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Start Over Creator Washington, George, 1732-1799 Access Online access
The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon

Chapin collection of Washington & Custis family documents, 1758/1829

.5 Linear Feet (2 boxes)

This collection consists of papers inherited and collected by Washington family descendants. Many were purchased in 1927 at auction to reunite Washington family correspondence. The collection includes correspondence, financial documents and legal documents that relate primarily to the Custis and Lewis families, but include other items related to Virginia history. Charles and Peter Chapin, the previous owners of this collection, descended from Eleanor Parke Custis and Lawrence Lewis through Esther Maria Lewis and Charles Chapin. This collection was originally assembled by Esther Maria Lewis Chapin who inherited some of the Washington/Custis papers, but was also an avid collector and brought back together family items that were being dispersed nationwide. This collection is an example of that effort; much of which was at auction in 1927 (Anderson Galleries, sale 2201, 28-29 November 1927).

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Chapin collection of Washington & Custis family documents, 1758/1829 .5 Linear Feet (2 boxes)

Lewis, Eleanor Parke Custis, 1779-1852

This collection consists of papers inherited and collected by Washington family descendants. Many were purchased in 1927 at auction to reunite Washington family correspondence. The collection includes correspondence, financial documents and legal documents that relate primarily to the Custis and Lewis families, but include other items related to Virginia history. Charles and Peter Chapin, the previous owners of this collection, descended from Eleanor Parke Custis and Lawrence Lewis through Esther Maria Lewis and Charles Chapin. This collection was originally assembled by Esther Maria Lewis Chapin who inherited some of the Washington/Custis papers, but was also an avid collector and brought back together family items that were being dispersed nationwide. This collection is an example of that effort; much of which was at auction in 1927 (Anderson Galleries, sale 2201, 28-29 November 1927).

Letter, George Washington to General John Scott, 1776 Box 1

Autograph letter signed, 1 page. Mounted on cardstock. Washington gives orders for the removal of suspected loyalists to New Rochelle. He warns against any injury to persons or property but insists they be kept "at a distance from the Enemy of whom it is suspected they are favourers and are carrying on correspondances dangerous to the United States of America.

  1. Series 2. Correspondence, 1768/1829
The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon

Wayne Rickert collection of founders' autographs, 1770/1831

41 Sheets (2 boxes)

The collection contains 41 manuscripts dating 1770-1831. Many of the manuscripts date from the era of the American Revolution, and several are directly relevant to the course of the war. Among the documents are single letters by John Adams, Aaron Burr, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, John Hancock, Patrick Henry, John Jay, Thomas Jefferson, Lafayette, James Madison, John Marshall, James Monroe, Paul Revere, and George Washington, as well as letters and other documents that include the signatures of signers of the Declaration of Independence.

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Letter, George Washington to Burgess Ball, 1795 1 pages Box 2, Folder 38

George Washington writes to Burgess Ball, regarding Ball's interest in the federal government purchasing some of his land for the construction of an arsenal. Washington indicates that he will leave the matter to the Secretary of War, Timothy Pickering, and not discuss it further, lest their family connection lend an appearance of impropriety. Ball was married to Frances Washington, the daughter of George's brother Charles. Autograph letter, signed. 3 pages.

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