Fields, Joseph E. 'Worthy Partner': The Papers of Martha Washington. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press, 1994.

Custis Papers, Virginia Historical Society

Esteemed Friend.                                         London Ocr 1:1759

We are favored with Thine of June 12th, informing Us of Thy Marriage with our friend Martha Custis, upon which circumstances we heartily congratulate you both, & wish you a great d(ea)l of happyness, - We observe Thy directions in regard to our addressing our Letters in relation to Coll. Custis's Estate, which we shall do accordingly-

We are sorry the Sales of the 28 Hhds Tobacco P the King of Prussia was not satisfactory, assure Thee that considering the Quality, we thought we sold Them very well, and was told by the Buyer that they were not near so good as those sent (mutilated) indeed it was with no small difficulty, that we ob(muti1ated)e price we did; please to observe that many of them were light, which Hhds paying the same charges as heavier, reduces the produce consideraby, & we are sorry to say the Quality of those P the Anna were far from what we could wish, owing to their being put up in too high case, and that Crop of Tobacco in General as but ordinary - inclosed comes Acct. Sales for Them wch (mutilated) these are too light, indeed much lighter than we could wish'd, No. 2 was exceeding bad, & it gave us a good deal of trouble to get the price it sold for, the Buyers informs us that they were put up in too high a case, which we mention again for Thy government - It will give Us great pleasure to receive Thy Consignments P the Fleet & we (mutilated) our endeavours shall not be wanting (mutilated) entrusted to Our care, This now forwards Acct Current (mutilated) hope will be found right, if otherwise please to note it, & the Error shall be carefully examin'd into, - Thee cannot well imagine what trouble we have had in the settlement of the Salvage of the Anna, she being retook by Three privateers, each of which had its manag(muti1ated) but we look upon it, that considering the time she was in Possession of the French, we (adjusted it as) well as could be, and indeed had the concern been all our own, we could not have done better - the chief News at present, or what is mostly talked of, is the intended invasion from the French, to be sure they have assembled a large Body of Troops together, to embark on board Transports, but when they really think of attempting it, is very uncertain, N(o) doubt but any probability of Their landing on our (mutilated) will put us here in great confusion, all the necess(ary means) for preventing it hath been & are taken, which they must certainly be acquainted with it, &which we hope weill make them laid the plan aside - Concludes with regard

                                                  Thy Assured Friends
                                                  Cape1 & Osgood Hanbury

To Geo: Washington, Esqr.

Autograph Letter Signed

Fields, Joseph E. 'Worthy Partner': The Papers of Martha Washington. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press, 1994.

Mount Vernon Ladies' Association

Invoice of Sundry Goods to be Shipped by Robert Cary Esqr. & Company
for the Use of George Washington

