Correspondence, 1761 to 1801, primarily 1791-1800

The letters document Martha Washington's experiences as the wife of the commander-in-chief of the American armies during the Revolution, as the wife of the first president of the United States, as a grandmother rearing children, a manager of large homes and large estates, a slave owner and manager, and as one who mourned the deaths of many close family members, including her beloved husband, George Washington. A letter in the collection of particular interest is from her husband, written just before he left for the war, in which he expresses his affection for his wife. This letter is one of only two known to exist between them. Other correspondents include: her sisters Anna Maria Dandridge Bassett and Elizabeth Dandridge Henley; her brother Bartholomew Dandridge, Sr.; her sister-in-law Hannah Bushrod Washington; her son John Parke Custis; her nephew Bartholomew (Bat) Dandridge; her nieces, including Frances Bassett Washington and Frances Dandridge Henley; her grandchildren, including Nelly Custis Lewis; her friends, including Elizabeth Powel, Margaret Green, Mary Lear, among others.

ANNA MARIA (NANCY) DANDRIDGE BASSETT . Outgoing. April 6, 1762. Mount Vernon.

Expresses concern for her sister Anna Maria's family and her own. Several references to the bad weather. RM466, Mss. 3583.

JOHN PARKE AND ELEANOR CALVERT CUSTIS . Outgoing. March 19, 1778. Middle Brook (New York.)

Reports that she and the General are in good health. She has bought a new doll for Beth (Elizabeth Custis). RM375, Mss. 2429.

Incoming. June 9, 1776. -Mount Airy (Maryland).

W631a-b, microfilm reel #6.

-Mount Airy (Maryland). Incoming. August 21, 1776.

W632, microfilm reel #1.

-Yorktown (Virginia). Incoming. October 12, 1781.

W632.

BARTHOLOMEW DANDRIDGE, SR. Mount Vernon. Outgoing. November 2, 1778.

Concern for their mother's health. Is uneasy. Expects to take another trip north. The "pore General is not likely to come to see us." Hopes to see him (Dandridge) soon. Sends Patty a kiss and a pair of shoes. There's not a doll in the city of Philadelphia. She has had no letter since Washington came from camp. W647, microfilm reel #1.

margaret fraser, countess of buchan. Incoming. January 8, 1794. Dryburgh Abbey (Scotland).

A381, microfilm reel #2.

MARGARET GREEN. Outgoing. June 26, 1761. Mount Vernon.

Sending Julious for Kitty. Mr. Washington is taking the Bark. "Our ears are mending very fast...please to send your Ear rings if you are resolved not to have yours now." RM557, Mss. 4457.

- Outgoing. December 18, 1761. Mount Vernon.

Cannot be at Mr. West's as Mr. Washington is sending his man to Williamsburg. Visit with the Greens. Will attend to anything in Williamsburg for Mrs. Green. RM280, Mss. 2817.

ELIZABETH DANDRIDGE HENLEY. Outgoing. August 20, 1797. Mount Vernon.

Elizabeth Henley's (Martha Washington's sister's) daughter Frances arrived safely at Mount Vernon and must act as her own housekeeper. The cook Hercules left. Concern for Henley's health. Family is sickly at Mount Vernon. Nelly has been indisposed. Washington is at school at Princeton College and is much grown. Her granddaughters in the city (Martha Peter and Elizabeth Law) both have little girls. She and the General are in "tolerable" health. She wishes to see Elizabeth Dandridge. "Fanny is I hope very happy here she and Nelly is to go to the city to see Mrs. Law and Mrs. Peter." Mss. 470.

FRANCIS (FANNY) HENLEY. Outgoing. November 30, 1798. Mount Vernon.

Requests Fanny to buy her a set of "the children of the Abbey." Gives her congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Peter. Mss. 471. Also includes an envelope franked by George Washington. Marked "Free." Postmarked "Alex 10 Sept." ND #111, Mss. 472.

MARY LEAR. Outgoing. August 24, 1794.Germantown (now part of Philadelphia).

Sends love to Lincoln Lear. "My grand children are very much grown, Nelly is a woman in size--and Washington begins to be a sturdy Boy." Tobias Lear returning to America from England. RM530, Mss. 4502.

