Mary Louisa Slacum Benham Papers (MS062)

Access and use

Location of collection:
Alexandria Library
Alexandria Library
Local History/Special Collections
717 Queen Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Patricia Walker, Branch Manager
Phone: (703) 746-1719
Phone: (703) 838-4577
Fax: (703) 706-3912
Preferred citation:

[item identification], Mary Louisa Slacum Benham Papers, MS062, Alexandria Library, Local History and Special Collections, Alexandria, Virginia.

Summary

Extent:
.184 Cubic Feet 22 folders
Creator:
Mary Louisa Slacum Benham, 1802-1884
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

[item identification], Mary Louisa Slacum Benham Papers, MS062, Alexandria Library, Local History and Special Collections, Alexandria, Virginia.

Background

Scope and content:

Notes and reminiscences of Mrs. Benham's life from her childhood and youth in Alexandria to her adult travels along the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers. Also covers the settlement of Oregon (through her brother William's experiences there), the careers of her siblings and her elderly musings. Alexandria sections include materials on Mrs. Benham's family life, the Potomac River, Monsieur Generis' dancing school, the Woods and Warren Play Actors (the summer theater), Parson Muir, Bishop Meade, Christ Church, Mount Vernon, Washington Lodge, Washington City and President Monroe's daughter's wedding. Also highlighted are many prominent Virginia and Washington D.C. families such as the Washington's, Lewis', Moore's, McCormick's, Meade's and Vowell's. Local customs, social life and institutions are discussed.

Custodial history:

Material was acquired from the Lloyd House (Alexandria, VA.), through Mrs. Betsy Stark, the descendant of Mrs. Benham.

Accruals:

No accruals are expected.

Physical facet:
Contents include fragile handwritten documents. Handle with care.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard