Washington, George | The exceedingly rare first edition of Washington's will

Washington, George

The Will of General George Washington: to Which is Annexed, a Schedule of His Property, Directed to be Sold. Alexandria, Virginia: Printed from the Record of the County Court of Fairfax, 1800

8vo (97 x 160 mm). Woodcut headpiece; offsetting of first page onto verso of title. Original plain blue paper wrappers folded and stab-stitched with later ink manuscript title to upper wrapper. Housed in black clamshell case and folding chemise.

The exceedingly rare first edition of George Washington's will, published in his home state of Virginia, in its original wrappers.

The document that emancipated Washington's slaves: "Upon the decease of my wife, it is my will and desire, that all the Slaves which I hold in my own right shall receive their freedom" (page 4).

On 9 July 1799, just six months before his death, Washington composed his will, which was probated in January 1800 at the County Court of Fairfax. Shortly afterwards, it was printed in this pamphlet form in Alexandria. Perhaps the most notable feature of Washington's will is its provision for freeing his slaves and for his estate to provide for those "who from old age or bodily infirmities, and others who on account of their infancy, … will be unable to support themselves." Martha Washington signed the deed of manumission for her late husband's slaves in December 1800, and they officially became free on 1 January 1801.

The Alexandria pamphlet was followed in the same year by several other printings in various U.S. cities, including Charleston, Philadelphia, New York, and Worcester, and a more common—and shorter—Boston edition. The Alexandria edition is the true first publication and has eight more pages than the Boston.

REFERENCES:

ESTC W29703; Evans 39000; Howes W145; Reese, Celebration of My Country 145; Sabin 101752

PROVENANCE:

Joseph D. Ellis (early gift inscription to inside front wrapper)