George Washington Papers

To George Washington from Samuel Fraunces, 1 March 1784

From Samuel Fraunces

[New York] March 1st 1784

Sir

I have the honor of Conveying by an unexpected opportunity my most sincere & dutifull respects to your Excellency & a gratefull heart that is Fully sensible of the innumerable obligations your unmerrited favours has laid me under, therfor your Excellency’s native goodness will pardon any presumption that may seem in this; My prayers shall at all times be most devoutly, for the health & happiness of your Excellency & family[.] My Wife & Daughters begs to be remembered likewise with every sentiment of esteem—they send Mrs Washington a couple “utensils For cutting paste” the best that could be procured & hopes will meet with approbation—they present their most respectfull Compliments to her in the mean time I remain with unfeigned sincerity Your Excellencys Most obedient and most devoted Humble Servant

Saml Fraunces

ALS, DLC:GW.

Samuel Fraunces, who came to New York from the West Indies, was the owner and proprietor of a noted tavern at the corner of Broad and Pearl streets in New York City. During the war Fraunces occasionally performed services for GW, and it was from Fraunces’s tavern that GW bade farewell to his officers in 1783. GW made Fraunces the steward of his household in New York after he became president. At his death in 1795, Fraunces was survived by his wife Elizabeth, two sons, and five daughters.

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