Title: From George Washington to Thomas Eden, 18 October 1773
From: Washington, George
To: Eden, Thomas

Sir
Virga Mount Vernon Octr 18th 1773

Inclosed you have a Bill of Lading for 4 Hhds of Tobo wch please to sell, and place the proceeds to the Credit of Sir Yr Most Hble Servt

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from William Milnor, 19 October 1773
From: Milnor, William
To: Washington, George

Honour’d Sir
Philada Octobr 19th 1773

Agreable to your request, I sent you 2 Yds Boulting cloth, which I hope you have receiv’d ere now, ’tis I think much finer than the sample I receiv’d from Mr Addams I am autherized by Mr Williams to inform you, that if it should not suite, he will take it again.
The several articles Capt. Cox left with me for Mrs Washington, I have ship’d on board of the sloop Norfolkpacket Capt. Francis Gilbert bound to Allexandria and directed them to the Care of Mr William Herbert. Mr Dougherty the Owner of the Sloop, was fearfull of taking them on board, least they should cause his Vessel to be seized, it was in vain for me to Urge the weakness of his timidity, I therefore at his request Packed them carefully in a fishbarrel with two Rowes of Middletons biscuit at each End, an account of which, I have sent to Mr Herbert.
Permit me, dear sir to remind you of our Salthouse and be Assured, that we will at any time obligate our selves to pay you the rent of it for any term of Years you may think necessary. I am determin’d for my part to carry on the fishery with spirit & resolution, your exceeding kindness to us hitherto, is the greatest encouragemt for us to proceed, & with the permission of divine providence, under the Countenance of so great an encourager of Industry I fear not but our labours will be crownd with success—be pleased (sir) to give my best respects to your Lady, to those young ladies I saw at your House & to mr Lund Washington, & b[e]lieve me to be, Sir Your most Obedient Humble Sert

William Milnor


Title: To George Washington from Richard Henry Lee, 21 October 1773
From: Lee, Richard Henry
To: Washington, George

Sir,
Belle View the 21st of October 1773

My brother & myself had proposed paying our respects to you at Mount Vernon, but were prevented, by being informed, that on the day we proposed seeing you, it was probable you would be set off for Williamsburg. And again, yesterday I failed to meet with you in Fredericksburg, whither I went for that purpose. You have inclosed your brothers will, with the Attorneys opinion on the back of it—By which you will see that he thinks the late Mrs Lee not answerable for any part of her husbands debts. This renders it improper for Colo. Lees Executors to pay the half of the demand you have formerly mentioned without having a further consideration of the matter. I suppose the enquiry can best be made, where resort may most easily be had to the Acting Executor—If therefore you are willing, let each of us state the case as we conceive of it to Colo. Mason, and let him have the Will to determine on. I am willing to be bound by his opinion, & if he says it must be so I will pay you immediately. If this is your pleasure, signify it to me, and I will send my state to Colo. Mason forthwith.
My compliments if you please to your Lady. I am, with regard, Sir Your most obedient servant

Richard Henry Lee


Title: From George Washington to Richard Henry Lee, 21 October 1773
From: Washington, George
To: Lee, Richard Henry

Sir
Fred[ericksbur]g Octr 21st 1773

Your favour of this date, is this instant put into my hands (at Weedons & almost dark) the mode you propose of determining the claim, upon Colo. George Lees Estate, will be perfectly agreeable to me; but as my Brothers are as much concernd in the matter as I am, I would choose to have there concurrance before I did any thing final & should be obligd to you to for mentioning of this matter to my Brothers in Westmoreland, who you will probably see before I shall; & who, if they agree to it, may draw up the state. you propose, my Br. John being better acquainted with the affairs of that Estate than I am. It would have given me pleasure to have seen Colo. Lee & your self at Mt Vernon. I came to this place late in the afternoon of yesterday. light failing me, I have only time to add that I am with regard Sir Yr Most Hble Servt

Go: Washington


Title: Cash Accounts, November 1773
From: Washington, George
To:

[November 1773]

Cash

Novr 4—
To Ditto [cash] recd from Peyton Randolph Esqr. for Intt due Mr Custis
£ 15.12.6

To ditto recd from Mr Thos Newton of Norfolk by the hands of Mr [James] Hill
228. 0.0

25—
To Cash recd from Mr Auge Willis for Mr Francis Willis Junr
60. 0.0

26—
To Ditto recd from Colo. Bannister
32.10.0

Contra

3—
By my Subscipn to the Society of useful knowledge
0.10.0

6—
By cash paid Colo. Pendleton Services in Dunbars Suit
5. 0.0

12—
By Exps. at New Kent Ct House
0. 7.0

17—
By Charity
0.10.0

By Cash to Mrs Washington
0. 7.6

By Garden Seeds
0. 6.3

By Messrs Purdie & Dixon’s Acct
8.15.3

By Mr Dean rep[airin]g my Chariot
2.18.6

26—
By Tooth Brushes
0. 5.0

By Doctr [John] Bakers Dentrifice
1. 0.0

27—
By Sundries from Doctr [William] Pasteur
0.11.0

By Mr Robt Washington’s Order
90. 0.0

30—
By a Snuff Box
0. 3.0

By a pair of Shoes for Giles
0. 8.6

By Garters and a hank of Silk
0. 2.0

By a Quire of Paper
0. 1.3

By the Secretarys Office Fees on 5 Pat[en]ts part of the 200,000 Acrs. undr Pro[clamatio]n 1754
8. 0.0

By Cash gave Mr [Thomas] Everard to hastn them
3. 0.0


Title: To George Washington from John David Wilper, 1 November 1773 [letter not found]
From: Wilper, John David
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from John David Wilper, 1 Nov. 1773. On 30 Nov. GW wrote: “Before your Letter of the 1st Instt came to my hands.”


Title: From George Washington to Lord Dunmore, 2 November 1773
From: Washington, George
To: Dunmore, John Murray, fourth earl of

My Lord,
Williamsburg 2d Novembr 1773

Urged to it by repeated applications from a number of officers whom I have had the honor to command in the service of this Colony, I take the liberty of addressing Your Excelly on the subject of the Lands which the Gentlemen conceive themselves entitled to under his Majesty’s bounty of October 1763.
The exception in favor of the Officers & Soldiers, contained in his Majesty’s order in Council of the 6th of April last, they humbly conceive is so strong an implication of your Lordship’s right to grant them these Lands, as to remove every restraint you were under before; and as there are no waste Lands to be had in this Colony, but such as lay upon the Western waters, they humbly pray for leave to survey on the river Ohio & its waters below the mouth of Scioto (the western boundary of the New Colony, should it ever take place); apprehending that your Excellency hath an undoubted right to grant Patents for them, as these Lands have ever been considered as appertaining to Virginia

—warranted, as they have been informed, by the Colony-charter, & sold by the Six Nations at the Treaty at Fort Stanwix in 1768: Nor is the right thereto, it is humbly presumed, by any means hurt by the nominal Line, commonly called the Ministerial Line, since that transaction seems to have been considered by Government as a temporary expedient (at the instigation of the Indian Agent) to satisfy the southern Indians, who as it is said, have disclaimed any right to the very Lands in contest; no other regard having been paid to it by the Ministers themselves.
The Officers of Virginia Troops impressed with these sentiments, & having undoubted reason to believe that there is no other chance left them to obtain their Lands, but on the Ohio, & knowing at the same time that the officers of Pennsylvania under a belief that these Lands do appertain to Virginia, and that patents will be granted for them have surveyed 200,000 acres, would fain hope that they may be allowed to proceed by authority to make their surveys also, any where upon the ohio or its waters below the Scioto, humbly representing to your Lordship that a delay in this case, is, in effect, equal to a refusal, as the Country is spreading over with Emigrants, & experience has convinced all those who have had occasion to attend to the matter, that these people when once fixed are not to be dispossessed, were it politic to attempt it.
The officers have an entire confidence in your Lordship’s disposition to accelerate their just rights—they have no other dependance—& hope to start equal with those other Officers, whose pretensions are not better founded than their own. The part I take in bringing this matter to a hearing will I hope meet with your Lordship’s excuse, as I am with the greatest respect My Lord Your Lordships Most Obt & Most humble Servant

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Lord Dunmore and Council, 3 November 1773
From: Washington, George
To: Dunmore, John Murray, fourth earl of,Council

My Lord, & Gentlemen
[c.3 November 1773]

The whole quantity of 200000 Acres of Land granted by the Hon: Robt Dinwiddie’s Proclamation of the 19th of Feby 1754 being now fully obtaind (within the number of Surveys limitted) and the last Certificates thereof lodgd in the Secretarys Office, I take the liberty, humbly to inform your Excellency and Honrs that the Surveys formerly made, are already Patented agreeably to an Order of Council of the 6th of Novr 1772, and that the Certificates lately returnd, & unappropriated, are for

Acres

28400

21941

7276

7894

6788

In all
72299
Acres.

It is also necessary to inform the Board, that the following Claims, including not only those wch were given ⟨in on⟩ the  day of Octr 1771, but all such as have ⟨been⟩ enter’d ⟨sin⟩ce, are yet to be allowed, and satisfied accordingly.

Colo. Joshua Fry’s heir, being short of his full qty at the last distributn
7242 Acs.

George Washington, also short of his qty at that distribution
453

Colo. Muse & others
Do
Do
199

Andw Wagener
Do
Do
2572

John Savage
Do
Do
2572

Doctr James Craik
Do
Do
394

Robt Stobos heir for his full proportn of the 200,000 Acres
9000

Jacob Vanbraam
Do
Do
9000

William Bronaugh
Do
Do
6000

James Tower’s heir
Do
Do
6000

Thomas Bullet
Do
Do
2500

John Wrights heir
Do
Do
2500

John David Wilper
Do
Do
600

Andw Fowler 400 Thos Napp 400

800

Arthr Watts decd 400 Jesse May 400

800

Fras Self 400 Robt Murphey 400

800

Robt Stewart 400 Jno Smith 400

800

Alexr Bonny 400 Wm Horn decd 400

800

William McAnulty

400

In all

53432 Acs.

This qty of 53432 Acs. of Land, taken from the amts of the Surveys on the other side, leaves of the 30,000 Acs. (set apart in Oct. 1771 for satisfying any claims wch might thereafter come in, & for the further purpose of reembursing the few who had been at all the trouble & the whole risque) 18867 Acs. which, if appropriated to those who were full in advance at that time, & distributed according to the former propns, will go thus—

To Geo. Washington
3500
To Andw Lewis
2100

Geo. Muse
3500
Peter Hog
2100

Geo. Mercer
2800
John West
1400

Adam Stephen
2100
James Craik
1400

And, if this Method of proportioning the 18867 Acres of Land is approvd of by yr Excely & Ho[no]rs, & you shall please to order as before, an Association of Names into each Patent so as to bring the amt of their sevl Claims as near to the qty of Land in the Survey as may be, the following method of doing it, probably will be found to answr as well as any other, as it cost some hours in shifting & changing the Claims from one Survey to another to bring them ⟨so⟩ near; but if any other method is better approvd of, it cannot but be equally agreeable to the Parties concernd, as chance, at all events, must have the Governmt of this matter.

