Survey and plat, Barnaby McHandry

Containers:

Box 1, Folder 1749.11.09

Creator:

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Abstract:

George Washington embarked on his first career as a surveyor of Virginia's uncharted western lands at the age of sixteen. Over the next three years he surveyed more than 70,000 acres under the employ of Lord Fairfax, proprietor of the Northern Neck. This position enabled him to earn an income, better his social standing, and acquire significant tracts of land. Washington also developed an intimate knowledge of Virginia's backcountry that served him well in two military conflicts. Signed "Washington, SCC" (for Surveyor of Culpeper County), this survey details 400 acres of Augusta County, Virginia, along the Cacapehon (Cacapon) or Lost River. The left section of the document's text has been lost, but a masterfully drafted plat and a scale of poles are intact on the right side of the page. As a result of the partial text loss the survey only carries the date 1749. However, THE PAPERS OF GEORGE WASHINGTON states that on November 9, 1749, Washington surveyed 400 acres on the Lost River for Barnaby McHendry (McHandry). In his journal, Washington records that he made this survey for Barnaby McHandry on November 9th-10th, 1749. As transcribed by Joseph M. Toner in JOURNAL OF MY JOURNEY OVER THE MOUNTAINS, Washington writes: November 9th 10th 1749 Then Survey'd for Barnaby McHandry a certain Tract of Waste and ungranted Land Situate in Frederick County on the Lost River of Cacapehon and Bounded as followeth Beginning 48 po. below William Bakers Corner 2 Chesnut Oaks and a White Oak and runs thence So 55º Et Two hundred and fifty two poles to two Mountain Burches and a white Oak on the M side thence So 35º Wt Two hundred and fifty two po to a Lynn a Maple and a Mountain Burch thence No 55º Wt Two hundred and Fifty two po to two white Oaks and a Hickory from thence to the Beginning Plat Drawn Barnaby McHandry's land was on the border of Augusta and Frederick Counties. This accounts for the survey describing the land as in Augusta County, while Washington's journal describes the land as situated in Frederick County. This survey and plat has also sometimes been described as a deed. For additional background on gentlemen surveyors see Sarah S. Hughes, SURVEYORS AND STATESMEN: LAND MEASURING IN COLONIAL VIRGINIA (Richmond, VA: Virginia Surveyors Foundation, 1979) 72, 85, 156-165.

Scope and content:

Signed "Washington, SCC" (for Surveyor of Culpeper County), this survey details 400 acres of Augusta County, Virginia, along the Cacapehon (Cacapon) or Lost River. The left section of the document's text has been lost, but a masterfully drafted plat and a scale of poles are intact on the right side of the page.

Language:

English .

Subjects:

Surveying
Land surveys

Names:

Washington, George, 1732-1799

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