a space of 8 years”,
151

Adams, Daniel Jenifer, purchase of
Charles County farm from, 261-262

Adams, Herbert B., tribute to Wash-
ington’s genius, 35; “ Life and Let-
ters of Jared Sparks”, 148

Adams, John, quoted, 238

Administration, length of time in-
volved in, of the estate, 3

Advertisement, of Western lands in
the Maryland and Baltimore Jour-
nal, 342-343

Advice to executors and residuary
legatees, 67

“ Aids and Secretaries to Gen. Wash-
ington, Commander in Chief of the
Continental Army”, Library of
Congress, 463 n.

Alexandria, Virginia, interests in, 14;
house and lot in, bequeathed to
wife, 42; the Will probated in, al-
though not then in Fairfax County,
84-86; his aid in establishing bank
in, 132; real estate in, conveyed to
executors by McClean, 335

Alexandria Academy, the bequest to,
45-47; establishment and first
building of the, 169; letters to
Trustees of, 170-171; chartered by
the legislature, 171-172

Anderson, James, his superintendent,
15, 219, 377

Anderson, Richard C., letter to,
quoted, 314; letter from, quoted,
315

Appraisers, appointed by the Court,
86, 87-88; delayed filing of report
of, 86

Arbitration, Washington’s faith in,
3; disputes to be settled by, 36, 69

Arbitrators, method of appointing,
under the Will, 3

“ Arlington”, the G. W. P. Custis
estate, 227, 229, 230

Ashby’s Bent tract of land, sale of,
291

Ashton, Burdet, 21

Ashton, Mrs. Burdet, 21; bequest to
heirs of, 65; the heirs of, and the
devise of Mount Vernon, 201

“ Audley”, the later home of Mrs.
Lawrence Lewis, 294

Augusta Academy. See LIBERTY
Hatt ACADEMY

“ Authenticated copy of the Last Will
and Testament of George Washing-
ton”, Jackson, 1, 2, 40 n.

Bacon-Foster, Corra, “ The Potomac
Route to the West”, 272

Ball, Burgess, 21

Ball, Mrs. Burgess, 21; bequest to, 66

Ball, George, Gloucester County lands
sold to, 121-122; account with, in
Ledger “C”, 384

Ballendyne, John, and the Potomac
Company, 271

Baltimore and Ohio R. R. Co., and
the Chesapeake and Ohio canal,
276

Bank of Alexandria, bequest of stock
in, 45-47; debt due to the, 87; es-
tablishment and history of, 132-
133; purchase of stock in, 383494

Bank of Columbia, Georgetown,
Washington’s interest in, 132; in-
teresting history of, 133-136; pur-
chase of stock in, 383

Bank of England, Custis stock in,
taken over by Washington, 126-
127; advantageous disposal of, 128-
129

Bank of the United States, Act of
Congress creating the, 131; Presi-
dent Jackson’s hatred of the, 136

Bank stocks, a favorite form of in-
vestment with Washington, 126;
early interest in, 126; Washing-
ton’s holdings of, 132-136

Bassett, Burwell, and the sale of
Gloucester County land, 122

Bassett, Frances. See WASHINGTON,
Mrs. GrorcE A.

Beneficiaries. See LEGATEES
Berkeley County, Virginia. See JErF-
FERSON CouNTY, WEST VIRGINIA
Beverly, Robert, executor of William
A. Washington’s estate, executors
propose plan for friendly suit to,

355-356

Bixby, William K., presents original
Inventory and Appraisement to the
Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association
of the Union, 877., 88, 401; pub-
lication of the Inventory and Ap-
praisement by, 401-448

Boston Atheneum, large number of
Washington’s books in the, 139-
143; catalogue of, 140n., 141-142

Braddock, General Edward, 304

Braddock’s Road, 301, 303, 304

Brooke, Governor Robert, letter to,
178

Buchan, Earl of, return of the “ Wal-
lace Tree” box to, 30; bequest to,

57; 161
Burning Spring tract, the, 322;
friendly suit for title of, 337-338;

history and description of, 346-347;
magnanimous act of Lawrence A.
Washington in case of, 347-348

Bust of Washington by Houdon, 107-
108

Butterfield, C. W., “ The Washington-
Crawford Letters” quoted, 301,
324

Index

CALLAHAN, C. H., “ Washington, the

Man and the Mason”, 38n., 163
and n.
Calvert, Eleanor. See Custis, Mrs.

JOHN PARKE

Camp Manufacturing Company, the
present owners of the Dismal
Swamp lands, 289

Capitol Hill, Washington, 246, 247,
257

Carrington, Colonel Edward, at
Mount Vernon, 220

Carrington, Mrs. Edward, quoted,
220

Carroll, Daniel, of Duddington, 255
and 7.

Carter, Charles, 21; title to lots in
Fredericksburgh owned by, vali-
dated by the Will, 51, 161

Carter, Mrs. Charles, 21; bequest to,
65

Cary, Sally. See
xEORGE WILLIAM

Cash, on hand at time of death, 112

Cash book, meticulous care in keep-
ing, 102; of his salary and expenses
while President, 375, 385

Cash, Rights, and Credits,
112-125

Charles County, Maryland, his farms
in, 260-263

Chase, Salmon P., on the publication
of Washington’s Will, 1

Chattels, valuation of the, 91, 410-
448

Chattin’s Run tract of land, sale of,
291

FAIRFAX, MnRs.

of the,

Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Com-
pany, successor of the Potomac
Company, 272-275; operation of,

abandoned, 276

“ Chotanckers ”, the, 162

Cincinnati, Ohio, the lands near, 311-
oa

Cireuit Court of the United States
for Alexandria County, executors’
accounts made in the, 349-354;
friendly suit instituted in the,
357-363; and the Hammond Appeal,
365-366; decree of, reversed by the
Supreme Court, 367-368; ceases to
exist, 369Index

Cireuit Superior Court of Law and
Chancery of the County of Alex-
andria, and the Matter of Ham-
mond’s Appeal, 370

Claims against the Estate, advertise-
ment for and adjudication of, 86;
Stuart, only one fixed in court, 86-
87

Clark,
321 n.

Clark, Colonel George Rogers, 312

Clarke County, Virginia, real estate
in what is now, 292-294

Clinton, Governor George, real estate
dealings with, 305-311; letter to,
quoted, 308, 309; the accounts with,
377, 379, 382

Cohen, Dr. I.

Wilson Allen, letter from,

Solis, ‘ Washington’s

Death and Doctors”, 18 n.
Collier, William Miller, “George
Washington’s Will and George

Washington University”, quoted,
193-194 n.

Columbia Historical Society, 272

Colvill, Estate of John, account with
the, 382

Colville, Estate of Thomas, account
with the, 382

Commissioners of the District of Co-
lumbia, subscribe to the stock of
the Bank of Columbia, 134; Wash-
ington writes, in interest of a Na-
tional University, 187-188; co-
operation of the, 189; Square No.
21 purchased from the, 232; letter
to, 248

Commissions to the executors,
351, 353

Congress, proceedings in, on death of
Washington, 18-19; opposition in,
to Hamilton’s financial proposals,
130; passes the assumption bill,

350,

130; passes the National Bank
Act, 131; President Washington

urges promotion of educational in-
terests on, 186-187; plan for Na-
tional University fails in, 189, 191,
192; requests removal of Washing-
ton’s remains to the Capitol, 241;
letter to, 306; presentation of
Washington’s service sword and
Franklin’s cane in, 481-490

495

Constitution of the United States,
adoption of the, 130; connection
between the Potomac Company and
adoption of the, 272-273

Continental Congress, impotency of
the, 130

Controversies, to be settled by arbi-
tration, 3, 69

County Court of Fairfax County, ex-
ecutors’ accounts made to the, 349-
304

Conway, Moncure D., quoted, 97-98,
201

Conway, Richard, letter to, 7

“Correspondence of the American
Revolution, Being the Letters of
Eminent Men to George Washing-
ton from the Time of His Taking
Command of the Army to the End
of His Presidency ”, Sparks, 150 n.

Craik, Dr. James, bequests to, 58,
162-163; opinion of James Welch,
119; payment to, for professional
services, 377; letters from, 465, 469

Crawford, Colonel William, negoti-

ates purchase of Pennsylvania
lands for Washington, 301-302;
reports on Round Bottom tract,
324; letters from, concerning
Round Bottom, 325, 326, 327;
death of, 328; surveys lands on
Ohio and Kanawha rivers for

Washington, 341-342

Cresap, Michael, letter to, concerning
2ound Bottom tract, 324-325

Cresap, Jr., Michael, suit by, for
Round Bottom tract, 330, 333

Cresap vs. McClean, 330%.

