Name/Title
George C. Washington and Lewis Washington PapersEntry/Object ID
ARC2023.006.001Scope and Content
Collection of papers written to George C Washington, a congressman and descendant of George Washington, and letters written by his son Lewis William Washington, who was a hostage in the John Brown Raid in 1859. Washington became a key witness in the trial that followed.
-Jun 4, 1820 letter adddressed to George C. Washington (Lewis's father) from Samuel Hambleton on the USS Columbus in Gibraltar Bay. Hambleton, one of the first pursers in the Navy, describes his travels and gives his love to George's family, with a special note for Lewis.
-Dec 19, 1823 form letter to George C. Washington from Secretary of War J.H Eaton. States that George's letter recommending the appointment of a Mr. Nichols as a cadet at the US Military Academy was received.
-Feb 28, 1830 letter to George C. Washington from J.H. Eaton stating that the period for recommending cadets for the Military Academy is at hand and asking for recommendations from his district.
-Feb 12, 1830 letter from Jonathan E Woodbridge to George C. Washington. Woodbridge ran the Prospect Hall (Hill) Boarding School in Frederick, MD, and informs Washington that his son Lewis will not be ready to enter Yale next fall and is not as well-taught has his father supposed.
-Oct 30, 1859 letter written by Washington to his cousin (and future wife) Ella from Rippon Lodge. Washington describes how he stayed at the home of Mr. Turner for safety since the raid at Harpers Ferry, as he is an important witness in the John Brown trial. Washington notes his "indisposition incident to my exposure during my confinement for thirty-three hours." (On display in case 29)
-Oct 13, 1864 letter & envelope written by Washington to H Irvine Keyser from Paris. Letter grants permission to marry Washington's daughter Mary Ann.Acquisition
Accession
2023.006Source or Donor
Jefferson County Historical SocietyAcquisition Method
TransferArchive Details
Date(s) of Creation
1820 - 1864Archive Notes
Appraisal: Lewis Washington's 1859 letter was appraised for $8500 on 11/15/2022 before the documents were donated to the Jefferson County Historical Society.
Level of Description: Collection