George Washington Papers

[Diary entry: 18 March 1771]

18. Rid to Posey’s to lay of a fence before Breakfast & went to Court afterwards & stayd all Night.

The court met 18–22 Mar., but GW attended only the first two days. On this date Harrison Manley appeared before the justices as a third witness to GW’s deeds from Valinda Wade, and the documents were ordered to be officially recorded in the county deed books (Fairfax County Order Book for 1770–72, 172–75, Vi Microfilm). However, GW was unable to take immediate possession of the land he had bought because John Barry refused to let the 193–acre tract be divided and soon planted his own crops on most of it. GW hired two lawyers to represent him against Barry and his son, but the case did not come before the court until 20 Aug. 1772 (Robert H. Harrison to GW, 10 Jan. 1772, DLC:GW).

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