Halsted, Nancy Marsh, 1817-1891

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A.L.S. Mount Vernon. Explains departure of the Marks family; still without a secretary. Mr. Capron has sent new and rare seeds - for "experimental use." Re $7000 "claim" passed by U.S. Congress. ER-2, p. 71

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A.L.S. Mount Vernon. Hopes for a visit from General and Mrs. Halsted. Reminds her Mr. Herbert owned at least half of things in Mansion. ER-2, p. 73

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A.L.S. Mount Vernon. Urges General and Mrs. Halsted to visit Mount Vernon. Acknowledges vegetable seeds. Will rebuild one of the "burned" greenhouses, secure grape vines. Visitors back to old ratio. Potato crop failure for 2 years - welcome new kind sent. ER-2, p. 75

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A.L.S. Mount Vernon. Assumes Mrs. Halsted, like herself, will attempt anything for Mount Vernon. General Michler favors thorough investigation of all repairs needed. Will build Greenhouse as they have so much brick to be size of Washington's that burned. Will cultivate fruits and flowers for sale. Miss Finney will stay with her and act as secretary until she finds a new permanent one. ER-2. p. 77

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A.L.S. Mount Vernon. Minutes finished by Miss Finney. Nathan reports 2 Mount Vernon visitors corresponding with Mr. Taylor, Alexandria, re building site adjacent to Mount Vernon. Regent plans to purchase this property immediately. 50 visitors today. Worried over A.T. Stuart's merchandise bill. ER-2, p. 79

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A.L.S. Mount Vernon. Securing glass cases for a room to be a permanent museum. Estimate to be secured for painting Banquet Room. Discusses heating Greenhouse by hot water and "not smoke". New secretary is "affectionate, gentle" but "too timid." ER-2, p. 81

Scope and Contents A.L.S. Mount Vernon. Regarding land adjoining Mount Vernon, Court orders sold. Freight charged on mattress, bedstead, parlor desk. Prof. Henry gives water gauge, buys thermometer. Vice Regent of New York says collections will resume after $7000 claim is spent. Repairs - plastering on 2nd floor, Greenhouse walls leveled, gardener's house. Two bedrooms, 2nd floor plastered, 3rd floor replastered (beams sound), colonnade tinned. Mr. Forney reduces supply costs. Banquet Hall cost about...

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A.L.S. Mount Vernon. Professor Henry's advice on "souvenirs." President visits Mount Vernon. Training new secretary, Mrs. Tiffey. Worried over return trip to South Carolina. Gardener Craig has gotten married. Asks for Association's bills. Wallpaper described, 2nd floor room examined, several layers; Blue and Yellow Rooms, River Room and Lafayette Room. Gifts of bedroom paper, mower. Freight still charged to the Association. Bad weather reduces visitors. ER-2, p. 97

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A.L.S. Greensboro. Mrs. Walker expected. Mr. Comegys advises securing the 33 acres. Writes of problem to Vice Regents. Terms of payments. Mr. Cooke to purchase in his name with limit of $100 an acre but announces to the public that the Association will not bid against speculators. ER-2, p. 103

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A.L.S. Rosemont. Delayed courts in South Carolina make it uncertain when Miss Cunningham's case will be called. Hopes Miss Tiffey (now at Mount Vernon on trial basis) will prove a good manager. Fears over purchase of 33 1/2 acres tract. Acknowledges donations Mrs. Halsted has secured for Mount Vernon. ER-2, p. 105

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A.L.S. Rosemont. Great Room oil cloth received. Freight was free. Gifts of mirrors with ancient pattern and much paper. Government repairs going slowly. Wants Mansion in shape for Lord and Lady Adare. Considers "mosquito-screens." Funds insufficient for Mansion repairs, building greenhouse and colonnades. Portico roof must wait. Boat receipts 1/2 last year due to weather. Commends "Halsted corn." ER-2, p. 107

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A.L.S. Rosemont. Commends Mrs. Halsted's activities. Reports collections from Mrs. Chace, Miss Harper, prospects from Mrs. Henry. Funds sufficient to buy hose and coupling and to plant Mr. Corcoran's gift of trees. Personal finances delayed Regent's return to Mount Vernon. Declares she will never exceed the authority the Constitution gives her. ER-2, p. 109

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A.L.S. Atlantic Hotel, Cape Island. Approves sample of paper. Comments on work of Mrs. Halsted. Wishes they could have met Mr. Peabody at the "Springs." ER-2, p. 119

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A.L.S. Atlantic Hotel, Cape Island. Fire destroys nearby hotel where Regent is staying. Must decide on colors for parlors. Vice Regents leave it to Regent. Maine Vice Regent suggests using original colors. ER-2, p. 121

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A.L.S. Cape Island. Painting parlors at Mount Vernon must be deferred; mirrors and red material for curtains most welcome. Suggests paper blinds will keep cold out better than cloth. Anticipates Lord and Lady Adare's visit. ER-2, p. 123

