James Hoban and William Thornton Signed 1815 Washington, D.C. Land Indenture — Architects of the White House and U.S. Capitol
An exceptional early Washington, D.C., real-estate indenture signed by James Hoban, architect and builder of the White House, and officially acknowledged by Dr. William Thornton, designer of the United States Capitol, and Robert Brent, the first mayor of Washington.
Dated September 14, 1815, the manuscript records a long-term lease from James Hoban to Joyquan, or possibly Joyjuan, Webster of Washington. The property comprised part of Lot No. 5 in Square No. 225, specifically described as the portion lying between the tavern known as the Washington Hotel and property belonging to James Patterson. The lease was granted for 99 years, renewable for additional 99-year terms, at an annual rent of approximately $121.
The document is boldly signed and sealed by “James Hoban” and the lessee. Its legal acknowledgment is signed by Robert Brent and William Thornton, acting as justices of the peace for Washington County in the District of Columbia. The reverse bears its contemporary recording memorandum dated December 18, 1815.
James Hoban won the 1792 competition to design the President’s House and supervised both its original construction and its rebuilding after the British burning of Washington in 1814. William Thornton’s design for the United States Capitol was accepted by President George Washington in 1793. Robert Brent, a prominent early Washington landowner and public official, became the capital’s first mayor in 1802. White House Historical Association Architect of the Capitol
A rare manuscript uniting three foundational figures in the architectural and civic development of Washington, D.C.—the designers of the White House and Capitol and the city’s first mayor.
Condition: Original folds with fold separations, edge wear, toning, and several old transparent-tape repairs. Manuscript writing and principal signatures remain legible and visually strong. Sold as shown.
Signed by three notable figures associated with the creation of the nation’s capital:
- James Hoban (c. 1755–1831) — architect and builder of the White House.
- Dr. William Thornton (1759–1828) — designer and first architect of the United States Capitol.
- Robert Brent (1764–1819) — first mayor of Washington, D.C., serving from 1802 to 1812.
The document is a 99-year lease from James Hoban to a man whose name appears to be Joyquan [possibly Joyjuan] Webster, described as a resident of the City of Washington.
Property
The lease covers:
- Part of Lot No. 5 in Square No. 225
- Located in the City of Washington
- The portion of the lot lying between the tavern called the Washington Hotel and the property of James Patterson
- Annual ground rent of approximately $121
- Renewable at the end of each 99-year term
The earlier lease is specifically referenced as recorded in Washington County land records, Liber A, No. 26, folios 167–169.
Square 225 was part of the important early commercial area of Washington. Historical property research places it near the early Washington Hotel/Lovell’s Tavern vicinity.
Signatures
The lease is signed and sealed:
- James Hoban
- Joyquan/Joyjuan Webster
It was witnessed or legally acknowledged by:
- Robert Brent
- William Thornton
Thornton and Brent appear in their official capacity as justices of the peace for Washington County. A further docket notation records the document on December 18, 1815, in Liber A, No. 35, folios 375–376.
This is considerably more desirable than an isolated Hoban signature because the document concerns property in the developing federal city and brings together the architect of the White House, the architect of the Capitol, and Washington’s first mayor.
Condition
The original laid-paper document retains strong manuscript writing and generally bold signatures. It has:
- Extensive original folds
- Several fold separations and edge splits
- Old transparent tape repairs, including tape near the docket panel
- General toning and handling wear
- Some ink reinforcement or heavier ink in the Webster signature area
- No seals presently visible beyond drawn or embossed seal devices
The condition is compromised but acceptable for a working Washington land document of this period. The tape should be evaluated by a paper conservator and not removed without professional treatment.
An exceptional early Washington, D.C., real-estate indenture signed by James Hoban, architect and builder of the White House, and officially acknowledged by Dr. William Thornton, designer of the United States Capitol, and Robert Brent, the first mayor of Washington.
Dated September 14, 1815, the manuscript records a long-term lease from James Hoban to Joyquan, or possibly Joyjuan, Webster of Washington. The property comprised part of Lot No. 5 in Square No. 225, specifically described as the portion lying between the tavern known as the Washington Hotel and property belonging to James Patterson. The lease was granted for 99 years, renewable for additional 99-year terms, at an annual rent of approximately $121.
The document is boldly signed and sealed by “James Hoban” and the lessee. Its legal acknowledgment is signed by Robert Brent and William Thornton, acting as justices of the peace for Washington County in the District of Columbia. The reverse bears its contemporary recording memorandum dated December 18, 1815.
James Hoban won the 1792 competition to design the President’s House and supervised both its original construction and its rebuilding after the British burning of Washington in 1814. William Thornton’s design for the United States Capitol was accepted by President George Washington in 1793. Robert Brent, a prominent early Washington landowner and public official, became the capital’s first mayor in 1802. White House Historical Association Architect of the Capitol
A rare manuscript uniting three foundational figures in the architectural and civic development of Washington, D.C.—the designers of the White House and Capitol and the city’s first mayor.
Condition: Original folds with fold separations, edge wear, toning, and several old transparent-tape repairs. Manuscript writing and principal signatures remain legible and visually strong. Sold as shown.
Signed by three notable figures associated with the creation of the nation’s capital:
- James Hoban (c. 1755–1831) — architect and builder of the White House.
- Dr. William Thornton (1759–1828) — designer and first architect of the United States Capitol.
- Robert Brent (1764–1819) — first mayor of Washington, D.C., serving from 1802 to 1812.
The document is a 99-year lease from James Hoban to a man whose name appears to be Joyquan [possibly Joyjuan] Webster, described as a resident of the City of Washington.
Property
The lease covers:
- Part of Lot No. 5 in Square No. 225
- Located in the City of Washington
- The portion of the lot lying between the tavern called the Washington Hotel and the property of James Patterson
- Annual ground rent of approximately $121
- Renewable at the end of each 99-year term
The earlier lease is specifically referenced as recorded in Washington County land records, Liber A, No. 26, folios 167–169.
Square 225 was part of the important early commercial area of Washington. Historical property research places it near the early Washington Hotel/Lovell’s Tavern vicinity.
Signatures
The lease is signed and sealed:
- James Hoban
- Joyquan/Joyjuan Webster
It was witnessed or legally acknowledged by:
- Robert Brent
- William Thornton
Thornton and Brent appear in their official capacity as justices of the peace for Washington County. A further docket notation records the document on December 18, 1815, in Liber A, No. 35, folios 375–376.
This is considerably more desirable than an isolated Hoban signature because the document concerns property in the developing federal city and brings together the architect of the White House, the architect of the Capitol, and Washington’s first mayor.
Condition
The original laid-paper document retains strong manuscript writing and generally bold signatures. It has:
- Extensive original folds
- Several fold separations and edge splits
- Old transparent tape repairs, including tape near the docket panel
- General toning and handling wear
- Some ink reinforcement or heavier ink in the Webster signature area
- No seals presently visible beyond drawn or embossed seal devices
The condition is compromised but acceptable for a working Washington land document of this period. The tape should be evaluated by a paper conservator and not removed without professional treatment.
