George Washington Papers

[Diary entry: 27 March 1798]

27. Morning—Clear & pleasant with but little Wind from So. Wt. Mer. 46. Wind more westerly afterwards clear & still very pleasant and warm. Mer. at 53 at Night & 56 at highest. Mr. Charles Carroll Jun. & Mr. Willm. Lee came to dinner.

Charles Carroll, Jr. (b. 1775), of Homewood, was the son of Charles Carroll of Carrollton. His attentions to Nelly Custis at an Alexandria ball the previous spring set off rumors of romance that were discounted by Nelly, who, although finding Carroll “a pleasing young man,” was left with the impression that he “unfortunately has been told too often of his merit and accomplishments, and it has given him more affectation than is by any means agreeable” (Eleanor Parke Custis to Elizabeth Bordley, 30 May 1797, ViMtvL). With this visit by Carroll the romantic rumors resumed, and to Nelly’s brother, George Washington Parke Custis, GW wrote: “Young Mr. C[ ] came . . . to dinner, and left us next morning after breakfast. If his object was such as you say has been reported, it was not declared here; and therefore, the less is said upon the subject, particularly by your sister’s friends, the more prudent it will be until the subject develops itself more” (15 April 1798, CUSTIS description begins George Washington Parke Custis. Recollections and Private Memoirs of Washington. New York, 1860. description ends , 102).

willm. lee: probably William Lee (1775–1845), of Frederick County, Md., third son of Thomas Sim Lee and Mary Digges Lee.

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