Hollingsworth, John McHenry, 1823-1889

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A.L.S. in writing of secretary. Mount Vernon. Sends Hitchings and Co. estimate for furnace and boiler in greenhouse. Has brick and cement on hand. Estimate for Tomb repairs to be sent later. Workmen boarded at Mount Vernon expense, which is more advantageous to Association than paying higher wages. ER-20, p. 179

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A.L.S. in writing of secretary. Mount Vernon. Received salary for last month. Will pump out all cisterns. Cistern for hydraulic ram costs more, as storm cause cave-in of excavations, added some brickwork, $290. those employees who were sick are now better. Mr. Blake goes to New York to inspect his new boat. Post office established "Mount Vernon-on-the-Potomac," Fairfax County, VA. Have enough cement and brick to set up proposed greenhouse furnace. ER-20, p. 179

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A.L.S. in writing of secretary. Mount Vernon. Explains increase in costs of greenhouse boiler and furnace. Asks for $200 to pay grocery bills, etc. Ordered corrugated boiler of Hitchings and Co. Mr. Blake has gone to see launching of W. W. Corcoran. ER-20, p. 179

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A.L.S. in writing of secretary. Mount Vernon. Sends receipt for $200 sent by Mrs. Sweat. Greenhouse boiler has been shipped, will send Hitchings and Co. payment. Major Blake returned much pleased with the W. W. Corcoran (boat). ER-20, p. 179

Scope and Contents A.L.S. in writing of secretary. Mount Vernon. Greenhouse boiler placed, total cost $149.50 and has receipt for payment of bill. Greenhouse needs some glazing and carpentry. Has bid for Tomb brickwork. Photograph contract given Mr. Johnson as stated in Mrs. Halsted's letter. Didn't meet total expenses in September, May was the best month. Outstanding bills for groceries, garden seeds, farm expenses and lumber. Chills still prevail at Mount Vernon. West Ford's children have diphtheria....

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A.L.S. in writing of secretary. Mount Vernon. Sends receipts for expense money received. Will start work on Tomb. No truth in rumors that picnics are held on Mount Vernon grounds without his knowledge, origin due to excursionists going to other places on river. Mr. Johnson is at Mount Vernon taking photographs. Expects Major Blake's new boat, W. W. Corcoran on November 1. ER-20, p. 183

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A.L.S. in writing of secretary. Mount Vernon. Contractor expects to finish repairs on Tomb next week. Would like $200 to pay when contractor is finished. Sarah and West Ford's family have intermittent fever. Major Blake has not returned with new boat, W. W. Corcoran. ER-20, p. 185

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A.L.S. in writing of secretary. Mount Vernon. Sends receipt for $200 received. Expects Major Blake and new boat soon. "Sickness on place has almost disappeared." ER-20, p. 187

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A.L.S. in writing of the secretary. Incomplete letter. Mount Vernon. Work on Tomb finished, contractor paid and workmen gone, satisfied with job. Looks newly built with pressed brick, "pure white marble slab over doorway has inscription exactly similar to the old one." Expects W. W. Corcoran (boat) soon. ER-20, p. 189

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A.L.S. in writing of secretary. Mount Vernon. Expresses regret at the poor attendance in October. Has had cistern in west circular lawn cleaned. Hopes that the new boat will improve attendance.ER-20, p. 191

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A.L.S. in writing of secretary. Incomplete and clipped in places. Mount Vernon. November has been unprofitable, has cut expenses. Again asks Association aid in paying bills. No day with over 25 visitors. Expects increase when new boat arrives. Hundreds of people waiting for it and some favorable weather. ER-20, p. 192

Scope and Contents A.L.S. in writing of secretary. Mount Vernon. W.W. Corcoran, Major Blake's new boat, reached Washington last night after stormy voyage. Will make her first trip to Mount Vernon tomorrow with a large party. It is the most handsome and best outfitted boat on the Potomac. Expects extensive advertising. Will run clear days in winter. November had bad weather, poor receipts. Cut pay tolls and other expenses. Gives itemized statement of all outstanding bills. Mansion insurance paid for 2...

Scope and Contents A.L.S. in writing of secretary. Mount Vernon. At this date cannot render detailed account of work she requests. Lists vouchers by dates and total paid for repairs. Plumbing bill high, includes building cistern, ram house, laying drains around Mansion, greenhouse, also repairing water pipes under latter. Lumber cost $49.86. Mrs. Brown sends money for flag in memory of Tennessee Grangers. Post Office at Mount Vernon is a savings. Explains use of lunch table receipts, knows table is...

