Autographs
Rare “Henry Lee” Signed Land Grant As Virginia Governor
HENRY “LIGHT HORSE HARRY” LEE, Revolutionary War Commander; Governor of Virginia; Father of Robert E. Lee.
April 6, 1793-Dated, Partly-printed Document Signed, “Henry Lee” as Governor of Virginia, 12” x 14.5” on Vellum, Choice Extremely Fine. A Commonwealth of Virginia Land Grant to “Richard Sydnor assignee of Henry Banks...” This lovely Document has not been trimmed and has its full original margins. All of the pertinent manuscript information is written in light brown being completely and easily readable. The fully intact, sharply embossed original official paper and wax Seal looks very sharp and distinct at lower left. The signature, “Henry Lee” measuring about 4” across is huge and boldly signed in dark brown ink. The last example we offered was a military appointment in our EAHA Sale of August 25, 2001, Lot 138, graded VF and selling for $1,840 over a decade ago. This current example is nicer and cleaner in its eye appeal. In 1799, he eulogized George Washington with words which have become quite famous: “He was First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen.” This is one of the finest quality examples of any Document we have seen that was signed by Henry “Light Horse Harry” Lee.
“Light Horse Harry” was a brilliant cavalry commander in the Revolutionary War. After the War, he served in the Virginia legislature and the Continental Congress, then as Governor of Virginia from 1792-95. He was vital in suppressing the Whisky Rebellion in Pennsylvania in 1794, and from 1799-1801 was a member of the House of Representatives. In 1799, he eulogized Washington with words which became famous: “First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen.”