Lottery Ticket. 6 ¼” x 1 ¾”. April, 1810. “This ticket will entitle the Bearer to such Prize as may drawn to its number, if demanded within twelve months after the drawing shall have been completed: subject to a deduction of fifteen per cent.”.
The Potmack Company was chartered in 1784 for the purpose of improving the navigation of the Potomac River. George Washington served as the company’s president. The lottery for the Potomac and Shenandoah Navigation Company, was authorized in 1810 to raise $300,000 to improve the company and it branch navigation system.
The Potomac and Shenandoah Navigation Company was a historic transportation enterprise that played a crucial role in the development and economic growth of the United States during the 18th and 19th centuries. Established in the early 1800s, the company focused on improving navigation along the Potomac River and Shenandoah River, creating a reliable system for transporting goods and passengers between western Virginia and the bustling port of Georgetown, Maryland. By constructing canals, locks, and other infrastructure, the company facilitated trade and commerce, connecting the vast agricultural regions of the Shenandoah Valley to the thriving markets of the East Coast. This initiative spurred industrialization and facilitated the movement of raw materials, which contributed significantly to the expansion of the nation's agricultural and industrial sectors. The Potomac and Shenandoah Navigation Company's legacy endures as a testament to the transformative impact of innovative transportation ventures on the nation's progress and prosperity.
