Special Collections Research Center
spcoll@wm.eduSheryl Brown.
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Blair, Banister, Braxton, Horner, Whiting Papers, Special Collections Research Center, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.
Processed by Sheryl Brown in 1988.
Letters, chiefly 1765-1817, of the Blair, Banister, Braxton, Horner, and Whiting families. Correspondents include John Blair (1732-1800), Anne (Blair) Banister and Mary (Blair) Braxton Burwell Prescott. Many of the letters are written by women.
Subjects covered in the collection include the Baron de Botetourt, William Tryon, Martha Washington, dueling, social life and customs, marriage and courtship, medicine, the Richmond theater fire, slavery, War of 1812, the College of William and Mary, and Williamsburg, Virginia.
Blair, Banister, Braxton, Horner, Whiting Papers are available on 1 reel of microfilm in Swem Library's microforms area call number CS71 .B645 B53
Use of microfilm only. When available, microfilm, photocopies, digital surrogates, or other reproductions must be used in place of original documents.
Scope and Contents Discusses his daughter's problem of lack of work for her smiths; accepts George Braxton's offer of a smith to work with his [J.B.] fellow, Jacob; discusses financial problems in "these sad times"; worries over her ill health; relates that he is rid of "ague"; other family news. 1p. AL.
Informs Dr. Pitt that Mr. Hansfords debt of £6.10 will be paid to him by [John Blair, Sr.] out of a bond of J[ohn]n Josiah Chownings which Mr. Hansford gave to [John Blair, Sr.] to satisfy his debt to him [JB, Sr.]; informs Dr. Pitt that J[ohn]n Josiah Chownings has appointed him [JB, Sr.] to pay the debt owed to him {JJC} by the College [of William and Mary] next October, "if in cash." 1p. ALS.
Scope and Contents Explains to her sister the reason for her long silence; informs her that she has been in Hampton, Virginia since "the first day of the Court" which "is now more gay than the Metropolis"; refers to the Balls and other social events since the Rippon, the Lancester and the Magdelane have been achored in the harbour; related the details of a mock duel that took place between "Betcy" Blair and Sally Sweny over Lieut[enant] Sharp from the Rippon; reports that nothing "a husband excepted" could bring her more happiness; other family news. 2pp. ALS.
Scope and Contents Relates the story of her sister's [?] reaction to a love letter from Mr. L. Tunstall; promises to show him the letter; hopes that all other men who interest in her sister [?] will "scrape all the skin off their shins" while stepping over the bench at church; plans to visit in King William on Monday next; presents her love to "Dicky" and his "little women"; hopes to see him soon. 4pp. ALS.
Scope and Contents Reveals to her sister that Mr. Starke will be sending her (MB) a letter at the end of the week; regrets that she (MB) was not able to be in Eltham where she {MB] saw Sis[te]r Blair and Cousin Burwell; has received a letter from Betsey and Captain Thompson who expected to sail to England in mid July; Mr. Dedington said Betsey and Captain Thompson left Boston a week before himself; Mr. Katon sent his "platonick" [sic] love to her [AB]; Billy Sharp and [?] are on a tour of "Rode" [sic] Island; Betsey Thompson said she was sick only because of the sea; Governor Tryon, his lady, and Mr. Edwards [the Governor's Secretary] took tea with the family on their way home; his Lordship [Botetourt?] was invited; thinks that Governor's wife is very haughty and "rules the roost" in their home; the conversation at tea centered on Lady Tryon's three scalded fingers; Pasteur was called in to cut the burned skin off Lady Tryon's fingers after she and the Governor had arrived at Lord [Botetourt's]; thinks that she should have been in Hampton, Virginia, where she and her Sis[te]r Cary told her the Viper which was commanded by Captain Linsey and first Lieut[enant] Mr. Frederick, a relation of the Duchess of Beaufort, was anchored; looses [sic] opportunity to send letter through Mr. Stark; Mr. Cary's ill health continues; Betsey [Braxton?] liked dancing and surprised her teacher Mr. Fearson with her knowledge of the minuet; Betsey [Braxton?] quarelled with her cousin Jenny [Blair?]; regrets that she is not able to obtain silk for a coat for Miss Dolly, Betsey [Braxton's doll?]; obliged for the care her sister gave her "duds" [clothes]; plans to convey shift to her sister through Mrs. Starks; Mrs. Dawson and family spent afternoon and evening yesterday; while singing with the Dawsons, a person with a candle and lantern [Lord Botetourt?] was observed who said "in a most rapturous voice, charming: charming: proceed for God's sake, or I go home directly" to which the group responded "pray walk in my Lord", he sat down on the step and shared a few "ha, ha, ha's"; wishes she could obey her sister's summons; prompts her sister to tell Franky Bourne if she had her just "desserts" she would be sent to Major Taliaferro's; if no cotton to be had would wait until next year when Sis[te]r Blair promises some to her [AB] from her crop; exclaims about an awful sound which she is told is an infant; send love to Mrs. Orrel; wishes Mr. Orrel was "winding" for her; fears that when Mr. Starke calls of (MB) to play the spinnet "they will not move with that action spring" as they did when she [AB] was at "Newington"; plans to get the songs as promised and forgot this evening; steeple being built on [Bruton] Church "as Dicky can tell you" [probably Richard Randolph}; encourages her sister to ask her company about all the news that could be told in relation to the church; sympathizes with Mrs. Brown "who must be under great affliction"; Major Watson's family has arrived; describes Major Watson's elder and younger daughters; requests that her sister send her letters back quickly so she can answer them; relays the message that the cap Miss Hunter had promised to make for Fanny Bayler is not yet finished and she has none ready made but that "she can make them equal to the English" and she [AB] will send it as soon as possible" 10pp. ALS.
Scope and Contents Thanks her sister for her last favor; plans to "swallow a vomit" because she is sick; remarks that the sickness "comes very unseasonably"; has plans to go to Gloucester and would go if she could keep anything in her stomach; she went to York day before yesterday and was not well then; thought seeing Mrs. Lewis and her sister Mary Robinson had cured her, until yesterday convincing her of the contrary; sending Betsey's letter to her (MB); sending Fanny Bayler's cap; related Bettsey is well and sends her duty; love is sent by rest of family. 1p. ALS.
Scope and Contents Meets Mrs. Price who she believes is buying wedding "geer for his Betsey"; Mr. Price tells her he is going out of town this evening; plans on going to drink tea at the Attorney's who breakfasted with thefamily that morning; relates that she is well after taking "two vomits and a purge" but that she is very delicate after so much "evacuation"; says it was worth being sick to have a "Lord [Botetourt] enquiring after one's health"; plans on taking Betsey [Braxton?] with her this afternoon. Betsey sends her duty to her (MB) and love to her brother; Mr. Taliaferro is making her (MB) a wooden pair of steps; called on Mr. Graig and Mr. Bucktrout and neither of their works are finished; plans to send her sister's paste pins through Mr. Price; plans to send both cloggs she promised through Mr. Price if he is not overloaded by the things he bought from Miss Mrs. Hunter and Pitt; wishes for her company in Hampton; plans with Polly Clayton and T. Burwell to make an excursion thither for a week; asks to be remembered to Mrs. Orell and also to George; asks if Mrs. Robinson has returned; hopes she (MB) is well; encloses her letters that were for Boston to England by Captain Peterson; encourages her sister to write another for there "are several ships to sail"; family desire thier love; Sister [in-law Jean] Blair plans to write "but heaven know whether she will or not." 2pp. ALS.
Scope and Contents Happy to hear that she (MB) is well; obeys her command concerning the money and got her (JB) sister Burwell to pay it to Mr. Greenhow; Mr. Greenhow sends compliments to her (MB) and sorry she gave herself the trouble of sending it down "on purpose, as the letter end of the Court will suit him as well"; sends cabbage seed, no coliflower [sic] seed; also sends some orange peel which she had imported; assures her that Betsey [Braxton] is no trouble to the family and behaved well the while time Nancy [Anne Blair] was in Hampton; obliged for ther trouble she had taken about the "Viginia [sic] cloth" that was woven by Mrs. Lumpkin; cannot pay Mrs. Lumpkin in bonnets or aprons for her services now because she has none to spare as a result of it being "Association times" but she can pay her [ML] in money; she (MB) will be recieving her spinning wheel by the first ship; wishes her and "Dr. Little George" [George Braxton, Jr.] health and happiness. 2pp. ALS.
Scope and Contents [Signature clipped - letter was readdressed to Mrs. Eliza Whiting] Received hers together with Mrs. B[urwell]'s on his way there; after having perused the "inclosed" is sorry to see the manner in which her account was recieved by her, her order on him, on his father was nothing more than to dissapoint him [RB]; the state of his affairs being known to her in order to satisfy the two Mr. R's [Randolph?] for horses her son had purchased from them; mention[e]d to her and promis[e]d to discharge them provided an order to recieve some tob[acc]o due her son; she did this but has not been able to recieve any, one being on Mr. Stith, and the other on Mr. H. Claiborne; his father is situated in the same manner with regard to her husband's [George Braxton] affairs who left "a pretty estate" behind to satisfy all demands; sorry to see Mrs. B[urwell] fall on such a method to settle them; wishes he had as much of his [GB] property in his hands as would pay his [RB] acc[ounts] but does not have one shilling of his [GB]; is not indebted to him [GM]; her son is much indebted to his [CB] father; is well assured it does not quit him to advance either the tob[acc]o or the specie.1p. AL.
Scope and Contents Writes by Col[onel] Brooke on the subject of the sale of "Newington" to let her know that Mr. Reynolds of York would like to be informed of the terms; tells him that he (JB) would speak to him further about it after he wrote to her; uneasy about the other part of her advertisment; conjectures she might supposs [sic] that late Act of Assembly gave her right to dispose of "other Traps" only meaning to give a "Free simple estate to those who before only had an estate in Tail"; law operates in favor of George [Braxton, Jr.] who is the "Tenant in Tail"; finds by speaking to Col[onel] Brooke that she was aware of "Defect of Title" and planned on taking risk on her self; presumes did not consider that the Buyer may make imporvements which in case of recovery make fall hard on her; informs her that if her children die without children the inheritance would fall to their Uncle, Mr. Braxton; fears that this would give her pain if Mr. Braxton published a counter advertisment forbidding the sale; feels that "she would not take amiss" his advising George [Braxton] "to tell Mr. Purdie to leave that part of the advertisement out of his newpaper"; assures her that if she is "planning to go on it will be easy to advertise again"; had hoped his (JB) wife would be with her but "poor Jeaney" was afflicted with "hysterics"; his cousin Eustace was also not well. 2pp. ALS.
Scope and Contents Relates that Mr. Whiting delivered her letter of 23[r]d; feels he cannot conceive of him {MW] any other opinion than she wants him to conceive; he [MW] is of good family and he (JB) has no reason to doubt her conception of him; he relies on the favourable judgement by herself and Betsey [Braxton] his niece on [BB] choice of a [husband]; fears that he will be in Richmond and unable to make the [wedding]; his (JB) daughter[?] is desirous of "seeing the last act of Betsey's [Braxton] liberty and must be gratified"; he is pinched by taxes as is she (MB) "the case of our Country men in general"; send wife's love to her; sends their "best wishes" to their niece [BB]; says Mr. Whiting cannot take dinner with them because he is in a hurry to get to Gloucester; expects another invasion [of the British] daily. 1p. ALS.
Scope and Contents Hopes that she will realize the only reasons he hasn't written were his "late indisposition and the great hurry of business"; feels badly that he did not see her "below" because he will not be able to see her "up there"; does not wish Mr. Whiting to impar [sic] his fortune for a few moments for pleasure which "will be increased by absence and delay"; wasdetermined that he could not leave the country until he was of age; hopes his sister will write often during the interim; says that they have ahd a great deal of myrth that winter considering the "confused Inns, frequents Balls, sometimes gallanting, [sic] often in love"; relates a few frenchmen from France were attracting the attention of the ladyes [sic]; this confirms his resolution that "a speedy reformation to the greatest part of the sea is [his] sincear [sic] wish; asks to be remembered to Bart and all his acquaintances; requests that his waiscoats be sent at the first opportunity. 1p. AL. [signature clipped]
Scope and Contents Expresses his grief over the deatg of her son George Braxton who he had not known ill; tries to give her some solace; wishes joy to her, cousin (Elizabeth Braxton) Whiting and her (EW) husband )EW was really JB niece) "on what must have taken place before now" (the birth of their daughter Mary Blair Whiting which took place August 30, 1781); hopes she will consider this some retribution for her latest loss; doctor has advised him [?] [missing] who has been in bad health for some time and tomorrow we are all accompanying him to [missing]; relates that his situation is bad in respect to his family and his fortune which is all in the power of the enemy; asks for God's power to bear all appointments as he ought.
Scope and Contents Plans to settle his "nephew's" [George Braxton, Jr.] accounts and send the [debts] he will collect next week from Mr. Irving and sundry others to her; fears that because horses have fallen so low in value he would have a hard time selling her two; asks if she would take offense if Dr. Griffin should sell the revision of land she lives on with his part of the negroes; asks if she would part with the land and slaves on what terms; mentions it because he knows a gentleman who would pay a great price; his son thinks it best to return the horse to Mr [Henry] Whiting as he cannot sell him. 2pp. AL [signature clipped].
Scope and Contents Had favorable journey to Williamsburg; relates that she was well received and her "old acquaintances" were happy to see her again particularly "neighbor Cooke, who is cheerful tho never well"; others who were happy to see her were Mrs. Hay, Mr. Craig, Mr. Charleton and Lady, and Mrs. Hunter; saw Miss Campbell, Mr. Russel's Bride at Church who looked handsomer than before; many weddings have taken place; Miss Holt and Mr. Coleman's (a nephew of Mrs. Tonn's of K.qqh-n[?]) was most excellent, a ball was given to the bride by the gent[le]m[e]n of the wedding; was made unhappy by her (EW) uncle Carter Braxton's persecutions; he demands that she pay off her debt and interest that has accumulated for 18 years; he sent his son Corbin Braxton to her to get an order on the treasury for as much principal as would pay all that the tob[acc]o he will take in interest warrants; offers Dr. Curry £40 which he refuses and so she plans on giving him nothing more; when Dick Randolph rec[eive]d negroes from her he said he had given his bond to Colonel Banister for the whole sum her (EW) brother (George Braxton, Jr.) was to pay for the old horse; was advised to send Wilson Cary an order on Colonel Banister for what he had received in the Hanover Store, which she did; Colonel Banister refused and wrote "ungenteel" letter to Wilson; supposes this was the cause for Nancy's (Anne (Blair) Banister) not writing to her; fears that she will be "drained of all" if they have their way; Cousin Griffin and other friends and relations would like to see her (EW); great rains and warmth of the season have caused her and Poll to have bad colds; if the swelling in Poll's throat has not gone down she would have called in Sequery as McClury was not there; thinks of writing to [doctor] McClury but would rather see him; "poor Billy Nelson must loose his wife soon" ans his mother is in "a shocking situation, quite distracted by religious fears"; has not been "down" and does not plan to go unless she [Mrs. Nelson] gets better; attended performance of play at The Capitol put on by the students [of William and Mary]' while there saw Sally Page, her husband, Betsey Nelson "and the other [Mrs. Nelson] who twisted off"; received letter from "Ceeleys" which she incloses [sic]; cousins and family, who had all been sick, beg their love to her (EW); Poll [Mary Blair Whiting] sends her love to her brothers and duty to her papa and mamma; sends her [MW] love to Aunt Washington and all her cousins at Fairfield; expects "poor" Mrs. Drew and her father soon; laments the loss of :so warm a man" [Mr. Drew?]; begs to be remembered to all her friends particularly Miss Becky; suppoeses she might return early in the Spring; asks her daughter to tell Mr. Whiting "to visit Bull Run and see if things go on right and direct where wrong"; hopes Smith "will be better than his predecesors"; remains with love to Mr. Wh[iting]g and the little boys; asks if its strange that people think Poll [Mary Blair Whiting] is "thot [sic] like [her] (EW) and very handsome." 4pp. ALS.