-November 4, 1796. Philadelphia.

Writes about care and schooling of Maria Washington (step-granddaughter of Mary Lear). RM767, Mss. 5052.

NELLY CUSTIS LEWIS. Outgoing. January 3, 1796. Philadelphia.

Sickness of Nelly's brothers and sisters. Cautions Nelly to keep her feet dry and brush her teeth. Sends Nelly brushes and tooth powder. Pleased with the cap Nelly has finished. W465.

- Outgoing. January 14, 1796. Philadelphia.

Sending the trunk to Mrs. (Martha) Peter's with the things [Nelly] wanted. When she sends the picture she will send more pocket handkerchiefs. Reminds Nelly to be careful of her clothes. W463, microfilm reel #6.

-Undated. Philadelphia.

Sending Nelly's dress and other things by stage. Gives Nelly advice on dressing for the ball. Wants Nelly to look neat. Wishes Nelly as much pleasure at the ball as she expects. "Going to these places, one always expects more pleasure than they realise after the matter is over." Includes accompanying letter cover. See Fields, p. 404. ND #28, W464.

ELIZABETH POWEL.

The letters document the friendship of George and MarthaWashington and Elizabeth Powel as evidenced through visits to one another, the sharing of information about mutual friends. Martha and Elizabeth met during the Revolutionary War as officers' wives, and their friendship resumed when the Washington family moved to Philadelphia, the second national capital. Samuel Powel, Elizabeth's husband, was the Mayor of Philadelphia. This collection includes 16 of the only 18 known existing letters between them. There also are invitations and replies to invitations.

- Outgoing. September 20, 1780. Mount Vernon.

Sends Mrs. Powel a piece of felt left by Mrs. Fitzhugh. Sends her compliments to Mr. (Samuel) Powel. A417.5.

-January 18, 1788. Mount Vernon.

Powels' recent trip from Mount Vernon back to Philadelphia. Thanks Mrs. Powel for the collars for the girls, and the ribbons and sashes. George Washington Parke Custis is pleased with the book and will write her himself. Frances Bassett's health has improved and she will go to her father's to have her baby in March. Frances Bassett's brother will marry Miss McCarty. "She is as a child to me, and I am very lone some when she is absent. Her ill luck with her first child is the only reason of her wishing to change the place of her laying inn this time." The morocco thread case came safely. Regrets that the Powels couldn't stay longer at Mount Vernon. "Tho we are not as gay as you are at Philadelphia, yet in this peace full retreat you will find friendship and cordiality." She has sympathy with Mrs. Powel's sister's (Mrs. William Byrd) troubles. Mrs. (Eleanor Calvert Custis) Stuart has lost her father. A417.12.

-May 1, 1797. Mount Vernon.

Letter cover marked "Favord by Mr. Craik." Black Washington family seal. Docketed by Elizabeth Powel, "Received Thursday May ye 4th 1797 Answered May y. 9th 1797." Written later in another hand is "Duval -- he is not a compleat Cook -- but understands making a Bouille Soups -- Compots or preserves -- a compleat Steward and Waiter--understands arranging a Table, cleaning Plate &ca. -- is honest sober & obliging -- cleanly in his Person--careful of every thing in his direction." A417.37. A copy of the accompanying letter is in the Mount Vernon Library & Archives. Mrs. Washington asks Mrs. Powel for a recommendation on a "steward or cook." The location of the letter is unknown.

-May 20, 1797. Mount Vernon.

Draft of the following letter of the same date in George Washington's hand. A417.40a.

-May 20, 1797. Mount Vernon.

Gives Elizabeth Powel the requisites for a servant needed at Mount Vernon to look after and supervise household "negroes." Thanks Powel for her inquiries into this matter. Postponement of the Powels' visit to Mount Vernon until autumn. The best lots in the Federal city may be gone by then. Building progresses rapidly there. A417.40.

- July 14, 1797. Mount Vernon.

