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 Date range 1773 Creator Washington, George, 1732-1799

Account with George Mercer, by George Washington 1 pages Box 1, Folder 1774.01.25

Account of transactions and costs between George Washington and George Mercer, in Washington's writing. The listed transactions detail Washington's efforts to secure bounty lands granted to veterans of the French and Indian War under the Proclamation of 1754 on behalf of Mercer and his brother. The docket, in Washington's writing, lists a total cost of £40.11.11. Autograph document signed, 1 page.

  1. The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon
  2. Ted and Mary Wendell early American collection
  3. Series 1. Manuscripts

Chapin collection of Washington & Custis family documents .5 Linear Feet (2 boxes)

Lewis, Eleanor Parke Custis, 1779-1852

This collection consists of papers inherited and collected by Washington family descendants. Many were purchased in 1927 at auction to reunite Washington family correspondence. The collection includes correspondence, financial documents and legal documents that relate primarily to the Custis and Lewis families, but include other items related to Virginia history. Charles and Peter Chapin, the previous owners of this collection, descended from Eleanor Parke Custis and Lawrence Lewis through Esther Maria Lewis and Charles Chapin. This collection was originally assembled by Esther Maria Lewis Chapin who inherited some of the Washington/Custis papers, but was also an avid collector and brought back together family items that were being dispersed nationwide. This collection is an example of that effort; much of which was at auction in 1927 (Anderson Galleries, sale 2201, 28-29 November 1927).

  1. The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon

Council meeting minutes, by John Blair 1 pages Box 1, Folder 1773.12.16

Order of council written and signed by John Blair, Clerk of the Council, concerning stipulations for lands granted to veterans of the French and Indian War in the Proclamation of 1763. Thomas Walker is listed as the main petitioner. Docketed in George Washington's writing. Autograph document signed, 1 page.

  1. The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon
  2. Ted and Mary Wendell early American collection
  3. Series 1. Manuscripts

Esther Maria Lewis Chapin collection of Washington family documents 1.5 Linear Feet (5 Boxes)

Lewis, Eleanor Parke Custis, 1779-1852

Scope and Content: This collection was originally assembled by Esther Maria Lewis Chapin, who inherited some of the Washington and Custis papers but was also an avid collector. She reassembled family materials that were being dispersed nationwide, much of which was purchased at Anderson Galleries, sale 22001, 28-29 November 1927. The collection contains correspondence, legal documents, and financial records related primarily to the Custis and Lewis families. Much of the financial and legal materials focus on the construction of the New Tomb at Mount Vernon, as well as settling George Washington's estate.The dates of the material in this collection ranges from 1743-1852, with the bulk of the material dating between 1818-1829.

  1. The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon

George Washington collection approx. 25 Linear Feet

Washington, George, 1732-1799

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.

  1. The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon

Letter, George Washington to Jonathan Boucher 1 pages Box 1, Folder 1773.10.17

Letter from George Washington to Jonathan Boucher concerning the tenancy of Washington's lands on the Ohio River. Washington thanks Boucher and a Dr. Barton for their assistance and asks Boucher to provide Dr. Barton with an enclosed advertisement (not identified). Washington goes into detail about the land and his estimation of its value based on location and the probability of the establishment of a new colony on the Ohio. Autograph letter signed, 2 pages.

  1. The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon
  2. Ted and Mary Wendell early American collection
  3. Series 1. Manuscripts

Letter, to Burwell Bassett Box 2, Folder 1773.06.20

"It is an easier matter to conceive than to describe, the distress of this family; especially that of the unhappy parent of our dear Patsy Custis, when I inform you that yesterday removed the sweet Innocent girl into a more happy and peaceful abode than any she has met with in the affected path she hitherto has trod."

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

Lund Washington Account Book Box 112, Shelf Bound Manuscripts/Ledgers

Contains accounts for the running of George Washington's Mount Vernon estate, its constituent farms and businesses. Entries document expenses for the fisheries, tailor work, voyage of the brig (or brigantine) Farmer to Jamaica in 1774, tools, clothing for slaves, expenses for various craftsmen, food, weaving, tobacco, and much more. Earliest entries are said to be in the hand of John Kirkpatrick, while the last two thirds of the volume are in the hand of Lund Washington. About a half dozen notations in George Washington's hand also appear. Quite a few later manuscript additions appear throughout, giving explanations or 'editorial commentary' on the text. Pages numbered 89-107 were removed prior to the original coming to Mount Vernon.

  1. The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon
  2. Historic manuscript collection
  3. Series 2. Ledgers and Bound Manuscripts

Peter family papers 12 Linear Feet 46 boxes

Washington, George, 1732-1799

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.

  1. The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon

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