{"product_id":"1824-washington-city-deed-signed-before-dr-william-thornton-architect-of-the-u-s-capitol-district-of-columbia-land-transfer","title":"1824 Washington City Deed Signed Before Dr. William Thornton – Architect of the U.S. Capitol – District of Columbia Land Transfer","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"relative basis-auto flex-col -mb-(--composer-overlap-px) pb-(--composer-overlap-px) [--composer-overlap-px:28px] grow flex\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"flex min-h-0 grow flex-col text-sm\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"qMYqUG_convSearchResultHighlightRoot\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"\"\u003e\n\u003csection class=\"text-token-text-primary w-full focus:outline-none has-data-writing-block:pointer-events-none [\u0026amp;:has([data-writing-block])\u0026gt;*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(--scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(--thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]\" dir=\"auto\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"text-base my-auto mx-auto pb-8 [--thread-content-margin:var(--thread-content-margin-xs,calc(var(--spacing)*4))] @w-sm\/main:[--thread-content-margin:var(--thread-content-margin-sm,calc(var(--spacing)*6))] @w-lg\/main:[--thread-content-margin:var(--thread-content-margin-lg,calc(var(--spacing)*16))] px-(--thread-content-margin)\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"[--thread-content-max-width:40rem] @w-lg\/main:[--thread-content-max-width:48rem] mx-auto max-w-(--thread-content-max-width) flex-1 group\/turn-messages focus-visible:outline-hidden relative flex w-full min-w-0 flex-col agent-turn\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"flex max-w-full flex-col gap-4 grow\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"auto\" class=\"min-h-8 text-message relative flex w-full flex-col items-end gap-2 text-start break-words whitespace-normal outline-none keyboard-focused:focus-ring [.text-message+\u0026amp;]:mt-1\" tabindex=\"0\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"flex w-full flex-col gap-1 empty:hidden\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"markdown prose dark:prose-invert wrap-break-word w-full light markdown-new-styling\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eA scarce original manuscript deed executed on \u003cstrong\u003e12 June 1824\u003c\/strong\u003e, conveying a parcel of land in the early City of Washington from \u003cstrong\u003eJohn Hoye of Alleghany County, Maryland\u003c\/strong\u003e, to \u003cstrong\u003eJulius Forrest of Washington County, District of Columbia\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe deed transfers \u003cstrong\u003epart of Lot 15 in Square 254\u003c\/strong\u003e, providing a complete metes-and-bounds description and tracing title through an earlier trustee's conveyance involving the Walter Stewart estate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOf exceptional historical interest, the deed was formally acknowledged before \u003cstrong\u003eDr. William Thornton (1759–1828)\u003c\/strong\u003e, 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 \u003cstrong\u003eJoseph Forrest\u003c\/strong\u003e, documenting the legal authentication of the conveyance on \u003cstrong\u003e20 June 1824\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHighlights\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOriginal manuscript deed\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWashington County, District of Columbia\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDated June 12, 1824\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eConveys part of Lot 15, Square 254, City of Washington\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSigned by grantor \u003cstrong\u003eJohn Hoye\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAcknowledged before \u003cstrong\u003eDr. William Thornton\u003c\/strong\u003e, Architect of the U.S. Capitol\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAlso signed by Justice \u003cstrong\u003eJoseph Forrest\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOriginal paper seal intact\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExcellent early Washington City legal and architectural association.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOverall Assessment\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a \u003cstrong\u003ebetter-than-average early Washington, D.C., deed\u003c\/strong\u003e because of its documented connection to \u003cstrong\u003eDr. William Thornton\u003c\/strong\u003e. 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrantor:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eJohn Hoye\u003c\/strong\u003e, of Alleghany County, Maryland\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrantee:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eJulius Forrest\u003c\/strong\u003e, of Washington County, District of Columbia\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe deed was acknowledged before two Justices of the Peace:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJoseph Forrest\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWilliam Thornton\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eand bears the bold signature and seal of \u003cstrong\u003eJohn Hoye\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe deed conveys:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePart of Lot 15\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSquare 254\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCity of Washington\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ewith metes-and-bounds description:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ebeginning at the northwest corner of Lot 15\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003erunning 100 feet south\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e10 feet east\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e100 feet north\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e10 feet west to the beginning\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe conveyance recites consideration of \u003cstrong\u003eone dollar\u003c\/strong\u003e, a common legal formula, and states that John Hoye conveys only whatever title he acquired through an earlier trustee's sale involving the \u003cstrong\u003eWalter Stewart property\u003c\/strong\u003e, dated \u003cstrong\u003e27 July 1810\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe reverse contains the official acknowledgment:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"District of Columbia, County of Washington\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eand records that John Hoye personally appeared on \u003cstrong\u003e20 June 1824\u003c\/strong\u003e before Joseph Forrest and William Thornton to acknowledge the deed. The acknowledgment format matches other Washington County deeds of the period. \u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHistorical Significance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOf particular interest are the officials who acknowledged the instrument:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWilliam Thornton\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe signature appears to be that of \u003cstrong\u003eDr. William Thornton (1759–1828)\u003c\/strong\u003e:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003efirst Architect of the U.S. Capitol\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSuperintendent of the U.S. Patent Office\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003elong-serving Justice of the Peace for Washington County\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThornton frequently signed deeds and acknowledgments in this official capacity during the early nineteenth century. \u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eJoseph Forrest\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJoseph 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. \u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCondition\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVery good.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eComplete\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTwo manuscript pages\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStrong dark ink\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLarge attractive John Hoye signature\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOriginal paper seal\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eModerate fold wear\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMinor edge wear\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExcellent display quality\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Signature Documents LLC","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52615945552154,"sku":null,"price":1843.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2221\/0931\/files\/IMG_1983.jpg?v=1785449091","url":"https:\/\/princetonaudubonprints.com\/en-ca\/products\/1824-washington-city-deed-signed-before-dr-william-thornton-architect-of-the-u-s-capitol-district-of-columbia-land-transfer","provider":"Signature Documents LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}