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Table of Contents > Federal Period > Lot 138 |
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Browse the Auction in Groups of 25 Lots: |
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Lot Number: 138
Click for a Printable PageSign-in to Bid or Register to Bid Estimate Range: $1,800 - $2,400 |
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George Washington’s “Last Will and Testament...” Boston, Massachusetts, Concludes, Mount Vernon, 9th July, 1779. |
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February 1800-Dated Federal Period, “The Last Will and Testament of Gen. George Washington ... Printed for John Russell and Manning & Loring, Sold at their Printing-Offices.”, Boston, MA, Extremely Fine. Written just months before his death in December 1799, George Washington's will is a surprisingly personal document. This rare Imprint’s last page of Washington’s will reads: “Mount Vernon, 9th July, 1779.” It has 24 pages, measures 7.5” x 4.75” an original booklet having stitched binding with it’s original blue wrappers. This pleasing example acquired for printing is authenticated by George Deneale, who writes:“I George Deneale, Clerk of Fairfax County Court, do hereby certify, that the foregoing copy of the last Will and Testament of GEORGE WASHINGTON, Deceased, Late President of the United States of America, with the Schedule annexed, is a true copy from the original recorded in my office. In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, this 23d day of January, 1800. GEORGE DENEALE, Clerk of Fairfax County.” Overall, a superior condition copy with some scattered creasing, expected typical tone, trivial soiling and dampstaining. A historic example for avid George Washington collectors. On the eve of his death on December 14, 1799, the gravely ill George Washington asked his wife, Martha, to bring him the two versions of his will. After reviewing them, he had one thrown in the fire and asked her to safeguard the other. The will, which resides with the Fairfax County Circuit Court’s office, reveals much about George Washington's activities, his deeply held beliefs, his affections for family and friends, and the provenance of his possessions. The history and life of this fragile and important document is an eventful one. During his lifetime Washington accumulated considerable amounts of land and property consisting of townhouse lots in Alexandria and Washington, D.C., choice tracts of land on the Ohio River, as well as land in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New York. In his will, Washington's highest priority was to provide for his "dearly beloved wife Martha," but he also remembered close and distant relations. His continued devotion is evident in the distribution of his extensive land holdings to his family upon his death. In his will, Washington also released debts owed to him by his brother Samuel Washington's estate, educational loans advanced to Samuel's sons George Steptoe Washington and Lawrence Augustine Washington, and a balance due from the estate of Bartholomew Dandridge, Martha Washington's brother. Washington's second priority in his will was the emancipation, care, and education of his enslaved workers. Although in the early pages of the will Washington states his opposition to slavery and his "earnest wish" to emancipate those enslaved immediately upon his, death, there were complications. About half of the enslaved people at Mount Vernon were "dower" slaves owned by the estate of Daniel Parke Custis, Martha Washington's first husband. Washington only had the power to free the enslaved people he owned, not those who were part of the Custis estate. Washington was also concerned about Martha's livelihood and in his will, he freed those he could, "Upon Decease of my wife... " The one exception was William Lee, who, upon Washington's death, was granted immediate freedom and a 30-dollar annuity "for his faithful services during the Revolutionary War." Washington provided support for those he freed who were too old, ill, or too young to support themselves. Those too young received assistance until the age of twenty-five and were taught to read, write, and pursue an occupation. The will specifically prohibited the sale or transportation of any Washington enslaved workers out of Virginia and admonished his executors to respect his wishes for their care. George Washington's great aspiration, for the future of the United States, were clearly expressed and supported by his will. He provided stocks to finance the establishment of a school to educate orphans. He bequeathed 50 shares in the Potomac Company towards the endowment of a “University” to be established in the District of Columbia, although it never materialized. Washington also gave 100 shares in the James River Company for “the use & benefit” of Liberty Hall Academy, whose name was eventually changed to Washington and Lee University. Washington’s contribution continues to be a cherished part of the university's endowment. Washington signed his will on July 9, 1799, six months, before he died. He wrote it on fifteen sheets of specially prepared paper that contained his watermark. The will was probated at the Virginia Fairfax County Courthouse on January 20, 1800, by George Deneale, the Clerk of Court. Since then, it has been in the care and custody of the Fairfax County Circuit Court Clerk's office, except for one brief period. In 1861, as federal troops invaded the Fairfax area, the Clerk, Alfred Moss, removed Washington's will along with other important papers to the Confederate capital in Richmond and the custody of the Secretary of the Commonwealth for safekeeping until the hostilities ended. The will was returned to the Fairfax County Courthouse in 1865. The Washington will was frequently displayed inside the Fairfax County Courthouse and during the mid-1900s was exhibited continuously for forty years. Because of deterioration observed in a 1976 examination by the Library of Congress, it was recommended that the will be exhibited only on special occasions. |
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Lot Number: 138
Click for a Printable Page Sign-in to Bid or Register to Bid |
Estimate Range: $1,800 - $2,400 |
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Early American History Auctions, Inc. 1520 Commerce St., # 312 • Winchester, VA 22601 Phone: 858 • 759 • 3290 Email: Auctions@EarlyAmerican.com |
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