Lewis, Eleanor Parke Custis, 1779-1852

Scope and Contents Nelly was going to write as soon as Parke had arrived, but to Nelly's "sorrow and astonishment" Parke was delivered of premature 3 month twins in Louisiana. This has delayed her coming back to Virginia. She feels lost and "tired of life" without Parke. Letters take a month to get delivered from there. She dreads thought of Parke and Butler residing in Louisiana, feels she must go there if they stay, Ped is doing well despite having "no instructor but her old Mom as she calls me." Esther Coxe...

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Nelly hasn't written in a long time because she knows Elizabeth's eyes are bad. She is anxious about Esther Coxe Lewis's approaching confinement. Lorenzo is anxious to be a father. Parke expects a child again in May--she wants another boy like one she lost in 1827. Angela improves much, being attentive to her studies.

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News of her two new grandsons [George Washington Lewis and Edward George Washington Butler, Jr.]. Parke very anxious about her son because of losing her first boy. In October Parke and Butler go to Cincinnati. Ped [Angela] grows tall. Ed Butler has gone to Gen. Gaines in New York, he intended to call on the Gibsons in Philadelphia if possible.

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Comments on the deaths of Mrs. Powel and Mr. Camac. She expects to go to Georgetown with Ped on the fourth to greet her nephew John Peter and his bride (his cousin Miss Henderson). Lorenzo and his wife are well pleased with their farm in Frederick.

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This and subsequent letters are directed to "Spruce betwen 7th and 8th" or to "213 Spruce." Nelly is gratified to hear news of Angela's reception by her Philadelphia friends. "I do not think any one will ever say of her, as my dear and lamented friend, Mrs. Powell, used to say of me -'You look as if your clothes were thrown on with a Pitchfork.'" Fears at letting [Angela] go alone. Hopes she will go to opera, but not uninvited.

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With Angela home after her visit in Philadelphia, Nelly writes that she was very happy there, but content to be home. Angela and Lorenzo stopped in George Town on way home and W. [Geo. W.] Peter escorted sisters and [Angela] to dance. She will let Angela study in Philadelphia by herself if she desires it. Mentions Parke's baby Ella [Eleanor Angela Isabella].

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Angela has been in Washington. [America's husband] Mr. Williams sent to Alabama and Florida, and she stayed with America and her sick children. Debate between Mr. John C. Calhoun and Mr. Daniel Webster. Angela still heart whole. Only man she has heard of that would do [for Angela to marry] is H. Binney.

Scope and Contents Have stopped here [at Guyandotte] for health on way home from Louisiana. Parke expecting in August. Lorenzo's new twin sons [Lawrence Fielding Lewis and John Redman Coxe Lewis]. She has been away from home 8 mo. Angela a belle in New Orleans and engaged to Charles Magill Conrad, "the finest young man in Louisiana." Nelly hopes they will move east after 2 or 3 years. Angela insists she must stay one more winter at Woodlawn before she marries. She will leave New Orleans every summer like all...

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Nelly wishes Elizabeth happy returns of the season. Lorenzo and his family came, with the twins. Parke had a daughter, Caroline, in August. Parke's financial difficulties. Charles Conrad and Angela correspond every week. Angela sends her a pair of fire screens. Weather has been severe--21 inches of snow.

Scope and Contents Nelly fears she and Mr. Lewis will never live in Philadelphia. Both in very poor health and crops very bad. Mr. Lewis intends to buy a small place in Louisiana, remove the negroes and try to make cotton crop. Winter in Louisiana very bad and Ed Butler's crops suffered. Charles Conrad writes weekly. New Orleans improves much "and if we escape war with France it will continue to do so." America Peter Williams has another daughter. Nelly is busy working cover for Angela's piano "on canvas and...

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Did she receive screens from Angela? Angela's "paraphernalia" beautiful and tasteful but not extravagant. Charles Conrad leaves New Orleans by 25th. The wedding will probably take place in late July. Parke will be unable to come. Family named Cox living at Meridian Hill, the daughter is a painter in oils.

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Nelly writes of Mrs. Derby's death. Mr. Lewis is well. Family in Louisiana well except Isabella [Eleanor Angela Isabella Butler] teething. Glad Angela has been able to go to Philadelphia but sorry she couldn't go herself.

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Parke again in Germantown under Madame Greland's tutelage. Elizabeth's note [denying presence of yellow fever in Philadelphia] decided her to send Parke back. Sister Martha Peter was to accompany Parke but steamer broke down near Ft. McHenry and Sister Peter went rest of way by hack. Parke went on steamboat with her father. Expects visit from Aunt Calvert. Caroline Calvert looks better. Baby Mary Eliza Angela Lewis is mentioned, "a perfect cherub."

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Forwards a bundle of flannel for "My Beloved Child" [Frances Parke Lewis]. Judge [Bushrod] Washington is to take charge of it. Hopes to visit Philadelphia in November. She wrote a letter soon after Parke left in August, inquires if Elizabeth received it. "Mortified and hurt that Mr. Lewis did not pay his respects" when in Philadelphia.

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One undated note signed E Lewis and one undated letter fragment signed E Lewis. The letter fragment is addressed to William Costin, Washington, with a note that it was sent "By Emery."

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Asking for money she had given him so she can go on a journey to recover her health.

Scope and Contents Nelly writes about the recent influenza in Philadelphia and at home. Mr. Lewis and Mr. Butler had been very ill with it. She thanks Elizabeth for the reproofs and consolation, but insists her fears for Parke are not caused by selfishness; "I am naturally elastic in disposition, and prove to find some good in every event of life, but at the same time I have very anxious feelings occasionally." Nelly's love for her Grandmother was greater even than that for her children. Nelly entirely...

