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HISTORICAL  MAGAZINE  '• 


Volume  2,  Series  2 
1922 


EDITORS 
J.  A.  C.  CHANDLER  E.  G.  SWEM 


^ 


President  William  and  Mary         Librarian  William  and  Mary 
College  College 


Published  Quarterly  by  William  and  Mary  College  at 
Williamsburg,   Va. 


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CONTENTS 


JANUARY,  1922.    VOL.  2,  No.  1. 

The  Petersons,  Claibornes  and  Harrisons,  and  some  of  their  Con- 
nections.    Edited  by  Clayton  Torrence 1 

John  Binns  of  Loudoun.    By  Rodney  H.  True 20 

William  and  Mary,  the  First  American  Law  School.     By  Robert 

M.  Hughes 40 

Origin  of  the  Pegram  Family  in  the  United  States,  and  History  of 
the  Same  During  the  Eighteenth  Century.    By  Henry  Pegram, 

of  the  New  York  Bar 49 

James  Boisseau.     By  Sterling  Boisseau 71 

Genealogical  Queries  72 

Lieutenant  Spencer  73 

APRIL,  1922.    VOL.  2,  No.  2 

Remarks  of  R.  W.  Moore,  upon  George  Johnston 75 

Colonel  Tatham  and  other  Virginia  engineers.  By  A.  J.  Morrison  81 

Charlotte  County,  Va.  By  W.  S.  Morton 85 

Cuthbert  Bullitt.  By  Inman  Homer 89 

Will  of  William  Parks,  with  note  by  L.  C.  Wroth 92 

Gifts  to  distinguished  citizens,  principally  Virginians,  authorized 

by  the  General  Assembly,  or  Council  of  Virginia,  1780-1860..  97 

William  and  Mary  College  in  1774 101 

Christ  Church,  Norfolk,  bell  and  clock.  By  H.  B.  Bagnall  and  R. 

M.  Hughes  114 

The  McCarthy  family.  By  A.  L.  Keith 119 

Bell-Jones-Lee  note.  By  Trist  Wood 133 

Taliaferro  family.  By  W.  B.  McGroarty 134 

Gibbons  family.  By  E.  T.  C 136 

Notes  and  queries — Statham,  Wood,  Ballou,  Shackleford,  Lacock, 

Fox  families  137 

Home  manufactures  in  Virginia  in  1791,  Letters  to  Alexander 

Hamilton 139 

Letters  of  Henry  Lee  to  Alexander  Hamilton 147 

JULY,  1922.    VOL.  2,  No.  3 

Virginia  Patents.  A.  J.  Morrison  149 

Letters  Written  by  Mr.  Moray,  a  Minister  to  Sr.  R.  Moray,  from 

Ware  River  in  Mock-jack  Bay,  Virginia,  February  1,  1665 157 

The  Will  of  Joseph  Pollard  of  King  and  Queen  County,  Virginia. 

By  Mary  Pollard  Clarke 162 


iv  CONTENTS 

McCarthy  Family   (continued).     By  Arthur  Leslie  Keith 162 

Wright  Family.     By  Maggie  McManaway 180 

Some  Stafford   Records 183 

Queries 184 

The  Birth-Place  of  Bishop  Madison.     By  Charles  B.  Kemper 185 

Letters   of   John    Preston 187 

Col.  Charles  Lewis , 194 

Battle  of  Williamsburg,  Va.,  May,  1862 195 

Roving  Business.     By  A.  J.  Morrison 198 

Report  of  Executors  of  Estate  of  William  Parks,  the  First  Printer 

in  Virginia  202 

William  and   Mary   College 210 

Hampden-Sidney  College   : 211 

Petitions  from  Albemarle  for  Emission  of  Paper  Money 213 

John  Norton  &  Sons 217 

i 
OCTOBER,  1922.     VOL.  2,  No.  4 

Fredericksburg,  Her  People  and  Characters.    By  R.  R.  Howison . . .  221 
The  Democratic  Societies  of  1793  and  1794  in  Kentucky,  Pennsyl- 
vania and  Virginia   239 

Letters  of  Robert  Pleasants,  Merchant  at  Curies,  1772 257 

James  Macartney.    By  A.  J.  Morrison 276 

Queries 279 

Reviews    of   New    Books 282 

Rev.  John  Lyon  tried  by  a  Court  Martial  in  Accomack  County, 

August  8,  1781.    Contributed  by  Robt.  B.  Munford,  Jr 285 

Inspection  of  Wheat 288 

Naval  Office  on  the  Potomac. .,  .  292 


INDEX 


Abbott,  Mr.,  230,  231. 
Academicus,  pseud.,   101-113. 
Accomac  Co.,  51,  52,  124,  151,  152, 

284,  285-288. 
Acquia  Creek,  129. 
Adam,  James,   293. 

