Rare 1813 Washington Boyd Signed U.S. Marshal Deed – Early Washington City – For Sale

Acting pursuant to a writ issued by the Circuit Court of the District of Columbia, Marshal Boyd conveys property formerly owned by William Fitzgerald to purchaser Thomas Fenwick following a public sale. The deed notably describes the premises as including the "General Post Office [formerly known by the name of the Great Hotel]," one of the most recognizable early public buildings in the developing Federal City.

The document is witnessed by James M. Varnum and William Thornton, architect of the U.S. Capitol, bears its original embossed paper seal, and retains the recording endorsement showing it was entered into the Washington County land records on 22 March 1814 [Liber A, folios 253–255].

Documents signed by early United States Marshals are scarce, while surviving manuscript deeds documenting the development of Washington City during the Madison administration are highly desirable. This piece combines federal judicial history, early Washington real estate, and architectural history into a single original manuscript deed

It possesses substantially more historical appeal than a routine land deed because it ties together:

• Early federal government administration,
• Washington City's formative real estate history,
• The General Post Office/Great Hotel,
• A U.S. Marshal's official signature,
• Complete recording history.

The document was:

• Executed: September 29, 1813
• Recorded: March 22, 1814
• Recorded in: Washington County land records, Liber A, folios 253–255 [as noted on the reverse]
• Witnessed by:
  • James M. Varnum
  • William Thornton

The reverse endorsement records receipt and recording by the clerk.

This is considerably more desirable than an ordinary county deed because it documents a United States Marshal's judicial sale in the early Federal City.

The text identifies:

• Washington Boyd as Marshal of the District of Columbia
• Sale under execution of the Circuit Court
• Purchase by Thomas Fenwick
• Property known as the "Great Hotel"
• The improvements attached to the property

The deed specifically references the:

"General Post Office [formerly known by the name of the Great Hotel]"

This connects the property directly with one of the earliest commercial buildings in Washington City during the Jefferson/Madison era.

The document also fits into the documented legal history surrounding Thomas Fenwick, whose property transactions later became evidence in nineteenth-century federal freedom litigation.

Washington Boyd served as:

• U.S. Marshal for the District of Columbia
• Officer responsible for federal judicial sales
• Federal official under Presidents Jefferson and Madison

Authentic signatures of Boyd appear infrequently on the market.

One of the witnesses.

A Justice of the Peace and Washington attorney who appears in numerous early Washington legal records.

Likely the witness identified on the deed.

If confirmed to be Dr. William Thornton [1759–1828]—the first Architect of the U.S. Capitol and Superintendent of the Patent Office—this would substantially increase the historical importance. The handwriting appears consistent with "William Thornton," but I would want comparison with known examples before stating this dark iron-gall ink

Approximate grade:

Very Good