Lewis, Eleanor Parke Custis, 1779-1852

Scope and Contents The corset laces and purse clasps arrived by Mrs. Lee. Nelly orders a sheet of gold papers and Bristol boards. Send these by Judge Washington. Henry Lee and his sister, wife of Bernard Carter, are alike, both "wicked spirits," she having "one of the vilest tempers that ever possessed a piece of Eve's flesh." Mr. Lewis to go with Lorenzo to east, but he will not take her and Angela, while Parke won't go without the two of them or a "married lady" chaperone. Washington Peter was here. Mec...

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Introduces Mr. Watts, Secretary of State of South Carolina.

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Parke has been very ill, and the doctor fears she is in a decline. Mr. Lewis has consented for Nelly to take Parke to Philadelphia, "where she always like best to be." Asks Elizabeth Gibson engage rooms at a boarding house for them. Eliza [Law] Rogers has been sick here, but has now gone home. Mr. Lewis will only stay a day or 2 in Philadelphia, but she and Parke will stay 4 or 5 weeks.

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Parke is somewhat better, her spirits raised at thought of going to Philadelphia. Specifies the accommodations needed in the boarding house. Proposed stages of journey, "our journey must be slow as my child is too weak to be hurried." Afraid Parke will go same way as Agnes last October. Hasn't seen America Peter since seeing her in Philadelphia on last visit. Incorrectly docketed "Oct. 1822."

Scope and Contents Encloses $15 to pay Mrs. Carver and balance on shoes. Insists it wasn't her fault she ordered wrong size shoes. Parke at Van Ness's at wedding festivities. She will visit Aunt Peter if they have returned to Georgetown yet. Peter family stay much at Oakland, 20 miles from town, "a very dismal place ..." Describes Angela's affectionate disposition. Nelly can never send another daughter to boarding school. Still laments death of Agnes, "I trust she is in the Bosom of her Saviour and her God."...

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Uncle Calvert forgot to send for the shoes. Parke still in Washington with Mrs. Van Ness. She and Parke will visit sister Peter and then return home. Send gold binding. She is making toilet boxes with painted velvet tops for daughters. Friends of youth visiting. Angela has been sick.

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Nelly writes that she has received the shoes and they fit very well. She goes to Washington next week. Requests veining velvet brushes and gold bordering. Assures Elizabeth that Maj. Vandeventer has been Parke's lover, but has been rejected and is now courting another lady. Nelly had given her "entire consent to gain Parke if he could." He will always remain her "adopted son." Parke is in tip top spirits. Attending many city parties. They will return home in 2-3 weeks.

Scope and Contents Nelly has received the velvet brushes and binding. Requests sheets of several colors of morocco paper; also two pair of handsomest screen handles. Parke with Mrs. Van Ness in Washington still. Wolfe Tone, son of Irish patriot. Went to a drawing room, "the first I have been at since The Genl was President." "The royal family" [Pres. Monroe and family] attentive and gracious. Attended Madame de Neuvilles, where were number of Indians, who were amused at the dancing. Gossip about Mrs. Greenleaf...

Scope and Contents Nelly has received the articles she ordered, including morocco paper and screen handles. Judge Washington will bring canton crape to be dyed. Prefers things done in Philadelphia. "They understand, and execute, matters of taste, far better in your city" than in the district. Mrs. Lee and Anne--Mrs. Bernard Carter [Miss Lee]. Mr. Politica and Baron Mattitz will soon pay a visit. Mr. Poinset sent Parke Spanish books, "I like him extremely." Francis C. Gray, son of "the rich Gray of Salem."...

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Nelly says that she hasn't heard from E. Gibson [in months]. Requests some saucers and more velvet paints and binding. She is disappointed E. Mifflin can't come to Woodlawn while in Riverdale, guests from Carolina prevent Nelly from going to Riverdale. Mr. Duffie, "the finest genius of the age," expected to visit. Hopes to go to Saratoga this summer.

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Nelly is gratified at receiving long letter from her. Judge Henry Johnson, Senator from Louisiana, carries her reply letter. Further order for screen handles, velvet paint brushes, gilt frames and "1 1/2 yds best, finest and thickest white cotton velvet." "If I impose upon you with my commissions do not hesitate to say so." Mr. Poinsett "is not a coquette." Nelly hopes to go to Saratoga or Schooleys Mountain. Mr. Duffie is single and said to be attached to a woman in Baltimore.

