Lear, Tobias, 1762-1816

Scope and Contents PA list of accounts addressed to His Excellency Gen. Washington Esq. from the firm of Pope and Cadle, who sold lace, silk, and other hosiery at 12 William Street, New York. The document shows that on April 30, the day of his inauguration, Washington purchased 3 hat tassels. In May, he purchased 3 pairs of white silk hose and 28 yards livery lace. A note at the bottom states that one pair of hose was for Tobias Lear, who paid for them separately.It is likely that the hat tassels...

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Bill. A.D.S. 1 page. Philadelphia. Bill for 1 box superior Hyson tea amounting to £20.18.9. Autograph document signed, fragment laminated, docketed twice, once by Lear, "No. 257 Receipt Jno. Barnes £20.18.9 22nd Novr. 1790," and Rect. Jno. Barnes Novr. 22. [1]790 £20.18.9", incomplete watermark. Receipted at same time by John Barnes.

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1 page docketed. Laminated. This cover came with all the letters to Biddle from Lear.

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This collection consists of papers collected by various members of the Peter families. It includes letters from George Washington, letters of condolence to Martha Washington after George Washington’s death, estate documents, Major George Peter’s military papers, land plats and surveys, photo albums, letterbooks, and notebooks that tell of the life of this prominent family in Virginia and the City of Washington.

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Autograph letter signed with integral free franked address panel. Eleanor writes about the lottery and her family, noting that "My Dear Nelly & Wash. are still spoilt by Grand Mama but chearfully obey every word I say to them."

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Autograph letter unsigned in the hand of Eleanor Calvert Custis Stuart and most likely addressed to Tobias Lear. The letter is dated 7 February with no year but was most likely written in 1790, since it mentions Lear's first marriage, which occured in 1790.

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Autograph letter signed, undated, with integral free franked address panel. Docketed in Lear's hand as received 2 October 1790. Eleanor writes of her unhappiness at being parted from her children Nelly and Wash.

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D.S. 6 pages. Account copy of "The Estate of George A. Washington in acct. with Tobias Lear, Administrator." An acct. of GAW's estate transactions as kept by Lear. Also included are copies of court documents ordering debts to be paid to the estate (dated Jan. 1801); acknowledgement of examination of the acct. (dated April 14, 1801); and an order for the acct. to be recorded (dated April 21, 1801). Document signed, on George Washington's water mark paper.

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A.D.S. 1 page. "I hereby relinquish the Administration of the Estate of the late George Augustine Washington and agreeably to an order of the Court of Fairfax County, and deliver up all and Singular the Decendents Estate which has come to my hand as Admr."

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D.S. 1 page. Invites Mr. Lear to dinner on the following Sunday to meet Lord Sheffield, Whitehall. Docketedwith seal to Mr. Lear No. 33 Surry Street.

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A.L. Received his letter and will render any assistance he can for President--is sure an exchange of houses can be accomplished--can treat for any part of furniture which might be wanted--will see Mr. Lear at his home this evening. Autograph letter, in first person, integral cover, docketed by Lear, laminated, watermark. Name on original manuscript appears as "Mr. Macomb."

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A.L.S. 1 page. A Letter-account itemizing the amount due Lear for forage and subsistence for Sept.-Oct., 1799. $234.39 is the amount totaled up. Name on original manuscript appears as "C. Swan, P. M. General."

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Autograph letter signed with integral address panel. Charles Cotesworth Pinckney writes from Harper's Ferry three days after George Washington's death offering his condolences for this "irrepreable loss" to Tobias Lear at Mount Vernon, Martha Washington, and Nelly Parke Custis Lewis.

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A.L.S. 6 pages. Lisbon. Humphreys was a Revolutionary War hero from Conn. and writer of the "Hartford Wit." He writes to G. Washington's secretary, T. Lear, of his life in Portugal. Sends messages to G. Washington and members of his family. Autograph letter, signed "D. Humphreys." Docketed by Lear on the blank final page--"From Col. Dav. Humphreys."

