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Start Over Collection John Augustine Washington III and family papers, 1789/1994 Subjects Enslaved persons

Elizabeth A. L. Selden to Eleanor Love Selden Washington, 1844 3 pages Box 12, Folder 1844

Letter from Elizabeth Selden to Eleanor Love Selden Washington, concerning her financial hardships. She discusses two enslaved people, a man named John and a woman named Caroline. She discusses various family members. Autograph letter signed, 3 pages, with integral address panel.

  1. The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon
  2. John Augustine Washington III and family papers, 1789/1994
  3. Series 1. Correspondence, 1797/1969
  4. Subseries 1.3. Family, 1797/1969

Elizabeth A. L. Selden to John Augustine Washington III, 1844 2 pages Box 2, Folder 1844.11.21

Letter from Elizabeth Selden to John Augustine Washington III concerning enslaved people at Exeter, the Selden familial home which she is leaving due to financial hardship. She speaks specifically about an enslaved man named John and an enslaved woman named Caroline. She proposes to rent John and Caroline and asks whether Washington would be willing to keep them on the estate. Autograph letter signed, 2 pages, with integral address panel.

  1. The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon
  2. John Augustine Washington III and family papers, 1789/1994
  3. Series 1. Correspondence, 1797/1969
  4. Subseries 1.1. John Augustine Washington III, 1835/1861

Elizabeth A. L. Selden to John Augustine Washington III, 1844 3 pages Box 2, Folder 1844

Letter from Elizabeth Selden to John Augustine Washington III concerning the enslaved population at her home, Exeter. She discusses four specific people, three men and a woman: John, Billy, Jim, and Aunt Jenny. For $200 she has retained them for her lifetime, after which they will belong to Washington. She complains about their various health and age-related issues as well as their unhappiness about being separated from their families to go with Selden when she leaves Exeter. Autograph letter signed, 3 pages, with integral address panel.

  1. The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon
  2. John Augustine Washington III and family papers, 1789/1994
  3. Series 1. Correspondence, 1797/1969
  4. Subseries 1.1. John Augustine Washington III, 1835/1861

H. T. Harrison to John Augustine Washington III, 1847 1 pages Box 3, Folder 1847.02.11

Letter from Henry T. Harrison to John Augustine Washington III regarding an enslaved woman named Julia. Harrison rented her from Washington and states that there is an additional cost due to a medical account for Julia with Dr. Lee. Includes a discussion about the Selden estate. Autograph letter signed, 1 page, with integral address panel.

  1. The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon
  2. John Augustine Washington III and family papers, 1789/1994
  3. Series 1. Correspondence, 1797/1969
  4. Subseries 1.1. John Augustine Washington III, 1835/1861

H. T. Harrison to John Augustine Washington III, 1851 2 pages Box 4, Folder 1851.02.04

Letter from H. T. Harrison to John Augustine Washington III in which he thanks Washington for facilitating the sale of an enslaved man named Henry. He discusses the signed bond and two named parties, Eli Gray and a man named Otterback. Harrison dicusses his new tenant, Ball, at Dry Hollow Farm. Autograph letter signed, 2 pages.

  1. The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon
  2. John Augustine Washington III and family papers, 1789/1994
  3. Series 1. Correspondence, 1797/1969
  4. Subseries 1.1. John Augustine Washington III, 1835/1861

Jane Byrd to John Augustine Washington III, 1861 4 pages Box 9, Folder 1861.02.11

Jane Byrd writes to her cousin, John Augustine Washington III, updating him on family members. She also relays a plan, from Thomas, in which they are planning to move their enslaved persons further south and wonders if John would also like to do so. She concludes by lamenting on the state of the country. Autograph letter signed, 4 pages.

  1. The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon
  2. John Augustine Washington III and family papers, 1789/1994
  3. Series 1. Correspondence, 1797/1969
  4. Subseries 1.1. John Augustine Washington III, 1835/1861

Jane C. Washington to John Augustine Washington III, 1838 4 pages Box 1, Folder 1838.11.20

Jane C. Washington writes to her son, John Augustine Washington about her journey home from visiting her daughter and his sister, Anna Maria Washington Alexander, and John's boarding situation at the University of Virginia. She also discusses affairs on the farms at Mount Vernon, mentioning two enslaved men, Willoughby and Gabriel, and whether or not they should stay at Mount Vernon or return to Blakely with her. Letter also includes a discussion about a man named Sambo. Autograph letter signed, 4 pages.

  1. The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon
  2. John Augustine Washington III and family papers, 1789/1994
  3. Series 1. Correspondence, 1797/1969
  4. Subseries 1.1. John Augustine Washington III, 1835/1861

Jane C. Washington to John Augustine Washington III, 1843 2 pages Box 2, Folder 1843.03.25

Letter from Jane C. Washington to John Augustine Washington III concerning family matters such as the recent death of Mr. Selden and a discussion about whether Washington should assume administration over the estate. An enslaved woman named Julia is sick. Includes her hope that West Ford will mail this letter today from Mount Vernon, with a postscript message from Ford to Washington about recovering a loan. Autograph letter signed, 2 pages, with integral address panel.

  1. The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon
  2. John Augustine Washington III and family papers, 1789/1994
  3. Series 1. Correspondence, 1797/1969
  4. Subseries 1.1. John Augustine Washington III, 1835/1861

Richard B. Washington and Jane C. Washington to John Augustine Washington III, 1838 4 pages Box 1, Folder 1838.09.23

Letter to John Augustine Washington III from his brother, Richard B. Washington, and his mother, Jane C. Washington. Richard reports back to John about farm affairs and mentions several enslaved people: Henry, Humphrey, Meredith, and Anthony. He reports that Henry and Humphrey have harrowed fields and that Meredith and Anthony have plowed 140 acres for wheat. Jane briefly mentions farm affairs, inquires about John's education at The University of Virginia, and reminds him to read his Bible every day. Autograph letter signed, 4 pages.

  1. The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon
  2. John Augustine Washington III and family papers, 1789/1994
  3. Series 1. Correspondence, 1797/1969
  4. Subseries 1.1. John Augustine Washington III, 1835/1861

R. L. Blackburn to John Augustine Washington III, 1858 4 pages Box 4, Folder 1852.01.26

R. L. Blackburn discusses the enslaved people at his estate, Spring Grove, and his plans to sell specific people, including a 16-year-old boy. Autograph letter signed, 4 pages.

  1. The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon
  2. John Augustine Washington III and family papers, 1789/1994
  3. Series 1. Correspondence, 1797/1969
  4. Subseries 1.1. John Augustine Washington III, 1835/1861

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