Washington, Eleanor Love Selden, 1824-1860

A.L.S. Blakeley. Describes a wedding and the young guests at the dinner. Discusses an Irishman who came to sell her tablecloths which she did not want. Letter was written over several days. She really misses the family.

A.L.S. Blakeley. Met Dr. Alexander and family before church and invited them to dinner. Encloses a letter from Mrs. Moran who would like to stay at Mount Vernon on her way to visit Jane. Is sending George with fish to be pickled. Sends remembrances to “your maids Sarah, Eliza, Fanny and Amanda.”

A.L.S. Blakeley to Mount Vernon. Wants Nelly and the children to visit after harvest and will send George with the carriage to get them. Hopes Augustine will be friends with Mr. Moran. Has been sick and taken “an unusual quantity of opium for me.”

A.L.S. Blakeley. Describes a sermon on intemperance. Discusses health problems of John and hopes he will improve when the weather gets better. Much family news.

A.L.S. Blakeley to Mount Vernon. Hopes Augustine is recovering. Much sickness in her house. Sent a new plough to Augustine. Hopes it arrives in time. Other family news.

A.L.S. Blakeley. Describes a visit from Mrs. Powel and various other family members. Wants part of the rent on the fishery to go toward the purchase of a piano for Louisa and the rest sent to her to pay off some debts. Sends love to all and reports on a few deaths.

A.L.S. Blakeley. Looks forward to Augustine’s visit. Invited Kitty to spend the winter with her, but she will go elsewhere. News about various acquaintances. The disagreeable pork business is done, and she is sending three barrels of pippins via boat.

A.L.S. Blakeley. She was sorry to hear about the hail storm they had. Celebrated Hannah’s birthday. Will send this letter with William Lyons who is leaving to see Augustine. Other family and friend news.

A.L.S. Blakeley to Mount Vernon. Had a tooth extracted. News of friends and neighbors. Has had influenza for 10 days.

A.L.S. All have been enjoying the visit from Augustine but regrets she and the children did not also come. Hannah is about to leave for New York for medical treatment, accompanied by Fanny. Thanks Louisa for the chow chow she made. News about a visit to cousin Ann Washington. Much talk of friends and family.

Short letter. Mother [Jane C. B. Washington] is “dangerously ill.” Requests a carpet bag with clean clothes. “Send John [Michum] up tomorrow morning for my Buggy.”

Instructions to send several servants [enslaved workers?] from Mount Vernon to Alexandria.

The slave Sarah “had run off from Mr. Taylor and had gone home this morning.” Has not heard from Richmond [regarding sale of Mount Vernon to the Mount Vernon Ladies Association]

Encloses letter from Magruder Mason. Gives instructions for delivering slaves George, Charlotte and Milly who have been hired out.

Dr. Lloyd’s funeral will take place tomorrow. Requests suit of black clothes.

Forgot trunk key and requests to have Nelly mail it. Has sent up boxes of silver, white and brown sugar, and soap. Gives instructions regarding a box of stolen sugar.

Augustine writes he had intended going up to Waveland yesterday but “as I have some little unfinished business here and have not had an opportunity of seeing Cousin H[arriet] I shall wait until tomorrow and accompany them up.”

The collection contains correspondence between John Augustine Washington III and his wife Eleanor Love Selden. The letters begin during the Washingtons’ engagement and continues through eighteen years of marriage, ending with a letter from John Augustine to Eleanor composed the day prior to her sudden death. The letters contain information on family matters, the management of the Mount Vernon estate, and plantation life prior to the Civil War.

Brief letter. Getting on slowly with work. Will probably not come down tomorrow.

Changed route after leaving Nelly. Hopes Nelly recovers from her headaches. Did she get the box from Stabler’s safely?

His case came up in Court and estate committed to Augustine’s hands. Encloses ten dollars to entertain Dick and Christian Washington. Two or three snowstorms since his arrival at Blakeley. Scarlet fever prevailing.

Scarlet fever disappeared. Direct West [Ford] to tell William Hayes to procure eggs or chickens, “but know the price beforehand, or he will charge you double.”

Sale of Exeter will not take place until spring. Dr. Alexander struggling with debt.

Mother [Jane Charlotte Blackburn Washington] ill. His letter will be taken to Nelly “by two negro men who I have purchased, and by Julia whom I send down. I wish West to set them to getting rails…”

Relates journey to Blakeley. Was delayed as Turbeville Stuart had typhus or nervous fever. Pneumonia and typhoid fever “prevailing through this neighborhood.”

Was unable to write due to a cold. Noblet Herbert’s death. Disappointed in sale of mountain land. Instructions for sowing and sale of clover seed.

Sold Matilda and her family to Mr. Bevin. Augustine has had attacks of ague. Cases of scarlet fever and dysentery. Gives instructions for Mr. Stowell regarding sheep and wheat machine.

Arrived in Charlestown yesterday. Restaurants in Charlestown and Harper’s Ferry filthy. Richard [Washington] sold about 300 acres of his land at $60.00 per acre.

Relates visit to Wyers Cave. Saw John Selden and his children. Visited Cousin Ann and Miss Mary Peter. Saw Sister Hannah and Jenny. “My farm as usual will yield but a small rent, and I have half made up my mind to sell it.”

Christian Washington’s baby had an operation on her lip. Heavy fall of snow. Gives instructions regarding clover seed, ploughs, and windows of hot beds.