Scope and Contents Received two letters of the 30th and the 4th and conferred with Mr Beall on their subject today; Mr. Beall understands from Mr. Griffin that there is only 1200 acres of land and while he does not object to her proposals he fears it might be on the part reserved in which case it would not suit him; Mr. Beall would like to know the ages of the slaves as he plans to get the best prices by selling them as a whole; Mr. Royston who has been at Mr. Beall's house says he does not plan on purchasing unless she would part with the whole; supposes that puts an end to the negotiations unless she decides to sell the whole but suspnd the bargain until she finds another habitation; Mr. Beall is disappointed that there has been no increase amoing the slaves since Mr. Burwell's deed to Dr. Griffin; plans to apply to Mr. Robert Randolph and to Mr Stithto procure from him what they owe; supposed there are debts due to "poor George" [Braxton, Jr.]; asks if she has administered on his estate; observes she blames Wilson Cary for the detention of the horse that was supposed to be delivered to Mr. Stith; recollects Wilson may be free from blame--his father used the horse in a trip from Fluvanna to S. Town; Wilson said he told his father he ought not to carry the horse up to the country; says he cannot give her comfort from the source of the public treasury, the Assembly has given no directions about mode of paying certificates, "treasury not in a position to pay any"; French Army entirely broke up his plantation during the seige of Yorktown; British had previously plundered his stock of ale to a "great degree"; recovered all the negroes he had lost except 2 who died with the enemy and 3 more who got off; any of the negroes whom he recovered at the surrender of York since died of diseases they brought back with them; says his loss was great; hopes they shall not want the necessities of life; says if they can suffer through this year and next though which they will want for those things the plantation used to afford; does not have time to write to niece Whiting before Mr. Royston calls for the letter so sends his love to her and her family; asks his sister to thank his niece for the gift of a pair of stockings; requests that they wish her to dispel melancholy and reconcile herself to the "events w[hi]ch heaven has approved"; they are all in good health but "sickly season is approaching." 2pp. ALS.
Scope and Contents Hopes that her sister does not think her regardless or undmindfull [sic] for not expressing her sympathy before now; says it has never been in her power to do so before now; explains that she and Mrs. Drew's sister were sick, so that neither Mrs. Drew nor her [AB] son Lewis told her of the misfortune; explained she learned of the misfortune when Nancy [Mrs. Drew's sister] who believed she knew of the misfortune tried to console her; Mrs. Drew and Nancy made plans to meet in Richmond whereby on Nancy's return she would deliver her [AB] letters of condolence to her (MB) and Betsey [Elizabeth Whiting]; Nancy had a relapse and was unable to fulfill her promise; attempts to console her sister on the death of "her son" [George Braxton, Jr. d. 1781?]; transcribes part of a poem by their "friend" Mrs. Nicholas about death; advises her to "come down on monge [sic] your friends"; asks her to congratulate Betsey (EW) on the increase in her family; says she saw Jack and his family and heard Lewis and his family were expecting an addition to their family; complains that she has not been in good health for some time though she is feeling slightly better. 2pp. AL. [signature clipped]
Scope and Contents Received a letter from Robert Randolph answering his on the "subject of her demand"; he (JB) was delayed in Williamsburg so long he suspects his letter did not reach Robert Randolph as soon as he expected; relates that Robert Randolph was not at "Shirley" as he had thought but was at Chatham" "Mr. Fitzghugh's seat"; was asked by Robert Randolph to tell her that he paid Carter Braxton, of West Point, the money due for the horse he purchased and got a receipt for it; supposes Mr. Braxton told him [RR] that he [CB] was the proper person to receive the money; asks if the horse was hers or Geroge's [Braxton, Jr.]; advises her that if the horse was George's and she was the person taking out letters of administration she might call on Mr. Randolph or Mr. Braxton for the money; Robert Randolph claims he returned the sword to Mr. Braxton before his death; has heard from home where all are well; complains that he is "fatigued with business" which is almost finished; sends his "best regards" to Mr. and Mrs. Whiting. 1p. ALS.
Scope and Contents Obliged by Obediah's long stay to send again for the plow plates "for we shall be ruined for the want of them"; Obed[iah]'s stay is "impudent" if not necessary for getting them "as a day's loss at this time will be greatly felt"; fails to see a man who came on Monday and said she (EW) was well but not delivered and that Obed[iah] would be down in six day; calls him a "saucy wretch"; asks Mr. Whiting to get them together and send them immediately; says Polly runs ab[ou]t this weather and hopes it will "be of service to her"; relates that she (MB) is tolerable and hopes that she will hear she (EW) is [having her child]; prays for her safety; says that if there is any money left Polly [Mary Blair Whiting] wants shoes but that she can wait a little longer. 1p. ALS.
Scope and Contents Receives her letter and is happy to hear her family is doing well; indulges herself with thoughts that she might see her dear "Betsey" (EW); feels that it would give all her (EW) friends joy to see her "down ye country"; was sorry to hear from her (EW) Aunt Cary [Sarah (Blair) Cary] that her (EW) mother thought herself "in a bad way"; hopes a trip "down ye county" will make her well with the "pleasure of meeting with her friends... added to the change of air"; hopes that she will accompany her mother in her expedition; relates that her (EW) uncle's family was with them a fortnight ago and were well; the girls had altely returned from Petersburg where she was sure they "made havock among the beauxs"; she and Polly plan on trying their chance in the fall although she is afraid of losing Polly she would be happy for her; Polly [Cary] sends her love and plans on writing soon; all the family are engaged in packing for their removal to Ceeleys, hopes to go as soon as possible as the family are growing sickly; Aunt has the ague and was just starting to get over it yesterday; she [aunt] and the rest of the family send love; Mr. Wilson's wife and her "charming little boy" are on a visit to Mrs. Cary in Goochland; Captain Wilson who spent time with them wishes to be remembered to her (EW); says he recollects the pleasure of her company and would be happy to renew the acquaintance; he has a fine son, "not in the least like his Momma"; asks her to tell Mr. Whiting she would like to be acquainted with him as he would with her; asks her to kiss her little ones for her and remember she is and affec[tionate] friend. 3pp. ALS.
Scope and Contents Letter is dated July 24, no year. Thanks her for the first of her letters; plans to give the second to Mr. Bowling who has promised to send it to Fluvanna, and this letter to her; sorry to hear of the disagreably jaunt she experienced on her way home; knows her good sense will enable her to bear the inconveniences; thinks the inquisitiveness of the hostess regarding Mr. Barnard P. impertinent; confesses that she, like the hostess, also wishes to know if he is a humble servant of hers?; suspects she has told a story on that "ocasion"; thinks she (EW) was excusable in deceiving her [the hostess] as it is not necessary for the curiossity [sic] these people have shown; expects her to be more candid with her; asks how her Mama [Mary (Blair) Braxton Burwell] is doing after the journey?; tells her to tell her (MB) she misses her; sishes to see them both; asks her to give her duty to her mother but not let her see this scrawl, ould have been more worthy of her perusal if the cleverest fellow she (JB) knows was continually calling on her and declaring he would come and bring her down; if she does not come immediately inform she wants her to know that Papa, Mama, and the rest of the family are well. 3pp. AL. [signature clipped]
Scope and Contents Received her sad letteron the 3rd of November while he was doing public business at Richmond; concerned for his niece but hopes her grief will have subsided by now and "religious reflections given calm to her troubled spirit"; discusses religion and death; sends his love to "Betsey" [Elizabeth (Braxton) Whiting] and hopes that when the weather gets better she "could take a trip down the country" to see ther friends which should make her feel better; says he should have answered her letter while in Richmond but he did not have the opportunity; while in Richmond he was shown a receipt by Mr. (Carter) Braxton of Mr. Russell's for money he paid Mrs. Hunter on her account--he said she had disputed the amount; asks if among her receipts which Mrs. Hunter gave her there was one for that sum. 1p. ALS. [signature clipped]
Scope and Contents Mr. Blair (JB) wrote to him some time ago on the subject to which he informed him (JB) he had Mr. Braxton's receipt for the money; had paid money to prevent dispute with the heir of Mr. George Braxton; feels it was a "fair swap" he made with Mr. Braxton for the horse he sold and did not know it was the property of Mr. Whiting; plans to inform Mr. Carter Braxton of her letter. 1p. ALS. Including ALS from Mary (Blair) Braxton Burwell to "Betsey" [Mrs. Eliza Whiting] response to Robert Randolph's letter. Opened her letter only to see what excuse Mr. Randolph would make; explains he "paid Mr. Braxton only to stop so much money in his own hands for the land Mr. B. owed him for"; asks if he "p[ai]d Mr. C.B. to prevent the heirs of Mr. G.B. and can that be a way to prevent justice; she has a letter of G.B. [George Braxton, Jr.] "when the swap was made and RR was to give" her (EW) "brother a black horse if" her "brother liked him"; if not he [RR] was to pay 45 guineas; says "shuffling [evasive dealings or conduct] is very much the vogue; sends Lewie off on an errand and told him to take care of the "olde" horse; was seen by Mr. Dixon and his sister 13 miles from this place "riding as fast as he could go"; plans "to have him" for not keeping his promise; says "Poll" is well and she mends. 1p.
Scope and Contents Thanks "Betsey" (EW) for her letter; happy to hear of the health of her and her children; regrets that she is not able to accept her invitation to visit; asks if she is ever going to visit friends "down the country"; sure that all her (EW) friends would be glad to have her visit at their houses; "thinks a trip of the kind would be of service" to her; says her (EW) mother (MB) promised to visit the following spring when she was down last, but she had not kapt her word; sure that her mother (MB) would accompany her if she wished to visit; plans on spending time with friends at Battersea by accompanying them back when they come up in the fall; "Polly has fixed on making Mr. Peachy happy about that time"; Mr. Peachy probably plans on taking Polly [Cary] to Petersburg where they wil probably spend the winter with his father and mother; his {MP] own estate is in Amelia "and is a considerable one"; Polly sends her affectionate love; her (EW) old acquaintance Miss Sally Anderson is with them and sends her health and happiness; her friends at Ceeleys are well and wish her well; asks for her to kiss the little ones for her; sends her love to her mother and Polly [Mary Blair Whiting]. 3pp. ALS.
Scope and Contents Received her letter by Mr. Booth and was pleased to hear she and her "sweet little folks" were in good health; hopes they stay that way; they are all well and her father, mother, and James send their affection to her and her boys, thinks May Blair will write of herself; Mr. Booth will be accompanied by Mr. Wotherington, whose brother lately married Miss Booth; thinks that if she (EW) sees him she will want to cultivate the acquaintance of a person "whose merits intitle him to every mark of civility"; their beautiful Cousin P[olly (Cary) Peachy] has gone to Amelia where she is to reside; her [PP] prospects of happiness are promising; trusts they will prove permanent; Charlotte Balfour accompanies her [PP]; her [CB] lett[e]rs say that Uncle B[alfour] sailed to St. Vincent by advice of his Physicians; hears it is too late to save him; her Aunt Balfour seems unconscious of the calamity that awaits her; hopes Heaven will avert his impending stroke; his son J. B[alfour] married Miss Farley yesterday; thinks it strage the wedding is to be "Publick & Gay"; thinks it might be right and she is too nice in those particulars; there is not the most distant prospect of change in her situation. 3pp. ALS.
Scope and Contents Prepared paper to write to her last night but was prevented from doing it as she sat up late with Mr. Willis and Mr. Cocks; apologizes for her (EW) having to send Lewy with the flour again; thinks about sending Obed[iah] up with the "tumbril" but decided to wait until the water subsided; "Polly" [Mary Blair Whiting] is anxious to see her (EW) and her brothers; advises her to use flannel and rub her injured hand; tells her (EW) her (MB) complaints have not left her; was directed by Dr. Graham to use doses of rhubarb and a sherbet made up of cream of tartar; asked Mr. Willis to ask her ro give "Polly" enough leather for a pair of everyday shoes; has problems paying off her (MB) debts because she has no cash; discusses debt of, and effect on her of old Snickers; was told by Norton he is not obliged to pay until August; "Polly" is fond of the book Lady Montague; asks that she send the bath guide for Doct[o]r Graham who has been sick at his mother's and needs something to read; visited Doct[o]r Graham one morning; asks if Mrs. Peachy and her daughters are well; writes to sister Banister (Anne (Blair) Banister) who was treated so niggardly in the Colo[nel's] will; wishes to hear if she [AB] stands to the will; hears that she [AB] is going to live "in the place of her nativity"; asks how poor Mrs. Booth is, and hopes better; hopes all her acquaintances are in good health after the long winter; asks to be remembered "to the family of Fairfield" [the Washingtons]; sorry that she is unlucky in her requests; discusses "old Lymus" and the care of the peas; plans to send the lillie; rode out that morning and met Mr. and Mrs. Graham who was not feeling well; asked her to visit after she returned from the Smiths; thought Mr. Graham would not come so she and "Polly" dined alone; Mrs. Graham thanks her (EW) for the trees and plans to send her Persinn Jessamine; she (MB) tried to get some pease [sic] from Mrs. Graham but she had none; people of Dumfries import [peas] every year but she has no money to buy them; cannot comply with her request as she has no money; begs her "not to form too high an idea of her daughters improvement under an old woman in a sequestered place"; Polly joins in best affections to her (EW) and her brothers. 4pp. ALS.
Scope and Contents Sends her affection and says that she had written lately by Mrs. McClurg; suprised that letters from herself and "Polly" Peachy never reached her; relates those letters contained the accounts of "Polly's" delivery of two daughters, Elizabeth Griffin and Sarah Blair after their two grandmothers; their [EG, SB] husbands along with her [CB] and Jenny Blair acted as sponsors; complains she spent last summer in Norfolk and has experienced ill health since her return; warns her to be cautious "what kind of talk you write with" since her letter had been opened; glad that she is in an "agreeable" neighborhood where the attentions she receives must be gratifying; would wish her "down country" but does not want to take her away from her friends; was visited by Mr. Peachy, "Polly" [Peachy] and their little ones; describes "Betsey" [Elizabeth Griffin Peach] and "Sally" [Sarah Blair Peachy]; relates that "Polly" [Peachy] is pregnant; is sorry to have to tell her that Aunt Cary [Sara (Blair) Cary] has been sick all fall and she fears is very ill; writes to Mamma by Mrs. McClurg whom she sends her love to if there; asks her to express her tender regards to her (EW) children; sends love of family particularly "Betsey" Cary; relates Aunt Banister (Anne (Blair) Banister) has just left; supposes she has heard of her Uncle Blair's [John Blair] appointment. 4pp. ALS.
Scope and Contents Thanks her for her favors by Mr. Booth and Mrs. Wormley; hopes that by disposing of her (EW) land and negroes she and her family will be able to visit the place of her nativity; plans on taking up house around Christmas and hopes that she and her mother [Mary (Blair) Braxton Burwell] will visit her; disappointed that she and her mother did not come down this summer; thinking of ways to try to get her (MB) down; relates her boys are well and have both become Collegians; send their love to her (EW) and their cousins; Aunt Cary [Sarah (Blair) Cary] is visiting and sends her love; she (SC) hopes to be excused from writing as Mr. Booth, who is going to deliver the letter, is coming in an hour; Uncle Blair [John Blair] and his sons are well but his wife [Jean (Balfour) Blair] is greatly afflicted with cholic; sister Cary [Sarah (Blair) Cary] is not able to raise her turkeys and make money from their sale; relates that in a letter from Aunt Thompson [Elizabeth (Blair) Thompson] that her youngest daughter had died with the "chincough", Helen and Alfred also had it and Captain Thompson was just getting over it; she [ET] begs to be remembered to you and yours; relates that "Battersea" and the Mills are leased for five years and £1000 p[e]r an[nu]m which will enable the executors to pay off the debts of "Battersea" and the Mills, which must be sold when Robert Banister comes of age; thinks that with the thirds of these and two other plantations she should be able to live comfortably in this cheap place; asks her to say something to the boys of her love for them; hopes they are both recovered. 3pp. ALS.
Scope and Contents Decides to write to her sister as she has just been informed that Mr. Booth will deliver it; thanks her for her last letter; saw Mr. Fairfax and asked if she was well and when he was planning on leaving town; he replied in the next stage; laments her sister declining to come "down the country" since her finances are so low she will not be able to comply with her promise unless her sister decides to come down; hopes she will think about it and come; did not realize it was near 12 o'clock, when Mr. Booth will call for the letter, until the boys came home from college; begs her sister to refer to her niece's letter which was "more full"; send love from Sister Cary [Sarah (Blair) Cary], Sister Blair [Jean (Balfour) Blair], and "Polly", her sons and herself; thinks that in short stages she (MB) would be able to make the journey down "and being in as good society" might improve her health; flatters herself that if she is paid regularly she will be able to furnish a "carriage and Pair" which will allow her to visit her friends with "more ease and less expense than the stage"; remarks that "Betset" was informed that Mrs. B[ooth] is on her way, hopes she will be able to read the letter. 2pp. ALS.
Scope and Contents Reminds her of their friendship; thanks her for her letter; glad that she and her family are well and hopes they stay well; Mr. Peachy moved his family from "Amelia" to his new purchase along the James River; stayed two months in Petersburg and arrived here the 2nd of November; doesn't think she (EW) would be pleased with all the "water prospects" although there is a convenience in the two ferrys which go to Williamsburg or Ceeleys; has been packed and waiting to leave but cannot because the river is frozen; discusses "Sally" [Sarah Blair Peachy] and [Elizabeth Griffin Peachy]; relates that "Polly's" [Peachy] nose "begins to be in great danger -- a word to the wise you understand me..."; mortified that she will not be able to visit; asks what has become of the "fascinating Doctor"; fears that she (EW) wil never visit because the Doctor will make life in the country so pleasant; meets Mr. Wormley, his Lady, and Mr. Starke in Petersburg; asks if Miss Mercer lives in her neighborhood; thinks Miss Mercer lives with Mrs. James Wormley; pities Miss Mercer's situation; her Williamsburg friends were all well except "Jemmy" Blair who is in a decline; Doctors said only hope for "Jemmy" was to go to West Indies; fears that his (JB) father will not let him go because of his fondness for him; the "good couple at Ceeleys" were well; replies that she knows nothing of Captain Nelson except that he is not married yet; asks her to send her regards to her Mamma [Mary (Blair) Braxton Burwell]; plans to write her (MB) when she gets back to Williamsburg; blesses her friend and hopes it showers down to her and her family. 3pp. ALS.