Crypt, under the dome of the Capitol,
19 and n.

Culpeper, Thomas, Lord, original pat-

ent of land from, to Nicholas
Spencer and John Washington,
197 n.

Cumberland Road, the old, 304
Cunningham, Ann Pamela, founder
and Regent of the Mount Vernon

Ladies’ Association of the Union,
206, 209, 210
Custis, Colonel Daniel Parke, first

husband of Mrs. George Washing-
ton, 19; value of the estate of,496

Custis, Col. Daniel Parke, continued
93-97; his holdings of Bank of
England stock, 127

Custis, Eleanor (Nellie) Parke. See
Lewis, Mrs. LAWRENCE

Custis, Elizabeth Parke. See Law,
Mrs. THOMAS

Custis, George Washington Parke

(grandson of Mrs. George Wash-
ington), “ Recollections and Pri-
vate Memoir of Washington”,
12in:, 2267. - 18, 19; 20; 22: 23, 34;
bequests to, 64, 66; appointed co-
executor, 68; on the value of Colo-
nel Custis’ estate, 93-97; bequests
to, by Mrs. Washington, 99; 106;
birth and early years of, 224-226,
228; letter to, 225; lands inherited
from his father, 226-227; marriage,

228; builds “ Arlington House”,
228; later years of, 229; death of,
229; sells land to the Protestant

Episcopal Theological Seminary,
229; provisions of his Will, 229-
230; devise of Square No. 21 to,
231; wills Square No. 21 to Robert
E. Lee, 235; failure to perfect title
to Square No. 21, 235; letter to
John A. Washington, 299 n.; Will
of, 476

Custis, Mrs. George Washington
Parke, marriage of, 228

Custis, Colonel John, father of Dan-
iel Parke Custis, 126

Custis, Colonel John Parke (Jack,
son of Mrs. George Washington),
19; value of estate from his father,
96, 97; and his Bank of England
stock, 127; death of, 224

Custis, Mrs. John Parke, 19-20

Custis, Martha (Patsy, Mrs. Wash-
ington’s daughter), 19; value of
estate from her father, 96, 97

Custis, Martha Parke. See Perrer,
Mrs. THOMAS

Custis, Mary Ann Randolph.
LEE, Mrs. Rosert E.

See

DANDRIDGE, BARTHOLOMEW, estate of,
released from debt, by Washing-
ton, 53, 161; bequest to, by Mrs.
Washington, 99

Index

Dandridge, John, shares residue of
Mrs. Washington’s estate, 99-100

Davis, Rev. Mr., conducts funeral ser-
vices of Washington, 18

De Castellux, Chevalier,
quoted, 307

Debts, to be paid promptly, 26, 42,
103; the release of certain, due
him, 29; total of, unknown, 101;
increasing burden of, 101; borrow-
ing to pay, 101-104; due Washing-
ton, 114

Decker and McSween, “ Historie Ar-
lington”, 229 n.

“Diaries of George
The”, Fitzpatrick,
284, 285, 318

Diary, the last entry in his, 16

Difficult Run, surveys land on, 15;
sale of land on, to Sheppards, 124

Dimmock, Mrs. Susan Whitney, 194

Dismal Swamp, real estate in the, 7

Dismal Swamp Land Company, sells
share of the, to Henry Lee, 13, 123-
124; his interest in the, 277; offers
to sell interest in, to Henry Lee,
277-278; negotiations for sale of,
279-280; Lee rescinds contract for,
282; friendly suit of beneficiaries
and executors for sale of, 283, 360;
history of the, 283-289

Disputes, to be settled by arbitra-
tion, 36, 69

Distillery, at Dogue Run, 7, 13; debt
incurred in building, 102, 105; 219;
rented to Lawrence Lewis, 220

Distribution, scheme of, for bulk of
estate, 238-239

District of Columbia, real estate in,
7; friendly suit for real estate in,
253-258. See also WASHINGTON,
CiTy oF

Dodge, Colonel H. H., the present
superintendent at Mount Vernon,
144

Dogue Run, the mill and distillery
at, 13, 199; land on, bequeathed
to Lawrence and Eleanor Lewis,
63; 197, 218, 223

Domestic eares, 7-8, 14

Dunnington George, account with, in
Ledger “C”, 383

letter to,

Washington,
162; quoted,Index

EACHES, JOSEPH, special commis-
sioner in Matter of Hammond’s Ap-
peal, 368-369

“Barly History of Washington Col-
lege, now Washington and Lee Uni-
versity, The”, Huffner, quoted,
181 n.

Eastern Waters, the lands on the,
290-300

Education, interest in and efforts for
the advancement of, 168-169, 186-
191

Estate, entire, to wife for life, 42;
disposition of residue of, 65-
67; inventory and appraisement
of the personal, 86-91, 137, 401-

448

Everett, Edward, efforts for the pur-
chase of Mount Vernon, 207

Executors, number of, under the
Will, 3, 35, 68; the suit against
the, by Dr. Stuart, 105; and the
sale of land to George Ball, 122;
and the sale of the Round Bottom
lands, 123; report of the, on the
Bank of Columbia stock, 136; ex-
penses for the slaves in the ac-
counts of the, 159; follow Wash-
ington’s advice as to stock of the
Potomac Company, 274; circular
to beneficiaries regarding Dismal
Swamp land, 281; friendly suit for
Dismal Swamp land, 283; and the
Ohio lands, 316-317; and the Ken-
tucky lands, 320-321; circular re-
garding Round Bottom tract, 330-
331; real estate in Alexandria con-
veyed to, by McClean, 335; division
of Ohio and Great Kanawha river
lands by the, 336-337 ; friendly suit
against the, for title to the Burn-
ing Spring tract, 337-338; accounts

of the, 349-363, 375; plan for
friendly suit for final closing of
the estate, 355-356; bill for

friendly suit filed against, 357-
359; decrees in suit against the,
360, 363

FarrFax, Rev. Bryan, Lord Fairfax,
9, 16; bequest to, 58, 164; real
estate purchased from, 291

497

Fairfax, Mrs. George William, letter
to, 9-11, 138

Fairfax County, Virginia, 3; the
Will in the custody of Court of,
24, 39-40; the Will probated in
County Court of, 84-86

Family, his, 7; his immediate, at
time of his death, 19

Farming interests, of the Mount Ver-
non estate, 7, 13, 15, 198, 199

Farms, the several, comprised in the
Mount Vernon estate, 197-199; the
Maryland, 260-270

Fauquier County, Virginia, real es-
tate in, 291

Federalist Party, 24

Ferry, the Washington, 7, 260

Finances, strained state of personal,
6-7

Fishing interests of the Mount Ver-
non estate, 7, 199

Fitzhugh, Mary Lee. See CUusTIS,
Mrs. GrorcE WASHINGTON PARKE

Fitzhugh, Nicholas, sale of Charles
County farm to, 265, 268

Fitzpatrick, John C., 5; “The Diaries
of George Washington”, 16. ;
151, 318, 344 n.

Flour, milling and sale of, 7, 199

Foote, William H., one of the ap-
praisers, 86, 88

Ford, Worthington C., 5; “ Writings
of Washington”, 67., 150 and n.;
“Wills of George Washington and
His Immediate Ancestors”, 25 %.,
202 n., 240n.; 88; “The Life of
Washington ”, 150-151; ** Washing-
ton as an Employer and Importer
of Labor”, 155 n.

Fort Necessity, Pennsylvania,
304, 305

Four Mile Run, surveys his land on,
15 and n., 228; 34; land on, be-
queathed to G. W. P. Custis, 64,
226; acquired from George Mercer,
227; G. W. P. Custis builds home
near, 228; portion of, sold to the
Protestant Episcopal Seminary,
229, 230; grist mill erected on, 229

France, strained relations with, 8,
247

Francis, John, letter from, 248

301,|
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498

Franklin, Benjamin, his cane _ be-
queathed to Charles Washington,
58, 108; cane of, now in the

Smithsonian Institution, 167; pres-
entation of cane of, in Congress,
481-490

Frederick County, Virginia.
CLARKE COUNTY, VIRGINIA

Free School, founds the first, in Vir-
ginia, 27-28

Friendly suit, against Bushrod Wash-
ington for title to Square 667, 253-
257; of heirs against Bushrod
Washington for partition or sale of
Montgomery County land, 265-268;
for sale of share in Dismal Swamp
Land Company, 283; for title to
the Burning Spring tract, 337-338;
for the settlement of the executors’
accounts, 349, 355-363

Funeral of, 18; to be unostentatious,
68

Furniture, bequeathed to Mrs. Wash-
ington, 43

See

“GEORGE WASHINGTON ”,
303 n.

