Washington, Martha Dandridge Custis

Document signed ("Martha Washington"), on an oblong slip of paper (4 1/2 x 7 1/2 in.; 113 x 190 mm), [Mount Vernon], 4 June 1801, text of the document probably in the hand of David Stuart, being a receipt for her annual annuity; laid down on a larger sheet, closing a few fold separations. Half blue morocco folding-case.

The first clause of George Washington's will was affectionately and generously addressed his wife: "To my dearly beloved wife Martha Washington I give and bequeath the use, profit and benefit of my whole Estate, real and personal, for the term of her natural life—except such parts thereof as are specifically disposed of hereafter: My improved lot in the Town of Alexandria, situated on Pitt & Cameron streets, I give to her and her heirs forever; as I also do my household & Kitchen furniture of every sort & kind, with the liquors and groceries which may be on hand at the time of my decease; to be used & disposed of as she may think proper."

To help manage her affairs after her husband's death, Martha Washington relied on David Stuart, a former associate and confidant of the President, who was one of the commissioners charged with siting and designing the new capital city. In 1783, Stuart became a virtual member of the Washington family when he married Eleanor Calvert Custis, the widow of Martha's son John Parke "Jacky" Custis. Martha Washington survived her husband by just two and half years, during whcih time she recieved an annuity administered by Stuart. The present document is one of the very few receipts documenting that arrangement:

"Received from D:d Stuart two hundred and twenty five pounds which with the sums formerly received by me is payment in full of my annuity for the year 1800."

The "sums formerly received" were acknowledged in a receipt for three hundred dollars signed by Mrs. Washington on 17 January 1801, which was lot 193 in our sale of the manuscript collection of Joseph M. Roebling, 28 April 1981—the last time one of her annuity receipts appeared at auction. Documents signed by Martha Washington are very scarce, particularly those signed with her full first name (the Roebling receipt was signed "M. Washington").