A Light Summer suit made of Duroy or by the inclosed measure
4 peices best India Nankeen
2 best beaver Hats plain each to cost a Guinea
1 ps of Irish Linnen @ 4/
1 ps of black E Sattin Ribbon
1 Sword-belt of Red morocco leather or buff. N.B.. no buckles or rings.
4 lb. Ivory blacking
2 best [?] bladed knives
1 pair good horse Scissars
A Sammon coloured Tabby of the inclosed pattern with Sattan flowers to be made in a
Sack or Coat.
1 Cap handkerchief, Tucker and Ruffles to be made of Brussels Lace or point proper to
wear wt ye above Negligie to cost £10.
1 ps bag holland to cost 6s
2 flowered Lawn Aprons.
2 stole handkerchiefs
2 pr Womans white silk hose
6 pr. ditto fine Cotton Do
4 pr B thread Do
1 pr. black & 1 pr. White Sattan Shoes of the Smallest Sizes.
4 pr. Callamanca Do
6 pr Woman's best kid gloves
6 pr. Do. Mitts
1 fashionable hat or Bonnet
1/2 dozn.knots & breast knots.
1 dozn Silk Laces
1 black Mask
1 dozn. most fashionable Cambrick pocket handkerchiefs
2 pr. neat small scissars
1 lb sewing Silk Shaded.
114 lb Do cloth - coloured Do
4 ps.binding Tape
6 M Miniken pins
6 M short Whites
6 M Corking pins
1 M hair pins
6 lb perfumed powder
3 lb best scotchsnuff
3 lb best violet Strasburg
2 lb powdered blew
2 oz. Coventry thread 1 of wh. to be very fine
1 ps White Sattin ribbon pearl edge.
1 Case of pickles to consist of Anchovies Capers Olives Salid Oil & 1 bottle India
Mangoes.
1 large Cheshire Cheese
4 lb green tea
10 Groce best Corks
25 lb best Jar Raisins
25 lb Almonds in the Shell
1 hogshead best Porter
10 Loaves of dble & 10 of Single refined Sugar
6 strong halters hempen reins
3 best Snaffle bridles
9 best Girths
25 lb brown soap
12 lb best Mustard
2 dozn packs playing Cards
2 Sacks best English Oats
1 dozn painters brushes
11 bushl tares
12 best hand padlocks
18 bell Glasses for Garden
2 more chair bottoms such as were wrote for in a former invoice
1 more Window Curtain & Cornish
8 Busts &ca according to the following directions & measures of Copper Enamel or
Glazed. viz.
1 of Alexander the Great - 1 of Julius Caesar 1 of Charles ye 12 of Sweden & another of
the King of Prussia these all to be of the same size in order to fill up broken
pediments over doors, & not to exceed 15 inches in height nor 10 inches in width.
2 Furious Wild Beasts of any kind, not to exceed 18 inches in length & 12 in higth but
as near that size as may be drawn as if approaching each other & eager to engage at the distance of about 4 feet. to be the same Colour as those above.
Prince Eugene & the Duke of Marlborough of somewhat smaller size than the above to
stand on each end of a pediment wch is carved in this manner
Sundry Small ornaments for a Chimney piece that is 6 feet long and 8 inches wide
100 lb White Bisquet
2 Lanthorns
3 Gallns Rhenish in pint bottles.
25 Yds broad cloth of the inclose Colour to cost about 7/6
15 Yds Course thick Duffle of ye same Colour
6 Yds Do. to cost 8/6
30 Yds red Shaloon
20 dozn white washed Coat buttons
12 dozen waist coat do.
Twist, thread, Silk &c sufficient to make up the above cloth.
40 Yds Course Jeans or fustians for Summer frocks for Negro Servants.
1 pc Irish Linnen 2 1/3
1 pc Dowlas a l0d
1/2 dozen pr course strong thread hose fit for Negro Servants.
6 Caster hats a about 5/
1 dozn pr Course Shoe & knee buckles fit for Do.
2 Postillion Caps
450 Ells Oznaburgs
4 ps brown Rolls
350 Yds Kendal Cottoni
100 Yds Dutch Blankets
2 ps fearnought
8 dozn pr plaid hose Sorted
4 dozn Monmouth Caps
20 lb bro thread
15 Ib best Shoe Makers do
20 Sacks Salt
2 Casks 3d Nails
2 Do 10d Do
10 M 20d Do
20 M 4d Nails
20 M 6d Do
6 Spades
200 lb German Steel
2 dozn best Staples
6 best Whites handsaws
6 best broad axes
6 House Adzes
2 dozn box Gimblets
6 pr Steel Compasses
1 dozn Augers sorted from 2 inches to 112 Do
1 Cowper's Taper bitt
1 Do Croe
1 Do Dowling bitt
1 Do Vice
1 Do pr large Compasses
1 Do Adze
1 do Round Shave
1 Do Howell
1 Wheel Wright's Buz
1 Do large Gouge
1 Do Anter Bitt
2 Dozn pair H's hinges
Joiner's Tools
1 jointer
2 long plains
2 Jack Do
4 Smoothing Do
10 pr hollows & rounds
6 ogees
4 two Square Astricles
3 pr Grooving plains
1 Snipes bill
4 quarter rounds
4 Sash plains
3 beed plains
6 ovalos
1 plow & irons
1 Moving philister
1 Screw Rabbit plain
1 Square Do
3 raising Do
1 Spring Brace & bit compleat
1 Turkey oil-stone
1 handsaw
1 pannel Do
1 tenant Do
1 Compass Do
1 Sash Do
1 dozn firmers
1 Do Gouges
1 rnorticing Chizzels
1 Adze
1 drawing knife
2 pr Compasses
2 Rules
2 Chalk lines
1 small hatchet
2 punches
2 Saw Setts
2 dozn Gimblets
2 dozn plain Irons
6 Rasps 2 of a Sort
2 dozn handsaw fills
2 of Tennant Do
25 lb Clew
2 vent saws
12 inch Chizzles
6 Bottles Turlington Balsarn
8 Oz Spirit of Lavender
1/2 Ib. Ipca: powdered
1/2 Ib. Jalap powdered
12 Oz Venus Treacle
4 Oz best Rhubarb
12 Oz Diascordium
4 Oz pearl barley
4 Ib Sago
4 Oz balsam Capivil
5 Oz liquid Laudanum
5 Oz Spirits Sal Ammoniac
5 Oz Spirits Hartshorn
4 Oz Spanish flies
3 lb Bird lyme
6 lb Oil of Turpentine
2 lb Spirits Do
5 lb White Sugar Candy
10 Ib. Bo Do.
1 lb barley Sugar
2 Ib. linseed Oil Cold drawn
4 Ib. Allum
1 lb Spirma Citi [spermaceti]
4 Oz tincture of Myrrh
4 Oz balsam Sulphur
4 Oz pulvus Basilii
2 Oz. Mer Dulcis
4 Oz. Sal Volatile
10 Ib. hartshorn Shavings
2 Quarts strong Cinnamon Water
2 Quarts Weak Do.
N.B. all liquids to come in double flint bottles.
40 S. worth of Medicines proper for Horses - Among wh let there be
4 Ib. flower of brimstone
4 Ib. Annis seeds
4 Ib. Carthamums
5 Ib. Syrup of Coltsfoot
5 Ib. black Soap
4 Ib. Cummin seeds
4 lb. Fenngreek
2 Ib. juice of Liquorice
3 Ib. long pepper
2 Ib. Diapente
& such other as are most proper

