Halifax County, NC - Deed - Washington, George to John Cooper-1791 File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Jim Curlin Summary: George Washington gives power of attorney to John Lewis of Fredericksburg, Virginia to act in his behalf concerning lands he had jointly owned with Fielding Lewis, deceased, of Fredericksburg. This land, consisting of 1093.5 acres, was located in Gates County, North Carolina and was to be sold to John Cooper Senior. No exact location or price was given in this deed. The deed was found in Halifax County, North Carolina records so it is assumed that John Cooper was living in that county at that time. George Washington was American military leader and the first President of the United States from 1789 - 1797, therefore he was President when this transaction took place. Sam Ashe, who registered the document, was one of the first three judges of North Carolina and Governor of North Carolina from 1795 - 1798. HALIFAX COUNTY, NC NORTH CAROLINA STATE ARCHIVES REAL ESTATE CONVEYANCES 1784 - 1796 VOLUME 16, 17 MICROFILM C.047.40007 DEED BOOK 17, PG. 348 24 JAN 1791 / 27 OCT 1791 REG'D. 1 DEC 1791 George Washington to John Lewis Power of Attorney Deed (for lands to be sold to John Cooper Senior) To all to whom these presents shall come. I, George Washington of Mount Vernon in the state of Virginia, send greeting, Whereas Fielding Lewis late of the town of Fredericksburg in the state aforesaid Esquire deceased, and I, the said George Washington, some years ago, purchased a tract or parcel of land, lying & being in the county of Gates in the state of North Carolina, and containing by estimation one thousand 93 1/2 acres be the same more or less, without any expectation that either should derive any benefit, from surviving the other & it is possible, that he the Conveyance of the said land may have established a jointenancy between us, by which means the whole tract aforesaid vest in me and severalty? and whereas it is the desire of those, who are interested, as representative of the said Fielding Lewis well as my own, that the said tract should be sold, I have thereto constituted & appointed, & by these presents do constitute & appoint as my attorney, John Lewis of Fredericksburg in the state of Virginia for me and in my name and behalf, to sell & convey by any deed or deeds most effectual in law, to John Cooper Senr. his heirs and assigns forever all my right title, estate & claim, whether legal or equitable in & to the said tract of land aforesaid & for this purpose to affix my seal and make livery of sessin or to do any other act for the more compleat conveyance of my said right, title, estate or claim, to the said tract of land in as full & ample a manner, as I myself, could or might do, were I personally present & I do hereby ratify & confirm all things, which may be performed by my said attorney, by virtue and in pursuance of those powers. In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name & affixed my seal the twenty fourth day of January in the year of our Lord, one thousand, seven hundred and ninety one. Signed, sealed & delivered in the presence of Jno. Steele Jno. B. Ashe October 27th. 1791. The execution of the within letter or power of attorney of the within named George Washington Esquire, to the within mentioned John Lewis was proved before me by the oath of John B. Ashe and of the subscribing witnesses thereto, the day & date above written, therefore let it be registered. Sam Ashe, JS.C. Sec? Registered in my office the 1st day of Dec. 1791. P.N. Long, P.R. Date of Transcription: 11 Jun 1997 KCW Location: Cary, NC Notes: The above transcription was copied verbatim from the microfilmed original to the best of my abilities. Paragraphs were inserted by myself - Kim Curlin Wettroth ============================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. The electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. ==============================================================