Gibson, Elizabeth Bordley, 1777-1863

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Mama is better. Declines tea for herself and sister. Eugenia and America have invited a young lady from Mrs. Oreland's to dine. Papa regrets also.

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The doctor has no reason to believe that there is yellow fever in the city [Philadelphia].

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Has not seen her friend, Elizabeth, since Nelly left Philadelphia for Morrisville. Nelly has learned to ride and had taught "pretty green pet" to sing. Postscript in light vein.

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Rumor of her engagement to Charles Carroll is unfounded. She reports the circumstances of his visit to Mount Vernon in March. Note on the state of affairs at Hope Park and Mount Vernon. Sister Peter's two children were dangerously ill at Mount Vernon but recovered. She is becoming a militant Federalist. Expects to remain at Hope Park some weeks longer.

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Encloses letter to "our dear Elizabeth". Hopes to see her grandmother soon. Sister Eliza's wedding was private by her own choice. Nelly and her mother just returned from visiting the newlyweds. Sister Peter and child returned to Hope Park with them. Signature with alias "Deborah Bridget muckle weaver Tackabout a votre service".

Scope and Contents From Hope Park. Apologizes for neglect. This is the first separation from her grandmother since she was two years old--a great trial. Sister Peter expects child in a few months, her happy situation. Will spend some time with her this winter. Letter from "our beloved Elizabeth" whi is safely in England. "Poor little Frish" is well in Philadelphia. Mention of Ann Allen of Bristol. Comment on Elizabeth Bordley's visit to the Panorama. Congratulations to Mrs. Hammond. Letter of October 13th...

Scope and Contents They have just arrived at Arlington, and Lorenzo benefited by change of scene and air, but the whole family is still sick. Saw Eliza Law Rogers' children. Eliza P. Custis lives in Georgetown now. Measles prevail in Georgetown, "but it is a very favorable kind." Nelly will exert all her influence in behalf of Elizabeth's nephew. She has already spoken to a friend of the Secretary of the Navy on his behalf and would even go to "King James" [President Monroe] himself if it would help, but he...

Scope and Contents Nelly describes her severe headaches and general ill health. Her daughter is pale. Wishes Parke could have traveled to North East with her father and brother Lorenzo. Nelly owes Lawrence Lewis a grudge for not taking her and the girls with him on the health-giving journey. Chagrined that he and Lorenzo didn't call on her in Philadelphia. She goes to Riverdale [Maryland] and to her brother's in Loudon. Major Vandeventer wrote that he had seen Lawrence and Lorenzo at West Point. Describes his...

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Introduces Capt. Cooper whose flute playing had entertained her family so often. They have been 3 weeks at Arlington, and go on Monday to see Caroline [Calvert]. "Eliza [Law] Rogers comes today with her three little pets." Parke has been very fatigued and weak.

Scope and Contents Nelly writes that her own and her family's illnesses, plus bad weather, force them to cancel visit to Philadelphia this season. Parke much better. Desires Parke to marry a Philadelphia man, for her health and happiness. Military beaux come to Woodlawn often. Describes her own recent symptoms, and relieving her rheumatic headache by binding American poplar leaves to her head. Lorenzo is pleased with situation at College. Nelly inquires of Philadelphia friends. Alexandria and Georgetown had...

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Nelly writes that she has been ill for 7 weeks of quartan ague, a malarial fever. Ped has had chills. She is anxious to go to Cincinnati to be with Parke, who expects child in January or February. Parke seems very healthy. Mr. Lewis hasn't given permission for visit yet. She has sent two shawls to Philadelphia to be cleaned and dyed.

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Nelly was visiting for 4 months with friends and relatives in "the lower Country." Spent 3 weeks with Mrs. Mason of Colross. Parke safe from cholera, but many slaves dead. Speaks of baby [of Mrs. McCalls?]; she named it "Zacha the best of Babes, after the noblest of living men." Parke's 2 daughters at home in Louisiana again. Charley and Lewis Conrad are at school in Georgetown. The twins, Lawrence Fielding and John Redman Coxe Lewis, are in school in Alexandria.

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The death of President Zachary Taylor. Nelly's palsy and partial paralysis; Morehead's Galvanic Machine, the flesh brush, and diverse medicines have effected some improvement.

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Nelly says that her condition is better, but she cannot get out or around much. Butler's sister Mrs. Donelson stricken insensible with paralysis and died 3 days later. Conrad boys reside in Washington with their father. Received unfinished letter from the late Zachary Taylor, found among his papers. Urges Elizabeth to visit Audley. Speaks of cup "Zach" gave her.

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Nelly expresses her devotion to Elizabeth, how much their friendship has meant to her. Recalls happy days in Philadelphia when young. She can't even go to her "boys" [the grandsons] since last attack of paralysis. Can walk about house with a cane, but much crippled. Her recollections of Andrew Allen who recently died and discusses a poem he wrote her on her 15th birthday.

Scope and Contents "I do not believe the Genls Mother [Mary Ball Washington] ever had her likeness taken by any one"; if she had had it taken it wouldn't be in hands of strangers. "Mr. L[ewis] was her favorite Grandchild, more with her than any other - he never saw or heard of any likeness being taken." Thanks for Andrew Allen's inscription to memory of 1st wife. Sorry her appearance "shocked and horrified" him when they dined together last. Learned from Col. Humphreys to repeat his verses when he lived at...