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A.L.S. 2 pages. Mount Airy. Thanks him for his condolences and offer of help upon her afflictions. Autograph letter signed, integral cover, docketed by T. Lear. Name on original manuscript appears as "Eleanor Stuart."

Scope and Contents A.L.S. 4 pages. Happy over her children's situation [in N.Y.] -- glad "My good Mama [Martha Washington] ... has at last seen the necessity of making the Dr. children respect as well as love her, for that they never wou'd have done had she continued her former improper indulgence to them."--their sisters are with her--death of Mr. Richard the printer--doesn't approve of taking her daughters [Eliza and Martha Custis] to Alexandria feast and merriment--requests him to have a butter print made...

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A.L.S. 2 pages. Abingdon. Chides him for not writing - news from George [A. Washington] and family at Mount Vernon. Autograph letter signed, docketed by Lear, integral cover. Name on original manuscript appears as "Eleanor Stuart." Date on original catalog card appears "[1789] August 19."

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A.L.S. 3 pages. Abingdon. Has never allowed herself to join general cry against him--wishes Bett and Patt [Eliza and Martha Custis] could have same advantages as her other children--guests--a boating accident in front of her house. Autograph letter signed, docketed by Lear.Name on original manuscript appears as "Eleanor Stuart." Date on original catalog card appears as "[1789] Oct. 8."

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A.L.S. 3 pages. Abingdon. His approaching marriage--her unhappiness--had hoped to see her children this summer--her concern over Nelly--fears she will be spoiled by too much attention--"her Dear Grandmama is too much pleased with the attentions paid to Nelly to judge of their impropriety. Autograph letter signed, docketed by Lear "April 12th 1790." Name on original manuscript appears as "Eleanor Stuart."

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An estimate for a saddle for the President.

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Lear writes for widow Martha Washington referring to a previous request for some black kid gloves and now adds to it a request "a pair of blk silk and a pair of blk kid shoes made by Mr. Fenton ..." Asks Biddle to write to one of George Washington's executors, Lawrence Lewis, to settle his account with George Washington's estate.

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Acknowledges in Martha Washington's behalf receipt of his letter and the oration [he gave on Independence Day]--thanks him for expressions of sympathy.

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At Mrs. Washington's request, acknowledges his letter, communicating Congress's assent to extend to her the franking privalege.

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Thanks him on Mrs. Washington's behalf for forwarding Mr. Ames' oration to her and sends her gratitude to him [Ames] for his testimony of respect.

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Martha Washington’s draft response to the proposal dated December 31, 1799 after George's death. Her main interest, that she be buried next to her husband, was accepted and plans proceeded for a mausoleum at the Capitol.

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A.L.S. 2 pages. Philadelphia. Asks Trenton, N.J. merchant Abraham Hunt questions on the President's behalf about colt owned by Mr. Baker -- he seems to suit President's purposes -- head and neck of Mr. Hamilton's horse not well shaped -- Mr. Phillips' horse too expensive. Autograph letter signed, draft, docketed, with corrections in G.W.'s hand, incomplete watermark. Name on original manuscript appears as "T. Lear."

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A.L.S. 1 page. Philadelphia. Mr. Thomas Bowen requested information through Gallatin on the person who administered on the estate of Mr. George Harrison, formerly of near Alexandria -- President sends following information [evidently inserted in original but missing from this draft]. Autograph letter signed, draft, docketed by Lear, laminated. Name on original manuscript appears as "T. Lear."

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A.L.S. 1 page and A.N.S. 1 page. Autograph letter signed, a receipt for the sum of $234.39 being the pay for forage and subsistence for Sept.-Oct., 1799. Also in folder, note of receipt signed by Lear, "Received of Caleb Swan PM Genl. The sum of two hundred and thirty four 39/100 dollars, being my pay..."