|
Sale 58
|
|
press UP arrow key to increase the zoom ratio.
press DOWN arrow key to decrease the zoom ratio.
press RIGHT arrow key to increase the zoom window size.
press LEFT arrow key to decrease the zoom window size.
|
|
Lot 41
Washington, George. Autograph Document Signed twice, once "G:o Washington" at the end and once "Geo: Washington" in the title, one page, 9¼ x 14¾ in. (Mount Vernon), April 6, 1775. Being an account remitted by George Washington to George William Fairfax regarding expenses and income incurred June-December 1774 for the sale of goods at and rental of Fairfax's estate, Belvoir. Center fold and two horizontal folds strengthened on verso, tear to lower left corner repaired, bottom corners spotted.
Washington's lifelong association with the powerful and influential Fairfax family stemmed from the marriage of his half-brother Lawrence to Anne Fairfax, who was the daughter of William Fairfax, first cousin to Thomas Fairfax, sixth Baron Fairfax of Cameron. William was the land agent for his cousin, who was proprietor of five million acres of land between the Potomac and the Rappahannock Rivers, from their mouths to their headwaters. Lord Fairfax held the exclusive power to grant lands in the Northern Neck, as this region was called, as well as to collect quitrents. Thanks to Lawrence, George became a close friend of William's son, George William Fairfax, who was seven years older than he. Their friendship was cemented by a surveying trip to the Shenandoah Valley in March 1748, during which the 16-year-old George Washington served as assistant surveyor to his friend.
George William Fairfax was a member of the governor's council and a collector of customs for the South Potomac naval district. In 1757 he inherited Belvoir, which was located on a bluff overlooking the Potomac, a couple of miles downriver from Mount Vernon. George and Martha Washington frequented Belvoir, where George William lived with his wife, Sarah "Sally" Cary Fairfax. (Washington's feelings for Sally Fairfax have long been subject to speculation.) Years later Washington wrote to Sally that his visits to Belvoir counted among "the happiest days of my life" (February 27, 1785, DLC:GW).
In 1773 George William left for London on family property business, leaving a Power of Attorney with Washington, whom he had designated, among others, to look after his interests at Belvoir. Washington would see to Fairfax's affairs until he left for Boston in 1775 to become Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army. In his letter to Washington dated January 10, 1774, Fairfax writes: "… the Chancery business, I came here to Prosecute, will probably detain me for some Years, and to You my Friend, I will speak still more plain, and say at present I have no thoughts of returning to Virginia at any distance of time … But in Case I should ever return, I should not choose to live at Belvoir, but would fix myself in the Southern part of the Country, and nearer to the Metropolis, at a Place of my Wife's Brothers. Therefore I have no Objections to letting Belvoir for a Term of Years, seven, eleven, or fourteen, but would not choose to exceed that time, as I don't expect to Live to see the Lease expire …" He also requests that Washington put up Belvoir's furnishings for sale. "As Furniture is not the better for keeping, I could wish it should be sold and have it sett up, in Currency, which is cost Sterling." George William would never return to America; he wrote Washington on August 3, 1778 that after twenty years in litigation: "the Chancery Suit that brought me over, is as far from a conclusion as ever" (DLC:GW). George William died in England in 1787.
Washington's balance sheet, dated April 6, 1775, indicates costs for an advertisement in an Annapolis paper for the renting of Belvoir in June 1774. Another advertisement was placed in October. There are also payments received from various individuals, including a Wilton carpet bought by Dr. Craik on August 17th. Dr. James Craik was George Washington's personal physician. The two became friends during the French and Indian War, and Craik would serve as Physician General during the Revolution; he was with Washington when he died. Other purchases for sundries, a pair of scales, etc., by Col. Lyme, Col. Lewis, Adam Lynn, Francis Willis, Abednego Adams, and Mr. Craven Payton are recorded.
Washington would refer to this balance sheet in his letter to Fairfax dated June 30, 1786 ("The inclosed acct, commencing with the ball[anc]e of the one transmitted 6th of April 1775"; see Papers of George Washington, Confederation Series, 4:137, note on 140). The Rev. Andrew Morton rented and moved into the house in early 1775 (see Papers of George Washington, Colonial Series 10:252-253). The mansion and several outbuildings were destroyed by fire in 1783. The British destroyed what was left of the mansion during the War of 1812.
On June 15, 1775, two months and nine days after signing this document, Washington was unanimously selected by the Continental Congress as Commander in Chief of the Continental Army. On June 16th, Washington accepted the commission and on July 3, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, he took command of the Army.
Estimated Value $20,000 - 30,000.
|
| |
| Realized $14,100 |
|
