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Details
WASHINGTON, George (1732-1799), President. Autograph manuscript signed ("G. Washington”), Frederick County, Virginia, 22 October 1751.
1 page, folio. (12 x 7 ½ in). A few marginal chips along fold separation, small corner at top left mended, otherwise in very good condition. Matted and framed.
AN EARLY WASHINGTON SURVEY AND PLAT DRAWING for 203 acres in Fairfax County. From his father, Washington inherited his surveying instruments and mastered the complex technique, while the powerful Fairfax family provided him commissions for some 190 surveys performed between 1749 and 1752. (One very early example, dated 1749, sold here on 19 December 2002, $42,000.) Washington charged £2, 3s, above the £1, 11s. fee proscribed by the Virginia Assembly. In all he earned as much as £400 from surveying, but this was not the route to wealth and distinction. In June 1752 he resolved on a military career, and petitioned Governor Dinwiddie to appoint him adjutant of Virginia's Northern neck. But he continued to employ his skills for his own purposes, surveying sections of his Mount Vernon estate, up until his death in 1799. (A 1771 survey of Mount Vernon sold here 9 June 2002, lot 427, $130,700).
In this certification he writes: "Pursuant to a warrant from the Proprietor's Office to me directed, I have survey'd for Isaac Foster a certain tract of waste and ungranted land situate in Frederick County and bounded as follow viz.” Washington meticulously lays out the line by reference to adjoining plats and natural features. Foster was granted the tract, 203 acres, in question, 22 October 1750.
1 page, folio. (12 x 7 ½ in). A few marginal chips along fold separation, small corner at top left mended, otherwise in very good condition. Matted and framed.
AN EARLY WASHINGTON SURVEY AND PLAT DRAWING for 203 acres in Fairfax County. From his father, Washington inherited his surveying instruments and mastered the complex technique, while the powerful Fairfax family provided him commissions for some 190 surveys performed between 1749 and 1752. (One very early example, dated 1749, sold here on 19 December 2002, $42,000.) Washington charged £2, 3s, above the £1, 11s. fee proscribed by the Virginia Assembly. In all he earned as much as £400 from surveying, but this was not the route to wealth and distinction. In June 1752 he resolved on a military career, and petitioned Governor Dinwiddie to appoint him adjutant of Virginia's Northern neck. But he continued to employ his skills for his own purposes, surveying sections of his Mount Vernon estate, up until his death in 1799. (A 1771 survey of Mount Vernon sold here 9 June 2002, lot 427, $130,700).
In this certification he writes: "Pursuant to a warrant from the Proprietor's Office to me directed, I have survey'd for Isaac Foster a certain tract of waste and ungranted land situate in Frederick County and bounded as follow viz.” Washington meticulously lays out the line by reference to adjoining plats and natural features. Foster was granted the tract, 203 acres, in question, 22 October 1750.