Original 1838 Chancery Court Decree – Westmoreland County, Virginia
Featuring Lawrence Washington, Great-Nephew of George Washington
This exceptional legal document from the Circuit Superior Court of Law and Chancery in Westmoreland County, Virginia—dated October 16, 1838—is a rare artifact linking some of the most prominent families in early American history. Most notably, it features Lawrence Washington, the great-nephew of George Washington, acting as executor of the estate of Daniel Payne.
The case settles a complex debt dispute involving the Washington, Payne, and Hungerford families, with direct reference to John P. Hungerford, a U.S. Congressman and Revolutionary War officer. The back page includes original 19th-century arithmetic—calculations of interest payments tied to the judgment—offering a fascinating glimpse into how financial settlements were enforced in early America.
Submitted by Richard Hungerford at 10:19 PM on April 12, 2025.