MDC notifies a London merchant of the death of her husband and provides instruction about the Custis account with the firm.…

Martha Custis informs Robert Cary and Company, an important London merchant, of her husband's death and her wish to continue the account with Cary for tobacco sales. She mentions that Daniel Parke Custis died intestate, and deals at length with some…

In this letter, Martha Dandridge Custis informs Robert Cary & Company, a London agent for the sale of Custis tobacco and the purchase of English consumer goods, of the death of her husband Daniel Parke Custis. Taking on her new role as head of…

Philadelphia June 18, 1775

My Dearest

I am now set down to write you on a subject which fills me with inexpressible concern - and this concern is greatly aggravated and Increased, when I reflect upon the uneasiness I know it will give you - It…

This condolence letter from a 'society of Females' (a group of four young women from Rhode Island) is effusive in its praise of the departed General Washington. The women ask Martha Washington for a lock of her husband’s hair, then in a…

Martha Washington wrote this letter to her son and his wife from the Continental Army’s winter camp at Middlebrook, New Jersey (she accidentally misdated it 1778). Martha’s displeasure at not having received letters recently from the…

Partial transcript:

"...am obliged to be my one [own] Housekeeper which takes up the greatest part of my time, - our cook Hercules went away so that I am as much at a loss for a cook as for a house keeper. - altogether I am sadly…

Partial transcript:

"...the President seemed a good deal surprised - at the quantity of wine that you have given out, as it never was his intention to give wine or goe to any Expence to entertain people that came to Mount vernon out of curiosity…