Robert,   293,    294,   295. 
Adams,  — ,  147. 
Adams,  John,  86,  176. 
Samuel,  177. 
Wesley,  30. 
William,    151. 
Addison,  Works  of,  76. 
Agriculture,  history  of  in  Va.,  36. 
in  Loudoun  Co.,  20-39. 
Albemarle   Co.,   137,   151,.  153,   154, 

155,  194,  213-216. 
Albemarle  Parish,  136. 
Alburtis,  Wm.,  99. 
Alexander,  Ann,  28. 

John,  29,  215. 
Robt.,  183. 
Alexandria,   25,  31,  38,   75,  76,  82, 

151,  153,  288,  291,  292-295. 
Algebra,  43. 
Alien  laws,  162. 
Allday,  John,  85. 
Mary,  85. 

Alleghany  mountains,  240,  244. 
Allen,  Daniel,  73. 

John,  129,  215. 
Mary  H.,  73. 
Thomas,  122. 
William  H.,  97. 
Allison,  Ann,  169. 

John,  169,  291. 
Ramsay,   293. 
Robert,  291. 
Allphin,  John,  215. 
Alman,  Mrs.,  70. 
Almand   Tavern,  228,  229. 
Almond,  Edward,  87. 
Ambler,   Richard,    205. 
Amelia  Co.,  4,  5,  136. 
American  Museum,  44. 
Amherst  Co.,  8,   153. 
Andrews,  Benjamin,  66. 
Robert,  46,  210. 
Annapolis,  94,  282. 
Apalachtan  mountains,  240. 
Apple  cutter,  155. 


Appomattox  River,   16,   17,   50,   52, 

53,  57,  82. 
Apprentices,  55. 
Arbuckle,  James,  288. 
Archer's  Hope  Creek,  51,  53. 
Archimedian  screw,  153. 
Arell,  Richard,  293. 
Samuel,  293. 
Arlington  Co.,  75. 
Armenian's  magazine,  29. 
Armistead,  William,  150. 
Arnold,  Samuel,  151. 
Asbury,  James,  180. 

Nt«ncy  Wright,  180. 
Ashland,  223. 
Ashton,  R.  W.,  291. 
Astronomy,   43. 
Atchison,  Adam,  183. 
Athawes,  Edward,  207. 
Atherold,   Hannah,   128. 
Atherton,  Daniel,  150. 
Atkinson,  — ,  271. 

Roger,  11,  264,  269. 
Attakullah,  83. 
Atwell,  Mary,  225. 
Augusta  Co.,  153,  155,  185,  186,  280. 
Austin,  Elijah,  200. 

Emily  M.  B.,  201. 
J.  E.  B.,  199,  201. 
Mildred,  279. 
Moses,  199. 
Moses  &  Co.,  199. 
Stephen,  199. 
Stephen   F.,  199,  201. 
Austinville,    201. 
Avera,  Thomas,  145. 
Avery,  Miss,   19. 

George  D.,  152. 
Axes,  274. 
Aylett,  Philip,  169. 

William,  169. 
Babb,  Elizabeth,  137. 
Backhouse,  John,  217. 
Bacon  Castle,  14. 
Bacon,  Langston,  87. 
Badham,  Lieut.  Col.,  196. 
Bagnall,  H.  B.,  114-118. 
Bagwell,  HIckerson,  145. 
Bailey  Creek,  3. 
Bailey  family,  280. 


vi  INDEX 

Bailey,  Absalom,  144. 

Ann,  280. 

Henry,    280. 

Roger  Cock,  87. 

Simson,  176. 

William,  216. 
Baird,  Absolem,  249. 
Baker,  Col.,  49. 

Daniel,  49. 

