Nash, Margaret A. "Rethinking Republican Motherhood: Benjamin Rush and the Young Ladies' Academy of Philadelphia," 17 2 (Summer, 1997): 171-191.

From "Diary of Mrs. William Thornton, 1800-1863" (vol. 10, 1907, of the Records of the Columbia Historical Society). “[Saturday, 8/2/1800]…We set off again about eleven Oclock…& we got to Mrs Washington’s about two Oclock….Mrs Washington is much broke since I saw her last—Her Grandson Washington Custis, in whom she seems quite wrapt [sic] up, was indisposed, and she seemed very anxious on his account.—She is a very polite & amiable old Lady. The same order & regularity is observed as when the Genl was living….[Wednesday, 11/19/1800]…Mama & I—went to Mrs Peter’s—found Mrs Tingey there—they were all going to George Town & then to wait on Mrs Adams.—We waited on Mrs Dexter, then went to some Stores & returned to Mrs Peter’s & waited till she returned—Mama then went home in our Carriage & in Mrs Tingey’s to Mrs Adams’s.—Mrs A. is a short lady; in person something like Mrs Washington—has a sensible look….” (174,213)

diary

Colonial Williamsburg Foundation

Custis, George Washington Parke, and Benson John Lossing. Recollections and Private Memoirs of Washington. New York: Derby & Jackson, 1860.

Robbins, Karen. "Power Among the Powerless: Domestic Resistance by Free and Slave Women in the McHenry Family of the New Republic," Journal of the Early Republic, 23 1 (Spring,2003): 47-68.

Thornton, William. Harris Charles M. and Daniel Preston, eds. Papers of William Thornton. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 1995.

From William Thornton to John Marshall, 1/2/1800: “[re: the plan to put George Washington’s body in the Unites States Capitol]…But in fulfilling this duty there is another which will give great comfort to her who enjoyed the felicity of being the partner of his life. She expressed, in her affliction, the hope of soon lying in the same humble vault prepared for his family, and considered it as the last temporal consolation. The body of her beloved friend and companion is now requested and she does not refuse the national wish—but if an intimation could be given that she should partake merely of the same place of deposit it would restore to her mind a calm and repose that this acquiescence in the national wish has in a high degree affected. You, who know her, are not unacquainted with her high virtues, and know that her love for the departed would be the only reason why such a wish could be entertained. She cannot be more honoured than she has been and, were it possible, the nation would give a still further proof of sensibility on this melancholy occasion, by a resolution in favour of her who possessed the heart of the late Friend of Man. I presume not to dictate any mode; but you will with liberality pardon the suggestion of a private individual. If a secret vote of the House were to be taken, and the result only made known to herself or friends, and be publickly [sic] declared after her death, it would appear, in my opinion, to the whole world, not only as a high mark of respect, but peculiarly delicate. That I write this is unknown to any of the family, and I hope you and they will excuse the liberty I take….” (527)

letter

Papers of Joshua Coit, Library of Congress.

Library of Congress

letters

Carter, Betty Lewis. Papers of Betty Lewis Carter. Library of Congress.

letter

Harris, Malcolm Hart. Old New Kent County: Some Account of the Planters, Plantations, and Places in New Kent County. West Point, Va.: M.H. Harris, 1977.

Britt, Judith S. Nothing More Agreeable: Music in George Washington's Family." Mount Vernon, Va.: Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, 1984.