Settling accounts with William Payne, Fairfax County Sheriff

Lot 178
15.10.2021 00:00UTC +00:00
Classic
Vendu
$ 9 375
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Lieu de l'événementRoyaume-Uni, London
Commissionsee on Website%
Archive
La vente aux enchères est terminée. Vous ne pouvez plus enchérir.
Archive
ID 627667
Lot 178 | Settling accounts with William Payne, Fairfax County Sheriff
Valeur estimée
$ 5 000 – 8 000
WASHINGTON, George (1732-1799). Autograph document, [Virginia,] 1762.

One page, 196 x 328mm, laid into a larger sheet (minor loss at top margin affecting docket on verso). Signed by William PAYNE(1725-1782) as Sheriff of Fairfax County.

George Washington settles his taxes with Fairfax County Sheriff William Payne with whom he nearly fought a duel in 1755. A fascinating document drafted entirely in Washington's hand detailing his accounts with Payne in his capacity of Sheriff of Fairfax County. The account, denominated in cash as well as tobacco (presumably by the pound), covers Washington's taxes, including "8505 Acres of Land" as well as a tax "on Wheel Carriages." Other entries include "County parish & pub[lic]k Levies … Clerks fees from Prince William … Ditto… Fairfax," "Secretarys Fees" as well as "the Publick Claim against you." The account was settled, largely in tobacco, to Payne's satisfaction.

William Payne figured prominently in Washington's early life. In 1755, Payne famously struck down Washington with a stick after a heated argument over their support of rival candidates for the Virginia House of Burgesses. In response, Washington asked Payne to meet him the next day—presumably to engage in a duel. "Instead of renewing the argument or demanding satisfaction, Washington kept his pride under leash and frankly apologized because, he said, he was in the Wrong." (Southern 2:146). Impressed by this display of humility, Payne accepted the apology and the pair became close, serving as vestrymen for Truro Parish. Payne's eldest son served as a pallbearer at Washington's funeral.
Adresse de l'enchère CHRISTIE'S
8 King Street, St. James's
SW1Y 6QT London
Royaume-Uni
Aperçu
01.10.2021 – 15.10.2021
Téléphone +44 (0)20 7839 9060
E-mail
Commission see on Website
Conditions d'utilisationConditions d'utilisation

Plus du Créateur

Antiquities of Mexico
Antiquities of Mexico
$16 000
Verbiest's world map
Verbiest's world map
$12 000
A previously unknown invoice for furnishings
A previously unknown invoice for furnishings
$2 800
Iliad, in Latin
Iliad, in Latin
$1 500
New York City commissions a painting of Washington
New York City commissions a painting of Washington
$100
The East Asia Co-prosperity Sphere
The East Asia Co-prosperity Sphere
$1 000
Inscriptiones sacrosanctae vetustatis
Inscriptiones sacrosanctae vetustatis
$1 200
Huguan County, Lu’an Prefecture, Shanxi Province
Huguan County, Lu’an Prefecture, Shanxi Province
$1 600

Termes connexes