Scope and Contents Thanks her for her letter; discusses her (SC) health; says she does not look upon "great riches as necessary to constitute happiness" but "a cheerful disposition and a contented mind"; supposes that she has rented her land and negroes which will leave her free to visit; will be pleased to see her and her children at "Ceeleys"; thinks thair family will be reduced as Cap[tai]n Nelson has written to Mr. Cary that he wishes to take Cary to King William [County] where he says there is a good tutor; thinks it necessary that Cary go as she thought Cap[tai]n Nelson had forgotten he had a son; says he [CN] makes excuses for not coming and writing; laments that he [CN] has forgotten her daughter "Sally" so completely that he neglects her son; heard that she (EW) was well; worries about her daughter "Polly" [Peachy] who is "breeding so fast"; plans to visit her in May if she is able; says her "Betsey" is in Williamsburg where she thinks she is improving; she (EW) will see from her mother's [Mary (Blair) Braxton Burwell] letter that her (SC) brother's family [John Blair' s family] is in an unhappy situation. 2pp. ALS.
Scope and Contents Found the roads for 5 or 6 miles above her house so bad that she rode with the windows down for "fear of a tilt"; was sore for a week after; met Colonel Triplett [?] and her (MB) neighbors at little River; they think purchasing the revision of the land was a fortunate bargain; Colonel Triplett [?] planned on going to Richmond in 12 days and said he would do her business so she deferred writing to Mr. Norton; Colonel didn't call; fears she is "disapointed [sic] of the scheme of sell[in]g"; doesn't know what to do as her crop of corn is only half what it was last year; feels that if she doesn't make something to live on this year she is going to have to try something or somewhere else as she cannot "go on sinking"; "Polly" [Mary Blair Whiting] is at Mr. Lacey's who "thinks she mends in her writing"; she [MW] is anxious to send her (EW) a let[te]r by Christmas; hopes the boys are well; asks what became of George's eruption; asks for her love to be given to the boys; hopes they will not get "any disorder" that will prevent their coming to see them [MB, MW]; if she has no objection she (MB) is going to hire out Lucinda to Dawson who is anxious to have her, she (MB) will make up to her (EW) what she thinks she will hire for; Lucinda is to "go up" at Christmas to see her children; Lucinda must return the day before hiring so she'll know what to do; she (MB) is sick, has a bad cold, sore thoat, is not clear of fever and her eyes are very weak; hopes her neighbors Mrs. Wormley and Miss Stark are well; asks to have her compliments presented there and at Fairfield; will not be seeing "Polly" until Saturday; she [MW] did the cap very quick and Mrs. Owden has it on; asks if she heard the "Mayor was united to lovely Nelly?" 2pp. ALS.
Scope and Contents Explains that a perusal of the enclosed letter [missing] will explain his motives for writing it; encloses it to her as it is the surest way of its getting to her "Mama's" (MB) own hands; asks her to send it by some safe opportunity; doesn't know whether his advice will be taken; but if not feels grateful of having done what he thinks of as an act of friendship "without any possible hope of self interest". 1p. AL. [signature clipped]
Scope and Contents [?] detained her servant a day; feels she will excuse him when she finds Mr. and Mrs. Whiting and Mrs. Brown expressed friendship to her and the hope to have her for a "nearer neighbour" [sic] while dining with them yesterday; explains that htey are not kept at home by bad roads and weather but by some necesssaries; if the necessaries arrive when expected they will set out this week; has no particular news or offerings to his grandson's; asks her to assure them that in him they will find a friend; since writing and coming to breakfast he found her Mama [Mary (Blair) Braxton Burwell Prescott] was indisposed with "a fit of cholic", like the one she had when she was there; she [MP] recovered and ate dinner but did not feel well enough to write; she [MP] askes him to send her blessings to her and the children with thanks for her (EW) l[ette]r and presents; he heard [Mary Blair Whiting] had commenced writinf to her mother; she [MW] "is well and danced a few Reels at Mrs. Skinkers, the day of Miss Polly's wedding."
Scope and Contents Being alone and tires with geography decides to amuse herself by writing to her; geography is interesting and improving but too much reading "confuses the idea, and nums [sic] the brain"; supposes Christmas was dull due to the finess of the weather, without a dance through the neighborhood; it is not too late for a deep snow to be productive of several dances; Mr. W. Stuart and Betsey Tolliafer are "to tie the nuptial kurt next month"; although this was a sudden and unexpected thing among his [WS] acquaintances, he threatened all summer to "stumble on a wife by spring"; he [WS] is building a fine house with "great rapidity" and as soon as it is completed they will have a week's dancing in it; thinks she (EW) might go to the dance unless she has changed her situation by next Christmas; thinks Mr. Foot, another of their beaus, would lie to marry his cousin Miss Bankade of King George [County, Virginia]; was told Miss Bankade is a pretty girl with a fine fortune; he [Mr. Foot] has the wishes of his acquaintances to succeed if he pays his addresses as they expect; Mr. Lee and family moved to their new house on the hill; their family and the Effingham girls paid a formal visit to the Lees yesterday and were pleased with their neighbor; she is agreeable and free from pride as she [Miss Alexander] could wish; they were happy to find Doct[o]r Alexander at home, sitting by a comfortable fireside; not easy o express how happy she was upon seeing her esteem[e]d brother; sorry that he did not cal lon Mr. Prescott on his way down particularly as she (EW) intended to visit at the time; he would have been happy to attend her (EW) as it is disagreeable to travel alone; her family is well although her father has been so unwell as to confine himself to his bed. 3pp. AL. [signature clipped]
Scope and Contents Enclosed the papers [missing] she selected for Mr. Lee and his use for her defense in a suit brought against her by Mr. [Carter] Braxton; hopes they will be sufficient "in the settling of the business"; wishes to see him as writing give her trouble because her "sight fails"; supposes he will attend the Court at Dumfries [County]; begs him to see them and if possible says she will meet him unless he "should be coming up to this neighborhood"; Mr. Prescott is not at home; sends her repects to his lady and hopes she will be visit[in]g her Aunt soon, that they may "participate in that pleasure also." 1p. AL. [signature clipped]
Scope and Contents Letter is dated October 6, no year. If he had time he w[oul]d abuse him by the hour for not coming here before this time altho[ugh] he (RL) knew it w[oul]d be conducive to his health "to breathe some of the pure air of Danby"; Cousin Little returned last night from Bath perfectly well; he [Cousin Little] left Colonel Hood at Mr. Wiley's and they are expecting him and his equipage every minute; they are both in good health; Cousin Sally is busy mending some cloth or she w[oul]d write to him (RL); she [Sally] requests he call at Mrs. Live's for some handkerchiefs she promised to buy for her; she also asks that he see if there are any letters at the post office for any of the family; asks that he call at Sexsmith's for a p[ai]r of shoes he had to mend for him and send them by the bearer; sends hims best love and compliments to all enquiring friends; his (RL) commission has arrived. 2pp. ALS
Scope and Contents Received hers and Mr. Prescott's letters three days ago by Doctor Galt who picked them up in Gloucester C[?] house; she was found attending their mutual friend Doctor Graham who has been extremely ill with a "violent, billious fever"; he (Dr. Graham) arrived there, early in May by water from Philadelphia, stayed a week with them and went on to see his sister Wiatt where he stayed too long; the third of July he had an attack of the ague and fever; on the fourth he was well enough to attend Chapel and hear the young orator declame; that evening he went to a ball given by the ladies and the following day he had another attack of the agues; describes Doctor Graham's illness and how it is different from the common kind of agues; he (Dr. Graham) first became ill at the Raleigh Tavern where he had gone after the ball because he didn't want to disturb the family up there; he was intending to come up in the morning but was attacked too early and remained at the Tavern until the following Tuesday morning; Mrs. Maupin's time was so taken up that she could not nurse him herself; alarmed he asked her Dr. Uncle if he could borrow his carriage so she could bring Dr. Graham up where she could take care of him; he assented and Dr. Graham has been attended by Doctors Barraud and Galt; thinks he is out of danger but as her Uncle does not leave untilnext Thursday she will wait to send this letter so he [MP] will be able to inform his [Doctor Graham] relatives how he is; has endeavored in some measure to show him she has not forgotten his great goodness to herself and her husband by caring for him; as soon as Doctor Graham is completely recovered he will take the stage to Dumfires; he wants to be remembered to his "Enfield" friends; plans to write for him to his mother; is having a great deal of company so cannot write separately to Mr. Prescott; Mr. Braxton S[enio]r is in town and call[e]d to see them that morning. but as they had company, made no mention of Obediah; supposes Mr. P[rescott] will have to come down and join her weak voice to [?] him [Carter Braxton, Sr.]; believes Charlotte Balfour and the other girls are to write for themselves; hears a demand for the ink so hastes to conclude; sends love to Mr. P[rescott] and Nancy; Polly's [Mary Blair Whiting] hands are so bad by the "Muskquetoes" that she begs her to tell her she will write by Doctor G[raham] and hopes a l[ette]r she sent last week will convince her how much she loves her and Grand Pappa; she [MW] asks to be remembered to Nancy. 2pp. ALS.
Scope and Contents Relates that she was given great pleasure by Doctor Graham's arrival last Friday Week to Bull Run and sent forw[ar]d his pacquets [sic]; he came here Monday Even[in]g and found Miss S. Brooke with her [MP]; Doctor Graham went to Mr. Tyler's to see [?] his Dulcenia yesterday; hopes Doctor Graham who is thin and grave will recover; her d[ea]r Jenny's happiness is upper most and hopes it will be permanent with the "man of her choice"; the Doctor dropped a hint that "a house was fitting up for Jenny"; comments that she [Jenny] amused them "ab[ou]t his making a figure at the Red House on a Sabbath day"; Mr. Clayton has been down to Alexandria, called there, and took his daughter's "up with him to Mr. Holker's"; he disappointed Mrs. Hannah and fears he will disappoint her (EW); her (EW) last letter "had a speedy conveyance" by H. Alexander who brought them the sad news that her (EW) sister Washington had died of a "bilious Cholic"; Mrs. Boother died of cholic at Bath "sson after she got there"; Colonel Alexander came up and brought George to see them; he [George] and Frank are well, but in "want of hatts [sic]"; George failed to get any at Smith's store; he [George] told her Mrs. Alexander said to bring warm clothes with him because it would be cold next month; he says he only has a winter waist coat; plans to write to Mr. Clayton who says he's getting cloth for the boys; says one of her (EW) letters arrived lately but the one about Mr. B. Carter Braxton must be lost; they were told not to expect "Mad[a]m Polly" [Mary Blair Whiting] until the weddings were over; concern[e]d at "Polly's" not going on with her "musick" [sic]; when her [MW] birthday arrives she shall drink her health; saw the "inclosed advertizement [sic]" in the Alexandria paper which she [MP] sent by Mr. Clayton to make enquiries [sic] as to the price, but it was sold; Doctor Stewart bou[gh]t if for one of the Muss Custise for £120 a sum she would have been loathe to give; pleads with [Polly] to borrow her Mamma's (EW) "humberella" [sic] and exert herself in doing what will induce them to get her a good instrument; sorry to hear from her [MW] mother that she hates writing and does not mind her mother's admonitions; begs that she [MP] does not hear these things of her again; George claims her [EW?] promise of guinea and a half as he has gotten through "grammer [sic]"; Colonel Alexander does not expect to keep Murdock another year; Nancy Mac is much better although she has lost her son; Mrs. Whiting is well again and the "neighborhood is recovered its usual Healthy State"; Mr. Baylor lost his daughter Courtney with a "putrid sore throat"; Mrs. Betton is taken ill; her [MP] brother got overset in his carriage six mile on the other side of Dumfries, broke the top of his carriage, had a cut on his forehead, bruised his temple and had a headache and "small stupor" for a while; Doctor told her that he [John Blair] had written him from Philadelphia and was well; thinks that by the house "got and ready" he must have known about Jenny's intentions before he left for Williamsburg; hopes to get Lewis Whiting, who is at Snow Hill, to carry her letters down; wrote to Mr. Page about the spinnet; thinks it will be ok for "Polly' to practice on; bids her farewell since she is almost blind; asks to be remembered to her friends; plans to write tomorrow to some of them if not sent for by Mrs. Betton whom she promised to attend to on the "unexpected oceasion [sic]"; blesses them and wishes them good health. 3pp. ALS.
Scope and Contents Informs her dear Betsey (EW) that accounts of Mrs. Booth's death are false; she (MB) has been riding out tho it is s[ai]d that her life is despair[e]d of, this may be false also"; has been mainly at Mr. Whitings since last Wednesday, as the horses were sent home "and could not bee spared from the plough"; the horses were brought to her yesterday and she took the opportunity of dining with Nancy Mac, who is recovering her spirits after the loss of her son; she [NM] asked to be remembered to her (EW); S. Brooke promises to write to Jenny; Mr. Lewis Whiting is there but expects to go down in a few days; saw Doct[o]r Graham who "recovers his flesh and good looks very fast"; Mr. P. promises to write to her; slept poorly last night and is not fit for writing today; planned to write to her sister and Mary and Charlotte but she will postpone it as she is "totally unhinged"; she is preserving peaches; Mrs. Betton keeps up yet but "think she cannot do so long"; asks her to tell "Polly" [Mary Blair Whiting] she drank to her health on her birthday and hopes she will enjoy many of them; begs love to all her friends; under the sense of "gratitude for their late favors"; asks that every blessing attend her (EW); relates "a little after 12 o'clock now for M.H. and Jenny's happy moments." 2pp. ALS.
Scope and Contents Mr. Lewis Whiting will inform her about her mother's [Mary (Blair) Prescott] health; obliged to wirte at the last hour as he has been very busy visiting and being visited; writes from a friend's house, Mr. Beton, whose wife has just had a baby; acknowledges the large packet of eltters they recieved from "female correspondents" by Dr. Graham; asks her to tell the other nurses that thanks to them Dr. Graham is in perfect health; does not think he will be able to meet her at Richmond; does not think it will be much use "to accomodate the business between us, and your Uncle" [Carter Braxton]; knows he has sent once to Richmond for the serva[n]t and finds it a reluctant business as he does not want to take the chance of being "duped" again by the gent[leman] who detains him; needs to seek information from her; sipposes she has heard the unsettled account between her Uncle, Mama, and herself are reffered to Major Peers and Mr. Lacy; must make them [Major Peers and Mr. Lacy] acquainted with the claims in best manner possible; advises her to put claims in writing or they will have to wait her coming; will attempt to get a receipt from Mr. [Robert] Randolph; regrets that Miss Mary's musical pursuits are suspended; relates her mother [Mary (Blair) Prescott] has written a letter to procure an instrument from Mr. Page; plans to help get a good instrument when their young scholar [Mary Blair Whiting] shows some progress; knows no news except reports of Dr. Sheldon and her cousin Neddy's matrimonial pursuits, "one to Miss love", the others adding a family link, "Carter to Carter"; asks her to tell Lady Jane how much she has gratified her Aunt [MP] and him by the course she is steering and the way she communicates it to Enfield; wishes Mary [Whiting] would do the same; relates he fell from a horse but the damage was only "skin deep"; obliged for frequent invitations to her home; says that no opportunity for her mother [MP] to go to Williamsb[ur]g will be lost; hopes that when she [MP] goes there she will still be in good health; Colonel Alexander and her (EW) son George have visited them; George looks as he should; he is going in a few days to see Fras. [?] and expects the company of both to see Mrs. Alexander and Fam[il]y; asks to be especially remembered to all the ladies; asks them and her to keep an eye on Lady Jane; trusts they will all profit from it; when they hear the "why and wherefore" from Fred[eric]k she shall know without delay. 3pp. AL.
Scope and Contents Hopes she has recovered her health; concerned about the loss to her mama [Mary (Blair) Prescott] and herself of Mr. Prescott; hopes to hear she (EW), her mama, "Polly" [Mary Blair Whiting] and her sons are doing well; heard that her mamma's deed [prenuptual contract] was never recorded; fears "disagreable consequences may ensue"; will be glad to hear her fears are unfounded; claims the promis she (EW) made by eay of her sister Bannister to write; will be glad to hear she got home with no difficulty and the mountain air restored her health; she (SC) has been suffering for the past 3 months from small pox, mumps and whooping cough; "Betsey" [Cary] was innoculated for small pox and thinking "herself secure she went imprudently among the negroes"; discusses "Betsey's" illness with small pox and her (SC) ministrations; she [Betsey] has recovered slowly but she (SC) thinks she will get well, though she has an ungly cough; she (SC) sends love to her, "Polly" [MW] and her sons; asks her to tell "Polly" [MW] she hopes to retain a place in her memory; asks her to excuse "this blotted scrol [sic]" as her eyes are weak. 2pp. ALS.