Mary  S.,  63. 

Mary   Scott,  49. 

Wm.,  291. 
Ball,  Barton,  174. 

Frances  Ravenscroft,  173. 
James,  174. 
Joseph,  128,  173. 
Mary,   128. 
Sarah,  128,  168. 
Sinah,  129. 
William,   128. 
Ballon,  Leonard,  138. 

Rice  Meredith,  138. 
Ballthrop,  John,  153. 
Baltimore,  14. 

flour  trade,  289,  290. 
Baly,  John,  215. 
Baptists,   278. 
Barber,  Ann,  128,  171,  172,  179. 

Charles,  172. 

Frances     Glasscock,     172, 

179. 
Barbour,  James,  100. 

Philip   P.,   43. 
Barclay,   Thos.,   291. 
Barge,  Jacob,  25. 
Barilla,  150. 
Earley,  25,  158. 
Barnes,  Abram,  131. 

Sarah,  131. 
Barrett,  Rebecca,  69. 
Barren,  James,  149,  152,  154. 
Barry,  Mr.  258. 

Amelia,  169. 

William   T.,   43. 
Barterbrook,   185,    186. 
Barton,  R.  T.,  51. 
Bason,  Jacob,  137. 
Bassett,  Anna  Maria   (Dandridge), 
8. 

Burwell,  8,  19,  171. 

Elizabeth,  19,  171. 

Elizabeth  McCarty,  171. 

John,  7,  8. 

Bateman,  Benjamin,  180. 
Susanna,   180. 
Bath,  57. 
Bath,  N.  C.,  277. 
Bathing  vessel,   151. 


Bathurst,  Sir  Edward,  16. 
Lancelot,  16. 
Lord,    6,    16. 
Susannah,  16,  17. 
Battaile,  Mary    (Thornton),   134. 
Batte  family  notes,  5. 
Batte,  Frederick,  5. 
Henry,  3. 
John,  5. 
Martha,  5. 
Mary,  5. 
Robert,   5. 
Robert,  Jr.,   5. 

Batteaux  on  James  river,  153. 
Batton,   James,   183. 
Bayard,  — ,  148. 
Bayley,  Benjamin,  92. 

Robert,   124. 
Baylis,  Robert,  175, 
Beale,  Hannah,  128. 
Sarah,  128. 
Thomas,  128. 
Beatty,  Andrew,  132. 
Margaret,  132. 
Winifred,    168. 
Beauchamp,  David,  153. 
Bedford  Co.,  180,  181,  182,  279. 
Beef,  242. 
Beehives,  155. 
Belew,  Peter,  215. 
Bell,   Mr.,   136. 

Ciscelia  Fendall,  69. 
John,  133. 
Mary,  133. 
R.  H.,  98. 
Belles  Lettres,  43. 
Bellfield,  98. 
Bellini,  Charles,  46. 
Bells,  Christ  Church,  114-118. 
Benizet,  Anthony,  266,  270. 
Bent,  John,  215. 
Berkley,  11,  18,  19. 
Berkeley  Co.,  99. 
Bermuda    Hundred,    53. 
Bernard,  Benjamin  B.,  150. 
Berry,  William,  215. 
Billington,  Barbara,  119,  124. 
Carty,  125. 
Elitia,  124. 
Eliza,   124. 

Elizabeth,   119,   123,   175. 
Jane,  124. 
Luke,  119,  123,  124,  125, 

127. 

Mary,  124. 
Billstein,  Nathan,  282. 


INDEX 


vii 


Binns,  Ann,  29,  30. 

Anne  Alexander,  30. 
Catharine  Alexander,   30. 
Charles,   Jr.,    26,    27,   28,    29, 

30. 

Dewanner,  35,  36. 
family,   27. 

John  Alexander,  20-39. 
Simon    Alexander,    30. 
Susanna  Pearson,   30. 
Thomas  Neilson,  30,  35. 
Will?.am,  27,  36. 
William   Alexander,   29,    30. 
Birchett,  Jane,   68. 
Robt.,  68. 

Bird,  Francis  Otway,  99. 
Bitterley,  94. 
Bixby  collection,  81. 
Black,  Si.muel,  216. 
Blackerby,  James,  171. 
Blacklock,  Eliza,  169. 
Blackstone's  commentaries,  41,  42, 

47,  48. 

