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George Washington

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:15,000.00 - 25,000.00 USD
George Washington

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Auction Date:2018 Nov 07 @ 18:00 (UTC-5 : EST/CDT)
Location:236 Commercial St., Suite 100, Boston, Massachusetts, 02109, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
ADS, signed “Go: Washington,” two pages on two adjoining sheets, 6 x 7.5, September 19, 1769. A financial ledger document headed "Capt'n Posey," transactions made between 1765 and 1769, including "Security on his Lands and Negroes for £750," "A subsequent & further security on ye above Negroes for £70," and "a Bill of Sale for Sundry stock, goods & chattels as a…security to me against a joint bond of his & mine to Colo. Mason for £200." On the right side, a £3 cash payment is recorded, below which Washington writes: "Note, besides ye above Capt'n Posey may have some trifling demands against me that I know nothing of at present & which may be showed when properly ascertained." Washington signs at the conclusion with errors excepted, "E. Excepted pr Go: Washington, Copy of an Acc't given to Mr. Grayson, Sept'r 19th 1769." In very good condition, with toning, light foxing and staining, and old repairs to two areas of paper loss (which affect none of the handwriting).

Captain John Posey was George Washington’s next-door neighbor at Mount Vernon, and the two formed a friendship. However, Posey was a heavy drinker and failure in business, constantly falling behind in his debts and frequently turning to Washington for loans. Some of their several transactions—which often included slaves as collateral—are recorded here. In one instance in 1767, Posey made a bond with Col. Mason with George Washington as security, much to Washington’s reluctance—in exchange for Washington’s participation, Posey executed a bill of sale which covered 25 slaves, 40 head of cattle, 20 horses, 40 sheep, 80 hogs, and lots of household goods including silver of various descriptions. Posey was never financially solvent enough to make good on his obligations to Washington, and his account with the future president was settled by the forced sale of property in October 1769—just weeks after Washington penned the present document.