Scope and Contents Her letter came on return from "Ceeleys" [Elizabeth County, Virginia] where all were well; feels uneasy about her enquiry which seems to say Mr. Prescott's creditors who depend for satisfaction on her estate; regrets that the deed of trust made before her marriage was never recorded; discusses the legal aspects of the claims made by Mr. Prescott's creditors and whether her estate can be protected; asks for the extent of their claims; the 29th of October Jenny [(Blair)] Henderson was delivered of a son "who was born into a better world" [died] 3 weeks later; his sister Banister [Anne (Blair) Banister] has been sick for the past few days; he has not heard from her [AB] today because it's snowy; "Betty" Cary's wedding clothes are "implying all hands"; expects to get a summons to "Ceeleys" [Elizabeth County] as soon as they [the Carys] get home; hopes they have all goten rid of their colds; he has just "taken a very bad one"; sends love to the boys [sons of EW]; to save her the expense of postage he has waited for a privated opportunity; Mr. Darby is to go to Philadelphia and will he hopes deliver it at the post-office in Dumfries. 1p. ALS.
Scope and Contents Requested information from her in his last letter as to the extent of Mr. Prescott's debts; thinks that "altho Colonel Burwell's marriage conract might protect the property you had antecedent to that event", the property he "devised" to her would be exposed to the claims of Mr. Prescott's creditors; the deed executed between him [Mr. Prescott] and her [MP], and her trustees should have been recorded in the time prescribed by law; since that was not done she will not be able to parry her creditors; thinks that since those who were supposed to record the deed are friends she might not want to hold them liable for not doing it; his daughters are unwell; Mary [Blair] was "hysterical" although he hopes she is getting better; he and "Jenny" [Jane (Blair) Henderson] were sent for to take leave of her (MB); "Jenny" is beginning to be sick with fevers "without any ague"; he has had almost continual cholics although he is eating more than is good for him; Sister Banister [Anne (Blair) Banister] is welll; she [AB] parted with her son Monro who sailed Tuesday for N(EW) York where Mr. Constable will educate him at his own expense; "little Robert's" father is sending him to Scotland to be under the care of some relations, in the meantime, while at sea, a friend of Dr. Wilson's will care for him; recieved a letter from Sister Thompson [Elizabeth (Blair) Thompson] 3 or 4 months ago which said she and the Admiral were not well; the rise in the price of necessaries exhausts their [the Thompson's] income and they are thinking of moving to a cheaper country; sends love to "Betsey" Eliza (Braxton) Whiting, "Polly" [Mary Blair Whiting] and her (EW) sons; his daughter Henderson [Jane (Blair)] sends her love to her Aunt [MP] and her cousins. 1p. ALS
Scope and Contents Recieved her "favor" of Jan[aur]t 16th some days ago and postponed an answer [...?] "the information requested"; all that he recollects of Mr. Norton's affair is that he saw and approved of the deed; "upon expressing the approbation in writing" Mr. Blair "he supposes saw the mon[e]y"; satisfied that the deed was forwarded to Mr. Prescott; recollects giving him directions "respecting the mode of proving it as to get it recorded"; will continue his search; if he can be enabled to give further information he will do so; the suit a [?] of hers and Mrs. P[rescott] will engage his attention and warmest exertions; asks to be presented respectfully to Mrs. P[rescott]; plans to write and forward a copy of the bill to her mother [Mary Prescott] as soon as he gets one. 2pp. AL. [signature clipped]
Scope and Contents Received the letter she honored him with writing; encloses a copy of Gills Bill [missing] which is this moment received; asks her to get some "professional Gentleman" to draw her answer; asks her to send the answer together with the copy enclosed as soon as possible; reassures her she can rely on his best exertions being used for her interest. 1p. AL [signature clipped]
Scope and Contents Returned from a "melancholy" visit with the unfortunate Mrs. Hubard "who to add to all her woes" had her house consumed by fire"; her [MH] furniture "was saved from flames but broken to pieces"; Fanny [Hubard] was to be married to Mr. Sinclair but she is ill at Mrs. Hunt's; thier clothes were either stolen or burnt so that the inhabitants have collected 600 dollars for their relief and the ladies are to give them "necessary apparel"; indebted to her sister for writing; sister Cary's [Sarah (Blair) Cary] feet and ankles are swollen which makes tem "apprehensive of dropsy"; should not have gone down [to Ceeleys] as Miss Sally Anderson did not but could not think what to do with Mrs. Plinckard and her daughter who are with her [AB] for another month; Sally Anderson promises to try and give her her opinion [of Sarah Cary] so that she can pass on the information; Mr. Tucker has postponed his journey til day after tomorrow when "this must away"; Sister Thompson's [Elizabeth (Blair) Thompson] latest account says she was ill and went to Bath England but did not benefit from it; she [ET] says cost of living [in England] is so high that they had to "put down many superfluities"; she [AB] thinks one superfluity they should continue is wine; Mrs. Tazewell has had unfavorable account of her son William who has had 2 or 3 operations; he [WT] would have died but Mrs. Field took him in and did all that she could for his reliefl; refers her to B[etsey] Whiting's letter for "occuraences from hence"; Mrs. Hunt is shortly to marry Capt[ai]n Baron; her [AB] son Theo[doric]k [Banister] sends his love and best wishes. 3pp. ALS. Including ALS from Anne B[anister] to [Mary (Blair) Prescott], News about Sister Cary [Sarah (Blair) Cary]. Received a letter from Miss Sally [Anderson] from "Ceeleys" [Elizabeth County, Virginia] which says that Dr. Griffin is convinced Sis[te]r Cary (SC) has dropsy; discusses symptoms of her (SC) dropsy and the effect of Dr. Griffin's prescription; she (SC) presents her affection to her [MP], "Betsey" Eliza (Braxton) Whiting and her (EW) children; Miss Sally [Anderson] says her (SC) "appetite and spirit are mending"; plans to go down ["Celleys"] soon; Mr. Cary received a letter from Capt[ai]n Thompson which said his daughter Sarah was going to be married to a "very genteel young gentleman", with a "genteel fortune" who is in the Army; Norbourne [Thompson?] is again in command of a sloop of War "which Lord Spencer says is to lead the way to a higher preferment"; "Polly" Peachy and family are well; she [PP] is recovered and was visiting her parents [the Carys] looking better than before her illness; must write B. Fairfax who she heard has had a violent "attack of Rhumatism." 2pp.
Scope and Contents Endeavoring to get a road opened between this place and John Anderson's in Culpeper County and by his mill seat which will shorten the distance about three miles; discusses details of road; does not wish to take legal steps about road without consulting him; hopes he will have no objections so that it will take place "as soon as the Bridge is done at the mouth of Carter's run." 1p. ALS. Including a map drawn by William Horner of the proposed road. 1p.
Scope and Contents Grateful for the confidence she reposes in him in respect to the instruction of her two sons; the character she gives them is not the result of partiality; he has heard "favourable" opinions of them by others; happy to have them in his care; her wishes will be respectfully attended to; too busy to give her an answer to her kind invitation; "acknowledges the receipt of twenty dollars" through her son; as he keeps books, will give her credit for same; has no stamped papers "in this moment". 2pp. ALS.
Scope and Contents Witnessed the death of her (EW) Aunt Cary [Sarah (Blair) Cary]; she was seized about two weeks ago with a violent "pleuricy"; discusses the details of her (SC) illness; asks her to excuse the incoherence of her melancholy letter; daughter Peachy [Polly Peachy], sister Banister [Anne (Blair) Banister] and Sally Anderson were with her when she died; "she (SC) retain[e]d her senses at the last, and prayed for all her friends"; leaves it to her prudence whether it should be communicated to her mother [Mary Prescott]; asks her to write and tell her how her mother does. 2pp. ALS.
Scope and Contents Discusses the death of Sarah (Blair) Cary and Mr. Bracken's eulogy of her; her burial at Rich Neck; her (SC) husband's [Wilson Cary] reaction to her death; wishes she could comfort her (EW) and her [AB] sister [Mary (Blair) Prescott]; will not be able to visit them until she journeys this summer with Wilson Cary who is going to see his daughter Fairfax; asks if the neighbors assist her; hopes that thay do for their sakes because they may end up in the same situation; thinks Mr. Whiting, "or any who kill meats" wou[l]d spare his feet for jellies; sure that if she makes her wants known to them [her neighbors] "will not fail to send often"; asks her to make her [AB] sister [Mary Prescott] sensible of her "tenderest sympathy and sincere love"; rarely writes but does not love her less; Mary Andrews and Charlotte Balfour have written; received letters from Titchfield [Southhampton, England] poor Mary T. whose situation and her (EW) Mary's [Blair Whiting] are exactly alike -- "except she grieves herself sick"; concerned for her friends [EW, MP, MW] at "Enfield"; she [ET] greets them with love and asks to be informed of them; has been away from Williamsburg since early Jan[uar]y; from letters learned that Mary [(Blair)] A[ndrews] was not well and Jenny N. has a bad cough for which she does nothing; her [JN] son Tho[ma]s Hamilton "is a lovely babe" and the delight of his grandfather who with the rest of their connections are well; her [AB] son Theo[doric]k's trips to the "Northard" was good for his health and good looks; he [TB] just started the study of Physick; her [AB] son Monro is at Princeton College where he is liked by Masters and fellow students; he (MB) inquired after her (EW) and her family; Jenny Cary had been preparing to settle in Williamsburg prior to the death of her [AB] sister (SC), Mr. Cary will now settle there also; she has to look for another house and move so she can go up country; Polly Peachy who went home about a fortnight ago desired that she send her (EW) her [PP] love; her [PP] youngest child is the heartiest she ever had; Cousin Andrews wrote to her [AB] and requested news of her (EW); finds the account of her sons pleasing; asks her to accept her sincere love for herself and her children; asks her to tell "Polly" [Mary Blair Whiting] she regrets "Dame Fortune deals so scantily by those, whose merits deserves her bounty's"; hopes the object of her [MW] wishes will be hers; [verbatim transcription of Mr. Bracken's eulogy of Sarah (Blair) Cary]; asks her to write and let her know how they are; thinks it is possible that she (EW) could visit and leave "Polly" [MW] to attend her [MP]; hopes God will enable her to "go thro[ugh] the fatigue" of her "benevolent undertaking" without injury to herself; hopes he [God] will spare her to her children and her friends; Jenny Cary insists on her adding that she should have written but her mother (SC) usually wrote the letter for the family. 4pp. ALS.
Scope and Contents Received her niece's letter by special messenger; she and her (EW) uncle [Wilson Cary] unite in thanks for her proof of affection and desire to see them; unable to commit themselves [AB, WC] to a definite time to visit her; she and her (EW) friends applaud her devotion to her "afflicted parent" [MP]; the Father [God] will not fail her in his rewards; if she had a carriage she would have planned to visit her sooner and longer; the Colonel [Wilson Cary] is grateful for her attention and sends his best wishes but concluded that he was unable to name the specific date they would be down to visit; if she (EW) was not so unlucky in her horses she [AB] would have gone and stayed with her and had Mr. C[ary] call for her; dined at "Fairfield" last Wednesday where she saw Mrs. Herbert who won her over by her high commendations of her (EW) and "Polly" [Mary Blair Whiting]; they [the Herberts] are to be there [Shannon Hill] on next Monday when she shall fix with the "good Dowager Lady Washington", who has promised to take her, the time of going to Capt[ai]n Byrds; the attention from that quarter [Mrs. Washington] has "exceeded" her expectation; plans on taking advantage of seeing as many old acquaintances as possible since she cannot see her; yesterday she and Mr. Cary made themselves sick by eating ice-creams, water-melons and plums at Mr. Baylors; is so sick she must "repair to the pillow"; apologizes for detaining man Ceasor; Betsey F. shed tears at some parts of her (EW) letter; she [BF] sends her love ro her and her children; she [BF] hopes she will be able to come with them but "is not certain what effect her rhetoric may have with her Lord"; was agreeably surprised by "Betsey" F.'s desire to come with them; Mr. Cary got her to choose a fashionable straw bonnet in Richmond, Virginia for "Polly" [MW]; hopes Ceasor can bring it to her [MW] but if not it will wait until she brings it; the hair must be "drest" [sic] to make it becoming; thinks along with B. Fairfax that her [AB] sister [MP] should be acquainted with the death of her Sister Cary [Sarah Cary] prior to Mr. Cary's coming there; afraid she will discover the truth through Mr. Cary's dress or demeanor; feels her [MP] senses are "too much blunted" for the death to make any impression on her; asks her (EW) to express her, Mr. Cary's and Betsey F.'s affection to her [AB] sister [MP]; "Polly" [MW] and her (EW) boys have a claim on her affection; has not heard from her own boys since she left the old city Williamsburg; expects Monro [Banister] to be in Virginia in Oct[obe]r; Theo[doric]k [Bainster] will then be settled in Rich[mond], Virginia in Chriegnan and Adams' Shop; in a year or two he [TB] goes to Scotland and after finishing there will visit his friends at Titchfield [Southhampton, England]; doesn't know whether she will live to see it; left Dr. Barraud in wretched health; he [DB] along with Mr. and Mrs. Tucker were preparing to set out for Augusta Springs [Augusta County, Virginia]; the Bishop also intended to go there; Mrs. Dunbar who also plans to go to Augusta Springs ought to vary her scene; she [Mrs. Dunbar] seems to feel the loss of her Daughter Tucker more now; was charged by the circle of acquaintances "from that quarter" to give affectionate remembrances to her (EW); asks to know if a letter from her brother [John Blair] was enjoyable or painful to her (EW) mother [MP]; wrote a few lines to her because Mrs. Washington thought she would be able to send a letter but was disappointed; met two Miss Whitings, her (EW) sisters at Mrs. Washington's and paid them particular attention; they [the Whitings] do not even visit her (EW) Bro[the]r Frank [Whiting?] who is close by; Betsey [Whiting] regrets this; hears that "Polly" plans on getting married; sends her blessing. 4pp. ALS.
Scope and Contents "Arrived on the 10th day of this large city a perfect stranger"; did not have a "tittle" but his cares were taken care of by the kind attentions of a family; welfare of his "Enfield" [Prince William County, Virginia] are predominant in his breast; stimulous added to his exertions by the fact that he will see his friends in the Spring; grateful acknowledgement of her last letter; answers that he did not go and see Capt[ain] Rutherford's father because he did not want to wound an old gentleman "whose heart was already too deeply lacerated with the conduct of a bad son"; assured she will not blame him for his conduct towards the family; discusses his classes; his professors, Doctor Woodhouse and Dr. Rush; does not have much time to himself but occaisionally goes to the theatre; wishes his friends at "Enfield" could partake of its amusement; has taken lodgings with the family of a good old lady who has half a dozen daughters the youngest of which is 30; they [the old lady and her daughters] reminds him of the "Vicker" [sic] of Wakefield's family "for they are eternally making up and ripping old gause [sic]"; must write to his friends; asks her to write soon; hopes health and happiness attend her; sends respectful compliments to Mrs. Lacey and all her other neighbors with whom he is acquainted. 3pp. ALS. [signature partially clipped]
Scope and Contents Was delivered of a letter by her son, who is also his friend, George [Whiting]; sorry to inform her that the rumor that he was unwell for three weeks was true; was very ill for two weeks past having "caught cold with the mumps"; Colonel Parker sent him to this place with his carriage; has now recovered "accept being very much debilitated"; gives him pain to hear of Mamma's [Mary Prescott] situation; hopes she will be relieved of her troubles in a few days; unhappy for his d[ea]r Mary [Blair Whiting]; astonished that the pain in her [MW] jaw baffles the "deep skill" of his friend Lacy; has observed her complaining of her fingers getting tired and must do the same; expects to see her in eight or ten days at the farthest; wishes happiness attend her and hher family. 2pp. ALS.
Scope and Contents Does not have time to answer her last letter as fully as he intended; when he was last at "Enfi[el]d" a certain gloom appeared to hover round which he could not account for in any other way but his having the Blue [Thew?] which was fully confirmed by her last letter to him; that he caused them one pleasing moment has been productive on many serious reflections; is she had known his motive she would not have blamed him; had no idea of continuing until this time in the Army but it has improved his medical knowledge; is more determined to resign and see her about Chris[tmas] in the character of a student of Physick; his Capt[ain] has been absent for three or four weeks and he has command of the Company; he finds this position diagreeable as he is out all hours of the night and sometimes all night which he finds bad for his health; there are a number of strangers there at present; the Third [?] Reg[imen]t has arrived from Mary[lan]d and half of the first Reg[imen]t of Artillery; some of the officers are very agreeable and some the reverse; would be in vain for him to attempt descriptions of the place at present; if she has seen Mr. Jefferson's ideas they are elegant; in his next letter he will try to give a description of the place and its natives; is writing from a cold tent with nothing between him and the Heavens except little canvas which he hopes will give him excuse for the scrawl; hopes she will not be so cruel as to keep her word and not write to him while he is at camp; asks her to take compassion on a poor being and write to the care of Henry Peyton, Winchester, Virginia; if her mother [Mary Prescott] can remember him asks her to mention him to her and his dear friends. 3pp. ALS.
