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Both letter writer and recipient were great grandnephews of President George Washington. The letter from JAW's 3rd cousin, discusses John Brown’s trial after the Harpers Ferry Raid. Charles seems to have had money worries on two accounts--the renting out of his slave “old Thom", and payment for a cottage in Gloucester County, VA, which was a joint investment owned by both Charles and John A. Washington. There is a Harper's Ferry postcard of later date included with the letter.

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Letter from brother references secession of South Carolina from the Union.

Abstract John Woolfolk Burke was a co-founder of the Burke & Herbert Bank in 1852. This letter describes the impending Civil War. Burke was a good friend of John A. Washington as well as his banker. The $200,000 in proceeds from the sale of Mount Vernon were deposited in the Burke & Herbert Bank in Alexandria. Washington had rented out some of his slaves to Mount Vernon from his Fauquier County Waveland Plantation and Burke assures him that he will transport the slaves. Events were rapidly...

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JAW’s aunt describes her struggle to leave home to care for his children as he prepares to depart his Waveland Plantation to join the Confederate Army. Notable lines “The day is truly dark to this once happy country, but Graven Kingdoms fall on this sorrowful earth. The Kingdom of our God is hastening on to its glory, in that great victory truth and righteousness will reign forever."

Abstract Lilla requests early termination of her contract for teaching Washington's children. Northern Virginia at this time was increasingly unstable, as the Union army had invaded the state, and the teacher wanted to leave the area ASAP. Just two days before this letter (on July 16, 2018) John A. Washington had written to bis friend & Waveland neighbor Ned Turner about getting General Beauregard to send troops to calm down restive negro “servants” who unsettled local citizens in Fauquier County...

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Written to JAW from Washington City concerning disposition of slaves: "As soon as the negroes are ready for division, I will write you."

Abstract Letter to her nephew. Considerable discussion of closing of the river... "By this time you are aware that navigation is closed, and all our travelling must be done by land... The whole available force of King George are drilling for a home guard and for active service. Charles is among the latter; who is to gather in our crops we cannot tell. Dark piratical looking ships of the 'Old United States' pass up and down the river and a few tiny craft sometimes flit by like birds. The little...

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Letter to her father [with transmittal envelope addressed to Col. J.A. Washington, care of Gen l R.E. Lee C.S.A. Richmond] Numerous references to war... e.g. "Dr. Peyton was ghere today and told us that Gen. Wise had been defeated, but as that is bad news, I don't intend to believe it unless it is confirmed."

Abstract Letter from Waveland to her nephew [envelope c/o Gen Robert E. Lee, Richmond] Numerous references to war, including: "Mrs. Jones sent Louisa a list of necessities for hte Southern troops, forwarded to her from Harper's Ferry... so the ladies of this pat of Fauquier all turned out to contribute their quota.... A letter from the Rev.Mr. Scott describes to me the cannonading at Aquia Creek, as wirnessed from Caledon. The Yankees have twice landed, he says, at Matthias's Point but he does not...

Abstract Two sides letter to JAW--one side from his daughter, the other side from his aunt. Cconsiderable war news about individuals as well as general troop movements. e.g., "A comfortable hospital is organized in Salem, already filled with soldiers taken sick on the way fro, Winchester with measles. Only two in any danger, one from an accidental wound with his own bayonet..... We heard today that a large body of Norkthern Troops have been in Charlestown, but no outrages committed"...

Abstract Considerable discussion about slaves and about Civil War: "I have usually bought my negroes winter clothing about this time, cloth for the men & linen for women & children--servants have made it up in time for cold weather... By getting a list of negroes from Lunsford [the main overseer at Waveland] you can tell the quantity to buy. I think some nine of my negroes big and little from Mt. Vernon are in Warrenton. I have written to Lunsford to go for them at once."...