Blakeney,  Gabriel,  249. 
Bland  Co.,  184. 
Bland,  Richard,  76. 
Blandford,  53,  57,  72. 
Blount,  Washer,  293. 
Board,  John,  180. 
Board  of  public  works,  81,  82. 
Boats,  improvement  in,  153. 

propelling,  150,  152. 
Bobbitt,  William,  3. 
Bodley,  Thomas,  243. 
Boisseau,  Ada  Cousins,  72. 

Erma  Robinson,  72. 
James,   71,   72. 
Dr.  James  P.,  72. 
James  W.,  72. 
John,  72. 
Preston,  72. 
Sally,  71. 
Sterling,  71,  72. 
Boiling's  Point,  17,  57. 
Bolton,  Amos,  150. 
Book  trade,   149. 
Books,  36. 

Botetourt  Co.,  151,  191. 
Bott,  Colo.  John,  10. 

IViiss,  10. 
Bouldin,  Thomas,  87. 

Wood,   88. 
Bowden,  Wm.,  184. 
Bowden  &  Farquhar,  205. 
Bowdoin,  Presson,  184. 
Bowling  Green,  164. 
Boye  map,  81. 


Bozeley,  Nancy,  177. 

Thomas,   169,  179. 
Bradford,  David,  248,   249,  251. 

John,  251,  253. 
Braehead,  221. 
Brafford,  Elizabeth,  85. 

John,  85. 
Brannan,  — ,  173. 
Brayton,  Patience,  259,  261,  262. 
Breckenridge,    John,    41,   188,   189, 
243,  248,  253. 

Robt.,  251. 

Brent,  Benjamin,  183. 
Charles,  183. 
George,   183. 
John,  291. 
Richard,  34. 
Capt.  William,  183. 
Brentsville,  89. 
Brewing,  157. 
Brian,  John,  215. 
Brick  apparatus,   150. 
Brick  cornices,  151. 
Brickmaking,  152. 
Bricklayers,  62. 
Bricks,    155. 

Bridge  water    (battle),  98,  100. 
Bridges,  frame,  151. 
Bridles,  151,  153,  155. 
Briggs,  — ,  271. 

Nancy,  271. 

Bristol,   merchants,   202,   204. 
Bristol  Parish,  3,  4,  49,  52,  53,  54, 

59,  62,  63,  68,  72. 
Brit,  Jno.,  215. 
Briggs  Point,  115. 
Brlget,  James,  215. 
British  debts,  213. 
Britt,  Obadiah,  215. 
Broaddus,   Edward,   216. 
Broadus,  Rev.  Andrew,  162. 
Brooke  Co.,  151. 
Brooke,  George,  253. 

Geo.  M.,  98,  100. 

Robert,   187. 

Brookman,  Samuel,  215. 
Brooks  family,  184. 
Brooks,  James,  215,  267. 

James  Murphy,  184. 

Luella,  184. 

Mary,  184. 
Biown,  Miss,  7. 

Brightberry,  151. 

Burrell,  2,  3. 

Edmund,  152. 

Geo.  McAdam,  150. 

James,   239. 

Jeremiah,  2,  3. 


viii 


INDEX 


John,  41,  45,  215. 

Maria,  199. 

Saml.   Montgomery,   291. 

W.,  291. 

William  Burnet,  7. 
Browne,  Betty  Carter,  8. 

Judith,  8. 

Browne  family  of  Salem,  Mass.,  7. 
Bruce,  P.  A.,  56. 
Brunson,  David,  137. 

Elizabeth,  137. 
Brunswick  Co.,  2,   3,  4,   9,   16,   17, 

1*52    280 

Bruto'n  Parish,  56,  59,  61,  162. 
Bryan,  Benjamin,  60. 

Guy  M.,  201. 

James,  201. 

John  T.,  178. 
Bryant,  John,  85. 

Milliner,  85. 
Buck-eye,  163. 
Buckley,  Butler,  86. 
Buckner,  John,  282. 

Capt.  Mordecai,  86. 
Elizabeth,   16. 
Bullington,  George,  124. 

Nicholas,  124. 
Robert,  124. 
Bullitt,  Benjamin,  89. 

