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Start Over Collection George Washington collection Subjects Land surveys

Document, Survey of Mount Vernon Box 1, Folder 1759.10.01

"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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Letter, to William Hunter Box 5, Folder 1791.02.04

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.

  1. The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon
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  3. Series 1. From George Washington

Plat, Mount Vernon tract Box 33, Folder 1769.07.10

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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  3. Series 4. Oversized
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Receipt, to Edward McGuire 1 Sheets Box 2, Folder 1771.03.06

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.

  1. The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon
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Survey and plat, Barnaby McHandry Box 1, Folder 1749.11.09

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. Signed "Washington, SCC" (for Surveyor of Culpeper County), this survey details 400 acres of Augusta County, Virginia, along the Cacapehon (Cacapon) or Lost River. The left section of the document's text has been lost, but a masterfully drafted plat and a scale of poles are intact on the right side of the page. As a result of the partial text loss the survey only carries the date 1749. However, THE PAPERS OF GEORGE WASHINGTON states that on November 9, 1749, Washington surveyed 400 acres on the Lost River for Barnaby McHendry (McHandry). In his journal, Washington records that he made this survey for Barnaby McHandry on November 9th-10th, 1749. As transcribed by Joseph M. Toner in JOURNAL OF MY JOURNEY OVER THE MOUNTAINS, Washington writes: November 9th 10th 1749 Then Survey'd for Barnaby McHandry a certain Tract of Waste and ungranted Land Situate in Frederick County on the Lost River of Cacapehon and Bounded as followeth Beginning 48 po. below William Bakers Corner 2 Chesnut Oaks and a White Oak and runs thence So 55º Et Two hundred and fifty two poles to two Mountain Burches and a white Oak on the M side thence So 35º Wt Two hundred and fifty two po to a Lynn a Maple and a Mountain Burch thence No 55º Wt Two hundred and Fifty two po to two white Oaks and a Hickory from thence to the Beginning Plat Drawn Barnaby McHandry's land was on the border of Augusta and Frederick Counties. This accounts for the survey describing the land as in Augusta County, while Washington's journal describes the land as situated in Frederick County. This survey and plat has also sometimes been described as a deed. For additional background on gentlemen surveyors see Sarah S. Hughes, SURVEYORS AND STATESMEN: LAND MEASURING IN COLONIAL VIRGINIA (Richmond, VA: Virginia Surveyors Foundation, 1979) 72, 85, 156-165.
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Survey, Benjamin Rutherford 2 pages Box 1, Folder 1751.04.09

Partial land survey, missing plat, by George Washington for Benjamin Rutherford, concerning 292 acres between the head of the South Fork of Bullskin Run and Opequon Creek in Frederick County, VA (now Jefferson County, West Virginia). Two additional people are listed in the document: James McCarmick and John Ramsey (C.C.- chainmen). Benjamin Rutherford assisted with the survey as the marker 'Mr.' Docket indicates that this land was later granted to George Hyatt. Autograph document signed, 2 pages.

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Survey, George Nixon Box 1, Folder 1750.04.14

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 June 14, 1750. It is one of 49 he completed within a month beginning on March 30, 1750.

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