The Tract of 7276

To Geo. ⟨Wash⟩ington ⟨for⟩ his diff[icienc]y of the last Distribn
453

& for his di[viden]d of the 18867 Acs.
3500

3953

To Geo. Muse—the residue
3323

7276

The Tract of 28400

To Captn Stobos heir in full
9000

Captn Vanbraam
9000

The Represente of Jas Towers, ded
6000

Andw Fowler 400 Thos Nap 400
800

Arthr Watts deceasd
400

Jesse May (Assignd Jno. Fox)
400

Frans Self 400 Robt Steuard 400
800

Robt Murphy 400 Jno. Smith 400
800

Alexr Bonny 400 Wm Horn decd 400
800

Wm McAnulty
400

28400

The Tract of 7894

To Willm Bronaugh in full
6000

Doctr Craik for his diffy at the last distribn
394

Ditto for his dividd of the 18867 Acres
1400

1794

Colo. Muse for the residue
100

7894

The Tract of 6788

To Andw Wagener for his diff. at the last distribution
2572

Jno. West his dividd to the 18867 Acs.
1400

Colo. Mercer for the remainder of the Tract wch with what he recd over his propn at the last distribution is more than pays him
2816

6788

The Tract of 21941

To the heir of Colo. Fry for his diffy at the last distribution
7242

Jno. Savage Do Do
2572

Thos Bullet in full of the Grant
2500

Willm Wright decd Do Do
2500

John David Wilper
600

Adam Stephen for his dividd of the 18867 Acs.
2100

Andw Lewis
2100

Peter Hog
2100

21941

As the Issuing of the Patents for these Lands ⟨will⟩ put an end to the business of this Grant (of 1754) so far as de⟨pen⟩ds upon yr Excely & Honrs, I would beg leave to offer two points of ⟨mater⟩ial ⟨cons⟩equence ⟨to s⟩ome of the ⟨Gra⟩ntees, to the serious consi⟨deration &⟩ determination of the Board.
The first is—As none of the Patentees (under the mode adopted of Granting the Land to numbers in the same Patent) can be ascertaind of their particular Property therein till a legal division is established, wch, (as in the case of a late Grant of 28627 Acs. to 60 odd Patentees, is scarce practicable to accomplish, & of consequence, the savg of the Land by Cultivation & Improvemt next to Impossible, by wch means the intended Bounty offerd for a valuable consideration is not only rendd void, but to those who have contributed to the expence, evidently injurious, inasmuch as they have paid for that wch it is not in their power to come at) I say under these Circumstances, whether some expedient cannot be hit upon to serve those, who are willing, and desir[ou]s of complyg with the Tenor of the Grant, either by prolonging the time of Cultivation, if this can be done, or by directing each Man’s share in any Patent to be laid off (⟨if⟩ the division is not effected by consent of Parties) within a certain limitted period, of wch publick notice to be given, as each Pantentee thereafter shall respectively apply to the Surveyor; who may be instructed to lay the same in one body, & in a good figure, to prevent injustice.
The Second matter to be offered is—whether something cannot, & if it can ought not to be done, to compe⟨l⟩ those who have never paid one farthing, or taken one single step towards obtaining these Lands (not even the Fees of Office on their own particular Tracts) to contribute in proportion to the qty of Land they have, & are to receive? Without something of this sort can be done previous to the Patenting, or in the Patenting of these Lands, nothing is to be expected from them afterwards; for where Men (I am speaking of those who hold principal Shares in this Gran⟨t⟩ for as to the common Soldiery, little ever was expected from them) are found so remiss, after repeated exhortation,

as neither to afford time, or Money, for the purpose of conducting a Work which could not possibly have gone on without both; little of the latter is to be expected after the business is at end, and their Patents delivered to them, unless letigeous Law suits are commenc’d, some of wch against Infants, & some against Persons beyond Sea; & without this, I must, after having been already saddled with almost the whole trouble, & many Expences peculiar to myself, submit to considerable loss; as I have been obliged to advance all the Fees of Office—answer many drafts of the Surveyor—& considerd I dare say by him, as liable for his whole Fees; assuredly hav⟨ing⟩ one, in that case, for the beforementioned Tract of 286⟨27⟩ Acres Patented to the common Soldiery to pay for w⟨ith⟩out (I fear) their being a penny the better of it ⟨as no step⟩ hath yet been taken to obtain ⟨a di⟩vision—one year of the three gone—& one half of them may never more be heard of.
I have thus, may it please your Excely & honrs, endeavourd to draw the whole of this matter into one short view, to save you the trouble of refering from one Order of Council to another—I have now to beg pardon for the trouble I have had occasion, from time to time to give in prosecuting this matter—& have the Honr to be Yr Lordships & Honrs Most Obedt & Most Hble Servt

Go: Washington


Title: Guardian Accounts, 3 November 1773
From: Washington, George
To:

[3 Nov. 1773]

Mr John Parke Custis In Acct with George Washington

Drs.

Sterl.
Curry

1771

May 10
To Cash paid Phips Jackson Eater—in part for Land bought of him by consent of the Genl Ct

200.

20
To a Horse bot of Colo. Bassett—for his Riding

43.

June 4
To Cash paid the Revd Mr Boucher £50 Md Cy eql to

40.

To Ditto for Pocket Money

2. 8.

July ⟨ ⟩
To 2 Blankets to his Servants

1. 5.

To Cash paid Peter Gaulet—pr Receipt

.15.

Augt 24
To Postage of Letters from his Merchts Inclosg ⟨Sales & ca⟩ since June 1769

2. 5. 6

To a Levy 95 lbs. Tobo Secretary’s Fees 117 212 @ 14/

11. 9. 8

Sepr ⟨ ⟩
To Cash at the Annapolis Races

8.

Novr
To Ditto paid the Attorney Genl in Dunbars Suit

20.

Ditto paid Colo. Pendleton Do Do

20.

Ditto paid Mr James Mercer Do Do

20.

Decr
To Rent of my Land & Mill in York Cty as Settled by the Genl Court

150.

1772
To the Exps. of a Negro Express twice, with an Acct of Valentines Death & other matters

1. 0. 0

Feb. 13
To Wm Carlin Taylors Acct

1. 7. 3

21
To Cash paid the Revd Mr Boucher, exclusive of a Bill of Excha. on Messrs Cary & Co. of £50 Ster. to discharge his acct of £156.2.7½ & pay sundry small debts amtg to £6

67.14. 3

To John West Junr his Bond for
£100.

Mar. 2
To a Rudiman’s Rudiments

. 2.

To Mr Prentis’s Acct

.16. 4

Apl 6
To Doctr Pasteurs Acct

14.11.

To Thos Lynch in part of a proovd A⟨cct⟩

1. 0. 0

To Thos Bishops Exp⟨ences carryg⟩ Money to Mr ⟨Boucher⟩

. 6. 7

To Cash paid Phips Jackson Eater in full for the Land bot of him

400.

To Cash for Pocket Money

4.16. 0

£100.
£1000.16. 7

Apl
To Balle carrd to ⟨New⟩ Acct for next year
150.

£250.
1000.16. 7

⟨ ⟩
To Balle of last years Acct pr Contra

86. 4. 1

⟨ ⟩
To Cash paid Mr Peale drawg yr Picture in Miniature

13. 5.

To Ditto paid Do drawg yr Mothers at yr request

13. 5.

Jun. 13
To Cash

3.

To Secretary’s Note ⟨for⟩ 213 lbs. Tobo @ 2d.

1.15. 6

To ⟨Doc⟩tr Rumneys Acct

2.10.

To sundries purchased by Mr Adam in Londn
5.17. 6

July 23
To Cash paid Leonard Milsford taking up Will a Runaway Negroe

1. 0. 0

July 27
To Cash

5. 5. 7 1/2

Octr
To Ditto at the Annapolis Races

7.10.

19
To Messrs Robt Adam & Cos. Acct

4.11. 3

Novr
To Cash in Williamsburg

14. 4.

To your Exps. at southalls Included in my Acct

1.15. 7

To his Travellg Exps. down & up also Included in my Bills

1.13.

To his Lodging in Wmsburg pr Mr Charlton

2.10.

Decr  5
To Engraving the Inetials of his name on 2 ⟨Guns⟩

. 3. 3

16
To Cash paid Mr Jno. Gutridge for freight & Charges of Transporting a

Negro Will to Port-au prince in bringg Molasses in return

13.11. 6

23
To Mr John Muirs Acct

3.10.11

To Rent for my Plantn & Mill in York Cty

150.

31
To Cash lent Bryan Fairfax Esqr. on Intt
£196. 4. 2

1773

Jan. 20
To Freight pd for 300 Bushl of Oats from Eastn Shore

3.15.

Apl 18
To Cash at different times

13. 0. 0

£202. 1. 8
£342. 9. 8

Apl 25
To Balle due Mr Custis this day
447. 2. 6
700.15. 5

£649. 4. 2
1043. 5. 1

Crs.

Sterl.
Curry

1771

May  1
By Balle due at last Settlement with the Genl Court of this date
£150.
21.15.11

16
By Intt of Frans Fosters Morgage

20.

25
By a years Intt of Mr Jno. Washington’s Bond

7.10.

July 12
By my Draft on James Gildart Esqr. in favr of Mr John West for
100.

19
By Cash recd of Peyton Randolph Esqr. ⟨to⟩ yrs Intt of his Bond

15.12. 6

Novr
By Ditto recd from Colo. Warner Lewis for two years Intt of his Bond

80.

By Cash recd from his Steward, Mr Josh Valentine for Sundries Sold from your Estate

605.10. 1

By Sundry Sums recd myself between the death of Mr Valentine & appointment of Mr Hill—viz.

         For Porke of Mr Waller
         £19.12.10 3/4

         Ditto of Mr Prentis
         47.16. 4

         Ditto of Mr Robt Warren
         16. 0. 5

         Ditto of Mr Barthw Dandridge
         13.11. 6

         Ditto of Mrs Valentine
         1.14. 0

         Ditto of Doctr Pasteur
         9. 8. 9

         For Rent of Peter Gillet
         5.

         Ditto of Thos McLen
         5.

         Ditto for Smiths Island
         15.

143. 3.10 3/4

By Cash of Mr Jas Hill recd for Rent

21.

£250.
   £914.12. 6

Apl
By Balle carrd to New Acct for next year

86. 4. 1

£250.
⟨£1000.16. 7⟩

1772

Apl
By Balle of last years Acct pr Contra
£150.

By Error in charging Phips Jackson

Eater—this Money being also chargd in Valentines accts

200.

May

         By Robt Cary Esqr. & Co. for
         £200.

         Ditto
         133. 6.8

         333. 6.8

         20 pr Ct Excha.
          66.13.4

400.

June 1
By Cash recd from Colo. Saml Washington on Acct of Intt on his Bond

75. 0. 0

By my Draft on James Gildart Esqr. (in Jan. last)
53.

June 30
By a years Intt of Mr Jno. Auge Washington’s Bond

7.10.

Nov. 18
By a years Intt of Peyton Randolph Esqrs. Bond

15.12. 6

Do Do
By Cash recd from his Steward Mr Jas Hill for Sundries sold from his Estate

299.15. 7

By my Draft on Robt Cary Esqr. & Co.
250.

Decr 31
By Ditto on Ditto in favr of Bryan Fairfax Es.
196. 4. 2

1773

Jan. 20
By 300 Bushl of Oats @ 1/3

18.15. 0

By Cash recd from Frans Foster on Acct of Intt

26.12.

£649. 4. 2
1043. 5. 1

1773

Apl 25
By Balle due from George Washington pr Cont.
447. 2. 6
700.15. 5

Besides the above Balle there is due to him in the hands of Robt Cary Esqr. & Co. pr their Acct Currt 22d Augt 1772
4145.12. 5

Messrs Hanburys pr their Acct
321. 6.11

John West Junr
100.

⟨B⟩ryan Fairfax Esqr.
196. 4. 2

Peyton Randolph Esqr.
250.

Warner Lewis Esqr.

800.

         Colo. Saml Washington
         £425

         Ditto
         100

⟨525.     ⟩

⟨Mr Chas⟩ Washington

⟨mutilated⟩

Mr Barthw Dandridge

⟨mutilated⟩

Mr Jno. Auge Washington

⟨mutilated⟩

Revd Mr Sebastion
60.

