Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Use Restrictions

See the University of Virginia Library’s use policy.

Preferred Citation

Papers of the Lewis, Meriwether, and Allied Families, Accession #11024 , Special Collections Dept., University of Virginia Library, Charlottesville, Va.

Acquisition Information

This material was loaned to the Library on November 14, 1991, by Mrs. Charlotte Griffith, of Clarkesville, Missouri.

Scope and Content Information

This collection consists of electrostatic copies of the correspondence and legal papers, 1716(1751-1862), ca. 88 items, of William Douglass (1708-1798), his daughter, Margaret Douglass Meriwether Terrell, and her son, Charles Meriwether, and their extended family.

The Papers of William Douglass contain correspondence and papers directly related to Douglass. Letters, 1787-1791, from Douglass to his daughter "Peggie" are chiefly concerned with the Goochland parish judgment against him for payment for repairs to the Goochland Glebe, with a May 18, 1791 letter that refers to her claim to the house and its furnishings. There is a letter, October 21, 1753, from James Hunter [in Scotland?] to his sister, Nicholas Hunter (Mrs. William) Douglass, noting the similarity of engaging apprentices with the intention of having work done without wages to having it done by Negroes in America. There are several miscellaneous letters, 1762-1797, to William Douglass: James Ingram, Glasgow, Scotland, discussing the story of reconciliation between the Duke of Douglass and the Duchess, meeting them, and their characteristics (January 5, 1761); Anne Milroy and Susanna Heron (Douglass' sisters), Stewarton, concerning their brother Samuel's death and the circumstances (January 9, 1786); Alexander McCaul, Glasgow, Scotland, mentioning changes brought about in America by the revolution (March 16, 1789); Patrick Laurie, [Galloway, Scotland], to his uncle, giving family news and mentioning the state of the country following the emancipation of the British colonies (February 26, 1791); and, Robert Baillie, near Alexandria, Virginia, concerning his journey and having been in the hire of [Thomas] Jefferson until he was chosen Vice- President (December 10, 1797). Letters, 1790-1795, from Charles Cosby contain personal and religious news. Letters, April 17 and July 23, 1793, from James Heron, Richmond, Virginia, to his uncle, refer to the expectation that Europe will make war on the French, the unfortunate people from Cape Francois arriving at the Capes and along the coast, the armed fleet being in Hampton, and merchant ships being at Norfolk and Baltimore. Letters, 1789-1792, from Douglass' grandson, Charles Meriwether, Edinburgh, Scotland, give news of attending medical classes (April 4, 1791), spending the summer with the Laurie family and visiting friends and relatives (August 27, 1791), debating whether to continue to live in Scotland or return to America and mentioning the French establishing a republic and deposing the King (October 13, 1792). Letters, 1774-1789, from Thomas Smith, Shancastle and Dumfries, Scotland, concern financial and estate matters and news of family and friends. Among the legal papers, 1716-1785, are the will, 1716, of [Janet] Douglass; appointment of wife and others as trustees to take care of Douglass' estate in his absence (1761); the will, March 11, 1775, of William Douglass; and, a deed, August 4, 1791, to Douglass' grandchildren for his library after his death. There are also legal papers, 1773-1787, concerning the Goochland parish judgment against him for payment for repairs done to the Glebe.

The Papers of the Lewis, Meriwether, Terrell, and related families contain correspondence and papers of Margaret Douglass Meriwether Terrell and her family. Correspondents include Nicholas Lewis, Thomas Walker Lewis, Charles Meriwether, and Francis Meriwether (1785-1794); and Charles Lewis, Nicholas Lewis, Nicholas Hunter Lewis, Robert Warner Lewis, Charles Meriwether, and Edmund Ruffin (1801-1862). On April 6, 1790, Charles Meriwether, Edinburgh, Scotland, writes to his mother about his travels to Galloway and his stay with the Laurie family. Meriwether also writes to his brother William about farming and fertilizing methods (April 20, 1790) and his marriage to Lydia Laurie and their life together (March 7, 1792). Letters, 1803-1805, from Robert W. Lewis in Jefferson County, Kentucky, concern life there and the Negroes as being pleased with their situation. A letter, December 26, 1832, from David Anderson to Nicholas Hunter Lewis, concerns the purchase of Negroes. On March 15, 1835, Edmund Ruffin (1794-1865) writes to Samuel Overton Minor concerning the Farmers Register and payment. There is also a note, November 18, 1862, from Robert E. Lee to Major Duffy about having a shoe put on his horse. Legal papers, 1789-1817, include a power of attorney from Chiles Terrell and Margaret Douglass Terrell to Charles Meriwether (September 14, 1789); statement of a dispute between Francis Gilmer and Doctor Charles E[verit] (1805); and a petition, n.d., about the deaf and dumb asylum in Charlottesville. The one original document, July 4, n.y., is entitled "Song, composed for the 4th of July and Sung at the Barbacue [sic] held by the Gentlemen of Charlottesville in Honour of the Anniversary of American Independance [sic]" by [MacAfee?].