Scope and Contents

A letter, dated July 27, 1835, from James Lee, Williamsburg, Virginia, to Philip Ludwell Lee in Norfolk, Virginia. James Lee begins his letter by expressing his pleasure at knowing that his family is well. He asks Philip if he has yet traveled to Old Point and the Navy Yard. James expresses hope that his “heart” has not “been soiled by any one of those vices which invariably infest commercial towns.” He tells Philip that if he or his mother need money to send word to him.

Scope and Contents From the File:

The following seven documents are compositions written by Philip Ludwell Lee at the College of William & Mary in 1835 or soon thereafter. In-line responses and corrections may be in the hand of Adam Empie, President of the College through 1835

Scope and Contents From the File:

The following seven documents are compositions written by Philip Ludwell Lee at the College of William & Mary in 1835 or soon thereafter. In-line responses and corrections may be in the hand of Adam Empie, President of the College through 1835

Scope and Contents From the File:

The following seven documents are compositions written by Philip Ludwell Lee at the College of William & Mary in 1835 or soon thereafter. In-line responses and corrections may be in the hand of Adam Empie, President of the College through 1835

Scope and Contents From the File:

The following seven documents are compositions written by Philip Ludwell Lee at the College of William & Mary in 1835 or soon thereafter. In-line responses and corrections may be in the hand of Adam Empie, President of the College through 1835

Scope and Contents From the File:

The following seven documents are compositions written by Philip Ludwell Lee at the College of William & Mary in 1835 or soon thereafter. In-line responses and corrections may be in the hand of Adam Empie, President of the College through 1835

Scope and Contents From the File:

The following seven documents are compositions written by Philip Ludwell Lee at the College of William & Mary in 1835 or soon thereafter. In-line responses and corrections may be in the hand of Adam Empie, President of the College through 1835

Scope and Contents

A letter, dated April 15, 1836, from James Lee in Williamsburg, Virginia to Louisa Lee in Norfolk, Virginia. Louisa is in Norfolk with their son, presumably Philip Ludwell Lee, who is ill. It is possible that their son has tuberculosis, as James writes, “the nature of his disease requires that he should keep his body in an erect posture.” James expresses concern for him and for Louisa. He mentions Emeline and how well she is managing the garden and house in Williamsburg.

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A letter, dated March 12, 1837, from Repiton in Wilmington, North Carolina to James Lee in Williamsburg, Virginia. Repiton writes to Lee with news but mainly to ask for a letter of reference to help pave the way for him to marry. The friends and family of his fiancée object to their marriage because Repiton is not yet well known in Wilmington.

Scope and Contents A letter, dated June 8, 1838, from James Lee in Williamsburg, Virginia to his wife Louisa Lee in Norfolk, Virginia. James’s first two paragraphs are heavy hearted. He thinks back to his earlier life when he looked forward to having his children near him to make his old age happier and more comfortable, “but he is gone.” The “he” here is presumed to be the Lees’ son Philip Ludwell Lee. Towards the end of the letter, James praises Virginia, the “only surviving pledge of our early love,” for...

Scope and Contents A letter, dated June 13, 1838, from James Lee in Williamsburg, Virginia to Emeline Teagle in Norfolk, Virginia. Lee begins with concern for Teagle’s health: “To see those cheeks, which, but a few months ago, were decorated with the hue and loveliness of the rose, highlighted and informed by an innocent and playful vivacity, now pale and wan, and shaded with melancholy, awakens all the powerful energies of sympathy, and causes the tears of pity and sorrow, to fall afresh from my grief-dimmed...

Scope and Contents A letter, dated June 27, 1838, from James Lee in Williamsburg, Virginia to Miss Emeline H. Teagle in Norfolk, Virginia. Lee mentions that the property of Emeline’s brother, Edwin, was purchased for $50 by her Uncle William. James says he would have purchased the property had he known. He will, however, contact William and offer $70 and give the property to Emeline. He then refers to a second letter from her that just arrived with which he is very pleased. He compliments her on her...

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A letter, dated August 15, 1838, from George W. Trice, King William County, Virginia, to James Lee, Williamsburg, Virginia. Trice petitions Lee’s help with a legal issue. He needs some additional information to resolve accounts. Trice is clearly frustrated by Lee’s failure to respond to a previous request. He wants to know about the amount due in this case.

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A letter, dated August 22, 1838, from James Lee in Williamsburg, Virginia to Emeline H. Teagle in Norfolk, Virginia. Lee writes of the logistics of his trip. He also mentions Emeline having had several courses of the medication she is now taking and expresses his anxiety over her illness. He asks about [Peter?] and says, “Tell him that I exact of every gentleman a fulfilment of his promise—I shall keep a sharp lookout for him on Saturday night.”

Scope and Contents A letter, dated September 4, 1838, from James Lee in Williamsburg, Virginia to Louisa C. Lee in Hampton, Virginia. James approves Louisa’s plan to stay in Hampton, the advantages being that she can get word about Emeline twice a day and can move quickly to get Emeline’s home should she wish to make the trip. James fears that if Emeline “is brought up contrary to her inclination, she would live but a very little while—should she die in Norfolk (which God forbid) we must do the best we can...

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A fragment of a letter, dated December 10, 1838, from James Lee, Williamsburg, Virginia, to his wife Louisa. James writes of “grief and sorrow.”

Scope and Contents A letter, dated October 15, 1839, from James Lee in Williamsburg, Virginia to Louisa C. Lee in Norfolk, Virginia. James tells Louisa that the letter and bandbox she sent arrived and that their daughter Virginia is very pleased with the frock. He is pleased to hear that she is well and approves of her plan to delay her return home because there is “such an influx of students, every day, to render it unpleasant in traveling, in the Hack, from Jamestown to Williamsburg.” He also fears a “spell...

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A letter, dated September 11, 1840, from James Lee in Williamsburg, Virginia to Louisa C. Lee. James reports to Louisa the news of the death of his friend Captain James Davis. He describes the grief of Davis’s mother-in-law, Mrs. Bingham, and his wife, unnamed. James writes that Doctor Teachy believes Davis died of an “apopletic fit.”

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Undated page of notes from or for a class in rhetoric or logic. Handwriting similar to James Lee’s.

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An undated letter from John Goodall in Bellefield to James Lee in Williamsburg, Virginia. Goodall asks about the health of the Lee family, including Louisa and “young Ludwell.”

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An undated letter from John Page to Edwin Teagle in Norfolk, Virginia. Page writes with news and advice on morality.

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An undated fragment of a letter inviting “Miss Lee,” perhaps Louisa Lee, to visit Mrs. Johnston “Thursday evening at six o’clock.”

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A letter missing its date. A reference to the loss of the Lee’s “sainted son” perhaps indicates this letter is from the summer of 1838, around the time of Philip Ludwell Lee’s death. The letter includes mention of local news about a court case involving some enslaved people.

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An undated letter, presumably from James Lee to Louisa Lee, that appears to be missing its first page. The sender references Emeline and the symptoms of her illness, including nighttime fevers and difficulties breathing.

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An undated letter from James Lee in Williamsburg, Virginia to Emeline Teagle in Norfolk, Virginia. Lee says Louisa Lee, his wife and Teagle’s aunt, has returned safely to Williamsburg but will visit Teagle again soon. Lee reprimands Emeline for going on a long walk and hurting her feet and legs. He asks why she would not write a letter to him.