“George Washington”, Wilson, 12 n.

“George Washington and Mount Ver-
non”, Conway, 201

“George Washington as a Man of
Letters”, Penniman, 153

“George Washington, Farmer ”,
worth, 203 n.

George Washington Memorial Asso-
ciation, the, 194-195

George Washington Memorial Build-
ing, laying the corner stone of the,
194-195

“George Washington’s Will and
George Washington University”,
Collier, 193-194 n.
Gill, John, account with, in Ledger
LOZ, 385
Gilpin, George,
schedule, 112
Gloucester County lands, sale of, to
George Ball, 121-122

Goods and Chattels, disposition of
the, by the Will and by Mrs. Wash-
ington, 106-111; inventory of, 401-
448

Hughes,

Ha-

pays note not in

Index

Great Kanawha River, the lands on
the, 7, 322-348; unsuccessful agree-
ment to lease lands on the, 119-
121; correspondence with Welch
regarding lands on the, 464-475

Great Meadows, purchases site of bat-
tle of, 301-304; executors sell the,
tract, 304-305

Green, Sarah, bequest to, 58, 166

Grist mill, on Dogue Run, 199; G.
W. P. Custis builds, on Four Mile
Run, 229

Gunther, Charles F., the, copy of the
Will, 40-41

HAMILTON, ALEXANDER, Washington’s
last official letter to Major General,
16; first Secretary of the Treas-
ury, 130; urges establishment of
a National Bank, 130; opposition
to, in Congress, 130; Congress
passes and Washington approves
his measures, 131; his masterly
opinion on the National Bank Act,
131; warns of the danger of a rup-
ture with France, 247

Hammond, Thomas, 21; and the con-
troversy over the Ashton mortgage,
364-366; executrix of estate of, ap-
peals from decision in matter of
the Ashton mortgage, 367; the Su-
preme Court’s decision on the ap-
peal, 368; action of the lower
court on reversal, 368; the final
compromise in settlement of claim
of, 370

Hammond, Mrs. Thomas, 21; be-
quest to, 66; the claim against the
estate of, 354-355, 364

Hammond, Nancy N., administratrix
of estate of Thomas Hammond,
360; appeals from decision in mat-

ter of the Ashton mortgage,
367
Hampshire County, Virginia. See

Morcan County, West VIRGINIA
“Handbook of Manuscripts in the
Library of Congress”, quoted, 460-
463
Hanson, Samuel, letter to, 135
Harding, President Warren G., ad-
dress at laying of the corner stoneIndex

of the George Washington Memo-
rial Building, 195

Harpers Ferry, winter quarters for
troops in 1798-1799, 292

Harrison, Governor Benjamin, of Vir-
ginia, letter to, 174; 342

Haworth, Paul Leland, “ George
Washington, Farmer”, 203 n.

“ Hayfield”, sold to Lund Washing-
ton, 197

Haynie, Sally B., bequest to, 59, 166

Hearst, Mrs. Phebe A., 22 n.

Henly, Bartholomew, trust fund for
education of, by Mrs. Washington’s
Will, 99

Henly, Samuel, trust fund for edu-
cation of, by Mrs. Washington’s
Will, 99

Henry, Governor Patrick, letter to,
176

Herbert, John, 15

Herbert, U. H., first superintendent
of the Mount Vernon Ladies’ As-
sociation of the Union, 209

Hillman House, Washington, the re-

modeled North Capitol Street
house, 250
“Historic Arlington”, Deeker and

McSween, 229 n.

“Historic Highways”, Hulbert, 303
“ Historical Sketch of George Wash-
ington University, A”, 193 n.

“ Historical Papers No. 1”, Wash-
ington and Lee University, 1817.
Houdon, Jean Antoine, the Washing-
ton bust and statue by, 107-108
Huffner, Rev. Henry, “The Early
History of Washington College,
now Washington and Lee Univer-

sity ”, 181 .

Hughes, Rupert, “George Washing-
ton”, 303 n.

Hulbert, A. B., “ Washington’s ‘ Tour
of the Ohio’ ”, 302 n., 323 n.; “ His-
toric Highways”, 303; “ Washing-
ton and the West”, 344n.

Intness, the last, 17, 18

Indians, troubles with the, 325-326,
343

Internal improvements, impetus given
to, by Washington’s far-sighted and

499

courageous example, 273; later re-
vival of interest in, 275
Inventory and Appraisement, of the
library, 1387; the general, 401-448
‘Inventory and Appraisement ”, the
original, 87 and n., 88-91; pre-
sented to the Mount Vernon La-
dies’ Association of the Union, 401
‘Inventory of the Contents of Mount
Vernon”, Bixby, 877., 88, 401-
448
Irving, Washington, on the value of
the estate left by Colonel Custis,
93; quoted, 214-215, 284

JACKSON, A., publishes exact copy of
Washington’s Will with notes, 1;
misleading statement regarding
land on Four Mile Run, 227 n.

Jackson, President Andrew, hatred
for the Bank of the United States,
136

James River Company, his disposi-
tion of the stock of the, 28-29; be-
quest of stock in, 47, 51; sale of
the stock of, 125; legislature
charters the, 173; block of stock
in, presented to Washington by
State, 174-176; the donation de-
clined unless in trust for public
uses, 177, 180; stock in, given to
Liberty Hall Academy, 182-183;
purchase of stock in, 383

Jefferson, Thomas, 108; opposes Ham-
ilton’s financial proposals, 131-132;
a strict constructionist, 131-132;
President, urges idea of a National
University on Congress, 191;

Jefferson County, West Virginia, real
estate in what is now, 292

John L. Roper Company, purchases

Dismal Swamp Land Company’s
property, 289
Johnston, Alexander, on Washing-

ton’s letters, 153
Johnston, Elizabeth Bryant, “ Wash-
ington Day by Day”, 220n.

KeritH, JAMES, 119

Kenmore House, Washington, the re-
modeled and enlarged North Capi-
tol Street house, 250-251500

Kentucky, the real estate in, 2, 7,
318-321
Kerr, James,
316-317
Key, Francis Scott,
Bushrod Washington

suit, 255
Key, Philip B., solicitor for legatees
in friendly suit, 254, 256, 257
Knox, General Henry, letter to, 6

and the Ohio lands,

solicitor for
in friendly

La FAYETTE, MARQUIS DE, bequest of
brace of pistols to, 58, 164; letters
to, quoted, 157, 308; at Mount
Vernon, 204

Land poor, after the Revolution, 8

Lands, the Ohio and the Great Kana-
wha River, 322-348; advertisement
of the Ohio and Great Kanawha, in
the Maryland and Baltimore Jour-

mal, 341-342. See also REAL
ESTATE

Land warrants, purchases two, in
Virginia Military District of Ohio,
312; flaw in patents issued on,
312-316

Lane, William Coolidge, catalogue of
Washington’s books in the Boston
Atheneum, 140”., 141-142

Last Will and Testament. See WILL
oF GEORGE WASHINGTON, THE

Last years, the, 6-16

Law, Thomas, 20; letter from, quoted,
247

Law, Mrs. Thomas, 20, 22; bequest
to, 66; bequest to, by Mrs. Wash-
ington, 99

Lawrence A. Washington et als vs.
Bushrod Washington and Lawrence
Lewis, the friendly suit, 349; sug-
gestion of plan and scope for the,
355-356; filing of, in the Circuit
Court of the United States at Alex-
andria, 357; the complainants in,
358; official title of, 358; the bill
of complaint in, 358-359; the an-
swer to, 359; referred to special
auditor and commissioner, 359; de-
cree with exceptions entered in,
360; payments decreed in, 360-361;
supplementary and final decree in,
362-363

