Collections

Chiefly letters written to Robert Beverley (1769-1843) of "Blandfield," Essex County, Virginia and Georgetown, D.C. from his sister Lucy (Beverley) Randolph, her husband Brett Randolph and their son Richard Randolph, Jr. (1795-1885). The letters concern slaves given to Lucy Beverley Randolph and her children by her father Robert Beverley (d. 1800), and held in trust by her brother Robert Beverley, some of which were sold to pay debts incurred by her husband.

Four page letter from Williamsburg, Virginia in which Henry writes about financial matters with his father, Lawrence, and describes his responsibilities at the college in his new position. He also writes to his father regarding the low price Lawrence was able to get on his corn crop. Henry seems hopeful though that the future crop Lawrence has will be plentiful and will fetch a better price. Additionally, Henry laments that he cannot travel home to see Mother and other family in Westmoreland because of his duties at the college which require him to remain in the area of Williamsburg.

Four page letter dated February 17, 1847 from Henry Augustine Washington to his mother, Sarah Tayloe Washington, who was the wife of Lawrence Augustine Washington. Letter is written from Richmond, Virginia to Mattox Bridge in Westmoreland County, Virginia. Washington writes about the sale of corn and grains in the United States as related specifically to the famine in Ireland and England. He also writes about politics and the issues with Calhoun, the Mexican War, and the status of political parties in Washington, D.C.

This collection consists of the papers of Henry A. Washington, professor of history and political economy at the College of William and Mary. Dates include 1835-1859. The collection Includes correspondence, poetical compositions, diaries kept while practicing law in Richmond, Va., writings and addresses, legal and financial papers, and the manuscript of his edition of the Writings of Thomas Jefferson as well as supporting documentation for that project. Prominent correspondents include John Moncure Daniel, William and Mary faculty/staff (Benjamin S. Ewell, Tazewell Taylor, Morgan J. Smead, Silas Totten), John Johns, and family members.

4 page letter from Phillip Jones to Lawrence Washington dated March 16, 1849 from Louisa Courthouse, Virginia. Jones writes to his fellow William and Mary graduate located in Westmoreland Cort House, Virginia about an inquiry about familial ties to Henry A. Washington, Professor of Political Economy at the College of William and Mary. Jones continues in his letter to confess that he was a student at William and Mary some forty years earlier when "Bishop Madison, St. George Tucker, and George Blackburg lectured in her halls". Jones conveys his delight that Washington was appointed to the college and that its reputation will be restored with the new President of the school, John Johns who also committed to have the college remain in Williamsburg and to restore its neglected infrastructure.

Three page letter detailing Richard's opinion of brother Tayloe's plans to become a country merchant. Richard also sends news of other family members in his correspondence such as Uncle Dick's lottery and exchange business, Vene's rejection of an engagement proposal, and George and Very McCleary's engagement despite George not having the funds to support a spouse.

Two page letter from Saunders, President of the College of William and Mary, from Williamsburg, Virginia to The Honorable Henry A. Wise, informing him that a messenger had arrived recently to inform him that John Tyler had been elected President of the United States.

Contains letters, receipts, legal papers and other materials, 1854-1889, related to the Lawrence Washington family of "Oak Grove," Westmoreland County, Virginia. Includes letters written to Lawrence Washington and to his son Robert James Washington. Includes a letter, 1868, from Cynthia Beverley Tucker Washington Coleman concerning land in Minnesota which belonged to her first husband, Henry Augustine Washington.