Mistress of Riversdale: The Plantation Letters of Rosalie Stier Calvert, 1795-1821

by Margaret Law Callcott

Winner of the Book Prize from the Maryland Historical Association "A richer reflection of life in early 19th-century Maryland and the Washington environs cannot be found . . . These superb letters are enhanced by able editing, both in footnotes and excellent essays at the beginning and end." ―Washington Post Book World "Callcott is a suberb editor; she has exhaustively researched every aspect of Calvert's life, and her introductory and concluding essays, including an account of George Calvert's relationship with a slave woman, which produced five children, contain much information of interest." ―Elizabeth R. Baer, Belles Lettres "These letters document the timeless elements of domestic life―family relationships, childbirth, illness, househld chores―but they offer far more than the familiar fare of the plantation mistress."―Patricia Brady, The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Biography

432 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1991

Reviews

[Jeff Siperly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoughts:
A little bit of history walking distance from my house. Very cool.
I’ve never been more engaged with a work of non-fiction. Ever.
I couldn’t stand her just as much as I couldn’t stand the character of “Anna Karenina.”
Her shade towards her less-attractive children. Fascinating.
Her passive-aggressive exchanges with her father. Fascinating
I’ve reached my quota of flowery language... I’m good for 2-3 years.
I never want to read/hear the words “pleasure” and “pleasant” again.
Letter writing and delivery between countries was CRAZY back when.
She was so preoccupied with status. I hate those people.
She disliked people who thought highly of themselves yet it seems she never looked in a mirror.
Everything she went through, good or bad, was more intense than the other person going through the same thing.
The last chapter? Wow!!

Fascinating. Fascinating. Fascinating

[Norman Metzger · Rating 5 out of 5]

The wealthy Stier family fled their native Antwerp in 1794 as the Reign of Terror of revolutionary France spread into Belgium. Most of the family returned in 1803. Their youngest daughter, Rosalie, stayed behind, having married George Calvert during her family's stay, pregnant, and responsible for running a mansion in Maryland, Riversdale. What was for Rosalie and her family a wrenching separation has given us through the letters Rosalie wrote to her family an extraordinary history of American life after the Revolution. It is a history from a particular vantage, that of an upper class family seen through the prisms of George Calvert's strong engagement with Maryland politics, Rosalie's with Washington society -- she would travel by coach sometimes more than once a week to Washington to attend social functions (!); and with managing her family's considerable financial doings in the nascent United States, appraising quite sharply the abilities of tutors, physicians, household help, eight pregnancies. Not least taking care of the large collection of Dutch and Flemish artists that her family had brought to America and left behind for Rosalie to protect --Van Dyks, Rubens, Brueghels, and more. She never saw her family again and died at 43. But she left an enduring legacy in her letters to her family, letters carefully edited and organized with rich introductions for each chapter of Rosalie's life by Margaret Law Callcott.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book about woman who was from Antwerp and came over because of French Revolution. Her family all went back when they could, but she had married a plantation owner by that time. She knew all the DC area socialites of the time and does a lot of history book character name dropping. One of her sons went on to found UMD.

The editor does a great job of including things that aren't in the letters and personal details that are known through other writings. This is a great book for anyone interested in the war of 1812 or who lives in the DC area. Her former plantation is now a museum and I hope to go sometime.

[Betsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like an autobiography of the life of Rosalie Stier Calvert through her letters to father, sister, and brother.

[Krista · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating look at the early days of the American republic, as seen through the eyes of an educated woman of European descent.

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

My mom recommended this book to me. The author's descriptions of daily life on a plantation were fascinating. As an outsider, she may have seen more clearly the uniquely American culture of her neighbors. The letters she wrote to her family living in Europe were sometimes poignant as she described her yearning to be reunited with her parents and brother and sister. It reminded me to be thankful that we can travel so easily now.

After reading the book, I looked into the Riversdale Mansion online, and found that they have several events in the coming months. I'm planning to take my mom to a lecture on "Jane Austen in Bath" later this month. It's my thank-you to my mom for introducing me to such an engaging collection of letters.

Right now, non-fiction is the way to go pour moi.

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the best books I've read in a long time. It's about Rosalie Calvert who came to America from Belgium in 1794 when she was 16. She married and and stayed here when her family went back to Europe. She never saw them again. The book is the letters that she wrote to her family from 1803 until her death. Each chapter covers a year or two of letters and begins with an overview of history of those years. I found it fascinating to read a first person account of life in America at that time. I would highly recommend this book, especially if you like history and/or biographies.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

I ran across this book in 2003 when we were visiting the Washington, DC area. It's the letters of a woman that lived in that area during the late 1700's, early 1800's. Extremely interesting. I've read it several times.

[LC Curtis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reads like a novel. Margaret Law Callcott's meticulous research is impressive. Most Marylanders would be interested in this early history of their state and the figures who were movers and shakers back when.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful picture of life in the 19th century. Can be enjoyed with several reads... I've done it! After reading you'll want to visit the Riverdale Mansion... A landmark in the local DC area. A educational and enjoyable read

[Dedee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned about what life was truly like on a southern plantation during the years 1795-1821

[Jennifer]

Interesting to find out about the Calvert Family, especially since I live so close to some of the locations mentioned in detail in her diary entries in the book.

[Melissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

ok- my husband really liked it though

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you are into history or interested in learning more about this era in a different way, this is a good read.

[Marci Wheeler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent research & documentation by the editor! This book should be required reading for every Prince George's County citizen. How sad to see what the county was in the 1800s & what it is now.

[Michele True · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, the research and editing of these letters and story was very well done. I purchased this book as a research tool for my own writing, and I was impressed by Callcott's dedication to history.