Mr Francis Foster

500.

£5520.⟨6. 0⟩
3090.   ⟨ ⟩

         There is also
         64
         Hhds of Tobo. in Messrs

         Cary & Cos. hands Shipd in 1772—

         and

         24
         Ditto in Messrs Hanburys

         In all
         88
         Hhds wch is yet unacd for

         There is Likewise 9 Hhds of Molasses in the hands of  Messrs Robt Adam & Co. to sell.

         E. Excepted pr

Go: Washington 25th April 1773.

Note
This Acct was settled the 3d of Novr 1773. Before Peyton Randolph, Edmd Pendleton, John Blair, & Thos Everard Esqrs. by order of the Honble the Genl Court.
Miss Martha Parke Custis in Acct with George Washington

Drs.

Sterlg
Currency

1771

May
To Freight and other Charges on a Box from Mr Small at Bermingham

. 9. 0

7
To Mr Prentis for a piece of Silk

7. 0. 0

To a hair pin from Miss Hunter

.17. 6

To 4 Bottles of Fit drops of Mr John Carter

1. 5.

To 1 Blew stranded Necklace from Mrs Hunter

. 3. 9

To hair Curls from George Lafonge

.15.

To 4 Oz. ⟨Æther⟩ pr Doctr Pasteurs Acct

1. 0. 0

To Mr Charlton’s acct for Sundries

9. 8. 3

⟨Jun.⟩ 23
To Mr Stedler teachg a years Musick

12.18.

To Burwell Bassett Esqr. his Bond for

390.

To Mr Barthw Dandridges Bond for
143.11. 9

To Mr Thos Prosser & Peterfield Trents Do for

145.15.

July ⟨2⟩
To 20 yds Trimming for a Gown pr Davenport

1. 0. 0

Sep. 9
To Cash for Pocket Money

2. 2. 3

Nov. 7
To Sundries got by Mr Bassett

8.12.

12
To Doctr Johnson of Maryld £14 Maryld ⟨equal⟩ to

11. 4. 0

To 4½ yds white Tammy

. 9. 8

To Thomas Davis for weaving

1. 1. 0

Decr 12
To Mr Robert Adam pr Mortgage

1000.

1772
To Mr Charlton pr Acct

1. 7. 6

Apl 2
To Miss Davenport

2.15. 3

8
To Mr James Mercers Bond & Mortgage for

1109.11. 6

9
To Mrs Charltons acct

.16.

 143.11. 9
 2708.10.11

Apl 10
To Balle due Miss Custis & carrd to New Acct for next year

71.10. 8

£143.11. 9
£2780. 1. 7

May 12
To Pocket money

3.

30
To Mr Peale drawing her Picture in ⟨miniature⟩

13. 5.

June 24
To Doctr Rumney

4. 2.

To a Picture New ⟨sett pr⟩ Mr Adams ⟨0.8.0⟩ Exchange on ⟨Do⟩ ⟨.2.0⟩

.10.

⟨Augt⟩ 14
To Mrs Cox making & altering of Gowns

.15.

21
To Mr Charles Turner mending ⟨a hair pin⟩

. 1.

⟨ ⟩ 10
To Riding Hat ⟨mutilated⟩ Feather ⟨laced⟩

4. 4.

⟨Octr 19⟩
To Messrs Robert Adam & Co. their Acct

9. 9. 9

To Mr Charles Turner putting a Crystal ⟨to⟩ her watch

. 1. 6

⟨Nov.⟩ 21
To Cash for Pocket money

3. 0. 0

To Travelling Expences down to Wmsburg

.12. 9

⟨To ditto⟩ up again

. 5. 6

To a Song Book the Bullfinch

. 6. 6

To 2 Bottles of ⟨Norriss⟩ drops

1. 0. 0

Decr ⟨6⟩
To ⟨a⟩ pair of Buckles & Scissars

.18. 3

May ⟨17⟩
To Cash

1. 6. 0

⟨Apl 16⟩
⟨To a⟩ Parrot

1.16. 0

To Doctr Craik’s Acct Maryld Curry
£5.19.6

⟨To Sundry shoes⟩ from Phila.
2.19.0

8.18.6

⟨deduct 25⟩ pr Ct
1.15.8
7. 2.10

To Miss Davenports Acct

.15.

To a Bottle of Hammonds essence of Antim ⟨mutilated⟩

.12. 6

To Cash

1. 6. 0

  54. 4. 7

1773

June 19
To Balle due from Geo. Washington

206.

£260. 4. 7

Crs.

1771

May 1
By Balle of Acct this day renderd to the Court & Recorded

£1005.16.10

2
By Cash recd from Doctr Carter for Intt of his Bond

10.16.

9
By Ditto from Mr Willm Dandridge for Ditto

22. 0. 5

By Ditto from Mr Phil. Whitehd Claiborne Do

14.

By Ditto from Colo. Burwell Bassett on acct Do

20.11.10

By Colo. Bassetts Bond for Balle due for Intt the 23d of April last

390.

By Mr Barthw Dandridge Bond for Intt due on his other Bonds to the 23d of April last
£143.11. 9

By Colo. ⟨Nathl⟩ Dandridges Bond £110.

⟨mutilated y⟩rs Intt on Ditto 35.15.

145.15.

Nov. 4
By a Yrs Intt of Colo. Carter Braxton’s Bond

52.10.

By Mr James Mercers Bond with a Mortgage due for Intt ⟨on⟩ his Fathers Bond to the ⟨1st⟩ of this Instt

1109.11. 6

£143.11.9
£2780. 1. 7

1772

Apl 10
By Ba⟨lle of last⟩ years Acct p⟨r Con⟩tra

71.10. 8

May
By a y⟨mutilated⟩ Mr Claibornes Bond recd ⟨mutilated Executor⟩

14. 0.

By a year⟨s mutilated⟩ of Mr Wm Dandridges Bond

⟨mutilated⟩

By Ditto ⟨mutilated⟩ Mr Thos Prossers Do

⟨mutilated⟩

By Ditto ⟨mutilated⟩ Doctr Carters Do

⟨mutilated⟩

By Ditto ⟨mutilated Carter⟩ Braxtons Do

⟨mutilated⟩

1773

April
By Intt one year Recd from Doctr Carter

10.16.

By Ditto Do of the Exrs of Mr P.W. Claiborne

14.

By Ditto Do of Mr Thomas Prosser

7. 5. 9

By Ditto Do of Mr Robt Adam

50.

£ 260. 4. 7

1773

June 19
By Balle pr Contra

£ 206.

⟨Besides the above ballance⟩ there are due

In Bank Stock
£1650.

Messrs Cary & Cos. hands
146. 1. 9

In Bonds upon Interest from

         John Mercer Esqr. decd
         £2100

         James Mercer Esqr.
         1109.11.6

3209.11. 6.

         Burwell Bassett Esqr.
         2100

         Ditto
         212. 6.

         Ditto
         231.

         Ditto
         254.

         Ditto
         390.

3187. 6. 0

⟨mutilated Moore⟩

1338.11.

⟨mutilated⟩ Braxton Esqr.

105 ⟨mut.⟩

⟨mutilated⟩ Barthw Dandridge ⟨ ⟩

         Ditto
         ⟨ ⟩50.

         Ditto
         ⟨ ⟩07. 4. 1

         Ditto
         ⟨ ⟩3.11. 9

1100.15.10

⟨mutilated Robt⟩ Adams Mortgage

⟨mutilated⟩

⟨mutilated⟩ Dandridges Bond

⟨mutilated⟩

⟨mutilated⟩ Claibornes Do

⟨280.  ⟩

Mr Thos Prosser

145.    ⟨ ⟩

Doctr James Carter

⟨mutilated⟩

£423 ⟨mutilated⟩

E. Excepted pr Go: Washington

This Acct was settled the 3d of Novr 1773 Before Peyton Randolph Edmd Pendleton, John Blair, & Thos Everard Esqrs. by Order of the Honble Genl Court.

The Estate of Miss Martha P. Custis deceased

Drs.

Sterlg
Currency

1773

June ⟨ ⟩
To Cash paid the Revd Mr Massey for his attendance at her burial

2. 6. 3

To James Connell for a Coffin &ca

7.17. 9

    9. 3. 9

To Balle Credited pr Contra
£4732.0.4
10366. 8.11

£4732.0.4
10376.12.11

To George Washington for his Moiety
2366.0.2
5183. 4. 5 1/2

To ⟨John⟩ Parke Custis for his Moiety
 2366.0.2
 5183. 4. 5 1/2

£4732.0.4
10366. 8.11

Crs.

Sterlg
Curry

1773June 19th
By Sundry Persons for her money in their hands at the time of her death which happend on the 19th of June 1773 viz. George Washington pr Acct renderd

206.

John Mercer Esqr. decd
£2100.

James Mercer Esqr. on Do & Mortge
1109.11. 6

3209.11. 6

Intt thereon to June 19th
189. 1. 0

3398.12. 6

Burwell Bassett Esqrs. Bonds
2100.

Ditto
212. 6.

Ditto
231.

Ditto
254.

Ditto
390.

 3187. 6. 0

Intt thereon as above
  343.12.

3530.18. 0

Bernd Moore & Jno. Baylor Esqrs.
1338.11.

Intt thereon
408.17. 8
1746.8.8

Carter Braxton Esqr.
 1050.

Interest thereon
 52.10.

1102.10.

Robt Adam—Mortgage
1000.

Intt thereon
25.19. 2

1025.19. 2

Mr Barthw Dandridge
 600.

Ditto
150.

Ditto
207. 4. 1

Ditto
143.11. 9

1100.15.10

Interest thereon
118.13. 6
1219.9.4

Mr William Dandridge
 ⟨440. 9.⟩

Interest thereon
⟨15. 9. 1⟩

465.18. 1

⟨mutilated⟩ Claiborne
280.

⟨mutilated⟩
  2. 3. 8

282. 3. 8

⟨mutilated⟩
⟨mutilated⟩

⟨mutilated⟩ thereon
⟨mutilated⟩

⟨mutilated⟩

Mr ⟨mutilated⟩ Prosser
⟨mutilated⟩

⟨mutilated⟩ thereon
⟨mutilated⟩

⟨mutilated⟩

By the Ban⟨k of⟩ England
1650.

Robt Cary Esqr. & Co. for Balle of Intt recd on Do
115.2.4

£4732.0.4
10376. 8.11

By Balle due to the Estate
£4732 ⟨mutilated⟩

E. Excepted

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Osgood Hanbury & Company, 4 November 1773
From: Washington, George
To: Osgood Hanbury & Company

Gentn
Williamsburg Novr 4th 1773.

