Both the first object acquired by the Virginia Historical Society and arguably one of the best objects in the VMHC collection are tied to a special relationship that existed between John Marshall and George Washington. The first object is a copy of Marshallâs biography of Washington. The other is the diary that President Washington kept in 1790âââ91 during his first term.Â
The story of the first object has often been told. In 1831, when concerned Virginians created a âsocietyâ to preserve the records of their illustrious predecessors who had helped found the nation, they elected as the institutionâs president a Founding Father. In gratitude, John Marshall presented the society a copy of his biography, The Life of George Washington, inscribed by the author âto the Virginia Historical and Philosophical Society.â Â
The story of how the best object was acquired has largely been forgotten. Institutional records reveal that in 1859 it was given by James K. Marshall. How did he acquire it? James K. Marshall was one of John Marshallâs five sons. Trained as a banker, he served as executor of his fatherâs complex will. John Marshall had accumulated considerable wealth and property. In settling the estate, James K. Marshall probably came upon Washingtonâs diary among his fatherâs possessions. But how did John Marshall come to own it?Â