Special Collections Research Center
spcoll@wm.eduFinding Aid Authors: Special Collections Staff.
Administrative Information
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Before reproducing or quoting from any materials, in whole or in part, permission must be obtained from the Special Collections Research Center, and the holder of the copyright, if not Swem Library.
Conditions Governing Access:
Collection is open to all researchers. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, such as the Virginia Public Records Act (Code of Virginia. § 42.1-76-91); and the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Code of Virginia § 2.2-3705.5). Confidential material may include, but is not limited to, educational, medical, and personnel records. If sensitive material is found in this collection, please contact a staff member immediately. The disclosure of personally identifiable information pertaining to a living individual may have legal consequences for which the College of William and Mary assumes no responsibility.
Preferred Citation:
Augustine Smith Papers, Special Collections Research Center, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.
Acquisition Information:
Gift
Biographical Information:
Dr. Augustine Smith married Alice Grymes Page, daughter of John Page. After his death in 1805, she married Dudley Digges. Tombstone inscription gives her death date as 10 May 1846. Further information about this individual or organization may be available in the Special Collections Research Center Wiki: .
Scope and Contents
Includes courtship letters between Dr. Augustine Smith of Yorktown, Va. to Alice Grymes Page of "Rosewell," Gloucester County, Va. whom he later married. Also includes correspondence, 1792, between Smith and John Page, seeking permission to marry Alice Page. Also includes a poem by Smith about his love for Alice and a certificate of Smith's course study at University of Edinburgh.
Arrangement of Materials:
Chronological
Subjects and Indexing Terms
- Certificates
- Correspondence
- Marriage--Virginia
- Yorktown (Va.)--History--18th century
General
Other Information:
A PDF document of this inventory is available online.
Additional information may be found at http://scrc.swem.wm.edu/findingaids/Sm__Coll__Augustine_Smith.pdf
Container List
Item 1: Dr. Augustine Smith, Yorktown, Va., to his future wife, Alice G. Page, Rosewell, July 2, 1791 Letter announces his love for Alice and his desire to marry her. He expresses concern that Alice might be unaware of his affections for her. He further espresses his concern over his present state of finances but notes that his profession as a doctor will provide a lifestyle for her of comfort and elegance.
Item 2: Dr. Augustine Smith, Yorktown, Va., to his future wife, Alice G. Page, Rosewell, 1792 Short note to Alice discussing the unfortunate burning of one of his Aunt's buildings and the health of the women staying at his Aunt's home. Also discusses a journey that Lady Frances and the Old Count are planning on taking to Malvern[a] Hills
Item 3: Dr. Augustine Smith, Yorktown, Va., to his future wife, Alice G. Page, Rosewell, March 20, 1792 Congratulates Alice on the safe arrival of her father to Rosewell and expresses his fond hopes of visiting her family soon. Notes the arrival of William Grymes and his son and daughter in Yorktown. Also states that he and Alice's sister in Yorktown expect a visit from Alice's father soon.
Item 4: Dr. Augustine Smith, Yorktown, Va., to his future wife, Alice G. Page, Rosewell, March 22, 1792 Expresses his affection for Alice and his desire to have her as his mentor for living. Playfully requests that she send him instructions from time to time. Also mentions the attendance of the William Grymes and and his son and daughter at a ball held at Stephen Mitchell's home. Notes that he had a cold which was why he did not attend the ball as well. Concludes his correspondence with a desire for Alice to pay his respects to her father and mother for him if she dared.
Item 5: Dr. Augustine Smith, Yorktown, Va., to his future wife, Alice G. Page, Rosewell, 1792 Discusses his impending move to Gloucester Co., Va.) and the advantages of setting up his practice there. Notes the reluctance of his aunt to have him leave Yorktown but expresses his belief that the move to Gloucester will help him move closer to her. He further notes that he hopes this decision will not bother her.