Of this date I have drawn upon you in favour of the Honble John Page Esqr. for £300 Sterling in £140 & £160 Bills which please to pay & place it to Acct of Mr John Parke Custis.
It was my full Intention to have Shipd you Ten Hhds of this young Gentlemans Tobo in the Hanbury; but by a mistake in the manager here, he had put it out of my power to fulfill my own Intention before I discover’d it; being at New York at the time of Shipping the Tobo. I shall however, next year, direct this or some such quantity to be put on board of your Ship; thô I can not at the sametime help complaining of your irregularity in sending over an annual Acct Currt; which as I have before inform’d you is necessary in the settling of my Accts with the General Court of this Colony as Guardian of Mr Custis. I am Gentn Yr Most Hble Servt

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from William Black, 16 November 1773
From: Black, William
To: Washington, George

Sir
Blacks Grove November 16th 1773

Being somewhat unwilling to run the Risque of Captain Parker’s offer, which perhaps might be the Case, Shoud his Messenger have return’d without a determined Answer, I therefore sent yesterday over to the Boat Man who had a few Oats to deliver at Urbanna, That if he wou’d wait till wednesday morning, I wou’d pay him 20/ which he having Consented to, I have now sent my Son over with this other proposal vizt Six Thousand Pounds for both places, this and Woromonkoke to be paid in 12 Months and 5 P:Cent discount for whatever I might want within that time, which woud be 300£ shou’d I want the whole; I will put Doors to all the Out Houses and repaire the Weatherboarding; I now can have Considerably more on giving time but that interferes with and wou’d postpone my Scheme of going Home longer than I wou’d willingly wish.
With Submission to whatever may be the opinion of others, I humbly Conceive, That the same Money coud not be laid out to better, or indeed so good Advantage for the Benefit of the Young Gentlemans Estate than this Purchase; I believe it has been Experimentily found by many Gentlemen in the Country, That midling Land lying Contiguous to the bulk of their Estates, are by much more profitable than the very best lying at any Considerable distance. This Purchase wou’d give your Ward a very Valuable Estate in King William and a Genteel and Ellegant Seat in K: & Queen all Conveniencys, and Ready to Receive his Furniture, So Situate, that any day he may take a ride and View his whole Estate on both sides of Pomunky and Return before night, with this very great Advantage, that by means of the two Mills, All the Corn made in King William & here, woud be for Markett; There are Several Considerable Fixtures which wou’d go with the House and a very small Expence wou’d give this

place a very different Appearance to the Rude State it now Shews and make it be thought worth double what it is now offered at. The offers I have made me is 660£ more than mine to you, and if the discount mentioned were to take place it would be near a Thousand Your Answer Signify’d by this Opportunity will Determine Sir Your very humble Servant

William Black


Title: From George Washington to William Black, 18 November 1773
From: Washington, George
To: Black, William

Sir,
Eltham 18th Novr 1773.

In answer to your letter of the 16th; I have to inform you that, I cannot accede to your proposals. I have taken some pains to bring myself as well acquainted with the value of your Lands in the counties of King & Qeen & King William, as I can; & having also been at some trouble to know the sentiments of Mr Custis’s friends in respect to the purchase, I have come to the following resolution, vizt—to offer £3,000 for your Land & Mill in King Wm, or £5,000 for that & the Land in King & Queen, suffering you to keep possession of both Tracts a year longer, when the whole is to be surrendered in as good condition, as they now are in; one half of the money to be paid upon executing good & sufficient Deeds, & the other half at the April meeting. I am, Sir, Your Most humble Servt

G: Washington


Title: Memorandum of Agreement with William Black, 25 November 1773
From: Washington, George
To:

[25 November 1773]

Memm of an Agreement made between Mr William Black of King & Queen County and George Washington of Fairfax County 25th Novr 1773.
Mr Black is to convey unto the said George Washington a clear and indisputable Title to the Lands he bought from the Admrs of John Robinson Esqr. decd, containg by Deed 1381 acres of high Land, with a Mill, & abt 600 acres of Marsh—Also the Land purchased from the Trustees of Colo. Bernd Moore for 1125 Acres—Also the Land which he bought of one Mr Grisley for [550] acres—and also the Mill with [100] acres of Land adjoing, which he purchased from  the last mention’d Tracts laying in King Wm County & adjoining each other & the first Tract in King & Queen.
Mr Black is to pass Deeds to the said George Washington with

a general Warrantee & Mrs Black is to acknowledge her Right of Dower in the usual forms of Law.
Mr Black is to surrender possession of all the Land, Mills, &ca by the 25th of Decr ensuing the date hereof; and to deliver the Houses &ca in the Order & Condition they are now in.
In consideration of which, the said George Washington is to pay the said Black the Sum of Five thousand five hundd pounds curry; Five hundd of which is to be paid down upon executing of Deeds, in the manner aforementioned; and the remaining Five thousand either at the sametime, or in April next at the ⟨op⟩tion of the said George Washington who if the money is paid upon executing of the Deeds is to be allowed a discount of two and an half pr Ct.


Title: To George Washington from Richard Tunstall, 29 November 1773
From: Tunstall, Richard
To: Washington, George

Sr
Kg & Queen [County] Novr 29th 1773.

In my Sons absence your Letter came to my hands, to comply with which I have sent you a copy of John Story’s will & a Deed from Charles Story to the late Speaker wch are all, in this office, that relate to the Land that you have purchased of Mr Black.
It may perhaps give you some satisfaction to look into the Secretaries office for a Deed which was made by one  Story to the Speaker about 20 years ago for some Land wch he claim’d under the Will of old Story.
I thought it not amiss to give yo. this Intimation & am with respect Sir Yor most humble Servant

R. Tunstall


Title: From George Washington to John David Wilper, 30 November 1773
From: Washington, George
To: Wilper, John David

Mr Wilper,
Novr 30th 1773.

Before your Letter of the 1st Instt came to my hands I had been to, & returnd from Williamsburg; Whilst I was there, I applied generally, in behalf of all the Officers who had been in the Virginia Service (claiming under His Majesty’s Proclamation of 1763) and obtaind the Inclos’d order of Council. two days after which, & after I had left Town, it was determined in Council, that the Right, or Rights of deceased Officers or Soldiers cannot survive to their heir, or other representative; but that it was absolutely necessary that every person, as well officer, as Soldier, should Make personal application for their Land; and I have since discoverd that, the Governor will not grant his Warrant of Survey (agreeable to the Inclosd order of Council) to any that does not personally apply, even after such person has obtaind a Certificate of his Right; it not being sufficient, it seems, in his eye, to send such Certificate by a friend. Why this extreame caution I cannot tell, as it will serve to run the Officers to much greater expence in attending at Williamsburg, & will, I should think, defeat the claims of the common Soldiery altogether, as I am sure it is not worth their while to go two or three hundred Miles for a Warrt to Survey 50 Acres of Land—All Warrants are now to go to the County Surveyors of either August⟨a⟩ Bottetourt, or Fincastle. Bullett is recalled, and his proceedings, I doubt, of no effect; as it is declard by the Govr that he had no authority from him to make any Surveys; however it would be worth your while to write to the Govr, shewing the hardship you will be put to, if you have the whole to go through again; & beg of him to grant you a Patent upon that Survey made in your own Right—as to the other, which you speak of, I know nothing of the Circumstances attending it, nor do I believe the Govr will grant a Patent for it (under the Resolution he seems here to have come to) till something further is done in it. Bullett I do suppose, upon your representing the mistake you complain of, would rectifie it; & I should think that his Lordship would in that case grant his Patent to you.
All the Surveys under the Proclamation of 1754 are now made, & ordered to be Patented; & you have 600 acres allowed in a Tract of 21,941 acres upon a Creek called Pokatallico which

runs into the Great Kanahawa about 25 or 30 Miles from the Mouth of the Kanhawa. You are joind in this Survey with the Representative of Colo. Fry, Colo. Stephen, Colo. Andrw Lewis, Captn Hog, Lieutt Savage, Mr Bullett, & the Representative of Mr Wm Wright—the reason of this strange conduct of jumbli⟨ng⟩ so many names into the same Patent I have alr⟨ea⟩dy informed you of; as also that, every Person under Govr Dinwiddies Proclamation was to share by the Ra⟨nk⟩ they began the Campaign of 1754 In—You now must agree upon some time, & method with the above Perso⟨ns⟩ to make a division of the above Tract; in order that you may be ascertaind of your particular proper⟨ty⟩ therein for till this happen’s you will not know ⟨how⟩ to cultivate & Improve it so as to save the Land agreeable to the Laws of this Country.
I now take the liberty of Inclosing you a Copy of one of my printed Advertisements, with such further explanation of the Terms on which ⟨I⟩ propose to grant my Lands as I should think could not be unacceptable to those, who had a mind to possess themselves of some of the most valuable La⟨nd⟩ in that Country. if you can be of any Service to me in this Plan I shall acknowledge myself oblige⟨d⟩ to you, and at any rate should be glad to hear wha⟨t⟩ your Country men think of the Terms I have ⟨now⟩ proposed. In the Spring I propose to send an Ma⟨n⟩ out to be upon the spot. I think to send workmen also to build comfortable Houses, as I shall there⟨by⟩ answer the purposes of ⟨illegible. for the⟩ future & provide comfortable Lodging’s for my ⟨te⟩nants who must not in that case expect to be ⟨ex⟩empt from payment of Rent in the same manne⟨r⟩ as those who are to do all these things themselv⟨es.⟩ I am with esteem Yr friend & very Hble Servt

Go: Washington


Title: Cash Accounts, December 1773
From: Washington, George
To:

[December 1773]

Cash

Decr 3—
To Ditto [cash] recd from Thos Newton Junr Esqr.
£404. 0. 0

To Ditto recd from Ditto
51.11. 0

To Cash recd for the following Bills drawn on Robt Cary Esqr. & Co. viz.

3—
Benja. Waller Esqr. £100 (Sterg) 32½ (Excha.)
132.10. 0

4—
Ditto 100 Do [32½ Excha.]
132.10. 0

5—
Ditto 100 Do
132.10. 0

4—
Edwd Charlton 350 Do
463.14. 0

4—
Mrs Margt Hunter 100 Do
132.10. 0

4—
Peytn Randolph Esqr. & others [John Page and Charles Carter] 3679.5. Do
4875. 0. 0

5868.14. 0

To Cash recd from Mr James Hill
128.12. 7

To Ditto recd from Mr Thos Newton
14. 9. 0

16—
To Ditto recd from Mr Wm Herbert
54. 7.10

To Cash Recd from Mr McMickan Balle of an Acct rendd Octr last
14. 9. 6

18—
To Ditto recd from Mr Alexr Henderson also Balle of an Acct
8.16. 1

24—
To Ditto recd from Doctr Craik Bale Acct
4. 1. 2

To Ditto recd from Do
10.12. 6

28—
To Ditto recd of Miss Calvert & Miss Read
4. 1. 3

Contra

3—
By Ditto [cash] pd Mr Josha Stor[r]s amt of my Bond to Mr Chas West
202.10. 0

4—
By £3679.5. Sterg paid Peyton Randolph Esqr. & others on acct of Black’s Land bought for Mr Jno. Parke Custis, equal in Virga Curry to
4875. 0. 0

By Cash paid the Treasurer on the same acct, & in full of the Land
500. 0. 0

By my Tavern Expences in Williamsburg besides Southalls acct wch is lost
3. 1. 6

By Cash to Mr Custis at sundry times in Williamsburg
19.12. 9

By Cards
3. 1. 0

By Servants
1.14. 0

By Mr Alexr Craigs acct
0. 3. 6

By Ditto against Mr Custis
9.14. 9

By Mr Charlton’s Acct for my Board
7.10. 0

By Ditto for Mr Custis’s
3. 0. 0

5—
By Mrs Charlton’s acct agt Mrs Washington
13. 9. 3

By Ditto agt Miss Calvert
3.11. 3

By Cash to Mrs Washington
2. 0. 0

By Travelling Exps. up from Williamsbg
3.12. 9

8—
By Cash to my mother in Fredg
30. 0. 0

By 2 Butter Printers of Mr Allan
0.15. 0

9—
By Cash paid Mr Campbell of Dumfries for a Servt bot for Govr Eden
20. 0. 0

By Charity
0. 4. 3

13—
By Cash (Mr Custis’s) lent Mr Jno. Auge Washington on Interest
400. 0. 0

14—
By ditto pd Wm Roberts pr Thos Alfred
26. 0. 0

16—
By ditto paid Philp Langfit
50. 0. 0

By 1 Barrl of Coffee of Mr Herbert 264 lbs. @ 12d. & Cask 2/
13. 6. 0

By Sundries of Do pr acct
1.14. 8

By Mr James Tilghman pr Mr Herbert
3. 9. 7

17—
By Thomas Bishop pd Mr Herbert
8.18. 4

By Christr Shade pd Ditto
1. 7.10

By Ditto pd Mr [Francis] Whiting
2. 0. 0

By Ditto pr Wm Brummit
0. 5. 0

By Cash paid Jonathan Palmer
16. 6. 1

By Ditto paid John Hagan
5. 1. 2

By Messrs Brown & Tinley for a ps. of Taffety
7. 5. 0

By Leven Hart for  M Staves
43.15. 5

By Cash to Mrs Washington
4.10. 0

By Ditto pd Mrs Margt Manley
21. 3. 9

By Ditto pd James Robinson Buildg Chimneys & underping Cowper’s Shop & Quarter in the Neck
10.18. 6

