Alexander Haight family collection

Access and use

Location of collection:
George Mason University
2400 Fenwick Library
Special Collections Research Center
Fenwick Library MS2FL
George Mason University
Fairfax, VA 22030
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Mieko Palazzo
Phone: (703) 993-2220
Fax: (703) 993-2669
Restrictions:

There are no access restrictions.

Terms of access:

There are no restrictions on personal use. Permission to publish material from the Alexander Haight family collection must be obtained from the Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries.

Preferred citation:

Alexander Haight family collection, C0159, Special Collections and Archives, George Mason University Libraries.

Summary

Extent:
13 linear feet (19 boxes and 12 unboxed objects)
Creator:
Alexander Haight
Abstract:
This collection contains materials of the Haight family, who have lived in Northern Virginia since the 1840s, and who owned Sully Plantation during the Civil War. Materials include correspondence, household financial records, photographs, Civil War documents, and artifacts. The artifacts in the collection consist of American Indian arrowheads and Civil War relics. Most of the materials date from the mid to late 19th century and the early 20th century, but the collection also includes a ledger dating from before the American Revolution and a few items dating from after the First World War.
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Alexander Haight family collection, C0159, Special Collections and Archives, George Mason University Libraries.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains materials of the Haight family, who have lived in Northern Virginia since the 1840s, and who owned Sully Plantation during the Civil War. Materials include correspondence, household financial records, photographs, Civil War documents, and artifacts. The artifacts in the collection consist of American Indian arrowheads and Civil War relics. Most of the materials date from the mid to late 19th century and the early 20th century, but the collection also includes a ledger dating from before the American Revolution and a few items dating from after the First World War.

Series 1, Correspondence, contains letters to and from members of the Haight family and their friends. Haight family members represented in this series include George, Helen, Henry, Margaret, and Phebe. Some of the letters refer to the California Gold Rush in which Alexander Haight's brother-in-law, George Sweet (1821-1898), participated as a "49er". Other letters refer to the Civil War in which Henry C. Haight's father-in-law, John M. Young (1831-1864), fought under the Union Army.

Series 2, Legal and Financial Documents, contains personal legal and financial records of the Haight family, including deeds, receipts, contracts, and documents from the Fairfax County Court House. Specific items include court orders from 1852-1853 appointing Alexander Haight as "surveyor of the county road"; an 1864 letter from Virginia District Judge John C. Underwood on a forthcoming war-time property-confiscation trial of Alexander Haight; bank receipts of Elizabeth Haight from 1914-1919; deeds of gift from George Haight, 1895-1903; correspondence from March of 1884 regarding damage claims by Phebe Haight from the West and Sisson railroad company for damaged packages of butter; and a financial accounting record of farm land sold to Samuel Titus and Nehemiah Sweet, dated January 16, 1843.

Series 3, Photographs, contains around twenty original photographs and reproductions belonging to the Haight family. Subjects include Alexander, Phebe, Elizabeth, George, and Helen Haight; Fairfax County Court House; Sully Plantation; Fairfax Station during the Civil War; Alexander Haight's prize horse; and Clio, a slave girl whom Phebe Haight kept at the Sully Plantation until 1862.

Series 4, Civil War Documents, contains various materials pertaining to the Civil War such as civilian passes, diary excerpts, and Confederate currency. Specific items include Civil War maps and photographs; an official order from General Jackson on the day of the Battle of Chantilly (Ox Hill) prohibiting the theft or destruction of private property; documents granting passage of Alexander Haight and company into and out of Virginia; a hand-written note from the Union Major General Julius Stahel to the Union Army, attesting to the good standing of Alexander Haight; receipts of Alexander Haight for Union and Confederate supplies given out during the war; and a typed manuscript detailing the Civil War experiences of the Sutton family in Fairfax, excerpted from the diaries of Charles and Phebe Sutton.

Series 5, Publications and Serials, contains seven illustrated monthly magazines and a book titled War Reminiscences by the Surgeon of Mosby's Command (1890). The magazines include issues of The Century, The Cosmopolitan, and McClure's.

Series 6, Miscellaneous, contains miscellaneous printed materials, notes, and facsimiles. Materials include old business cards; brochures on local history; a newspaper facsimile (circa 1975) on old Fairfax families, the Haights and Milans; a scrap book of old newsclippings; and a ledger full of accounting records dating from before the Revolutionary War.

Series 7, Oversize, includes Confederate bonds; a centennial print of the Declaration of Independence; and newspapers chronicling the sinking of the Titanic, the election of Franklin Roosevelt, and other historical events.

