{"product_id":"james-hoban-architect-of-the-white-house-1830-bank-of-the-united-states-property-release","title":"James Hoban, Architect of the White House — 1830 Bank of the United States Property Release","description":"\u003cp class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eAn important original 1830 Washington, D.C., manuscript documenting the private financial and real-estate affairs of \u003cstrong\u003eJames Hoban\u003c\/strong\u003e, the Irish-born architect and builder of the White House.\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDated May 11, 1830, the deed of release records Hoban’s complete repayment of a $1,500 loan made through the Washington Office of Discount and Deposit of the Second Bank of the United States. The obligation had been secured by a deed of trust conveying Lot No. 5 in Square No. 491 in Washington, together with all buildings, improvements and appurtenances.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFollowing payment of the principal and interest, bank cashier and trustee \u003cstrong\u003eRichard Smith\u003c\/strong\u003e formally released and reconveyed the property to Hoban and his heirs. The manuscript repeatedly names “James Hoban, of the City of Washington,” and the reverse bears the prominent contemporary docket title:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“Richd Smith to J. Release of Deed of Trust — James Hoban.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe instrument is signed and sealed by Richard Smith, cashier of the Washington branch of the Bank of the United States, and bears contemporary witness, judicial and recording endorsements. It was acknowledged on May 12 and entered into the Washington County land records on May 13, 1830.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHoban won the 1792 competition to design the President’s House and supervised both its original construction and its rebuilding after the British burned Washington in 1814. Dating from approximately eighteen months before his death, this document provides an unusually direct record of Hoban’s personal finances and Washington property ownership late in his life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlease note:\u003c\/strong\u003e This document concerns James Hoban but is not signed by him. The principal execution signature is that of Richard Smith.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Original folds, light toning, minor edge wear and several small fold separations. Manuscript writing, docketing and signatures remain clear and well preserved.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eTransaction details\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDate of release:\u003c\/strong\u003e May 11, 1830\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAcknowledged:\u003c\/strong\u003e May 12, 1830\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRecorded:\u003c\/strong\u003e May 13, 1830\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBorrower\/property owner:\u003c\/strong\u003e James Hoban of Washington, D.C.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCreditor:\u003c\/strong\u003e President, Directors and Company of the Bank of the United States\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBank representative:\u003c\/strong\u003e Richard Smith, cashier\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOriginal loan:\u003c\/strong\u003e $1,500\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOriginal note:\u003c\/strong\u003e August 25, 1829\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDeed of trust:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approximately September 8, 1829\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eProperty:\u003c\/strong\u003e Lot No. 5 in Square No. 491, Washington, D.C., including its improvements and appurtenances\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEarlier recording:\u003c\/strong\u003e Liber W.B. No. 27, folios 49–54\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRelease recording:\u003c\/strong\u003e Liber W.B. No. 30, folios 189–191\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe release declares that Hoban had fully paid the principal and interest and therefore reconveys the property to him “for ever, to his and their only proper use and behoof.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRichard Smith served as cashier of the Washington branch of the Second Bank of the United States from 1816 to 1836. He handled financial business for prominent Washington residents, including President James Monroe. \u003ca class=\"decorated-link\" rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/academics.umw.edu\/jamesmonroepapers\/2019\/11\/05\/examining-the-details\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\"\u003ePapers of James Monroe\u003c\/a\u003e \u003ca class=\"decorated-link\" rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/bushrod.washingtonpapers.org\/node\/167?utm_source=chatgpt.com\"\u003ePapers of Bushrod Washington\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSignatures and endorsements\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe instrument is signed and sealed:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e“Rd Smith” — Richard Smith\u003c\/strong\u003e, cashier and trustee\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWitness signatures appear to include \u003cstrong\u003eWashington Beck\u003c\/strong\u003e and another individual whose name is difficult to determine from the photographs.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe acknowledgment is signed by two Washington County justices of the peace; their names require additional comparison before being positively identified.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRecorder’s endorsement signed \u003cstrong\u003eWm. Brent\u003c\/strong\u003e, apparently William Brent, clerk\/recorder.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe large docket title reads approximately:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“Richd Smith to J. Release of Deed of Trust — James Hoban.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat prominent docket reference gives the document strong visual identification with Hoban even though he did not sign it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHistorical significance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe document dates from the final eighteen months of Hoban’s life. In 1830 he remained one of Washington’s leading property owners, builders and civic figures. He had designed the White House, supervised its original construction, and directed its reconstruction following the British burning in 1814. The document provides direct evidence of his private finances and Washington real-estate holdings late in his career. \u003ca class=\"decorated-link\" rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.whitehousehistory.org\/construction-of-the-white-house\/james-hoban-architect-of-the-white-house?utm_source=chatgpt.com\"\u003eWhite House Historical Association\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt also connects Hoban with the \u003cstrong\u003eSecond Bank of the United States\u003c\/strong\u003e, one of the central institutions in the political and financial controversies of the Jacksonian era.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCondition\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe multiple-page manuscript is in comparatively good condition:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOriginal mailing and filing folds\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLight, even toning\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMinor edge wear and small marginal splits\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA few short fold separations\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWriting remains clear and legible\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRichard Smith’s signature and seal device remain strong\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNo substantial paper loss evident in the photographs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe condition is substantially better than that of the 1815 Hoban lease previously examined.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eValue\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBecause Hoban did not sign the document, it should be valued as an important manuscript \u003cstrong\u003erelating to him\u003c\/strong\u003e, rather than as a James Hoban autograph.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLikely auction value:\u003c\/strong\u003e $600–$1,000\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDealer retail range:\u003c\/strong\u003e $1,200–$1,750\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended asking price:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e$1,495\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eProbable negotiated sale:\u003c\/strong\u003e $1,000–$1,250\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Signature Documents LLC","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52733412409626,"sku":null,"price":1385.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2221\/0931\/files\/IMG_2393.jpg?v=1787430783","url":"https:\/\/www.thearchiveauthority.com\/products\/james-hoban-architect-of-the-white-house-1830-bank-of-the-united-states-property-release","provider":"Signature Documents LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}