Barney Circle in Southeast Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Tobias Lear
Tobias Lear served as George Washington's personal secretary and as a teacher to his grandchildren from 1786 to 1793, the beginning of Washington's second term. Lear left to make his fortune, but like many people investing early in the new federal city, Lear suffered a number of financial setbacks and had to return as an assistant to the then retired President Washington. Lear was with Washington when he died and wrote down his final words, "Tis good." Lear was then hired by the Washington family to organize his papers. A controversy arose when correspondence between Washington and Thomas Jefferson making Jefferson look bad politically, came up missing. Subsequently, Jefferson appointed Lear to a number of lucrative diplomatic posts. Upon Lear's return to Washington, opposition newspapers began a drumbeat of criticism concerning Lear's past debts, the mysterious lost letters and his subsequent appointments by Jefferson and his party. One evening after having dinner with friends, Lear shot himself in his front yard near the White House.
Died: October 11, 1816
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Government & Politics • Industry & Commerce • Patriots & Patriotism. A significant historical date for this entry is September 19, 1762.
Location.
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American Northeast, in the Upper South, in the Mid-Atlantic, in the Tidewater, and in the Chesapeake Bay Region. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Elbridge Gerry (here, next to this marker); John Smilie (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Elbridge Gerry (a few steps from this marker); Thomas R. Gedney (a few steps from this marker); Revolutionary War Patriots (a few steps from this marker); Pushmataha (a few steps from this marker); Uriah Tracy (a few steps from this marker); Dr. William Thornton (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Southeast Washington.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 8, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 7, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 150 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 7, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
