1. The chances are that GW’s “Dispute” with Anthony Strother, Sr., is related somehow to the purchase in 1738 by GW’s father of Ferry Farm on the Rappahannock near Fredericksburg. Augustine Washington bought the farm from the estate of William Strother, the brother of Anthony Strother, and moved there with his family. At his death in 1743 he left Ferry Farm to his young son GW. In 1748 Anthony Strother bought from the executors of Augustine Washington’s estate 165 acres of Ferry Farm. The proceeds of the sale were to be paid to Mary Washington to be held by her for her minor son. The ledger in GW’s account with “The Heirs of Wm Strother Gentn decd” shows that he paid on 19 July 1756 a total of £43.10.9 to “Mr Anthony Strother by Colo. Fielding Lewis, for Land bought of your [William Strother’s] Estate and recovered from him by Colo. Henry Fitzhugh” (General Ledger A description begins General Ledger A, 1750–1772. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers. description ends , folio 278). This, the only Strother entry in General Ledger A description begins General Ledger A, 1750–1772. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers. description ends , folio is dated 1756, but Fielding Lewis’s letter of 25 June 1758 acknowledging the receipt of £40 from GW with which to settle GW’s account with “Mr Strother” suggests the possibility that the ledger entry should be dated 1758 instead of 1756. On 18 May 1760 Anthony Strother wrote GW: “I reciev’d yours, in answer to which I can only say that I think that Land was conveyd to your Father by Mr John Grant and his wife [Margaret, the widow of William Strother], and the money thence ariseing was paid to me as Guardian to my Brothers Children to whome I paid it as the[y] came of age, so that I fear I shall be brought in my self, however as your right seems to be very clear, I only desire you’l let it lye till I can consult the Gentlemen who married those children who I will prevail on if possible either to refund the money, or submit it on the terms we did our dispute” (DLC:GW). The ledger has the following entry dated 5 Nov. 1768:

On 1 Jan. 1772 GW wrote off the balance due as a loss.

2. James Power and George Wythe were prominent lawyers in the colony.