Scope and Contents To tell him she is offended with him is needless since he doesn't care about her and doesn't love her; this is the third letter she has wirtten to him and has not gotten one back from his Lordship; calls him Lieutenant Chintze and says he doesn't love "Crab Sally" now; hates one Betsey Coonrod who is in town; he must love her as she loves him "next to ..."; thanks him for Mairs and Betsey's last letter; Bet[sey] tells her she wrote by last weeks mail; asks him to enquire about that letter for her as she suspects the post office kept it for its own private picking; asks him to get it and send it to her; says she will probably pay the postage of all the letters from Betsey; that is Whiting's proposition "as it will save sharp skins which he finds scarce article at Denby"; Whiting is one of the most industrious souls that ever lived; he [RHL] ought to come up and take pattern; he says at this moment she is longing to see him; asks him to come. 3pp. ALS.
Scope and Contents Asks why her niece is so long silent; asks if her letters might be "mis-carried"; write her and Betsey F[airfax] and Mrs. Ambler by Mr. Carter Harrison; received Mrs. Ambler's reply, so believes the letters reached their destination; has been with her friend Mrs. Lyons for almost two months, but is "just on the wing for Richmond" Virginia; plans to go from there to Petersburg Virginia and Mr. Peachy's; expects Polly [Peachy] will accompany her to the old city Williamsburg; plans to see Monro [Banister] who she hopes will not again be disappointed in visiting Virg[ini]a; visited yesterday at Mrs. Page's (Colonel William Nelson's daughter Sally Cary) where she learned Mr. Charles Page, her husband, was to set out tomorrow for "the Ridge"; although this is her last day there decided to take the opportunity to let her know that a fortnight ago Jenny Henderson added another son to her family; she [JH] is poorly harrased by a bad coughwhich she has had for awhile; if the letter she expects to meet in Rich[mon]d does not have a better account of her [JH], she will take the stage directly to Williamsburg; the rest of the relatives are well; certain that if other family members knew she was writing they would unite in wishing her and her children "tender and affectionate remembrances"; Mrs. Lyons and R. Dawson desire to be presented to her (EW) with their sincere regards; must scratch up a few lines to B[etsey] F[airfax]; asks to hear from her; would like her to say when it will be possible to come "down the country" 2pp. ALS.
Scope and Contents She and Mary [Blair Whiting] surprised by the arrival of "favorite Henry's arrival" there with l[ette]rs for their "D[ea]r RObert" and indulgences that he and all their friends are well; asks him to make her congratulations to his sister and her "better half" on the pleasing event; suspects she would have been more gratified if it had been a daughter; asks him why he didn't make an apology for her to her old friend Mr. Throckmorton for her not visiting him; would have gone from Mrs. Aris's to visit him [Mr. Throckmorton] if she had known her road from Fairfield was washed out; would have gone to see him [Mr. Throckmorton] from his son and daughter where she was visiting but she was indisposed; told his [Mr. Throckmorton] son Mordica to tell him why she could not visit; if she ever lives to cross this ridge again she will make ample reparation to him and several others; he [Mr. Throckmorton] was mistaken in thinking she went to see all but him; Farva and the boys left before Henry's arrivval; Farva was so affected at leaving he cried; remarks what a wor[l]d it would be if all humans were like him [Farva]; she and Mary [Blair Whiting] have been very lonely since he, the boys and Farva have been gone; discusses Billy Marlow's extreme illness; sent for D[octo]r Lacey who pronounced him [BM] "highly inflamitory"; thinks at her "time of life" it is natural to feel melancholy and not be able to account for it; her soul sympathizes with Mrs. Magill whose son died, she [Mrs. Magill] would be happy "if it wou[l]d please heaven to bless them with children"; thinks children give their parents a lot of worry and anxiety; asks him to make his respects to both Mr. and Mrs. Magill, D[ocot]r Mackey and Lady - with "Polly"; asks him to tell her Aunt she will always be happy to see her or any of his other connections; asks him to tell his cousin she looks forward to seeing her next month; Henry says he will b back next week; Mary [Blair Whiting] intends to write to him (RL); Henry promises to come down with him (RL) and Mary; brings painful recollection when she remembers it will ahsten their [RL, MW] departures from them; Dr. Lacey thinks it probable Rush wou[l]d come to the Federal City as he [DL] did not suppose he (RL) would "relinquish his offices in the Mint"; if so it would shorten his (RL) journey; will offer her prayers up for his safety; hopes her letters will not fill him with "enuis"; his letter to George shall be sent by the first opp[ortunit]y; tells him to ask Mr. G. Taylor, if he sees him if he has been or intends to be in Harrison C[i]ty, and Green Briar and entreat him to see into by l[ette]r or some other way that the taxes are settled in time to save the lands; if she loses them [the lands] "the fat will be all in the fire to remind him" [Mr. G. Taylor] ; they are patented in Roger Prescott's name by Whitecroft to him; Masfield never answered her letter. 4pp. ALS.
Scope and Contents Received letters from family and an hour ago sealed one to his mother; he (RL) will be glad that [Theodorick] Banister is nearly well and will be with them next week; he [Banister] now walks with a crutch after experiencing a summer of misery and wishing for death; must have been distressing for his [Banister] mother, whose spirits must now be revived; Doctor thinks he [Banister] is out of danger; the account given of him [Banister] to all of his friends must have been distressing; thinks William will take his horse at what was their bargain; he [GW] is sorry he [William] has been so cheated in him; whatever he (RL) does about the business he [GW] will be satisfied with; tells him to take care of his colt; "do what will make a darner deep it fat this winter"; lets him "know whats for a tail Camelia & Tennius carries"; supposes Billy has got him [the colt] in new order by now and sold him; rejoices to hear all their friends are well in Winchester; hopes they are well in Trenton; does not have time to write to Mary [Blair Whiting] but plans on writing her tomorrow; doesn't think Williamsburg agrees with his health; has not been well since arriving and presently has a bad cold and fever; has not been to lecture [at College of William & Mary] for two days but reads in his room night and day; as soon as well will attend the College [of William & Mary]; is much pleased with rules and modes of proceedings; on Monday and Wednesday evenings attends Mr. Madison's lectures on moral philosophy and on Friday his natural lecture; the rest of the week Mr. Andrew's lectures on Mathematics; spends spare time on history; is now reading "Bolline" must stop to write a composition on "Innate Ideas" asks him to give his love to all his friends in Winchester as well as in the neighborhood "particularly to the "Sun Beam of Beauty"; will be "acarn'd" "Polly" if they do not have "Oysters for dinner as big as your hand." 3pp. ALS.
Scope and Contents She will be surprised to hear from him at this late date; asks for her indulgence for the above as well as the long silence; hopes the partiality that has predominated in his favor will leaf her to condmn his errors in the spirit of mildness; has been anxiously expecting to hear from his friends for some weeks in order to give her the information she needs in respect to sending his horse to meet him; pleasure is denied him which accounts for the late date of his letter; has not heard from his friends since January and thinks thay have forgotten him; this is enough to destroy the capacity for study or reflection; is almost out of patience and hopes "that sweet little cherub" bid him be silent and informs him he will be rewarded for his unhappy moments which are blessings in diguise; she has expressed a wish for a better description of the Philadelphia Medical Society; the numbers are composed of the most respectable physicians in the Union; Dr. Rush is their president and all of their professors are members; his dissertation was uniformly approved of; has acquired enough "poseelavity" [?] to have Dr. Conrad elected a member; will give her a full account of seeing her at the "delectable old mansion"; he is patronized by Dr. Boyce, an old classmate of his Master's while in Europe; he [Dr. Boyce] is a physician to the Bettering House where he [RHL] attneds three times a week, and sees the prescriptions of upwards of two hundred patients; he [RHL] also attends the hospital and is determined to let no opportunity pass unnoticed where he can acquire the least information in the line of his profession; believes he shall return by way of the city of Washington and can get a horse of his uncle's perhaps the last of the month; he will return good for evil and write to his amiable friend Mary B[lair] W[hiting]. 4pp. ALS.
Scope and Contents Received her favor of the 8th instant by her Overseer Mr. Leech together with a bank note for one hundred dollars for which he has given him a receipt; enclosed copies of Mr. Prescott's, now her account, on which he is owed 5 pounds ten shillings which he wishes her to remit to him as soon as she can; has also enclosed the goldsmith's bill for the "lockett" by which she will see it cost eighteen shillings more than she sent for it; thinks the balance of the "segars" was three dollars which she is also charged for; she will find that Bennet and Wath's account, after deducing returned articles is £34.6.6 1/2, including the "pins and paper", which is less than she thought; his daughter "Peggy" was married the 31st of Decem[ber] to Mr. Thom[a]s Fairfax; she [PF] along with Herbert and Nancy send their compliments to her and Mrs. Whiting; gives him pleasure to hear that Mr. Fran[ci]s Whiting has at last been rewarded by Mrs. T. Washington for his long and constant attachment; wishes them every happiness. 1p. ALS.
Scope and Contents Wrote his friend about a fortnight ago by Mr. J.H. Peyton and having heard of Mr. Brent's leaving town tomorrow hastens to write her again; confesses his head is not in the "fittest mode for writing"; the Peacheys, Carys and BAnisters dined to day at Mr. Andrew's; Charlotte Balfour also "made one of the party"; he had unfortunately made other plans with gentleman "where the sparkling glass circulated too freely" and dissipated all his ideas; trusts her other correspondents will make up for his deficiency; sends her the glad tidings of Theo[dorick] Banister's recovery; he [TB] is again able to join their family parties altho[ugh] still an invalid; if he [TB] can be restrained he might get perfectly well, but he is a Banister in temper and constitution; Munro Banister just left Will[iams]burg for Princeton to graduate; he (MB) had been sent for to see his brother [TB] possibly for hte last time; he (MB) is "in the just sense of the word, a sweet youth"; the Tuckers left yesterday for Winchester; Mr. P. Basset and Dr. Barroud's sweet daughter were of the party; Mr. James Preston and his spouse [lately the accomplished Miss Nancy Taylor] were to travel with them [the Tuckers] as far as Richmond; suposses Mrs. [Anne (Blair)] Banister or his sister will give her the news of the city; has only to offer her and sweet Mary [Blair Whiting] his congratulations on her hymenial prospects; Charlotte Balfour has told him one thousand things to say but his mind is treacherous and he cannot recollect them and is unfit to do her comp[li]m[en]ts justice; tell George [Whiting] and Francis [Whiting] he longs to shake them by the hand; appropos to George they shall have a little more money in the fund for him soon; hopes to receive soon money from Prentis and Col[onel] and she is entitiled to her mother's and brother's share which will be about $120; his "darling Thomas is well." 4pp. ALS.
Scope and Contents Takes up his pen with reluctance to write about the unexpected insanity of his brother; on his arrival in Charlestown found him in chains an dthinks his situation demanded it; he [RL brother] is pleased and exults his chains; he [RL brother] is in one of Uncle Hite's houses in Charlestown -- very private and with a good attendant; he [RL brother] is allowed only to see his particular friends which he (RL) thinks should not happen until the disease "takes a change"; his brother has lost 140 ounces of blood in two days which has had some happy effects as he is much calmer; the physicians think that love is the cause of his situation; his brother would dwell forever on ther frame of Mrs. P. Fairfax and wishes him to purchase her from Tom; he [RL brother] was in Baltimore in this situation and nearly killed two men running his horse thro[ugh] the streets under the whip"; his good sister , "Pniou" leaves him [RL brother]; his parents know nothing of his brother's confinement; beleives his brother's disease can be cured by physicians like all others; has written to Dr. Rush explaining the disease, cause, etc.; visits his brother tomorrow accompanied by Dr. Conrad; his visit will be short as the physicians think his presence injures rather than alleviates; cannot help indulging his brother; is not very well and plans to spend next week at Bath; Unle Peyton's family set out yesterday; he did not see them [the Peytons]; supposes she has heard the news of Miss Drew's death; sympathizes with Miss Drew's parents; send love to Mary [Blair Whiting]; his sister is well, and Louis sends his love. 4pp. ALS.
Scope and Contents "Ceasor sets out in the morning for Winchester -- to attend you highness and my Dear Peggy to our casstle" [sic]; expects him to tea on Sunday; Mamma [Eliza Whiting] says if Mr. Peyton and Mary do not come she will scold everyone that comes near her; "that among there [sic] cants and there [sic] words she is very much mortified"; if his sister McGuire knew how much her happiness would have added to her happiness on that day she would have come; tells him to give her and her mother's (EW) tenderest affection to his sister McGuire; it is dark so she bids him Adieu. 1p. ALS.
Scope and Contents Letter is dated is March 29, no year. Is at Brown's Hotel, Washington; dines with Colonel Momar yesterday; there is at this time 30 to 40 applicants; cannot say what chance he stands, there was a number before him; asks her if she can procure a horse for their contemplated trip; left Betsey in deep affliction on Friday mo[rning]; Will is well and all friends; will see her in a few days; Colonel Muras is very ill therefore he has lost a valuable friends in that business; sends love to all. 1p. ALS.
Scope and Contents Regrets parting with her (EW) "sweet son" [George Whiting] who is leaveing Williamsburg; agrees he should quit college "at least for a time"; the conduct of some of the students [at the College of William & Mary] have surpassed anything ever heard of; leaves George who from necessity among them to tell her of "their wicked and sacrilegious proceedings"; is told the visitors meet today and doesn't know what their deliberation will be; hopes it will be something "that in future secure the College from the odium the late unpresidented [sic] behaviour [sic] of the students must have cast upon it"; glad her son [GW] "is among the number of those who see their conduct in its proper light"; thinks the news of Polly Peachy's loss has reached "Enfield"; fears that her situation will require all the fortitude she is possessed of; believes her [PP] father-in-law is one of "the best men" and will do everything he can to "soften the rigour [sic] of the situation"; she [CB] has not been to visit her [PP] since her husband's death; she [PP] and her father-in-law are to write to the family until her husband's affairs are settled; would be elated to have so dear a friend [PP] living near her if her own residence in Williamsburg were permanent; has kept her promise to her dying friend [Jenny Henderson] to care for her son Thomas; does not want to be separated from Thomas for whom she feels a mother's fondness; has been told that his [Thomas] father [Rev. James Henderson] has been paying his addresses to Miss Macon since last Aug[us]t and she has repeatedly rejected him; he [JH] has never mentioned his affairs to her so that she does not know if the reports are true; prays for his [JH] happiness, hopes he would treat her with more confidence; had promised Jenny to continue there Williamsburg until Mr. H[enderson] was married; hopes he [Thomas] may meet a good mother-in-law [stepmother]; if she witnesses any unkindness to Thomas by a new stepmother -- the idea makes her shuddder; thinks she ought to apologize for dwelling on the subject; her [CB] brother is settling himself and his family up in Norfolk, Virginia having just arrived from Philadelphia Pennsylvania with his wife, son and daughter, all in perfect health; fears a change from a northern climate for htem may not be favourable "particularly as Norfolk is known to be so fatal to children"; has been asked by her brother is she would like to live with his family and says she will if she leaves her current habitation; plans to visit her brother when he is settled; as all her friends will probably write will only take the time to ask her opinion of her (EW) Uncle [Wilson] Cary's marriage?; fears Wilson's [Cary] poor children will be sufferers; sometimes old men do strange things; asked to be remembered to "Polly" [Mary Blair Whiting] and Dr. Little tho[ugh] she "has not the pleasure of his acquaintance"; supposes Frank [Francis Whiting] is at school and sends her love to him; her little "darlin'" [Thomas] sends a kiss to cousing Whiting. 4pp. ALS.
Scope and Contents Letter is dated February 22, no year. Gratification experienced upon receiving her letter was only exceeded by memories of the few happy days they spent together; hopes she will be able to return the attentions she received from her and Dr. [Robert H.] and [Mary] Little; sorry to hear that she has been indisposed but is sure that since spring is coming she will regain her usual health; if it is in her power she will accept her kind invitation; received her cotton two days ago and will attend to it with pleasure; sent for the weaver directly but could not prevail her to take it until she had it wound which she will set about tomorrow; the weaver thinks ther is enough cotton to warp 50 yards or it will 12 pounds of cord she (EW) has sent; tells her to send what cord she has ready and she will have the balance spun for her; does not think it will take as much cord as the weaver says or it would be unecessary to have more spun than will be wanted; asks her not to says it is giving her too much trouble "for among friends these trifles should be thought nothing of"; she has an excellent spinner who has little or nothing to do; her "good man" is not at home or she is sure she would have a message from him; asks her to tell Dr. Little she longs to make them acquainted as she is sure they would like each other; for the past six weeks she has been in a continual round of dissipation; balls, routs and squeezes are the names given to the parties which she thinks very improper as they deserve more stupid names; 40 or 50 people meet together to sip their tea, swallow jelly or syllabub, sit until 12 o'clock and perhaps not once open their mouths the whole evening to say more than "how do you"; is quite worn out and determined to be thought unfashionable than continue one of the fools any longer; just called down to receive visitors so is forced to leave off without saying half she intended; sends love and best wishes to her and her family. 3pp. ALS.