18—
By Alexr Boswell for 16 Bls Wheat—Mill
4. 0. 0

20—
By Barber Cutting my hair
0. 2. 9

By Shoemaker
0. 2. 6

22—
By Cash pd Thos Bishop Balle acct
3. 0. 7

By Ditto pd Chr. Shade Do Do
5. 0. 0

By Ditto lent Ditto
10. 0. 0

By Ditto lent Mrs Slaughter
6.10. 0

By Charity
0. 6. 0

23—
By 50 lbs. Cod Fish & 24 lbs. Cheese
1. 3. 6

By 2½ yds green Broad Cloth
1.12. 6

By Latch &ca for door in Church
0. 4. 6

By Cash to a Negro Doctr
0. 4. 6

25—
By ditto gave Overseer Morris
2.10. 0

By Ditto gave Davy
1.10. 0

By Ditto Mike
1.10. 0

27—
By Ditto pd Mr Frans Willis by Cato Moore which with the £10 sent him of Colo. Fairfax’s in Octr last makes up the £60 Recd for him of Auge Willis
50. 0. 0

By 9 Gallon’s of Cranbury’s
0.12. 0

29—
By Cash paid Henry Taylor
3. 3. 9

30—
By Ditto paid Mr Fitzgerald pr acct
7. 3. 6

By Ditto paid Mr Wilson Do Do
11. 6. 1

31—
By Do pd Wm Simpson for 13¼ Bl Wht—Mill
   3. 6. 3

By Cards 16/3—Servants 3/
0.19. 3

By Cash on hand this day &ca to acct
344. 0. 3

By Ditto either lost, Stolen or neglected to be charg’d
144. 8.11


Title: To George Washington from Edmund Pendleton, 4 December 1773
From: Pendleton, Edmund
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
Decr 4 1773

I received yr Favr & am very glad you have made the purchase of Mr Black. I am Possessed of none of the title Deeds, probably Colo. Brooke may to whom I immediately wrote & desired him, if he had, to forward them to Colo. Bassetts For you, or to Wmsburg to Mr Wythe, but have since heard he was not come home two days agoe. I imagine part of the conveyances are in the Secretary’s Office, & the residue in King & Queen, I mean For the Estate in that County, the title to which I believe is all to be deduced From Joshua Story the Patentee. As to the King Wm Estate, I know we never had any papers, but a Mortgage from Colo. Moore & a Release of the Equity of Redemption and Dower from him & Mrs Moore. My wife desires to be joined in Complts to Mrs Washington & will be glad to see you in your way up, as well as Dr Sr Yr mo. hble Servt

Edmd Pendleton


Title: From George Washington to Robert Cary & Company, 5 December 1773
From: Washington, George
To: Robert Cary & Company

Gentn
Williamsburg Decr 5th 1773

In a Letter of the 10th Ulto I inform’d you of a purchase I had in contemplation. I have now made it, & have drawn the following Bills upon you, which please to pay & place to the Acct of Mr Custis, for whose benefit the Lands are bought—viz.

To Peyton Randolph John Page & Charles Carter Esqrs.
£3679.5
4th
Decr
1773.

To Edwd Charlton
350
Do
Do
Do

To Benjn Walker Esqr.
100
3
Do
Do

 Ditto
100
4
Do
Do

 Ditto
100
5
Do
Do

To Mrs Margaret Hunter
100
4
Do
Do

I have no doubt of the above Bills meeting with due honour—& having nothing further to add at this time shall conclude Gentn Yr Most Hble Servt

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Bartholomew Dandridge, 6 December 1773
From: Washington, George
To: Dandridge, Bartholomew

Dear Sir
Claibornes Decr 6th 1773

Upon enquiry of Davenport (who went up to the King William Office last Week) I am convinced that, Black has never receivd any conveyance at all, for the Land that was Grisley’s; and I much doubt whether he has ever receivd any for the Mill Tract. What is proper to be done under these Circumstances, I am really at a loss to determine; I think the purchase too advantage for Mr Custis to give up altogether, and, if there is no coming at Rights to the before mentioned Tracts (as Grisley it seems is Dead) what ought I to do? If good Rig⟨hts⟩ can be had for the King & Queen Estate ⟨mutilated⟩onkoke Lands (bought from Colo. Moore) and a surety can be had from Black, of procuring proper Titles to the other two, I am still willing to hold fast the Bargain; & what further, under my present uncertainties to say, I know not; but beg of you to examine the Office thoroughly, to see if the Deeds may not be recorded althô they do not appear upon the Alphabets—Davenport tells me that Colo. B. Moore says, his Trust Deed is recorded in the Secretary’s Office, if I remember right Mr Wythe could find no such Deed there—was there ever such a Man as Black! Crafty & designing, & yet so stupidly ignorant, & negligent in so important a matter as this! I write this from my Qr in very great haste & cannot add


Title: From George Washington to John Tayloe, 10 December 1773
From: Washington, George
To: Tayloe, John

Dear Sir,
Mount Vernon Decr 10th 1773

Thinking it necessary that Mr Montague should be advised of the steps which have been taken in consequence of the Power of Attorney wch he Inclosed to you, Colo. Mason, & myself, I wrote the Inclosed Letter, & thought to have sent it to you from Williamsburg; but other business, and an attendance upon those with whom I had various matters to negotiate, occasion’d my neglecting it.
For the reason’s assigned in the Letter (herewith sent) which might be a good deal enlarged upon, and upon consulting Mr Waller as to the propriety, & legality of the measure, I am fully convinced of the utility of postponing the Sale of every part of the Estate till after finishing of the next Crop, which Mr Mercer assures me will probably be large, as there is a great deal of Wheat sown in very fine Land, which shall be applied in discharge of Mr Gravats Mortgage. If therefore you shall concur

with me in this opinion, and approve of the Letter in other parts, a place is left for you to Sign it, that it may be dispatched by the first opperty after getting to your hands. If on the other hand, you disapprove of the time of Sale, or the Letter generally, please to destroy it, & write any thing else you choose.
The original Deed to Messrs Hunter & Dick being, as Mr Mercer says, taken out of the Secretarys Office by Mr Thompson Mason, before it was recorded, prevented my getting an attested Copy of that, & Colo. Mercers Letter of Attorney to his Brother whilst I was down; but I have requested Mr James Mercer to furnish me with these Papers as soon as possible, in order that they may be forwarded to Mr Montague.
I have only my best respects to add to Mrs Tayloe, & to assure you that I am with very great esteem Dr Sr Yr Most Obedt Hble Servt

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Thomas Newton, Jr., 14 December 1773
From: Washington, George
To: Newton, Thomas Jr.

Sir,
Mt Vernon Decr 14th 1773.

Inclosed you have Invoice of 26 Barrl of Biscuit stuff; which, with 35 Sent off before I came home, will be more than sufficient I conceive to mix with the midlings for Bread; if so, please to

dispose of the overplus for, and on my acct, as also of the Bread when Baked, and send me an Acct of the proceeds, with the Cash, if any proper oppertunity offers to Alexandria to the care of Messrs Robt Adam & Company—Please to let me know what you think my best Superfine Flour would sell at in Norfolk (freight to be paid by the purchaser)—I have none, at least a very trifling quantity by me at present, having sold all I have hitherto made at two pence pr lb.
With the Flour, you will receive a Barrel of White thorn Berrys for his Excellency the Govr which please to forward with the Inclosed Letter by the first opperty—charge the freight down, to me—If you have heard any thing of the Brig Anne & Elizabeth Captn Pollocks please to inform me thereof by the Post and you will much oblige Sir Yr Most Obedt Servt

G: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Myles Cooper, 15 December 1773
From: Washington, George
To: Cooper, Myles

Revd Sir,
Mount Vernon Decr 15th 1773.

The favourable account you was pleas’d to transmit me of Mr Custis’s conduct at College, gave me very great satisfaction; & I hoped to have felt an increase of it by his continuance at that place under a Gentleman so capable of instructing him in every branch of useful knowledge, as you are: but these hopes are at an end; & at length, I have yielded, contrary to my judgment, & much against my wishes, to his quitting College; in order that he may enter soon into a new scene of Life, which I think he would be much fitter for some years hence, than now; but having his own inclination—the desires of his mother—& the acquiescence of almost all his relatives, to encounter, I did not care, as he is the

last of the family, to push my opposition too far; & therefore have submitted to a Kind of necessity.
Not knowing how his expences at College &c. may stand, I shall be much obliged to you for rendering me an account of them. You will please to charge liberally for your own particular attention to Mr Custis; & sufficiently reward the other Gentlemen who were engaged in the same good offices. If the money I left with you is insufficient to answer these purposes please to advise me thereof, & I will remit the deficiency. I am very sorry it was not in my power to see you, whilst you were in these parts. I thank you very sincerely, Sir, for your polite regard to Mr Custis, during his abode at College, & through you beg leave to offer my acknowledgments in like manner to the Professors &c., & with very great esteem & regard, am Revd Sir, Your mot Obt humble Servt

G: Washington


Title: To George Washington from George Mason, 21 December 1773
From: Mason, George
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
Gunston-Hall Decemr 21st 1773

The embarrass’d Situation of my Friend Mr Jas Mercer’s Affairs gives Me much more Concern than Surprize. I always feared that his Aversion to selling the Lands & Slaves, in Expectation of paying the Debts with the Crops & Profits of the Estate, whilst a heavy Interest was still accumulating, wou’d be attended with bad Consequences, independant of his Brother’s Difficultys in England; having never, in a Single Instance, seen these sort of Delays answer the Hopes of the Debtor. When Colo. Mercer was first married, & thought in affluent Circumstances by his Friends here, considerable Purchases of Slaves were made for Him, at high prices (& I believe mostly upon Credit) which must now be sold at much less than they cost: He was originally burthened wth a proportionable Part of his Father’s Debts; most of which, as well as the old Gentleman’s other Debts, are not only still unpaid, but must be greatly increased by Interest; so that even if Colo. Mercer had not incurr’d a large Debt in England, He wou’d have found his Affairs here in a disagreeable Situation. I have bye Me Mr Mercer’s Title-Papers for his Lands on Pohick run, & on Four-Mile run, in this County; which I have hitherto endeavour’d to sell for Him in Vain; for as He left the price entirely to Me, I cou’d not take less for them than if they had been my own; this Difficulty will not be lessened, but the Contrary, by your becomeing the Purchaser. Had I sold them to an indifferent Purchaser, I shou’d, in the common way of Business, have stretch’d my Demand as far as it wou’d bear, but between You & Mr Mercer I wou’d fain consider myself as a mutual Friend, & Arbiter; & from my Connections with Him, I know He wou’d wish Me to act in that Manner; which renders it