Scope and Contents Nelly briefly describes Judge Johnson, Senator from Louisiana, who carried her letter of the day before to Elizabeth. Requests gilt purse clasps, velvet paints. Regrets the Gibsons were unable to come to Woodlawn, and that her own travel plans are uncertain. Mentions Philadelphia friends including Bishop White and Mrs. Robert Morris. Nelly's sister Eliza P. Custis Law suffers severely from a liver "affection." Mary Fitzhugh Custis and daughter Mary Randolph Custis have been ill. Gives...

Scope and Contents Having returned home from her trip, Nelly writes as promised to let Elizabeth know of their arrival home. Returned by way of Druid Hill and Arlington. Her poor sister [Eliza P. Custis Law] bears up well under her affliction [refers to death of daughter Eliza Law Rogers]. Mary Fitzhugh Custis is improved but delicate. Nelly says her own health was not greatly improved by her tour. Inquires price of hair mattresses and dimity bed curtains. Begs Elizabeth to pay her a visit next spring. Nelly...

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Nelly begins by apologizing for earlier having written only of herself, and not her children. Lorenzo hunts deer. He will be 19 on Wednesday. He is anxious to be a musician, and while Nelly wants him to be "a minstrel" playing harp, he tends toward violin. Parke will be 23 on the "27th next," and is still fancy free. Will inform her as soon as Parke is to be married. Mentions various friends. Parke will never marry Major Vandeventer.

Scope and Contents Nelly suggests some remedies for Elizabeth's "nervous affection." Parke is to remain several weeks with Mrs. Van Ness, who has lost her own daughter. Mentions Mrs. David Humphries (Humphreys)--"her husband was a long time in our family, and a favorite of the Genls." Describes Mr. Francis C. Gray of Boston. America Peter very pretty and much admired. Sister Peter is to give a ball. Has read "Bengers life of Ann Boleyn - Chalmer's of Mary Aitkins of James 1st and now the voice from St. Helena"...

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Nelly encloses $10, $9 for 6 pair of shoes, and $1 for "a seal, or an ornament for a watch," that they saw together in a Philadelphia shop, some mother-of-pearl shaped like "a monkey holding a gilt glass." If this is more than $1, substitute gold binding of sketched pattern. She sends a box of woodbine and encloses here instructions on its planting. Mr. Lewis has been very ill. Nelly begs her to come to Woodlawn in late April when woodbine blooms.

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Nelly writes that she has sent Elizabeth two boxes of woodbine on board the Betsey. If she doesn't wish both, please give one to Betsey Fisher.

Scope and Contents Nelly writes that she hopes the woodbine arrives before blossoms fade. She has procured the paper containing an account of a visit to Mount Vernon. John Allison, termed planter in paper, was only one of Gen. Washington's overseers. She explains system of manager and overseers at Mount Vernon under Washington. "The Gen'l never called his negroes his children, I know for a certainty - he was a generous and noble master and they feared and loved him. - He would have blush'd to find such trifles...

Scope and Contents Nelly recommends a remedy for Elizabeth's headaches. She recommends Seidlitz powders and [American] Poplar leaves, which have worked on her own. Woodbine, or Carolina Jessamine, are the same plant, it is in full bloom. She inquires whether Lorenzo can study law with Mr. Gibson in Philadelphia. He is too idle in Virginia, and they "are very anxious to give our dear son some useful employment." He will be 20 in November. They want him to study French, attend lectures, etc.--"the destiny I...

Scope and Contents Either of the two tea sets that Elizabeth chooses will do very well, though Nelly prefers the broad gold band to flowered border. She is anxious to bestow the Sevres China set on Dr. Henry Daingerfield for his devotion to the family during their recent sickness. She encloses directions for delivering it to him as a surprise. She will ask additional favors with she can collect more cash. "We Virg[ini]a wives must be satisfied with such small sums as our improvident Farmer Husbands can venture...

