Philadelphia, 1755-1765, retaining an old, dry historic surface with Spanish brown paint/varnish with traces of green and blue paint, the crest with carved scrolled ears, shaped poplar plank seat, 45-1/2 x 27-1/4 22 in. 

Provenance: According to the affidavits, property of and personally used by George Washington; by gift  to Mrs. Lawrence Lewis (Eleanor Parke Custis Lewis, Washington's step-granddaughter); then by gift to the Javins family for the comfort of a sick member of the family, in or around 1810; purchased by Elijah Cash at a public sale held by the Javins family in 1815, who were "then living near the Woodlawn home of Major Lorenzo Lewis", approximately 2-1/2 miles from Mount Vernon; after that by descent to Elijah Cash, Jr., of Fairfax County, Virginia; by sale to Mrs. J. G. (Virginia) Elliott of Chicago, 1886; reposed at the Museum of the Chicago Historical Society beginning August 15, 1896; Robert Milburn of Alexandria, Virginia; Property from Historic Dean Hall Plantation, South Carolina

Provenance Note: Accompanying affidavits indicate it was gifted from Mrs. Lewis to the Javins family. There are clear connections to the Javins family illuminated in Washington's papers and elsewhere. In 1793, Washington purchased wheat from John Javins, and in a letter dated February 6, 1799 to William B. Harrison, there is reference to John Javins, a neighbor proximate to Washington on land owned by Harrison. Joseph Javins of Fairfax County, possibly the father of John E. Javins, died intestate in 1760 with two of Washington’s overseers, William Poole and Richard Stephens, inventorying the estate. This suggests a longstanding connection between the Javins and Washington families. John Javins died in 1815, in keeping with the date of the public sale referenced in the affidavit. Mr. Elijah Cash is listed as having secured a bond for Javins, closing the loop between Washington, Javins and Cash. 

https://loc.gov/resource/mgw2.021?sp=268

https://founders.archives.gov/?q=Washington%20Javins&s=1111311111&r=2

https://founders.archives.gov/?q=Washington%20Javins&s=1111311111&r=1
https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/circuit/sites/circuit/files/assets/documents/pdf/hrc/fiduciary-bond-book-1814-1825.pdf

Note: For related early Philadelphia Windsor chairs see Evans, American Windsor Chairs, pages 82-85. 

This rare, Early Philadelphia Windsor has extensive documentation linking it to early ownership by George Washington. Accompanying affidavits, letters and other documents indicate this chair was gifted from Mrs. Lewis to the Javins family. There are clear connections to the Javins family illuminated in Washington's papers and elsewhere. In 1793, Washington purchased wheat from John Javins, and in a letter dated February 6, 1799 to William B. Harrison, there is reference to John Javins, a neighbor proximate to Washington on land owned by Harrison. Joseph Javins of Fairfax County, possibly the father of John E. Javins, died intestate in 1760 with two of Washington’s overseers, William Poole and Richard Stephens, inventorying the estate. This suggests a longstanding connection between the Javins and Washington families. John Javins died in 1815, in keeping with the date of the public sale referenced in the affidavit. Mr. Elijah Cash is listed as having secured a bond for Javins, closing the loop between Washington, Javins, and Cash. 

At the date this chair was likely made, circa 1755-1765, the Washingtons were not known to be patronizing local Philadelphia craftsmen for their furnishings, instead largely favoring imports. It was not until the 1770s and after that they began to patronize Philadelphia craftsmen. The early date of this chair, and the strong documentation linking it to the Washingtons, suggests the possibility that they acquired it some years after it was crafted.