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Says they got there a few days ago and that Mr. Powell, Mr. Grey(?), and "brother Llew" have gone to the sale of slaves ("the sale of the negroes"); discusses her visit in Alexandria with her grandparents; Discusses the bad weather in Leesburg and the bad condition of the roads; says their family must economize rigidly; says Mr. Powell found the law business in Alexandria too small, so they will not be moving there; expresses her disappointment at the outcome; gives news of family.

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Scope and Contents Reviews Christmas gifts received by everyone; describes a "reading party"; describes Christmas decorations of the Church; family news. Including note signed from Selina Powell, Leesburg, Virginia, to Rebecca Powell, 1849 December 29, concerning when daughter, Rebecca, is to return home.

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Tells of the recent social events of the area; describes the format of a reading party; says her mother-in-law could not make it to their home because of the snow; asks her how her mother is doing; says there are still small pox in the area; discusses how many servants she has and what each does; says that Rebecca's Uncle George took Cuthbert to an asylum in Baltimore and hopes he will be happier there then when he was "out."

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Gives news of Rebecca's Uncle Richard and Aunt Elizabeth who live in Illinois; says she plans to get a description of the Illinois life from them; gives news of Ellen? who is unwell and is going to a doctor in New York; discusses how Rebecca can get home; describes family activities; says they have been able to do little because of the rain and mud; says she lies on her back all day sewing while her children read to her.

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Scope and Contents Reading parties are the only way she can socialize; reports Maria Grady's death; reports about a big baptist meeting going on there headed by Mrs. Lucket; much town news. 4 pages. letter signed. Including letter signed from Selina Powell, Leesburg, Virginia, to Rebecca Powell, Alexandria, Virginia, January 26, 1850, concerning Rebecca Powell's trip home and Maria Grady's "triumphant death."

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Scope and Contents Speaks of terrible weather; boasts of learning to spin rolls of cotton on a spinning wheel; reports death of Rebecca Gray, Robert Gray's daughter; describes her daily routine; discusses Mary Grady. Including letter signed from "devoted mother," Selina Powell, Leesburg, Virginia, to "Bec," Rebecca Powell, Alexandria, Virginia, January 1850, concerning bad weather, family news, and attendance to the convention.

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Says many in the family have been very sick for a couple of days and that she has had to nurse them; says Minna is now sick; and never had fully recovered from the chicken pox she had before; gives advice of how to be a good guest; advises her on her studies.

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Says she has a toothache but must wait until May to get them pulled; describes a humorous reading party; says there was a case of small pox in the area and that many are being revaccinated. Including letter signed from "mother" Selina Powell to Rebecca Powell. Discusses her travel plans home; tells her to follow her grandparents' advice; gives news of family.

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Expresses joy that her younger siblings are recovering from the measles so well; reports on health of "Grandma" and "Grandpa" Lloyd; gives news of Aunt Rebecca, Jeanie, and Minnie; Tells what she had done each day.

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Inquires about many weddings in Leesburg and about who will need new dresses; speaks of ball thrown by Maria Washington; other city news.

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Gives general description of Henry and discusses the family's move there; discusses the house they will build; advises what they should bring; reports on the emigrants in the area; discusses their travel plans in detail; asks Charlie to bring Newfoundland puppies; gives news of family there.

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Describes presents sent to grandchildren; tells of Christmas scene in Alexandria; wants granddaughters to meet a polite gentleman that impressed her. Including poem, 1852, by R. C. Powell, beginning "'Ours the cross.' Yes it is ours," giving a religious viewpoint.

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Speaks of how she makes embroidery patterns and what colors are preferred; inquires about some of her friends; John Leven Powell says that Brooke? looks badly; aunt Fanny trying to match Brooks with Lucy Gordon; speaks of a Mr. Beverley breaking out around his face and "bleeding profusely".

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Scope and Contents Mr. Gordon? will be a delegate to the democratic convention in Richmond, Virginia; much use of her eyes results in inflammation of her eyelids; "Llangollen" property is deteriorating; much town news and family news; mentions her dower right.

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Speaks of helping Frank and Lucy ? with their new baby; describes female servants and her experiences with them; describes health of her daughters, Harriet, Rebecca, and Minna; reports of a few cases of "cholera"; reports of a good garden.

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Gives a detailed report of Minna's health, expressing hope that her headaches are definitely getting better; tells about people who have visited the family; mentions a desegregated school in "abolition ground"; tells what her sisters have been doing since she left; discusses Rebecca's journey.

Scope and Contents Mrs. Janney's baby died while she was ill; a Mr. Anderson, a Presbyterian Minister, says that his wife, Miss Harper, is a relative of Selina's (her father's Aunt); speaks of Fred's? wedding; tells of episode when she goes to visit a Mrs. Brown?; describes a visit they made to some neighbors; describes Mr. Lombard's house that is being built; reports on the food they are preparing and what is available to them; says the winter goods have still not come in; mentions sewing that her daughters...

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Mentions Fanny's ? wedding; family news; possibility that Rebecca's Uncle Gordon ? might be elected to legislature; family does not wish Rebecca Powell to return home this winter.

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Describes a visit they made to some new neighbors; describes Mr. Lombard's house that is being built; reports on the food they are preparing and what is available to them; says the winter goods have still not come in; mentions sewing that her daughters are doing; news of family and friends.

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Describes their busy preparations for winter; describes their daily routine; says she is glad to have Lucy and Fred stay with them; describes their Sunday school; reports on Scholastics (a servant) who is now reading well; news of family and friends; discusses dresses and styles; asks about Rebecca's Uncle Nelson; mentions that Rebecca's Uncle Gordon was elected; asks about Fan's? wedding and hopes she and William will be happy.

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Speaks of his daughter's trip, whom she should visit, and money matters; hopes to soon reap the financial benefits of his store; mentions Bishop Whitehouse's determination to give the college broad foundations; family news.

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Family news; sleet and bad weather; religious discussion and viewpoints; Lucy and John? have a daughter now.

Scope and Contents From the Collection: Letters and papers of Charles Leven Powell, his wife Selina (Lloyd) Powell and children of Loudoun County, Virginia; Henry, Illinois; Winchester, Virginia; and Alexandria, Virginia.There are also included papers of Charles Leven Powell's father, Cuthbert Powell. Prominent correspondents include Johns Hopkins, Eleanor Agnes Lee, Fitzhugh Lee, George Washington Custis Lee, Mary Anna Randolph (Custis) Lee, Hunter Holmes McGuire and James Monroe.Letters concern Robert Young...

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Scope and Contents Mr. Powell, Charles and Richard Lloyd are busy with new business as "Land Agents"; town of Henry, Illinois now has a newspaper and a steam mill; hopes to have a railroad passing through soon; there is not a decent Church and she wishes to see one built; Lloyd Powell, son of Selina, studies German because there are so many Germans in their town to do business with.

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Scope and Contents Sarcastically teases her sister about differences between lifestyles of "Far West" and the East; Uncle Fred ? went to Springfield to see that railroad went from Peoria through Henry, Illinois; mentions problems with scarlet fever; family news.