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Start Over Collection John Augustine Washington III and Mount Vernon Ladies' Association (MVLA) collection, 1834/1957 Access Online access

Draft agreement for sale of Mount Vernon to John Linton, 1853 Box 1

Agreement to sell 200 acres of Mount Vernon for $200,000. Includes all buildings and the tomb, as well as furnishings currently there. Also will allow heirs to be buried there. He may not sell the estate without first offering it to the U.S. Government and the State of Virginia for no more than $350,000.

  1. The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon
  2. John Augustine Washington III and Mount Vernon Ladies' Association (MVLA) collection, 1834/1957

John Augustine Washington III and Mount Vernon Ladies' Association (MVLA) collection, 1834/1957 3 Linear Feet 7 boxes

Washington, John Augustine, III, 1821-1861

This collection concerns the inheritance, maintenance, and sale of the Mount Vernon estate by its last private owner, John Augustine Washington III. A large majority of the collection is correspondence to or from John Augustine Washington III with a significant portion relating to the purchase of the estate by the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association. Three diaries kept by John Augustine are also included and contain important information about his slaves, agricultural practices, and finances. Other types of material in the collection include legal documents, receipts, photographs, and ephemera. Photocopies were made for most of the manuscripts and can be viewed as surrogates to the originals.

  1. The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon

Letter, Benson Lossing to John Augustine Washington III, 1858 Box 4

Is involved in illustrating an article about Mount Vernon as it is of interest to the American people. Wants to visit to sketch objects that have not been drawn. The MVLA is in favor of such an article to assist with their fund raising.

  1. The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon
  2. John Augustine Washington III and Mount Vernon Ladies' Association (MVLA) collection, 1834/1957

Letter, George C. Thorburn to John Augustine Washington III, 1855/1860 Box 1

Apologizes for having intruded too much on his privacy during a recent visit when Mrs. Ritchie and others of the ladies "took forcible possession of me" and requested cuttings of flowers. Hopes he will establish a Botanic Garden and suggests a location for a Mausoleum.

  1. The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon
  2. John Augustine Washington III and Mount Vernon Ladies' Association (MVLA) collection, 1834/1957

Letter, Jane C.B. Washington to John Augustine Washington III, 1838 Box 1

Gives family news and an account of a visit by a gentleman who spent the night at Mount Vernon and gave $5 to West Ford. Discusses sale of a slave to his cousin. Has heard of a bill by the federal government to purchase Mount Vernon and wishes it would be accepted. Mentions prices and terms.

  1. The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon
  2. John Augustine Washington III and Mount Vernon Ladies' Association (MVLA) collection, 1834/1957

Letter, John Augustine Washington III to "my dear cousin, " Eliza Lidden (?) or Selden, 1845 Box 1

Is in the market to purchase negroes as one of his men, Alfred, has run off. Wants to know whether she still wishes to dispose of her negroes and what her price would be. He could pay $500 cash and then pay off the principal in a year or two.

  1. The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon
  2. John Augustine Washington III and Mount Vernon Ladies' Association (MVLA) collection, 1834/1957

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