Collections

Letters, 1779-1792, from George Mason at "Gunston Hall," Fairfax Co., Va. to his son John in Bordeaux, France and to Richard Henry Lee commenting on Maryland's claim to Virginia's western lands; and a political essay, post 24 January 1791 by Mason on representation in Fairfax Co., Va. Includes papers and letters of other members of the Mason and Thomson families, in particular, Stevens Thomson Mason (his will and a letter to James Monroe on Alien and Sedition Laws), Armistead Thomson Mason (his will), Ann Mason; and biographical information by John Thomson Mason.

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.

Two rolled family charts entitled "The Gideon Macon Family Tree Drawing."

Booklet No. 1, 18th and 19th Century People, compiled by Hazel Groves Hansrote, 1957. Lists names of pioneers, ministers, soldiers, and teachers of early [West] Virginia, and adjoining counties of Maryland, with places of, residence and dates as compiled from approximately sixteen sources, including Withers Chronicles of Border Warfare; Hampshire County Court Records; Virginia Genealogy and County Records; Official Records of Frederick County; American State Papers, Claims XIX, Virginia; Allegany County, Md., Records; and History of Allegany County, Thomas and Williamas. Also, an ALS from Mrs. Hansrote to the WVU Library Staff expressing her appreciation of assistance received, 1958 February 15.

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.