AN IMPORTANT WILLIAM AND MARY TURNED CHERRYWOOD TAVERN TABLE, VIRGINIA, CIRCA 1730 |

appears to retain its original surface; remnants of a paper label on bottom of drawer inscribed ...sident Thomas Jefferson...purchased from the heirs by Beard of Richmond, VA. the society preserving the home, Monticello, asked for a photograph" another remnant label shows the signature of Mrs. Haskell; there is a pencil inscription on the proper right drawer "this table was formerly the property of Thos. Jefferson President of USA.

According to family history, this table descended in the Gilmer and Grattan families and was originally owned by Thomas Jefferson at Monticello, Virginia;
Given to George Gilmer (1743-1795), of Penn Park, in Albemarle County, Virginia;
To his son, Peachy Ridgeway Gilmer (1779-1836);
To his daughter, Elizabeth Thornton Gilmer, who married Major Robert Grattan (1769-1841) of “Contentment,” in Rockingham County, Virginia;
To their daughter, Eliza Francis Grattan (died 1866), who married George Rockingham Gilmer (1790-1859);
Thence by descent to Robert Grattan of Ashland, Virginia, the last family owner, 1925;
J. K. Beard, Richmond, Virginia;
Mrs. J. Amory Haskell, Oak Hill Farm, Red Bank, New Jersey;
Collection of Monmouth County Historical Association.

Wear, discoloration and minor losses commensurate with age and use. Appears to retain an early surface. Hardware is replaced. The top is constructed of three boards, and there is a slight separation between the front and middle boards. There is an old 1" x 1" loss to the exterior of the proper back right foot. There is an old loss to a knot of the backboard of the case. Secondary wood: Yellow pine
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

When Mrs. J. Amory Haskell purchased this tavern table, it was accompanied by two letters which were written and signed by a previous owner, Robert Grattan, and dated July 17, 1925. The letters recount the table’s history from Thomas Jefferson through the Gilmer and Grattan families of Virginia. Mr. Grattan states that Thomas Jefferson gave this table to George Gilmer (1743-1795), of Pen Park, Virginia, who was his friend, neighbor, and physician. Born in Williamsburg in 1743, George was the son of the Scottish physician George Gilmer and his wife, Mary Peachy Walker. He studied at the College of William and Mary before studying medicine with his uncle Dr. Thomas Walker at the University of Edinburgh.
In May 1766, George Gilmer provided Thomas Jefferson with a letter of introduction to Dr. John Morgan of Philadelphia, in order for Jefferson to obtain a smallpox inoculation. The following December, Gilmer announced his plan to pursue "the practice of medicine and the art of midwifery" in Williamsburg. He married his first cousin Lucy Walker and moved to Charlottesville before the Revolution. By 1782, they were living at Pen Park, a few miles north of town. After his arrival in Albemarle County, Dr. Gilmer served as the attending physician to Jefferson and his family and his services to the Jefferson family from 1771-1775 are itemized in his personal "day book." In the summer of 1776, he attended the Fifth Virginia Convention in Williamsburg, acting in Jefferson's stead. During the Revolution, he became a Lieutenant in the Albemarle County First Independent Company of Gentleman Volunteers as well as a military surgeon. On August 9, 1780, Jefferson wrote to his friend stating his intention, while Governor, to contribute rice and money to Dr. Gilmer’s hospital.

After Jefferson gave this table to George Gilmer, it descended for four generations through the Grattan branch of his family to Robert Grattan, who sold it in 1925. Mr. Grattan’s letters regarding the tavern table’s history will accompany this lot. Additional information regarding Dr. George Gilmer is in the Thomas Jefferson Encyclopedia and available on Monticello's website www.monticello.org/site/research-and-collections/george-gilmer.