Item 6: Dr. Augustine Smith, Gloucester, Va., to his future wife, Alice G. Page, Rosewell, December 11, 1792 Expresses his delight at the receipt of her letter. Notes that he is dining with William Hilton, the West Indian Nabob, and Lord Garlis, eldest son of the Earl of Galloway. He mentions that both of these men are great talkers--states that he believes that one of them believes that his wealth gives him sufficient right to be heard and the other claims his talkativeness by his nobility.
Item 7: Dr. Augustine Smith, Gloucester, Va., to his future wife, Alice G. Page, Rosewell, Winter 1792 Apologizes for his lack of communication, blames his delinquency on his work. Reassures Alice of his affections for her and mentions the potential purchase of Mr. [Moss]'s house and half of its furnishings. Requests a Spring visit from her if possible.
Item 8: Dr. Augustine Smith, Gloucester, Va., to his future wife, Alice G. Page, Rosewell, Spring 1793 Hopes that her health is better than when he last saw her. Chides her for not taking better care of herself. Wishes that she could be with him while he plants this season's garden as her presence brings him comfort. Includes a poem that he believes expresses his love and admiration for her.
Item 9: Dr. Augustine Smith, Yorktown, Va., to John Page, Rosewell, October 9, 1792 Discusses with John Page, Alice Page's fatherm his intentions towards his daughter. States his intentions and beliefs that he and Alice share a mutual affection. While he extols the virtues of his relationship with Alice, he also notes his one flaw in his courtship of Alice--his lack of financial stability. Believes that this flaw is only temporary and will be ameliorated by a greater attention to work. Expresses embarrassment that he had to be this candid with Mr. Page but also hopes that this candidness will not affect his esteem in the eyes of Mr. Page or his daughter.
Item 10: John Page, Rosewell, Rosewell, to Dr. Augustine Smith, Yorktown, Va., October 10, 1792 Response to Augustine's earlier letter. He states that he would help Dr. Smith if he was financially capable of it but notes that his own finances are limited at this point as well. Allays Dr. Smith's concerns regarding his courtship with his daughter by stating that, "She is capable of judging herself." He further notes that he will not do anything to prevent the attachment between his daughter and Dr. Smith, stating that, "If your attachments are mutual and fixed, neither of you will be prone to be unhappy."
Item 11: Dr. Augustine Smith, Yorktown, Va., to Mrs. Eliza Page, Rosewell, [?] Discussesthe "stormy" reception he received back in Yorktown for staying too long in Gloucester. Expresses irritation for the constant need by neighbors to speculate for the worst on an individual's actions. Muses that he believes he had a good "cloak" to protect him from these storms. Blames part of his problems with his neighbors on a man named Mason who refused to lend him a canoe to get back to Yorktown. Concludes his letter with queries on her health and the happiness of others at Rosewell.
Item 12: "The Wind Mill-an Elegy" Elegy written describing a point on the York River and the virtues of a lady [Alice].
Item 13: Manuscript in Latin concerning Dr. Smith, July 4, 1787 Certificate, 1787, issued by Andrew Dalzel [(1742-1806) Professor of Greek and Librarian] concerning the course of study of Augustine Smith at the University of Edinburgh.
Item 1: Dr. Augustine Smith, Yorktown, Va., to his future wife, Alice G. Page, Rosewell, August 29, 1791 Apologizes for not staying over at Rosewell. Chides Alice for trifling with him by responding to his admonitions of love with terms of friendship, gratitude, and esteem.
Item 2: Dr. Augustine Smith, Yorktown, Va., to his future wife, Alice G. Page, Rosewell, October 5, 1792 Expresses anxiety over not hearing from Alice recently. Hopes that her father's health is better. Notes that the bad weather has tempered his ability to come out to visit her at Rockwell. Mentions that he often goes down to the river to see if she has crossed the river to come to visit him in Yorktown. During the writing of this letter he receives word from Alice that her father is ill which is the reason she has not corresponded recently with him. He also mentions to her his difficulty in writing his letter of intentions to her father and requests advice on how he should send the letter to Rosewell