Rare 1822 Washington City Deed Signed by William W. Seaton — National Intelligencer Publisher, Future Mayor of Washington, D.C.
Rare 1822 Washington City Deed Signed by William W. Seaton — National Intelligencer Publisher, Future Mayor of Washington, D.C.
An exceptional original 1822 Washington City indenture signed by William W. Seaton (1785–1866), one of the most influential newspaper publishers and civic leaders in nineteenth-century America.
Executed on August 30, 1822, this deed conveys a portion of Lot No. 9 in Square 431 in the City of Washington to Nathan Smith. The property is carefully described by metes and bounds, fronting on Eighth Street, and includes all buildings, improvements, rights, privileges, and appurtenances.
The document bears Seaton's bold signature together with the acknowledgment of his wife, Sarah W. Seaton, relinquishing her dower rights before Washington County officials. Witnesses include Charles H. Wharton and William Thornton.
William W. Seaton was co-owner and editor of the National Intelligencer, the newspaper widely regarded as the principal political journal of the federal government during the administrations of Madison, Monroe, John Quincy Adams, and Jackson. He later served as Mayor of Washington City, helping guide the nation's capital through a period of rapid growth and civic development.
This manuscript combines several highly collectible themes:
- Early Washington, D.C., real estate
- National Intelligencer history
- Federal-era political history
- Original manuscript signature of William W. Seaton
- Early District of Columbia property development
An outstanding historical document linking one of Washington's foremost newspaper publishers and future mayor with the expansion of the young federal city.
Grantor: William W. Seaton
Grantee: Nathan Smith
Location:
Washington City, Washington County, District of Columbia
Property Conveyed:
A portion of Lot No. 9, Square No. 431, fronting Eighth Street, described by metes and bounds:
- South 30 feet
- East 54 feet
- North 30 feet
- West 54 feet to the place of beginning
The deed conveys a portion of Lot 9 in Square 431 together with all buildings, improvements, rights, and appurtenances.
The deed is signed by:
- William W. Seaton
- Witnesses including Charles H. Wharton and William Thornton
- Wife Sarah W. Seaton separately examined and relinquishing dower rights before the magistrate.
Historical Importance
This document is considerably more desirable than an ordinary land deed because the grantor is William Winston Seaton (1785–1866).
Seaton was one of the most influential newspaper publishers in early Washington:
- Co-owner and editor of the National Intelligencer
- Official printer to Congress for many years
- Mayor of Washington City (1840–1850)
- One of the most important civic leaders in antebellum Washington.
The National Intelligencer served as the principal newspaper of the federal government during the administrations of Madison, Monroe, John Quincy Adams, Jackson, and others, making Seaton a nationally significant historical figure.
Condition
Excellent.
- Complete two-page deed
- Original signatures
- Strong iron-gall ink
- Attractive printed Washington City deed form
- Moderate fold wear only
- Very displayable
Rarity
While Washington, D.C. deeds from this era survive, deeds signed by William W. Seaton are encountered far less frequently than ordinary conveyances. The combination of:
- early Washington City real estate,
- a prominent publisher and mayor,
- detailed property description,
makes this attractive to collectors of:
- Washington, D.C. history
- Early American newspapers
- National Intelligencer
- Early federal city development
- Political history
Rare 1822 Washington City Deed Signed by William W. Seaton — National Intelligencer Publisher, Future Mayor of Washington, D.C.
An exceptional original 1822 Washington City indenture signed by William W. Seaton (1785–1866), one of the most influential newspaper publishers and civic leaders in nineteenth-century America.
Executed on August 30, 1822, this deed conveys a portion of Lot No. 9 in Square 431 in the City of Washington to Nathan Smith. The property is carefully described by metes and bounds, fronting on Eighth Street, and includes all buildings, improvements, rights, privileges, and appurtenances.
The document bears Seaton's bold signature together with the acknowledgment of his wife, Sarah W. Seaton, relinquishing her dower rights before Washington County officials. Witnesses include Charles H. Wharton and William Thornton.
William W. Seaton was co-owner and editor of the National Intelligencer, the newspaper widely regarded as the principal political journal of the federal government during the administrations of Madison, Monroe, John Quincy Adams, and Jackson. He later served as Mayor of Washington City, helping guide the nation's capital through a period of rapid growth and civic development.
This manuscript combines several highly collectible themes:
- Early Washington, D.C., real estate
- National Intelligencer history
- Federal-era political history
- Original manuscript signature of William W. Seaton
- Early District of Columbia property development
An outstanding historical document linking one of Washington's foremost newspaper publishers and future mayor with the expansion of the young federal city.
Grantor: William W. Seaton
Grantee: Nathan Smith
Location:
Washington City, Washington County, District of Columbia
Property Conveyed:
A portion of Lot No. 9, Square No. 431, fronting Eighth Street, described by metes and bounds:
- South 30 feet
- East 54 feet
- North 30 feet
- West 54 feet to the place of beginning
The deed conveys a portion of Lot 9 in Square 431 together with all buildings, improvements, rights, and appurtenances.
The deed is signed by:
- William W. Seaton
- Witnesses including Charles H. Wharton and William Thornton
- Wife Sarah W. Seaton separately examined and relinquishing dower rights before the magistrate.
Historical Importance
This document is considerably more desirable than an ordinary land deed because the grantor is William Winston Seaton (1785–1866).
Seaton was one of the most influential newspaper publishers in early Washington:
- Co-owner and editor of the National Intelligencer
- Official printer to Congress for many years
- Mayor of Washington City (1840–1850)
- One of the most important civic leaders in antebellum Washington.
The National Intelligencer served as the principal newspaper of the federal government during the administrations of Madison, Monroe, John Quincy Adams, Jackson, and others, making Seaton a nationally significant historical figure.
Condition
Excellent.
- Complete two-page deed
- Original signatures
- Strong iron-gall ink
- Attractive printed Washington City deed form
- Moderate fold wear only
- Very displayable
Rarity
While Washington, D.C. deeds from this era survive, deeds signed by William W. Seaton are encountered far less frequently than ordinary conveyances. The combination of:
- early Washington City real estate,
- a prominent publisher and mayor,
- detailed property description,
makes this attractive to collectors of:
- Washington, D.C. history
- Early American newspapers
- National Intelligencer
- Early federal city development
- Political history