States her objections to the Frenchman mentioned by Mrs. Powel (for a job as servant at Mount Vernon). Servants in Philadelphia are too expensive. She must get one in Virginia. The rumor of Nelly's (Eleanor Parke Custis) accident is groundless, as is the one of the General's sickness. Mr. (Robert) Morris's situation and confinement (he was imprisoned for debt). Includes accompanying letter cover in George Washington's hand. A417.60.

-December 18, 1797. Mount Vernon.

Hopes the Powels can visit Mount Vernon in the spring. Concern over sickness in Philadelphia. Mr. (Robert) Morris's difficulties. Mrs. Marshall's return from Europe. Mrs. White's bad health. Mrs. Fitzhugh and family moved to Alexandria. George Washington "has entered into an engagement with Mr. Morris and several other gentlemen not to quit the theatre of this world before the year 1800. It may be relied upon that no breach of contract shall be laid to him on that account." Nelly (Eleanor Parke Custis) has been indisposed with swelling in the face. ND #32, A417.49.

-January 17, no year given. Philadelphia.

Thanks Powel for her inquiries after her health. See Fields, p. 401. ND #32, A417.49.

-Undated.

Envelope addressed "Mrs. Washington to Mrs Powel." Contains a length of pink ribbon. ND #37, A417.54.

Incoming. November 30,1787.

A543.5.

-December 7, 1796.

A543.17, microfilm reel #2.

-January 7, 1798. Philadelphia.

A543.18.

DAVID STUART Outgoing. September 21, 1789. New York.

Writes a brief postscript at the end of a letter by George Washington of the same date. W436.

JOHN TRUMBULL Incoming. April 25, 1797. London.

A366.55, microfilm reel #2.

Unidentified correspondent. Outgoing. Undated.

Begins "Dear Madam, Tom brings you 37 # of butter...." See Fields, p. 402.

BUSHROD WASHINGTON. Incoming. December 27, 1799, Mount Vernon.

Instructions and recommendations regarding procedures & steps in settling George Washington's estate. Mss-258, microfilm reel #6.

- January 26, 1800, Mount Vernon.

Gives Martha Washington advice as to her rights under George Washington's will. Mss. 266b.

FRANCES (FANNY) BASSETT WASHINGTON

The letters document Fanny's domestic management of Mount Vernon while the Washington family was away, and her short stay in Alexandria before she died. All but one of the letters are outgoing; the incoming letter is written on the back of another letter. In addition to Fanny's activities as caretaker, the letters document family events and milestones, the public and private activities of her aunt as the President's wife, and her aunt's advice on marriage and child rearing.

- Outgoing. August 7, 1784. Mount Vernon.

Has missed her since she left. The General goes over the mountains next month. Anticipates visit from brother, Bartholomew. Mrs. Eleanor Calvert Custis Stuart is improving. Her stays arrived from Annapolis. She paid Mrs. Charles Stuart who paid the mantua maker. Miss Ramsay married. Nelly is well. "Tubs" (George Washington Parke Custis) is well and never unhappy about absent friends. A481, microfilm reel #6.

- March 22, 1790. New York.

Requests several articles be sent up to New York from Mount Vernon: a silver seal "with my Father's arms" or a "good impression" of it and a "white necklace...and some small mother of pearl beads that is in one of the drawers in my cabinet...." RM530, Mss. 4494.

- April 19, 1791. Philadelphia.

Send with Austin several muslin borders. "You must let me know if you are in a certain way and when the event will happen." I expect to be home "about the first of August." RM530, Mss. 4497.

- June 5, 1791. Philadelphia.

Gives news of her health and of her children. Purchasing silk and muslin in Philadelphia. Sending some sewing and kitchen staples to Mount Vernon. President completing southern tour. Nephew Bartholomew Dandridge was inoculated for smallpox. RM487, Mss. 3936.

- August 29, 1791. Philadelphia.

The General is feeling better. George Washington Parke Custis is sick. Planning to leave for Mount Vernon. Hopes Major George Augustine Washington is better from his trip over the mountains. A680.

- February 3, 1793. Philadelphia.

All are well. Warm winter. Afraid there will be no ice for their icehouses in the city. Gives her love to Major George Augustine Washington, Frances Bassett's husband, and writes, "I hope ere this that he has got the better of the spitting Blood you mentioned in your last." RM563, Mss. 4239.