   an Affair of some Delicacy, & takes it out of the common Mode of Business—I have had some applications from Maryland, to only one of which I paid much Regard; this was from a Gentleman whose Circumstances I was well acquainted with, & knew his payments cou’d be relyed on; I expected, in answer to what I said to Him, that He wou’d have appointed a Day to meet Me on the Lands & examine them; but have heard nothing from Him lately; which I ascribe merely to an Indolence of Temper, for which He is pretty remarkable—The Tract upon four Mile run is contain’d in two Patents, one granted to Stephen Grey for 378 Acres, the other to Gabriel Adams for 790 Acres, they appear by the platt to overmeasure considerably, & contain, clear of Strutfield’s elder Patent, (with which they interfere) 1225 Acres. I have formerly been upon this Land; but it’s so many Years ago, that I now know very little of it, from my own Knowledge; but from the best Information I have had, that part of it upon Four-Mile Run (in Stephen Grey’s Patent) is tollerable good, & the other mean; but from it’s Vicinity to Alexandria; which now bids fair to be a very considerable Town, I think it must be worth £1000—Curry—Colo. Carlyle (whose Lands adjoin) told Mr Mercer that it was worth 20/ an Acre, & that if He had the Money, He wou’d give that Price for it; perhaps this might be only one of the Colonel’s——; Yet it has raised Mr Mercer’s Expectations. Upon the Whole Sir, if You will appoint any Day after Christmass, I will wait on You, & we will ride over the Land together; when we shall both be better able to judge of it’s Value. There was some little Difficulty in the Title from Stephen Grey; which Mr Mercer has been very candid in laying open to Me, & which Mr Pendleton (whose Opinion I have) has I think clear’d up in a very satisfactory Manner.
I am much obliged to You for yr Information concerning the Lands upon the Western Waters. I long to have a little Chat with You upon the Subject; & if Doctr Connelly, who has promised to spend a Day or two with Me as He returns from Wmsburg, is as good as his word, I will do myself the Pleasure of taking a Ride with Him to Mount Vernon.
I heartily wish Mrs Washington & You a merry Christmass, & many, very many, happy New-Years; and am, very sincerely, Dr Sir Yr affecte & obedt Sert

G. Mason

P.S. Mr Lund Washington was so kind to promise my Son, He wou’d have some Corn I bought of yr overseer Cleveland, waggoned to my Quarter on little Hunting-Creek; I beg the Favour of You to remind Him of it.


Title: From George Washington to Sarah Bomford, 23 December 1773
From: Washington, George
To: Bomford, Sarah

Madam,
Mount Vernon Virga Decr 23d 1773.

Your tender feeling on account of the distressed Mrs Savage is exceedingly praiseworthy; & your last favor of the 21st of Septr, which is just come to hand, exhibits a pleasing specimen of your humanity, & benevolent way of thinking. Apologies, in a cause like this, are entirely unnecessary; especially to a person, who conceives himself honored by your corrispondence, though begun, & like to be continued, upon an unfortunate, & painful

subject; it not being in my power, as yet, to answer Mrs Savage’s hopes, or my own expectations, long ago communicated. What from the delays of our Courts (which are really insufferable), the quirks of the Lawyers—& the Doctrs determination of fighting the Weapon’s through; Mr Fairfax & myself have not been able to render Mrs Savage that acceptable service, we have aimed at, & wished to accomplish; nor is it in my power to say when we shall, as her attorney (Mr Harrison, a Gentlen known to her, well skilled & diligent in his profession) thinks it is yet in the Doctor’s power, if he exhibits all the special pleadings which he is threatened with, to procrastinate the matter at least eight months longer; but, tho’ fearful of this event, he still hopes to bring this unhappy dispute to a much speedier conclusion, to effect which, nothing shall be wanting on my part.
I cannot at this time charge my memory with the date of my last letter to you, or Mrs Savage; but am persuaded it must be posterior to that of September 1772. notwithstanding nothing has occurred since, worthy of her notice; I shall however, change the channel of corrispondence, & for the future, address my letters by Post, at present, as I could only repeat the purport of this letter, to Mrs Savage, I have judged it unnecessary to give her the trouble of receiving one from me; but thro’ your friendly offices, hope for the favour of having this information communicated, with my best wishes, to her, & assurance, that upon any change in her affairs here, I shall lose no time in giving her the earliest advice of it.
I think myself exceedingly indebted for your favorable opinion of me, & wish I may be happy enough, so to conduct myself, as to merit a continuance of it. I thank you for your politeness, in signifying a desire of continuing our Corrispondence, & should be ungrateful if I neglected it, as the advantage will be on my side, in the pleasure I shall derive from your sensible & sympathizing letters. I am, Madam, with the greatest respect Your most Obt humble servant

G: Washington


Title: To George Washington from John Connolly, 23 December 1773
From: Connolly, John
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir.
Fredericksburgh Decembr 23d 1773.

I am extremely sorry that I am forced to debar myself the pleasure of waiting upon you agreeable to my proposal & wish; but when you consider the Season of the year, & the distance I have before me, I hope I shall stand exculpated in your opinion. I have very luckily succeeded as far as I could well have expected, so that I have the satisfaction to find my Fatigue & trouble hath not been for nothing. His Lordship thinks with you, that there is a necessity for the Pennsylvanians closing their Western Bounds; & I should conceive no means so effectual to that purpose could be devised, as the striking off a new County including Pittsburgh, & at least two miles to the East, & up the Monongehela to the enterance of Buffaloe Creek. perhaps grave Creek, below Whealon, might be a good west Boundary for that County. this scheme will include at least two thousand Subjects, who will by an Act of assembly, be wrested from the oppressive Tyrany which is now exercised over them.
If the Proprietaries conceive themselves really agrievd by these means, they will then close their Lines, & you will find no other Step will answer. His Excellency hath made some Civil Appointments at Fort Pitt, as in the County of Augusta, but they can have no good effect untill a County Town can be conveniently fixed, to which the Subject may be amenable to his advantage. Excuse haste & any incorrectness you may herein perceive & believe me to be with all regard Dr Sir your Frd & Servt

John Connolly


Title: To George Washington from George Muse, 24 December 1773 [letter not found]
From: Muse, George
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from George Muse, 24 Dec. 1773. On 29 Jan. 1774 GW wrote Muse: “Your impertinent Letter of the 24th ulto, was delivered to me yesterday.”


Title: From George Washington to Valentine Crawford, 27 December 1773
From: Washington, George
To: Crawford, Valentine

[27 December 1773]

I have just obtained an order of council to grant lands under the King’s proclamation of October, 1763, to the officers and soldiers, by which a lieutenant is entitled to 2000 acres, but that the Governor would not grant his warrants of survey to any that did not personally apply for them. Numbers, however, are obtaining these warrants, and locating them with the surveyors

of Augusta, Botetourt, and Fincastle, by whom and their deputies, all these surveys are to be made.
Till I see your brother I am at a loss to locate my own lands under the proclamation of 1763, and am sensible that every day’s delay may prove hurtful, as I suppose every officer and soldier within the three provinces, either is or will be upon the move to locate their lands, by which means all the valuable spots will be engrossed.

G.W.

P.S. No land will be granted to any but officers and soldiers.


Title: To George Washington from William Crawford, 29 December 1773
From: Crawford, William
To: Washington, George

Sir
Spring gardin [Pa.] Decembr 29th 1773

Som People about 10 or 12 in number has gon on your Cherter Land within this few days and there is no geting them of without by Force of Arms They are in Couraged by Majr ward Brother to Colo. Croghan ho Claims the Land and says he has a Grant from Crown for that Land and he will undemnefie them, if they will set in any house whare no Person is Living and also

offers the Land for Sail warrenting the Purcher a Lawfull title, he farther ads that Colo. Croghan says you and my self has used his Brother Colo. Croghan very ill in pretending to bey his Land and did not, but want and took the best of it, and would not agree to pay him and that was the Reason offerd for Seling the Land to any Person who Should Chuse to by.
I think Such Proceeding as those if not Stopd will soon set the Hole County in ruin those men have not bought of him, but took your Land and say the[y] will Keep it, I cold Drive them away but they will com back Emedetly as soon as my back is turnd, They man I put on the Land they have drove away and Built a house so Colse to his dore he cannot get into the house at the dore.
Inclosed you have a faint Draft maid by Gess of the Way his Land has bin Claimd and run and the way his Deed from the Endien Given to him is one in the Fork of the two Rivers one at the Mouth of Sewegly on Youchagany and the Grant the he dose make so much noyse about is they Grant on the Ohio and Rockoon first Run by Capt. William Thompson is the Limits of his grant as I have found Sence by a Coppy of the hole 3 grants from Philidalphia The Line Run by Mr Campbell to the Mouth of Petters Creek is over and above his Grant Much More the Line Run by Mr Hooper to the Litle Readstone which is nearly four times as much as his Endien Deed Calls for what Protention he can have for the other Land I am at a Looss to now.
Your Land is 2 Miles and better from the utmost Limits of his Land as you will see by how it is Laid Down on the Run calld Millers Run.
When Thompson run the Land and maid out the draft and Deliverd it to him Colo. Croghan said it was not Run right, Then he imployd Mr Campbell and told him that the River Must be Travist up to the Mouth of Peters Creek as that was they bounds of his Land, and when Mr Campbell and had run the Line as Markd and Deleverd to him Colo. Croghan Said we had not run the Land right we should have alowd him 10 Degrees for veration of the Compass and then he got Mr Hooper and Run this Last Line as you See Marked Then he imployd Mr Penticost for to Run 30 thousand Acres on the head of Shertees Creek and Cross Creek this still Left you out, but sence Mjr Ward taks you and My self and Lun Washington in and says Colo. Croghan has

a grant from the Crown for the Land and has given him that part as Low as the mouth of Whealing and has had a Survayor Laying of Tracts of Land till they have bin stopd by the People how they will Proceed farther I now not I can Recover the Land by Law of this Provenc⟨e⟩ or at Least Great part as the Land is well improved as any in the Country where no person Lives but this will be Costly and Troublesom I shall wait your answear before I proceed as probable you may fall on som Other way as som Late accounts from Philidelphia say the new Propriotory goverment has falen through and that the Goverment is to remain in the hands of Lord Dunmore which I hop will put us in a better footing then we are Likd to under the present State of Matters if it should be true.
when Lord Dunmore was at my house he give me the promise he would interseed for a District of Survaying on the Ohio for me and now ⟨mutilated⟩ have it in his power if he Pleases to give me o⟨ne⟩ and I have wrot to him on that head I should be Glad if you would help me in that as it is or will be in your Power to help me Should Matter fall in that Channell Should I get any thing of the sort I Should be glad to have one Joyning me as it would be near me and sute me much the best, under the Present Surcomstance what Lays betwen me and the Survays I have maid will not be much all the Land worth any thing is alredy survayd. but if you can do any pray do as will then be in my Power to be of Sarvis to you and my self two and our friends.
You probably may get your Land on Chertees Creek patented that would put an end to farther Trouble but this I will Leve to your own Judgement. I am your very Hume Sarvent

W. Crawford


Title: From George Washington to George William Fairfax, 30 December 1773 [letter not found]
From: Washington, George
To: Fairfax, George William

Letter not found: to George William Fairfax, 30 Dec. 1773. On 30 June 1786 GW wrote Fairfax: “The letters of . . . 30th of Decr 177⟨3⟩ . . . contain a full, & accurate acct of every thing that had occurred relative to your business.”