Go: Washington
20th Sepr 1759

Copy in an unknown hand

Fields, Joseph E. 'Worthy Partner': The Papers of Martha Washington. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press, 1994.

Custis Papers, Virginia Historical Society

Madm                                                      London the 17 July 1759

To our's already wrote you by this Conveyance we Referr, since which your Favour of the 30th April is now before us & your several Drafts to the amount of £1500 we have already Accepted & when due shall punctually be paid-

As the Accot sales & Accot Currt sent p Turner have in all probability miscarried we have now sent the Copy's-

Inclosed is the Charge of Obtaining Letters of Administring to the Receiving the Dividend on the £1650 Bank Stock which Charge £7.7 is to thy Estates Debit - The Bank Directors have as yet not Entered your Power of Atty in their books till they do tho we hope it wont be long we cannot receive the Interest - Mr John Hanbury departed this life the 23d Ulto & while he lived we coud not ask for the Enlargement of your Consignments but now as things are Differently circumstanced we may safely do it & as such we hope in the future to receive all your crops. for it is Evidend the less hands Tobacco goes in the greater Probability there is of keeping up a Living Price & therefore must naturally be productive of our Friends Interest

Are sorry to hear the Crops are so short we hope the Prices will Compensate since little matter for the Difference - We are

                                                      Madm
                                                      Your most Hum Servt
                                                      Copy Robert Cary & Co
                                                      Mrs. Martha Custis

(Docket)
Letter
Cary - 17th July - 1759

Autograph Letter Signed

Fields, Joseph E. 'Worthy Partner': The Papers of Martha Washington. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press, 1994.

Custis Papers, Virginia Historical Society

Autograph Document

Fields, Joseph E. 'Worthy Partner': The Papers of Martha Washington. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press, 1994.

Custis Papers, Virginia Historical Society

Sir                                                                            May 10th 1759

According to your Command (I have) sent you as near as I am able (mutilated) accot of the nigros and stocks (mutilated) Rest of the (Estate) of Colo. Custis on this Shore Except (in) Smith's 1sland which I omited on accot of its being Rented out -but if meteral may be seen by a leas that Mr Vollentime has in his pirsession heare is som corn which is sold tho not delivered yet and will be about 1000 Bushells

(illegible) am at Command your humble sevt.

