Lewis, Eleanor Parke Custis, 1779-1852

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Nelly sends Elizabeth her verses on Agnes Lewis which Esther Maria Coxe Lewis copied for her, also translation of some French verses. Sent Elizabeth's verses to Parke and her daughters. She and children inherit a love of the needle and its uses from "Grandmother who was, in all things, a model for her sex." Charles and Lawrence Conrad spent 3 weeks with her. Barton Stout's visit to Woodlawn and verses he wrote while there.

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Small single sheet. Brief note accompanying mementos for her Philadelphia friends. "The silver tissues was Grandmamas wedding dress when united to the Gen'l. The satin she wore at the last Birthnight in Phia.".

Scope and Contents There could be parts of this letter missing, as it begins abruptly with the thought that Nelly's mother predicted she would be blind and deranged by such a life. Hasn't been able to write verses since Lafayette's visit. Quotes poetry written in 1794. [The letter might actually start near the top of what is here the second page, where there is a salutation right after the end of the poem; this would have the previous page of poetry become the end of the letter]. Andrew [Allen's] bad health...

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Received her letter by C. Conrad. Angela and she glad Elizabeth approves of Conrad. Conrad left for New Orleans on 14th. He will return in Spring to marry. Parke's new baby, Caroline [B. Butler]. Fears Charles and Angela will stay in New Orleans indefinitely after their marriage. Nelly intends to accompany them back to New Orleans.

Scope and Contents Nelly extends her condolences on John Gibson's death--sick sister, Mrs. Robinson in very bad health. Caroline Calvert married to Mr. Morris. Parke was too weak to go. Lorenzo a groomsman. So fatigued herself badly "making a desert over the fire" that when it came time for dinner she had to take Seidlitz powders and bind her head with poplar leaves. Sends by Caroline small mementos for Elizabeth Gibson and other Philadelphia friends in thanks for attention extended to Agnes. Pin cushion,...

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Nelly sends Elizabeth some needle work done by her 2 granddaughters [Caroline and E. A. Isabella Butler]. They will probably stay in school there if Mr. Fay [the minister] and his wife [their teacher] stay there, instead of coming to Miss Mercer's school near Audley. Expresses her great desire to travel over the world at this late age. She has a disease of the heart, affection of the liver, rheumatism and deaf in one ear. Conrad will take away Charley and Lewis next winter.

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Nelly encloses note to their afflicted friend, Maria Nixon. More on Edward George Washington Butler's unjust treatment of Parke.

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Major Van[deventer] on his way to New York to see his children. To bring little boy to Georgetown. He will bring back wig, etc. to Woodlawn. $10 enclosed. Please procure harp strings and gold thread.

Scope and Contents Delighted to resume correspondence after a long time. Mourns death of her sister [Eliza P. Custis]. She had nothing to live for. Rogers won't permit children to answer their letters. Parke expects a child. Her two grandsons [George Washington Lewis and Edward George Washington Butler]. Angela quite grown. America [Peter Williams] just had son, and has 3 daughters. Her friend Mrs. Thomas Turner of Fauquier County anxious to procure governess to reside in family and teach English, French, and...

Scope and Contents Mrs. [Thomas] Turner's requirements for a governess. Roads, bad weather and Mr. Lewis's illness have confined them at [Woodlawn] all winter. Unable as yet to see Mrs. G.'s niece, Miss B[ordley]. Gratified with account of Centennial celebration [of George Washington's birth] in Philadelphia. "Philadelphia has never been backward in showing honor to his memory, altho they have not built a monument yet -- I am ashamed of Virginia, she is to pompous, too parading, too full of words rather than...

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Pleased at visit of Elizabeth Gibson's niece to Woodlawn. Fire consumed part of Turner's house near Middleburg, thus Mrs. [Thomas] Turner won't be able to accomodate a governess this year. Gives travel directions on way to Springs. Anticipation of Elizabeth's trip to Woodlawn in June. Angela and Esther [Maria Coxe Lewis, Lorenzo's wife] good friends. Angela independent of beaux. Considers Mr. Frank Gray's Oration at Boston most eloquent and most appropriate she ever read on Feb. 22.

