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The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon

Peter family papers

12 Linear Feet 46 boxes

This collection consists of papers collected by various members of the Peter families. It includes letters from George Washington, letters of condolence to Martha Washington after George Washington's death, estate documents, Major George Peter's military papers, land plats and surveys, photo albums, letterbooks, and notebooks that tell of the life of this prominent family in Virginia and the City of Washington.

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Accounts of Martha Washington with printer Ellis Price 1 pages Box 7, Folder 22

Accounts dated February 13, March 11, and April 12, 1800 for newspaper advertisements and handbills purchased by Martha Washington from Ellis Price, printer of The Columbian Mirror and Alexandria Gazette. Items Martha purchased include 26 advertisements for a house to rent, an advertisement about the Mount Vernon fishery, 23 advertisements about the donkey Knight of Malta, and notice about the runaway slave Marcus.

  1. Series 11. Papers of Thomas Peter
  2. Subseries 11.1. Financial Documents
The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon

George Washington collection

approx. 25 Linear Feet

This collection contains letters to and from George Washington that have been aquired by the MVLA since 1858. For more information, see content note for individal items. The collection grows organically as new items are acquired.

Top 3 results view all 4

Letter, from Betty Lewis Box 26, Folder 1794.02.09

Betty writes that Harriot is very pleased with items Washington sent to her from Philadelphia--she is very deserving and takes care of her things--two valuable Negro hands have run away, probably to Philadelphia to be free, and Betty asks her brother's advice in the matter--her next year's crops will be negligible unless they can be returned. Autograph letter signed, 1 page.

  1. Series 2. To George Washington

Letter, from Lund Washington Box 18, Folder 1776.01.17

In this letter Lunds writes about trying to recover runaway negro from [Jennifer] Adams and rent from Adams along with affairs of other tenants, among other topics.

  1. Series 2. To George Washington

Letter, to Burwell Bassett Box 15, Folder 1799.08.11

Some time ago a mulatto girl, body servant to Mrs. Washington, ran away--she was found in Portsmouth, N.H.--asks Bassett that since he is going to Portsmouth, would he take steps to send her back--a Frenchman enticed her away but has left her--if she causes no further trouble, she won't be punished--Washington doesn't wish him to do anything "unpleasant, or troublesome" to bring her back.

  1. Series 1. From George Washington
The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon

Historic manuscript collection

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.

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Letter, Noblet Herbert to John Augustine Washington III Box 66, Folder 1845.02.11

Autograph letter signed. Leesburg. N. Herbert, a cousin of John Augustine, writes about Alfred, an enslaved man who escaped from Mount Vernon and voluntarily surrendered himself to the Loudon County Jail in Leesburg. Herbert writes that slave traders Joseph Bruin of Alexandria and William Bale of Exeter were inquiring about Alfred but recommends that Augustine keep him.

  1. Series 1. Documents and Manuscripts
  2. Manuscripts Box 66
The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon

Beebe collection of Washington family papers

.5 Linear Feet

This collection includes correspondence between John Augustine Washington III and his mother and wife, as well as other family members, mostly dealing with family matters and running Mount Vernon.

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The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon

John Augustine Washington III and family papers

approx 4 Linear Feet 15 boxes

This collection contains correspondence, legal documents, financial records, and other documents related to John Augustine Washington III and his family, especially his son, Lawrence, as well as his granddaughters, Anne and Patty. The bulk of the correspondence series are letters sent to John Augustine Washington III and concern family affairs and the management of various family plantations, including Mount Vernon.

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Sholto T. Stuart to John Augustine Washington III 3 pages Box 8, Folder 1859.10.23

Letter from Sholto T. Stuart to John Augustine Washington III inviting him to his upcoming wedding. He asks Washington for the use of one of his enslaved men for the dining room for the wedding day. An enslaved man from Stuart's household escaped. Autograph letter signed, 3 pages.

  1. Series 1. Correspondence
  2. Subseries 1.1. John Augustine Washington III
The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon

Historic newspapers collection

3.75 Linear Feet 15 boxes

The collection includes 185 titles spanning 200 years; all related to George Washington, his family, and Mount Vernon.

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The Philadelphia Gazette and Universal Daily Advertiser, Philadelphia, PA

Plantation manager James Anderson places an advertisement in the Philadelphia Gazette and Universal Daily Advertiser, 30 May 1800, found on page 4. At the bottom of column 2 is a notice for Marcus, a runaway slave and household servant at Mount Vernon including a physical description. Marcus belonged to Martha Washington.
  1. The Philadelphia Gazette and Universal Daily Advertiser, Philadelphia, PA

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Finding aids may contain historical terms and phrases, reflecting the shared attitudes and values of the community from which they were collected, but are offensive to modern readers. These include demeaning and dehumanizing references to race, ethnicity, and nationality; enslaved or free status; physical or mental ability; religion; sex; and sexual orientation and gender identity.

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