Special Collections Research Center
spcoll@wm.eduBrielle Popolla, SCRC Graduate Assistant
Administrative Information
Conditions Governing Use
Before publishing quotations or excerpts from any materials, permission must be obtained from the Curator of Manuscripts and Rare Books, 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.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Dectora Coe Jeffers
Processing Information
Collection taken out of original order and arranged chronologically by letter date.
Biographical / Historical
William Newsum Jr. (Jan. 24, 1785 – Aug. 19, 1828) from Norfolk, Virginia married Sarah (Sally) Cary (1788 – Oct. 7, 1841) from Albemarle, Virginia on February 1st, 1806. William Newsum Jr. attended William and Mary and studied Law to become a lawyer in Norfolk. From 1806 to 1808 and again in 1816 he was a member of the House of Delegates for Norfolk. He was a Captain during the War of 1812.
Sally Newsum had older two brothers, Wilson Jefferson Cary (1783/4 – 1823) and Miles Cary (1786 – 1827), and a younger sister Jane Cary (1791 – 1805) whose death is the topic of one of William's letters.
William and Sally had a son Wilson Cary Newsum (1808 –1873/5) and a daughter Mary Anne Newsum Skipwith (1806/7/9 – 1890). Wilson Cary Newsum married Cornelia Littlefield (1818 – 1873). Mary Anne Newsum married George Green Skipwith (1803 – 1852).
William and Sally may have had another child, Robert Starke Newsum, but this is unverified.
In 1823 the Newsum family along with Sally's mother, Jane Barbara (Carr) Cary (1766 – 1819), moved to Maury County, Tennessee and established the plantation "Longwood."
Note: Information found from "The Virginia Carys: An Essay in Genealogy" by Fairfax Harrison and "A Guide to the Carr-Cary Family Papers" from University of Virginia Library.
Scope and Contents
This collection contains letters sent from William Newsum Jr. to his wife Sally, nee Cary, from 1804 through 1806. William Newsum Jr. was a William & Mary alumnus and studied law. They were married on February 1, 1806 and had their first child late 1806 or early 1807. The letters to Sally begin when they are courting and end in December 1806.
Included is one letter from William Newsum to an unknown Sir and a letter from William's mother Mary Bassett Stark Newsum to her daughter-in-law Sally. One of the letters still has its envelope. Also included are miscellaneous poems, from Anna Laetitia Barbauld, St. George Tucker, and various lines written to Martha Waldron Skipwith, born 1724, married to Fulwar Skipwith and Sally Cary by H. Tucker and F. Carr.
William writes about his excitement for his upcoming marriage and later the birth of his child. He writes about his longing to be with Sally and how much he misses her. He offers condolences on the loss of her younger sister Jane Cary in 1805. He talks about the value of education and exercise, as well as his thoughts on literature and friendship. He also discusses the finances of William & Mary, his desire to be a lawyer, and some of his tasks as a member of a public office.
Topics include marriage, education, literature, love letters, condolences, government, William & Mary, finances, and family.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
- Education
- Law--Virginia
- Letters (correspondence)
- Marriage
- Poetry
Container List
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 1 Item: 1
William Newsum Jr., at Williamsburg, to [unknown]27 May 1804English.Scope and Contents
Discusses public office candidates, the lottery system at William & Mary, government and economy, and his desire to become a lawyer.
"I intended when I was in Norfolk to have asked you to purchase some of the tickets in the W&M lottery and at least to assist the sale of them by every execution – The time for drawing it is approaching fast, and I believe the tickets have had a very limited circulation."
From the William & Mary Libraries Wiki: A lottery was held for the benefit of the College of William & Mary at various times from about 1804-1812.
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 1 Item: 2
William Newsum Jr., at Norfolk, to Miss Sally Cary, at Williamsburg (?)19 April 1805English.Scope and Contents
Talks about his feelings for Sally, seeing his friends, wishing to be in two places at once, and apologizes for previous awkward correspondence.
William begins his letter by writing, "Our last words my dear, dear Sally are yet trembling on my lips – and my sensations at parting again and again revived, refuse to submit to any control."
GeneralThe name and address of the recipient have been crossed out, but based upon the contents of the letter, it is most likely addressed to Sally at her Williamsburg residence.
Based upon the other correspondence in this collection, William is writing almost exclusively to Sally in Williamsburg.
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 1 Item: 3
William Newsum Jr., at Princess Anne, to Miss Sally Cary, at Williamsburg9 May 1805English.Scope and Contents
Discusses Sally's sad thoughts, his Mother and family coming to visit, Sally's education, the role of parents in education, the health of Sally's sister, the value of exercise, and poetry.
"Indeed my dear friend I envy your present situation so much, that I am almost tempted to throw these musty old Law books in the fire and to entreat Mrs. C. to permit me too to become her pupil, and your schoolfellow."
This letter confirms that William was studying law, but the identity of Mrs. C is unknown.
