Washington, Jane Charlotte Blackburn, 1786-1855

Scope and Contents 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.

Scope and Contents 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.

Scope and Contents 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.

Scope and Contents Lee writes that she will visit Mount Vernon for a few days with Mary and Rosa.

Scope and Contents Autograph document. In fragile condition, with some text loss.

Scope and Contents Autograph letter signed.

Scope and Contents 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.

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

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 & 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 & at all times, be guided by Divine Wisdom."Jane and her son Richard plan to...

Scope and Contents Autograph letter signed. Jane writes to her son about Clark Mills's proposed statue of Washington, "which out government has at this late but fortunate time, determined on having." She also asks her granddaughter Louisa to write about her acquaintance with Washington Irving.

Scope and Contents Autograph letter signed "Jean C. Washington." Jane writes to her son that an enslaved man named George has died. "He was very much reduced, not being able for some time to retian any nourishment. He was delirious, but never violent or ungovernable: fancying he saw lovely angel children near him - and when I read to him, was calm, & apparently pleased, tho' he seldom spoke." She adds, "I shall miss him very much, he was a faithful and affectionate servant - and in traveling watchful and...

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 & good Father of his Country, called forth and appointed by providence as such. His memory will be best preserved &...

Scope and Contents Letter written by Jane C. Washington from Blakeley near Charlestown, West Virginia at Christmas time to her son John Augustine Washington III at Mount Vernon. Jane worries over John's recent illness with "chill fever" and reminds him "You now have an overseer, and it surely cannot be so necessary for you to go out at the dawn of day, and expose yourself to the inclemencies of weather in attending to farm business."Jane writes "I am now quite alone, dear little John A. left me this...

Scope and Contents Autograph letter signed with integral address panel. Delivered by James Mitchum (Jim Mitchell). Jane writes that Zion Episcopal Church in Charles Town has burned down.

Scope and Contents Autograph letter signed with integral address panel. Jane writes about John Augustine's studies and mentions that some of the family attended the inauguration of William Henry Harrison, where they were kindly received and "surprised and charmed with the grace and agreeableness of young Mrs. Harrison." She writes that the city was "swarmed with office seekers." She also writes that she receieved a "woful letter" from West Ford about the lack of long forage at Mount Vernon.

Scope and Contents Much family news and love sent.

Scope and Contents Autograph letter signed. Jane writes to her son that she is at Mount Vernon settling accounts. She discusses family news and difficulties with postage.

Scope and Contents Autograph letter signed with integral address panel. 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 decent in appearance, than we have known in...

Scope and Contents Autograph letter intialed. 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 for...

Scope and Contents 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 Autograph letter signed with envelope. Jane congratulates John Augustine and his wife Nelly on the birth of their son Lawrence Washington. She also writes about the murder of her relative, Thomas Blackburn. Blackburn was fatally stabbed by another student while a cadet at VMI in Lexington.

Scope and Contents Autograph letter signed with integral address panel. 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."

Scope and Contents Autograph letter signed with integral address panel, with note that the letter was carried by "Mr. W's servant Edmund who is returning home from Jefferson Cty."Jane writes, "I saw no white face on Christmas day." She describes giving out provisions and supplies to the enslaved population, a few of whom assembled to hear her read in the morning and at noon. "They conducted themselves very soberly & orderly." Old Jenny thanked her for the "fine dinner." Jane also describes her Christimas...

Scope and Contents Family matters; relates offer to him to purchase 800 acres of land.

Scope and Contents Autograph letter signed with integral address panel.

Scope and Contents Autograph letter signed with integral address panel.

Scope and Contents Autograph letter signed with integral address panel.

Scope and Contents Autograph letter signed with integral address panel. Sparks writes to Jane, "My Dear Madam, I am about to publish a series of American Biographies, and I should be glad to include in it a Life of Lawrence Washington, if the materials exist for writing such a Life. Have not his papers been preserved at Mount Vernon?...” A note on the address panel indicates this letter was forwarded to John Augustine Washington III to respond to.

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...

Scope and Contents 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.