Apr 17, 2012 - Sale 2276

Sale 2276 - Lot 12

Price Realized: $ 10,200
?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 2,000 - $ 3,000
WASHINGTON'S STEPSON MAKES PAYMENTS ON THE FAMILY SLAVES CUSTIS, JOHN PARKE. Autograph Letter Signed, "JPCustis," to his stepfather George Washington, describing his distressed finances, mentioning the slaves on his family's estate, and expressing concern over the siege of Charleston. Docketed in George Washington's hand on final page "From Jno. Parke Custis Esq 11th March 1780." 4 pages, folio, on a single folded sheet; moderate soiling on part of final page, affecting Custis signature but not docket, minor wear at folds. Abingdon [Arlington County, VA], 11 March 1780
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Washington's stepson apologizes for a botched appraisal of his cattle, and asks for more help with the taxes on the family estate: "I must return you my thanks for your indulgence in paying the rent of my mother's dower. . . . At the time we made the agreement respecting the dower, the taxes were not considered on my part, nor do I think that either of us, at that time, expected they would arrive to the height they are now at. . . . The consideration I now pay at twenty years purchase will amount to the full value of the land & negroes." After three long pages of detailed financial complaints, Custis recalls who he is writing to: "I should not have troubled you at this time, when your attention must be engaged with matters of the greatest importance, with so long an epistle. . . . Our attention is now engaged to the southward, and we are very anxious to hear the fate of Charleston, which we fear is now besieged by the enemy." He concludes with a greeting for Martha Washington: "I must beg of you to tender my most affectionate regards to my mother." Custis died the following year at the age of 26. Published in Harbin, "Letters from John Parke Custis," William and Mary Quarterly 43:2 (April 1986), pages 282-4.