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 Collection Historic manuscript collection, 1601/1933 Date range 1855

Deeds and papers, relating to lands bought in Virginia by J. H. Brown for Aaron Leggett, 1790/1861 8 Files Box 17, Folder 1790-1861

8 deeds and letters housed within a single envelope, dating April 15, 1790, September 30, 1790, December 20, 1790, June 28, 1850, October 19, 1850, 1852, April 10, 1853, and February 18, 1861.

  1. The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon
  2. Historic manuscript collection, 1601/1933
  3. Series 1. Documents and Manuscripts
  4. Manuscripts Box 17, 1790

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.

  1. The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon

Journal of John Augustine Washington, 1852/1856 1 Volumes Box 107, Shelf Closed Stacks

Journal begins with a "List of negros" including name, when born, and how acquired. Journal includes dated daily entries and an alphabetized index at the end. There is also an annotated drawing of the interior arrangement of the New Tomb.

  1. The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon
  2. Historic manuscript collection, 1601/1933
  3. Series 2. Ledgers and Bound Manuscripts

Letter, George Washington Parke Custis to Edmund Law Rogers, 1855 Box 74, Folder 1855.04.10

Recommends that Rogers try to get his play performed on the New York Stage. He asks Rogers help. Custis feelds that it will be a successful drama. He reports that his health is as it was and his spirits are very much depressed.

  1. The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon
  2. Historic manuscript collection, 1601/1933
  3. Series 1. Documents and Manuscripts
  4. Manuscripts Box 74, 1855/1857

Letter, Henry Wise to Lewis William Washington, 1855 Box 74, Folder 1855.12.02

A.L.S. 1 page. Near Onancock. Received L.W.W.'s letter offering birth place and burial ground of "the Father's Family" to [Va.] on condition "that it shall be kept sacred."--asks him to say so to the legislature after inauguration--'If the Legislature won't, I will take the responsibility." Autograph letter signed, docketed.Name on original manuscript appears as "Henry A. Wise."

  1. The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon
  2. Historic manuscript collection, 1601/1933
  3. Series 1. Documents and Manuscripts
  4. Manuscripts Box 74, 1855/1857

Letter, Jane Charlotte Blackburn Washington to John Augustine Washington III, 1855 Box 74, Folder 1855.04.09

Autograph letter signed "Jean C. Washington." Jane writes to her son that an enslaved man named George has died. "He was very much reduced, not being able for some time to retian any nourishment. He was delirious, but never violent or ungovernable: fancying he saw lovely angel children near him - and when I read to him, was calm, and apparently pleased, tho' he seldom spoke." She adds, "I shall miss him very much, he was a faithful and affectionate servant - and in traveling watchful and attentive to my comfort." She had intended to send for Reverend Charles E. Ambler of Zion Episcopal Church in Charles Town for George's funeral, but "Mary Jane preferred 'Solomon,'" a Baptist preacher.

  1. The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon
  2. Historic manuscript collection, 1601/1933
  3. Series 1. Documents and Manuscripts
  4. Manuscripts Box 74, 1855/1857

Letter, John S. Wright to John Augustine Washington III, 1855 Box 74, Folder 1855.09.23

Autograph letter signed by prominent Chicago machinery producer J. S. Wright. He writes to John Augustine with condolences on the death of his mother, Jane C. Washington. He writes that his mother and John Augustine's were alike: "Both were eminently kind. Religion made both cheerful, animated, companionable... we have known & tried a Mother's love."

  1. The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon
  2. Historic manuscript collection, 1601/1933
  3. Series 1. Documents and Manuscripts
  4. Manuscripts Box 74, 1855/1857

Letter, Unknown author to "my dear Steinberger", 1855 Box 74, Folder 1855.01.00

A.L.S. 1 page. Philadelphia. My dear Steinberger, my kinsman our friend John Alexander is about to visit the Pacific as flag Lieutenant of Admiral Bruce the newly appointed commander of the fleet. As is the fortune of war it may happen that he shall be in your neighborhood. I have thought it best to give him this introduction to you. Note on another page reads "Genl. Washington Five letters receved back from my friend Dr. A.L. Elwyn after publication in Minutes, Phila. (?) Jany. 4, 1854."

  1. The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon
  2. Historic manuscript collection, 1601/1933
  3. Series 1. Documents and Manuscripts
  4. Manuscripts Box 74, 1855/1857

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