Washington, George (1732-1799) Autograph Document Signed, Philadelphia, 29 September 1794.

Description:

Washington, George (1732-1799) Autograph Document Signed, Philadelphia, 29 September 1794. Autograph document in Washington's hand, on a single sheet of laid paper, inscribed over both pages; signed by Washington and Donaldson; detailing a work contract with Mount Vernon carpenter James Donaldson, including his allowances for food, moving expenses, use of tools, use of a house, garden, and cow, and the privilege of the occasional absence, in exchange for his work, "from the time it is light enough in the morning, until twilight in the evening, with a proper allowance at his breakfast & dinner, wheresoever the business of the Farms at or adjoining to Mount Vernon shall require," and mentioning that "if any of the Negro carpenters belonging to the Estate should be committed to his care and management, he will use his best endeavours to keep them at their work & instruct them in whatsoever he, or they, may be employed about"; stain and small paper loss at top edge, repairs to edges catching one word, repaired fold separations, show-through, 8 3/4 x 7 1/4 in.
"Memorandum of the allowance proposed to be made to James Donaldson, and what is expected from him
400 lbs. of Porke }per Annum
200 do. Beef
1000 Herrings
200 Shad
200 lbs. of midling flour
20 bushels of Indian Meal or midlg flour equivalent
One hundred & twenty dolrs
To pay his, & families passage round to Mount Vernon, & furnish him with the use of Tools with which to work when there.
To let him have the use of a house to live in, and the Garden adjoining, and also of a Cow to give him milk; or to allow him Provender, if he chuses to keep one himself.
And when necessity requires it, he may be absent a day, or so, but such times he thus takes to himself, or looses, it to be made up at the years end.
James Donaldson is to find his own bedding & drink. He is to work from the time it is light enough in the morning, until twilight in the evening (with a proper allowance at his breakfast & dinner) wheresoever the business of the Farms at, or adjoining to Mount Vernon shall require. And if any of the Negro Carpenters belonging to the Estate should be committed to his care and management, he will use his best endeavours to keep them to their work, & instruct them in whatsoever he, or they, may be employed about.
Fuel, carried to the house for the said Donaldson, is also to be allowed him—In witness of this agreement the parties have interchangeably set their hands this 29th day of Septr 1794.
Go: Washington"
"James Donaldson was a Scottish craftsman who supervised the slave carpenters at Mount Vernon between September 1794 and November 1795. Donaldson was not trained as either a carpenter or joiner. However, he was skilled at making farm implements such as plows, carts, and wheels, and also had experience crafting sashes and doors. Despite Donaldson's lack of experience, George Washington thought he would be 'sober and industrious' and set a good example for the enslaved carpenters at Mount Vernon." (Quoted from Mount Vernon's Digital Encyclopedia, http://www.mountvernon.org/digital-encyclopedia/article/james-donaldson/).
Provenance: The Estate of David Spinney.
Estimate $15,000-20,000


The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging. Condition requests can be obtained via email (lot inquiry button) or by telephone to the appropriate gallery location (Boston/617.350.5400 or Marlborough/508.970.3000). Any condition statement given, as a courtesy to a client, is only an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Skinner Inc. shall have no responsibility for any error or omission.

Keywords