Index

Lear, Colonel Tobias, 18; gift to, 30;
33; life interest in farm to, 59,
165; one of the appraisers, 86, 88;
93, 99; has handling of Washing-
ton’s salary, 114; 124; intimate re-

lations with Washington, 165;
* Wellington” farm assigned to,
199; 219, 344; records by, in

Ledger “G”, 375, 385; 377, 380;
loan to, 381, 383
Lease, Washington’s
farm lands, 293
Ledger, the first diminutive, of boy-
hood days, 94, 376

Ledger “A”, important discovery of
pasted sheets in, and the D. P.
Custis Estate and heirs’ account,
94-95; photostatie copy of, in Mas-
sachusetts Historical Society, 151;
201, 202; Dismal Swamp account
in, 285

Ledger “B”, account of the Charles
County farm in, 262

Ledger “C”, belated discovery of,
now in the Lloyd W. Smith col-
lection, 94, 375; few debts re-
corded in, 102; and the indebted-
ness to Dr. Stuart, 105, 115, 151,
376; and the Mercer debt, 264,
380; sale of the Dismal Swamp
share recorded in, 280; statement
of the George Clinton account in,
308 n., 379; the various records in,
378-385

Ledger “G”, 375; the accounts in,
kept by Tobias Lear, 385; Bush-
rod Washington’s executor’s ac-
counts also in, 385-386

Ledgers, the Washington, 93-96

Lee, E. J., pays balance due for Diffi-
cult Run land, 124

Lee, George Washington Custis, in-
herits “ Arlington”, 229-230; sells
portion of estate to the Govern-
ment, 230; conveys land to the
Theological Seminary, 230; second
president of Washington and Lee
University, 230

Lee, General Henry, eulogy of Wash-
ington, 2, 18, 19; Washington sells
share of Dismal Swamp Company
to, 123-124; interest in Dismal

form of, forIndex

Swamp Land Company offered to,
277-278; agrees to purchase inter-
est and makes partial payments,
278-279; fails to meet engagements,
280-281; rescinds contract in favor
of estate, 281-282; trades Kentucky
land for the stallion “ Magnolia”,
318; 321; account with, in Ledger
“oO a7 8384

Lee, Ludwell, letter to, 228

Lee, Mary C. See Lex, Mrs. ROBERT
Ki.

Lee, General Robert E., president of
Washington College, later Wash-
ington and Lee University, 183;
the Will of, 479-480

Lee, Mrs. Robert E., has life interest
in “Arlington”, 229; death of,
230; the Will of, 478

Lee, Jr., Robert E., seeks reimburse-
ment for the Ohio lands, 317

Lee, William, freedom for, 27, 45

Legacies, to be paid promptly,
26
Legatees, under the Will, 38-39;

agreement of, to ensure fulfillment
of provisions of the Will, 245; sale
of the Water Lots by, 251-252;
friendly suit against Bushrod
Washington, 253-258; follow Wash-
ington’s advice regarding the Po-
tomac Company stock, 274; ex-
ecutors’ circular to, regarding
Dismal Swamp land, 281; agree-
ment of, for sale of the Kentucky
lands, 320-321; circular regarding
Round Bottom tract to, 330-331;
friendly suit against the, for title
to the Burning Spring tract, 337-
338; deed of partition of the Ohio
and Great Kanawha rivers’ lands
by the, 339-340

L’Enfant, Major Pierre Charles, 246

Letters, disposition of Washington’s,
by Mrs. Washington, 106

Letters from:
Anderson, Richard C., quoted, 315
Craik, Dr. James, quoted, 465, 469
Crawford, Colonel William, quoted,

324, 325, 326, 327

Francis, John, 248
Herbert, William, 102

501

Lee, General Henry, quoted, 278,
280

McClean, Archibald, quoted, 328

Morgan, Daniel, quoted, 464

Pendleton, Edmund, 202

Scott, Gustavus, 135

Spotswood, General
319-320

Thornton, Dr. William, 233

Washington College, Trustees of,
quoted, 182

Welch, James, 314., quoted, 464,
465, 468, 471, 472, 473, 474

Letters to:

Anderson, Richard C., quoted, 314

Brooke, Governor Robert, 178

Clinton, Governor George, quoted,
308, 309

Commissioners of the District of
Columbia, quoted, 187-188, 248

Congress, quoted, 306

Conway, Richard, 7

Cresap, Michael, quoted, 324-325

Custis, G. W. P., quoted, 225

DeCastellux, Chevalier, quoted, 307

Alexander,

Fairfax, Mrs. George William,
quoted, 9-11, 138

Hanson, Samuel, 135

Harrison, Governor Benjamin,

quoted, 174

Henry, Governor Patrick, quoted,
176

Herbert, William, quoted, 101, 102
and n.

Keith, James, quoted, 469

Knox, General Henry, 6

La Fayette, Marquis de, quoted,
157, 308

Lee, General Henry, quoted, 277-278

Lee, Ludwell, 228

Lewis, Fielding J., 6

Lewis, John, quoted, 297

Lewis, Lawrence, quoted, 7, 14,
213-214, 216-218, 219

Lewis, Robert, quoted, 12-13, 158

McHenry, James, quoted, 8-9

Madison, James, 177

Members of the Dismal Swamp
Company, quoted, 279

Mercer, John F., quoted, 156

Morris, Robert, quoted, 156

Page, John, quoted, 121502

Letters to, continued
Randolph, Edmund, quoted, 177
Schuyler, General Philip, quoted,

306
Shreve, Colonel Israel, quoted, 116
Sinclair, Sir John, 157
Thornton, Dr. William, quoted, 233
Walker, Francis, quoted, 298
Washington, Bushrod, 125, 228
Washington, Lund, 127
Washington, William
quoted, 220

Welch, James, quoted, 466, 467, 472
Welch, Wakelin, quoted, 128-129
West, John, 26 n.
White, Alexander, quoted, 247
Wolcott, Oliver, quoted, 115
Young, Arthur, quoted, 196

Lewis, Betty (niece). See CARTER,
Mrs. CHARLES

Lewis, Colonel Fielding (brother-in-
law), 20; jointly interested in
Nansemond County land, 296, 299

Lewis, Mrs. Fielding (sister), 20, 21

Lewis, Fielding (nephew), 21; _ be-
quest to, 65

Lewis, George (nephew), 21; bequest
of sword to, 30, 59; bequest to,
65

Lewis, Howell (nephew), 21; bequest
to, 65

Lewis, John
quoted, 297

Lewis, Lawrence (nephew), 2; as aid
at Mount Vernon, 7; letters to, 7,
14; marriage of, 11-12; proposed
lease of “ Woodlawn” to, 13; 18,
19, 20, 21, 23, 33; bequest of Mount
Vernon and Dogue Run lands to,
and their delimitation, 63-64; be-
quest of interest in residuary estate
to, 66; appointed co-executor, 68;
jointly active as executor with Mrs.
Washington, 92, 98-99; prompt in
paying estate’s debts, 103; the
devise of ‘“ Woodlawn” to, and his
wife, 213; letter to, quoted, 214,
216-218; engagement and marriage
of, 215-216; distillery rented to,
219-220; builds at ‘“ Woodlawn”,
221; death of, 221; his children,
221-222; files account of individual

Augustine,

(nephew), letter to,

Index

acts as executor, 349-350; makes
loan to Washington, 383

Lewis, Mrs. Lawrence, 19, 20, 22, 23,
33; bequests to, 63-64, 66; bequest
to, by Mrs. Washington, 99, 106;
devise of “ Woodlawn” to, 213; en-
gagement and marriage of, 215-216;
later life of, 221-222; death of,
222; her home at “Audley”, 294

Lewis, Robert (nephew), letter to,
quoted, 12-13; 21; bequest to, 65;
letter to, quoted, 158

Lewis, Thomas, official surveyor of
Ohio River lands, 325

Liberty Hall Academy, the bequest to,
28-29, 51; early history of, 180-
181; Washington’s gift to, 181-
182; changes name to Washington
College, 182; later history of, 183;
becomes Washington and Lee Uni-
versity, 184; successful record of,
184-185

Library, the, gift of, to Bushrod
Washington, 29, 55; in the Inven-
tory and Appraisement, 137; mis-
cellaneous character of, 137; later
history of, 139-140, 141-144; por-
tion of, acquired by the Boston
Atheneum, 139-143

