Lear, Tobias, 1762-1816

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Account, Document signed, 1 page. Though it is now in two pieces, amount due Lear is $42.24. Signed by Lear as being correct.

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.

Scope and Contents From the Collection:

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, undated, with integral free franked address panel. Eleanor Calvert Custis Stuart to Tobias Lear, New York. 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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Autograph letter signed with integral free franked address panel. Eleanor Calvert Custis Stuart, Mount Vernon, to Tobias Lear, New York. 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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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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In the handwriting of Tobias Lear (1762-1816), Washington's private secretary, and James Anderson, Mount Vernon's farm and subsequent distillery manager from 1797 to the time of Washington's death in 1799. Washington endorsed the ledger twice and approved accounts for fisheries, whiskey, shad, and herring.

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Autograph letter, 1 p. with integral address panel. Macomb informs Lear, “the house which the Count de Moustier occupied, is at the service of the President from the 1st of May next.”

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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 "irreparable 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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Introduces Tobias Lear, who goes to Europe to carry into effect his plans for an "extensive commercial establishment" at the Federal City -- Lear can explain his long delay in writing -- encloses Mr. Richard Peters' and Mr. Thomas Jefferson's answers to his queries about American agriculture -- if there are any questions, ask Lear.

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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 privilege.

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Washington writes to North Carolina's Governor that he has received letter with notice of cession of land in North Carolina for building lighthouses -- mentions recent southern tour -- thanks him for reception in North Carolina -- object was "To see with my own eyes the situation of the Country, and to learn on the spot the condition and disposition of our Citizens." Written in the hand of Tobias Lear.

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Written on behalf of Martha Washington. Expresses thanks for her letter of condolence--they have both suffered great losses.

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Writes in Mrs. Washington's behalf to thank him for letter of sympathy.