An Essay upon the Learning of Devises from their Inception by Writing to their Consummation by the Death of the Devisor [Robert Ware Peacock copy; John Marshall Jr.]

Hardcover. Full leather, with raised cords, maroon title label on the spine. Hinges cracked but cords strong. Leather is rubbed and scuffed. Text block tight. Title page dated 1792. Unpaginated, about 400 pages. Pages mildly toned from age and with some minor foxing. Front endpaper detached but set in place. On the inside front cover, early ownership name Robert Ware Peacock, Attorney at Law, Stephensburg (something illegible beneath). On the title page, handwritten note, 'Bot of Robert Ware Peacock 1795 by (illegible) 1800.' On rear free endpaper, the signature 'Robert Ware Peacock, attorney at Law, Winchester.'On the cover of the book, signed on the leather, is the name 'J Marshall Jr.' As with all things Virginia, there appear to be connections to everyone and everything. Peacock was indeed a lawyer, who seems to have set up in several different towns, ultimately ending up in Washington during the Jefferson administration. In the early 1800's he was indicted for forging foreign bills of exchange and was sentenced to 5 years in prison. The Jefferson papers include letters from both Peacock and his wife entreating a pardon. Peacock somehow escaped from prison and fled to England. As for the J. Marshall Jr signature on the front cover, it may belong to the son of justice John Marshall, or it might be another of the many Marshalls in Virginia at that time. Please email with questions or to request photos.…