Mitchell, Jim, 1795-1870

Scope and Contents From the Collection: The Historical Photograph Collection is largely comprised of materials created by or for the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association. Some of the earliest photographs of the estate were created and sold to visitors by the Association as a means of income. Those efforts helped to establish an important collection of 19th century views. The collection spans the 1850s to 2000s and includes over 140 linear feet of analog material providing a visual history of the Mansion, outbuildings, tombs, grounds,...

Scope and Contents

Judith B. Alexander, Caledon, to John Augustine Washington III. Judith writes that she is suffering from melancholy and writes of religious matters. She also writes, “I observed with pleasure you have forbidden the intrusion of stages and omnibuses.” She asks that she be fondly remembered to Aunt Jenny, “my poor old Joe Mitchum,” Phil, West, Eliza, and Sarah.

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 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 Mount Vernon to Blakely. West Ford reports on illnesses at Mount Vernon: "i am very sorry to say to you that we have had a great deal of sickness Jessie Clark was take the 3 day of the month he was as crazy as he could be he did not know any person i had to send for doctor Powel." He also mentions that Jim Mitchell has been "laid up" and that July and Hannah, though "not yet confined," have been scarcely able to work. Andrew is also still sick. Ford also reports that he has begun breaking up...

Scope and Contents A list of property, including enslaved persons, reported to be taken by the 16th New York Regiment from John Augustine Washington III's farm near Mount Vernon. Although John Augustine sold the Mount Vernon mansion and grounds to the Mount Vernon Ladies Association in 1858, he retained property in the surrounding area. The list of slaves includes Jim Mitchell and Edmund Parker, who were later employed by the Mount Vernon Ladies Association, and Gabriel Johnson, who had escaped in 1845 and...