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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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Account book, tobacco book, negros the property of Robert Peter taken November, lots in the city of Washington 178 pages Box 37

Book of tobacco sales, list of enslaved persons belonging to Robert Peter, and lots of Robert Peter in the City of Washington with division by squares for the Commissioners and how they are disposed. The bound volume is made up of 178 pages. Pages 52-147 are blank. At some point the volume is flipped and entries are begun at the back of the book from pages 178-154. For viewing purposes those pages have been reoriented and reordered.

  1. Series 18. Letterbooks, Notebooks, and Bound Volumes

Account of George Peter for burial expenses 1 pages Box 12, Folder 01

Includes a $5 charge on 23 October 1813 for a coffin "for a black man." On 9 February 1814, Peter was charged $50.00 for a lined coffin covered with black cloth, among other expenses, possibly following the death of his first wife, Ann Plater Peter, or one of their young sons.

  1. Series 13. Papers of Major George Peter
  2. Subseries 13.1. Business Correspondence
  3. Business Correspondence
Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library

Office of the President records

20 Linear Feet

This record group contains materials created by the University's Presidents while carrying out their job duties. The individual presidents will eventually receive their own collection guide and unique identifier. This collection is unprocessed.

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African Americans at Washington and Lee website

A timeline is being developed on the university website by a special working group established in August 2013 by Washington and Lee President Kenneth P. Ruscio to explore the role of African Americans in the history of the University. The University Library is capturing this timeline using Archive-It.

  1. Miscellaneous
Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library

Reid Family papers

14 Linear Feet

Series 1 of this collection primarily covers the period from 1763 through Samuel McDowell Reid's death in 1869. There are also a few later items dealing chiefly with his estate. The bulk of the papers deals with business matters. Documents concern such matters as the James River and Kanawha Company, the North River Navigation Company, Washington College's relationship with the Society of the Cincinnati, slavery, and the financial dealings of John Robinson and the Hare family. Series 2 is comprised of a second set of materials received at a later date. The correspondence supplements that found in Series 1. The other materials consist chiefly of court and other legal records during the 74-year period (1778-1852) in which Andrew and his son, Samuel McDowell Reid, were clerks of the court of Rockbridge County: tavern licenses, taxation lists, apprenticeship deeds, voter lists, militia rolls, invoices, etc. There are also some Washington College papers.

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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.

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Articles of agreement, house carpenter and joiner Box 6, Folder 1793.00.00

Contracts services for one year-house carpenter and Joiner should conduct themselves soberly, honestly and deliberately-duties: superintend Negro carpenters, use proper care with tools, keep an account (in a book) of needs and things done, should set a good example, and will remain at work from light to dark-pay is 10 pounds a month- George Washington will provide: meat and meal or flour, tools, quarters, and will pay taxes.

  1. Series 1. From George Washington

Book, Overseer's Account book Box 38

This ledger includes a list of slaves at the Mount Vernon Plantations, clothing alloted to them each year, inventory of cattle, Nov. 15, 1785, accounts with the several plantations, accounts with shoemakers, overseers, and bricklayers. With other Accounts (including ones from George Augustine and Lawrence A. Washington, Tobias Lear, John and H. Fairfax, and Anthony Whiting).

  1. Series 3. Ledgers and Bound Manuscripts

Document, Carpenter's Report Box 25, Folder 1793.02.17

Report of recent carpentry work done at Mount Vernon: Getting new logs & gutter piece & shingles for roof & chimney of overseers house at Muddy Hole -- "straching" the well rope & fixing it to well -- preparing plow -- "to drawing the brick kill at dogue Runn" -- mending shoes -- drawing and jointing shingles -- "to trying up stuff for Bench plains."

  1. Series 2. To George Washington
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

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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Bill, Dr. John Sutherland to Mary Washington Box 2, Folder 1751.00.00

A.D.S. 1 page. Bill for June 14, 1751-April 3, 1752 for medical care, including one entry "Jan 10 [1752] To a large box antiscorbutick Ointm. for Mr. George Washington." Also includes entries "a Visit to yr Negro wench," and "Drawing a tooth for yr Negro." Autograph document signed, laminated, docketed "Rect. Doctr. Sutherland April 27th 1752 1.6.9.," badly charred. Receipted on April 27, 1752 for Dr. Sutherland by [ ] Peyton.

