Description:

George Washington
Virginia, February 7, 1787
Bond for Payment of Rent Owed to George Washington
MDS

[GEORGE WASHINGTON.] Jacob Rector and Benjamin Rector, Manuscript Document Signed, Bond to George Washington, February 7, 1787, [Virginia]. 1 p., 10" x 8". Irregular right edge; toning; minor staining.

With this bond, Jacob Rector (1747-1808) and his Benjamin Rector (1748-1808) agree to pay George Washington double the amount of rent due for 1786, if they do not pay the original amount by May 7, 1787. Jacob Rector was a tenant on lot no. 3 of George Washington's 885-acre Chattins Run tract in Fauquier County. Washington had divided the tract into four lots for rental, and lot no. 3 had 278 acres, but in 1785, Jacob Rector, Jesse Rector, and William Hansbrough all lived on the lot.

Jacob Rector was not the only tenant who struggled to pay the rent. In November 1786, William Hansbrough wrote to George Washington, offering his only slave, "a likely Negro woman twenty eight years of age," in payment of the rent and hoped Washington would "not destroy one tenant for the misconduct of others." Washington responded by telling Hansbrough to deal with Washington's rental agent, who could best "judge of the validity of your reasons for not paying the rent wch is due from you."

Battaile Muse (1750-1803), the oldest son of Virginia militia Col. George Muse, who had served with Washington in the French and Indian War, served as Washington's rental agent in Frederick, Berkeley, Fauquier, and Loudoun counties from 1784 to 1792. In May 1786, Muse sued Jacob Rector for £130, ten years' rent, and obtained a judgment against him in the Fauquier County court. Muse wrote to Washington on February 4, 1787, three days before the date of this bond, "I Obtained Six Judgements in Fauquier Court Last may—I Issued one Execution agt Jacob Rector For £131—out of which Sum I have only received £35. when I am To get the Ballance is uncertain, as the sheriff Plays off—I shall Endeavour To Bring Him Too. Last week I Took out another Execution by way of a spurr To the others.... I have a distress & attachment out agt Jacob Recter for Last years rent & the present years rent, as I was Told He was about To remove—"

Muse received through the sheriff Rector's payments of £34.8 in October 1786, £52.13.6 in March 1787, and £15,10.11½ in August 1787. The March 1787 payment may have included the £13.18 plus interest mentioned in this document. Thereafter, Muse pursued the debt against Frederick Rector, from who he received £8.13 in March 1789 and £10 in May 1790. In 1790, Muse noted that he had rented half of lot no. 3 to a man named Singleton and the other half to John Thompson. Muse noted that Frederick Rector had "run away," but when he returned Muse would sue him for £5.5 due from 1788 and £13.18 for rent and taxes for 1789 and 1790.

Complete Transcript
Know all men by these Presents that we Jacob Rector and Benjamin Rector of the County of Fauquier are held and firmly bound unto General George Washington in the Just & full sum of twenty seven Pounds sixteen Shillings Current money of Virginia to the which Payment well and truly to be made and done we bind ourselves our Heirs and every of us Jointly severally firmly by these presents sealed with our seals and dated this seventh day of February in the Year of Our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Eighty seven.
The Consideration is such that whereas there hath been distress made this day on the Goods and Chattels of the above bound Jacob Rector to satisfy the above mentioned Genl George Washington Rent due for the Year one thousand seven hundred and Eighty six to the amount of thirteen Pounds Eighteen shillings Current money.
Now if the above said Jacob Rector and Benjamin Rector or either of them their Heirs Executors shall well and truely pay unto the above named Genl George Washington or his attorney the Just & Lawfull sum of thirteen Pounds Eighteen shillings with Lawfull Interest on or before the seventh Day of May next ensuing the date hereof (also pay the Sheriffs Commission, then the above Obligation to be void or Else to remain in full Power in Law
Jacob Rector {Seal}
Benjamin Rector {Seal}
Test
Geo. E. Lloyd
Jos. Doniphan

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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    Dimensions:
  • 10" x 8"
  • Artist Name:
  • George Washington
  • Medium:
  • MDS<br />

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