G. Washington Buys Axe, Association To Cherry Tree Story

George Washington wrote an endorsement on this bill from George Thornton for Michael Robinson Jr. to sign indicating that Washington had paid him £3.15.8 for Thornton to settle the account. Most of the account was for the purchase of axes or for sharpening plows or hoes. In his ledger, Washington referred to this expense as "Geo Thornton's Smiths acct." The presence of a file note also written by Washington indicates that he kept this copy for his own records.

GEORGE WASHINGTON, Autograph Endorsement, November 27, 1772, Fredericksburg, Virginia, on account of George Washington with George Thornton. 1 p., 7" x 8". Tape repairs to edges and verso, causing discoloration; general toning.

Complete Transcript
Dr Colo George WashingtonTo Geo: Thornton

 [Endorsement in Washington's hand:]

Fredericksburg Novr 27th 1772
Then Receivd the above sum of Three pounds fifteen shillings and Eight pence
Michael Robinson jur

[File Note in Washington's hand:]
No 40 / Geo: Thornton / by Michl Robinson / £3.15.8 / 27 Novr 1772

Historical Background
Axes, wedges, hoes, and plows were all essential parts of agricultural production on eighteenth-century Virginia plantations. The process of resteeling the worn edge of an implement like a hoe was called "laying." Similarly, restoring the point to a plow was called "pointing."

Across his plantations, George Washington eventually had more than 3,000 acres under cultivation. He initially grew tobacco as a cash crop but also grew many types of foodstuffs to feed his enslaved workers and household. By 1766, Washington had switched to grains, especially wheat, as his cash crop.

George Washington Thornton (1743-1781) was born in Virginia to Francis Thornton and Frances Gregory Thornton. In 1757, his sister Mildred Thornton married Charles Washington (1738-1799), the younger brother of George Washington. In 1773, George Thornton married Mary Alexander (1756-1837), and they had seven children. Thornton became a prominent businessman in Fredericksburg, Virginia. He married Mary Alexander in 1773. From 1772 to 1774, he was a partner with William Triplett of King George County in two stores, one in Fredericksburg and one in nearby Falmouth. In 1776, Thornton represented Spotsylvania County in the Virginia House of Delegates. After 1777, he was a partner with others in a Fredericksburg brewery. He was appointed as a major in the Spotsylvania County militia in November 1780 but died soon afterward, allegedly of "drinking cold water on a forced march."

Michael Robinson Jr. (1751-1800) was born in Fredericksburg, Virginia, to Michael Robinson (1722-1784) and Mary Martin Robinson. He married Mary Mollie James (1750-1808) in 1773, and they had at least eight children. George Washington purchased a house and two lots from Robinson's father and namesake in 1771 as a residence for his mother Mary Ball Washington (1708-1789).

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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