Scope and Contents Blushed at her gentle reproof; throws herself on her mercy for pardon; passes last winter with her friend Mrs. Hamilton, the British Consul's Lady, in Norfolk; Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton have been very good to both her and her son [Theodorick Bland] in Scotland; promised to stay this winter with them [the Hamiltons]; would like to have been excused because going prevented her from seeing her (EW) , and she has to spend too much money on clothers "to keep up the Lady"; has a plausible excuse to offer when she gets "down" [to Norfolk] which will be in the middle of next month; Munro [Banister] expects to get a license for practicing law when he becomes of age in May; he (MB) is bent on going to the "new countries," Kentucky being one where there will be a dividend of land in which he and his brother [TB] are sharers"; he (MB) then plans on going to Louisiana; asks how she can absent herself from him (MB) when he is leaving so soon; finds fault with the Hamiltons for being too perservering in their wishes; must try to hold her place and quit too; before leaving Norfolk last spring Niece [Mary (Blair)] Andrews and family came down; about that time Mr. H-ort [?] set out for Mr. Wormley's, by whom she and Mary [Anrews] wrote her; Monro George, who met Mr. James Wormley in Alex[andri]a, Virginia went to Richmond and was discarded by Miss Jane Wormley to whom he was engaged, was so bewildered he brought the letters back here without delivering them; he failed to give them back until now; she and Mrs. A[ndrews] thought the letters so old they were not worth postage; wishing to prove they weren't neglectful of her, Mrs. A[ndrews] has taken them with her on a trip to Wilton, hoping she can find some private conveyance from Richmond; enclosed are four profiles sent to her from Mary Andrews, Mr. [James] Henderson, Son Munro [Banister] and herself, Mr. H[enderson]'s is a good likeness of Thomas; Mary A[ndrews], Mr. [Henderson] and Charlotte Balfour are resolved to write her (EW) soon; Charlotte Balfour and Jane Cary send greetings; they are all well although Charlotte B[alfour] is recovering the "second most sever attack this fall"; Polly Peachy is in Petersburg, Virginia with her daughters attending weddings, races, and plays; Mr. Cary and Lady are not yet returned from Fluvanna, Sally [Cary] went with them, she and Jane [Cary] are very pretty; Wilson [Cary, Jr.] is reading law in Rich[mon]d with Mr. Edm[un]d Randolph; thinks Wilson [Cary] "a sweet youth", she wishes was not so many Democrats; "he [WC, Jr.] has been drawn in one scrape by them [Democrats], for w[hi]ch he has been a true penitent"; the Peyton Randolph she (EW) saw in the papers was Edmund R[andolph's] son, not Nancy Innes' lover who is son to Peyton Randolph of Wilton; Nancy Innes and Peyton Randolph have plighted their troths; has not seen Mrs. Innes since her late affliction as when she retuned to the "old city" Williamsburg she was gone to her sister in Cumberland where her daughter was married; fears she will not see Mrs. I[nnes] again as when she returns she [AB] will be in Norfolk, and Mrs. I[nnes] will be packing so that she can move in with her daughter; the Tuckers are at Sir Peyton Skipwith's on a visit to the Corbins in King and Queen [County, Virginia]; had letters in June from her son [TB] and her sister [ET] who were then well; Theo[doric]k has not yet seen his Aunt but plans to visit her at Titchfield England after he takes his degrees in the spring; he [Tb] then plans to go to London and maybe Paris if she can afford it; Mr. Rose lies at deaths door in Stannton [sic] on his return from the Springs; Theo[doric]k speaks highly of Robert Wilson and of his Aunt Chisholm's attention to him; he [TB] never fails to mention her (EW) and her family, particularly his friends [Dr. Robert H.] Little and George [Whiting]; her [AB] sister [ET] and her family were all well; two of her [ET] daughters, Sarah and Alishen, married men of fortune, while the eldest, Mary, married a poor man who is the captain of a ship of war that is fighting the French; they [Mary (Thompson) and husband] have two children, maybe three; Mary [(Thompson)] and her children live with her mother and father while her husband is gone; hopes Mary's [(Thompson)] husband and Norborne [Thompson?] capture some rich prizes; Alfred Thompson was in the artillery and expected to be promoted as war has been declared; Helen is sixteen years old and taller than either of her sisters though not so handsome; she [ET] expresses affection for her (EW) and her family; congratulates her on the recovery of Mary [(Whiting) Little] and "her darling pet"; "Increase and multiply seems to be the text perfectly understood by the former [ML]"; asks to be presented with affection to her family; asks her to kiss "little Bet" [EL] for "Aunt Ban" which is what most of the children call her; heard Francis [Whiting] joined the Navy; heard of Mr. George's [Whiting] courtship which she thinks he is too young to be involved in; is at Mr. Henderson's where Mrs. Cocke has come to spend the day with Charlotte Balfour and herself; Mrs. Cocke sends love and good wishes; thinks Mr. Henderson might marry again, hopes the woman is good to Thomas. 4pp. ALS.
Scope and Contents Encloses letter begun at several times; ingratitude not one of her faults but omission is; every idea engrossed by Cousin Andrews for whom she feels sympathy; Mr. Andrews is dying; will leave few to honor him for honor or integrity; discharged every trust with propriety "& never did the Widow or Orphan suffer by him"; her life for the past two years had few pleasures; fears her Father Peachy, who declines fast, will die; does not think there is anyone in Williamsburg whom they could "Claim as a friend"; they have been unsuccessful at farming and have had to break up their plantation and hire out their negroes; her [NP] Betsey tho[ugh] 15 is very small and looks like a girl of 13; Polly is taller and she thinks will make a pretty woman; they [Betsey and Polly Peachy] have sweet tempers; does not want her to think "Bet" [BP] "not possible" but her sister is prettier; wishes she could bring her daughters to see her (EW) on the way to visit Betsy, but it will not be possible; is vexed and grieved when she reflects that her sister is deprived of the friend she (EW) would have made if it were not for a foolish quarrel; the two Banisters [Monro and Theodorick] only excused from making a breach between friends except their youth; they [the two Banisters] told Betsy she (EW) call[e]d Mr. F[airfax] "a fool with his animal magnatism"; this is of no consequence for her (EW) to learn but was originally the cause of displeasure; has "learnt" Theo[doric]k [Banister] "with some other Chaps as thoughtless as himself" are living in Edinburgh; is a sad thing for children to be "giddy and extravagant"; company obliges her to conclude; assures "Betsy" and her children of her and her children's love; flatters herself that she will soon hear from her and that she will be forgiven for her long silence. 3pp. ALS.
Scope and Contents Advises him to accomodate his remedies to the state of the system in his contest with "a powerful and insidious epidemic"; advises him to tru all modes of treatment; there is a right treatment and he hopes he will find it; true in their country that in rainy seasons low situations are healthy, and high ones sickly; former completely overflowed with water and the "coltes having no more upon" [missing] to favor "putrefaction"; tells him to tell his farmers who complain about the Plaster of Paris as the cosue of their sickness the story of the potato and how it was banished from France; hopes the Plaster of Paris will not be "dishonored" or the sewers of their country degraded by a similar act; his [BR] city is unusually healthy; heavy rains washing the streets and common sewers have been the means "in the hands of heaven" of keeping the City healthy. 2pp. AL. [signature clipped]
Scope and Contents Just "on the wing" for her winter quarters in Norfolk, Virginia from where she will write to her the particulars as soon as she writes two or three letters to Europe; thanks her for her last letter and says she wrote back but just found out she never got the letter; their friends and relatives are well except for a few colds w[hi]ch were to be expected at that season; Tho[ma]s Henderson and Polly Peachy's two youngest children have the whooping cough tho[ugh] it is not yet severe; Mrs. P., her two daughters and niece and niece [Mary] Andrews with others send affection to her and her family; has not seen Monro [Banister] since last April; he (MB) is well tho[ugh] she trusts and busy in Petersburg, Virginia looing into their "deranged concerns"; credits Heaven with supplying her a friend who would keep Theo[doric]k comfortable and happy in Europe [un]til his brother had made some arrangements; he [TB] must have suffer[e]d as his last letter was dated Aug[us]t 24th and he had just gone through his hardest examinations and expected the 12th of Sep[tembe]r following to take his Degrees as a Doctor; he [TB] was soon after to go to Titchfield England, then to London and in the spring to embark for Vir[gini]a; always sends love to her family; a letter from her [AB] sister [Elizabeth Thompson] dated Sep[tembe]r 1st was full of tenderness for her (EW) family; her [ET] family was well but sad because her daughter Mary's husband, Capt[ai]n Dixon, was lost off the coast of Ireland last April; she (EW) may have seen the particulars in the paper, he [CD] commanded the Apollo; his [CD] wife and three children are now residents of their family which adds to the expenditures and the war which makes everything so high, they can scarcely afford to live; anxious to hear how they are after the sickly summer; asks if she has heard anything from Frances [Whiting]; hopes Heaven long preserves the comfort she (EW) gets from her children; sends her affection; asks her to kiss Mary's [Little] bairns for her; the Hamilton's certainly go to Europe next spring. 2pp. ALS.
Scope and Contents Asks her to what she owes the long silence; having written a long letter after she returned from Norfolk she was surprised at not having a reply since she (EW) is such a punctual correspondent; fears autumn may have brought sickness to her family; cannot write with the facility she used to so she procrastinated writing this letter; Theo[doric]k [Banister] arrived in perfect health; as she (EW) is also a mother she is assured of her empathy with ther feelings on the arrival of Theo[doric]k; hopes Francis [Whiting] has regained his health upon returning home; the ship which brought him [TB] home was destined up to City Point and his baggage "being still on board, obliged him immediately to Petersburg"; otherwise Munro [Banister] would have come down and given her the gratification of seeing the happy meeting; she expects them [MB, TB] on the stage day after this; the Hamiltons expect to sail in Dec[embe]r for England; plans on going to Norfolk to see them as soon as it is safe from yellow fever; plans to visit her (EW) in the summer following if she can raise enough money; Theo[doric]k says her [AB] sister [Elizabeth Thompson] is not well at Titchfield, England but her complaints are not dangerous; received a letter from her sister [ET] and the Admiral Thompson who is still in health and cheerful in his eighty sixth year; her son [TB] says the whole family is agreeable and handsome, especially the female part; Norbourne Thompson is still without a ship and living on half pay with "Lord Bentick & the promises of great men"; he [TB] did not see Alfred Thompson who is in Gibralter with the Army; he is a 1st Lieutenant in the Artillery; her sister [ET] sends affections to her and her family; she [ET] was very good to her [AB] son which makes her love her more, if possible; the "Old City" Williamsburg very sickly this Fall; Mrs. Andrews and Griffen Peachy have been seriously ill; both are better but not well yet; Jane Cary's mother, sister and brother have gone to Albemarle among their relatives since Jane's death; Wilson is married to Virginia Randolph, a very accomplished lady; they [Wilson and Virginia] are going to live with his grandfather; Sally is betroth[e]d to Mr. Henson, a student of law, very respectable but of slender fortune; Mrs. Andrews and Mrs. Peachy with their daughters greet her and hers as does Charlotte Balfour, Mr. Henderson whose son [Thomas] is well and he is still a widower, Mr. Cocke, the Tazewells, the Skipwiths, the Tuckers and the "good old Carys, not yet return[e]d from their summer's excursion"; Mrs. Skipwith writes her husband is so ill she fears she will never reach home; [...?]. 3pp. AL. [letter mutilated, signature missing]
Scope and Contents Thro[ugh] Mr. Mason, a student at William and Mary College, she [AB] heard that George [Whiting] was married to an "amiable young lady" of whom she (EW) approved; heard it exhilarated her spirits so that she lost all sickness; hopes that loss may very long be hers; congratulates her; asks her to congratulate the wedding pair for her; "the Doctor [Robert H. Little], his sweet Rib [Mary (Whiting) Little], and Francis [Whiting]" all possess her best wishes; [addresses her next remark to RH] intended to reply to his letter introducing Mr. Brown, but was waiting for him to arrive which he hasn't yet; she and her friends made repeated inquires after Mr. Brown to no avail; was worried about not having heard from them knowing she (EW) was in poor health; planned on writing them a long letter when she was taken sick with pleurisy; recovered from her illness and wrote before she had a more serious attack; describes her illness and treatment by bleeding; not allowed to write very much because of her illness; wrote her two letters from Norfolk which she believes never got to her; Monro's [Banister] marriage to Miss P. "has long since been done away - even after the fixing of the wedding date"; he is now engaged to another to whom he is sincerely attached; Miss P. Bolling, daughter of Mr. Robert Bolling by his first wife, with the consent of her father and grandmother decided to marry Monro; if they could both dispose happily with their other two sons their hearts would be replete; her family is in perfect health and asks to be remembered to her (EW) family; Admiral Thompson and his family are well although Norbourne is in Ireland as Commander of the Sea Fencibles and Alfred is in Gibralter as a 1st Lieutenant in the Royal Artillery; Uncle [Wilson] Cary recovering from a fall from his horse in which he broke no bones but was "sadly bruised"; Mrs. Andrews is in delicate health and seldom well for a whole week, partly from fatigue caused by being "(Martha like) 'careful and troubled about many things'"; she [Mrs. Andrews] sends her love as do all their connections and favorite friends; Sally Cary is married to Mr. Henson and has a son named William Henry; Wilson Cary was married to Miss Virginia Randolph at Tuckahoe? has a child named Wilson Miles; Polly Peachy who is married to Mr. Tabb had a premature child this winter and was reduced to death's door but recovered perfectly; Theo[doric]k was instrumental in the recovery and is now fixing her eight miles from Petersburg; her mother and her [?] are well and living at Mr. Peachy Senior's in the house where Mr. Hornsby lived when she (EW) was here; Mrs. Tucker wants her (EW) to visit so they can "turn out" and "set the town to rights"; she [MT] married her daughter to Mr. Joseph Cabell "one of the most sensible, best informed men of the age"; Mr. Cary's Sen[io]r and Jun[io]r (Rebecca and Jane) wish to be retained in her memory and to assure her they would be happy to see her there; Niece Andrews would like to stay at her house; asks her to come; Mrs. Skipwith is at her daughter Corbin's; the Hamiltons, whom she left in March last, wish to be remembered to her; they were pleased by her (EW) remembrances; asks her to kiss the little ones for her; finds Papa thinks her namesake the prettiest because she has black eyes; tells her to tell Papa [KH] that she excuses his being partial to [Frances] Anne Banister; has tacked an "e" to her name because it was prettiest, asks them to follow the example; tell Mr. Little that she is pleased that he submits to the government of his "fat little wife." 4pp. ALS.
Scope and Contents Upon returning from Alexandria last Sunday found his letter of the proceeding evening; sorry that his absence prevented him from seeing him; "As Saturday is always a Holiday with us at the Commencement of Congress" he frequently visits his friends on that day in Alexadnria; affords him the pleasure to render him services there or elsewhere; asks him to let him know what the business he alluded to in his letter was and he would do it immediately; can do nothing more than speculate on the subject of Peace or war as no official communications have been received from England since the meeting of Congress; prevailing opinion there is that there will be no war; he has his fears; thinks they are apt to believe what they wish; asks to be presented respectfully to Mrs. Whiting and Mrs. Little. 2pp. ALS.