                                                                 James Biggs

Autograph Letter Signed

Fields, Joseph E. 'Worthy Partner': The Papers of Martha Washington. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press, 1994.

Custis Papers, Virginia Historical Society

Sir                                                     Williamsburg 20 April 1759

Be pleased on the other side to answer the following queries in a full and ample manner and oblige very much, Yr most Obedt Servt.

                                                 Go: W(ashington)

First Does the Law require that all the Personal Estate & (Negroes only excepted) of the late Colo Custis be sold, in order to lay off his widows dower and daughters part.-or can it be done by the Inventory & appraisment - or lastly by dividing the Estate as it stands at this present - Which of these three is the Right Method? - & had Mrs. Washington a claim to one third of the Chattels of every kind whatsoever?

To the first
All such Goods as may be liable to perish or be the worse for keeping are by Law directed to be sold by public auction as soon as conveniently may be after the Debts paid - Yet I am of Opinion a Division may be made of the personal as well as the real Estate by the method hereafter mentioned - Mrs Washington has a clear right to one third of the Chattels of every kind whatsoever.

Second - What steps are necessary to Effect this in either Case? & how is the Money and Bonded Debt to be divided?

To the Second of (illegible) & best method to have Mrs Washington's Dower assigned (illegible) Estate divided will be by a Bill in Chancery to be brought in your & Mrs Washingtons names against the Children upon which Commissioners will be appointed not only to set apart her Dower in the Lands but to divide the money & bonded Debts & every other part of the Estate, one third thereof which belongs to Mrs Washington - and as I am satisfied your chief motive is to have the Children's Shares set apart & ascertained, so that fair & regular Accounts may be kept of the Profits & all Disputes that might be occasioned by a joynt Occupation, avoided, so I am assured the Speaker who is appointed Guardian to prosecute & defend for the Children will agree to any Division that may be for the Ease & advantage of all Persons concerned: and such a Division I am confident will) readily be established by the Court.

Third - Has Mrs Washington a Right to take any part of the Furniture or Personal Estate (negroes excepted as before) at the Appraisment price? - or is she under a necessity or taking the whole or none?

To the third. As it would be very inconvenient either to part with the furniture of the House or expose it to Sale in order to purchase it I make no doubt but the Commissioners will assign you any part of the household furniture you desire at the appraised value & the remainder may be sold.

Fourth - Whether if the Law does not require the whole Personal Estate to be sold, I have notwithstanding a power, or can obtain one (& by what means) to sell such part as I (consider) to be for the Estate Interest?

To the fourth. The Cattle must be kept on the Heirs Lands for his benefit & at his Risque. Except they are too numerous in which Case part of them may be sold. One third of the Cattle belongs to Mrs Washington & the Heir will be answerable to his Sister for one Half of the appraised value of (the oth)er two thirds. The (real) & the personal Estate that will not (be for) the benefit of the Estate to keep (missing) may be sold.

Fifth - Is Mrs Washington obligated to render (an acco)unt of every thing Inventoried & appraised? I mean Household goods that perhaps are broke or worn out, - Plantation Utensils that are lost or used - Liquors &ca that may have been Drank - and if she is, what sort of an acc't is required by Law? - and whether that account shoud be previous to a Division of the Estate?

To the fifth Mrs Washington is accountable for everything inventoried and appraised but ought to have Credit for such things as have been used or worn out about the Plantation: an account of which will be properly made us before the Commissioners.

Sixth -Has she not a Right to have her Expenses of every kind borne, as well those which may Relate to her particular self, as Housekeeping &ca in general? Does that Right still continue till a Division be made, or does it cease upon her Marriage?

To the sixth I also am of Opinion that she must be at the whole Expense of housekeeping since the Appraisment, but as she accounts for the Profits of her Children's Estates she is entitled to a liberal Allowance for their Maintanance.

Seventh Whether it is necessary to get appointed guardian, and Manager of (the) Estate & (of the) Children - or do I become so as Husband (illegible) obtaind the administration? But (missing) that some (one other than myself) shoud be choose Guardian till a Division (of) the Estate & a Settlement be made.

