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

Rosenbach Museum and Library, Philadelphia, PA.

My Dear Sir                              Mount Vernon December 22d 1777

I doe most sincearly lement and condole with you, on the loss of our dear departed Friend she has I hope made a happy exchange - and only gon a little before us the time draws near when I hope we shall meet never more to part - if to meet our departed Friends and know them was scertain we could have very little reason to desire to stay in this world where if we are at ease one hour we are in affliction days

Lett me beg of you my Dear Brother to consider your one indisposition and indevor to be a comfort to your friends that are now about you - nothing in this world do I wish for more sincerly than to be with, but alass I am so situated at this time that I cannot leve home - my dear sister in her life time often mentioned my taking my dear Fanny if she should be taken away before she grew up - If you will lett her come to live with me, I will with the greatest plasure take her and be a parent and mother to her as long as I live - and will come down for her as soon as I come from the northward, - the General has wrote to me that he cannot come home this winter but as soon as the army under his command goes into winter quarter he will send for me, if he does I must go, if he does not, I will come down as soon as Nelly Custis gets well she is hear and Expect every day to be brought to bed - is the reason I cannot come down at this time - my Dear sister for the last three or four years of her life could have but very little pleasure her health was such that must render her life a misere to herself and a very great affliction to her friends - which I hope will in some measure reconcile you to your very great loss of her, - I must one to you that she was the greatest favorite I had in the world - it will always give me the greatest pleasure, if I could be useful1 to you or the children in any thing - be pleased to let me know - I have often wished that fortune had plased us nearer to each other - and particularly at this time when I should have it in my power to take care of the Dear children - I hope Mrs Stith or Mrs Aylett will stay with you for that purpose at least for a sort time - I sincearly wish your recovery and pray god to enable you to support yourself under your great affliction - and bless your children - I am with love to them and all inquiring Friends

My Dear Brother your ever
affectionate
Martha Washington

Autograph Letter Signed

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

Mount Vernon Ladies' Association

My Dear Sister                                        November the 18th 1777

I have the very great pleasure of returning, - you your Boys as well as they were when I brought them from Eltham - They have had the small pox exeeding light and have been perfectly well this fortnight past- Mr. Claiborne came up with us and had the small as light as they had, he has been here ever since I came up - his going down determined me to send your sons with him as I think he will be a guide to them on the road and better than they should goe so far by themselves, they have been exeeding good Boys indeed and I shall hope you will lett them come to see me when ever they can spare so much time from school - they have been such good Boy that I shall love them a great deal more than I ever did - I have paid the Doctors £ 9 for them. - and £ 8 for two Hatts [?] which could not be got for less [?] 9/9

I have given to Mr. Claiborne to bare thare expens down - and five seven Dollar Bills I inclose in this letter which is all that is owed - the Doctor's charge is very high but I did not say a word - as he carred the children so well through the small pox -

The last letter I had from the General was dated the 7th of this month - he says he says nothing hath happend since the unsuccessful attack upon our forts on the Dalaware, - the Boys bring the last papers down with them -

Nelly Custis has be over the river this three week - Jack is just come over, he tells me that little Bet is grown as fat as a pigg - Nelly is not well her self -

I was glad to hear that you had got the horse and hope you have before this found great benefet from riding everyday - I have often wished for my dear sister and Fanny, as the small pox was so trifleing with the Boys - believed that it would have been as slight with them I have had all thare cloths washed and rinsed several days - and do veryly believe that they can bring no infection home with them - if you are afraide lett some one who has had the small pox put out thare cloths to air for a day or two in the sun - an Thomas has also been washed and his cloths changed - his cap & shoes he did not ware, when he was sick - I shall be glad you will let me know how the Boys gett down - by Peter who set off today with Jacks mares & colts to carry them down to his quarter in New Kent -

Jack joins me in love to Mr. Bassett your self Dear Fanny and all Friends - I am my Dear sister your sincearly affectionate

Martha Washington

I was sorry to find that I had given away all the Blew satin but this piece Please do give the piece of muslin to Mrs Dangerfield with my Compliments - my compliments and good wishes to Mrs Davis & Mrs. Newman - I hope John Davis has got well of his indisposition - all the Boys Cloths are sent

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

Location unknown

Sir                                                                      Morristown Ju(ne)

The very polite and obliging invitation to lodge with you, contained in your favor of the 12th inst - came to my hands yesterday - I beg you to be perswaded sir that I should accept it with much pleasure did I not conceive myself under an engagement to Mr Petit, who was pleased when he was here to request me to make use of his house while I stayed in Phila which will not exceed 3 or 4 days - and for which place I shall leve this tomorrow