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A.L.S. in writing of secretary. Mount Vernon. Encloses statement of profit from sale of poultry, pork and garden products for past six years, not including consumption of same on Mount Vernon estate. During last Council 20 chickens per day were used. Terrible storm last night. ER-20, p. 177

Scope and Contents A.L.S. in writing of secretary. Mount Vernon. Sends August report, will make separate one on indebtedness. His August salary unpaid. Outstanding bills on brick, ice, blacksmith, and for groceries. All cisterns very unsanitary except new one. September and October are the best months for visitors. Detailed statement on poultry, 300-400 young chickens served to the Vice Regents. Cholera among the fowl. Mount Vernon produced in last 2 years: 1000 lbs. pork (same amt. sold), 9 gallons of...

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A.L.S. Mount Vernon. Wharf becoming unsafe. Temporary repairs made but more needed. Colonnades progressing slowly, 13 pillars finished and up. Reports on cost of colonnades, carpenters, lumber, masonry. ER-6, p. 36

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A.L.S. Mount Vernon. Is willing to substantiate every statement he has made before a court of law and is confident he can prove the truth of each. Will keep her in touch with libelous statements he finds. Adverse criticisms continue. A northerner recently objected to Nathan holding a high position of trust. Hopes to finish second colonnade by the 15th. ER-7, p. 23

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A.L.S. Mount Vernon. Relates his extra attentions to Dr. Howland and Col. Daniels who have made most unfavorable criticisms of the MVLA. Mr. Gibbs, their neighbor, disgusted with those attempting to get control of boat and dock facilities, gives his trade to the "Arrow." ER-7, p. 31

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A.L.S. Mount Vernon. Re greater security for Tomb. Suggests a military guard or placing sarcophagus in granite. Would be pleased to have Vice Regents visit Mount Vernon more often. Recommends a fire extinguisher. Encloses diagram of Tomb with measurements. ER-7, p. 127

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A.L.S. Mount Vernon. Vases arrived, placed in the Georgia room. Servant troubles. Nathan and Sarah in bad humor since lunch table was abolished. Few visitors. ER-5, p. 119

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A.L.S. Mount Vernon. Georgia room, coat of arms and fireplace in Georgia room unfinished but screen hides it from visitors. Most of old oak has been made into goblets, etc. and sold. Will save a few pieces for her. Dogs sent to her son. Lunch table abolished. Nathan and Sarah to blame for its not being a success. ER-5, p. 119

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A.L.S. Mount Vernon. Explanation of complaints against Hollingsworth. ER-5, p. 121

Scope and Contents A.L.S. Mount Vernon. Has been cruelly misunderstood by some members of Council. His "crime" was to write to Regent of Nathan and Sarah's dishonesty and she made the letter public. All servants are his enemies now. His enemies in Council are out to ruin him. Defends his actions. General Lee advises him to retire in dignity. Enumerates his difficulties in carrying out his instructions. His best hands dismissed. Mount Vernon has gone down sadly in the last year, fences rotting, etc. for lack of...

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A.L.S. in writing of secretary. Mount Vernon. Has not received letter from Irwin Martin who presented table cover. He and Mr. Blake thoroughly surveyed Hell Hole and think with assistance of Mr. Troth, half owner, and at considerable expense, it could be drained to improve health conditions. Drainage around kitchen and dairy needs repairs, cost about $250. Considerable sickness, causes employee loss of work. New cistern needed to run hydraulic ram. ER-20, p. 133

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A.L.S. in writing of secretary. Mount Vernon. Awarding of boat contract to Major Blake. Hollingshead's claim that another contract exists. Hollingshead's conspiracies against Association. Thinks Association should have its own boat. ER-5, p. 111

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A.L.S. in writing of secretary. Mount Vernon. Re fire extinguisher and fire protection. ER-5, p. 113

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A.L.S. Mount Vernon. Advises several improvements at Mount Vernon including rebuilding and repair of colonnades, flooring of kitchen, and construction of a well. Recommends these improvements be made with other money than that of revenue of the estate and boats. Praises the employees of Mount Vernon. ER-5, p. 63

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A.L.S. Mount Vernon. Thanks the Vice Regents for the resolution passed during Council. ER-5, p. 125

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A.L.S. Albany. Re boat contract, some men ask for information about largest number of passengers carried in best season. ER-18, p. 162

Scope and Contents From the Collection: The nucleus of this collection was created from papers given to the Association by Ann Pamela Cunningham around the time of her retirement as Regent. Several other Vice Regents followed her example and later donated their papers as well. These records were referred to as the “Early Records” since the time they were first established as an archival collection. A large portion of this collection is correspondence concerning the founding of the MVLA and the operation of Mount Vernon as a...