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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.

This collection consists of the papers of the Randolph Family of Edgehill, (commonly called the Edgehill-Randolph Papers) and the Wilson Cary Nicholas papers, ca. 787 items (6 Hollinger boxes, 2.5 linear shelf feet), ca. 1765-1869, and undated.

Papers (including correspondence, legal documents, and accounts) of James McGavock (1728-1812), his son James McGavock (1764-1838) and his grandsons James McGavock (1804-1839) and Stephen McGavock (1807-1880). Many of the papers concern lead mines at Fort Chiswell, Va, slavery, agriculture, aspects of the Revolutionary War, and other. Included are a list of parish levies before 1776; receipts for supplies issued at Fort Chiswell, Wythe County, Va. and at Fort Patrick Henry, Tenn. for an expedition, 1776-1777, against the Cherokees; and county tax and fee bills for Augusta, Bedford, Botetourt, Montgomery, Pittsylvania, Washington and Wythe counties, Va. The collection includes genealogical information on the McGavock and Boyd families and letters written by members of the Cloyd family and by John Williamson McGavock while attending the University of Virginia.

Business, military and legal papers, chiefly 1774-1822, of Richard Billups of Mathews and Gloucester Counties, Virginia. Papers include accounts, land records, and correspondence and some concern shipbuilding. Includes minutes, 1842, of a temperance meeting and Methodist church records.

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.

This collection of papers, 1650-1898, consists of ca. 710 items pertaining to the Latane familyof Essex County, Virginia. Included are correspondence, business and legal papers, papers re military and religious matters, school notebooks, and certificates of graduation from schools at the University of Virginia.

This collection, 1745-1910, n.d., of ca. 2100 items, consists of correspondence, business and legal papers, miscellaneous, and bound volumes, pertaining to the Davis Family, Saunders Family, and Watts Family. Large portions of the correspondence belong to William Wattsand Fleming Saunders. Included with the correspondence is a letterbook, 1873-1880, of Frank Prufer. The business papers include accounts, bonds, correspondence, and notes and receipts, chiefly pertaining to William Wattsand Fleming Saunders, but also various members of these families. The legal papers include court dockets and memoranda of William Watts, documents, and wills. There are various legal papers of William Wattspertaining to Virginiacounties including Amelia County, Amherst County, Buckingham County, Campbell County, Cumberland County, Prince Edward County. The miscellaneous material includes advertisements, educational papers, photographs, printed, religious papers, and fragments. The bound volumes include day books, a blacksmith book, a farm journal, memorandum books, and a township record. Folders are arranged alphabetically within each series, with material inside arranged chronologically.

Papers, 1765 (1800-1890) 1939, of the Austin, Twyman, Spiller and Horsley families of Amherst and Buckingham counties, Virginia.

The records of the Office of the Bursar are some of the earliest and most comprehensive records of the College of William and Mary from the 18th century surviving to the present day. Of particular note are various references to individuals enslaved by the College as well as to the Brafferton Indian School. The collection includes Bursar's reports, financial statements, statements of rents due to the College, accounts with individuals, lists of tenants, receipts and expenditures, revenues from the exportation of tobacco, duties on skins and furs, bills of lading, as well as indentures of people to the College. The account books reference student accounts, including that of Thomas Jefferson.

Papers of the Jerdone family, 1753--1890 (bulk 1771-1845): letters, letterbooks, diaries and account books of immigrant Francis Jerdone (1721-1771), a Scottish factor who lived in Hanover County, Yorktown and Louisa County, Virginia, and letters of his wife, Sarah (Macon) Jerdone.