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Pleased to hear she is coming to Woodlawn [on way to Springs]. Gives directions to come by water and carriage.

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Nelly hopes to be in Philadelphia on way home by Lakes and Niagara. Angela has found nothing attractive here in a matrimonial way. Parke and children unable to return east with her in May. Climate very bad on them. Description of landscape and life in springtime. No schools or churches for miles. Sunday, in contrast to northern customs, is a gala day. Indians a few miles off are poor, dirty, and humble. Angela very gay.

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Mr. Lewis has been very ill. Thanks Elizabeth for their visit to Philadelphia and thanks her for visiting her [Nelly's] children in Germantown. Hopes there is no fever in Philadelphia. Mrs. Fullmer, Elizabeth's nurse, received her letter. Fullmer's husband is a worthless drunkard, her daughter in law a worthless woman. Dr. Brown delivered the letter. Sends songs Elizabeth wished. Mr. Lewis has dysentery, made worse because he is bilious and gouty.

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They all have been very sick, E. Mifflin can provide an account of their sufferings. Lorenzo on brink of grave, and still very weak. They cannot get to Philadelphia this autumn. "If we live 'till next June I trust we shall quit the vile, foggy south for some months, I never wish to see it from June to November again." Inquires prices of gold and white "Seve" tea set, silver sugar dish and cream pot, 2 silver forks, gold watch.

Scope and Contents Nelly writes that her son Lorenzo leaves for Philadelphia the next day with his cousin, Lewis Willis who goes to study medicine. Col. Humphries unable to recommend Elizabeth's nephew as Marine officer because he had already suggested to the Secretary of the Navy the propriety of appointing cadets from West Point for Marine Corps. She will use other influence to aid him--Nelly did not herself "see King James" but a senator promised to request an appointment for the nephew from President...

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Nelly's sister Anna wants black scarf, and Nelly writes to see if one in cashmere or silk could be bought in Philadelphia for $20, as nothing like that can be had in the District. Also asks Elizabeth to send a sample of black poplin for herself. Asks for news of Lorenzo's arrival in Philadelphia. Dr. Henry Daingerfield is pleased with Sevres china tea set, but Nelly asks whether a broken coffee cup can be replaced.

Scope and Contents Nelly regrets that Lorenzo left for Philadelphia before Elizabeth's letter telling of sickness in the city arrived. She wrote him to return to Virginia. She is disappointed he didn't take the rooming house Elizabeth recommended, but asks for its particulars. Lt. Butler, aid to Gen. Jackson, will leave box with her for Lorenzo. He will also deliver a bundle containing material for 2 dresses, with dress as a pattern. She asks to have them made for her in Philadelphia. "I wear only black."...

Scope and Contents Nelly sends "many happy returns of the season." She thanks Elizabeth for her news about Lorenzo and says she is still very anxious about him, "I have often wondered since he went away how I could have permitted him to leave me." She sends further directions for making and sending the new dresses being made in Philadelphia. Offers remedies for Elizabeth's abdominal pain, or "nervous colicks" suggesting particularly strong sage tea. "Ped's [Angela's] new hair is coming in very thick and...

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Nelly encloses letters for Lorenzo because he has unaccountably not received any that she has mailed directly to him. When will she receive dresses, shawl, shoes, etc.? Asks Elizabeth also to send a box of French sealing wax, perfumed.

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Nelly is glad to hear Mr. Gibson is satisfied with Lorenzo's diligenc. Lt. George Washington Butler is a fine young man, he regrets leaving "his old father (Genl Jackson) and his kind friends at Woodlawn." She doubts he will wait for Ped [Angela] but enjoys sitting and talking to her and Parke. Asks Elizabeth to send sealing wax and two seals for Parke and Ped, one with "eye" motif the other with Cupid climbing a ladder. Trunk with clothes, and shoes haven't come.

