Letter, "A Society of Females" to Martha Washington, February 14, 1800

Death of George Washington

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 postscript for a lock of Martha’s hair. Martha was evidently touched by the letter and fulfilled the request, because the young women wrote back several weeks later to thank Martha for her response’s 'invaluable contents' (image courtesy of Mount Vernon Ladies' Association).

Julia Bowen, Mary B. Howell, Sarah Halsey, Abby Chace

1800-02-14

eng

A-831

The Martha Washington Collection, Mount Vernon.