Published Articles
John Carlyle and Christ Church - January 2004
Although John Carlyle was a Presbyterian, he and his extended family had a major influence on Christ Church. John Carlyle was responsible for completing the building of Christ Church; and both of his wives had brothers who were Rectors of the church.
Gout: A Colonial Affliction or Man’s “Real Friend”? - February 2004
A November 1774 letter to Charles Little from John Dalton, John Carlyle’s business partner and fellow Alexandria trustee, begins by noting that John Carlyle’s gout currently prevents him from traveling and thus a special power of attorney is being sent to complete a deed transaction.
Global Perspectives: Cuba’s Role in the American Revolution - March 2004
In the annals of history, the involvement of foreign powers in the American Revolution is often limited to the role the French played in aiding the thirteen colonies to sever ties with the mother country, England. France’s animosity over losing their territorial strongholds in North America fueled France’s desire to aid the colonies in securing their independence. However, another global power, Spain, and its island colony south of the North American continent, Cuba, were very much involved in the American Revolution. This is a little known and unacknowledged chapter in American history. In 1762 Spain lost Florida to England and was fueled by a sense of national pride and need for revenge to help the American colonists against the greatest global power.
Charles Carroll, Barrister (1723-1783): Patriot, Statesman, Entrepreneur, Patron of the Arts, and Gentleman - April 2004
Charles Carroll, the barrister (a distant cousin of Charles Carroll of Carrollton, a signer of the Declaration of Independence) was born in Annapolis, Maryland on March 22, 1723, to Doctor Charles and Dorothy Blake Carroll. His mother, Dorothy Blake of Queen Anne’s County, was a member of one of the most prominent families of Maryland’s Eastern Shore. His father, Doctor Carroll, the “Chirurgeon”, was a native of Ireland who arrived in the colonies sometime between 1712 and 1715 and settled in Maryland’s new capitol, Annapolis.
The First Nine Months of 1780: John Carlyle’s Last Days - May 2004
The year 1780 saw the production of two documents of importance in interpreting the life and times of John Carlyle. On April 5 of that year, Carlyle wrote his last will and testament, which provides important information about his personal values (e.g., the importance of a good education and of attending to the needs of the poor) and some of his valuable assets. And, on November 13, an inventory of his household was taken. This document is of immeasurable help in re-furnishing and interpreting John Carlyle’s grand house. But what were the first nine months of 1780 like for John Carlyle?
Sarah Carlyle Herbert: 1827, The End of an Era - June 2004
Sarah Carlyle Herbert, sole surviving child of Col. John Carlyle, died in July 1827. She was 70 years old and, as far as we know, had lived all but 5 or 6 of those years at Carlyle House. Her obituary, published in the August 17, 1827 issue of the Alexandria Gazette, begins by telling us that Sarah died suddenly on Friday night, the 26th of July. However, July 26 was actually a Thursday that year, which leaves us wondering whether it is the day of the week or the date that is correct. The obituary goes on to tell us that she spent the last evening of her life “with her friends in the public worship of her Maker.” She is said to have died “in vigorous old age, and in full possession of her faculties.” Beyond this account, I have, thus far, been unable to confirm the date of Sarah’s death or find information about her funeral or burial. Sarah’s husband, William Herbert, who predeceased her in February 1819, is buried in the 1808 Christ Church cemetery on Wilkes Street, but the large tablet marking his grave does not speak about Sarah.
George William Carlyle and the Battle of Eutaw Springs - July 2004
This article provides a general description of the Battle of Eutaw Springs and expounds upon what is known about George William Carlyle’s involvement in the Revolutionary War and his untimely death in September 1781 at the very young age of 15 (see George William: What Do We Really Know?, Carlyle House Docent Dispatch, April 2000).
Slavery and Manumission Laws in Virginia - September 2004
Slavery played an integral part of life in eighteenth century Virginia. By the time of the American Revolution, Virginia’s population had grown to about a half million persons, of which forty per cent – or about 200,000 people – in the largest and wealthiest colony were enslaved. Today, visitors to historic gentry homes and plantation sites often ask about slavery. Frequently, they want to know, “Did the slave master free any of his slaves?”
John Carlyle and the Lords Fairfax - October 2004
Thomas, the Sixth Lord Fairfax (1693- 1781), Baron of Cameron and Lord Proprietor of the Northern Neck in Virginia, controlled 5,282,000 acres between the Potomac and the Rappahannock Rivers. The Proprietary had been given to his ancestors by King Charles II in appreciation of their service to the crown during the Cromwell era. Thomas succeeded to the title when he was sixteen and gained full control of the Proprietary when his mother died in 1719. However, he left management of the Proprietary to agents like Robert “King” Carter during his early life. When Carter died, Lord Fairfax had his cousin, William Fairfax (1691-1757), transferred in 1733 from being Collector of Customs for Salem, Massachusetts, to being Collector of Customs for the South Potomac. At the same time, Lord Fairfax appointed William Fairfax his agent for the Northern Neck Proprietary of Virginia.
Colonial Elections - November 2004
Controversial elections are not a m o d e r n d a y phenomenon. There were no butterfly ballots or electoral colleges in the eighteenth-century, but elections in colonial Virginia presented their own unique challenges to the democratic process. The House of Burgesses was the only elected body in colonial Virginia. Two burgesses were elected from each county in Virginia, and one from Jamestown, Williamsburg, Norfolk, and the College of William and Mary.
Setting the Scene - December 2004
In the 18th century, the Christmas season was a very social period. Events such as weddings, christenings, engagement parties, and balls were typically held in the h o m e s of wealthy colonists from Christmas to Twelfth Night. Celebrations such as these afforded a hostess a creative outlet for arranging decorations and planning entertainments. The dessert course was the climax of the meal, which was the centerpiece of 18th-century entertainment. A hostess’s reputation would rise or fall on the success of her presentation of this course. Dancing and games were also important components of social gatherings. They were carefully orchestrated affairs that appealed to the theatre loving guests.
