Washington, John Augustine, III, 1821-1861

Scope and Contents Letter from Alexandria slave dealer Henry P. Hill of the firm Bruin and Hill writing to John Augustine Washington III about an enslaved man named Gabriel who has escaped from Mount Vernon and is being held at Bruin's Slave Jail. Hill writes, "your man Gabriel by strict measurement is five feet five and a half inches... He is likely and a very good man of his stature and if you are offered more than we priced him at I think if you will excuse a stranger for the expression of his opinion in...

Scope and Contents Letter written by Jane C. Washington from Blakely near Charlestown, West Virginia a few months before her death to her son John Augustine Washington III. Jane tells John she was "much interested and amused at your correspondence with the Richmond and Manchester Ladies. They no doubt are inspired by sincere and noble feelings of admiration and gratitude to the truly great and good Father of his Country, called forth and appointed by providence as such. His memory will be best preserved and...

Scope and Contents Letter from Jane C. Washington to her son that she learned of the conditional sale of Mount Vernon to a company from the newspapers. She expresses her hope that, if the estate cannot stay in the family, that it may become "the honored and cherished property of the United States Government." At the end of the letter, Jane adds that she is "Earnestly praying my beloved son that you may in all things and at all times, be guided by Divine Wisdom." Jane and her son Richard plan to visit John...

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A.L.S. to Mount Vernon. Jane writes in response to Augustine's letter dated March 7, 1842 that Gabriel Johnson, the enslaved man who ran away from Mount Vernon, has arrived at Jane's plantation. Jane writes, "Please come up without delay." Autograph letter signed with integral address panel.

Scope and Contents Autograph letter signed with integral address panel. Mount Vernon to the University of Virginia. Jane writes to her son about work taking place at Mount Vernon, where she has spent almost all of $800 she brought down with her. She reports that Skidmore has "finished the large room which is now to be plastered and painted." Mr. Ball has nearly finished the stables, and West Ford is still engaged with the enclosures. She writes of Mount Vernon , "The dear old place will be more comfortable and...

Scope and Contents Autograph letter initialed. Janes writes that she is sending down "four large shoulder of Bacon" to Mount Vernon, along with two enslaved men, Willoughby and Gabriel, who she hopes will be "faithful and useful." She writes, "have them comfortably fixed my dear son treat them kindly, and I trust they will both prove valuable servants. Gabriel will require a strict tho kind discipline. Sarah or Milly must wast and mend for them." Jane also writes that she has had a letter from West Ford asking...

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Autograph letter intialed with integral address panel. Jane writes about the baptism of John Augustine's daughter Louisa and other family news, including the sale of Selby by Hannah Lee Washington and the marriage of her son Richard to his cousin Christian Maria. She also writes about crops and finding a good overseer. She adds, "I am very sorry you cannot commence the repairs at [Mount Vernon] this autumn. The buildings are getting in ruinous condition."

Scope and Contents Letter written by a sixteen-year-old John Augustine Washington III in Alexandria, Virginia to his mother Jane C. Washington at Blakeley plantation near Charlestown, West Virginia. The address on the back page of the letter notes that the letter was delivered by Jim Mitchell ("Jim Mitchum") with a note from John Augustine that says "I let Jim have $1.00 for his expenses." Jim Mitchell, who was later employed by the Mount Vernon Ladies Association, was enslaved by the Washington family at the...

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Letter from John Augustine Washington III to his mother mentioning his poor health, West Ford, an enslaved woman named Betty, and the state of affairs at Mount Vernon. A note to "Dearest Mother" is added on at the end of the letter by John Augustine's sister, Anna Maria Alexander.

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Mount Vernon to Charlestown. Tells mother of proposing to Nelly; describes horse races; financial matters.

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Mount Vernon to Blakeley. Farm news; selling slave; thoughts on banks, family wishes.

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Autograph letter signed. Leesburg. N. Herbert, a cousin of John Augustine, writes about Alfred, an enslaved man who escaped from Mount Vernon and voluntarily surrendered himself to the Loudon County Jail in Leesburg. Herbert writes that slave traders Joseph Bruin of Alexandria and William Bale of Exeter were inquiring about Alfred but recommends that Augustine keep him.

Scope and Contents Mount Vernon to Blakely. West Ford reports on illnesses at Mount Vernon: "i am very sorry to say to you that we have had a great deal of sickness Jessie Clark was take the 3 day of the month he was as crazy as he could be he did not know any person i had to send for doctor Powel." He also mentions that Jim Mitchell has been "laid up" and that July and Hannah, though "not yet confined," have been scarcely able to work. Andrew is also still sick. Ford also reports that he has begun breaking up...