Series 8, Objects, contains Civil War Artifacts as well as ancient American Indian arrowheads and tools. The Civil War artifacts include three muskets, ammunition, a sword with scabbard, two bayonets, a cavalry bridle, and a hand-made crutch.

This series contains letters to and from members of the Haight family and their friends. Haight family members represented in this series include George, Helen, Henry, Margaret, and Phebe. Some of the letters refer to the California Gold Rush as Alexander Haight's brother-in-law, George Sweet (1821-1898), was a "49er". Other letters refer to the Civil War, in which Henry C. Haight's father-in-law, John M. Young (1831-1864), fought under the Union Army.

sender unknown

from Syndhurst, New Jersey

sender unknown

sender and recipient unknown

sender and recipient unknown

recipient unknown

sender unknown

sender and recipient unknown

recipient unknown, but sender wrote "lots of love to yourself and boys, also to Maggie [Margaret Haight]"

postcard

includes envelope

includes envelope, "missent"

includes envelope postmarked October 4, 1888

includes envelope postmarked November 21, 1888

includes envelope postmarked January 1, 1889

includes envelope postmarked March 12, 1889

partial letter; includes envelope postmarked April 2, 1889

includes envelope postmarked April 30, 1889

includes envelope postmarked May 13, 1890

includes envelope postmarked September 19

postcard

postcard

postcard

postcard

newsclipping

envelope only

postcard

newsclippings

postcard

Easter postcard

Easter postcard

contains reference to the California Gold Rush

contains reference to the California Gold Rush

near Blakely Alabama; reference to Union Army

contains reference to Andrew Johnson's impeachment

includes envelope from Philadelphia postmarked March 4, 1884

includes envelope from Alexandria, Virginia postmarked March 14

includes envelope from Canon City, Colorado postmarked June 25, 1886

from Syndhurst, New Jersey

sender's signature illegible; includes envelope

postcard addressed to A. L. Harnesberger

2 typewritten letters; includes 1 envelope

includes envelope

includes envelope postmarked November 9, 1893

George Sweet had two sisters, Phebe, who married Alexander Haight in 1824, and Elizabeth.

on interest "received of George Sweet" from gold dug in the California Gold Rush.

Greeley's signature matches that of the renowned journalist and founder of the New York Tribune.

from Syndhurst, New Jersey

partial letter; contains references to the California Gold Rush

The letters in this folder contain references to John Young's service with the Union Army during the Civil War.

at camp near Fredericksburg, Virginia; includes envelope and transcription

includes envelope

This folder contains 37 pages of transcriptions of letters written from John M. Young to his wife, Rosetta, during his service with the Union Army.

This series contains personal legal and financial records of the Haight family, including deeds, receipts, contracts, and documents from the Fairfax County Court House. Specific items include court orders from 1852-1853 appointing Alexander Haight as "surveyor of the county road"; an 1864 letter from Virginia District Judge John C. Underwood on a forthcoming war-time property-confiscation trial of Alexander Haight; bank receipts of Elizabeth Haight from 1914-1919; deeds of gift from George Haight, 1895-1903; correspondence from March of 1884 regarding damage claims by Phebe Haight from the West and Sisson railroad company for damaged packages of butter; and a financial accounting record of farm land sold to Samuel Titus and Nehemiah Sweet, dated January 16, 1843.

Alexandria, Virginia; regarding property-confiscation trial of Alexander Haight

2 court orders appointing Alexander Haight as "surveyor of the county road"

receipt

receipt

receipt

note to pay

receipt

contains around 100 bank receipts and a list of credits

check for 1 cent and envelope

2 pages

promise to pay

two letters on one paper

two letters on one paper

two letters on one paper

recipient unknown

monthly statement

bill

includes envelope

two receipts

two receipts

Two calling cards; one unpostmarked envelope addressed to George A. Clark and Brother

receipt and letter; includes envelope

three receipts

three receipts

three receipts; includes envelope

includes envelope

includes a letter on the back, signed "Mother"

contains records of sales and profits on produce (possibly grown on Sulley Plantation)

contains records of sales and profits on produce (possibly grown on Sulley Plantation)

One-page record of mortgage and interest on 215 acres of farmland owed by Margaret Sweet and her children, including Phebe Sweet

contains 6 official tax receipts and 1 hand-written note on delinquent taxes

contains 23 official tax receipts and 3 hand-written notes on tax payments

contains 10 official tax receipts and 2 hand-written notes on tax payments

contains 2 tax receipts

This series contains around twenty original photographs and reproductions belonging to the Haight family. Subjects include Alexander, Phebe, Elizabeth, George, and Helen Haight; Fairfax County Court House; Sully Plantation; Fairfax Station during the Civil War; Alexander Haight's prize horse; and Clio, a slave girl whom Phebe Haight kept at the Sully Plantation until 1862.