Library of Congress, Washington
Mss. in the, 13 n., 145-146; photo-
static copy of the Will in the, 40;
Ledgers “A” and “B” in the, 93-
96; makes photostatie copy of
Ledger “A”, 151; quotation from
the “Handbook of Manuscripts ”
of the, 460-463

“Life and Letters of Jared Sparks”,
Adams, 148

“ Life of Washington”, Ford, 150-151

“Life of Washington”, Irving, 214-
215

“Life of Washington”, Lodge, 272

“Life of Washington”, Marshall,
146-147

Literary remains, bequeathed to
Bushrod Washington, 55, 145; pri-
vate and personal correspondence
mostly destroyed, 145; military
papers and correspondence 1780-
1784 copied by agreement with Con-
gress, 145; public papers copiedIndex

and now in the Library of Con-
gress, 145-146; first use of, made
by John Marshall, 146-147; Jared
Sparks’ use of, 147-149; other com-
pilations of, 150-151; loss of cer-
tain of the, 152; some items of,
restored to Mount Vernon, 153;
essential nature of the writer
shown in the, 153

Litigation, no, over meaning and pur-
poses of the Will, 3

Little Hunting Creek, 211

Livermore, George, 139

Lodge, Henry Cabot, “Life of Wash-
ington”, 272

Long, John Davis, 244

Loudon County, Virginia, real estate
in, 291

McCLeaNn, ARCHIBALD, sale of Round
Bottom tract of land to, 123, 328-
330; legal controversy with Cresap
and Tomlinson, 330, 332-333; con-
veys Alexandria real estate to ex-
ecutors, 335; 354

McClean vs. Tomlinson, 332

McHenry, James, Secretary of War,
letter to, 8-9

McKenna, James L., purchases Dis-
mal Swamp interest and sells to
Bushrod Washington, 283

McLain, Archibald. See McCLEAN,
ARCHIBALD

Madison, James, letter to, 177; Presi-
dent, urges idea of a National Uni-
versity on Congress, 191, 192

Manuscripts, the Washington, in the
Library of Congress, 18 n., 145-146;
quotation from the “ Handbook ” of
the Library of Congress, 460-463

Marshall, Chief Justice John, 93;
“Life of Washington”, 146-147;

148

Marshall, Colonel Thomas, in charge
of the Kentucky lands, 318, 320

Maryland, the real estate in, 2, 7,
260-270; legislature of, charters
Bank of Columbia, 134; the Will of
no effect in, 235, 252

Maryland and Baltimore Journal,
the, advertisement of Washington’s
lands in, 342-343

503

Mason, George, 127

Mason, General Thomas, one of the
appraisers, 86, 87

Masons, last rites by the Order of, 18

Massachusetts Historical Society,
photostatic copy of Ledger A in.
library of, 94n., 151

Mercer, George, conveys land on Four
Mile Run to Washington, 227

Mercer, John F., letter to, 156; the
debt of, and the Montgomery
County tract of land, 263-264; ac-
count with, in Ledger “C”, 380

Miami River, Ohio, the lands on the,
311-317

Mill, at Dogue Run, 13, 199

Milling interests of the Mount Ver-
non estate, 7

Minor bequests, the, 161-167

Mohawk Valley, New York, real es-
tate in the, 7

Money, depreciation in value of, 6

Montgomery County, Maryland, the
farm in, 263-270; friendly suit to
clear title of, 265-268

Monument. See WasHIneToN Monv-
MENT, THE

Moore, Alexander, special auditor
and commissioner, 350, 351; re-
port of, to the County Court of
Fairfax County, 352, 353; commis-

sioner in the friendly suit, 359,
360, 362, 363
Morgan, General Daniel, introduces

James Welch by letter, 119, 464
Morgan, John Pierpont (the young-
er), and the possession of Martha
Washington’s Will, 393-400
Morgan County, West Virginia, real
estate in what is now, 295
Morris, Robert, letter to, 156; 280
Moss, Alfred, Clerk of the County
Court of Fairfax County, 39, 40
Mount Vernon, the return to, after
the presidency, 6; the estate of, 7;
bequest of, to Bushrod Washington,
33, 60-61, 200; his most cherished
possession, 196; original grant of,
196; description of, 196-200; the
Mansion House of, 199-200; distri-
bution of the estate of, under the
Will, 200-218; the title to, 201-|
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504 Index

Mount Vernon, continued
203; testamentary division of, by
Bushrod Washington, 204-205;
John Augustine Washington inher-
its, 205; Mansion House tract
passes to the Mount Vernon La-
dies’ Association of the Union, 206;
later history of, 207-211; the
“Wellington” tract of, 211-213;
devise of “Woodlawn” tract of,
213-223; the old and new Vaults
at, 239-242; Washington’s return
to, in 1783, 271

Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association of
the Union, purchase of the Mansion
House by, 206; history of, 206-211;
original of the Inventory and Ap-
praisement in possession of, 391

“Mount Vernon, Washington’s Home
and the Nation’s Shrine”, Wil-
stach, 106n., 203 7., 2407., 242 n.

Mourning Rings, bequests of, 58-59,
164; the custom of wearing, 165

NANSEMOND COUNTY, VIRGINIA, real
estate in, 296-300

National Bank of the United States,
Philadelphia, 136

National Cemetery, Arlington, 227
and .

Nationality, Washington’s sense of
the new, 3

National University, advocates a, 14;
liberal bequest for a, 28, 50, 186;
untiring efforts for establishment
of a, 186-191; planning for a site
for, 187-189, 232; repeated failure
in Congress of plan for, 191, 192

Negroes. See SLAVES

Nevill, General John, and the Ohio
lands, 316-317

“New Chapter in the Early Life of
Washington, in connection with the
Narrative History of the Potomac
Company, A”, Pickell, 272

New York State, the real estate in,
2, 7, 305-311

Nicholas, Robert Carter, Mrs. Wash-
ington’s attorney, 98n., 127

North Capitol Street, Washington,
houses on, 246, 247-250; destroyed
by fire, 250

Northwest Territory, real estate in
the, 7. See also OnIo LANDS

Norton, Professor Andrews, 139

Norton, Charles Eliot, 139

Notes to the Will, literal copy of the,
75-83

Out0, the real estate in, 2, 7
Ohio Lands, the, 311-317
Ohio River Lands, the, 322-348

PAGE, JOHN, letter to, 121

Parks, Andrew, 21

Parks, Mrs. Andrew, 21; bequest to,
65-66

Pendleton, Edmund, letter from, on
the title to Mount Vernon, 202

Penniman, James H., “George Wash-
ington as a Man of Letters”, 153

Pennsylvania lands, the, 2, 7, 114-
119; sales of, 115; 301-305; lands
near Perryopolis, 271

Personal estate, total value of, 91

Peter, Robert, former owner of
Square No. 21, 231, 232

Peter, Thomas, 20; one of the ap-
praisers, 86, 88; sale of Montgom-
ery County farm to, 267-268, 269

Peter, Mrs. Thomas, granddaughter
of Mrs. Washington, 20, 22; be-
quest to, 66; bequest to, by Mrs.
Washington, 99; 127

Peter’s Hill, Washington, Square
No. 21 on, 231, 232

Pickell, John, “ A New Chapter in the
Early Life of Washington, etc.”,
272

Political affairs, alarming state of, 8

Potomae Canal Company. See Poro-
MAC COMPANY

Potomae Company, the, bequest of
stock in, 28, 50, 125; chartered by
legislature, 173; gift of stock in,
declined by Washington, 174-177,
180; 239; Washington’s early in-
terest in, 271; Chesapeake and
Ohio Canal Company successor to,
272, 275; connection between, and
the Constitution of the United
States, 272-273; character and
value of stock of, 274-275; purchase
of stock of, 383Index

“Potomac Route to the West, The”,
Bacon-Foster, 272

Probating the Will, in Fairfax Coun-
ty, Virginia, 84-86; in the District
of Columbia, 245

Property, schedule of the, compre-

hended in the Will with notes
thereon, 71-83
Protestant Episcopal Theological

Seminary, Alexandria, 15., 229

Prussing, Eugene E., “ Washington in
Love and Otherwise”, 10 7.

Public Sales, the, made by the Ex-
ecutors, 449-459

“Public Sales made by the Execu-
tors of General George Washing-
ton, deceased, of his Estate”, re-
corded in Will book of Fairfax
County, 109-110

Putnam, Rufus, United States land
agent at Marietta, Ohio, 314

Quunsy, death caused by an attack
of, 17

RANDALL, E. O., “ Washington’s Ohio
Lands ”, 318 n.