Scope and Contents Just returned from Arlington. Sister Mary F. Custis is very delicate. Her daughter, Mary Randolph Custis, is ill. Lorenzo is to go to Philadelphia soon, weather and health permitting. She is worried over him. Grand nieces and nephew [Eliza Rogers' children] are recovered from the measles. The Sevres china arrived for Dr. Daingerfield. Hers and Parke's shoes arrived. "I have lost five of my eight Darlings" hence she wants regular reports about Lorenzo from Philadelphia. Nelly has received a...

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Nelly announces that the trunk arrived safely. She requests seals and gold trim--also scarf for sister. Dresses arrived, and are very pretty and tasteful. She trusts that the cold weather will remove the smallpox threat from Philadelphia. Gives true account of Gen. Andrew Jackson and his wife. Jackson is not the wretch he's painted by his opponents.

Scope and Contents Nelly writes that she just received Elizabeth's letter of March 1; it was in Washington post office. Sspent 5 weeks in Washington with sister Martha Custis Peter and sister E.P. Custis Law, and attended several parties, a concert and a drawing room. Eliza Custis Law's grandchildren are well. Mr. Rogers to go to England for 18 months. Begs Gibsons to come to Woodlawn. Last week in April is prettiest. "I have seen Peales picture [of George Washington?] do not like it at all -The eyes are...

Scope and Contents Nelly inquires about Lorenzo's illness and treatment. She herself has had "a rheumatic nervous and bilious headach[e] all united." Describes her own treatment, including poplar leaves bound to the forehead and temples with a silk scarf. Hopes to leave June 1 for Philadelphia but will come at once if Lorenzo needs her. She recently met a Mr. Joseph Coolidge of Boston, "the finest young man I have ever known," an "elegant and accomplish'd young man." Encloses bunch of woodbine. Sends some...

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Nelly requests information about Lorenzo's illness. She hears reports of a terrible fever in Philadelphia and will come immediately to nurse him if necessary. She has forebodings of evil, "it is not superstition, it is sympathy or second sight." The girls are slightly ill, and Nelly trusts they will all get away north before the sickness prevents traveling. The letter is postmarked 6 May and docketed 9 May, but date in heading is unclear. Most likely "May 5th" as it is a Wednesday.

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Nelly is glad that Lorenzo has improved in health. He will be better off there than in Virginia this summer. She hopes to go to Nahant, Massachusetts and Philadelphia this summer. Her friends in Washington promise to pay every attention to Mr. Coulson when he arrives. She has been assured there is no vacancy in Marine Corps for a lieutenancy for Elizabeth's nephew, John Beale Bordley.

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Written on "Monday night" 17 May 1824, and postmarked the 18th, Nelly writes that she has received Elizabeth's 2 letters. Mr. Lewis makes arrangements for her to go immediately to Lorenzo in Philadelphia. She desires being in same house with him. She will ask Dr. Daingerfield to go with her.

Scope and Contents Nelly and her children arrived home after a weary journey. Mr. Lewis is ill with gout in his breast. She sends $10 to have her scarf washed. Asks Elizabeth to buy her 2 of the "stone stewing stoves bound with iron - one as large as your preserving furnace ..." Sends a pattern of nymphean gauze to be procured from Aaron Fountain in Broadway in N.Y. Rejoices at having prevented "The fair W[right]s" from going to Mount Vernon with the Gen'l Lafayette. Except for her intervention "they would...

Scope and Contents Nelly writes that Lolen [Lorenzo] is to return to Philadelphia. He is healthy again. She hopes he will not waste time, but concentrate on his studies. Received letter from Gen. Lafayette. Copies it verbatim [see letter, Lafayette to E.P. Lewis, Nov. 7, 1824]. His letter is sealed with profile of "his adopted Father and my Father." George W. Lafayette arrived today. He must leave to meet his father and they go on tour of country. Laments they cannot spend a long time with her. Has committed...

Scope and Contents Nelly writes that she will send Mr. [George] Tucker to invite Mr. Bordley out to Woodlawn for Christmas day. She is still trying to use her influence to get him a Lieutenancy in the Marine Corps. Will get the breast pin delivered to George W. Lafayette. Received letter from General Lafayette. He was pleased with Order of Cincinnati etc. and pair of card racks she made him. She is now making a beautiful box for George and pair of fire screens to paint for the General. He will be back at...