Abstract Written from Richmond and sent to overseer of Washington's Waveland Plantation in Fauquier County: "I am sure that when the case is properly represented to Gen. Beauregard that he will see that a sufficient number of men are left to protect families against the negroes..."Discusses Governor's order to relieve overseers of those who are in the amy from military duty."Whether we succeed or not, the Cause is just and our people are true, and we or those who follow us...

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She writes to her father from Waveland "We heard yesterday that there had been a fight near Harpers Ferry in which we killed six hundred and took two hundred prisoners."

"There are twenty-five sick soldiers at the hospital in Salem."

Abstract Contains a great deal of information about farming, the family, and the war, including references to the Lees. "I directed Lunsford [the overseer] to see about the blooded colts at Warrenton. I shall hear today whether or not he found them there. Dr. Chapman left him with his wagon more than two weeks ago to get his fish from his brother's in Maryland. Neither he nor his wagon has ereturned and we fear that they have been captured by the Yankees.""I just hearda report... that...

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The "List of Negroes at Waveland" appear to be broken down by "families"... "13 Negro men; 2 boys over sixteen; 3 abouy fourteen; 9 women; 20 children from 10 years to infants."

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"The Yankees have been killing our sheep and Uncle Dick says that you will be very much distressed."

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"The negroes have been quiet and obedient. I advised L. not to deviate in any aspect from his usual course of management & if they become troublesome to advise me immediately. As yet, no trouble has occurred in this country with negroes, but in times like the present, we need not be astonished at anything that may happen... In conclusion let me congratulate you in having obtained so favorable a situation in the Genls. staff."

Abstract Letter concerning affairs at Waveland and General Lee's family... "I have not succeeded as yet in getting you a horse--have seen a good many but such as the one you require is particularly [difficult] just at this time so many of the best horses having been taken by the mounted troops.""Remember us to Genl Lee & tell him we are daily expecting cousin Mary & her daughters here when for the present time is safety and if our position should become unsafe we will retreat with...

Abstract Letter from Nelly to her father together with 2 notes from Nellie Lloyd and Arthur Lloyd to their uncle: "We are all lint for the soldiers at the junction. Cousin Emily had a sick headache. Dr. Peyton was here this morning and cousin Emily got a letter from cousin Caroline Lee who said that her overseer had left her to come to Virginia to fight. Ms. Fuel's brother has gone to fight. Aunt Judy got a letter from cousin Charles who said that the Yankees had landed twice on some point near her...

Scope and Contents

This series consists of family correspondences on various subjects including Civil War and slaves owned by the Washington family.

Abstract

Rental of a slave named Emmanuel for yearly rent of $150. "Mr. Washington, sir, you can have manial' at a hundred and fifty dollars for this year as any and sufficient summer and winter clothing one paire of strong summer shoes one pair of winter boots hat and blanket. I would of sent my boy Caleb sooner but his feet was very much frosted."

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Describes "session badges" worn to church... "I could not follow some of the ladies in their upturned eyes of sacred horror for my young cousins wore them--strong feelings on every subject go everywhere, with the bosom in which they reside. I know mine do, and the broken Union mixes with my prayers in Church and at home--so I have pity on the young, lead on, by I suppose, wong-headed enthusiasm, disunion is gaining ground among us."

Abstract Letter speaks of slaves setting fire to houses: "Our neighborhood is thrown into great excitement by Dr. Hove's house having been deliberately fired. They might have been burned in it, for it is an old wooden building - but that a visitor was unusually wakeful and smelt the fire - it was a wonderful escape - supposed to be the act of a half grown girl, incited to it by the dining room servant. This is the fourth case within a little more than a year in this County. Dr. Stuart's summer house,...

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Describes Lippitt situation at home: "I find it quite lonely with no white person about the house." Also: "Even Mr. Lincoln seems to have gotten over his fear of assassination having ordered some of the troops back to the North. The only thing of interest transpiring here except the withdrawal of the troops from Fort Sumter, is the terrible rush for office."

Scope and Contents From the Series:

This series consists of family correspondences on various subjects including Civil War and slaves owned by the Washington family.