It gives me much plasure to hear of Mrs Reeds recovery and that she is in a (situa)tion to receive company down (missing) my greatful thanks and best wishes attend her and you (missing)

I am sir
Your most obedt and
obliged
Martha Washington

(Docket)
Morristown 1777
Mrs Washington to
Mr Reed.
Morristown

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

Location unknown

Sir                                                                     October the 23d 1776

Please to give to Milly Posey, the sum of five pounds Virginia money

I am your most Hble Sert
Martha Washington

To Mr Lund washington
Recd. the above sum
Amelia Posey

Autograph Letter Signed

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

New York Public Library

My dear Sister                          Philadelphia August the 28th 1776

I am still in this town and Noe prospects at present of my leveing it, - the General is at new york he is very well and wrote to me yesterday and informed me that Lord Dunmore with part of his fleet was come to General Howe at Staten Island, that another devision of the Hessians is expected before they think, the regulars will begen thare attack or as, some hear begen to think thare will be noe Battle after all - Last week our boats made another atempt on the ships up the north river - and had grapp a fire ship with the Phoenix ten muniets but she got clear of her; and is come down the river on satterday last. Our people burnt one of the tenders.

I thank god we shant want men - the army at New York is very large and numbers of men are still going there is at this time in the city, four thousand on their march to the camp and virginia is daily Expected - doe my Dear sister most relegiously wish thare was an End to the matter that we might have the pleasure of meeting again-

My Duty to my Dear mamma - and tell her I am very well - I dont hear from you so often as I used to doe at Cambridge - 1 had the pleasure to hear by Colo Aylett that you and all Friends were well and should been glad to have had a line from you by him - I hope Mr Bassett has got the better of his cough long agoe - please to present love to him my Brother and sisters my dear Fanny and the Boy & Except the same yourself

I am my dear Nancy your
ever affectionate sister
Martha Washington

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

Mount Vernon Ladies' Association

My dearest Mamma                         Mount Airy August 21st. 1776

I have the extreme Happiness at last to inform you, that Nelly was safely delivered this Morning about five oClock of a fine Daughter; and It affords Me much Pleasure that I have an Opportunity of transmitting this agreable News so early, I make not the least Doubt but you will heartily join us in the Pleasure We feel on this Happy Event; I wish you were present. You would be much more pleased, if you were to see the strapping Huzze. The other little One was a mere Dwarf to this,Her Cloths are already too smal for Her. She is in short as fine a Healthy, fat Baby as ever was born;

Poor Nelly had a very indefferent Time, her Pains were two Hours long & very severe. She is now thank God as well as can be expected and the Pleasure her Daughter gives Her. compensates for the Pain She has suffered. She has been fortunate in the Weather. It is now very fine, for ten Days last past We have had nothing but Rainy close Weather, - I cannot pretend to say who the child is like, It is as much like Doctor Rumney as any Body else. She has a double Chinn something like His, in Point of Fatness with fine black Hair, & Eyes, upon the whole I think It is as pretty & fine a Baba as ever I saw. This not my opinion alone, but the Opinion of all who have seen Her - I hope she will be preserv'd as a Comfort, and Happiness to us all.

I have been for some Time past in the state of the greatest Anxiety for the Fate of New York, I confess It has engaged my Thoughts so much, that I have not been able to do Anything, my first Wish was to see Nelly safely delivered, my second (has always been) that the General may obtain a compleat Victory over his Enemys, which I sincerely pray God may be the Case. - I am kept in the crudest State of Uncertainty. I have scarcely had a Letter from New York, the Gen has been much kinder than I expected, but the others have very seldom wrote, - I must beg of you to write me everything you can collect relative to the Army at New York & in Canada, and all other News, by every Post - You may get much Intelligence from Colo. Nelson - 1 am sorry I have Nothing to inform you off, Every Thing being quiet (which is I think the best News) since Dunmore left Us - Mr. Calvert's John is just return'd from Annapolis. It is reported & sworn to by Two Deserters, that Dunmore is dead of the Flux (I wish it may be true.) I wrote to the General the last two Posts. I shall write you again next Post, and ask Him to stand with yourself for my little Lady. My Love to Him in which Nelly joins Me. Nelly, the little Lady & Myself write in Love to you

and am dear Mamma your
most affectionate Son
John Parke Custis

The Family send their
Comp to Nelly's & mine
to Mr. Nelson & Lady & Mr Pleion.
For Mrs Washington
in Philadelphia
Upper Marlbo Augt 23d

