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The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon

Historic manuscript collection

approx. 60 Linear Feet

This collection of historic manuscripts dates from 1607-1933, with the bulk of materials dating from 1738-1868. The correspondence, journals and diaries, legal and financial records, estate documents, and printed ephemera in the collection primarily relate to the Washington and Custis families, the Revolutionary War, and society life in antebellum Washington D.C. and Virginia.

Top 3 results view all 13

Account of estate sales, Mary Washington Box 16, Folder 1789.10.29

A.D. 4 pages. "Accot. of sales of the Stocks etc. sold at the plantation of the late Mrs. Mary Washington, on the 29th of October 1789." Some of the buyers include Charles Carter Jr., Bushrod Washington and Burges[s] Ball. Stock sold includes sheep, oxen, hogs, pigs, horses, cows. Autograph document, docketed.

  1. Series 1. Documents and Manuscripts
  2. Manuscripts Box 16
The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon

Peter family papers

12 Linear Feet 46 boxes

This collection consists of papers collected by various members of the Peter families. It includes letters from George Washington, letters of condolence to Martha Washington after George Washington's death, estate documents, Major George Peter's military papers, land plats and surveys, photo albums, letterbooks, and notebooks that tell of the life of this prominent family in Virginia and the City of Washington.

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Accounts of Martha Washington with MacLeod & Lumsdon for sundries 1 pages Box 7, Folder 20

List of items purchased by Martha Washington from Macleod & Lumsdon, dated at the top 18 February 1800, Alexandria. The accounts, dated 8 July and 9 August, include entries for 47 panes of glass, oil, paint for 30 mahoghany chairs, paint for a wine cooler, varnishing, picture frame gilding, and glazing. Signed by Macleod & Lumdsdon at the bottom, noting that the above money was received in full 9 October 1800.

  1. Series 11. Papers of Thomas Peter
  2. Subseries 11.1. Financial Documents

Accounts of Martha Washington with William Jones 1 pages Box 13, Folder 01

A list of clothing purchased by Martha Washington from William Jones of Alexandria. Includes suits purchased for enslaved workers Daniel, Marcus, Christopher, and Frank. According to notes on the verso, payments were received from James Anderson on 12 April 1800 and 15 May 1800.

  1. Series 13. Papers of Major George Peter
  2. Subseries 13.2. Bills and Notes
  3. Bills and notes

Estate, list of enslaved people of Martha Washington 2 pages Box 9, Folder 08

Manuscript titled "A List of Negroes belonging to Mrs. Washington." A list of 121 enslaved persons who were Martha's dower slaves. Unlike the slaves owned by George Washington, Martha's slaves were not freed after her death and were inherited by the Custis descendants. Men, boys, women, and girls and listed in separate columns, each further broken down into the places where they worked: Mansion house, River Farm, Muddy Hole, and Union Farm. Five women - Amy, Alice, Peg, Agnes, and Old Judy - are listed as "Free but yet remain."

  1. Series 11. Papers of Thomas Peter
  2. Subseries 11.4. Estate Documents
The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon

John Augustine Washington III and Mount Vernon Ladies' Association (MVLA) collection

3 Linear Feet 7 boxes

This collection concerns the inheritance, maintenance, and sale of the Mount Vernon estate by its last private owner, John Augustine Washington III. A large majority of the collection is correspondence to or from John Augustine Washington III with a significant portion relating to the purchase of the estate by the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association. Three diaries kept by John Augustine are also included and contain important information about his slaves, agricultural practices, and finances. Other types of material in the collection include legal documents, receipts, photographs, and ephemera. Photocopies were made for most of the manuscripts and can be viewed as surrogates to the originals.

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The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon

George Washington collection

approx. 25 Linear Feet

This collection contains letters to and from George Washington that have been aquired by the MVLA since 1858. For more information, see content note for individal items. The collection grows organically as new items are acquired.

Top 3 results view all 11

Document, List of suits Box 12, Folder 1797.05.06

Dated at the top, the list of 11 suits includes: "1 Full Suit of Regimentals;" ditto half; and suits of Spanish cloth; olive colour; dark brown; lighter brown; half mourning; raven grey; black; then under the heading "Velvet - Silk - & Cassimer" 1 full Suit – Velvet, 1 Uncut.

  1. Series 1. From George Washington
The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon

Taylor collection of Lewis family papers

25 Files

This collection consists of papers collected by various members of the Lewis and Ball family.

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The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon

Bushrod Washington family papers

1.5 Linear Feet (4 boxes)

The Bushrod Washington Family Papers consist of documents gathered by the descendants of the first President of the United States, George Washington. The collection comprises an assortment of correspondence and legal documents documenting the lives and property ownership of several branches of the Washington family. The collection is organized into five series: Correspondence, Legal Documents, Social, Miscellaneous, and Indenture Notices (Land Deeds).

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The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon

Potomac Navigation Company records

.5 Linear Feet

This collection is comprised of three different types of documents: various accounts from individuals who have worked for the Potomac Navigation Company; lists of all the men employed by the company which details the amount of work that was done; and receipts and invoices.

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Content Warning

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Finding aids may contain historical terms and phrases, reflecting the shared attitudes and values of the community from which they were collected, but are offensive to modern readers. These include demeaning and dehumanizing references to race, ethnicity, and nationality; enslaved or free status; physical or mental ability; religion; sex; and sexual orientation and gender identity.

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