Scope and Contents From the Series: This series contains two personal diaries kept by Molly Elliot Seawell while living in Washington, D.C., and traveling in the United States, Canada, Germany, and France. Themes discussed include her frequent travels, social life, health, personal finance, reading, writing, psychological and emotional life, and recollections from the past. The first diary covers the years 1900 to 1905. The second diary covers the years 1905 to 1914. Both diaries are in very fragile condition. (Formerly Mss....

Scope and Contents From the Series: This series contains two personal diaries kept by Molly Elliot Seawell while living in Washington, D.C., and traveling in the United States, Canada, Germany, and France. Themes discussed include her frequent travels, social life, health, personal finance, reading, writing, psychological and emotional life, and recollections from the past. The first diary covers the years 1900 to 1905. The second diary covers the years 1905 to 1914. Both diaries are in very fragile condition. (Formerly Mss....

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Formerly Mss. Acc. 2001.24B

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Formerly Mss. Acc. 2010.398

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Formerly Mss. Acc. 2010.398

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Formerly Mss. Acc. 2010.398

Scope and Contents From the Series:

This series documents Molly Elliot Seawell's writing career through a variety of materials including business letters, contracts, and contemporary reviews and newspaper clippings. See the folder descriptions for more specific details.

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Formerly Mss. Acc. 2001.24B

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Regarding Molly's book "Papa Bouchard." (Formerly Mss. Acc. 2000.53a)

Scope and Contents These numerous letters cover topics such as offers to publish her books and stories, negotiations over compensation, editors' mistakes, and deliberations behind her authorial decisions, like how to write stories that appeal to specific groups of people. The bulk consists of letters addressed Mr. [Robert Underwood] Johnson, editor at the Century Magazine, in New York. Of particular interest is a July 2, 1895 letter from Molly to Johnson accompanied by copies of two letters between Molly's...

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A continuation of Molly's business correspondence with various editors and publishers, including Mr. Johnson, Mr. Gilder, and Mr. Yarde. A February 15, 1911 letter is accompanied by a typed opinion piece on proposed legislation to increase postage fees on magazine advertisements. Photocopies of originals housed at the New York Public Library and Columbia University Library. (Photocopies formerly Mss. Acc. 2010.398)

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This folder contains the photocopies of five contracts: 1895 for "A Virginia Cavalier"; 1896 for "The Sprightly Romance of Marsac"; 1897 for "The Rock of the Lion"; 1899 for "Gavin Hamilton" and 1912 for "Diego, the Son of Columbus." Originals held at the Columbia University Libraries. (Photocopies formerly Mss. Acc. 2010.398)

Scope and Contents This folder contains a clipping in very fragile condition of Molly's famous text on woman suffrage, "The Ladies' Battle," as published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch on October 16, 1910 (formely in Mss. MsV D37-38). It is possible to consult the microfilm version of the article at Swem Library. The folder also contains photocopies of published reviews on Molly's position on the suffrage question, as well as on her book "The Jugglers." The originals are held at the New York Public Library....

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Molly's aunt, Maria Seawell Edwards (b. 1815) was the daughter of John B. Seawell and Maria Henry Tyler, and thus sister of John Tyler Seawell. Her eighteen-page, handwritten memoir notably discusses the origins of the name "Seawell" and describes family houses, as well as her parents, siblings, and various relatives. (Formerly Mss. Acc. 2000.45 - 2000 Se9)

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Letters addressed to John and Belle regarding the settlement of Molly's estate after her death in 1916 and other family news. Correspondents are Betty Ingles and S. Contesse Smith, one of John Seawell's cousins. (Mss. Acc. 2010.398)

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Notes by an anonymous contributor describing the main content of some letters of the Seawell family present in this collection.

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This folder contains an undated postcard sent by author Elizabeth Gordon Biddle Gordon (born Elizabeth Clarke Gordon) to an unidentified recipient (possibly P. Hairston Seawell, who bequeathed the item) and a 1951 postcard sent to "Mr. Hairston Seawell," Newport News, VA, announcing the publication of Gordon's book "The White Blackbird or Lest Ye Forget." (Formerly Mss. Acc. 2010.398)

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P. Hairston Seawell (1915-2008) was the son of John T. Seawell and Isabella (Belle) Josephine Brady. This folder contains four items from his correspondence with John Joyce Russell (1897-1993), tenth Bishop of Richmond. The documents concern Russell's installation as Bishop in 1958, including the printed program of the ceremony, Russell's new membership in the Virginia Historical Society, and charity work. (Formerly Mss. Acc. 2010.398)

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This folder contains three sketches of Molly Elliot Seawell's childhood home, "The Shelter," in Gloucester VA, made by Mrs. Harwood and sent to Mr. Hairston Seawell on July 29, 1987. An August 31, 1987 letter from Mrs. Harwood to Mr. Seawell further discusses Molly's silver spoon, engraved with her name and an image of her home, "The Shelter." The spoon is now housed in the Special Collections Research Center Artifacts Collection. (Formerly Acc. 2010.398)

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"Sewell Lineage and Arms" from the "Maryland Heraldry" chronicle in the Baltimore Sun, and an undated clipping about the history of the "The Shelter," the Seawell home, before it burned in 1925. (Formerly Mss. Acc. 2010.398)

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One undated portrait of Molly Elliot Seawell's mother, Frances Elizabeth Jackson Seawell, and two unidentified portraits. (Formerly Mss. Acc. 2010.398)

Scope and Contents A two page letter and quotation card, written and signed by Molly Elliot Seawell. Transcriptions were provided by the dealer.Content warnings for derogatory language directed towards people of African descent, and cultural appropriation. The quotation card reads "Molly Elliot Seawell, Washington D.C., December 2nd 1896. The laughing philosopher had attained the goal of all wisdom, while the weeping philosopher stood whimpering at the starting post." The...