- February 10, 1793. Philadelphia.

Describes the declining health of George Augustine Washington, who has just relinquished his job as manager of Mount Vernon and moved to Eltham, his wife Frances Bassett's family home. RM556, Mss. 4232.

- August 4, 1793. Philadelphia.

Recounts the recent illness and death of Mary (Polly) Long Lear, wife of George Washington's personal secretary and close friend. RM290, Mss. 2907.

- March 2, 1794. Philadelphia.

Experiencing bad winter. Nelly (Eleanor Parke Custis) has a rash. "Washington" (George Washington Parke Custis) is very thin but well. Mrs. Stuart (Eleanor Calvert Custis Stuart) has had another son, Charles Calvert. Thomas Peter and Martha Parke Custis may wed. Urges Frances Bassett to wait until the roads and weather clear before going up country. Probably will visit Mount Vernon late summer. The new French minister has come to Philadelphia. Players have come to town and are much applauded. Concerned for her sister (Elizabeth Dandridge Henley). A520.

- June 2, 1794. Philadelphia.

Fears they won't be able to come to Mount Vernon this summer. Requests bag with her worked chair bottoms in it. (There is a paragraph on page 2 by Fanny asking the President to have a repair done on her stable in Alexandria, as well as building an enclosure for her wood to prevent thievery.) RM147, Mss. 2414.

- August 3, 1794. Germantown (now part of Philadelphia).

Dr. & Mrs. James Craik's son died. Will send Fanny's shoes and mattress by packet to Mount Vernon. The President says Frances Bassett may use broad or narrow boards, whichever she prefers. Her brother, Bartholomew Dandridge, is sick. He came to "German Town" for his health and the President's. The spot on George Washington's face doesn't seem to respond to medicine. Nelly (Parke Custis) has returned from her jaunt. A680.36.

- November 22, 1794. Philadelphia.

She sends chocolate and shoes for Maria (Washington). The condition of schools is poor. RM305, Mss. 2950.

- December 15, 1794. Philadelphia.

Hopes that Bassett's children will be well through the winter. Uneasy over Dr. David Stuart's illness. Sent Maria's shoes to her. Wash (George Washington Parke Custis) is outgrowing his clothes. "I hope that when Nelly has a little more gravatie she will be a good girl. At present she is, I fear, half crazy." A680.41.

- April 6, 1795. Philadelphia.

Sends family news. Sent Bassett her gowns by ship. Describes her poor sister's (Elizabeth) hard lot in life: a drunken husband. Betsy (Elizabeth Parke Custis) has a grave and retiring disposition. RM305, Mss. 2949.

Incoming June 2, 1794.

See outgoing letter of same date, above. RM147, Mss 2414.

GEORGE WASHINGTON Incoming. June 23, 1775. Philadelphia.

Written just before he left for the Revolutionary War, George Washington expresses his affection for his wife. R10, Mss 252, microfilm reel #6.

HANNAH BUSHROD WASHINGTON Outgoing. June 22, 1784. Mount Vernon.

Received cotton for spinning. Hopes to visit. Intends to send a weeping willow when the season is right. Congratulates (another) Mrs. Washington on the birth of another child. RM154, Mss. 2431.

Invitations and replies, 1788-1793

ABIGAIL ADAMS. Outgoing. September 1789.

Draft, in Robert Lewis's hand, of an invitation by Mrs. Washington to Mrs. (John) Adams and family to dinner and to a concert. The document includes two other drafts: one from Robert Lewis to Ann Willis and one, in Robert Lewis's hand, in which Mrs. Washington thanks the unknown recipient for "the flasks of Honey," of which "the President is particularly fond at breakfast." A625.2.2.

SARAH FISHBOURNE MIFFLIN BORDLEY. Outgoing. June 25, no year given.

If Mrs. (John Beale) Bordley wishes to attend the play tonight, their engagement for tea can be postponed. See Fields p. 402. ND #43, A569.28.

ELIZABETH SCHUYLER HAMILTON. Outgoing. August 30, 1789.