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A.L.S. Cape Island. Lists paint colors suggested by Vice Regents replying to inquiry. Discusses painting according to modern ideas of beauty or keeping to colors of period perhaps not so attractive. Original used if they are certain of color. East Parlor bedroom and ceiling of "our parlor" were blue. Great Room had green cornice, oilcloth worn out. ER-2, p. 125

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A.L.S. Mount Vernon. French grey chosen to go with green cornices. Varnishes furniture - mahogany cases and harpsichord painted. East parlor is grey - "our" room much improved. Lafayette Room finished. Discourages using white curtains. ER-2, p. 129

Scope and Contents A.L.S. Mount Vernon. Mrs. Halsted's activities will stimulate other Vice Regents. The Banquet Hall is fixed and the Hall floor mended. Carpet has been laid in the Lafayette room and there are 13 stars on the window cornices. Discusses curtains, framed embroideries, high poster bed, whitish cottage furniture, bureau, stand, and chairs. Some letters have been lost. She lacks funds for a furnace and may buy a stove. They will have publicity for the Washington papers when New Jersey and New...

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A.L. Mount Vernon. Oilcloth for second story hall, clock on stairway. Mr. Strider agent for Washington relics. Masons plan marble front to vault. Asks about New York's $500 contribution. Regrets Washington relics on market when Association lacks funds. ER-2, p. 153

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A.L.S. Accounts ready for Council. General Michler calls and advises waiting for Congressional action on funds. He has advanced $400 on work. ER-2, p. 145

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A.L.S. Rosemont. She was very ill and her mother is also not well. Is disappointed in Mrs. Tiffey as secretary and probably will not retain her for long. Writes about problems with her family plantation and conditions in the South. Mentions the Rembrandt Peale painting, Washington Before Yorktown. ER-2, p. 151

Scope and Contents A.L.S. Willard's Hotel, Washington, D.C. Meets Benson Lossing, discusses endowment fund. Went to see Peale's painting of Washington at the Capitol. Professor Henry will present miniature model of Bastile under glass. Discusses Washington relics in the Patent Office. Saw Washington relics belonging to Kennon's widow (Martha Washington's granddaughter). The Vice Regent of Connecticut resigned, prospective appointment. Colonel Washington's relics for sale - difficulties with agents. Sword...

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A.L.S. Mount Vernon. Appointments of Vice Regents for Massaschusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Minnesota, and Ohio. Recommends investment of funds in government bonds. Concurs with furnace plans. ER-2, p. 159

Scope and Contents A.L.S. Mount Vernon. Counsels against haste in filling Vice Regent vacancies. Cites Vice Regents for Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Ohio, Texas, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Missouri. Peale's portrait, reverence for Washington. Mrs. Underwood invited to Mount Vernon; Benson Lossing's efforts to raise funds in New York for Portrait and relics. Discusses at length "originals" of Farewell Address. Plans to counteract harm of Dr. Prince's article. Bostonian who writes for Mount Vernon. ER-2,. p....

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A.L.S. Mount Vernon. Meets Colonel Washington's agent in Washington. Channel filling up gives trouble. Discusses Peale painting for $13,000. Visitors declare Washington relics should be here. Mrs. Underwood very cordial. Colonel Washington will take half price if relics are sold to Association. Appointments of Vice Regents for Connecticut and New Hampshire discussed. ER-2, p. 161

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A.L.S. Mount Vernon. Discusses Dr. Prince's writing and antagonism. Filling Vice Regent vacancies in New Hampshire and Massachusetts. Arousing Masons interest in Indiana and other states. Colonel Washington's letter describes his relics and New York Union League bid of $50,000. Funds for Peale portrait - cleaning, insurance. ER-2, p. 163

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A.L.S. Mount Vernon. Mrs. Davidge's interest in Washington relics and fear Union League may buy them. Mrs. Washington to call on Regent. Roof leaked during a storm and the ceiling in the Great Room and Washington's bedroom is wet. ER-2, p. 171

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A.L.S. Mount Vernon. Advises leaving Peale painting at the Capitol until Council meets - states problems involved. Mrs. Mitchell's gift of china, knives, plates. Suggests various methods by which the needed ice may be secured. ER-2, p. 169

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A.L.S. Mount Vernon. Appointment of a Vice Regent from Massachusetts. Enlists Benson Lossing's help in securing relics, endowment funds, Peale portrait. Letter to Mrs. Dandridge. Reviews attempts for funds in North and South, plans fund for relics. Fraud cited. Has high regard for John Augustine Washington. ER-2, p. 171

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A.L.S. Willard Hotel, Washington. Regent and Vice Regent of West Virginia plan to call on President re funds for relics (appointment difficult because of 16th amendment discussion). Peale portrait funds, cleaning, removal, etc. Influential visitors to Mount Vernon. Lossing article in Observer. Nelly Custis Lewis describes binding Farewell Address sheets together. ER-2, p. 173