No. 427 of Brady's album gallery, titled "Prof. Lowe reconnoitering at Battle of Fair Oaks"

tintype of Clio, a slave girl kept by Phebe Haight from 1852 to 1862

Two deguerrotype portraits in cases, both of the same man; in the second he is wearing a Union uniform

2 photographic reproductions; photographs taken by Timothy O'Sullivan

Photographic reproduction

reproduced from original daguerrotype

reproduced from original daguerrotype

photograph mounted to cardboard backing

photograph mounted to cardboard backing

photograph mounted on cardboard backing

photographic reproduction

photograph mounted on cardboard backing; Little Sully, Alexander and Phebe Haight's house on Sully Plantation, was built around 1851

thin booklet, mostly empty, with produce sales recorded on two pages

mounted to inside of booklet

subject unknown; measures 2.5" x 4.5"

subject unknown; appears to be a photographic reproduction; measures 8" x 10"

mounted on cardboard backing; subjects thought to be Phebe Haight, her sister Elizabeth, and Elizabeth's husband George

pictured outside house with horse; measures 4.5" x 2.5"

photographic reproduction of above listed photograph; measures 10" x 8"

2 photographic reproductions and three negatives of the same photo; pictured left to right are Fountain Beattie, Lycurgus Hutcheson, John S. Mosby, and George Turbeville IV

This series contains various materials pertaining to the Civil War such as civilian passes, diary excerpts, and Confederate currency. Specific items include Civil War maps and photographs; an official order from General Jackson on the day of the Battle of Chantilly (Ox Hill) prohibiting the theft or destruction of private property; documents granting passage of Alexander Haight and company into and out of Virginia; a hand-written note from the Union Major General Julius Stahel to the Union Army, attesting to the good standing of Alexander Haight; receipts of Alexander Haight for Union and Confederate supplies given out during the war; and a typed manuscript detailing the Civil War experiences of the Sutton family in Fairfax, excerpted from the diaries of Charles and Phebe Sutton.

printed statement memorializing Charles L. Atkins, a fallen Confederate soldier

signed by a Confederate officer under the command of General Beauregard

features illustrations of Lady Justice, a frontier scene and a domestic scene

features an illustration of a shepherd and his sheep

front features a portrait of William Harris Crawford

addressed to Father from J. L.

pamphlet from ceremony memorializing fallen Union generals

Passes issued by various Provost Marshals' Offices granting Alexander Haight safe passage to and from various points in Northern Virginia

claim assembled by neighbors of Alexander Haight for damages incurred when the Confederate army passed through on September 1, 1862

order of General Jackson prohibiting theft of private property, signed by Jackson's officers

letter regarding publication of maps of the Battle of Manassas

edited and transcribed from the diaries of Charles and Phebe Sutton by their daughter, Alice Coates

This series contains seven illustrated monthly magazines and a book titled War Reminiscences by the Surgeon of Mosby's Command (1890). The magazines include issues of The Century, The Cosmopolitan, and McClure's.

This series contains miscellaneous printed materials, notes, and facsimiles. Materials include old business cards; brochures on local history; a newspaper facsimile (ca. 1975) on old Fairfax families, the Haights and Milans; a scrap book of old newsclippings; and a ledger full of accounting records dating from before the Revolutionary War.

pamphlet

pamphlet

Pioneer America Society publication

article on Little Sully; publication of the Pioneer America Society

advertisement for Time-Life encyclopedia on the Old West

pamphlet

brochure with photographic illustrations

string sleeve with two strings inside

leather bound pocket size book

from the Globes Northern Virginia Bicentennial Review; discusses the history of the Haight and Millan families

sender and recipient both unknown

4 pages

fragment of poem written on looseleaf paper

2 postcards

postcard

postcard

postcard

postcard

postcard

birthday card

picture of the cape

10 calling cards: Mr. Harry L. Cather, Mrs. Frank Page, Gamett Ford, W. W. Millan, Jr., Carrie Ballinger, Mrs. Leda Terwilliger, Ella J. Worley, Miss Frankie M. Vosburgh, May Childs Furbrow, Mrs. Alice Hamill

business card

business card/tag

Young Folk's Library of Choice Literature, Vol. III, No. 66

old guide book with illustrations

concert program for the UOGC, a Christian voluntary association

postcard

advertisement circular boasting "The only Eye-Glasses for which was awarded Medal and Diploma at the Centennial Exhibition of 1876."

