Letter, Eliza Parke Custis Law to Gideon Snow

Containers:

Box 55, Folder 1830.10.24

Creator:

Law, Elizabeth Parke Custis, 1776-1831

Scope and content:

A.L.S. 5 pages. Washington to Boston. Eliza writes that Mr. Blagden was to take letter, but did not stop in to visit, only sending his card -- perhaps he was told she wouldn't receive strangers -- she broke up housekeeping and is living quietly in lodgings -- she goes soon for several months to her sister's (Nelly Lewis's), in Alexandria where she has gone to procure masters for youngest child [Angela] -- had rather be there than at other brother and sisters where she once lived with her child and then grandchildren -- R[ogers], since his marriage, has kept [grand]children from her -- she hasn't seen them for 18 months -- she lives in state of anxiety and distress, with constant pain in her side -- she relates her efforts to help Snow's son politically -- she is now in Gadsby's National Hotel near Bank of Washington -- complains of the difficulty in getting good servants -- "the liberation of many negroes within the last twelve or fifteen years, has rendered them generally worthless - utterly corrupted the slaves, so that now 'tis almost impossible to hire a decent servant." -- Mary Lee Randolph Custis is engaged to marry youngest son of General Lighthorse Harry Lee [that is, Robert E. Lee]. Name on original manuscript appears as "Eliza P. Custis." Autograph letter signed, integral cover, directed "Hond. by the Revd. George Washington Blagden," but crossed out, postmarked "Washington City.[ ]Nov.[ ]," laminated, watermark.

Names:

Law, Elizabeth Parke Custis, 1776-1831

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