1845 Letter to John A. Washington, Mt. Vernon, by sl (02/16/2011)...

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1845 Letter to John A. Washington, Mt. Vernon, by slave

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1845 Letter to John A. Washington, Mt. Vernon, by slave

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Sold Date: 02/16/2011
Channel: Online Auction
Source: eBay
Category: Stamps

This is a one-page letter signed "Dennis Johynston, 18 Oct 1845" addressed to "John A. Washington, Esqr."

John A. Washington docketed the obverse in his hand, "D. Johnston."

After Washington's death in 1799, plantation ownership passed through a series of relatives who lacked either the will or the means to maintain the property. After trying unsuccessfully for five years to restore the estate, John Augustine Washington offered it for sale in 1848. The Commonwealth of Virginia and United States governments declined to buy the home and estate.

In 1858, the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association of the Union, under the leadership of Ann Pamela Cunningham , acquired the mansion and a portion of the land from Washington's great-grandnephew, John A. Washington, Jr., rescuing it from a state of disrepair and neglect. They paid the final installment of the purchase price of $200,000 on December 9, 1859, taking possession on February 22, 1860.

The letter did not travel to Mount Vernon by mail, it as hand carried by a slave, via the endorsement, "By Gilbert."

Though "Gilbert" is not listed at this listing of Mount Vernon slaves, it is my opinion based on the way privately carried endorsements were made on the obverse of letters that "By Gilbert" means slave carried. /cla/history/casper_files/Page324.html

The letter's content, "My Dear Friend, your by Gilbert, directed to French [another slave?] is just received (French is not at home). I have the sincere pleasure to inform you that I am rapidly recovering from somerset spell that I aver had. I now ride short distances in the middle of the day and walk about the 7 and etc. I thank you for the information about the machines. If it is convenient for you to have it get in order and you can furnish a feeder (as my people know nothing about it) by the time we are done seeding, say the middle of next week, it will be time enough. Should you be disappointed, I can probably get Mrs. Meadows or Mr. Curtiss. When you are haying, please come and see me. I have been a prisoner at home so long the sight of my Friends is a real treat."

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