Fragment of tree trunk

Fragment of wood and A History of the Life and Death, Virtues & Exploits of General George Wash ...

Status

Not on view

Date19th-20th Century

DimensionsOverall (shadow box): 37 in. x 11 1/2 in. (93.98 cm x 29.21 cm) Other (wood fragment): 3 3/4 in. x 26 in. x 6 3/4 in. (9.53 cm x 66.04 cm x 17.15 cm)

Credit LineAcquired through the generosity of Arthur S. Billings, 2009

Object numberM-4871

DescriptionShadow-box mounted piece of tree trunk displayed with affidavit dated January 16, 1954 from Lucy Tayloe Linton, a 15-year resident of Ferry Farm, George Washington's boyhood home in Fredericksburg, VA, attesting that this wood fragment "was left from the original Cherry Tree chopped down by our First President as a boy." Together with shadow-box framed edition of "The Life of George Washington, with Curious Anecdotes Laudable to Himself and Exemplary to his Countrymen" by Mason Locke Weems, open to Washington's legendary "quote": "I can't tell a lie, Pa; you know I can't tell a lie. I did cut it with my hatchet."

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