GeneralAn envelope addressed to "Miss Sally Cary, Williamsburg" and stamped with the date "May 11" most likely accompanies this letter.
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 1 Item: 4
William Newsum Jr., at Norfolk, to Miss Sally Cary, at Williamsburg18 July 1805English.Scope and Contents
Consolation letter to Sally about the death of her little sister Jane Cary, discusses the grief of Sally's mother.
"Check not then the stream of sorrow which flows from the pitying eyes of an affectionate girl mourning the loss of a lovely amiable sister, and grieving over the agony of an afflicted mother."
William comforts Sally in this letter. Sally's younger sister Jane, aged 14, (1791 – 1805) had just passed away.
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 1 Item: 5
William Newsum Jr., at Princess Anne, to Miss Sally Cary, at Charlottesville05 September 1805English.General
This letter is not yet transcribed due to its fragile state.
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 1 Item: 6
William Newsum Jr., at Norfolk, to Miss Sally Cary, at Williamsburg10 December 1805English.Scope and Contents
Discusses exercise, literature and reading, and forgiveness and friendship.
"I am not partial when I say that you are blameless But remember my dear friend, that forgiveness is a most amiable virtue and that if it can not conciliate those who are displeased with us – it can at least make us pleased with ourselves – Be still the same Sally Cary."
William seems to be offering Sally advice about a disagreement with one of her friends.
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 1 Item: 7
William Newsum Jr., at Norfolk, to Miss Sally Cary, at Williamsburg10 January 1806English.Scope and Contents
Talks about his father being unwell, and his feelings towards Sally.
William begins his letter by discussing his father, and ends by discussing his upcoming wedding.
"I regret my, dear friend, that I was unable to write to you by the last mail – but the indisposition of my father has retarded his affairs so much that I was obliged to devote a greater part of the last week to his concerns...In a few short weeks my dear Sally, we shall be man & wife, and then I hope we shall show the world how to love, and how to be happy."
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 2 Item: 1
William Newsum Jr., at Norfolk, to Miss Sally Cary, at Williamsburg21 January 1806English.Scope and Contents
Discusses Sally's sad feelings, a fight between a father and child, and his and Sally's upcoming wedding.
"As the day approaches my dear friend – my impatience becomes almost intolerable – I wish to God it had arrived – I shall then be the happiest man in the Christendom...God bless you I wish the 1st of Feby. Had arrived."
This letter confirms the February 1, 1806 wedding date of William and Sally.
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 2 Item: 2
Mary Bassett Stark Newsum, at Norfolk, to Mrs. Sally Newsum, at Williamsburg24 July 1806English.Scope and Contents
Apologizes for her poor correspondence, discusses the 4th of July and other events, and updates Sally on family members.
"As my dear Sally you so well know my aversion to writing, you will attribute to that cause my tardiness in answering your favor."
This letter was written by Sally's mother-in-law, Mary.
Biographical / HistoricalMary Bassett Stark (1760-1819) married William Newsum (1761-1836) on May 7, 1782 and gave birth to her son William Newsum Jr. in 1785.
GeneralWritten on pencil on the letter is "From the great Grandmother of my children," followed by three unknown initials.
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 2 Item: 3
William Newsum Jr., at Richmond, to Mrs. Sally Newsum, at Williamsburg02 December 1806English.Scope and Contents
Apologizes for not writing sooner and talks about how much he misses Sally and wishes he could be with her.
William frequently ended his letters by writing 'adieu.' "Adieu my love and believe that nothing would give me so much delight as to be seated by your side, and to tell you how fondly – how tenderly I love you."
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 2 Item: 4
William Newsum Jr., at Richmond, to Mrs. Sally Newsum, at Williamsburg11 December 1806English.Scope and Contents
Discusses public office duties, the upcoming birth of their child, and visiting friends.
William offers Sally encouragement in this letter: "It is thus my dear wife that you will be enabled to meet the painful moment with more comfort and consolation. It will be but a moment of pain – and will yield us years of happiness in return. Imagine my love, as you have done, the impassioned joy we shall feel at beholding the innocent little babe."
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 2 Item: 5
Love poems to Martha Skipwith and Sally CaryEnglish.Scope and Contents
First two poems to Martha Waldron Skipwith, born 1724, married to Fulwar Skipwith, and six poems to Sally Cary. The poems were written by H Tucker and F Carr.
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 2 Item: 6
Poems from Mrs. Barbauld and St. George TuckerEnglish.Scope and Contents
The poems are undated, and it is unknown who copied them down.
Mrs. Barbauld is Anna Laetitia Barbauld (1743-1825). The title of the poem is "A Thought on Death." Written underneath is "Written by Mrs Barbauld at the age of 96." However, Mrs. Barbauld died at the age of 81.
The bottom lines under Mrs. Barbauld poem are from the Iliad of Homer by Alexander Pope.