Randolph, Edmund, 177

Randolph, Attorney-General Edmund,
opposes National Bank Act, 131

Randolph, Peyton, 127

Rawlins, A., secretary, 41

Real estate, in seven States, 2; large
interests in, 7, 238; scheme of dis-
tribution of, 31, 32, 238-239; his
faith in value of, 32; in the city
of Washington, 245-259; losses on
city of Washington, 257-258; stock
in the Potomac Company deemed,
274; interest in the Dismal Swamp
Land Company, 277; sales of the,
on the Eastern Waters, 290-300;
in Pennsylvania, 301-305; in New
York State, 305-311; in Ohio or
the “Northwest” Territory, 311-
317; the Rough Creek, in Ken-
tucky, 318-321; on the Ohio and
Great Kanawha Rivers, 322-348

‘Recollections and Private Memoir
of Washington”, Custis, 127.,
98 n.; quoted, 225-226

Republican Party, 24

”

505

Residuary estate, his plan for the
distribution of the, 31, 34, 65-67,
238-239

“ Resolutions of the Dismal Swamp
Company, May 1, 1785”, 286 n.

Revolutionary War, shrinkage of his
liquid capital during the, 8; de-
preciated value of paper money
during the, 129

Ring. See Mournine RING

Robert Cary and Company, his Lon-
don agents, 128

Ross, Senator James,
vania, 115, 118, 345

Rough Creek, Kentucky, real estate
on, 318-321

Round Bottom tract of land on the
Ohio, 14, 322; sale of, to Mc-
Clean, 123, 328-330; first knowl-
edge of, 323-324; letter to Cresap
concerning claim to, 324-325;
Crawford’s reports on and letters
concerning, 324, 325-328; patent
issued for, 328; Cresap-Tomlinson-
McClean controversy over, 330-334;
title of McClean to, upheld,
334

of Pennsy]l-

SABIN, JOSEPH F., 340 n.

Salary, inadequacy of the presiden-
tial, 114

Sales, the public, of goods and chat-
tels, 106, 108-109; Bushrod Wash-
ington’s plan for the conduct of,
110-111; of the estate by the ex-
ecutors, 449-459; of lands on the
Eastern Waters, 290-300

“Sally Cary. A Long Hidden Ro-
mance of Washington’s Life”,
Cary, 10n.

Sarcophagi, John Struthers presents
marble, to family, 241

Sargent, Winthrop, governor of the
Northwest Territory, 314

Schedule of the property compre-
hended in the Will with notes
thereon, 71-83

Schuyler, General Philip, letter to,
quoted, 306

Seott, Gustavus, letter from, 135

Shenandoah Valley, Virginia, real
estate in the, 7506

Sheppards, William, purchases the
Difficult Run land, 124

Shreve, Colonel Israel, sale of land
to, 115; letter to, 116; 118

Sinclair, Sir John, compilation of
correspondence with Washington on
agriculture, 151; letter to, 157

Slaves, 7; opposition to traffic in, 12-
13, 158; solicitude for the well-
being of his, 22, 154-155; freedom
and provision for his, 23, 27, 43-45,
53-54, 157-159; behavior of, after
his death, 98; his work and in-
fluence for manumission of, 155-
158, 160

Smith, Lloyd W., first ledger and
Ledger “C” in collection of, 94;
cane bequeathed to Richard Wash-
ington in collection of, 167; his
valuable collection of Washing-
toniana, 375-387

Smithsonian Institution, his service
sword and Franklin’s cane in the,
167

Snowden, William H.,
Historic Landmarks
and Maryland”, quoted,
222, 223 n.

Society of the Cincinnati, contributes
to fund of Washington and Lee
University, 184

“Some Old Historic Landmarks of
Virginia and Maryland”, Snow-
den, quoted, 221m., 222, 223 n.

South Capitol Street, real estate on.
See Water Lots

Sparks, Jared, “The Writings of
George Washington”, 6n., 149 7.;
aids in securing books from Wash-
ington’s library for the Boston
Atheneum, 138; proposes and ar-
ranges with Bushrod Washington
for a collection of Washington’s
writings, 147-149; success of the
undertaking, 149 and n.; his “ Cor-
respondence of the American Revo-
lution, ete.”, 150 n.

Spencer, Nicholas, original grant of
land to, and John Washington by
Lord Culpeper, 196

Spotswood, General Alexander, 21;
purchases part of Ashby’s Bent

“Some Old
of Virginia
221 n.,

Index

tract of land from estate, 291; let-
ters from, regarding the Kentucky
lands, 319-320

Spotswood, Mrs. Alexander, 21; be-
quest to, 65; and the devise of
Mount Vernon, 201

Square No. 21, in Washington, 34;
bequeathed to G. W. P. Custis, 64;
location of, and present surround-
ings, 231, 236-237; his intentions
regarding, 232-233; the title to,
234; bequeathed by Custis to Rob-
ert E. Lee, 234-235; portions of,
sold for taxes, 236, 246

Square No. 634, in Washington, valu-
ation of lots in, 256; sale of, 257

Square No. 667, in Washington. See
WatTeER Lots

Statue of Washington, by Houdon, 108

Stevens, Henry, bookseller, acquires
a portion of Washington’s library,
139; books bought from, now in
the Boston Atheneum, 139

Stockham, Charles H., “ A Historical
Sketch of George Washington Uni-
versity ”, quoted, 192, 193 n.

Strict Constructionists, opposed to
Hamilton’s financial measures, 130

Struthers, John, presents marble
sarcophagi for bodies of George
and Martha Washington, 241

Stuart, Dr. David, 20; bequests to,
58, 163-164; claim of, against the
Estate, 87, 376; executors’ pay-
ment of debt to, 104-105

Stuart, Mrs. David, bequest to, 59,
164

Supreme Court of the United States,
3, 36

Sumner, Charles,
Will, 1-2, 154

Surveying, of his Washington lot,
14; of the Four Mile Run and
Difficult Run farms, 15, 228

Sword, presentation of Washington’s
service, in Congress, 481-490

Swords, disposition of the five, and
his famous admonition regarding
them, 30, 59-60, 166-167

on Washington’s

TAMBOUR SECRETARY, Washington’s,
now at Mount Vernon, 144Index

Thomson, Mary Espy, as to her pos-
session of Martha Washington’s
Will, 397

Thornton, Colonel John, 21; pur-
chases portion of Ashby’s Bent
tract from estate, 291

Thornton, Mrs. John, 21; bequest to,
65; and the devise of Mount Ver-
non, 201

Thornton, Dr. William, letter from,
232-233; letter to, 233; architect
of the North Capitol Street houses,
249

Tomb, body deposited in the old, 18;
intentions regarding a new, 34-35.
See also VAULT

Tomb of Washington, the, 239-242

Tomlinson, Mr., controversy over the
Round Bottom tract, 330, 332, 333,
334

Tour, the fifth to the West, 271-272,
303; the fourth to the West in
search of land, 302, 323-324; to
the North, 306-308

Truro Parish, bequest to, by Mrs.
Washington, 99

Trust Company, the Will anticipates
the modern, 3, 35

Trustees of the Protestant Episcopal
Seminary at Arlington, Virginia,
acquire land on Four Mile Run,
228, 230

Unirep STATES SECURITIES, losses in-
volved by investment in, 112-113
United States vs. Lee, 227 n., 230

Vautt, the family, provision for con-
struction of new, 68; remains to
be deposited in, 68; 239-240; new,
completed in 1831, 241; remains of
deceased members of family re-
moved to, 241; marble sarcophagi
and vestibule added to, 241

Jirginia, the real estate Tiger is
legislature charters Alexandria
Academy, 171-172; charters the
James River Company and Potomac
Company, 173-174; and the gift of
stock to Washington, 174-177, 180;
confirms grant of Dismal Swamp
lands, 287; the Military District of

<<

507

Ohio reserved by, 312-316; and the
suit for recovery of Martha Wash-
ington’s Will, 393-400

Virginia vs. Morgan, the suit for re-
covery of Martha Washington’s
Will, 393-400

