Tracy, Sarah, 1820-1896

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A.L.S. Washington. Re calling Council for 1865. Severe winter. Boat may run in March. Cites money A.P.C. has, suggests borrowing $4000 from Mr. Riggs and Mr. Mitchell. Comments on E. Everett's death, fall of Ft. Fisher, disgrace of Butler. Has interview with Mrs. Berghmans. ER-15, p. 151

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A.L.S. Mount Vernon. Asked G.W. Riggs' opinion on calling meeting Feb. 22. Last year E. Everett reported securities for $7,433 in his trustees' hands, problem of selling them and also Virginia bonds. Only Miss Hamilton and Mr. Eve favored disposing of Mount Vernon. Mr. Riggs says it cannot be done because it would violate charter and contract. Thinks Vice Regents can manage without borrowing. ER-15, p. 163

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A.L.S. Mount Vernon. Has been ill for 2 weeks. Aunt of Supt. Herbert died, exposure attending funeral gave her a cold. Mrs. Mitchell and Mrs. Barry will attend meeting Feb 22; Mrs. Van Antwerp cannot come. G.W. Riggs very reluctant to give advice. Want Western VRs to raise money. ER-15, p. 165; Extract, handwritten, ER 16, p. 119 Extract, handwritten, ER 17, p. 125

Scope and Contents A.L.S. Mount Vernon. Annual meeting on Feb. 22, 1865 was postponed to the 25th due to illness of Mrs. Barry and herself. Mrs. Barry was in the chair. Resolutions presented re Everett fund remaining; committee appointed at last meeting continued with 2 changes in membership; meetings to be held later in year; salaries and allowances at Mount Vernon to be continued. Failure of attempt to collect claim from Congress for loss by discontinuance of boat service. Enclosed resolution to be...

Scope and Contents A.L.S. Mount Vernon. Has had a low fever; Mr. Herbert and Miss McMakin also ill. Mount Vernon is an unhealthy place. Saw Mrs. Comegys's letter to Mrs. Riggs on Resolutions. Has letter from Regent, can't answer half her questions. Deposits entrance fees for July $576, totaling sum since May 13, $2356.25, not including boat percentage. Borrowed $255 for food supplies; have garden planted, selling bouquets. Boat running; paid debt. Table linen worn out, she and Mr. Herbert used their...

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A.L.S. Mount Vernon. Received photographs and terms for supplying MVLA. Last week seven were ill with chills and bilious fever. Annoyed by photographers who wanted views to sell on percentage, which Regent disapproves. Will send committee copies for approval, taken by Mr. Bell, gives prices, styles and profits, copyright. Mr. Herbert needs $40 more per month. ER-15, p. 171; Extract, handwritten, ER 16, p. 119, Extract, handwritten, ER 18, p. 130-1

Scope and Contents A.L.S. Mount Vernon. Mary McMakin called home by illness, cancels Miss Tracy's plan for 3 weeks rest. Regent needs to be at Mount Vernon, thinks she would come now if expenses were paid; names four Vice Regents who would doubtless contribute. Considers Regent's possible resignation, her losses and attitude toward them. Methods of meeting expenses at Mount Vernon. Railroad problem--legislative action; Mr. Taylor (John A. Washington's lawyer) watching developments carefully. New York Vice...

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A.L.S. Philadelphia. Miss Cunningham sends hair cut from her head "ten years hence". ER-17, p. 65

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A.L.S. Washington, D.C. Send mail to Secretary; "Mount Vernon, near Alex." G.W. Riggs kind in all things, stays with family when in Washington. Came to see Gen. Scott re pass, soldiers stacking arms at Mount Vernon, Col. Townsend's help to suppress Gen. Scott's printed order; writing article for Intelligencer; may send article to Baltimore Exchange and New York Times. ER-15, p. 80

Scope and Contents A.L.S. Mount Vernon. Has recently rec'd two letters from Regent who is at Greenwood; sent her letters from E. Everett and Dr. Hodge. Uses both U.S. and Southern postage; Mr. Fisher carries mail 9 miles to Occoquan, furnishes him pass across lines. Relates her adventure returning from Washington, accompanied by a 14 yr. old boy; had "pass" but left Alexandria to find road barricaded; went across a field, through a farm, troopers lifted buggy over fence, tried to reach blacksmith's house...

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A.L.S. Mount Vernon. She helped nurse a soldier who came to Mount Vernon and became ill during the visit. She and Mr. Herbert split responsibilities around the estate. Must go to "Head Quarters" to discuss the steamboats with authorities. Folder also contains excerpts and transcriptions. ER-15, p. 98 and ER-16, p. 102

Scope and Contents Draft copy. Boat not permitted to run, but they live simply and comfortably at Mount Vernon--fresh vegetables and fruits on estate. Fees irregular. Last summer with boat running they made expenses, shingled roof, and made small repairs. Boat stopped, cannot get it resumed. Rec'd letter from Miss Cunningham, but she has rec'd none from Miss Tracy. Asks Stanton's permission to write Regent a long letter, a friend in War Dept. passed it, sent it with note to Col. Ludlow of "Flag of Truce"....

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A.L.S. Mount Vernon. Grateful for "kindly thought of authority to Supt. H. and myself for building Greenhouse." No passes issued. Will go for provisions without pass, hopes to return. Confederates 3 mi. from Mount Vernon yesterday. Sec. and Miss McMakin spent day at Picket Post. Brings West Ford (negro) to Mount Vernon to care for in his old age. Next day gets pass and sends provisions down by tug. ER-15, p. 117

Scope and Contents A.L.S. Mount Vernon. Mount Vernon very quiet, passes hard to get, not 10 visitors a month, have no funds; G.W. Riggs wishes to sell Virginia Bonds, supplied Mount Vernon with money for year; Supt. due $2500 back salary. Miss Hamilton, through E. Everett, tries to obtain indemnity for losses from discontinuance of boat service from War Department, but was referred to Court of Claims. Spent 3 mo. in North Carolina because of nephew's illness. Folder also contains excerpt and copy. ER-15, p....