Scope and Contents Assures him he felt pride and pleasure with the way he acted with Myers; his conduct evinced sentiments of "honout" and humanity; his [Myers] behavior almost indicates "the moon must have some agency with his intellects"; discusses an incident in which Myers pulled out his "bane" and commanded him [Sommervell] "to swallow it"; shame added to the folly by the fact that no witnesses were present; discusses his involvement with a woman who is not named; Mr. Coleman has lately been in that city and has seen a report of the affair in his favor; other news. 4pp. ALS
Scope and Contents Received her letter of August 26 with the four profiles and letter from John for which she is obliged; after returning from Mr. Tabbs at Goshen was attacked with the ague and fever right after two spells of another nature from which she was barely recovered; her "poor old shatter[e]d carcase" was so weakened she could not write; has gotten well by removing with Theodorick's [Banister] family to "a healthy little spot a few miles from Petersburg"; her "sweet Grand Daughter" recover[e]d her lost flesh there [near Peterburg]; Monro [Banister] and his wife and child have left Williamsburg in search of health; the child [MB's son] was a fine large child but has become emaciated probably because the place Williamsburg is unhealthy although he is also teething; certain that Mr. Little will agree that the place is not healthy; sorry that Mr. Little was so sick, but it might have been a "seasoning" and hopes he will come there again although he has determined not to; if he (RL) never visits her again she and her family send their good wishes to him wherever he is; concerned that she (EW) has suffered badly with rheumatism this summer; wishes she had the power to relieve her; hers (EW) and Mary's [Little] profiles are not so striking as the two little girls whom she thinks look like thier mother when a child; thankful for the affectionate dispositions of her two little nieces [she is really their great great Aunt]; thanks her for teaching them to know her; sends love and kisses to the girls; George and Lady [Frances Harrison (Horner) Whiting] seem to understand well the text "increase and multiply"; saw in Norfolk last year a lady who spoke highly of her (EW) daughter-in-law [FW]; hopes Francis Beverly [Whiting] will be as successful in his pursuits; sends love to her sons; asks her to send her affection to Mary [Little], a "paragon of industry" and her Hubby [RH]; the Doctor and his Lady asked her to remember to say they planned on visiting next summer; she plans to visit if her "infirmities will permit"; shall exert herself to join them [Doctor, Lady]; fears she flatters herself; Polly Tabb sends her love and Mary, who has one little girl, sets out on Saturday to visit her mother, where she expects to increase her family; her [Mary] husband is expected to return from Ballston Springs where bad health carri[e]d him; [...?]; if their friends in the "Old City" knew she was writing would ask to be remembered; plans, if they are all well next month, to accompany her two sons, their wives and grandchildren to the place of her nativity Williamsburg; her friends are all anxious to be acqainted with her daughters [in-law]; from there [AB's family] will return home and she will go to see the Hamiltons in Norfolk probably for the last time as they plan to go to England next spring; Niece A[ndrews] write Charlotte Balfour is sadly affected with gout, with one hand disabled and sometimes she even gets it in the head and stomach; she [CB] looks terrible; this is a specimen of Monro's [Banister] paper; he keeps a good heart and thinks in the winter it will be in more demand. 4pp. ALS. [letter mutilated]
Scope and Contents Would have made an early reply to her last letter but was sick; asks for forgiveness for procrastinating in writing; is in this neighborhood because Theodorick's [Banister] wife, [Signora Tabb] was going to "increase her family" and did have a daughter; she [ST] "looks badly" which is not surpriding since a few days before her delivery she caught the measles; the infant was full of it and she is glad they both recovered as well as they have; as has her other granddaughter, Marth Peyton [Banister], named after Mr. Giles' first lady; fortunate to have the opportunity of meeting Dr. Graham and Lady, who is very agreeable and ladylike person with most pleasing manners; regrets the measles prevented them [AB and the Grahams] from being together more; finds Mr. Little has found out "the way for a son without getting advice about it"; delighted with accounts of his "beauteous daughters"; asks her to kiss them for their old Aunt Ban, as the young fry call her; hopes to hear Mary [Little] is happily rid of her present burden and her spirits lifted from the depression caused by the death of her friend and neighbor; heard George [Whiting] has another child; trust Francis [Whiting] will soon have a child; last May Monro [Banister] presented her with another grandson; his (MB) wife and infant are well but he and his eldest son, William Constable, named after his friend and patron, are not well; he (MB) is sick from imprudently going in the River after heating himself and his son [WB] is teething; Theodorick and his wife send greetings; had to "repair to the toilette for dining at Mr. Giles'"; Mrs. Tabb expects Mr. Giles to dine with them [the Grahams] who will deliver this letter tomorrow; would like to tell her about relations in Williamsburg and over the Atlantic but woke this morning with "a light dancing" before her eyes and a headache; Theo[doric]k advises the disuse of the quill; promises to write shortly; sends love and best wishes; does not want to be taken to task again for not naming her grandchildren; will call her new grandchild Eliza and Sister T[abb] with herself will add to the gratification; Monro's son is named after him. 3pp. ALS.
Scope and Contents Wonders if she will remember him since he has not written in so many years; has been chided by his conscience for his silence; having gotten more settled and systematic she will be hearing from him more regularly; will give him pleasure to hear how she is doing, after flirting with young girls and being jilted by a widow he decided to act with a little more generalship; offered his hand to an excellent widow, with a son just twelve months older than his own son; after a short hesitation she accepted; was married last Dec[embe]r; the two little boys get along very well; would like to see her at Elmswood; promises his wife will do everything possible to make her visit agreeable; planned on going to Albemarle during the boys' vacation "but a little invisible urchin will prevent it"; he will have to make a quick trip to Albemarle on business; his son is in good health, grows rapidly and is making tolerable progress in his education; Mrs. Andrews is very well and is getting her carriage repaired for a trip to Richmond; does not know whether she [Mrs. Andrews] or Charlotte Balfour intends to turn out; informs her "that everything wil be quite smart"; D[octo]r Bracken and his daughter left the "Old City" Williamsburg for Frederick by way of the "Federal City" [Washington]; thinks Mr. B[racken] has a lady in his eye as he is visiting Frederick two summers successively; his [Mr. Bracken] daughter Sally is married and Julia bespoke and it's not good for a man to be alone; her Uncle [Wilson] Cary and Aunt Cary left town last week for Cary's brook; he [WC] fell while walking in his garden and broke his leg, but recovered enough to set out on his journey; the "excellent Tuckers" leave tomorrow; their Cousin Peachy and her boys are well; her [Polly Peachy] daughter Betsey is visiting her sister; sends best wishes to her and her family. 3pp. ALS.
Scope and Contents Mr. Thomas Tabb, Theo[doric]k's wife's brother sets out tomorrow to visit his Aunt Whiting and other relatives in her (EW) neighborhood and will stop by if he can; sends best wishes for Mary's [Little] safe delivery; she and her daughter Signora [(Tabb)] B[anister] send love; [Theodorick] has gone to Petersburg or would join them in sending love; her other son and daughter [Monro Banister and Mary Banister] are at Sulphur Springs where Monro and his eldest son are in pursuit of health; heard they [MB and son] are better but not yet well; Mary Banister and younger child are well as are the Hamiltons [in Norfolk] where she plans on going for the winter; plans to stop in Williamsburg on the way to the Hamiltons to see her friends; thinks they [friends] will be returned from their summer excursions; Mrs. Andrews and Charlotte Balfour are in Richmond with Nancy Randolph who has increased her family by her first son; Mr. [Wilson] Cary has not yet gone up the country "as usual" [sic] this year as he has been taken up with a vertigo while walking with two or three ladies in the garden; he [WC] fell with his leg under him and broke his leg; he [WC] bore it with patience and fortitude which contributed to the cure; last she heard of he was almost well; Mrs. [Polly] Peachy, since the death of the old gentleman, has taken in a few boarders which enables her to keep a "good" house; he [Mr. Peachy, P.P. father-in-law] has left her everything he possessed for life; Mrs. Jenny Cary is at her mother's in Albemarle who is in a precarious state of health; her [JC's mother] daughter Mrs. Newsom is living in King and Queen [County, Virginia], has two sons and a daughter; Miles Cary is to be married this fall to Miss Curl; Wilson and his family are fixed in Fluvanna; Polly Tabb and hers are all well; she is pregnant again; they expect them [the Tabbs] to be there in a few days; she [PT] had a son by her former marriage who is nearly Thomas' [Henderson] age and the two are greatly attached to each other; Thomas has written to her to tell her how happy he is in a good Mama; has not ehard from Titchfield, England; Signora asked her to assure her (EW) that she plans to visit her and that nothing save sickness or death will stop her; asks her to tell Mary [Little] has spread her fame for industry from the sample of linen for her "Hubbby" (RL); sends her love to the family; he (RL) must have cut a funny figure in his breeches; asks her to inform her friends, especially Doctor Graham and Lady, that she is in the neighborhood so they won't neglect her; visited Mr. Giles yesterday where all were well. 3pp. ALS.
Scope and Contents Hopes Francis [Whiting] told her she could not send a letter to her by him because her old acquaintances and Monro's wife [Mary Banister] provided her with too much company to get the time to write; told him [FW]to give her love to them and tell them she would be writing by Post; arrived there on Saturday the 6th [July] with her grandson Monro [Banister] who was sick; he [MB, Jr.] is better but the "intense warm weather keeps him very funney"; tells her to take her time writing letters to her friends and family; Francis [Whiting] relates the particulars of his visit; but for his [FW] kindness she could not have left Norfolk when she did; had incurred for neccessaries a small account as she had expected her sons to come down, which she could not turn her back on unpaid; he [FW] pressed her to quit Norfolk as the sickly season was coming on and offered her the use of his purse; introduced him to the Barrauds and the Kings who were pleased with her (EW) remembrance of them and sent their regards; considers herself a friend of Mrs. H. as she holds her (EW) in great estimation; planned on calling on her (EW) cousin Tunstall when she was in Norfolk last Dec[embe]r as she had promised her [Cousin Tunstall] niece, Catherine Hill, who is boarding with Niece [Polly] Peachy, but much company, rheumatism, and a bad cough made her procrastinate and prevented her from seeing her and introducing her (EW) son [FW] to her; Catherine Hill is very much like her mother who is dead; she [CH] is supported by her brother whose industry keeps them both comfortable; says nothing of relatives and friends because some wrote her by Francis [Whiting] and Mrs. Cocke, the Tuckers, and Mrs. Skipwith send their remembrances; the "ancient city" Williamsburg looks melancholy with so many houses shut up; many inhabitants have left for their summer residences; Francis [Whiting] can tell her (EW) about the Hendersons, her [AB] sons and daughters, and "their young fry"; wishes to accompany the Doctor and family as far as her (EW) house; thinks she will see the Doctor and family in a week to ask if she can accompany them; Monro [Banister] "and his Rib" [Mary Banister] send love to her and her family; if she could see all the confusion she was surrounded with -- females chattering, children squalling and nurses making noises to quiet them -- she would realize she must conclude; apologizes for not providing her with any root or flower seed; was told the fall is the best time for both; is promised some from several people if an opportunity offers for conveying them, Mrs. Bolling said nothing would have prevented her sending them but they were not in season; thanks her for the moss-tippet she sent her which she shall prize for her sake as well as the fact she thinks it very pretty. 3pp. ALS.
Scope and Contents Takes the opportunity to write to both of her niees in one letter as Mrs. Tabb is making a mournful trip to Goshen tomorrow; asls to be excused for writing to them both in one letter but Monro [Banister] is on a short visit there and she cannot absent herself long; the bearer "is intelligent" so she makes no statement of the family there; takes pleasure in telling her little Monro [Banister] is recovered and Polly [Mary] and Siegnora [Banister] are "in the family way"; was told by Monro [Banister] who was just in Goshen that all there were as well as could be expected tho[ugh] Polly Tabb looked badly and there is cause to fear she is likely to add to her distressed family; her [PT] mother wrote that she [PT] wishes a home for herself but it will be impossible to do so without "a protector"; she [PT] fears her house cuold not be agreeable as she is necessitated to take boarders; she [PT] is determined to wait the arrival of Mrs. Tabb and abide by her advice; Mrs. Peachy will be home in October; Monro [Banister] was also at Colonel [Wilson] Cary's in Fluvanna on his way home; they [the Carys] were all well but [Colonel Wilson Cary] is in low spirits as the prospect for a crop is very unfavorable and he is in a great deal of debt; she [AB] sympathizes with him [WC]; hopes the family is in perfect health; remarks to Charlotte Balfour that she has always considered her one of her nieces; a letter from Mrs. Hamilton mentioned she had just seen Doctor Balfour and that he and his family were well; sorry to say Mrs. Boush was not well; imagines that Mrs. Letty has complicated her plan and got off to some other state as she has eluded every search; expected to find her in Norfolk; her sons and daughter Siegnora send love; Siegnora [Banister] is determined to visit her (EW) next summer if God spares her, blesses them; Mrs. Tabb has arrived and sends her love to Mrs. Andrews and Charlotte Balfour and would love to see them on their way home; Mr. Whiting has had direction given him and can persuade them the distance from Fredericksburg will be the same as to Richmond. 3pp. ALS.
Scope and Contents Concerned to hear they have all suffered from sickness; thinks the accident Doctor Little met with must have been distressing in his weakened state; thanks God her (RL) and Mary are returned to good health and cheerfulness; tell Eliza the old mitts she sent her to Leesburg, Virginia were hardly worth thanks; supposes they were worn out long ago; will write Eliza when her eyes get better and the weather is milder; presently "can hardly get ink thaw[e]d enough to write" and is almost and "ice sickle" herself; did not get coal [un]til lately and it will not burn so they depend on wood; can only get a scanty supply [of wood] as one of her horses has been lame since her journey to Polly Tabb's of which she gave the Doctor a full detail; situation has almost reconciled her to not having her (EW) down with them that winter, but next [year]; Charlotte Balfour was taken ill after they got down, and continued "in the most distressed state [un]til lately"; Doctor Galt considered her state "bilious" as Doctor Little had and gave her an emetic; she [CB] has been better ever since; they often talk of the happy time they passed at "Enfield"; she, Charlotte Balfour and neighbor Cocke send their love; she [CB] is much distressed by "the death of her amiable [daughter?] Mrs. Innes which will be lamented by all who knew her"; was surprised at the account she gave her of Miss Tabb's conduct to cousin Frank but "if she was capapble of being so fickle it was a fortunate escape for him"; hopes he [Frank] will consider it a fortunate escape; tell Frank she is upset he didn't visit them as he promised; sees no justice in him in his resenting them because "a young lady treated him ill"; hopes he [Frank] will keep his word; hopes Beverly Blair carried up the pins she (EW) went for as he is now in the Company Line; Miss Egglestone undertacks [sic] to dispose of the trimming and for that went up without a lett[e]r from her and the artichoke and lce plant seed; did not get a letter his [BB] father wrote to her informing her of his going until he had already left; had sent the little wheel she had promised counsin Mary [Little] she would have repaired as someone had stolen the brass fly and another piece from it; disappointed that the workman who promised to make another has not done it yet so Mary [Little] cannot use it at the fireside or w[h]en walking about; hopes it will be done by the time the [Dr. Robert and Mary Little] come down in the Spring; tells her (EW) to tell them [the Littles] she will be happy to see them and hopes she (EW) accompanies them; has not heard of B. Blair or his "sweet wife's" return; hopes to have good accounts of them [EW, RL, ML] from them; tells her to tell the Doctor she hopes he plans on writing her; thinks it fortunate that John and B. Blair were not in Richm[on]d the night the theatre burned down as they might have been there; her son-in-law Randolph and her daught[e]r Elia were miraculously saved; heard acquaintance Mr. Noel had a narrow escape; their neighbors Mr. and Mrs. Greenhowe and her niece, Mrs. Gerrardine and her son with many of her other acquaintances "fel lvictim to the devouring flames"; this has been an eventful period as "there have been three shackes [sic] of an Earthquake"; thanks God there has been no damage other than making several people "very sick at stomach during that time"; thinks it may have been more calamitous at other places; Cousing [Polly (Cary)] Peachy and Mr. Henderson beg to be remembered to her and cousin Mary [Little]; just heard of the death of Mrs. Fairfax in England; she has by her will [bear?] her to her bro[the]r, her grandson W[ilson] Cary and her niece Peachy; her (EW) neighbor Mrs. Clanahan will regret her good old friend; asks that she and Charlotte Balfour be remembered to her and all her neighbors; asks God to bless her (EW) family; asks her to kiss the children for her. 4pp. ALS.