"Mrs. Washington presents her compliments to Mrs. [Alexander] Hamilton, and if she's disengaged this Evening, will do herself the pleasure to visit her." (On the reverse is a draft of a letter from Robert Lewis to Francis Thornton, undated.) A301.43.

MR. AND MRS. THOMAS PORTER. Outgoing. May 18, 1788.

The Washingtons invite the Porters to dinner for the next day. Small piece of stiff paper, partly printed. Filled in by George Washington. A607.7, microfilm reel #6.

SAMUEL AND ELIZABETH POWEL. Outgoing. February 21, 1793. Philadelphia.

The President and Mrs. Washington offer their congratulations and best wishes on Mrs. Powel's birthday. They would have attended her party except for the recent event in the family (the death of George Augustine Washington, Frances Bassett's husband). A417.29.

- Wednesday, April 24, 1793. Philadelphia.

Mrs. Washington declines an invitation to the circus but the rest of the family will go. In the hand of George Washington. A417.26.

- Wednesday, February 13, no year given. Philadelphia.

Decline an invitation because they "Are invited to dine with Mr. Jacob Morris on Saturday...where, in conformity to custom, they will be obliged to drink Tea and consequently must be deprived of the pleasure intended them by Mr. & Mrs. Powell." Unpublished. #ND 42, A417.59, microfilm reel #5.

- Undated. Philadelphia.

Decline an invitation to a tea party because Mrs. Washington is engaged to be with Mrs. Debert and Miss Reed to take a family dinner. See Fields, p. 248, 403. ND #30, A417.

Incoming. June 8, 1792. Philadelphia.

A543.9, microfilm reel #2.

- March 10, 1793. Philadelphia.

A543.11, microfilm reel #2.

Condolence notes and replies, 1799-1800

Martha Washington received numerous condolence notes from friends wishing to comfort her and letters from strangers expressing their admiration for her and George Washington. Many people requested souvenirs of George Washington, including a lock of his hair. She had so many letters to reply to that Tobias Lear, George Washington's secretary and family friend, wrote many of them for her. Congress extended her the right of free postage when it heard how much mail she had to post. The collection includes 29 manuscripts, 15 incoming and 14 outgoing. All but two of the outgoing letters are in the hand of Tobias Lear.

SAMUEL BAYARD Incoming. January 18, 1800. Philadelphia.

R10, Mss. 265, microfilm reel #6.

- Outgoing. February 5, 1800. Mount Vernon.

Reply to the above letter. R10, Mss. 265.

JULIA BOWEN, SARAH HALSEY, ABBY CHACE, AND MARY B. HOWELL. Incoming. February 14, 1800. Providence (Rhode Island).

A831, microfilm reel #6.

WILLIAM CUNNINGHAM. Incoming. April 2, 1800. Lunenberg, near Worcester.

Mss. 275, microfilm reel #6.

- Outgoing. May 15, 1800. Mount Vernon.

R10, Mss. 283, microfilm reel #6.

JOHN DEXTER. Incoming. April 15, 1800. Providence (Rhode Island).

R10, Mss. 279, microfilm reel #6.

- Outgoing. May 6, 1800. Mount Vernon.

R10, Mss. 282, microfilm reel #6.

DAVID HALE. Incoming. July 24, 1800. Portland (Maine).

R10, Mss. 287, microfilm reel #6.

- Outgoing. October 31, 1800. Mount Vernon.

R10, Mss. 288, microfilm reel #6.

DAVID HUMPHREYS. Incoming. July 5, 1800. Madrid.

R10, Mss. 286 a-b.

JEDEDIAH HUNTINGTON. Incoming. December 31, 1799. New London (Connecticut).

R10, Mss. 260.

- Outgoing. January 15, 1800. Mount Vernon.

R10, Mss. 264, microfilm reel #6.

HENRY LEE. Incoming. April 10, 1800. Philadelphia.

R10, Mss. 278, microfilm reel #6.

- Outgoing. April 20, 1800. Mount Vernon.

Reply to Lee's notification that a bill was introduced extending to Martha Washington the right of franking (postage). R10, Mss. 280, microfilm reel #6.

SAMUEL MILLER. Outgoing. January 27, 1800. Mount Vernon.

