Collections : [The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon]

The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon

The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon
3600 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway
Mount Vernon, VA 22121
Primary Collecting Areas:
George and Martha Washington, Mount Vernon, Founding Era and Early Republic, Historic preservation, Decorative arts, Mount Vernon Ladies' Association
Description:

The Fred W. Smith National Library includes general collections, special collections and archives as a resource for scholars, students, and those interested in George Washington, colonial America and the Revolutionary and founding eras.

The library's general collections include secondary source materials on the Washington and Custis families, and the colonial and founding eras.

The Special Collections materials highlight the lives of George and Martha Washington as well as their descendants through correspondence, financial materials, and original books from George and Martha Washington's library.

The archives of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association holds the historic institutional records of the organization dating back to its founding in 1853.

POC: Reference services
Phone: (703) 780-3600
Start Over Repository The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon Subjects Surveying
The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon

George Washington collection, 1654/1799

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.

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Bound Manuscript, Survey Notes, Grant, Letter, and Indenture, 1762 Shelf F : *

Four documents are bound together: Survey Notes, Washington's surveying notes on a portion of his Mount Vernon property that he has purchased from Sampson Darrell in 1757, 4-5 November 1762; Grant, to Sampson Darrell, 28 November 1694; Letter, Darrell Smith to George Washington, 9 October 1759; Indenture, from Sampson Darrell, 19 May 1760

  1. Series 3. Ledgers and Bound Manuscripts

Document, Survey of Mount Vernon, 1759 Box 1, Folder 1759.10.01

"I endeavourd to find out the true bounds of my Mount Vernon Tract of Land - but not knowing where it divided from Spencer's part of the River, nor being able to find harrison cornr Ash mentiond in his Deed to stand on the River side at the Mouth the Blind Pocoson - I began at two Ash trees and Elm ..."

  1. Series 1. From George Washington, 1654/1799
The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon

Peter family papers, 1722/1932

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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Certificate and plat of the fragment acres in Montgomery County surveyed for Robert Peter, 1804 1 pages Box 7, Folder 08

Certificate and plat for 5 3/4 acres of vacant land granted by special warrant to Robert Peter out of the Western Shore Land Office of Washington County in the District of Columbia. Surveyed by Joseph Elgar, Jr. Autograph document signed, 1 page.

  1. Series 10. Papers of Robert Peter, 1722/1852
  2. Subseries 10.4. Land Documents
The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon

Historic manuscript collection, 1601/1933

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.

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The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon

Bushrod Washington family papers, 1662/1835

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

John Augustine Washington III and family papers, 1789/1994

approx 4 Linear Feet 15 boxes

This collection contains correspondence, legal documents, financial records, and other documents related to John Augustine Washington III and his family, especially his son, Lawrence, as well as his granddaughters, Anne and Patty. The bulk of the correspondence series are letters sent to John Augustine Washington III and concern family affairs and the management of various family plantations, including Mount Vernon.

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The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon

Ted and Mary Wendell early American collection, 1721/1826

.5 Linear Feet 14 Sheets

This collection consist of 47 documents, 10 maps, and 1 map slipcase collected by Ted and Mary Wendell. The collection pertains to George Washington and includes 25 documents written, annotated, or signed by Washington. Much of the material concerns the Revolutionary War, western land claims following the French and Indian War, and British and American governmental records. The dates of the material range from 1721-1826.

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Survey, George Washington for John Elswick, 1751 1 pages Box 1, Folder 1751.04.16

Land survey with plat map by George Washington for John Elswick, detailing 437 acres on Lost River in Augusta County (now Hampshire County, WV). Two additional people are listed in the document: John Lonem and Samuel McHandry (C.C.-chainmen). The docket on verso notes, 'Deed drawn in Thomas Walter's name'. Autograph document signed, 1 page.

  1. Series 1. Manuscripts

Survey, George Washington for Mary Johnston, 1752 2 pages Box 1, Folder 1752.04.03, Folder OUT

Land survey with plat map by George Washington for Mary Johnston, detailing 400 acres between Bullskin Run and Long Marsh Run in Frederick County, VA (now Jefferson County, WV). Three additional names listed of those who assisted with the survey - John Johnston, James McCarmick (C.C.- chainmen) and Benjamin Pearson (marker). Docketed in Washington's writing. Autograph document signed, 2 pages.

  1. Series 1. Manuscripts

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