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A summons from the sheriff of Culpepper County, Va. to Washington family and extended family representatives, including Custis, Noblett, Parks, Davidson, Thronton, Dade, Spottswood, Law, and Lewis families to appear before clerk of chancery court Luke Bowyer, of Greenbrier County, Va.

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William Stork paid William G. Washington 3043 lbs. of tobacco as rent for use of the latter's plantation land for the year 1788

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Land indenture by which John Augustine Washington and Eleanor Love Selden Washington sold two tracks of land totaling 225 acres in Loudon County, VA to William Hammerly. The land had been acquired by Eleanor's family and was located adjoining the property of Eleanor's father, Dr. Wilson Cary Selden. The sale was recorded on the books of Loudon County on September 2, 1846. Both John and Eleanor signed the document.

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Chatty letter to daughter-in-law updating about common friends and relatives demonstraing excellent relations between the two.

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Cheerful "keep in touch" between family, although there is a passing mention about the servants [i.e., slaves] being "perfectly orderly."

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Letter to her son at the University of Richmond providing advice about being a good student and family news.

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Letter from mother to John Augustine at "Library of the House of Representatives" John had taken a leave of absence from his studies at UVA to undertake an internship at the library. His mother was very concerned that he complete his college studies. He did return to UVA, graduating in 1840.

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Letter from Bushrod Washington at Claymont to nephew at Blakely mentions attachment letter to Mr. Lee [likely Robert E. Lee] and asks that he show it to his son [Thomas Blackburn Washington]

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General family news... Mentions death of Louis Casenove of Alexandria and references "Deed for Mountain Land" from "Cousin Edmund Lee"

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Chatty letter filled with family news. Mother is writing from Blakely Plantation to her son at Mount Vernon. An interesting sentence: "I was surprised, dear Augustine, that you did not attend the inauguration [of Franklin Pierce], if not to 'Hail the rising sun,' to pay a parting respect to Mr. Fillmore, who I hope may again fill the presidential chair."

Abstract JAW paid his mother $500 per year rent for Mount Vernon. After her death (on 09/06/1855), it seems he believed he should continue to pay the $500 rent to her closest relative, his mother's sister, the letter’s author. The top portion of page one of this letter was torn off - it is believed the torn portion originally was a hand written personal check returning some of the rent to John Augustine. A hand written annotation on the remaining top of page 1 of the letter suggests the check may...

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sending condolences on death of Nelly Washington (JAW's wife)

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letter of condolence to his cousin and brother-in-law on death of JAW's wife, Nelly

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Lawrence Washington likely wrote this at Blakeley to his sister who was on a visit to cousins Lizzie and Lily. After the deaths of his mother and father, Lawrence and his six siblings went to live at Blakeley Plantation with the family of their uncle, Richard Blackburn Washington. From the content and writing skill, Lawrence appears to have written the letter when he was about 8 years old.]

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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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Per the Fairfax County Clerk, Alfred Moss, President Washington's will could not be removed from the Fairfax Court House fo be copied without permission from the family of President Washington. This letter from Stuart in Richmond requests that permission.

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Family letter... Interesting observation: "I have got the new girl [the Llyods owned slaves]. She is very good natured. I can't say much for her work. You never saw such washing."