Description:

Bartholomew Dandridge [George Washington]
Philadelphia, PA, May 17, 1792
George Washington's Plough as President! Patriot and Planter Dandridge Also Mentions Tobias Lear and Signer George Clymer
ALS

A lengthy autograph letter from Bartholomew Dandridge addressed to his brother-in-law George Washington. 1p (front and back), measuring 7.5" x 8.75", Philadelphia, PA, May 17, 1792. Signed at conclusion as "Bw Dandridge" and thrice addressed on the verso to "The President US". Within, Dandridge references a plough crafted for President Washington and references both George Clymer (1739-1813) and Tobias Lear (1762-1816). Exhibits areas of scattered staining throughout, with minor paper loss near folds slightly affecting the end of Dandridge's signature. Evident ink ghosting on recto, otherwise very good with interesting contents!

Reading in part:

"The day before yesterday, and just as Capt. Carhart was about to sail from this place, a plough was left here by a man from Frankfort, who said it was made at that place for the president. Never having heard you or Mr. Lear mention that such a one was to be received for you, & not knowing from whom it came, I was at a loss whether to take it or not; I therefore enquired of Mr. Clymer, who I supposed might know something about it, & he informed me that it was made by his direction & your desire, & came from a Doctr. Edward; in consequence of which I have sent it by Capt. Carhart to you, which I hope is right."

Bartholomew Dandridge (1737-1785) was an early American planter, lawyer and patriot. He represented New Kent County in the House of Burgesses, all five Virginia Revolutionary Conventions, and once in the Virginia House of Delegates before fellow legislators selected him as a judge of what later became known as the Virginia Supreme Court. The fourth child of Colonel John Dandridge, Bartholomew was a younger brother of First Lady Martha Washington.

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: 7.5" x 8.75"
  • Medium: ALS

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