Washington, Eleanor Love Selden, 1824-1860

West [Ford] has taken sick this morning. “The stockings and socks for the negroes are nearly done…The coat patterns are eaten up by the rats…”

He has been trying to procure signatures for a “petition for the division of our county.” The sale of Woodlawn and the Quakers who are to settle on it.

Received Nelly’s letter of September 18th. Has succeeded in obtaining an overseer “at the rate of one hundred and fifty dollars a year.”

Augustine is losing his overseer due to his marriage to a widow, Ms. Spence. Discusses case at the Alexandria Superior Court.

“Between pleasant company and bad weather I was detained in the lower country some days longer than I expected.” Pleased with Gloucester. Disappointed in Old Point. Gabriel’s duties and tasks.

Has been twice at church. Hopes Nelly received a package with silk, a bottle with slips, and peach stones. Preserves and pickles are done.

Describes weather and damage caused by drought and storms. Mr. Turner informs him that he can probably obtain an overseer but “the chance of getting a tenant is not so good.”

Returned home yesterday from trip to Maryland. Visited Mr. Sewall at Poplar Hill. Went to visit Dr. Crawfort but he was absent, so went to Mr. Shipley’s. Recommends Nelly go to Baltimore. Presumes Elizabeth Blackburn was married today.

Wheat machine broke. Sends thirty dollars. Colonel Bailey Peyton is to marry Julia Thompson. Employed three Irish workers to see if they could replace slaves but the “experiment” failed.

Sends a carriage up for Nelly. He shall leave tomorrow or the next day for Jefferson.

Relates arrival in Baltimore and journey to Mount Vernon. Steamboat brought five hundred visitors during the week. Misses Nelly: “…I feel a constant yearning to have you at my side, to hear you, to see you…”

Dreams of Nelly. Monuments were erected at the vault. Steamboat continues to come full. President Filmore and his cabinet postponed visit. Plasterer to come and fix dining room and cellars.

Writes in haste. Ephraim died yesterday evening. Too hazardous for Nelly to come down until epidemic subsides. Sends a package containing a fan and dress.

Mother is better but still weak. Gives instructions for Mr. Stowell regarding corn for mules at Marshall Hall.

Heard of Mrs. [Eleanor Parke Custis] Lewis’ illness. Describes journey with stops in Berryville and Chantilly. Harriet subject to fainting attacks. Threshing machine is set. Negotiations with Mr. Stowell as overseer. Death of General Roger Jones

Health of Aunt Eliza and Mr. Lloyd. Railroad festival at Salem [now Marshall]. Cary, Fontaine and John hunting and fishing. Describes flowers in Louisa’s garden. Wharf and buildings being put up at the White House for the steamboat and visitors.

Going to Alexandria to sell a load of wheat. The slave Eliza was injured when she “ran a needle in her arm and broke it off…” Ends with proclamation of undying love: “Indeed as I grow older my heart seems to cling closer to you…and never do I feel this more deeply than when you are absent from me.”

Finished ploughing in Maryland. Tried to sell the slave Matilda but she was unwilling. Has employed a German gardener. Gives updates on the steamboat, visitors, and construction of new wharf.

Mount Vernon and other farms have lost one third to one half of harvest due to rains. Has finally engaged a Maryland bricklayer and plasterer.

Servants sick. Bought and forwarded a dress for Louisa. Will take Louisa to Bath after sale of Richwoods [home of Thomas Blackburn Washington].

Richard and Bushrod Washington came down with him. “I fear I shall be disappointed in selling Marshall Hall to the person who I expected to buy it.”

Constant rains on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Will go to Washington to meet John F. Lee. Thinks they can move to Waveland by the first of December.

“Mr. Turner though still very unwell is going about a little, and we are engaged in sowing wheat…” Bought a carpet for the library. Has sent up stair carpet rods.

Regarding negotiations with the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association.

Relates his visits with the children to the University, Monticello, Farmington, and the “Asylums for the Insane and for the Blind and the Deaf and Dumb.”

Is obliged to go to Fairfax Court House to “sue out attachments against Mr. Whitehall’s property.”

Sends Jim up with the carriage today for Nelly. Augustine writes he is “completely tired of bacheloring.”

Attaches a check for fifty dollars for travel expenses by canal. Good weather to begin work again. Heard through West [Ford] of Cousin Esther’s death. Health of servants

He cannot get up to the house. Requests beef, ham, knives and forks, Worcestershire sauce, and cream or milk.

“Brother T’s [cousin Thomas Washington] corpse has not yet arrived.” John Alexander has dysentery.