Land surveys

Scope and Contents From the Collection:

The Historical Photograph Collection is largely comprised of materials created by or for the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association. Photographers primarily include staff members and contract photographers. The collection spans the 1930s to the 2000s and includes analog material made up of a variety of sizes of film negatives providing a visual history of the Mansion, outbuildings, tombs, grounds, events, visitors, collection objects, personnel, restoration, and changes throughout the estate.

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"I endeavourd to find out the true bounds of my Mount Vernon Tract of Land - but not knowing where it divided from Spencer's part of the River, nor being able to find harrison cornr Ash mentiond in his Deed to stand on the River side at the Mouth the Blind Pocoson - I began at two Ash trees and Elm ..."

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Washington writes to the Mayor of Alexandria saying that an accurate survey is necessary of 10 miles square in question [the land for the Federal City] -- has engaged Mr. Ellicott to make it -- hopes corporation of Alexandria, Virginia will give all necessary help.

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Map with notes and 'A table of explanation this platt.' See 1748, March 29, Depositions in the Suit of Thomas Marshall against Samson Darrell [W-243/A-D]

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Plat showing the purchase of land for John Augustine Washington, acquiring 643 acres of land granted by Thomas Rutherford in Frederick (now Jefferson) County, VA. George Washington had also purchased land in Frederick County, acquiring 453 acres also from Thomas Rutherford, granted by Lord Fairfax. Autograph document, 2 pages, docketed.

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Date on original catalog card appears [1783].

Subdivisions of fields of Ferry and French's farm--on reverse is an explanation--in another hand, of the alterations in the arrangement of the field.

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Docketed on back "West v Posey Plat & Report", in G.W.'s hand, laminated, watermark (crown over heraldic device & motto, & crown over GR), oversize document. [This was part of the original grant to Spencer which George Washington purchased from Captain Posey to help cancel that gentleman's debt to him and others]. The plat showing survey lines is attached to the report. A cover is attached, docketed "Papers Relating To Mount Vernon Trace of Land."

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Survey and plat of George Washington's Bullskin farm and land in Jefferson County.

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Receipt for 1 pound, 1 shilling paid by Edward McGuire for James Commack to defray the cost for a land survey for 200,000 acres allotted to the Virginia Regiment by Dinwiddie's Proclamation of 1754. Receipt text in another hand, signed by George Washington. Autograph document signed, small sheet.

Scope and Contents Major Robert Brooke survey map of the future site of Mount Vernon. Survey plat map of land contained between Dogue Rung and Little Hunting Creek, shows the original grant of land between the Spencer family and the Washignton family originally granted by Thomas Lord Culpepper in 1674 to Col. John Washington, who arrived in Virginina in 1657 and to Col. Nathaniel Spencer for a grant of 5,000 acres. This land would later become the future property of George Washington, containing the plantation...

Abstract George Washington embarked on his first career as a surveyor of Virginia's uncharted western lands at the age of sixteen. Over the next three years he surveyed more than 70,000 acres under the employ of Lord Fairfax, proprietor of the Northern Neck. This position enabled him to earn an income, better his social standing, and acquire significant tracts of land. Washington also developed an intimate knowledge of Virginia's backcountry that served him well in two military conflicts....

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Survey by George Washington of distances from Cameron to Colchester.

Scope and Contents Signed "Washington, SCC" (for Surveyor of Culpeper County), this survey details 400 acres of Frederick County along the North River. These lands originally belonged to George Nixon who assigned them to David Wood, on behalf of Daniel Wood. The latter assigned the lands to Dr. James Craik, George Washington's friend and physician, and Philip Bush in 1771. Washington recorded the survey in his field book on April 14, 1750, but may have incorrectly dated the finished document which reads...

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Survey, Mount Vernon Land. A.D. 2 pages. Plat of 150 acres of land at mouth of Dogue Creek, conveyed by Wm. Spencer to Richard Osborn, later a part of Mount Vernon. Document, possibly docketed in G.W.'s hand "Old Survey of no use," laminated, watermark.

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Partial document of a plat of Mount Vernon, 'Old Plat of the Grounds in the NE part of the Pasture of Mount Vernon from the Summit of the Hills on which the Log'd Cabbins are.' Page one is the survey, page two includes surveying notes in Washington's hand.

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Portion of a large folio document containing approximately half of a survey of Ferry Plantation and 2 crop rotation tables for 1787 and 1797, entirely in George Washington's hand.

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A.D.S. 1 page. "Platt of a Survey made for Capt. Augustine Washington and Mr. John Washington in Westmoreland County ..." Contains metes and bounds and ink and pencil drawing of the tract bordered on three sides by Bridges Creek Potomac River and Pope's Creek. Later renamed Wakefield by Wm. Aug. Washington.

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A.D.S. 1 page. Survey by George Brent of part of the land granted to Nicholas Spencer and John Washington. On reverse is a transcript of the grant by Lord Culpeper to Spencer and Washington. See under date March 1, 1674.

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Plat & Memorandum of a survey made by George Washington for Capt. John Posey

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Plat map--Long Marsh Run 633 acres.