Cuthbert,   89-91,   131. 

Joseph,  89. 

Sarah,  89. 

Thomas,   89,   90. 
Bumpass,  Diggs,  87. 
Burch,  Joseph,   215. 

Samuel,  215. 
Burges,  David,  215. 
Burgess,  Philip,  169. 
Burke,  Edmund,  79. 
Burnley,  Elizabeth,  133. 
John,   214. 
Mary,  133. 
Zachary,   133. 
Burnett,  Boling,  216. 

Joseph,   215. 

William,  7. 
Burns,  Mary,  127. 
Burr,  Aaron,  49,  63. 
Burton,  Thomas,  285. 
Burwell,  Miss,  130. 
Busby,  Jos.,  291. 

Wm.,  291. 
Bush,  George,  183. 
Bush  river,  264,  266,  267,  269. 
Buster,  Claudius,  215,  216. 

John,  215. 


Butler,  Edward,  215. 

Jonathan,  281. 

Lawrence,   170. 

Sarah  Morgan,  281. 
Butts,  Augustine,  14. 
Daniel,  14. 

Daniel  Claiborne,   14. 
Jobn,  14. 

Louisa,   14. 

Martha,    14. 
Mary  Ann,  14. 
Mary  Harrison,  14. 
Burials,  registration  of,  55. 
Buxton.  James  B.,  115. 
Byrd,  William,   138,   269. 
Cabell,  John  J.,  151. 

N.  F.,  36,  37. 
Cadwallader,  Gen.,  100. 
Cage,  Benj.,  86. 
Cain,   Daniel,   216. 
Caldwell,  P.,  253. 
Caldwell  &  Mease,  265. 
Calf  skins,  270. 
Callahan,  Griffin,  284. 
Campbell,   Mr.,   249,   251,   253. 
Jno.,  256. 
Col.,  William,  97. 
Canal   digging,  154. 
Candle  making,  151. 
Canoes,  154. 
Capitol  building,  56. 
Capon  Bridge,  72. 
Carberry,  Mary,  183. 
Carlyle,  John,  293. 
Carmichael  family,  233. 
Carmichael,    James,    232,   233,   234, 

235,  237. 

Caroline  Co.,  151,  162,  16S,  164. 
Carr,  William,  125. 
Carrington,   Edward,   139-144. 
Carrollton,  111..  66,  70. 
Carson,  Hampton  L,,  40-48. 
Carter,  Ann,  18,  19,  171. 

Barnett,  215. 

Charles,   8,   19,   183. 

James,  170. 

Col.  John,  83. 

Judith,   8. 

Lavinia,  173. 

Mary,  8. 

R.  A.,  293. 

Thos.,    176,    203. 
Carty,  Dennis,  123. 
Honora,  176. 
Gary,  Robert,  202. 
Cash,  Peter,  183. 
Casinove,  — •,  148. 
Cate,  Gyles,  124. 


INDEX 


IX 


Catocktin  mountain,  27. 
Cattle,  159. 
Cawood,  Sally,  169. 
Cawson's  field,  52. 
Cedar  Grove,  130. 
Cedar  Lane,  71,  72. 
Chamberlayne,  C.  G.,  4,  59. 
Thomas,    202. 
Chamre,  William,  183. 
Champlain   (Lake),  battle,  98. 
Chancellorsvilie,  228. 
Chapin,  Benjamin,  293. 

Gurdon,  291. 
Charlotte  Co.,  85-88,  150. 
Charlotte,  N.  C.,  49,  67. 
Charles  City  Co.,  16,  17,  51,  52,  54, 

57,  58,  ol,  62. 
Charles  river,  51,  52. 
Cbarlottesville,  Va.,  130. 
Chatham,  228. 
Chermeson,  Joseph,  59. 
Cherokee  Indians,  194? 
Cherokee  Sketches,  83. 
Chesapeake  Bay,  50. 
Chesapeake  &  Ohio  Canal,  82. 
Chescake  river,  53. 
Chester  Co.,  Penn.,  37. 
Chesterfield  Co..   .9.   10,   11,   17,   59, 

64. 

Chew,  E.,  135. 
Chicfcester,  — ,  170. 

