Lot 1392

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Description:

"THE LAST WILL & TESTAMENT OF GENERAL GEORGE WASHINGTON"
Original printed pamphlet, "The Last Will & Testament of General George Washington", (Worcester: Isaiah Thomas, Junior), 1800, 23pp. 8vo. Published in February of 1800, shortly after Washington''s death, the will bequeaths the bulk of Washington''s estate to his wife, Martha. Notably, however, the will stipulates that upon her death, Washington''s slaves are to receive their freedom. This clause further stipulates that until that time, these slaves are to be provided ample food and clothing and taught to read and write. Washington also stipulates that his manservant William Lee be freed immediately upon the execution of the will and paid a thirty dollar annuity for the remainder of his life, "...as a testimony of my sense of his attachment to me, and for his faithful services during the Revolutionary War..." The back matter of the will features an account of Washington''s real estate holdings in Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York and Kentucky, and in various cities, including the new capital which bears his name. The pages of the publication are roughly cut and bound with string as originally distributed. The front cover shows two period ownership signatures in black ink, with chips to the page edges and minor foxing throughout, else very good.

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April 18, 2018 10:00 AM EDT
Chesapeake City, MD, US

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$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
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