The Will of General George Washington. To Which is Annexed, A Schedule of his Property, Directed to be Sold. Alexandria: Printed from the Record of the County Court of Fairfax, 1800. First edition. Stab-sewn as issued, the stitching renewed, housed in a fine morocco backed clamshell case. 6 1/4 x 4 inches (16 x 10 cm) 32 pp. The title toned and with a few stains and chips, less so to the last leaf, other spotting but the text generally clean.

The remarkable Will of first President George Washington, was executed on July 9, 1799, just months before his death that December. The Will was entered for probate in the Fairfax County Courthouse (where it still remains) and first printed at Alexandria as here before subsequent printings in various cities. The most notable feature of Washington's Will is his desire to free his slaves, writing:

Upon the decease of my wife, it is my Will & desire that all the Slaves which I hold in my own right, shall receive their freedom ... And whereas among those who will receive freedom according to this devise, there may be some, who from old age or bodily infirmities, and others who on account of their infancy, that will be unable to ⟨su⟩pport themselves; it is my Will and desire that all who ⟨come under the first⟩ & second descrip⟨tion shall be comfortably clothed & fed by my heirs while they live...

Washington left his other substantial personal property, real estate holdings, and various stock and livestock to his wife, Martha, but directed that some be sold. These are listed at the end of the Will. Following her husband's wishes, Martha Washington signed the manumission documents one year following his death in December 1800 and the slaves officially became free on 1 January 1801. Martha Washington died in 1802. The final appraisals of George Washington's property weren't filed until 1810 and the estate was not settled until 1847. ESTC W29703; Evans 39000; Howes W145; Sabin 101752