advertisement circular boasting product as winner of "the Prize Medal at Philadelphia, 1876 and three gold medals at Paris, 1878."

advertisement circular

bears United States seal and photograph of Franklin D. Roosevelt

issued by the United States Department of the Interior National Park Service

envelope

ledger consists of only a few pages; scrapbook contains newsclippings pertaining to the Civil War

full leather-bound account book from a trading post on Lake George

This series includes Confederate bonds; a centennial print of the Declaration of Independence; and newspapers chronicling the sinking of the Titanic, the election of Franklin Roosevelt, and other historical events.

signed bond notes on a 14" x 16" sheet of paper

unsigned bond notes on a 14" x 16" sheet of paper

unsigned bond notes on a 14" x 16" sheet of paper

includes an obituary for Colonel John Mosby in the Mount Kisko News

This series contains Civil War Artifacts as well as ancient American Indian arrowheads and tools. The Civil War artifacts include three muskets, ammunition, a sword with scabbard, two bayonets, a cavalry bridle, and a hand-made crutch.

16 bullets; all of the bullets in this series were found on Haight property after the Civil War

7 bullets

1 bullet

4 bullets

7 miniballs

picket stakes like this were used to tie horses

used to hold gunpowder

13 envelopes containing stone arrowheads and knives, probably excavated from Haight property, which include labels claiming origins from 8,000 BCE - 3,500 BCE

6 envelopes containing stone arrowheads and knives, probably excavated from Haight property

21 rocks, 1 seashell, and 1 envelope with large iron nails

2 heavy artillery shells

2.5 to 3 feet long

Biographical / historical:

Alexander Haight (1822-1880), son of Amy C. Haight (1787-1863) and Jacob Haight (1782-1862), lived at Sully Plantation from 1842-1874. Quaker farmers from Dutchess County, New York, the Haights moved to Sully at the urging of Jacob, who delighted in the milder climate and extensive farm land, which they enhanced with lime and guano fertilizers. In 1845, Alexander married Phebe Sweet (1824-1898), and in 1851 they finished building their new home, "Little Sully," on Haight property just south of the main Sully house.

The effects of the Civil War on daily life in Northern Virginia are evident from the personal letters and military documents that have been preserved. Phebe and her sister-in-law, Maria Haight Barlow, were left to defend their homes when Jacob and Alexander were forced to flee to Alexandria and Washington to avoid incoming Confederate troops who suspected the Haights of being Union sympathizers. The Haights did, in fact, support the Union, and toward the end of the war Alexander Haight joined the Union Army.

Many of the documents in this collection indicate something of the precarious position in which the Haights were caught during the Civil War. These include receipts for provisions supplied by the Haight farm to both the Union and Confederate armies; a letter from Union Major General Julius Stahel attesting to the good standing of Alexander Haight and ordering the protection of his property by Union troops; and a court memorandum offering the transport of Alexander Haight to and from his trial over the confiscation of property during the war.

Alexander Levi Haight (1891-1981), the eponymous donor of this collection, was the son of Henry Clement Haight (1859-1936) and Emma Jane Young (1858-1939) and grandson of Alexander and Phebe Haight of the Civil War period.

Acquisition information:
Collection donated by Alexander Levi Haight in 1978.
Processing information:

Processed by Special Collections and Archives staff. EAD markup completed by Eron Ackerman and Jordan Patty in April 2009.

Arrangement:

Organized into eight series by subject with each series organized alphabetically by title.

  • Series 1: Correspondence, 1838-1901; 1918-1920; 1974 (Box 1)
  • Series 2: Legal and Financial Documents, 1813; 1843-1918 (Box 2)
  • Series 3: Photographs, circa 1863-1920 (Box 3)
  • Series 4: Civil War Documents and Currency, 1861-1865 (Box 4)
  • Series 5: Printed Material, 1884-1900 (Box 5)
  • Series 6: Miscellaneous Documents, 1764-1976 (Boxes 6-8)
  • Series 7: Oversize, 1863-1966 (Box 9)
  • Series 8: Objects, 1860s (Boxes 10-19 and Unboxed Objects)