Title: To George Washington from Bartholomew Dandridge, 30 December 1773
From: Dandridge, Bartholomew
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
New Kent Decr 30. 1773

I now am to give you an Account of my Proceedings with Mr Black which I am afraid will not prove so satisfactory as I could wish.
After going to the Office in King William & geting what Papers I could find I went to Mr Black’s for further information, but could not see him, I then left a Letter informing him that I should wait on him, from King William Court with Mr Wythe’s Opinion and, in case he was satisfied with the title, with a Deed from him to you, and desired he might then be at home to execute it. In the mean time I sent the Papers to Mr Wythe who sent the writing (of which the inclosed is a copy) & a Deed, and as I knew you thought the bargain an advantageous one for Mr Custis, I thought I might venture to confirm it and for that purpose would have gone to Mr Black’s at the time appointed, but I heard at Court that instead of staying to meet me, he went to James River as soon as he heard I had been there, and I was again disappointed tho’ I waited several days in King William for his return. I then thought it best to leave a Letter at Col. Moore’s, with yours inclosed, to be delivered to Black as soon as he came home, & if he did not come before the 25th to be delivered to Mrs Black, in this I informed him of the defects in his Title, but undertook to confirm the bargain on his & Mrs Black’s executing the Deed & his undertaking that all defects should be supplied, & desired he would appoint a day when he

would be at home ready to execute the Deed & I would attend him with it, of which the Bearer was to give me notice, this Letter was delivered to him by Mr Davenport before the 25th of the month, but I did not receive his Answer time enough to go over again before Christmas, he could not be prevailed on to write and his verbal Answer was, that he should be at home for a Week and was ready to execute the Deed at any time, but Mrs Black declared she would not relinquish her Dower, in consequence of this I went over on Munday last, and found Black at home, he at first refused to sign the Deed saying that as there was disputes about his Title and Mrs Black was unwilling to acknowledge her right, the bargain might as well drop, which could do Mr Custis no injury, with other excuses. but at length he consented & signed the Deed which he said Mrs Black would do (tho. she refused from the begining), and after I had waited all Day at Black’s request persisted in her refusal, he then desired me to leave the Deed with Mr Bernard Moore junr and when Mrs Black was willing to relinquish which he expected would shortly be the case, he would give Mr Moore notice of it, & Mr Moore promised to have her acknowledgment properly taken. I know nothing of the motives for Black’s conduct and am altogether at a loss to guess what they can be, as he really is the most unaccountable mortal I ever met with. I am satisfied Mrs Black acts by his direction, sometimes he said Mrs Black wanted some Negroes made over to her child, & at other times that she expected you, would make her a present of a suit of Cloths which she had been informed was customary on such occasions, Mrs Black said you could not blame her, as she never promised to relinquish her right or was asked to do it by you, but if she had promised she would have complied, neither persuasions or threats seemed to affect them in the least, but in the most serious conversation I could draw them into on this momentous Subject Mrs Black’s ride in the Chariott with you, was frequently introduced with other trifleing matters.
I saw Mr Hill soon after you went up & he asked my Opinion as to his renting the place to Black, which I advised him against, & that is his resolution, Black now says he has a right to stay in the House ’til his other place is prepared for his reception and the weather is better, & that he must finish his Crop & keep his

Stock on the Land until they eat the Fodder, but he says your Overseer & Negroes are welcome to be there also. I have wrote to Mr Hill advising him not to consent to let Black stay a day, but if he will stay to take such possession as he is willing to give ’til he has further directions from you.
I hope I have now given you all the necessary information in my power about this Affair, and thought at such a distance it was best to be particular, tho. a little tiresome, If I can be of service in anything further I hope you will freely command me. I have wrote to Mr Wythe on this Subject & shall do anything he thinks necessary ’til I hear from you. I had almost forgot to mention that Black required his Bond for making you a title to be delivered up when Mrs Black executed the Deed, This I have not got.
It may not be amiss to let you know that all the Land from Ruffin’s to yours must shortly be sold, and it’s likely much under it’s value. Mr Ruffin bought Sweethall for half what it must be really worth.
I will now trouble you no further than to desire you will let my Sister know that our Family are well, and that my Mother & Sister Bassett with the Family were well lately when I heard from them. my Sister Aylett is in King Wm on her way up the Country. Be pleased to give my Love to my Sister & Nephew in which Molly & the Children join me, and the whole Family join me in wishing you all health & happiness & the Complimts of the Season, I am Dear Sir Your very affect. humble Servt

B. Dandridge


Title: Enclosure: Legal Opinion of George Wythe, 15 December 1773
From: Wythe, George
To:

15th of Decr 1773

Col. Washington seemed to be satisfied as to the King & Queen lands, which belonged to Mr Story, without inquiring into the title before the date of his Will in 1717, if the title be regularly deduced from him.
I think by the Will the estate devised to the daughter was a contingent fee, determinable by her death, without leaving issue or without having alienated, so that the estate in fee, limited upon that event by executory devise, as she survived her child, and had made no alienation took effect, and was well conveyed by the deed of the 12th of April, 1750, from Charles Story to John Robinson esqr. supposing the recitals and suggestions in

the deed to be true. If my opinion be wrong, and the daughter took either a pure fee simple, or a qualified fee, determinable, not upon her death without leaving, but upon her death without having ever had, issue, in that case Mr Robinson had a good title by that conveyance, if Charles Story was the daughter’s heir at law, otherwise not.
Mr Robinson, by a deed to him from Thomas Hickman and Barbara his Wife, 14th Jany 1734 purchased 600 Acres of Land adjoining Wyatts, sold to Story; whether this be part of the Land agreed to be sold by Mr Black to Col. Washington I know not, neither have I seen any other paper concerning it. the deed from Hickman, if he had a title, I think a good conveyance.
By act of general Assembly, 10 Geo. the 3’d, some land in King and Queen County, purchased of Richard Johnson by Mr Robinson, who with others claiming under him were in possession, was vested in William Lyne and some other Gentlemen, in trust, to convey to such persons as claimed under Mr Robinson, with a saving of the Titles of all persons other than those claiming under the will of a Testator who had devised to Richard Johnson the seller: whether the part reserved by Mr Robinson be included in the Land agreed to be sold by Mr Black; whether the testator had a good title; or whether the Trustees have conveyed to Mr Robinsons administrators the part so reserved, which I think they the administrators were intitled to as a resulting trust, I can give no opinion, having seen no papers relating to these Matters.
If romonkocke be part of the 1683 acres purchased by col. Bernard Moore from Mr William Claiborne, & from Mr Robinson, who it seems derived his title from the Claibornes, as I suppose it is; and if Claibornes title be good, which I understand Col. Washington was satisfied with, and be properly deduced to Col. Moore, as, from what Mr Dandridge says of the Wills of W. Claiborne the Father and Son, and from his abstracts of the conveyances from the heir and Executors of the Claibornes, to Robinson, and from Robinson to Moore, I am persuaded it is; yet I am apprehensive there is still a chasm, having in vain search’d in the Secretary’s office for a Conveyance from Mr Robinsons administrators, who had B. Moore’s title, to Mr Black: but this unquestionably may be supplied. I have the

conveyance from Carter Braxton, T. Walker, T. Jefferson and Power to W. Black which is recorded in the Secretary’s Office, but, without conveyances leading to it, is insignificant.
I find no deed from Col. Thomas Moore to Bernard Moore to convey nor any writ, in the nature of an ad quod damnum, to dock the intail of any land of the former; but I found the certificate of a survey, with a plot, of 89 acres of land belonging to Thomas Moore, said to have been made 2d of August 1765 by virtue of a writ of ad quod damnum, the writ is mislaid (for it appears one did issue) and perhaps the deed, because the fees were not paid, without which it seems such papers are never recorded. a copy of the certificate is inclosed with this. perhaps these 89 acres are those intended to be sold with the Mill, and supposed to be an hundred; if so a description of the land may be inserted in the blank left in the conveyance and proper steps be now taken to secure the title.
The deed from Thomas Moore and his trustees to William Seton, conveys, not an hundred acres, but one acre only with the Mill. Col. Moore’s title I know nothing of. I find no material fault in the conveyance.
Col. B. Moore’s title being allowed Mr Blacks title to the 550 acres called Gooch’s seems unexceptionable.

Geo. Wythe


Title: Memorandum List of Quitrents, 1773
From: Washington, George
To:

[1773]

A List of Lands belonging to Geo: Washington in the Northern Neck—on wch Quit-rents became due—Michaelmas 1773.

In Fairfax County—Mt Vernon
2126

Bought of
Darrell
500

Clifton
1806

Brent
238

Wm Ashford
135

Geo: Ashford
135

Simn Pearson
178

Wm Whiting
200

Jno. Posey
200

Jno. West
200

Valinda Wade
  75

5793

Frek now Berkely taken up
760

Ditto

153

Ditto

183

Bought of
McCraken
550

of
Johnston
552

2498

King George

1250

Hampshire

240

Loudoun

275

Loudoun & Fauquier

2682

Fauquier

600

Total

13338 @ 2/6
£16.13.4

Then received from George Washington the Sum of Sixteen pounds Thirteen Shillings and four pence in full for the Quit-rents of the above Thirteen thousand three hundred and thirty Eight Acres of

Land to Michaelmas One thousand Seven hundred and Seventy three also the further sum of forty Nine Pound nineteen shillings and Eight pence in full for the years 1774 1775 & 1776.

John Hough


Title: Cash Accounts, January 1774
From: Washington, George
To:

[January 1774]

Cash

Jan. 6—
To Cards
[£] 0.18. 0

8—
To Ditto [cash] recd for making a Suit of Cloaths
1. 0. 0

To Ditto for a Bushl of Meal
0. 2. 6

To Ditto recd from Mr [Robert] Adam Shoing his Horse
0. 4. 0

11—
To Ditto recd of Mr Jas Hill by Jos[ia]s Cornelius
132. 3. 1

31—
To Ditto recd from Bryan Fairfax Esqr. a years Intt of the money lent him J[ohn] P[arke] C[ustis]
12.19.10

Contra

Jany 3—
By Cash to Mr Custis
24. 0. 0

By Mrs [Elizabeth] Simpson laying Judy & Daphne
1. 0. 0

By Mrs [Elizabeth] Cox doing work for Mrs Washingtn
0.10. 0

6—
By 10 Guineas paid Mr Peale for drawing Mr Custis’s Picture
13. 2. 6

8—
By Freight of 771½ Bushls of wheat from Marlborough
10. 0. 0

By Cash paid Mr Thos Triplet on Acct
20. 0. 0

17—
By Ditto pd Mr [Harry] Piper for 500 Bls of Coal
18.15. 0

By Ditto pd Mr [William] Ramsay Postage Acct
5. 2. 6

By Ditto pd Ditto on acct of Colo. [George William] F[airfa]x
0.10.10

By Club at Mrs Hawkinss—& Fireworks
0.15. 0

By Cash lent Mr Phil. Alexander
0.12. 0

18—
By Ditto pd Mr Custis’s Overseer
2. 0. 0

21—
By 215 lbs. of Iron of Mr Hall @ 25/
2.13. 9


Title: To George Washington from James Mercer, 1 January 1774 [letter not found]
From: Mercer, James
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from James Mercer, 1 Jan. 1774. On 8 Jan. GW wrote Mercer: “Your Letter of the 1st Instt, came to my hands yesterday.”


Title: To George Washington from John Aylett, 1 January 1774
From: Aylett, John
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
1774 January 1

There is a deed of gift from your Lady, for several Slaves, to her Brother Bartholomew Dandridge, in Trust, for the Joint use

of her decd Sister and her Sister Aylett, recorded in new Kent county court. The deed expresses the Slaves were alloted to her, by her Brother W. Dandridge, as, and for a proportionable, or Childs part, of the value of the Slaves, of Colo. Dandridges estate. I shall be very much obliged to you, to inform me, whether the Slaves, said to be alloted, were ever delivered, to Mrs Washington: by whom the allotment was made, and whether, if it was not made by her Bror William, he ever assented to it.
Betsy Joins me in love to your Lady self & Mr Custis—and am Dr Sir Your most obedt Servt

John Aylett

P.S. direct to me at Colo. Bassetts. J.A.


