Collections : [The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon]

The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon

The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon
3600 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway
Mount Vernon, VA 22121
Primary Collecting Areas:
George and Martha Washington, Mount Vernon, Founding Era and Early Republic, Historic preservation, Decorative arts, Mount Vernon Ladies' Association
Description:

The Fred W. Smith National Library includes general collections, special collections and archives as a resource for scholars, students, and those interested in George Washington, colonial America and the Revolutionary and founding eras.

The library's general collections include secondary source materials on the Washington and Custis families, and the colonial and founding eras.

The Special Collections materials highlight the lives of George and Martha Washington as well as their descendants through correspondence, financial materials, and original books from George and Martha Washington's library.

The archives of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association holds the historic institutional records of the organization dating back to its founding in 1853.

POC: Reference services
Phone: (703) 780-3600
Start Over Repository The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon Collection Historic manuscript collection, 1601/1933 Names Butler, Frances Parke, 1799-1875

Historic manuscript collection, 1601/1933 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.

  1. The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon

Letter, Eleanor Parke Custis Lewis to Frances Parke Butler, 1827 Box 52, Folder 1827.05.26

Letter from Eleanor Parke Custis Lewis to 'My dear child,' Frances Parke Butler. This letter, written from Arlington while visiting her brother George Washington Parke Custis and 'Aunt Mary' briefly mentions Bushrod Washington's needed improvements to Mount Vernon, and repairs made to Woodlawn Plantation. She desires Parke send her a finished 'picture' of Parke herself, which she believes will be a 'faithful likeness.' She requests for it to be sent unframed and in placed in a morocco case for proper storage. Eleanor promises to send Parke various sundry goods, including corsets, corals, and silks. She also discusses family matters, including the death of Parke's 'Good Uncle Carter,' and the reaction of Eleanor's half sibling, also named Eleanor. Eleanor writes using a common 19th century practice of cross-writing. Autograph letter signed, 3 pages. Postmarked Alexandria, May 27.

  1. The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon
  2. Historic manuscript collection, 1601/1933
  3. Series 1. Documents and Manuscripts
  4. Manuscripts Box 52, 1826/1827

Letter, Frances Parke Butler to Lawrence Lewis, 1838 Box 62, Folder 1838.03.29

A.L.S. 3 pages. Hoping that he will visit them at Bayou Goula. News of her children. She is anxious for news of the Lorenzo Lewis family. Name on original manuscript appears as "F. P. Butler." Integral cover, wax seal.

  1. The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon
  2. Historic manuscript collection, 1601/1933
  3. Series 1. Documents and Manuscripts
  4. Manuscripts Box 62, 1837/1838

Letter, Frances Parke Butler to Lorenzo Lewis, 1824 Box 50, Folder 1824.05.10

A.L.S. 3 pages. Woodlawn. Expressing concern over L.L's indisposition News of the death of a friend killed by an explosion in a steam boiler. News of several marriages. Visit of Judge Johnson and Edward Livingston; good prospects for the Judge's election. Name on original manuscript appears as "F. P. Lewis (Butler)." Integral cover, wax seal (broken).

  1. The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon
  2. Historic manuscript collection, 1601/1933
  3. Series 1. Documents and Manuscripts
  4. Manuscripts Box 50, 1824/1825

Letter, Frances Parke Butler to Lorenzo Lewis, 1824 Box 50, Folder 1824.05.29

A.L.S. 3 pages. Philadelphia. Letter with cross-writing. Wishing him a quick recovery from his indisposition. News of the preparations for her impending visit to Phila. News of her household. Integral cover, wax seal. Name on original manuscript appears as "F. P. Lewis (Butler)."

  1. The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon
  2. Historic manuscript collection, 1601/1933
  3. Series 1. Documents and Manuscripts
  4. Manuscripts Box 50, 1824/1825

Letter, Frances Parke Butler to Lorenzo Lewis, 1843 Box 65, Folder 1843.06.25

A.L.S. 3 pages. Thanking him for his kindness for taking into his care his young nephew Edward Butler, and discussing the arrangements. Expressing the need to get Edward out of the state of Louisiana:"the less he sees of this state: its manner and its morals, the better for himself." Name on original manuscript appears as "F. P. Butler." Integral cover, wax seal.

  1. The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon
  2. Historic manuscript collection, 1601/1933
  3. Series 1. Documents and Manuscripts
  4. Manuscripts Box 65, 1843/1844

Letter, Mary Eliza Angela Lewis and Eleanor Parke Custis Lewis to Frances Parke Butler, 1832 Box 56, Folder 1832.05.26

Letter to Frances Lewis Butler from her sister and mother. Mary Eliza Angela Lewis, also nicknamed 'Tiffin,' writes to her sister about her recent trip to Washington, D. C. where she witnessed debates in the Senate and House. Confesses that she also attended a '[Henry] Clay meeting' and rather enjoyed it. Reports that members from the meeting later visited Mount Vernon and Mr. Bradford of Virginia delivered an excellent and appropriate address at the tomb. Mentions other family members. Nelly adds her own letter to the latter part of the document, commenting on 'Sonny's' portrait [by Chapman] and the response of a visitor as the "best likeness of a child he ever saw." It is the greatest ornament in their parlor. Writes about the weather, picking wild strawberries and various family members as well as upcoming travel plans. Autograph letter signed, 4 pages. Postmarked Alexandria, May 28.

  1. The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon
  2. Historic manuscript collection, 1601/1933
  3. Series 1. Documents and Manuscripts
  4. Manuscripts Box 56, 1831/1832

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