Scope and Contents Nelly writes to thank Elizabeth for her "watchful care" of Lorenzo, and encourages her to speak to him as she might her own nephew. Lorenzo "is so susceptible, that he is continually in love with some one." Was engaged at 17 1/2 to a cousin of Mrs. Bushrod Washington, but they broke it off at his parents' insistence. Has also heard reports of his attachment to Esther Maria Coxe. Would not object to her, but prefers Mary Custis or Eugenia Calvert [cousins]. Lorenzo is reported to be attached...

Scope and Contents Nelly writes that Parke was grateful for Elizabeth's letter. She left for Cincinnati on last Wednesday. Nelly recounts the stages of Parke's journey. "We had a merry wedding." Nelly lists the guests and says she didn't invite her married sisters. Dr. Wilmer performed the ceremony. Lorenzo leaves on Tuesday. She won't leave home until Lorenzo's wedding, and will try "to visit my poor Parke" next summer. Lately received a letter from Gen. Layfayette and George W. Lafayette. America Peter is...

Scope and Contents Nelly writes that she is unable to comply with Mr. Gibson's request because Judge Bushrod Washington had already given his vote to Wm. Herbert of Alexandria. Nelly is happy that Parke seems happy in Cincinnati. Mr Lewis thinks he can't afford to permit Nelly to travel north or west for her health this summer. She is now studying Spanish, having begun studies on her own. Ped [Angela] learning French. She outlines her efforts to get a job for Spanish patriot Senor Carrasco, a friend of the...

Scope and Contents Nelly complains that she gets little news from Philadelphia, as Elizabeth has not written much and Lorenzo's letters are full only of news about Esther. The good Bishop White is in decline. Nelly believes Parke is pregnant and expecting a baby in 5 months. If Parke can not come home in October, then Nelly feels she must go to her in December. America Peter Williams and her husband are devoted and her family reconciled. Angela has had party of friends for a week The family expects to go to...

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Nelly writes that she and Ped [Angela] have been ill. She herself has had mumps for 2nd time. She requests mother of pearl earrings for Angela. Parke well and happy. Wants Eliza Powel told that "her little Nelly will soon be a Grandmother!" Thinks Mr. Meade is inferior to Dr. Wilmer as prospective Bishop. "Genl. W[ashington] received the communion before he took the command of the Army, but not after, I have been told - but no one was more attentive in every other respect."

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Nelly writes confirming the news of birth of Parke's son prematurely. He is healthy and Parke well, having had an easy pregnancy and delivery. Nelly glows with excitement on becoming a grandmother. "My Beloved and revered grandmama declared that she had never loved any child so much as she did Parke, her great grandchild. It is certain that the title Grandmother is most dear to me ..." She expresses her esteem and affection for Butler. They named the baby George Washington.

Scope and Contents Nelly writes to thank Elizabeth for her for information about Lorenzo's present situation, his recovery from the measles. Parke has been ill since giving birth. Nelly describes her grandchild. Lorenzo wants her to attend his wedding, but she feels she must go to Parke, if Mr. Lewis permits. She is trying to prevail on Mr. Lewis to let her board with 14-year-old Angela in Philadelphia so that the girl can go to day school there. She "is very anxious to be at school" but Nelly cannot let her...

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Thanks Mrs. Gibson for dress patterns. Requests advice and assistance in using them. She describes again her desire to take Angela to Philadelphia for school, despite what she (and Mr. Lewis) think would be the high cost for room and board. She thinks Mrs. Coxe is unreasonable to think she should sacrifice Angela's interests to remain there with Esther. Mentions America Peter Williams' poor health while raising an infant.

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Ped's clothes are being made in preparation for Lorenzo's wedding. Mentions Eliza Powel. Nelly requests information about J. D. Coleman, a young man who was in Viginia and Washington over the winter and intends to movie to Washington.