Scope and Contents Nelly speaks of a portrait taken at 25, after 8 years of marriage. Intends to copy her old verses into blank book for her only child [Parke]. "My Boys and E. [Lorenzo's wife and sons] are well but miss their father." Mary Lee and 3 children there now, and expects Sister [Martha Peter] and 3 grandchildren this week. Mary Lee has a son at West Point "worthy of his Father" [Robert E. Lee]. Disappointed in Root's likeness of her [a daguerreotype], but preferred him to Brady. Oscar Lafayette...

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Nelly expresses her devotion to her old friends. Recommends remedy for Elizabeth's headaches. She finished a piece of worsted work for little Lewis Conrad and has 9 more to work. Gives her daily schedule. Mentions her old friends. Conveys news of Parke's children and the Conrads. Esther still delicate after 2 months confinement in winter.

Scope and Contents Nelly expresses her gratitude for Elizabeth's letter of sympathy on Angela's death. She has outlived 6 of her 8 children, but Angela is the only one she was not with at the time of her death. She hadn't gone to Louisiana because Angela begged her not to come in summer heat. Had remained with Mr. Lewis at Woodlawn waiting for work on shelter for the sepulchre at Mount Vernon to be finished. Angela died of congestion of the brain which destroyed her senses and her life. Hopes to go on 13th or...

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Her visit to New Port was prevented by a visit of Parke and her children and two Conrad boys. Parke's 2 daughters to be left at Miss Margaret Mercer's school near Leesburg. Miss M. is daughter of Coll John Fenton Mercer of Marleborough, a second "Jane de Montfort," has devoted herself to restoring brother's property. Lewis Conrad has been ill with catarrha fever and inflamation of the lungs. Robert Lee has been ordered to Mexico; Mary and their seven children will remain at Arlington.

Scope and Contents Parke went home in November, expecting Butler to depart for Mexico. Governor of Louisiana appointed him Major General of militia and he expects appointment by Mr. Polk of same rank. She mentions Mr. Williams' death at Monterey [America Peter's husband]. Anxious about Robert Lee who is with General Wood. Charles and Lewis Conrad with their father in New Orleans. The unexpected death of Miss Margaret Mercer will not close the school. Woodlawn sold to Messrs. Gillingham and a company from...

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Nelly writes of Parke's children. Charles Conrad and his 2 children arrived safe in New Orleans. Children have been with Parke since December nineteenth. Descriptions and stories about Angela's 2 children [Chas. A. and Lawrence Lewis Conrad]. Hopes they can all come to Audley in Spring. Mrs. B. Bordley [wife of Elizabeth Gibson's nephew] writes that her husband has gone to Savannah.

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Nelly's family is well. Parke devotes herself to improvement of her daughters. Introduces Mr. Henry Daingerfield (nephew to Dr. Henry Daingerfield) and his daughter. He intends placing his daughter in school in Philadelphia.

Scope and Contents Nelly took Angela's children to meet father, Charles Conrad, on his way to Europe. He will be gone a year and left boys under her care. Saw Britannia Peter, now married to Capt. Kennan. Mary Custis Lee and 3 children at Fort Hamilton, where Robert Lee is in corps of engineers. 2 of the daughters with their grandmother [Mrs. Lee?]. Parke's eldest son Edward George Washington Butler is with her now. He is to be a student at George Town college. Angela's remains moved from Pass Christian in...

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Recalls days of her girlhood in Philadelphia. A clergyman's wife to open school near Parke's home, children can attend. Grandson [E.George Washington Butler] in school at George Town College. Seven grandsons here have colds. Letters from [Charles Conrad] now in Europe. Mary [Custis] Lee has new son. Britannia [Peter Kennan] has a daughter.

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Tells of the explosion aboard the "Princeton" [Feb. 28] and death of niece, Brittania [Peter Kennan's] husband. America's daughter Martha was with her at the time aboard the ship. Christening of Brittania's baby [Martha Custis Kennan] month after father's death. Mr. Conrad returns in summer.

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Trip to New Port with Charles Conrad and two grandsons, Charley and Lewis Conrad restored her health much. Conrad's hurry to return to New Orleans prevented her seeing Elizabeth as she passed thru Philadelphia. Charley had several teeth drawn in New York and a pebble in his forehead cut out. She was much visited in New Port by old friends and strangers. Postmarked "Berryville Va Aug. 10."

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Nelly urges a more frequent correspondence between them. Recalls friends she saw in New Port and New York. Reports her mixed feelings on meeting Frank Gray at Newport. Washy [George Washington Lewis] and Sonny [Edward George Washington Butler] have returned to school. Mr. Conrad well and the convention adjourned 'til January. Mr. Bordley, Elizabeth's nephew, and his wife visited. He is busy painting portraits in Winchester.

Scope and Contents Nelly writes of Parke's youngest son, Lawrence Lewis Butler. The eldest, Edward George Washington Butler is at Carolina College in Columbia. Polk offered Butler a Colonelcy of Dragoons, but had promised a Brigadier's command, so he probably won't accept. Washy [George Washington Lewis] is at Virginia Military Institute at Lexington. Nelly is doing needlework for grandchildren. She never goes out except for Church. "Dear Robt" [Lee] is with General Scott. "Our fears and anxieties are all for...