Virginia Military District of Ohio,
the, 312-313

WALKER, ANN, bequest to, 59, 166
Walker, Francis, letter to, 298
Walker, Dr. Thomas, jointly inter-
ested in Nansemond County land,
296, 299
Washington, Ann (niece).
ToN, Mrs. BURDET
Washington, Anna
residue of Mrs.
estate, 99
Washington, Augustine (father), the
devise of Mount Vernon in his
Will, 202 n.
Washington,
er), 20
Washington, Bushrod (nephew), 2,
21, 23, 29; gift of sword to, 30,
59; bequest of Mount Vernon to,
33, 60-61, 200; and the Gunther
copy of the Will, 41; bequest of
papers and books to, 55; bequest
of interest in residuary estate, 66;
appointed co-executor, 68; passive
as executor during Mrs. Washing-
ton’s survival, 99; executors’ re-
port on sale of Maryland farm,
104; note regarding indebtedness
to Dr. Stuart, 105; proposes plan
for conduct of sale of goods and
chattels, 110-111; letter to W. A.
Washington as to loss on United

See ASH-

Maria, shares
Washington’s

Augustine (half-broth-

States stock, 113-114; letter to,
125; and Washington’s library,
139; and Marshall’s ‘Life of

Washington”, 146-147, 151-152;
agreement with Sparks for collec-
tion of the writings of Washing-
ton, 147-149; takes possession at
Mount Vernon, 205; testamentary
division of Mount Vernon by, 205;
letter to, quoted, 228; his plan for
sale of real estate in city of Wash-
ington, 252-253; friendly suit508 Index

Washington, Bushrod, continued
against, 253-258; and the friendly
suit for Montgomery County farm,
265-268; purchases Dismal Swamp
interest from McKenna, 283; his
plan for disposing of the residuary
estate’s real property, 290; depo-
sition of, regarding the Burning
Spring tract, 338; files account of
individual acts as executor, 351-
352; his executor’s accounts in
Ledger “C”, 375, 385, 386; his
diary of actions as executor, 375-
376

Washington, Charles (brother), 21;
bequest of Franklin’s cane to, 58,
162

Washington, Mrs. Charles, bequest of
a mourning ring to, 59, 164

Washington, Charles (Lawrence)
Augustine (great-nephew), 21, 33;
bequests to, 62-63, 66, 212

Washington, Corbin (nephew), 21;
bequest to, 66; claim against chil-
dren of, 352; payments to, 354;
settlement of the difficulty with,
354

Washington, Elizabeth (Betty) (sis-
ter). See Lewis, Mrs. FIELDING

Washington, Elizabeth (niece). See
Spotswoop, Mrs. ALEXANDER

Washington, Elizabeth, of “ Hay-
field.” See WASHINGTON, Mkrs.
LunD

Washington, Frances (niece). See
Batt, Mrs. BurRGESS

Washington, George, importance of
study of Will of, 1; enjoins arbi-
tration for settlement of disputes,
3, 36, 69; returns to Mount Vernon
from public life, 6; financial strain
on, 6, 8; widespread property in-
terests of, 7; his methodical hab-
its, 8-9; letter to Mrs. Fairfax,
10-11; domestic happiness, 11-12;
writes last will and testament, 12;
domestic and business activities,
13-15; his last days, 15-17; death
of, 17; funeral of, 18; tributes to,
in Congress, 18-19; family connec-
tions, 19-22; plans for division of
his estate, 22-23; of the Will of,

24-41; his nationalism, 24, 25;
knowledge of legal forms, 25; lib-
eral provisions for Mrs. Washing-
ton, 26-27, 92; feeling towards his
slaves, 27; the fund for the free
school, 27-28; and the proposed
gift from the State of Virginia,
28; ardent hopes for a National
University, 28; and the gift to
Liberty Hall Academy, 28-29; re-
leases family debts, 29; and the
bequest of Mount Vernon, 29; gifts
of personal mementoes, 30; the be-
quest of his five swords, 30; his
scheme for the distribution of the
residuary estate, 31-32, 34; feeling
towards his wife’s kindred, 33;
provision for new Vault, 34-35, 68,
239-242; appointment of the execu-
tors, 35, 68; few errors in the Will
of, 36-37; the beneficiaries of, 38-
39; later history of the Will of,
39-41; literal copy of the Will
of, 42-70; schedule of property
comprehended in the Will of, 71-74;
notes made to Will by, 75-83; pro-
bate of the Will of, 84-86; inven-
tory and appraisement under the
Will of, 87-91, 401-448; and the
Custis estate, 93-97; the ledgers
of, 93-96; debts at time of decease
of, 101-105; dispersal of his goods
and chattels after Mrs. Washing-
ton’s death, 106-111; bust and
statues of, by Houdon, 107-108;
loans to the United States, 112-
113; the debts due, 114; sale of
Pennsylvania lands, 114-118; and
the unsatisfactory deal with Welch,
119-121; sells Gloucester County
lands, 121-122; and the Round
Bottom trade with McClean, 123;
dealings with General Henry Lee
for sale of Dismal Swamp interests,
123-124; sells Difficult Run land to
Sheppards, 124; holdings in the
Potomac Company and James River
Company stocks, 125; bank stocks
a favorite form of investment with,
126; takes over Custis’ Bank of
England stock, 126-129; appoints
Hamilton Secretary of the Treas-Index 509

ury, 130; signs the National Bank
Act, 130-132; one of the founders
of the Bank of Alexandria, 132-
133; invests in Bank of Columbia
stock, 133-136; library and literary
remains of, 137-153; the later dis-
persal of the library of, 139-143;
classification of the library of, 141-
143; letters and papers of, 145-
146; the various “ Lives ” and col-
lections of the Writings of, 146-
152; his personality revealed in
his writings, 153; and the question
of slavery, 154-158; testamentary
provision for the care of his slaves,
158-160; the minor bequests of,
161-166; bequest of the swords and
his famous admonition concerning
them, 166-167; interest in popular
education, 168; contributions and
bequest to Alexandria Academy,
168-172; bequest to Liberty Hall
Academy, 173-185; promotes the
James River and the Potomac Com-
panies, 173; embarrassed by gift
of stock, 174-177; urges plan for
National University on Congress,
178-179, 186-190; lack of public
interest in his plan, 190-193; love
for Mount Vernon, 196-197; pro-
pensity for buying land, 197-198;
management of the Mount Vernon
estate, 198-200; devolution of
Mount Vernon to, 201-202; bequest
of the “Wellington” estate by,
211-212; bequeaths the “ Wood-
lawn” tract to Lawrence Lewis
and wife, 213; his letter of invi-
tation to Lewis, 213-214; plans for
Lawrence and Eleanor Lewis, 216-
221; adoption of the Custis chil-
dren by, 224; bequest of Four Mile
Run tract to young Custis by, 226;
purchases Four Mile Run tract,
227; purchases land in the city of
Washington, 231-234; his plan for
the distribution of his large land
holdings, 238-239; his real estate
in Washington, 245-259; activities
in the French crisis, 247; provides
for new Vault at Mount Vernon,
239-242; purchases farm in Charles

County, Maryland, 261-263; ac-
quires Montgomery County, Mary-
land, land, 263-264; interest in the
Potomac Company, 271-276; his
last tour across the Alleghenies,
271-272; testamentary advice re-
garding stock of the Potomac Com-
pany, 273-275; his holdings in the
Dismal Swamp Land Company,
277-289; visits the Dismal Swamp,
284-285; inadequacy of his salary
as President, 288; his lands on the
Eastern Waters, 290-300; general
form of his leases, 293; of his out-
lying lands, 301-321; the transac-
tions with Governor Clinton in
New York lands, 305-311; the Ohio
or Northwest Territory lands of,
311-317; purchases of land war-
rants by, 312-313; disputed titles
to his Ohio lands, 312-317; his
holdings in Kentucky, 318-321; the
Ohio and Great Kanawha River
lands his largest holdings, 322-
348; the Round Bottom tract of,
323-335; his advertisement for
sale of lands on the Western
Waters, 342-343; the executors’
accounts in the settlement of the
estate of, 349-363; the purity of
character and the greatness of, 372-
373; recent discovery of his first
ledger and Ledger “C”, 375-376;
the records in the ledgers and ac-
count books of, 376-385; corre-
spondence with James Welch, 464-
475; presentation of the service
sword of, in Congress, 481-490

Washington, Mrs. George, 17; con-

sents to removal of husband’s re-
mains to Capitol, 19; 22; the be-
quests and life interest to, 26-27,
42-43, 56; appointed co-executor,
68; age and health of, 92; liberal
provisions in Will for, 92; life in-
terest only in bulk of estate, 93;
value of her estate from Daniel
Parke Custis, 93-97; one of the
two active executors, 98; makes
her Will, 99; disposition of her
estate, 99-100; death and burial,
100; and the personal letters from510

Washington, Mrs. George, continued
Washington, 106; disturbed by the
conduct of the slaves, 158; re-
mains of, now in the new vault,
241-242; the Will of, 389-393; the
later loss and recovery of the Will
of, 393-400

Washington, George A. (nephew), 21

Washington, Mrs. George A., 33

Washington, George C. (great-
nephew), 139; acts as trustee in
sale of real estate in city of Wash-
ington, 257, 258, 259

Washington, George Fayette (great-
nephew), 21, 33; bequests to, 62-
63, 66, 212

Washington, George Steptoe
ew), 21; debt of, released,
53; gift of sword to, 30, 59; be-
quest to, 65-66; appointed co-
executor, 68; and the sales of the
New York lands, 310-311

Washington, Hannah. See WAsH-
INGTON, Mrs. JoHN A.

