A Lady’s Secretary
In the 18th century, a “secretary” was also a synonym for a writing desk. Also, in the 18th century, communication between individuals (if not spoken) was via pen and paper. Specifically quill pen, ink and handcrafted paper. These items were expensive, and generally unavailable to all but people of means. It counted for the high illiteracy rate in the young United States. As the costs of pens, ink, paper and the associated accoutrements became more affordable, by the end of the USA’s first century, the majority of its citizens could read and write.
But in the 1700s, as might be expected, it was the boys in the family who had the opportunity and monies for education. If a girl did not/could not read or write, no matter. Better she could bake a pie.
Martha Washington received basic book-leaning. She could also bake a pie.
Mount Vernon Furniture
Mount Vernon, the home of the Washingtons for more than 40 years, was high on the list of upscale housing. It was already well situated and nicely furnished when George brought his bride there in 1759. It got better and better as time went on.
When Martha’s first husband died, Martha (the Widow Custis) managed most of her own business Correspondence, perhaps with some help from her brothers. Once she married George Washington, he managed most of her business correspondence as well as his own. And he had much better penmanship. As a member of Virginia’s House of Burgesses, he had governmental correspondence. He had property and tenants. He had plantation interests. He had family concerns. His correspondence was continual, and it was not unusual for him to spend several hours a day at his desk.
His “secretary” was elaborate and expensive. He purchased it in Philadelphia in 1790 from the French Minister.
It featured a suitable writing surface, with plenty of room for quills, pens and inkwells, his seals and sealing waxes, blotting paper, and his candlestick and candles. It also contained numerous drawers in varying sizes, for bills, receipts, notebooks, account books, and even some personal papers and whatever its owner wished to keep at hand. And always, there were a variety of “secret” nooks and crannies for the utmost privacy.
A lady’s “secretary,” on the other hand might have some of those features, but more often than not, it was a lower piece of furniture, with a smooth writing surface, and fewer drawers and cubbies for accoutrements.
18th Century Correspondence in General
Both Washingtons maintained active correspondence with a wide range of recipients other than business interests. George and Martha were both the eldest of five who lived to maturity. Letters between siblings were frequent. As their respective families grew, letters to the next generation were also frequent. Then of course, there were letters to friends and neighbors. In Martha’s case, once the American Revolution was underway, and she traveled each winter to join the General wherever his headquarters were, she made many new friends and acquaintances along her route. Some of them remained her friends – and correspondents – for life.
Correspondence was more than just an exchange of news, invitations or keep-in-touch activities. Letters were meant to be kept. To be read, and re-read, perhaps regularly, especially from ones you loved. Correspondence was also a form of entertainment in those days. Books were fairly scarce, and radio, television, and the internet would have boggled George and Martha’s imaginations.
Responding to letters was usually an evening activity for women – after the children were bedded down for the night, and the dishes and household chores were completed. Out came the paper and quill, for a long “visit” with your dear friends. Once children were grown, the lady of the house had more latitude as to when to communicate. Of course men could create their own schedules for business correspondence.
Martha’s Desk
In 1790, after spending two years in New York City, the new-USA capital was moved to Philadelphia while “Washington DC” was being built. At the time, the Comte de Moustier, the French Minister to the US, was returning to a turbulent France, and was selling several of his possessions. Along with GW’s desk (above) was this small desk. It featured tambour panels which were designed to slide in grooves to reveal compartments for storage. The writing surface also lifts up to conceal the insides. The Washingtons purchased it with personal funds in 1790 as a desk for Mrs. W.
The Death of George Washington
George Washington was just shy of his 68th birthday when he died in December, 1799. He was only sick for two days. It was a surprise and shock to all. His wife of 40 years was devastated.
It was also customary in the 18th century to destroy personal letters, particularly after the death of a spouse. This relationship is private, to be kept as such. As an aside, when Abraham and Mary Lincoln left Springfield, they burned their private correspondence.
Thus Martha Washington burned all the letters between her and her husband.
Martha’s Will
Martha Washington survived her husband by two and a half years, deeply grieved and in gradually failing health. Her children had all died, but she had four surviving grandchildren. Some months before her death, she made her will. In addition to her dowered property, and the assignments made per her husband’s will, Martha had several personal items to bequeath to close family members.
To her granddaughter Martha (Patsy) Parke Custis Peter, she left her writing table. Some time later, a family discovered two letters from George to his wife that somehow fell behind a drawer. Addressed to “his Dearest,” they were written when he assumed the position of General of the Continental Army.
Posterity could have no finer souvenirs. They are the only letters from him to her to survive.
Sources:
Brady, Patricia – Martha Washington: An American Life – Viking, 2005
Fraser, Flora – The Washingtons” George and Martha “Join’d by Friendship, Crown’d by Love – Alfred Knopf, 2015
https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-01-02-0003
https://www.britannica.com/topic/secretary-furniture
https://www.mountvernon.org/george-washington/the-other-special-relationship/french-objects/
