![WASHINGTON, George. Autograph letter signed (“G:o Washington”) to [Tench Tilghman], Mount Vernon, 29 July 1784. 1 page, 4to, matted and framed with engraved portrait of Washington.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2015/NYR/2015_NYR_11610_0091_000(washington_george_autograph_letter_signed_to_tench_tilghman_mount_vern102407).jpg?w=1)
Details
WASHINGTON, George. Autograph letter signed (“G:o Washington”) to [Tench Tilghman], Mount Vernon, 29 July 1784. 1 page, 4to, matted and framed with engraved portrait of Washington.
WASHINGTON COLLECTS A RECENTLY PURCHASED INDENTURED SERVANT FROM IRELAND
“Your favor by Capt. Bradstreet came to hand too late in the afternoon of yesterday to send up the carpenter,” he writes. “The bearer now comes for him. Be so good as to let me know the amount of the expenses you may have been at, on his account and I will thankfully repay them at meeting, or before, if an opportunity presents…” Tilghman wrote Washington on 27 July that he had come across “a House Joiner, in a ship just arrived from Ireland. He says much for himself, and the Captain says he is a well-behaved man…His name is Branning…” Washington told Tilghman on 4 August that, “The carpenter you bought for me has arrived safe. I like the age he is of, his appearance & profession, very well; & I am obliged to you for procuring him.” Branning/Branagan worked on the construction of Washington’s green house at Mount Vernon, which was not completed until 1787. By that time Washington had grown bitter towards his workman, telling George Augustus Washington (8 July 1787) that if paid off, Branagan “will be constantly drunk; if he possessed prudence therefore he should leave this as deposit in your hands, even if he goes elsewhere in pursuit of work; for sure I am if he takes it into keeping he will not work whilst it lasts; or if he works at all, it will be under such circumstances as to bring discredit on himself.” Published in W. W. Abbot, ed. The Papers of George Washington, Confederation Series, 2: 15. Provenance: Sang sale, Sotheby’s New York, 20 July 1979.
WASHINGTON COLLECTS A RECENTLY PURCHASED INDENTURED SERVANT FROM IRELAND
“Your favor by Capt. Bradstreet came to hand too late in the afternoon of yesterday to send up the carpenter,” he writes. “The bearer now comes for him. Be so good as to let me know the amount of the expenses you may have been at, on his account and I will thankfully repay them at meeting, or before, if an opportunity presents…” Tilghman wrote Washington on 27 July that he had come across “a House Joiner, in a ship just arrived from Ireland. He says much for himself, and the Captain says he is a well-behaved man…His name is Branning…” Washington told Tilghman on 4 August that, “The carpenter you bought for me has arrived safe. I like the age he is of, his appearance & profession, very well; & I am obliged to you for procuring him.” Branning/Branagan worked on the construction of Washington’s green house at Mount Vernon, which was not completed until 1787. By that time Washington had grown bitter towards his workman, telling George Augustus Washington (8 July 1787) that if paid off, Branagan “will be constantly drunk; if he possessed prudence therefore he should leave this as deposit in your hands, even if he goes elsewhere in pursuit of work; for sure I am if he takes it into keeping he will not work whilst it lasts; or if he works at all, it will be under such circumstances as to bring discredit on himself.” Published in W. W. Abbot, ed. The Papers of George Washington, Confederation Series, 2: 15. Provenance: Sang sale, Sotheby’s New York, 20 July 1979.