To the seventh Mrs Washington is by Law entitled to the Guardianship of her Children till they attain fourteen years of age, when they may choose their own Guardians but it is by all means advisable that a Division & Settlement be made before you undertake the Guardianship in her right. When that is done you must undertake it, or some other Guardian, must be appointed, as the Speaker will have nothing to do with their Estates.

Eighth -If Dunbar obtains his Suit at Law against Colo Custis's Estate how far will Mrs Washington's Dower be liable?

To the eighth. As Dunbar's Claim is against GenI Parke's Estate that alone is liable, consequently no other Part of mrs Washington's Dower than what she holds of that Estate can be affected by Dunbar's Recovery.

Ninth - If the Money and Chattels which in any other case woud have become my absolute property, should be made liable - am I accountable for the Principal & Interest, of what I may now receive - or the Principal Only?

To the ninth. So none of the money or Chattels you receive can be liable Should the Court adjudge Parke's Lands & Negroes to be so. I am of Opinion they will adjudge that Mrs. Washington's Dower of that Estate should contribute in proportion to her Interest therein which is only for Life.

                                                           J Mercer

Autograph Document Signed

Fields, Joseph E. 'Worthy Partner': The Papers of Martha Washington. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press, 1994.

Custis Papers, Virginia Historical Society

Autograph Document Signed

Fields, Joseph E. 'Worthy Partner': The Papers of Martha Washington. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press, 1994.

Custis Papers, Virginia Historical Society

Mrs Martha Custis                                   Madera 29th March 1759

Inclosed we have a Bill of loading for a pipe of wine & box of Citron which Messrs Cape1 & Osgood Hanbury directed us to ship for your own use; & should you not have occasion to use the wine till the latter end of this year we doubt not its proving Satisfactory altho few or none of the new wines appear to us so good as usual. We should have shipped you old wine had there been any of the better sorts to be bought & if we were favored with an order to send you a pipe yearly you might depend on being supplied with the best.

We shall value for the cost on the above Gent. as noted at bottom & are sorry it is so extravagantly dear, but a scanty vintage & the unreasonable Portugese who flatter themselves with a continuance of the great demand, here has lately been for their wines leave us no remedy

                                            We are respectfully Madam
                                            your most obliged Friend
                                            Hill Lamar & Hill

 No MCSI

a pipe of wine           £26.10.0
10 pc Virga                  2.13.0

                                                              £29.3.0
do 2 a box of citron                                      .16.6
                                                              £29.19.6

(Address leaf)
Mrs Martha Custis
In Virginia
P Capt Blake.

Autograph Letter Signed

Fields, Joseph E. "Worthy Partner": The Papers of Martha Washington. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press, 1994. 79.

Madam                                            Leverpoole Feby 21st 1759

I have before me both your esteemed Favours of 6th June that you had been pleased to favour me wth. The Consignment of Sixteen hhds. Tabo p the Gildart wch Am much oblighed to you & please to be Assured no Pain shall be Spaired in Selling them for your most advantage. as yet there is only 4 of them sold. At 3 p 3 3/4 & 4 P. I am sorry to tell you they are not near of so fine a Quallity as formerly. the many factors that has ever had them knew I had the Honr of being Aployed by the Family would not this year take them unless I would let him pick Wch I refused which was luckey as they have since Advanced and are now from 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 p. you have Inclosed Invoice of Goods to your Order wch hope will be delivered you Safe & to your Satisfaction as every thing is of the best and on the most reasonable terms. Your Bill In favour of Mr. Barthow Dandridge for two hundred Pounds has (illegible) & is to your Debt.

Capt Mulloy has Persuaded me not to send him till the Fall. therefore that I may not loose such of my Friends favours on York River that are inclineable to Ship have ordered Capt. Gaweth of my ship the Johnson to Waite on them. I hope by him to Receive a Share of your favours, which I shall greatly esteem. & am

Madam
Yr most Obliged Hum Sert
Jam Gildart

(Docket)
J Gildart
Feb.21.1759

Autograph Letter Signed

Fields, Joseph E. "Worthy Partner": The Papers of Martha Washington. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press, 1994. 61-76.