  1. Series 1. Documents and Manuscripts
  2. Manuscripts Box 2

Bond, Robert Fulton to Fanny Bassett Washington Box 31, Folder 1798.01.14

D.S. 1 page. Bond. Fulton agrees to pay Mrs. Washington, widow of George Augustine Washington, thirty-five pounds "... upon the first day of January next ensuing [1799] ... for the hire of a Negro Man named Reuben for one year ..." Frances Bassett Washington (Lear) died in 1796 so it is unclear who this document is really intended for, or if the date is incorrect.

  1. Series 1. Documents and Manuscripts
  2. Manuscripts Box 31
The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon

Lawrence Lewis family papers

3.25 Linear Feet

This collection (269 letters) includes correspondence regarding family matters, farm business, legal questions about various wills, including that of George Washington, buying and selling of slaves and land, letters from friends, travels, and business interests. Also included are financial papers, including accounts and bills for various services, many dealing with daily life, building materials, education expenses, books, taxes paid/owed, and financial transactions.

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Charles Carter to Lawrence Lewis Box 2, Folder 10

Culpeper to Woodlawn. Asking for money to buy more enslaved workers. Payment of amount owed by Judge [Bushrod] Washington.

  1. Correspondence

Daingerfield Lewis to Lawrence Lewis Box 5, Folder 9

Society Hill to Woodlawn. Has had money to pay his uncle back, but enslaved workers have been so cheap he decided to invest money there.

  1. Correspondence
James Madison University

Brown Family papers

0.18 cubic feet 3 folders
The Brown Family Papers, 1872-1919, consist of correspondence and other materials pertaining to the Brown Family of the Shenandoah Valley, Virginia. Also included are photographs, printing blocks, and a typescript copy of Johannes Braun's 1818 "Treatise on slavery and serfdom."Johannes Braun or John Brown, born 1771 in Germany and later settling in the Shenandoah Valley, became the leading minister of the German Reformed Church in Virginia.
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Brown Family papers 0.18 cubic feet 3 folders

Brown family
The Brown Family Papers, 1872-1919, consist of correspondence and other materials pertaining to the Brown Family of the Shenandoah Valley, Virginia. Also included are photographs, printing blocks, and a typescript copy of Johannes Braun's 1818 "Treatise on slavery and serfdom."Johannes Braun or John Brown, born 1771 in Germany and later settling in the Shenandoah Valley, became the leading minister of the German Reformed Church in Virginia.
The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon

Bushrod Washington family papers

1.5 Linear Feet (4 boxes)

The Bushrod Washington Family Papers consist of documents gathered by the descendants of the first President of the United States, George Washington. The collection comprises an assortment of correspondence and legal documents documenting the lives and property ownership of several branches of the Washington family. The collection is organized into five series: Correspondence, Legal Documents, Social, Miscellaneous, and Indenture Notices (Land Deeds).

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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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Edward C. Turner to John Augustine Washington III 4 pages Box 9, Folder 1861.06.10

Letter from Edward C. Turner to John Augustine Washington III, updating him on the conditions at Waveland, Washington's estate, while he is absent in the army. He reports that the overseer at Mount Vernon has said that the enslaved population is in a state of rebellion there. He worries that if the Union army takes possession of Camp Pickens; a large number of enslaved people have been sent to the area to build embankments. Autograph letter signed, 4 pages, with envelope

  1. Series 1. Correspondence
  2. Subseries 1.1. John Augustine Washington III

Edward C. Turner to John Augustine Washington III 4 pages Box 9, Folder 1861.06.24

Letter from Edward C. Turner to John Augustine Washington III concerning the maintenance of his estate at Waveland while he's away with the army. Turner advises Washington that he should buy tobacco, candles, and tea for the enslaved people. The Union army has retreated from the local area. He makes a brief reference to a revolt among the enslaved at Mount Vernon. Autograph letter signed, 4 pages, with envelope.

  1. Series 1. Correspondence
  2. Subseries 1.1. John Augustine Washington III

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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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