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A.L.S. Mount Vernon. Miss Tracy sends her documents; wrote Miss Hamilton about selling bonds, as did Mr. Riggs, which induced her to ask that a meeting be called. Would like to talk to Mr. and Mrs. Comegys if they can come to Washington. ER-15, p. 133

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A.L.S. Washington, D.C. Notice of annual meeting of the MVLA, called for Feb. 22 in Washington. ER-15, p. 141

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A.L.S. Miss Hamilton insists meeting shall be called. Cold, ice, small-pox, bad roads, prevent them from going to Washington. Asks Mrs. C. to come a week or 10 days before meeting to advise with her. ER-15, p. 135

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A.L.S. Mount Vernon. Re Council, disapproves of Miss Hamilton's reply. Urges Mrs. Comegys to spend a few days at Mount Vernon before the 22nd. Comments on passes for Mrs. Eve and Mrs. LeVert. ER-15, p. 147

Scope and Contents A.L.S. Washington, D.C. Mrs. Riggs invites Mr. and Mrs. Comegys to be her guests at annual Council time; wants her to visit Mount Vernon first; says her salary adjustment can wait, asks increase for Miss McMakin--$100 and living expenses increased to $12 per mo., but is not enough to clothe her. Wants Association to give a definite sum for coming year which Supt. and she will plan to live on. Had interview with Mrs. Berghmans re boat service. She knows President and Mrs. Lincoln. ER-15,...

Scope and Contents A.L.S. Mount Vernon. Returned to Mount Vernon very tired, has Minutes and Resolutions to enter, 18 copies to make and send to Ladies. Saw Miss Hamilton in Washington re Resolution about funds, G.W. Riggs responsible for year, favorable report on excursion to Mount Vernon. Miss Hamilton satisfied with Council, conditions at estate, disapproves of increasing debt. Saw Mrs. Little, Mrs. Ogden, Mrs. Farnsworth in Georgetown. Boat question delayed. Supt. Herbert wishes to sell 50,000 bricks...

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A.L.S. Mount Vernon. Re reports of Committees for Council. Mr. Herbert pleased with authority to sell bricks. Mrs. Farnsworth request to Sec. of War for manure, results in having too great a quantity sent here. ER-15, p. 119

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A.L.S. Philadelphia. Miss Cunningham plans visit to Mrs. Comegys. ER-15, p. 13

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A.L.S. Washington, DC. Perplexed by problems arising because of the War situation, such as talk re the "Peace Congress" at Mount Vernon on the 22nd. Has not heard from A.P.C. since her uncomfortable return to her home. Thinks railroad "will die a natural death in these hard times". Send letters to Alexandria as she will be leaving Washington in a fortnight. ER-15, p. 29

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A.L.S. Mount Vernon. Reports receipt of Regent's letters from June 28 to July 6 in one package. Regent has rec'd all of her letters. Wrote Mrs. Chace re Miss Johnson's circular to VRs. Regent moved to Greenwood on railroad. Dr. Hodge replies to Fourney article. Hears continuous firing from Bull Run. ER-15, p. 78

Scope and Contents A.L.S. with extract copies. Muckruss, Virginia. Their house burned before Christmas. They are living temporarily with Col. Arthur Herbert. No insurance. Will build again. Gives details of fire and items saved. Memos re Mount Vernon burned, must rely on her memory to give review of her life at Mount Vernon which is briefly told from her appointment in September 1859 through the Civil War period when the Regent ordered her to Mount Vernon and told her to take title of Sec of Assn, so as to...

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A.L.S. Philadelphia. Mount Vernon Record, December omitted a number of states in printing article on Masonic Order, so has circular, corrected, printed for distribution and to be copied in newspapers. Regent eager for their contributions. Hopes to take possession of MV on July 4th. Vice Regent for Iowa has made another Appeal to her state, hopes all Vice Regents will do same, reaching Masons and Odd Fellows. ER-17, p. 74

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A.L.S. Philadelphia. [Strictly private & confidential, similar to letters sent other Vice Regents] Concerns the Association's Constitution, fundraising within states, and whether or not to call a Grand Council meeting. ER-17, p. 69

Scope and Contents A.L.S. Mount Vernon. Few of Regent's letters lost. McClelland revokes passes; Federal pickets within 3 miles, road blockaded; decides to run blockade. Saw Col. Townsend at Headquarters, then President Lincoln. Receives pass for herself and Miss McMakin. Is "doctress" for Mount Vernon area. Mr. and Mrs. John A. Washington die within year, leaving 7 children; his will explicit, no trouble with heirs, G.W. Riggs had deed. Fourney's last attack on Mount Vernon. G.W. Riggs advises Regent's...

Scope and Contents A.L.S. Mount Vernon. Regent told her to call on Mrs. Comegys when in doubt. Until recently rec'd instructions from Regent regularly. Reviews her own actions at Mount Vernon, concern about Miss Johnson's circular. Regent's great effort to keep Mount Vernon neutral. Fourney's article re Secessionist corresponding with Gen. Beauregard via Mount Vernon. Denied it promptly, but thinks a VR should make press denial. Sec. has been to Washington only twice in 2 months on official business re...

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A.L.S. Mount Vernon. Forwarded obituary of Mr. Morse to A.P.C. Regent cannot reach Mount Vernon before 2nd or 3rd week in Nov. Regrets Council could not have been in Oct. Reports on Regent's health and urges Mrs. Morse to visit Mount Vernon. ER-14, p. 51