1824 Washington City Deed Signed Before Dr. William Thornton – Architect of the U.S. Capitol – District of Columbia Land Transfer
Regular price
$1,843.00
A scarce original manuscript deed executed on 12 June 1824, conveying a parcel of land in the early City of Washington from John Hoye of Alleghany County, Maryland, to Julius Forrest of Washington County, District of Columbia.
The deed transfers part of Lot 15 in Square 254, providing a complete metes-and-bounds description and tracing title through an earlier trustee's conveyance involving the Walter Stewart estate.
Of exceptional historical interest, the deed was formally acknowledged before Dr. William Thornton (1759–1828), celebrated architect of the United States Capitol, Superintendent of the U.S. Patent Office, and longtime Justice of the Peace for Washington County. Thornton's official signature appears alongside that of fellow Justice Joseph Forrest, documenting the legal authentication of the conveyance on 20 June 1824.
The document retains its bold manuscript text, original seal, and large signature of grantor John Hoye. Early Washington City deeds bearing Thornton's official signature are sought after by collectors of Capitol history, District of Columbia history, early American architecture, and federal-era manuscripts.
Highlights
Original manuscript deed
Washington County, District of Columbia
Dated June 12, 1824
Conveys part of Lot 15, Square 254, City of Washington
Signed by grantor John Hoye
Acknowledged before Dr. William Thornton, Architect of the U.S. Capitol
Also signed by Justice Joseph Forrest
Original paper seal intact
Excellent early Washington City legal and architectural association.
Overall Assessment
This is a better-than-average early Washington, D.C., deed because of its documented connection to Dr. William Thornton. While routine Washington deeds from the 1820s often sell in the low hundreds of dollars, Thornton's presence as an acknowledging magistrate elevates this example into a more desirable category for collectors of early federal Washington history.
Grantor:
John Hoye, of Alleghany County, Maryland
Grantee:
Julius Forrest, of Washington County, District of Columbia
The deed was acknowledged before two Justices of the Peace:
Joseph Forrest
William Thornton
and bears the bold signature and seal of John Hoye.
Description
The deed conveys:
Part of Lot 15
Square 254
City of Washington
with metes-and-bounds description:
beginning at the northwest corner of Lot 15
running 100 feet south
10 feet east
100 feet north
10 feet west to the beginning
The conveyance recites consideration of one dollar, a common legal formula, and states that John Hoye conveys only whatever title he acquired through an earlier trustee's sale involving the Walter Stewart property, dated 27 July 1810.
The reverse contains the official acknowledgment:
"District of Columbia, County of Washington"
and records that John Hoye personally appeared on 20 June 1824 before Joseph Forrest and William Thornton to acknowledge the deed. The acknowledgment format matches other Washington County deeds of the period.
Historical Significance
This is an attractive example of an early Washington City real-estate deed documenting the continued subdivision and transfer of property during the city's formative decades.
Of particular interest are the officials who acknowledged the instrument:
William Thornton
The signature appears to be that of Dr. William Thornton (1759–1828):
first Architect of the U.S. Capitol
Superintendent of the U.S. Patent Office
long-serving Justice of the Peace for Washington County
Thornton frequently signed deeds and acknowledgments in this official capacity during the early nineteenth century.
Joseph Forrest
Joseph Forrest served as a Justice of the Peace and appears on numerous Washington County legal instruments during this period. His association with the prominent Forrest family of early Washington adds local historical interest.
A scarce original manuscript deed executed on 12 June 1824, conveying a parcel of land in the early City of Washington from John Hoye of Alleghany County, Maryland, to Julius Forrest of Washington County, District of Columbia.
The deed transfers part of Lot 15 in Square 254, providing a complete metes-and-bounds description and tracing title through an earlier trustee's conveyance involving the Walter Stewart estate.
Of exceptional historical interest, the deed was formally acknowledged before Dr. William Thornton (1759–1828), celebrated architect of the United States Capitol, Superintendent of the U.S. Patent Office, and longtime Justice of the Peace for Washington County. Thornton's official signature appears alongside that of fellow Justice Joseph Forrest, documenting the legal authentication of the conveyance on 20 June 1824.
The document retains its bold manuscript text, original seal, and large signature of grantor John Hoye. Early Washington City deeds bearing Thornton's official signature are sought after by collectors of Capitol history, District of Columbia history, early American architecture, and federal-era manuscripts.
Highlights
Original manuscript deed
Washington County, District of Columbia
Dated June 12, 1824
Conveys part of Lot 15, Square 254, City of Washington
Signed by grantor John Hoye
Acknowledged before Dr. William Thornton, Architect of the U.S. Capitol
Also signed by Justice Joseph Forrest
Original paper seal intact
Excellent early Washington City legal and architectural association.
Overall Assessment
This is a better-than-average early Washington, D.C., deed because of its documented connection to Dr. William Thornton. While routine Washington deeds from the 1820s often sell in the low hundreds of dollars, Thornton's presence as an acknowledging magistrate elevates this example into a more desirable category for collectors of early federal Washington history.
Grantor:
John Hoye, of Alleghany County, Maryland
Grantee:
Julius Forrest, of Washington County, District of Columbia
The deed was acknowledged before two Justices of the Peace:
Joseph Forrest
William Thornton
and bears the bold signature and seal of John Hoye.
Description
The deed conveys:
Part of Lot 15
Square 254
City of Washington
with metes-and-bounds description:
beginning at the northwest corner of Lot 15
running 100 feet south
10 feet east
100 feet north
10 feet west to the beginning
The conveyance recites consideration of one dollar, a common legal formula, and states that John Hoye conveys only whatever title he acquired through an earlier trustee's sale involving the Walter Stewart property, dated 27 July 1810.
The reverse contains the official acknowledgment:
"District of Columbia, County of Washington"
and records that John Hoye personally appeared on 20 June 1824 before Joseph Forrest and William Thornton to acknowledge the deed. The acknowledgment format matches other Washington County deeds of the period.
Historical Significance
This is an attractive example of an early Washington City real-estate deed documenting the continued subdivision and transfer of property during the city's formative decades.
Of particular interest are the officials who acknowledged the instrument:
William Thornton
The signature appears to be that of Dr. William Thornton (1759–1828):
first Architect of the U.S. Capitol
Superintendent of the U.S. Patent Office
long-serving Justice of the Peace for Washington County
Thornton frequently signed deeds and acknowledgments in this official capacity during the early nineteenth century.
Joseph Forrest
Joseph Forrest served as a Justice of the Peace and appears on numerous Washington County legal instruments during this period. His association with the prominent Forrest family of early Washington adds local historical interest.
Condition
Very good.
Complete
Two manuscript pages
Strong dark ink
Large attractive John Hoye signature
Original paper seal
Moderate fold wear
Minor edge wear
Excellent display quality
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"1824 Washington City Deed Signed Before Dr. William Thornton – Architect of the U.S. Capitol – District of Columbia Land Transfer"
$1,843.00
"1824 Washington City Deed Signed Before Dr. William Thornton – Architect of the U.S. Capitol – District of Columbia Land Transfer"
