Scope and Contents Sending shirts to Lucy for repair via Mr. Johnson. Provides instructions. Weather has been bad, but his cold is gone. Henry Burwell is sick and of some trouble to Lucy and Mr. Wilmer. Hopes Georgy is better. He is clerk in the 2nd Auditor department and doing a good job, but working below his abilities. Chief clerk would like to promote him. Would relish a promotion and cares only for the increased salary it will bring. Hears nothing of consequence about Williamsburg except “the Yankees have...

Scope and Contents Encloses a check for $25. Promises to send more. Disturbed that they can’t find fresh provisions and fears they will become scarcer. Prices for board are rising. Heavy rains and thunderstorms. Minnigerode received a letter from his daughters. Sending letter by Gilmer or Semple and will try to send some sugar via Gilmer soon. Mentions Georgy, Breck and “darling Lucy Page.” Offers remembrances to Dr. Martin and the Visitors {?}.(?). Mrs. Coleman servants, Bella, Mira and Beverly have run off....

Scope and Contents

Sending 10 pounds of sugar, 10 pounds of rice, some paper, spools of cotton, shoestring, and candy for the grandchildren. Encloses a $25 check. Went to see Lizzie Ewell. She wasn’t at home. Weather cold and clear expecting snow or hail. “I have not heard from Bob, have you?”

Scope and Contents Weather is bad. Has not gone out, not even to church. “… the devil has been permitted to rule the weather for 6 or 7 weeks.” Wrote Bob and received a reply. He had been suffering from diphtheria but has recovered entirely. Treated by Dr. Robert Madison of “the Institute” who was formerly a student “of the first order.” Upset that Breck is sick and his hearing is affected. Gratified to hear of Col. Martin’s promotion and marriage. Has seen Mr. Semple. He would love to visit them, but wants to...

Scope and Contents Snow storm, nearly 12 inches deep, the deepest in 20 or 30 years. Offices are closed. Sorry to hear that Ann and Mary are sick. Col Randolph Harrison who told him, according to Mr. George Wise, that Lelia was very sick. Has not heard the same from Mr. Wilmer. Assumes Wise is mistaken. John Gilmer to carry a shirt in need of repair next trip. Sending 4 pairs of summer stockings for darling Lucy Page. Cannot get the eggplant seed she requested...but will keep trying. Dr Coleman has resigned,...

Scope and Contents

Distressed to hear that Ann and Mary are still sick. Sending 5 pounds of sugar, some soda, and a few “dough nuts for the darling children” and a harmonica for Georgy and Breck and a fan for Lucy via Mr. Wilmer. Not been able to procure the egg plant seed. Reports no news of consequence from Williamsburg. Heard a sermon from Minnigerode and saw Bishop Johns confirm people at St. Paul’s. “I hope you have heard from Bob.”

Scope and Contents From the Collection:

This collection consists of 66 letters written by Robert Saunders of Williamsburg, Virginia to his wife Lucy Burwell Saunders (60 letters) and his daughters Lucy Page Saunders (three letters) and Roberta P. Saunders (two2 letters) from 1829-1867. There is also a letter written on May 4, 1847 to Overton Bernard, the father of College of William and Mary student Jesse Talbot Bernard.