Postmarked "Alex. Va. Jan. 28." R6, Mss. 248, microfilm reel #6.

MR. MOFFATT. Outgoing. June 6, 1800. Mount Vernon.

R10, Mss. 284, microfilm reel #6.

JANET LIVINGSTON MONTGOMERY. Incoming. March 10, 1800. Rhinbeck House, Dutchess County (New York).

R10, Mss. 273, microfilm reel #6.

- Outgoing. April 5, 1800. Mount Vernon.

Mrs. Washington personally thanks Mrs. Montgomery for her sympathy letter--they have both suffered great losses. R10, Mss. 276.

GOUVERNEUR MORRIS. Incoming. April 7, 1800. New York.

R10, Mss. 277, microfilm reel #6.

- Outgoing. April 23, 1800. Mount Vernon.

Thanks Morris for sending a copy of an oration he delivered in New York City on December 31, 1799. R10, Mss. 281, microfilm reel #6.

MARY MORRIS. Incoming. December 27, 1799. Philadelphia.

R10, Mss. 259.

UZAL OGDEN. Incoming. February 11, 1800. Newark (New Jersey).

R10, Mss. 269, microfilm reel #6.

- Outgoing. February 17, 1800. Mount Vernon.

R10, Mss. 271, microfilm reel #6.

TIMOTHY PICKERING. Incoming. March 17, 1800. Philadelphia.

R10, Mss. 273.

- Outgoing. March 28, 1800. Mount Vernon.

R10, Mss. 274, microfilm reel #6.

ELIZABETH POWEL. Incoming. December 24, 1799. Philadelphia.

R10, Mss. 257, microfilm reel #6.

MARTHA LAURENS RAMSAY. Outgoing. February 13, 1800. Mount Vernon.

Mrs. Washington personally thanks Ramsay for her condolence note and the Oration accompanying it. R10, Mss. 270, microfilm reel #6.

WILLIAM S. SMITH. Incoming. January 1, 1800. Union Brigade (New Jersey).

R10, Mss. 261.

- Outgoing. January 10, 1800. Mount Vernon.

R10, Mss. 263, microfilm reel #6.

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Other documents

FAMILY CHART

"Custis genealogy." Small diagram illustrating the family and descendants of Martha Washington's first husband's uncle, Edmond Custis. In Martha Washington's hand and signed by her. ND #132, RM295, Mss. 2913. Unpublished.

NEWSPAPER

The Augusta / Georgia Herald. June 9, 1802. Announces the death of Martha Washington on May 22nd, with a brief eulogy. Includes mourning borders. RM35, News 2041.

RECIPE

Begins "To make a great Cake. Take 40 eggs and divide the whites from the yolks...." Signed, "Wrote by Martha Custis for her Grandmama." (Martha Parke Custis Peter was the daughter of John Parke Custis and Eleanor Calvert.) See Fields p. 406. ND #66, W570, microfilm reel #6. Written at Mount Vernon.

SIGNATURES

Calling cards. These four pieces, signed by Martha Washington, came with an anonymous note, "Martha Washington's calling cards. She never refused herself to visitors." ND #134, RM295, Mss. 2912 a-d.

HANDWRITTEN NAMES

The names of Eleanor Parke Custis and Martha Washington, apparently excised from letters. ND #82, W467 a-m.

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Business Papers, 1774-1802

This series includes bills, receipts, and orders for goods and services, travel expense reports, and an inventory taken of Martha Washington's property when she died. The largest group of business papers Mrs. Washington produced was after her first husband died in 1757, and before she married again in 1759. Most of these are in the collection of the Virginia Historical Society. The bills and orders in Mount Vernon's collection are for purchases from merchants in Alexandria and Philadelphia, for goods such as fabrics and china, and for services such as tailoring. Some of these papers are in the hand of Tobias Lear, George Washington's secretary and family friend. The travel expenses are for her trips to camp in 1783 during the Revolutionary War and to New York in 1789 after George Washington's inauguration as president. There are two states of the inventory taken just after she died, a first draft and a final draft.

Bill from James Chrystie. June 16, 1790.

