George Washington -- revered by Americans for his role as a war hero and president -- died on December 18, 1799.
One month later Eliza Wadsworth of Portland began a correspondence with her father, discussing how she would love a relic from President Washington.
The following is a record of the correspondence, and how a lock of Washington's hair came to be given to Eliza.
The tender words between correspondents reflects both the delicacy of the subject and the deep feelings of a daughter to her father, a father towards his daughter, and both towards George Washington.