Scope and Contents Nelly writes, mentioning the illness of Elizabeth's niece, Elizabeth Ross. She herself has just returned from Philadelphia to Woodlawn with Lolen [Lorenzo] and his wife Esther. She fears Esther expected too much at Woodlawn and was disappointed. "I consider her as the mistress of the House now." Lorenzo is happy and industrious. He will take wife to Philadelphia soon, and then take Nelly to Cincinnati to see Parke. Nelly considers America Peter Williams a helpless mother. She saw Eliza Law...

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Parke informed Nelly that she [Elizabeth Bordley] is now Mrs. Gibson, but she knows no details and asks for them. Parke leaves Philadelphia for home in October or November. In 2 years Nelly will place another daughter [Agnes] with Madame Greland. Mentions mutual friends and asks her Eliza to come pay a long visit as "it is not a Virginia fashion to pay short visits."

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Parke has surely told Elizabeth about the trip home. Ped [Angela] is fatter than ever. Lorenzo is sick with influenza and misses Agnes. She feels loss of Agnes severely. Nelly regrets "the persecutions I was obliged to afflict her with." Mr. Lewis is resigned to the death. She wishes she had seen the spot where Agnes was buried and asks Elizabeth to visit it and describe how it looks.

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Nelly asks can she have a profile of Agnes, made last summer, copied in Philadelphia at the museum. She has only one left and Agnes's siblings have none. Please send a dozen copies and the locket, etc. by Judge Bushrod Washington who returns soon. Send also the music of 16th Funeral Psalm. Nelly bitterly blames Madame Greland and Amora's lack of attention for Agnes' death, "never will another of my children live under their care."

Scope and Contents This is Parke's birthday. Was also her father's birthday [John Parke Custis]. Returning her pelisse in care of Major Vandeventer. Enclosed $5 for gilt purse clasp, 2 gilt frames and gold thread to be sent by Judge Washington. Heard that America Peter spent the day with her. Tells of a dream she had concerning Agnes. Mr. Lewis and Angela have influenza. Columbia Peter visiting them. Mary Fitzhugh Custis and child to visit next week. Washington [i.e., George Washington Parke Custis] left...

Scope and Contents Columbia Peter died today at Woodlawn. Nelly's sister Martha Custis Peter (Columbia's mother) did not arrive until 2 hours after she died. The child had been seized with a violent colic. Dr. Henry Daingerfiled and Dr. Sim were with her. Nelly nursed her, and describes the child's last hours and great concern for her own family. Mr. and Mrs. Gibson and E. Miflin must break news to Columbia's sister "Mec" [America Peter, then studying in Philadelphia]. Sister Peter bears up well. She will go...

Scope and Contents Nelly is deeply grateful to them for comforting Mec [America Peter] on her sister's death. Nelly went with her sister Martha Peter to Columbia's grave and then stayed two days with her. Parke is afflicted by her cousin's death. Nelly hopes Parke will have an affectionate husband before she (Nelly) dies, as Parke seems so affected by deaths. The Misses Douglas are in Alexandra and have been of great help to Parke. Sister Peter wants to know cost of 2 marble monuments which she describes. A...

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Introduces her nephew George Tucker [husband of Lawrence Lewis's niece Maria Carter] who is member of Congress, "he is one of my greatest favorites." Anxious to hear news of America Peter. The Miss Douglases are aquisitions to dear Parke. Mentions Philadelphia friends.

Scope and Contents Surprised that letter to be borne by Mr. George Tucker reached her. It had disappeared after Sir William [Douglas?] gave it to servant. Tucker is much like Lloyd Rogers. Invites Elizabeth to visit Woodlawn. "The forlorn wig" has not yet arrived. Maj. Vandeventer will bring it and the clasp, frames, gold thread and harp strings. Sister Martha Peter has written Gibsons. Eleanor encloses stone cutters epistle. Please enquire price of patent leather health preservers. Hears Mrs. [Samuel?] Powel...

Scope and Contents Nelly considers ridiculous Elizabeth's fear that Parke will marry one of Douglases. They haven't the manner or mind to win her. She prefers Charley L. or William Camac or John Brinton for Parke. Hopes Parke will marry and live in New York or Philadelphia, and not in Virginia. George and Wm. Douglas go to Europe in spring. She likes both as friends, but not as sons. Elizabeth is mistaken about low origin and status of Douglas family--they are friends of best families--"If I could remove to...

Scope and Contents Assures her again that Parke will never marry George Douglas. How are Mec [America Peter] and Eugenia Calvert?--insists the Douglases are received everywhere. Mentions "Goodwin who murder'd Stoughton." Douglas family connections are good--Parke has bleeding of the nose. Parke has been playing harp, accompanied by Capt. Cooper on flute. Cooper "has a form really like Apollo's, I never did see so fine a form in my life, tall and remarkably well made." Parke's singing improves. Visitors,...

Scope and Contents Will get one of George Washington's letters for Mrs. Derby and the Gibsons when Judge Washington will send her one. She has previously cut sentences from Washington's letters to her to give to friends, but the remnants are for her children. Mrs. Derby charming but her husband an object of contempt. Sending her a box of woodbine. Directions for planting and care of it. Sends a box by Judge Washington. Gifts for Elizabeth Gibson and others, including a pincushion. "The silver tissue was a part...

Scope and Contents Gives recipe for "Horehound Syrup," as remedy for cough. Apricots killed by inclement weather. Major Vandeventer a true gentleman and friend. He is much interested in Parke's health and furnished her with dumb bells and battledores. "He calls me 'Mother' and Parke 'Daughter.'" "Charley"(?) seems to be only trifling with Parke; wishes he would make known his intentions. Parke's health is poor. Wishes Mr. Lewis would take them to Ballston for a pleasant tour. Lorenzo is going to College, and...