For china items amounting to £19.17.6. A238.8, microfilm reel #2. Unpublished.

BILL from John Gadsby. April 1800? Alexandria

For beef, etc. Receipted by John Gadsby. W-811, microfilm reel #3.

BILL from Jacob Cox. November 14, 1792. Philadelphia.

For nine yards of Swanskin, at £1.11.6. A238.17, microfilm reel #2. Unpublished.

BILL from M. (Mary) Hunter. May 28, 1774.

For a black laced apron, £ 3.1.6. Receipted May 30th by Hunter. Endorsed by George Washington as "No. 79." A592, microfilm reel #1. Unpublished.

BILL to Lawrence Lewis. March 1800.

For the sale of livestock, lumber, and property. W810, microfilm reel #3.

BILL from F. Serre. July 11, 1792. Philadelphia.

For making and mending clothes. A526.

ESTATE INVENTORIES of Martha Washington's property. May 24 and July 11, 1802.

20 pp. There are two versions of the inventory in the collection. They describe cash on hand, notes due & paid, and articles at Mount Vernon and their value (many articles in the first draft are not included in the final version). The inventory lists items in the mansion house, servants' hall, kitchen, etc. The writer of the first version is Clement Biddle. The writer of the final version is unknown. R10, Mss. 289, 290.

PRICE INQUIRY to John Foster (Alexandria storekeeper).

Requests price of needles by the thousand. Answer her note of Saturday. Docketed on the reverse "Mr. John Foster. " ND #89, W466.

PRICE INQUIRY to Clement Biddle. March 8, 1800.

Tobias Lear writes a request on behalf of Martha Washington regarding black kid gloves, a pair of black silk and a pair of black kid shoes made by Mr. Fenton. RM869, Mss. 5329.

RECEIPT from William Buckler. July 12, 1795. Baltimore

For needles. "Bought of Wm. Buckler, 100 needles, £1.2.6. Received payment. (signed)Wm. Buckler." Mss. 2097.

RECEIPT to James Anderson. June 21, 1800. Mount Vernon.

For rent. "Recd. of Mr. James Anderson Twenty two pounds four shillings £71/2 d, being the Balce. pr. acct. recd. by him of P [Philip] Marsteller for rent of my House & Lot in Alexandria. Receipt 21 June 1800 of Mrs. Washington for £22.4.7/12 or in dollars $74.10." R10, Mss. 285, microfilm reel #6.

RECEIPT to Lawrence Lewis. January 29, 1802.

For monies paid on the interest of a loan and in payment for a "young jack." Written by Lewis and signed by Martha Washington. RM597, Mss. 4483.

RENTAL PAYMENTS of Robert Lewis. Undated.

Arrangements for his rental payment. See Fields pp. 395-396. A625.2.1.

RENTAL PAYMENTS of Robert Lewis. May 1, 1800. Spring Hill.

Letter to Martha Washington regarding the difficulties of farming this year and thus of getting her the rent payment on time. Unpublished. A301.

TRAVEL EXPENSE ACCOUNT of Martha Washington. July 1, 1783.

"An Acct. of Mrs. Washington's Expences from Virginia to my Winter Quarters & back again to Virginia according to the Memms. and accts. which I have received from her & those who accompd. her." Total was £1064. 1. Written by George Washington. A581.

TRAVEL EXPENSE ACCOUNT of Martha Washington. May 1789.

"Memorandum of moneys expended from George Town to New York." Each city Mrs. Washington and her companions went through is listed. Expenses include the carriage of a trunk from Philadelphia to New York and stage horses. Endorsed on the back "The Amount of every expence is £67. 10. 7 Pennsylvania currency." H1199, C1, A222. Written by Robert Lewis.

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Books, 1757-1802

Martha Washington purchased some of her books and received others as gifts. The subjects span popular fiction, cookery, Episcopal liturgy, and religious commentary. The earliest book that Martha Washington owned, The Bull-Finch, was ordered before she married George Washington, but has her name written in the hand of her husband on the title page. By Washington's will, her grandson received "all her books of Every Kind except the Large Bible, and the Prayer Book."

The Lady's Magazine and Musical Repository. Volumes 1-3, January 1801- June 1802. New-York, Printed by G. & R. Waite for N. Bell.

