47139: Martha Washington Autograph Letter Signed "Mrs W

Martha Washington Autograph Letter Signed "Mrs Washington" in the Third Person. One page of a bifolium, 7.5" x 4.75", no place; circa 1780. Addressed to Miss Eliza Schuyler, future wife of Alexander Hamilton. The letter reads in full: "Mrs Washington – presents her best respects to Miss Schuyler. She sends her some very nice powder, which she hopes will be acceptable to her. She is much obliged to Miss Schuyler for the cuffs, and thinks them very pretty. Sunday morn." The letter is accompanied by a letter from George L. Schuyler, dated April 30, 1880 and addressed to Mrs. Van Buren. It provides context and provenance for Mrs. Washington’s letter, reading: "I enclose the scraps of a note I referred to yesterday from Mrs. Washington to Miss Schuyler. It was written at Morristown – Head Quarters of the army in 1780. Miss Schuyler was my aunt and at that time became engaged to Alexr Hamilton, then on Genl Washingtons Staff. They were married the same year." Eliza Hamilton had gone to stay with her aunt in Morristown, New Jersey in early 1780. She met Martha Washington, and the two women quickly became friends. They maintained their friendship throughout their lives, and Eliza once said of Martha, "She was always my ideal of a true woman". Eliza also formed a quick relationship with Alexander Hamilton, and the two were married by the end of the year. Condition: Light uneven toning throughout, with light foxing. Small amount of paper loss at the corners from wax seals. Silked on verso. The letter from George Schuyler has mail folds, along with light toning and soiling. There is a small amount of mounting residue on verso. HID03101062020 © 2020 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved