Washington, George (1732-1799) 1st President of the United States; Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army.
Autograph document signed ("G:Washington"), 1p, 6¾ x 11¾", Mar. 21, 1752. A land survey with plot drawing, executed by Washington for James Denton, Augusta County, Va. Scattered stains, paper brittle, old tape repairs at top of sheet, small chip to left margin, several small losses along central fold, affecting several letters of text. In part, "Pursuant to a Warrant from the Proprietor's Officer I have surveyed for James Denton a certain Tract…Land situate in Augusta County and on the Lost River bounded as followeth…" There follows a detailed description of the boundaries of the land, with reference to natural landmarks, beginning "at two pines and a red Oak on a steep hill." He concludes, the property comprises "Three hund. and forty eight acres…" As was required by law, Washington made a small plot drawing of the tract in question--an irregularly shaped parcel of 348 acres--and has labeled the property owners on either side of the plot.
Washington received his commission from William & Mary College on Jan. 20, 1749. In July 1749, largely through the influence of the Fairfax family, Washington secured an appointment as county surveyor for the newly created frontier county of Culpepper, where he served until November 1750. He then continued to work in the Northern Neck with the permission of the Fairfax family from November 1750 to November 1752. There are 199 professional surveys attributed to Washington. Throughout his life as a soldier, planter, businessman, land speculator, farmer, military officer, and president, he relied on his knowledge of maps. In the Revolutionary War, he sometimes found it necessary to make his own field sketches. Between 1747 and 1799 Washington surveyed over two hundred tracts of land and held title to more than sixty-five thousand acres in thirty-seven different locations.
Estimated Value $8,000 - 10,000.
Ex Christies New York, Dec. 10, 1999 The Arden Family Holdings of Beverly Hills.
U.S. Presidents