"Martha Washington" is inscribed on the contents page of volume one. Library holds volume one only. AP2. L27. W1548-A-484.

A Commentary on the Book of Psalms, in Which Their Literal or Historical Sense, as They Relate to King David and the People of Israel, is Illustrated; and Their Application to Messiah, to the Church, and to Individuals, as members Thereof, is Pointed Out; With a View to Render the Use of the Psalter Pleasing and Profitable to all Orders and Degrees of Christians / by George [Horne], Lord Bishop of Norwich.. . . The first American edition, from the 4th British edition. Philadelphia: Printed by William Young, Bookseller, No. 52, Second Street, the corner of Chestnut Street, 1792. In two volumes.

"M Washington" is inscribed on the title page of each volume. "The Gift of Martha Washington to her Niece Martha Washington Dandridge. April 10, 1800. " is inscribed on the flyleaf of volume one, in a different hand. BS1429. H6 1792. W1202/A&B, A224.

A View of the Internal Evidence of the Christian Religion / by Soame Jenyns, Esq. The 6th ed. Hartford: Printed by Nathaniel Patten, 1789.

"M Washington" is inscribed on the first page of text. "Mary L. Custis" is inscribed on the title page. Pasted onto the flyleaf is a calling card engraved with "Miss Harriotte H. Lee." BT1100. J5 1789. W1201, A223.

The Book of Common Prayer, and Administration of the Sacraments and other Rites and Ceremonies of the Church, according to the use of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America: together with the Psalter, or Psalms of David. New York: By the direction of the General Convention, printed by Hugh Gaine, at the Bible, Hanover Square, 1793.

"Eleanor Parke Lewis 1802" is inscribed on the title page. "For M E A Lewis, this prayer Book was read by her great grandmother Mrs. M Washington twice a day from 1789 to the year 1802" is inscribed on the front endpaper, in the hand of Lorenzo Lewis. BX5943. A1 1793. W409.

The Bull-finch; being a choice collection of the newest and most favourite English songs which have been sett to music and sung at the public theatres & gardens. London: R. Baldwin and John Wilkie, 1757.

"Martha Washington" is inscribed on the title page, in the hand of George Washington. PR1187. B8. ML137-W.

A Simple Story. In Two Volumes / by Mrs. Inchbald (Elizabeth Simpson Inchbald, 1753-1821). Philadelphia: Printed for Robert Campbell, 1793.

"M Washington" is inscribed on the flyleaf. Eleanor Parke Custis's bookplate is pasted in. PR3518. A73 1793. ML295.

Letters of the Late Rev. Laurence Sterne, to His Most Intimate Friends. With a Fragment in the Manner of Rabelais. To Which are Prefixed, Memoirs of His Life and Family / Written by himself. And Published by His Daughter, Mrs. Medalle. Dublin: Printed for J. Exshaw [etc.], 1776.

"M Washington" is inscribed on the endpaper. "Lewis" is inscribed on the title page. "Washington" is inscribed on the dedication page. This book descended through Martha Washington's great grandson, George Washington Lewis. PR3711. M4 1776. ML235-W.

The Jilts: or, Female fortune-hunters. London: Printed for Francis Noble and John Noble [17??].

"Mrs. Martha Washington, her Book 1774" is inscribed on the title page, not in her hand. Library holds volume three only. PR3991. A1 J5. 1776-229W.

The Children of the Abbey: A tale: In four volumes / by Regina Maria Roche. 1st American edition from the 2nd London edition. New York: Printed by M. L. and W. A. Davis for H. Caritat, 1798.

"Eleanor Parke Custis February 2nd 1799" is inscribed on the title page. "I EP Lewis value this old Novel because my revered & loved grandmother Mrs M Washington read & liked it. 1840" is inscribed on the verso of the title page. PR5233. R445 C45. W1556, A507.

The Art of Cookery, Made Plain and Easy / [by Hannah Glasse, fl. 1747].

An inscription on the title page states that Mrs. Washington gave the book to her granddaughter, Martha (Parke Custis) Peter. TX 705. G53. W2140, A894.