Autograph Letter Signed

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

Mount Vernon Ladies' Association

My dear Mamma                                     Mount Airy June 9th. 1776

The receipt of your kind Letter by Mr Ross, and the Generals by Post, gave Me the sincerest pleasure to hear You were in so fair a Way of getting favorably through the Smalpox: - the smal Danger attending that Disorder by Innoculation when the patients follow the Directions of their Phycian, has releived Me from much Anxiety, which I doubt less should have felt on the Innoculation of so dear a Mother: - I do with the truest affection congratulate you on and thank God for your recovery - I should have wrote by Mr Nelson but the Want of Time, and Gile’s returning so soon prevented Me, I could only have told you we well had I wrote, which he promised to inform you off - I propose leaving this Place for Williamsburg next Tuesday. I shall stay a Day at Mt Vernon and return as soon as I finish my Business, to be present at a certain Occasion which I beleive is not far distant, as soon as the Lady recovers I shall carry Her to Virginia, as the Family here is rather too Large for ye House, and I beleive the Province of Maryd. will shortly be in a State of the greatest Confusion; the People being much discontented with their convention; and Mr. Calvert takes a Part which I fear will involve Him in many Troubles - Govr Eden sails for England in a few Days, or goes on board a man of War, there are many Tories who would go with Him most willingly, but I hear He has absolutely refused to carry them with Him - It will always give me the greatest Pleasure to hear from you, as I shall Neglect no Opportunity of Writeing you

I am dr Mamma yr. mst
affecte. Son
John Parke Custis

Paper is very scarce
To Mrs Washington
To
Mrs Washington
at Mr. Randolphs
Philadelphia

Autograph Letter Signed

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

Massachusetts Historical Society

Madam                                        Cambridge April the 2nd 1776

You may be assured that nothing would give the General, or me greater pleasure than to wait upon you at dinner this day, - but his time is so totally engrossed by applications from one department and another and (missing) - part in which last I am also concerned and busy - as indeed all the Family are - that it is not in any of our powers to accept your polite and friendly Invitation, nor will it be in my power I am perswaded to thank you personally for the polite attention, you have shewn me since I came into this province, I must tharefore beg your acceptance of them in this way and at this time and that you will be assurd that I shall hold them in greatfull remembrance - I am desired by the General to offer you his sincear thanks for your kind wishes and present his Compliments along with Mr & Mrs Custis and my own to you and Colo Warren - with every Sentiment of esteem I am and shall remane to be

Your much obliged Friend
and Hble servant
Martha Washington

To Mrs Warren
at
Watertown
Docket:
Mrs Washington
April 2d 1776

Autograph Letter Signed

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

Washington Headquarters Library, Department of the Interior

My Dear Sister                         Cambridge January the 31,1776

I have wrote to you several times in hopes that would put you in mind of me but I find it has not had its intended affect and I am really very uneasy at not hearing from you and have made all the excuses for you that I can think of but it will not doe much longer if I doe not get a letter by this nights post I shall think myself quite forgot by all my Freinds The distance is long yet the post comes in very regularly every week --

The General myself and Jack are very well Nelly Custis is I hope getting well again, and I beleive is with child, I hope noe accident will happen to her in going back I have not thought much about it yet god knows whare we shall be I suppose thare will be a change soon but how I cannot pretend to say - A few days a goe Gen. Clinton, with several companyes Sailed out of Boston Harbor to what place distant for, we cannot find out. some think it is to Virginia he is gon, others to New York -they have been keept in Boston so long that I suppose they will be glad for a place where they may have more room as they cannot get out anyway here but by water - our navey has been very successful in taking thair vessels two was taken last week loded with coles and potatoes wines & several other articles for the use of the troops - If General Clinton is gon to New York, - General Lee is there before him and I hope will give him a very warm reception, - he was sent thare some time a goe to have matters put in proper order in case any disturbance should happen, as thare are many Tories in that part of the world or at least many are susspected thare to be unfreindly to our cause at this time - winter hear has been so remarkable mild the Rivers has never been frozen hard enough to walk upon the Ice since I came heer, My Dear sister be so good as to remember me to all enquireing friends - give my Duty to my mam(ma) and love to my brothers and sisters Mr Bassett your Dear Children and self - in which the General Jack and Nelly joins me.

I am my Dear Nancy
your ever effectionate sister
Martha Washington

(Address)
To Mrs. Bassett
at
Eltham
to ye care of
Randolph Esq
Feb 24, 1776
Reed last night
and (missing)

Autograph Letter Signed