Sweat, Margaret J.M. (Margaret Jane Mussey), 1823-1908

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A.L.S. Providence, July 19. Discusses banks for storing funds. ERL-51. Undated 062.

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A.L.S. Has been reviewing her papers but not found much. Discusses what she knows and remembers regarding the boat contract. Says Mr. Riggs and Miss Tracy were irresponsible with money. Miss Tracy spent it as she pleased.

Scope and Contents Typescript copy. Account of her visit to Mount Vernon during the War, Feb. 24, 1864. Account of trip by boat; 14 persons including Miss Tracy; describes camps along the river; Mount Vernon neutral ground; welcomed by Mr. Herbert; Mary McMakin also there. Walked about grounds with Herbert who talked of experiences there during War. Only portion or rooms "made fit for occupancy". Dined in Library, gives bill of fare. Registered in "big" book, paid $1.00. Herbert gave each bouquet of...

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A.L.S. Mount Vernon. Sorry Mrs. Sweat unable to attend Grand Council. Mr. Dodge has done much at Mount Vernon since last Council.

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A.L.S. Mount Vernon. Brief report of Grand Council. Visitors to Mount Vernon at Council time. Discusses Mr. Dodge and his work and health.

Scope and Contents Draft. Dated January 27, no year. She is pleased with Mrs. Sweat as Vice Regent of Maine and wishes she were closer to Washington so they could meet and talk more. Says there is only $107 in the MVLA treasury and they are not receiving enough from visitors, wharfage, etc. They are in debt to Mr. Herbert, Miss Tracy, and others. They have only 25 acres of land in cultivation for their needs. Visitors are destructive and this requires men to watch over certain areas of the estate. Even ivory...

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A.L.S. Rosemont. On resignation of Mrs. Davis, she offers Mrs. Sweat the position. As a Grand Council will soon be held, when nomination will be presented, asks for a prompt reply. ER-19, p. 91

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A.L. Draft. Mount Vernon. Confidential. Great financial crisis, on Dec. 3 only $107 in treasury. Revenue from visitors, wharfage, sale of photographs. Investments hard to sell. Riggs' unsought report to Council and misunderstanding; Regent cancels debt to him, he resigns. Owes Mr. Herbert $1500, Sec. Tracy $200, Council's budget impractical with no funds. Regent decides to retrench drastically awaiting spring boat service. Loans made by Mr. Herbert and G.W. Riggs. ER-11, p. 151

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A.L.S. Bridgeport. Washington's Headquarters at Valley Forge. They are following the MVLA's example and asks for all information possible. Their Constitution, bylaws, etc. Sends their circular of appeal for funds. Invites them to ceremonies June 19, 1878. Tells her of Civil War Field Hospital Service as a volunteer worker. Mrs. Sweat's reply to this letter is copied on the reverse. ER-20, p. 107

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A.L.S. Bridgeport. Asks for names of women in the original thirteen states who might be suitable Vice Regents in the Valley Forge Association. Hopes their Association will uncover letters and documents stored away in forgotten places. General Lacey's grandson recently published Washington's letters to his grandfather. Headquarters in fine state of preservation, purchased directly from Potts family. Again invites MVLA to attend centennial ceremonies at Valley Forge. ER-20, p. 109

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A.L.S. Colross. Discusses difficulties with Miss Cunningham who thinks all power lies with the Regent not with the Board. Mr. Hollingsworth's election as Superintendent and his new duties. Mary McMakin's family to leave Mount Vernon.

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A.L.S. Colross. Relates to Mrs. Sweat's letter to the Regent regarding a change in Regent's position, also Mary McMakin's.

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A.L. Incomplete. MVLA matters and declining health of Ann Pamela Cunningham.

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A.L.S. Chesnut Hill, Loudon County. Deterioration of Miss Cunningham's health. Has advised her to accept the will of the Vice Regents. Thinks Miss McMakin has been a bad influence on her. McMakin's family, especially the mother, is a "horror." Cunningham is willing to give all money control over to Hollingsworth. Attempts to get her away from Mount Vernon.

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A.L.S. Chesnut Hill. Discusses Miss Cunningham and her failing health, and her troubles with Vice Regents. Hollingsworth reports several statements made to him about them by the Regent. She wishes this all to be finished and for Miss Cunningham to finally leave Mount Vernon.

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A.L.S. Colross. Has heard from Hollingsworth that the Regent is coming to Mount Veron. Suggests the $1500 from the MVLA he has forwarded to her be withdrawn unless she leave Mount Vernon and avoid MVLA matters.

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A.L.S. Chesnut Hill. Discusses upcoming election and a visit with her son. Could not meet with Mrs. Eve because she was ill. Wishes Miss Cunningham would stay in Philadelphia. Discusses Constitution drafted by Mr. Petigru.

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A.L.S. Colross. Miss Cunningham desires to return to Mount Vernon. Hollingsworth says matters go well at Mount Vernon and Council is planned for the near future.

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A.L.S. Chesnut Hill. Miss Cunningham at Mount Vernon. Feels she should be made to leave at "slightest intimation of her Council." Feels Mrs. Eve's disagreement with her is highly personal and harmful to MVLA. Miss McMakin's, however, she feels is not, and is only meant to help the MVLA through a troubled time.

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A.L.S. Chesnut Hill. Discusses Miss Cunningham's health and common knowledge of her excessive use of drugs. MVLA's financial matters - wonders if complaints about Miss Tracy were valid. Friends of hers pledged $150 to Mount Vernon as they were so impressed with the mansion and with Hollingsworth, who feels he is being spied upon. Feels Miss Cunningham is beginning to cost Mount Vernon some of its friends and allies.

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Small booklet of check stubs kept by Mrs. Sweat while Acting Regent.

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Includes Mrs. Sweat's annotations, sketches, and inserts.

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A.L.S. Leesburg. Mrs. Ball is ill. Advises her placing funds in a "sound savings Bank" to draw 5% until return of Regent. "Certainly desirable to avoid, if it can be done safely, the high premium, slow interest of Government securities to which she refers." ER-20, p. 115

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Copy book entry for letter. Summary only. Hollingsworth forwarded your letter which did not state you wished the Association to present petition to Congress, but that you asked their approval for you to do so. As a Vice Regent she can only offer willingness of Association to take care of relics. They do not wish to ask a claim of Congress directly or indirectly at present, and cannot sign his petition. ER-20, p. 75

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Bound ledger, handwritten "true copy" of meeting minutes for Council, 1872-1877.

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D.S. "List of monies paid out upon demand of the Superintendent and Committees and which do not precisely come under the head of 'current expenses' of the place."

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A.L.S. Boston. Re purchase of Washington Headquarters at Valley Forge. Mrs. James of Cambridge asked him to act for her during her absence in Europe. Asks Mrs. Sweat to direct movement in Maine. ER-20, p. 111

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A.L.S. Washington, D.C. F. A. Richardson of the Baltimore Sun called to ask about organization and finances of the MVLA. Regent is absent. He has been commissioned to write an article about the Association and wishes "to do us justice." Asks her to call on Mr. Richardson, giving him last Report. ER-19, p. 179

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A.L.S. Apologizes for failure to report to her his receipt several months previously of dividend from the Portland and Rochester Railroad Stock.

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A.L.S. Cannot recall whether he stated past values of railroad stock at last Council. Wishes Mrs. Sweat to ask Mr. Hudson whether he did or not.