American Furniture, Folk and Decorative Arts

Provenance

Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge

Ladle and bottle sliders: By descent in the Washington family to George Lafayette Washington (1893-1968), born at Harewood, Charles Town, West Virginia.

Medicine chest: By descent in family of Dr. Samuel Walter Washington (1799-1831), a great-nephew of George Washington of Harewood, Charles Town, West Virginia, to George Lafayette Washington (1893-1968). According to family lore the chest belonged to Dr. (Samuel) Walter Washington and the handle was detached from General Washington's casket when his body was moved to the vault at Mount Vernon.

Accompanied by a letter dated Februrary 22, 1964 from George Lafayette Washington, the great-great grandnephew of George Washington, stating purported provenance of the lot: "Two silver filigres banded wine coasters with walnut bottoms brought by General Washington to "Harewood," the home of Colonel Samuel Washington, Brother of General George Washington...." and "Silver ladle brought to "Harewood" by General Washington from "Blakely."

Harewood, in Charles Town, West Virginia was built in 1770 for Samuel Washington (1734-1781) brother of George Washington. It is known that George Washington visited the home on several occasions. One of the most famous events to take place at Harewood was the marriage of Dolley Payne Todd to James Madison, Setpember 15, 1794. Dolley's sister Lucy (1772-1846) was married to George Steptoe Washington (1771-1809), nephew of George Washington. The home is still owned by the Washington family.

Blakely was built in 1820 by John Augustine Washington (1789-1832), a great-nephew of George Washington and inherited in 1832 by his son, Richard Blackburn Washington (1822-1910). Blakely is now listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.