Title: To George Washington from James Hill, 1 January 1774
From: Hill, James
To: Washington, George

Sir
Williams Burgh Jany 1st 177[4]

I this moment recd your letter & in answer to it—The reason why I have neglected sending up this good Spell of weather I

have endeavourd to make as good a Collection as Possable but Am disappointed altogether only the £60 of Colo. Phill. Johnson which I shall send up But am doubtfull I shant make a Collection to answer the Demands agst the Estate & my wages[.] I have waited to make Sail of my Porke But am Likely to get no more than 20/ per Hundred & that not payable till Apl & have endeavourd to make what advantage I coud of the good weather in finishg the Crops to get in readyness to settle your Late purchas of Mr Blacks I shall Settle Both plantations & to get in Readiness has Engaged my people so tightly that I coud not well Spare the ⟨time⟩ for I have but Lately got my wheat fans & have been very Busy atreading out Wheat & have not finishd yet I shall send the people of a monday to Setle them plantations but am apprehensive Mr Black told Mr Bat Dandridge he woud give up a few of the Houses but that you Coud not Expect him to Move at any rate as yet I have been up to His house in order to see what he intended But he was from Home, & I coud by no means prevail on Roger Tandey to go over & Must send the young man over that Lived with me last year who was the person I intended to asent up for the Bull but was Doubtfull he woud not be Back time Enough to take place at Blacks Home House—I will send up as soon as Possable I Can But on Receivg your Letter Shall endeavour to Collect those Sums agreable to your Instructions & shall Make the greatest Despatch I possable can to send up tho. it will be a very great Hurt to my Crop as I Expect they will be gone a good while & the Loss of the Horses as I expect I shall be obliged to let the Boy have a Horse as I think it will be two far for him to ride behind & am now much plaged with the tennant in Brick House Lott in Town as I am Doubtfull they want throw me out of the rent I have for some time been Uneasy & by makeing a bad Collection & my Endeavouring to get the Business forwarded so as to seat them places as Quick as Possable I coud not well spare the people & Horses was the reason why I ⟨did⟩ not send; for I had many Promises of money But have almost altogether fell through in my Collection & am now in Hopes of getg some But my Business will not admit of my waiting on them as often as they require but time being Short & the Post Just going off conclude Yr Mo. Hble Servt

Jas Hill

P.S. Please to Excuse Hast & a very Sore thumb.


Title: From George Washington to James Mercer, 8 January 1774
From: Washington, George
To: Mercer, James

Dear Sir,
Mount Vernon Jany 8th 1774

Your Letter of the 1st Instt, came to my hands yesterday, only—I am very glad to find that you settled the business with Lord Fairfax so much to your satisfaction; I cannot in this Letter, fix upon a time to attend the division of the Bullrun Land being in hourly expectation of seeing Captn Crawford, with whom I have some business to transact, and a time ⟨mutilated⟩ upon my Ohio Lands, which must, in a great measure, regulate my other appointments—In short, as I could wish to make the time as agreeable as possible, to you & Mr Rose, I cannot but consider myself as a little unfavourably situated, being obliged to attend the wedding of my Ward some time about the first of next Month. expect Colo. Bassett & his Family here about the first of the Month after—and, early in April (under my present Intention) think of setting for the Ohio. As

soon however as I can with any sort of precision write to you on this head, you may expect to hear from me.
I should be exceeding well satisfied with a Copy of the rough Deed you gave me, myself, but I submit it to you whether I can, with propriety send any Paper to Mr Montague that does not come regularly attested from the Office, for I will suppose for a moment that the Original never can be produced, and the Court, or the Clerk, should object to the rough Copy, would not Mr Montague think very strangely of me, to send Papers for Copies, which are not acknowledged to be in existance? I therefore think, unless Mr Mason can produce the original, it would be best to get the other receivd into the Office, before any Copy is sent, or report the matter as it stands, to Mr Montague, which will not, I think, say much for our Secretary may ⟨mutilated per⟩haps, in case of a difficiency, open a door to a fresh dispute, respecting the legality of this Record.
I am greatly surprizd at the Issuing of another attachment & Proclamation; how to acct for it, I am sure I do not know; but shall begin to think my business very poorly, &, considering the Importance of it, very unfortunately attended to, if it goes on at this rate being told by Mr Everard, that if I did not take care, judgment would be given before I was aware of it, if the matter was delayed in the manner it had been—This last process, though not yet Servd, really astonishes me, for both my wife & self swore to the answer at Colo. Bassetts, and, when I offer’d to see it deliverd into the Secretary’s Office, in order that I might be sure of its getting safe to hand, Colo. Pendleton said no, that he had many other Papers to go to the Office, & would send them altogether; how then am I to acct for this Proclamation? & what more can I do?
Your Steward has led you, and you me, into a mistake about the qty of wheat at Marlborough; by telling me, as I came up, that you were sure there was a thousand Bushels ready, & finding the weather like to set in bad I immediately sent up to Alex⟨andria (⟩upon my return home) after ⟨mutilated⟩ and finding only one there (carrying 1200 Bushels) I could engage it upon no other terms than Insuring the freight of 1000 certain; whereas the quantity is under Eight hundred, & I have the difference, dead freight, to pay.
With this Letter, you will receive your Brothers Patent for the

first quantity of Land allowed him, in the distribution of the 200,000 acres; the Patent for the Second quantity, in wch he is (as we all are) joind with others, I have not yet got—The reason of my ⟨sending you⟩ the Patent now, is, that you may compare the Tenor of the Patent, with the Words of our Act of Assembly, respecting the Saving of Land & let me know, in case the New Colony should take place, whether (as I am satisfied we have no favour to expect from the Proprietors thereof, & the matter must be determind in there Government) we shall not be rigidly confind to the Words of the Grant, or whether any of the modes prescribd by the Act of Assembly will answer. If you are in any doubt about this matter, as I own I am, I should be glad, as it is a matter of some Importance, if you wd take the best advice you can upon it, and let me know the result; for as this Colony is yet, in the opinion of some to take place, it behooves the Patentees under the Proclamn aforesaid, to proceed safely in their operatio⟨ns⟩.
I heartily ⟨mutilated⟩ you ⟨mutilated⟩ the Compliments of the Season, and the return of many happy New Years, being very sincerely Dr Sir Yr Most Obedt Hbe Ser.

Go: Washington

P.S. The bearer is a Servant of Mr Browns of King Wm on his return home, which I mention that, in case you should think it necessary to write to ⟨illegible⟩ you may embrace the oppy of doing so by him.


Title: To George Washington from Angus McDonald, 8 January 1774
From: McDonald, Angus
To: Washington, George

Sir
Frederick County 8th Jany 1774

You have aplantation on powtomaak about 12 miles above the warm Spring and near my aplantation, there is one worthington Lives on your Land that dos you no good. if you will Send me derections I will Put Some body on it that will Either pay rent or make Some Improvement. I am Sir with Esteem your obedient Servant

Angus McDonald


Title: To George Washington from Robert Adam, 9 January 1774
From: Adam, Robert
To: Washington, George

Sir
Alexandria [January] 9th 1774

The bearer hereof Mr Young is a young man that came a perfet Stranger to me about three years ago enquireing for employmt as an Assistant or Clerk And from his appearance then I thought there was something promiseing in his looks or that bid fair for doing well haveing at that time no occation for any person my self I recomended him to Doctr Ross who I had heard say wanted such a person, he was accordingly employed by him & has since that time till now been with the Doctr & most part of the time at his Iron Works, till the floods last March Demolished greatly their Dams &c. his encouragement with the Doctr being but small & his not haveing much Occation for any person in his way Induced him to Look out for Bussiness else where On my Return from you, he calld upon me and made me acquanted with his Intentions off getting in to some other employ or trying what he could do for him self in Jamaca, Recolecting our Conversation Yesterday, I asked him how he would like a trip to the new Countray and mentioned your wanting a trusty person for some months to Over look some hands you purposed sending there to make some improvements and give him just a little Skeitch of your intentions that way he very Frankly offered his best endeavours to serve in that way as far as he was Capable, I realy beleve he will suite you he is Smart and Active & has a pretty good turn for any thing I beleve him to be a very Sober Young Man & Strictly Honest and from the Conversation I have had with [him] on that Subject I think he will ⟨Exart⟩ himself to give you entire Satissfaction in any Bussiness

you entrust him with, he seems pleased with the plan, as he hopes after haveing done some Bussiness for you he might from his knowledge of these parts be able to procure a piece of Good Land for him self, which is very probable, he wa⟨its⟩ upon with this, that you may have an opertunity of Converseing with him, I have said nothing to him of what encouragement you will give he will I beleve leav that matter to your self till he gives you a proof of his Abilitys and will sett out as soon as you please and in the mean time would Gladly be employed in any way to save his Expences he is a good Accountant and well acquanted with keeping books—If you think he will answer your purpose it will give me particular pleasure in recomending him to you. I am Sir Your Most Obedient & very Humble Servant

Robert Adam


Title: To George Washington from Myles Cooper, 10 January 1774
From: Cooper, Myles
To: Washington, George

Good Sir,
King’s College N. York, Jan. 10. 1774.

I have received your’s and Mr Custis’s Letters of the 15th of December. For the many polite Expressions of Regard, in Both, I beg Leave to return my just Acknowledgements. I hope and

earnestly wish, the young Adventurer may enjoy every Pleasure, in his new State, which his Imagination hath already formed: and, from every Account of the young Lady’s Disposition and Qualifications, and from my own Knowledge of His, I cannot but think, that they bid very fair for Happiness: I pray Heaven they may obtain it.
The Monies You left my Hands were nearly expended, when Mr Custis went to Virginia; what remained not being sufficient to pay the Tutors the stipulated quarterly Salary. Since the Rect of Your’s, I have called in all the Bills that I could think of: amongst which are two of considerable Sums: viz. Rivington’s of 19.2.3£ and Graham, a Taylor’s, of £58.3.10½. Besides these, there are several small ones, of all which, together with an exact Account of my own Payments, You shall receive the Sums, by the next Post. I say the Sums, on Account of the postage, the Bills themselves, as well those already paid, with Rects to them, as those not yet discharged, being equally at your Service, if You think proper to have them.
The Amount, taken collectively, seems large, but You will find, on Consideration, that the really Collegiate Expences are no ways high. The Death of Miss Custis brought on a considerable Charge; but then the Articles are in Being. The Chair, the Horse, the Money given to Mr Custis for travelling Expences swell the Bill exceedingly; but then, the two former Articles are nearly worth as much, I presume, at this Time, as they were then. The Money laid out in papering the Room &c. must be sunk of course: the furniture has been sold at Auction under the Care of Mr Harpur, into whose Hands Mr Vardill committed the Business, upon his sailing for England. The same person has pack’d up Mr C’s. Clothes &c., & sent them as directed. You will find that the Professors have just been paid their constant Wages; with which they have no Reason to be dissatisfied; tho’ they much lament Mr Custis’s unexpected Departure. For my own part, it is impossible to make any Charge at all: I have no Idea of it.
I should have been happy in waiting upon You at Mount Vernon: but Circumstances, not to be forseen, utterly put it out of my Power to begin my Journey, till such Time as I was convinced You must have set off for Williamsburgh: so that I was not disappointed. Perhaps upon some future Occasion, I may be

more fortunate[.] It would afford me much pleasure to spend a few Days ⟨mutilated⟩ You and Mr Custis, any where: and, I hope it is not ⟨in⟩supposeable that you and He (after he has been some time an Husband) may take another Journey to the northward.
I will write to Mr C. when I send the Accounts. In the mean Time I beg my best Regards to Him, & am, Dr Sr with great Esteem & Respect, Your most obedt Servt &c. &c.

M. Cooper

You must excuse the Scrawl; for the Ink, every second, freezes in my Pen.