Laughton, Lily Macalester Berghmans, 1832-1891

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Sending credentials to her and a circular used by another Vice Regent that might be useful.

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A.L.S. Philadelphia. Formally acknowledging her acceptance of position. MVLA is a legal body and must make all appointments official. Will forward list of interested persons in her state. ER-4269 RM-576

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A.L.S. Miss Cunningham asks if she may have "her guest", E. Everett, for an hour's drive. ER-13, p. 53

Scope and Contents From the Collection: This collection contains publications concerning the history of Mount Vernon and George Washington that were not published by the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association. The MVLA collaborated with other authors and publishers to produce many of these titles, however the Association was not the copyright holder. These items have been merged together into this collection but are from different sources or accessions. Most of the publications were either originally collected by the Library at Mount...

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Missed last Council, but hopes to go to the next one. Hopes to send gift to Mount Vernon from widow of late President Polk, a memento of him.

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Sends a list of donors and a check. Appointed a Lady Manager for another county and wonders about one other’s appointment. Her mother is quite ill which is impeding her work for Mount Vernon.

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A.L.S. Regrets she disapproved of efforts to decorate stage for benefit. ER-5, p. 43

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Congratulates her on upcoming wedding and hopes to be able to attend. Also hopeful for continued success of the Mount Vernon cause. Has been giving talks on its behalf.

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Typescript signed. Wesleyan College. There is no Vice Regent for Georgia, so she writes to Regent re authority to provide suitable furniture as gift of her state for Mrs. Washington's sitting room. Offers her grandmother's (Eliza Ball) mahogany work table and thinks she could collect other appropriate things. ER-18, p. 282

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Typescript signed. Wesleyan College. Re furniture she wants to send to Mount Vernon. Must send to New York for new brasses for table. ER-18, p. 283

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Typescript signed. Wesleyan College. Has shipped an antique glass candle screen and old work table for Georgia Room. Describes donor of the candle screen, Julia Anthony. M-122

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A.L.S. Washington. Elisha F. Riggs introduces Harrison H. Dodge who has been for years in their "Country House." Because of eye trouble, wishes to apply for position vacated by Superintendent Hollingsworth. Recommends him. ER-18, p. 298

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A.L.S. Cincinnati. Sorry to hear so few Vice Regents in attendance at Council. Wishes her to have something said on the bylaws of the MVLA concerning new rules against vote by proxy. ER-17, p. 259

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A.L.S. Ann Arbor. Re purchase of Washington mirror, furniture ordered for Mrs. Washington's parlor, writing desk, Smyrna rug, curtains, set of Chippendale furniture, and two arm chairs upholstered in Louis XVI damask. W-102, W-106

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A.L.S. Beall-Air. Governor Walker of Virginia wishes to visit Mount Vernon. Suggests Regent send him an official invitation inviting the Governor of West Virginia at same time. Recently had a long sad letter from Miss Cunningham. ER-14, p. 121

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A.L.S. Clarendon Hotel. Received official call to Grand Council, June 2. Re Council action on death of former Regent, Ann Pamela Cunningham, who chose Mrs. Berghmans for her successor. Governor Kemper and General Meens wish to inspect farm, urges careful plans be arranged for it. ER-14, p. 123

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Extract of letter regarding late report of minutes due to her son's illness. Also, brief extract reporting the marriage of Mrs. Berghmans to Mr. Laughton. ER-7, p. 111

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A.L.S. Has in her possession a pair of carved wood flower stands which belonged to Mount Vernon, presented to Dr. W. Thornton by Washington. Offers them to MVLA for $300. W-7A and W-7B

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A.L.S. Congratulates her on her appeal in today's newspaper. ER-5, p. 1-L

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A.L.S. Encloses newspaper clipping regarding bills introduced to legislature. Proposed railroad and their desire to purchase land from Mr. Burke as a protection against it. Falls Church and Potomac Railroad Co. Urges her to apply to Virginia legislature for right to purchase more land. Recommends William Wirt Henry as an able Richmond lawyer if needed in fight to restrict railroads crossing into Mount Vernon land. ER-6, p. 262

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Legislature is back in session earlier than expected. Has heard that the proposed railroad will probably fail due to a lack of capital.

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A.L.S. Virginia legislature is soon to convene. Will let her know when so that she can be there to conduct any Mount Vernon business. ER-6, p. 264

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A.L.S. Gainesville, Florida. Must come to Richmond soon if any hope to stop state legislature from passing railroad bill detrimental to Mount Vernon interests. She ought to get aid of General Lee of Virginia and Mr. Henry in the matter. Both interested in Mount Vernon. She can do no more to stop it. ER-6, p. 264

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A.L.S. Leesburg. Accepts the nomination as Vice Regent for Virginia. ER-14, p. 131

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A.L.S. Leesburg. Visited Mount Vernon, asks for constitution and late reports of Association. Hopes to secure some relics. ER-14, p. 131

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A.L.S. Mourns loss of two Vice Regents. As requested, sought legal advice re status and duties of Virginia Board of Visitors. Sends her names of new Board appointed by Governor Cameron, hopes Board will meet during Council and plan wisely for same. Asks about four shares of Bank Stock, so long unreported. ER-14, p. 135

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A.L.S. Baltimore. Re work on inside of Tomb which is a "very great mortification" to him. Send Mr. Foose, cement worker, to remedy dampness. Plasterer Abrahams admits using very little cement on inside (had underestimated cost). Asks her to explain defect and correction to Council. Writes of Abraham's deception in his work, as he hears he is working at Mount Vernon. ER-6, p. 255

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A.L.S. Baltimore. Old zinc roof over front part and supporting wooden ribs eroded, should be replaced with new tin roof over old one, and new ribs. Estimate $170. Gutter with cement to drain rear of Tomb $30. ER-6, p. 253

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A.L.S. Baltimore. Work on Tomb completed, rubbish removed, "dirt cleared…beds on sides of Tomb fixed…" Bill enclosed. ER-6, p. 254

Scope and Contents From the Collection: The bulk of this collection is correspondence to Mrs. Laughton concerning Mount Vernon and the work of the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association. Other material includes correspondence from Mrs. Laughton, formal reports and papers of the MVLA, personal correspondence and memoirs, photographs, printed material, and ephemera. The overall dates range from 1850 to 1891 with the bulk of the collection dating from the 1860s-1880s.This collection contains correspondence from a significant...