Washington, Jane Charlotte Blackburn, 1786-1855

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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.

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A.L.S. Blakeley. She returned home safely and passes along some family news. Harvest had not been started, but since she returned they have begun on the wheat. Much gets lost by “having inefficient hands as rakers,” so she requests him to send Willoughby and Gabriel up immediately. “Labourers cannot be procured, and wages are higher than ever before known to be.”

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A.L.S. Blakeley. Hopes he will get to enjoy his job at the Library of the House of Representatives. Thinks it will be good for his future. She is unwell at present. Reports on Dr. Gates who is also not doing well.

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A.L.S. Blakeley. She is troubled about getting Richard to be an “irregular Cadet” or maybe to West Point. Reports on the death of Dr. Yates. Gives various instructions and requests.

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A.L.S. Blakeley. She hopes the water at White Sulphur Spring will prove beneficial. Describes a sermon on Communion Sunday and hopes he’s hearing as good as that. Had a disappointing wheat crop. Contracted with Ford and Snyder for the crop. Gabriel is still there, with JAW’s permission. Additional page from Aunt Judy Alexander, hoping he meets some young ladies.

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A.L.S. Blakeley. She wants him to rent the Prospect Hill fields for three years to Mr. Anderson. George carried wheat and oats to him, as well as other items. Poor Tansel wants a place with him. He’ll make rakes and “I know he makes excellent shoes.” Sends greetings to family.

Scope and Contents A.L.S. Blakeley. She relates the difficult journey of his sister to Blakeley. Is glad he is feeling better. Writes about selling enslaved people: “I am sorry to tell you Milly I understand is unfit for hire, and we shall be obliged to keep her at home. Mr. Rutherford… will take Sally. She is said to be a first rate manager, a strict tho kind mistress. She is to give $35. Hannah I have as yet had no offer for. Closely confined at home without a way of getting out, I have not had it in my...

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A.L.S. Blakeley. Glad he got rid of his chills. The horse cart is so much in use it cannot be sent down to Mount Vernon. Will send George, Edmund, and Betty to him. Still been unable to get a place for Hannah whose character does not stand well as to docility or usefulness. More instructions as to how to deal with various servants.

Scope and Contents A.L.S. To Mount Vernon. “Dr. A. has determined to keep the servants. I hope they will continue faithful and useful to him. Willoughby is a grumbler, but I am sure he has no just cause of complaint. Dr. A is a human and liberal master. I think you give a high price for your wagoner. Negroes have generally hired lower than usual this year. Hannah is at present laid up, sd. I not be able to get a good and safe place for her, I will send her down by the first safe opportunity.” “Remember me most...

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A.L.S. Blakeley. She’s so happy to hear from Dr. A that his health is much improved. Discusses financial difficulties. “We must all practice strict economy.” Sends family news.

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A.L.S. Blakeley. She hopes his health improves. Discusses disorder on banks, making business difficult. Is sorry this happened at the beginning of his life in business but hopes it will teach him. Tells of harvests and yields and gives some family news.

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A.L.S. Blakeley. She’s so glad he has recovered his health. Will be able to get clover seed shortly. Wants to plant the 90 acre field with oats. Sends greetings to Cary. Was able to hire Hannah out until Christmas.

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A.L.S. Blakeley. George is off to Mount Vernon with a wagon full of goods. Requests various items to be brought back by him. Hopes his health remains good. His sister wishes to have Caroline whom she has hired brought down to Mount Vernon. She might come up with George. “Remember me most kindly to Jenny – West’s servant at Mount Vernon.”

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A.L.S. Blakeley. Sending this via Mr. Lamar requesting additional things for George to bring back. Describes a sermon given by Mr. Jones the previous Sunday. Hopes he will have “our old establishment very clean white washed if not painted a little.” Richard is not well but hopes he will join her when she goes down for a few days.

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A.L.S. Blakeley. George arrived safely yesterday afternoon. Disappointed various items from Mr. Hooff were not sent but instead sent via canal. Discusses prices of some items. Thanks him for fruit sent. Tells him to do what he thinks best with the greenhouse.

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A.L.S. Blakeley. She is anxiously awaiting the arrival of his hands from Mount Vernon as George Saunders Ned and Lewis are all laid up. Marie and Mary Jane are incapable of working out. Harvest has commenced. Wants him to send a barrel of white sand for plastering the pillars in the brick portico. Hopes he will come soon. Sends family greetings.

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A.L.S. Blakeley. She had a good journey home with pleasant visits with friends on the way. “You have a partial friend in Mr. S. altho’ I think he would be pleased if you did not speak quite so loud.” Richard says a man wants to rent the P.H. Farm but is unwilling to pay the terms requested. Describes two sermons she heard. Wants him to look in the study for letters which Uncle Bushrod says must be there.

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A.L.S. To Mount Vernon. Writes with suggestions for the furniture and carpet at Mount Vernon. She specifically mentions the “little drawing room,” “parlor,” “front passage,” “little room,” and “old dining room.” Fears she shall be left more largely in debt than ever yet been. A Dutch farmer wants to rent P. Hole farm.

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A.L.S. To Mount Vernon. Gives some financial information. “If the work is all finished at Mount Vernon both Harry and Fanny had better come but if there is still any thing for Fanny to do, she can remain.” Requests items to be brought up, including lemons and oranges. Family news, including that Uncle Bushrod remains confined to his couch.

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A.L.S. Blakeley to Mount Vernon. She has not heard from him. Ordered various building supplies. Financial times are very difficult and strict economy is necessary. Will send him some of her horses until his can be matched. Since Mary Jane is sick, Fanny should return to care for her. “Remember me most kindly to my Old Jenny and West.”

Scope and Contents A.L.S. Walnut Farm to Mount Vernon. She returned home on Saturday and deplored the roads in Harpers Ferry. “It seems Mr. John Selden is anxious to purchase Harriet. She was appraised at $400 with her child. She is said to be an excellent servant, and if you can get her in place of Hannah, Julia, or Sally, I think you had better do so. Julia is now at Blakely, having laid up and then come off without Lake’s permission… Dr. Cordell has been called out to see her twice and from his prescription...

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A.L.S. Blakeley to Mount Vernon. She has not been feeling well at all lately. Has heard from Cousin Lorenzo Lewis that Augustine looks very well. She would have liked to have heard that from him or his wife. “The servants are becoming more and more worthless and disobedient. I really find it very difficult to govern them, or to have the most necessary domestic work attended to with any regularity.” Family news. Wants him to send Harry up before harvest.

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A.L.S. Blakeley to Mount Vernon. She’s glad to hear that he and Nelly are doing so well. Much family news. “Remember me very kindly to my good and faithful Jenny and Harry, also West and Eliza.”

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A.L.S. Bath to Blakeley. She is in Bath for the waters. It is very crowded, and all the houses are full. Heard two good sermons but then was ill again.

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A.L.S. To Mount Vernon. She is concerned about poor Jenny and hopes the operation will give her a better chance of recovery. Many family members are ill. Another description of a sermon she heard.

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A.L.S. Blakeley to Mount Vernon. She tells of travel difficulties. Relates some gossip. Made a deal for some provisions, but nothing has been delivered. She advanced the man $150. Family news.

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A.L.S. Blakeley to Mount Vernon. Lots of news about family and friends. Also mentions Hannah and Rebecca being still invalids and that Thomas has again gone to Maryland. “The boys have bought a wagon and two or three servants.”

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A.L.S. Mount Vernon. She wants to know if certain lawyers are in Alexandria or Washington. Also wishes to subscribe to the Audubon works and asks him to see to that.