Related Records

1. letter - April 10, 1841

   Letter headed "Leigh April 10th 1841" from Mary Gilmer at Leigh, near Hardins Tavern, Albemarle County, Virginia to her son John at "High School", Theological Seminary, DC. She mentions the death of President William Henry Harrison and his inaugural address which John had attended and stated that he would have seen three presidents that day if they had been pointed out to him: Harrison, Tyler, and Adams. Talks of family and friends, potential lan...

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2. letter - November 17, 1835

   Letter headed Leigh, November 17, 1835, from Peachy R. Gilmer to Cary Breckinridge and Emma (his daughter) at Catawba, Botetourt County. He describes a business and social trip to Charlottesville with his daughter, Mary Peachy; tells of his plan to go by stage to Richmond and on to Bozrah, Connecticut, where his wife Mary's mother is very ill. Lucy in now home and Frank has returned from living at the University to stay at home for the rest of hi...

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3. Letter - August 7, 1838

   Letter headed "Leigh August 7th 1838" from Emma Breckinridge, visiting her mother, to her husband Cary at home in Botetourt County. News of the trip to Albemarle County;social call from Dr. Minor and Lucy and Dr. Cabell, with doctor's comments about James's head rash (mentioned in an earlier letter to Lucy). Promises bringing sister Peach, nine years old now and cannot read, home for the year to share a teacher with Mary Ann, perhaps other girls...

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4. Letter - December 31, 1836

   Letter headed "Edgemont the last day of December 1836," mailed at Charlottesville, from A. [Ann] H. Gilmer to her cousin, Emma Breckinridge, in Fincastle, Botetourt County. Family news -- tells of the recent marriage of Hugh Minor to Mary Ann Carr and mentions others by first name only. Writing in poor and spelling is worse. (Hugh is spelled Hue)

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5. Letter - February 20, 1843

   Letter headed "Leigh Feb 20th 1843" from Mary Gilmer to her son John Gilmer at Washington College, Lexington, Virginia telling of her plans to rent their house servant (slave) to the Alum Springs [Rockbridge Alum Springs] as "he is an excellent dining room servant, a very attentive nurse and as good a Carriage driver as any in the state, and perfectly honest." She hopes that by working at the Alum springs he will be cured of the consumption he h...

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6. Letter - March 29, 1845

   This letter is a copy dated March 29th 1845 of a letter sent to another person (unknown) and no address on the letter, described by family member Mrs. Jean Showalter as follows: "seems to be from Mary Gilmer to an unknown love. It tells of Lucy [Gilmer] falling ill on January 11 [1845], going to a party on the 21st of January [1845] at Prof. Geo. Tucker's, and never having recovered." The letter contains words by Mary's favorite poet, and she imp...

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7. Letter - May 19, 1837

   Letter dated May 19, 1837 from Mary Gilmer from Hardin's Tavern to her daughter, Lucy, care of Mr. Persico's Seminary in Richmond. Tells of Frank's troubles at the University and complains he seems to lack energy and ambition. Speaks of financial worries; moralizes about behavior and raising children. She shares news about many of the local families including recent illnesses and deaths.

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8. Letter - May 5, 1845

   Letter headed "Richmond May 5th 1845" from Mary M. Cunningham to Emma Breckinridge (addressed to Emma by name only, but Emma is still visiting with her mother at Leigh on this date, see previous letter) offering her condolences in the death of sister Lucy and comments on other deaths in the recent past, and has been asked by Emma to furnish materials and goods for mourning attire and gives instruction on making dresses from the material she is se...

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9. Letter - October 5, 1841

   Letter from William W. Gilmer headed "Leigh Oct. 5th 1841" to his mother Mary Gilmer at Fincastle, Botetourt County, Virginia telling her that he has been very ill but is feeling better now. He details his treatment and recovery. Tells of his best tobacco crop ever, having harvested 34,000 plants at Leigh and 20,000 at the plantation in Nelson County. They used 18 people cutting the tobacco, working long hours in the rain causing him to be sick. ...

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10. Letter of September 30, 1847 from Mary Gilmer to Emma Breckinridge - September 30, 1847

    This letter headed "Leigh Sept 30th 1847" from Mary Gilmer to her daughter, Emma Breckinridge, at Grove Hill near Fincastle Botetourt County, telling of brother William being in Fluvanna assessing the possible sale of this property, a long story about the railroad being located through their property, and the public discussion of the exact location, of the price of 60 shares of railroad stock appreciating from $25 to $60 in a short period, about ...

    Record Type: Archive