...[at]tempt to burn Norfolk; her fears were groundless; her good friend Mrs. Andrews wrote to [?] and offered him a part of her house to remove his [?]; he says they are going to continue where they are and depend on providence for their protection; their [?] has taken several prizes on board of whic[h] [?] and esteem[e]d friend Doct[o]r Miller his [?] are staying with them and she received a letter from him in [?] then at sea and had just taken a valuable [?] with the expectation tha[t] [?] return to her in better health; hopes God grants it; their mutual [?] is as usual sometimes sick and sometimes well; at present she's well except for weak eyes which she asks her to say keeps her from writing; she thanks her for the last letter and regrets she has not rec[eive]d the one mentioned in her laster letter; Judge Nelson died last night after a long and tedious illness; he would not let his daughters be informed of his illness so they will be shocked when the messenger is dispatched to call them to the funeral; the rest of her friends are well and unite in regards to her and her family; never saw her Uncle [Wilson] Cary look better than he does at present; Griffin Peachy was doing well; her darling child [Thomas Henderson] is also doing well. 2pp. ALS. [first page missing, mutilated]
Scope and Contents Her letter to Charlotte Balfour reached them as they were leaving; hastens to relieve her "anxiety"; suffered in the general panic of Williamsburg when the British landed within four or five miles of them as there was only 50 militia in the place; the students [of the College of William and Mary] all went out and any boy that c[oul]d held a musquet [sic]; feared less for her own safety than for "the precious live that might be lost"; dear Thomas H[enderson] was not inactive tho[ugh] only fifteen, he was sent with a cart for bacon for the troops that were expected; dreaded his being taken with his cargo by the enemy; he arrived safe but had to walk eight miles back and since his shoes did not fit him he took them off; he met so many people flying he feared the Town Williamsburg was taken but continued on determined to share the fate of his friends; that even[in]g a large reinforcement of troops arrrived who had marched 36 miles in hot, dry weather; they [the reinforcements] expected to have the enemy to dislodge but thanks God the enemy left with no bloodshed except if the animals [?]; generally now believed they [the enemy] meant only to forage; if the reinforcements had been sent sooner they may have arrived more comfortably and been able to save Hampton, Virginia where the troops fought nobly but were sacrificed by not having reinforcements in time; their friend Major Corbin is still suffering with wounds he rec[eive]d; he [Major Corbin] led their troops and 40 men were seen to level their muskets at him; they [the enemy] shot his horse in the head and him in the thigh and arm; his [Major Corbin] wife knew when the attack began and heard enemy cannon and knew her husband was exposed; she [Mrs. Corbin] had a son in the Chesapeake whom she concluded was killed and another son with Commander Dieuter who wrote he was expecting to engage two British battleships; her [Mrs. Corbin] sons are spared and her husband recovering; asks "how many hearts are wrung by the missings occasien'd [sic] by this war"; wishes they [MA and CB] could accept her invitation to visit but as John and her horses are infirm she cannot attempt such a journey; she could not have come that far except Mr. Randolph aided her with a serv[an]t and horses; the Randolphs went on to Powhatan Virginia; the Randolphs are to send down their carriage and horses for Daugh[te]r Eliza [Randolph], her son John, Charlotte and herself to go up next week; she shall stay with them some weeks and then come back to her friends here [Richmond, Virginia] "[un]til the sickly season is over below"; only God knows whether she has a habitation to return to; left her property and friends there Williamsburg with great reluctance; Cousin Peachy for her health's sake ought to have gone up the country but was afraid to leave her property; her [counsin Polly Peachy] daugh[te]r Betsey went up with Polly Tabb; her [MA] daugh[te]r Randolph begged her [MA] to assure her and Mary Little of her kind regards; Mrs. Cringan who is in very bad health asks to be remembered to her and her daughter [ML]; hears Dr. Blair, his wife andsons are rejuvinated by her "upper air - from the mts. [?] they bring you"; she (EW) must have Cousin F with her and also Dr. Banister and his family; asks her to remember her and Charlotte to them all; assure Doctor Little and Mary [Little] of their esteem for them and their family; wishes she could see them all again; happy that Captain "Mc" and his Lady are well; asks her to tell Mrs. "Mc" they were delighted with her nephews "they are both fine fellows"; hopes the youngest [nephew] who remained [in Williamsburg] during their troubles has gotten safely to friends and "feels no bad effects from the Exposures he had"; asks to be remebered to her neighbors and acquaintances and Miss Elizabeth and Mary and Nancy Banny and all the little ones for her; Charlotte intends writing when they get to Mr. Randolph's. 3pp. ALS.
Scope and Contents Promised to inform him when he received his orders what ship he was on; the secretary has atached [sic] him to the old Constellation, Captain Campbells; does not expect to sail in less than six weeks but shall be much obliged to him to send his bed cloaths [sic] down to the city [Washington] as soon as possible as he wishes to get on board and choose his birth [sic]; currently stationed in Alexandria on the Leamer where he repaired that morning; as he may conclude he is "very much engaged"; asks him to give his love to all family and "enquiring" friends. 1p. ALS. Including Nwscl, "An Old Battle Ship", [hand dated March 1891] and the "Constellation" and "Insurgente". 2pp.
Scope and Contents Although her pen has been siilent he has not been forgotten by his sister; frequently realizes the adage "delays are dangerous"; they are inadequate to the tasks assigned by God; if only they could think he "ordereth all things right, and for our own good"; he has advantages that others are deprived of; he has a church to go to and should take the opportunity while it is in his power; when she reflects on how often she has been afflicted "by the awful hand of God" in the alst two years, she knows it is by his grace alone she is spared for repentence; hopes he is paying great attention to his studies and embracing every opportunity spiritually as well as temporally; supposes he wants to hear something concerning home; thanks God they are all well; Robert is much better in health although little in relation to his hip; all medical aid has proven ineffective so they must trust in God alone; Aunt Mary [Whiting] is very sick, the rest of Uncle F[rancis Whiting] family is well; Uncle G[eorge Whiting] has gone from Lime Hills with his family; they were favored with a visit from Uncle Carlyle [Fairfax Whiting] last week; asks him to give her love to Aunt [Anne] B[anister] when he next sees her and also to Cousin Nat; everyone sends love to him; hopes when their pilgrimage there terminates, they shall be united to all dear to them who have gone before them when their gracious maker calls. 2pp. ALS.
Scope and Contents Wishes Mr. Francis B[everly] Whiting much happiness; hopes she and Mrs. [Mary (Whiting)] Little find a daughter and sister worthy of them; is now fixed at the new school and has been fatigued and worried about moving; is tired of moving from one place to another so that nothing short of returning to Virginia could tempt her to start again; Fenton is once more at school; Mary will end her schooling at the end of the year; her daughter Francis is to be a first rate scholar and Lucy kept until she is grown up if they can do so; they are in fair health except for herself; has rheumatism in her head which is so bad sometimes she cannot speak; unlike her (EW) she is in a noisy crowd taking care of a large family and does not have time to rest although she sometimes does so whether it is convenient or not; trying to get her children educated thinking it is the best portion a parent can give; high learning was not in fashion for females as it is now; does not see as a result of increased education "more amiable manners more polite attentions better wives or mothers better mistresses or neighbors"; concludes it must be all inward work which never comes out; thinks Mama and Aunt Banister "as elegant as any of the new times"; have ahd a most uncommon winter; the plum trees at the beginning of the year were white in bloom but in 20 hours everything that has liquid in it froze and broke; lost 23 jugs of molasses in the meat house; thinks it is horrid climate; they never see a "healthy sound looking young person" or an old one; yellow-green complexions are all the fashion; Athens was an exception, she speaks of this place where they are the most dressy extravagant people she ever saw and the worst looking; [?] is as common as homespun in Loudoun [County, Virginia]; was told that 14 miles from there the cold plague has made its appearance; asks Doctor Little to write and let her know what the treatment and symptoms are as she has no idea; asks her to get her brother George to write what Doctor Lacy says in the multiplicity of Council; discusses the selfish world and rise of individualism and how she must stay alive to care for her female children in particular; they have madara bread and plenty to spare as cotton as brought in a lot of money this year; everything is three and four times more than it is in Virginia so that a great deal of money does not go as far as it would there; Mr. Bretton has seen Louisisa and she is sold to a man 14 miles from there; her breeding and manners far above his but she may live inplenty and be well used; he thinks a great deal of her and refused a high price for her; she has not seen her [Louisisa] yet but she sent word she would come to see her; a man sold by Jonathan Carter, formerly owned by Garretson Nelson, came out with Louisisa; he came to see them at Christmas and many an egg and chicken he has bought from him in the old hollow and on the mountain; he told something about all the old neighbors which he believes are tales; ever forgets anyone black or white or thinks anyone does unless they choose to; skes her to let her mother know she heard from her; Mary will write to sister Nancy. 4pp. ALS.
Scope and Contents Is now in Charlestown; witnessed the last of "poor Clayhill"; his funeral was preached by Mr. Bryan; William is well; sets out in the morning for Washington; she will find in her cabinet a letter to Calhoun and one from Dr. Triplett to Colonel Beaufort; asks her to forward them on to Washington by the first mail; is not well owing to the late ride last night; will write from Washington and hopes to hear from her by every mail; hopes Francis B[everly] W[hiting] and Mr. Burwell have procured a letter from Gene[ra]l Tucker it will aid him very much; sends love to all; plans to return to Williams tonight. 1p. ALS.
Scope and Contents Arrived safe but fatigued last evening; his foot is still continuing to be very painful he believes owing to some cold he has contacted; in his late excurtian [sic] he is as well as one could expect for one of his age; he is "gratfull" for all things as he is sure she will conclude; found William better and all hands well; M[ar]y Castleman presented her husband with a "fair boy" the night before he (RL) got home and all is well; saw her today and she is anxious to see her, no doubt to show her son; asks her to come home on Wednesday; says she cannot tell how much he wants to see her; hopes their "dear Mary is better"; if her bowels require active medicine, he would with the consent of Dr. W. advise the common magnesia and sulphur; the more active bowels are the more the head is affected; prefers small and repeated bleedings; very little medicine is required if leaches could be procured and applied to the temples; is assured it would give great relief; asks to be pressented affectionately to her; he hopes she is attending to her grandson, poultry, etc.; letter will accompany Mrs. Hs. [incomplete]. 2pp. AL. [signature clipped, final pages missing]
Scope and Contents Received her nore concerning wool and sends her a part of what he has on hand having sold all but a few fleeces; kept but a few having much coarse cloth as will serve his people this winter; gald to find that wool is in increasing demand; hopes farmers will be induced to keep a good stock; was hoping to see her at Millwood this spring, but was compelled to go to Berkeley in the stage and the only way to get to her house was thro[ugh] Winchester; the Opickon [Opequon Creek] was too high for several days to cross without risk; crossed at Harper's Ferry on his was down and ran a considerable risk, the river being so high and "the boat so crazy as to require more than an hour's repair" before they could venture in her; happy to hear that they are all well; sorry he cannot say the same of his family; Mrs. Little, Henry and Carlyle have been sick and the two first are still very unwell; Sally was nearly killed a few weeks ago by falling thro[ugh] the trap door of the store room which a careless servant had opened behind her without her knowing it; she [Sally] stepped back and fell to the bottom, and how she escaped without being killed no one knows; her head was much cut and she was bruised all over; she is now nearly well of her bruises; asks how Frank's [Francis Whiting] family is; asks when she last heard from George [Whiting]; fears the removal of the Chancery Court will injure him; asks what she thinks of the great folks at Washington; asks "have not some immortalized themselves [?]"; asks when Frank goes to the Springs; Aunt Betsey and Mr. Rice are living at Bullskin; hears Mr. Rice has a church at Battletown; supposes she often hears him preach and as he is a Yankee much pleased with him; "what a pity more Southerns do not study divinity, and marry out Girls instead of those blessed Yankees"; knows she is partial to them having seen her in the company of one Nash; heard one of his nieces was addressed by one [Yankee]; asks if it's so; hopes if she marries him he is better than they commonly are; wishes to know how Frank's and Robert's crops are; hopes they are not like his, which are as usual very bad; should be sorry if he heard her neighborhood was sickly but hopes Robert [Little] gets a good deal of practice or if not is laboring under hypochondria; tell George when she writes him that he wrote him some time since and cannot account for his receiving no answer; wishes her and all her friends happiness. 4pp. ALS.
Sent him all the information he possessed in answer to his letter of alst November in ragard to the book he [FH] wanted to publish; as he is interested in the subject, would like to know if he received his letter and when he could expect his copy; Judge Windham Robertson published, not long before his death, a book giving the history of his ancestors on his mother's side who was a Bolling and a descendant of Robert Bolling who married Jane Rolfe, the granddaughter of Pocahontas; has the book; hopes to hear from him soon. 1p. ALS.
Scope and Contents They traveled on after leaving her pretty leisurely, the heavy roads not facilitating progress owing to the stage's being very wet and uncomfortable; "dear little Frederick" [Horner] had a chill before he got here and was quite ill and extremely cold for a long time; discovered it and began to rub him with hot spirit; wrapped him in hot flannels and his fever came on and was very high; he has had a return each day, a fever last night that went off with perspiration; that morning he had a fever when she saw him first and will not get up; they have given him no medicine which she thinks should be done immediately; Dr. Horner will be at home that evening; supposes he [Dr. Horner] will administer something; Mary [(Little) Horner] took the journey very well and has been incessantly active about her house since she came; she has been very badly also and now pretty tired; the house is fixed and quiet; Mary seems pleased and happy; "Mr. H[orner] lookes very badly but has missed his chills Bob well"; Christian Scott is here and send much love with a kiss to Pa; asks if she will send her measuring stockings out of her work "draw," R. Island cotton; Mary wishes her [ML] to take her little Mary's tin cup the largest size and put away - for Robert H. who asked to have it, she [MH] not with many things to remind her of the "sweet baby"; if she sees any of her things lying about in the house asks her to put them away; anxious to hear from home, as she left the girls and so many fr[ien]ds sick; asks her to tell Pa his words "that she stays so little at home" still sound in her ears; asks what she can do when she must be concerned with the convenience of others; asks her to give her love to all; asks her to tell her sister E[lizabeth] one can send her some of her household conveniences now that she has no further use for them, at present; asks her to give her love to Lucy E.W. and tell her she regrets not seeing her the morning she left; asks where she could have retired to ?; too tired to write any more; sends love to all and asks them to write "fully"; heard from Fredericksburg that all are well except for John Blair who has been ill for four weeks; they are worried about him; they think liver complaint; they were then all well at Morven. 3pp. ALS.
Scope and Contents Should have written him earlier but expecting his "face to get well every day" did not wish to write until he could advice him of the circumstance; can wait no longer; "tis so nearly well and yet not well"; has determined to say nothing about it; trusts that in a few days he will be in good health again; they arrived there from Orange Court House in seven days; they got there safely after a dangerous trip; travel[le]d every day from 3 a.m. to 11 p.m. with nine passengers inside and six to eight outside; it was generally rainging; could tell him the story of a Frenchman but will put it off except for his wife's sister from Louisiana "whose health is yet delicate"; was reported that morning that cholera made its appearance at Louisville, 30 miles west of them; does not believe it but it might be true; Mr. Talbot, formerly of V[irgini]a, called to say, he rec[eive]d a letter yesterday from Winchester, Virginia saying the cholera is raging in Cha[rle]s Town, Harper's Ferry and Sheperdston; in the former place eight have been attacked and five died, the other three were not expected to live; alarmed by the news asks him to write immediately and let him know if it's true or not; will be miserable until he hears from him on the subject; would say more but wants to get letter out in today's mail; his wife would send love but is in the country and doesn't know he write; she will write in a day or two; asks him not to fail writing immediately; his best love to sister Mary [Little] and all the family, the Croses, Tooley, Campbell, Dr. I., Mr. Vanwyck, etc. 2pp. ALS.
Bill for £40.12.9 sterling to Messieurs James Buchanan & Co., Merchant, London, England signed by Robert Carter, Virginia on verso, note to pay contents to Mr. Robert Allason or order value in accounts signed by William Allason.
Scope and Contents Good shipped on board the [?] Nancy to William Allason, Merchant, Falmouth, Virginia, by John Robinson Mater for Rappahannock River in Virginia on the proper account and "Rique" of Mr. William Allason, Merchant. Including ALS from William Horner, Liverpool, England to "Sir" (William Allason, Falmouth, Virginia), October 25, 1773, concerning the means of shipping his goods, the Cambridge having been put ashore going out; feared the other part of his order would be too late going out but as strong westerly winds kept all ships from sailing for two months it did not. 2pp.
Scope and Contents Received his letter by the York which said he [WA] had shipt [sic] four Hund[red]s of tobacco by her to his address and asking to send him gods by his own ship; this would have been punctually compiled had his tobacco come in his ship but as it didn't this letter was put aside; though a Bill of Lo[a]ding for three Hund[red]s of tobacco shipt [sic] by him in the Cambridge there was no letter from him so he did not know what to do; today he found the above-mentioned letter he had put aside; sorry to see the letter so late as his ship was clear[e]d out three days before and the goods could not be got out of the country under a fortnight or three weeks and are not to be had in town or he would have sent them; does not know of any ship bound for Virginia orwould send them; had he written by the Cambridge this would not have happened; apologizes again for forgetting the letter by the York; his three hund[red]s of tobacco are "of a middling kind" and will do everything in his power to make the most of them, but the price is "considerably reduced" and there is very little demand for it at present; the Glasgow Merch[an]ts have sold to the French 1d 3/4 and they expect it to be the same price there [London], tho[ugh] they haven't bought any lately; as soon as tobacco is sold will render him the sales of them; should be glad of his assistance loading back the Cambridge; assures him of his best endeavor for his interest. 2pp. ALS.
Robert H. Little is infirm and would like to resign the position in favor of his son, signed by John E. Page, George William Blakeman, James H. Clark & Co., Millwood, Clarke County, Virginia.
Mrs. Eliza (Braxton) Whiting's record of the marriage of Eliza Braxton and Henry Whiting, the births and baptisms of Mary Blair Whiting, George Braxton Whiting, and Francis Beverly Whiting, the death of Henry Whiting, a prayer written on Henry Whiting's death, the death of Mary (Blair) Braxton Burwell Prescott, the text from the sermon delivered at her (MP) funeral, the marriage of Mary Blair Whiting and Robert Howe Little, and the birth of Elizabeth Howe Little.
Copy of Hymn