Washington, Hannah, of “ Fairfield.”
See WASHINGTON, Mrs. WARNER

(neph-
29, 52-

Washington, Harriet (niece). See
ParKs, Mrs. ANDREW
Washington, Jane (niece). See

WASHINGTON, Mrs. WILLIAM AvU-
GUSTINE

Washington, Jane (niece).
THORNTON, Mrs. JOHN

Washington, John, original grant of
land to, 196

Washington, John Augustine (broth-
er); 2a 206

Washington, Mrs. John A., bequest
of a mourning ring to, 59, 164

Washington, John Augustine (great-
nephew), 139; inherits Mansion
House tract of Mount Vernon
from Bushrod Washington, 205;
grants permission in Will for sale
of estate to the Government,
205

Washington, John Augustine (great-
great-nephew), inherits Mount Ver-
non, 205; sells estate to the Mount
Vernon Ladies’ Association of the
Union, 206; letter from G. W, P.
Custis, 299 n.

See

Index

Washington, John P. A.
nephew), 21

Washington, Lawrence (cousin), be-
quests to, 58, 162

Washington, Lawrence, aids author,
5

Washington,

(great-

Lawrence Augustine
(nephew), 21; debt of, released,
29, 52-53; bequest to, 65-66;
James River Company’s stock sold
to, 125; friendly suit of, for title
to the Burning Spring tract, 337-
338; magnanimous action of, re-
garding the Burning Spring tract,
347-348

Washington, Lund (cousin), letter
to, regarding the Custis Bank of
England stock, 127; “ Hayfield”
sold to, 197; account with, in
Ledger “C”, 378

Washington, Mrs. Lund, bequest of
a mourning ring to, 59, 164

Washington, Maria (great-niece), 21;
bequest to, 66

Washington, Martha Dandridge Cus-
tis. See WASHINGTON, Mrs. GEORGE

Washington, Mary, executrix of Law-
rence A. Washington files bill of
revivor in friendly suit, 360

Washington, Mildred (niece). See
HAMMOND, Mrs. THOMAS
Washington, Mildred. See Wasu-

INGTON, Mrs. CHARLES

Washington, Robert (cousin), bequest
of cane to, 58, 162

Washington, Samuel (brother), 21;
release of debt owing by, 51-52,
161; loan made to, 383

Washington, Samuel (nephew), 21;
gift of sword to, 30, 59; bequest
to, 66; appointed co-executor, 68;
purchases Hampshire County land
from estate, 295

Washington, Samuel (great-nephew),
21

Washington, Thomas (great-nephew),
21

Washington, Thornton (nephew), 21;
title of real estate validated to
heirs and assigns of, 51-52, 161;
bequest to heirs of, 66

Washington, Mrs. Warner, 15; be-Index

quest of a mourning ring to, 59,
164

Washington, William Augustine
(nephew), 13, 21, 29; gift of
sword to, 30, 59; bequest to, 55,
65; appointed co-executor, 68; 161;
and the devise of Mount Vernon,
201; letter to, 220

Washington, Mrs. William A., 21;
bequest to, 66

Washington and Lee University.
See Liperty HALL ACADEMY

“Washington and the West”,
bert, 344 n.

“Washington as an Employer and
Importer of Labor”, Ford, 155 n.

Washington Brick Company, present
owners of “ Abington” the Custis’
home, 227 n.

Washington, city of, real estate in,
7, 8, 18; Square No. 21 in, 14, 34,
231; no legal designation for, 37 n. ;
debt incurred in building in, 101,
103; depreciation of value of land
in, 234; the beginnings of the,
246; first sales of land in, 246

Washington Coal and Coke Company,
116, 117 and x.

Hul-

Washington College. See Liperty
HALL ACADEMY
“ Washington—Crawford Letters,

The ”, Butterfield, quoted, 301, 324,
326 n.

“Washington Day by Day”, John-
ston, 220n.

“Washington in Love
wise’, Prussing, 10 n.

Washington manuscripts, in the Li-
brary of Congress, 13., 460-463

Washington Monument, the, first
suggestion of, 18; laying the cor-
ner stone of, 243, 244; completion
and dedication of, 243-244

“Washington, the Man and _ the
Mason”, Callahan, 38n., 163 n.

Washington’s Bottom, tract of land
on the Ohio River, 341; valuation
of, 341

“ Washington’s Death and Doctors”,
Cohen, 18 n.

“Washington’s Ohio Lands”, Ran-
dall, 318 n,

and Other-

old

“ Washington’s ‘Tour of the Ohio’ ”,
Hulbert, 302 n., 323 n.

Water lots, in Washington, 246;
beneficiaries’ sale of, 251-252; plan
for clearing title of, 252-253;
friendly suit over, 253-258; sale
of, by court’s commissioner, 257;
loss to estate on, 257-258; present
condition and value of, 259

Welch, James, Washington’s largest
real estate deal made with, 119;
unsuccessful outcome of the trans-
action with, 119-121; letter from,
314n.; 336, 345; account with, in
Ledger “C”, 384; correspondence
with, regarding Great Kanawha
lands, 464-475

Welch, Wakelin, letter to, regarding
sale of Bank of England stock,
128-129

“ Wellington” tract of Mount Ver-
non estate, 211-213

West, John, letter to, 26n.

West Virginia, the real estate in
what is now, 2, 7

White, Alexander, letter to, 247

Will of George Washington, the, pub-
lication of Jackson’s copy of, 1-2;
the writing of, 12; lack of wit-
nesses to, 12, 36-37; preservation
of, 24, 39-40; characteristics of,
24-25; the several clauses of, 26-
36; not valid in certain States, 37,
235; beneficiaries under, 38-39; the
Gunther copy of, 40-41; literal copy
of, schedule and notes, 42-83; pro-
bate of, in Fairfax County Court
and in District of Columbia, 84-86;
appraisers appointed, 86; petition
for probate of, in District of Co-
lumbia, 245

Will of George W. P. Custis, 476

Will of Martha Washington, 389-
392; the loss and recovery of, 393-
400

Will of Robert E. Lee, 479-480

Will of Mrs. Robert E. Lee, 478

Wills, his familiarity with the draft-
ing and administration of, 25

“Wills of George Washington and
His Immediate Ancestors”, Ford,
25 n., 202 n., 240 n.512

Wilson, Mr. Justice James, 278, 279,
280 n.

Wilson, Woodrow, “George Washing-
ton ”, 12 7.

Wilstach, Paul, ‘“ Mount Vernon,
Washington’s Home and the Na-
tion’s Shrine”, 106%7., 203 %.,
240 n., 242 n.

Winthrop, Robert C., orator at lay-
ing of corner stone and at dedi-
catory exercises of the Washing-
ton Monument, 244

Witnesses, lack of, to the Will, 36-37

Index

Wolcott, Oliver, Secretary of War,
letter to, 115-116

“Woodlawn”, proposes leasing, to
Lawrence Lewis, 13, 33; 213-223

“Woodstock Manor”, Montgomery
County, purchase of, 264

“Writings of Washington, The”,
Ford, 67., 150 and n.
“Writings of George Washington,

The”, Sparks, 67., 149 n.

Youne, ArtTHourR, letter to, describing
Mount Vernon, 196PLEASE RETURN TO
ALDERMAN LIBRARY

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