Collections

The collection consists of correspondence, reports, surveys, newspaper clippings, biographies and other written works, bibliographies, excerpts from diaries, letters, inventories and ledgers, various types of architectural and archaeological drawings, maps, and images documenting the work and research conducted during Morley Jeffers Williams's tenure at George Washington's Mount Vernon. Williams compiled the majority of the documents and images found in this collection between 1931 and 1939; however, the information contained within these records dates from 1602 to 1967. The bulk of the collection consists of numerous architectural and archaeological drawings detailing past and contemporary views of George Washington's estate; furthermore, there are several drawings depicting possible future renovations to Mount Vernon. This collection also contains a large amount of scholarly research pertaining to George Washington, Mount Vernon, and 18th-century life and culture. This information provides an in-depth understanding of George Washington's life, particularly concerning his interactions with his estate. Other documentation charts the efforts of Morley Jeffers Williams as he worked to restore the structures and landscape at Mount Vernon.

Collection contains family letters and other family accounts from Leila James Mosby and her husband Charles W. Russell. Russell was an officer during the American Civil War for the Confederate Army and an author as well as diplomat to Persia (modern day Iran). Mosby was the sister of Confederate officer John S. Mosby.

Accounts, 1758-1792, of Moses Leonard, treasurer and collector of taxes for several parishes in West Springfield, Mass.

This record group contains archived materials about and created by Washington and Lee University's museums, comprised of Lee Chapel and Museum, the Reeves Collection, and the university's art collection, during the course of its regular business, such as official publications and records of its management.

Original letters and documents pertaining to the history of early Virginia, particularly Williamsburg, and negative prints of pages containing accounts of Williamsburg found in 18th century gazeteers.

The account and barter book contains handwriting samples and aphorisms. Account notations are in British currency. Rum and molasses are the predominant products listed. It also includes a poem on the American Revolutionary War effort of New Hampshire's soldiers by William Proctor. The poem includes a mention of General George Washington.

Papers, 1672-1936, relating to the Northern Neck of Virginia. Includes plat, 1672, of 40 acres of land belonging to Ambrose Fielding and Jon Southerland and surveyed by Jo. Haynie; photocopy of warrant, 1694, for a survey and grant of Doeg's Island to William Sherwood (signed by Marguerite [Margaret] Culpeper, [Thomas, Lord] Fairfax, Catherine Fairfax, Alexander Culpeper and agents W[illia]m Fitzhugh and George Brent); typescript of petition, 1783, of Robert, Lord Fairfax and Denny Martin [Fairfax] to the Virginia General Assembly; and newspaper clipping, 1936, of an article by F. G. Lankford concerning education in the Northern Neck during the colonial period.

The records of the Office of the Bursar are some of the earliest and most comprehensive records of the College of William and Mary from the 18th century surviving to the present day. Of particular note are various references to individuals enslaved by the College as well as to the Brafferton Indian School. The collection includes Bursar's reports, financial statements, statements of rents due to the College, accounts with individuals, lists of tenants, receipts and expenditures, revenues from the exportation of tobacco, duties on skins and furs, bills of lading, as well as indentures of people to the College. The account books reference student accounts, including that of Thomas Jefferson.

Family papers of the Orum, Eskey, and McCaffery families of Sherrard, West Virginia. The collection includes books, genealogy pages from Ancestry, tax documents, correspondence, family photographs, realia, etc. Correspondence includes letters from two Eskey family members who served in World War I. Realia (artifacts) includes a three-star blue star service lapel pin from World War I and a knitted mitten. Most of the photographs are labeled with the name(s) of the subject(s).

Papers, 1727-1918, chiefly 1781-1875, of members of the related Overton, Ragland, Claybrooke and Hart families of Louisa County, Va. and Haywood Co., Tenn. The early papers are primarily legal documents, accounts and account books of John Ragland and Samuel Ragland and correspondence of the children of Samuel Ragland. After 1797, the collection concerns the legal and business papers of Samuel Overton, Thomas Overton, Waller Overton and Sally Overton Claybrooke. After 1810, the collection concerns the Claybrooke family in Tennessee.