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The letter from Lucy Ann Baytop,Springfield, Gloucester County, Virginia to Hetty Fitzhugh, Stanardsville, Greene County, Virginia, discusses how the pressures of work and business have kept her from writing; reports marriages of "Cousin Tom Field and his bride Miss Davis"; Mr. Shackelfor and Miss Hester Rowe; "Sister" has had another baby boy, as did Aunt Fanny, Martha Waller, and Clara ?; Clara has a "riseing breast," and "the horses could not go out of a walk for fear of the jar to her breast...Dr. Jones stays with her to attend her"; her brother is in the Sonora mine in California and doing well mining for gold; looks forward to her visit this winter. Includes typescript.

Lucy relates that an uUnexpected snow storm has killed the fruit; "since Virginia has acted so ridiculously I almost wish that I could forsake her borders..." "The Old Dominion is endeavoring to throw off the galling yoke of Old Lincoln"; secession is impending; "abolitionists certainly can't flourish among us"; Rufus Fitzhugh is considering moving to Arkansas; mother has finished her quilting; cold weather and quilting should never go together; news of family and friends. Includes typescript.

Lucy hHas been sick with a "congestion of wind"; relates loss of a slave girl who died from burns sustained in a fire; elaborates on struggle between Mr. Booth and Mr. Sinclair establishing ownership and value of the slave girl; comments, "disunion War or abject submission. I am a wonder to myself how I stand so well, once the mere talk of an insurrection would fill me with terror, now we have a white war and a servile one to dread..." Includes typescript.

The letter from Lucy Taliaferro Baytop,Springfield, Gloucester County, Virginia to "My Dear Child", Hetty Fitzhugh, no place, reports the sicknesses of Rowena, Eugenia, and Lucy Ann; Lucy Ann left to visit Tom Taliaferro and then to travel to Wilson's Creek; reports news about births, visits, farm business of friends; comments on the treatment of "Bob" a slave?, who "has a better master this year." Includes typescript.

The letter from Lucy Taliaferro Baytop,Springfield, Gloucester County, Virginia to "My Dear Child," Hetty Fitzhugh, Standardsville, Greene County, Virginia discusses how the circuit court is in session and "Thit is summoned as a witness"; father and Mr. Sinclair are going to Washington to see about getting Mr. Sinclair's claim allowed; describes fuss electing persons for different offices as clerk commissioner of the revenue, constable sheriff and c.; "the guinea people have brought out Jefferson Stubbs for clerk and it is thought he will stand a very good chance to be elected. Includes typescript.

The letter sends news of family and friends; tells of excitement about making a "missionary quilt for Mr. Payne our African Missionary" with neighborhood women and girls; gladly accepts invitation to visit "next summer" if Ma's health and spirits are good; invites Hettie to visit. Includes typescript.

Mary writes that friends and family have made them feel welcome; inquires about Cousin Mary's "delicate health"; Ma's heath has improved; does not know if their income will support them; lists costs for rent and food. Includes typescript.

Mary's arrival in Fredericksburg has been harried; she invites him and family to visit; their mother's health is bad - lists symptoms and treatments by Dr. Wallace. Includes typescript.

The letter from Mary Indiana Winborn Baytop to Hetty E. Fitzhugh discusses how Christmas has passed and work must resume; "great deal of sickness in the county, colds and pleurisys are very prevalent."

Receipt of Rufus K. Fitzhugh for bonds from the estate of Verlinda T. Conway, deceased, as distributed by Battalie F. T. Conway. Typescript included.