Washington, Jane Charlotte Blackburn, 1786-1855

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Bella Jones Adams, Philadelphia, to Jane C. Washington, Mount Vernon. Writes that the memorandum tablet was sent by Martha, not her. She didn’t send the butter cooler due to fearing for its condition. She wants Jane to visit during the summer and asks after her crops.

Content Description The Bushrod Washington Family Papers consist of documents gathered by the descendants of the first President of the United States, George Washington. The collection comprises an assortment of correspondence and legal documents documenting the lives and property ownership of several branches of the Washington family. The collection is organized into five series: Correspondence, Legal Documents, Social, Miscellaneous, and Indenture Notices (Land Deeds).The Correspondence series,...

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Caleb Russell, Quantico Factory, to Jane C. Washington, Mount Vernon. Russell writes that he had sent some of the wool, at the direction of the overseer, received last summer to a factory in Fredericksburg to be made into fine cloth, as he is unable to do that. Since then he has heard nothing about it, despite writing to them several times.

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A "true" manuscript copy made from the original, which is dated July 8, 1830. In his will, John Augustine gives his wife Jane the power to dispose of any of his enslaved workers who are disobedient to her after his death. He also stipulates that his children may sell the Mount Vernon estate to the government if Congress wants it.

Content Description

This collection includes correspondence between John Augustine Washington III and his mother and wife, as well as other family members, mostly dealing with family matters and running Mount Vernon.

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F. F. Lee, Washington City, to Jane C. Washington, Mount Vernon. Lee writes that she will visit Mount Vernon for a few days with Mary and Rosa.

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Autograph document. In fragile condition, with some text loss.

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Mason sends condolences on the death of Jane C. Washington, “a great Virginia lady.” He was unable to attend funeral due to the illness of his wife all summer.

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George Mason, Hollin Hall, to Jane C. Washington, Mount Vernon. Autograph letter signed.

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Relates ill health of various family members and other family news.

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Much family news and love sent.

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A.L.S. Blakeley to Mount Vernon. Discusses a large christenings in church. Relates tale of two men who recently died from intemperance. Also tells plans for an upcoming wedding and where various guests will stay.

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A.L.S. Blakeley to Mount Vernon. Wants to send George with the carriage to bring her and the children. Describes dancing by various people. Wants to receive some financial records.

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A.L.S. Blakeley to Mount Vernon. Misses the family and tells of items that were left during their last visit. Much rain has kept her from church. Maria sent jars of quince jelly for her. Gives family news and describes some roses. Sends message to Augustine “to write to his old and now very unimportant mother.”

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A.L.S. Blakeley to Baltimore. She is sorry to hear of Lou’s “hooping cough.” Other family news. Long description of Mr. Tacker and his vision of his impending death. Is sorry that Augustine is alone at Mount Vernon with the servants who have been “a source of disquiet and distress to him.”

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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.”

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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A.L.S. Blakeley to Mount Vernon. Much sickness in the early spring of cholera. Many people unable to work – Old Jenny, Maria and Dick, Lewis and George obliged to plough. Her cook Eliza has a crippled sore arm. Sophy, Joe, and Little Tom have been helping with many guests. Much discussion of weather.

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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.”

Scope and Contents A.L.S. Mount Vernon. Tells him of four family members with consumption. Also “have no servant to dispose of who would suit her sister, unless Milly would be willing for one of her three elder daughters to go. It would be a sure and good home I believe.” Discusses sale of corn crop and other family news. Mentions repairs being made by Mr. Skidmore at Mt. Vernon. We have two other letters dated 1837 November 23 and 1838 November 1 mentioning repairs made by Jesse Skidmore. In 1839 July 27,...

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A.L.S. She is enclosing another $10 note requesting it get charged and sent to her by him.

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A.L.S. Blakeley. She is unable to join him at Mount Vernon as her business would not fare well. Is sending a horse down as he is better fitted for the saddle than harness. Writes about sending him to Mount Vernon to “relieve Maj. Lewis,” who is working with Struthers and Strickland to build the new tomb. Writes of her “deep veneration and gratitude to the memory of Genl Washington.”

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A.L.S. Blakeley. Upon her return home, she found things had not been taken care of on her farm. A fodder house for the cattle was not placed correctly at all. She encouraged her son to get a good education at Mr. Hallowell’s school in Alexandria.

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A.L.S. Blakeley. She wants him to inquire about an appointment for Lawrence Washington who needs employment. Inquires about his studies and the repairs on the “old mansion.” Gives some family news and wants him to call on Mary and Julia.

Scope and Contents A.L.S. Blakeley. Reports on crop yields. Says there “have been some difficulties between the overseer and the Negroes” on the Mountain. Tells him of the impending purchase of a pair of draft horses. Talks of sending Willoughby and Gabriel to Mount Vernon, as well as Henry and Dolly. (This is likely Gabriel Johnson, about whom we have at least nine other letters in the collection.) Mentions letting his cousin have Jesse at “whatever you think a reasonable price.” Reports pork prices are down...

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A.L.S. Blakeley. She was sorry to hear of his illness and tells him to leave Mount Vernon in the hands of hirelings and not endanger his health further by riding there. Refers to reading about “Mr. Calhoun’s and Mr. Clay’s conversations in the Senate on Mr. Calhoun’s resolutions respecting abolition petitions.” Much difficulty regarding Jessy – Cousin Jane has abandoned all idea of purchasing her.