Daniel  McCarty,  130. 
Doddridge  Pitt,  129. 
Richard,   131. 
Sarah,  129,  130. 
Chickahominy  river,  50. 
Childress,   Benj.,   85. 

Susan,  85. 
Chinn,  Ann,  121,  131,  174. 

Bartholomew    Carter,    174. 
Katherine,  175. 
Rawleigh,  174,  175. 
Chippewa    (battle),  98. 
Chisel's  Mines,  199. 
Chisholm,  Elijah,  136,  137. 

James,  136. 

John,  136,  137. 

Lucy,  136. 

Miss,   136. 
Chiskiack,  52. 
Chisum,  see  Chisholm. 
Chiswell's   Mines,   199. 
Chocolate,   270. 

Christ  Church,  Norfolk,  114-118. 
Christian,  Francis,  175. 
Christian's  Creek,  185,  186. 
Christy,  Robert,  151. 
City  Point,  11,  53. 


Clack,  James,  11. 

Claiborne,  Augustine,  1,  4,  6,  8,  9, 

10,  14,  16,  18,  19. 
Bathurst,  6,  10,  16. 
Bernard,  6. 
Butler,  6,  8,  9. 
Cadwallader,  8. 
Charles,  14. 
Daniel,  14. 
Elizabeth,    1,    4,   15. 
Ferdinand  L.,  10. 
Frederick,  8. 
Gray,  8. 
Nathl.,  10. 

Herbert,  6,  7,  8,  10,  18. 
John,  8. 

John    Herbert,    6,    9,   11. 
Joseph,   215. 
Len,  6. 
Lucy,   8. 

Lucy  Herbert,  15. 
Maria,   14. 
Martha,  14. 
Mary,  11,  14,  19. 
Mary    Herbert,  1,  7,    15, 

16,  17. 

Mary  Leigh,  10. 
Mary   (Maury),  14. 
Mathew,    14. 
Matthew  Murry,  14. 
Nancy,  14,  15. 
Richard  Cook,  6,  9,  10. 
Sterling,  8. 
Susan,  14,  15. 
Thomas,  6,  9. 
W.  P.,  150. 
William,  6,  8,   10. 
Wm.,  C.  C.,  10. 
Clark,  Edward,  124. 

Rich.    Henry,    68. 
Thomas,   68. 
Wm.   E.,  68. 

Clarke,  George  Rogers,  163,  250. 
James,  152. 
Mary  Pollard,  162-166. 
William,  215. 
Clarksburg,    151. 
Classics,  102  et  seq. 
Clay,  Henry,  199. 
Clay  grinding  machine,  152. 
Clayton,  Betsy  Lewis,  180. 
Decia,    180. 
John  Lewis,  180. 
Thomas  L.,  180. 
Thomas  T.,  180. 
Clerk,  Henry,  124. 
Cleve,  8. 


INDEX 


Cleveland,   Jeremiah,   215. 

Oliver,  215. 

Clocks,  Christ  Church,  114-118. 
Cloth,  manufacture  of,  141-147. 
Clothing,  140. 

Clover,  25,  31,  35,  36,  37,  38. 
Clover   Hill,    35. 
Clover  seed,  cleaner,  151. 

gathering,    151. 
Cluff,  Matthew,  151. 
Coalfields  near  Richmond,   156. 
Coalter,  Mrs.  St.  Geo.,  228. 
Cobhs,   Thos.,   215. 
Coburn,  Mr.,  253. 

Jno.,  253,  256. 
Cocke,  Miss,  9. 

Augustine,  15. 

Herbert,  15. 

Colo.  John,  15. 

John  Ruffin,  15. 

Lucy,  15. 

Richd.,  14,  15. 

Richd.  Herbert,  14. 
Coffee,  158. 
Coffee  pot,  257,  273. 
Coffman,  James  M.,  184. 
Cogs,  155. 
Cole,  John,  115. 
Coleburn,   Robert,   285. 
Colechester,  131,  292. 
Coleman,   Elizabeth   Eppes,   64,   68. 
Martha,   70. 
Stanfield,  65. 
Williamson,   70. 
Coles,  Wm.,  215. 
Collier,  Vines,  66. 
Collins,  Bartlett,  248. 
ColumbJa-up-the- James,    84. 
Colvin,  John  B.,  33. 
Combs,  Amelia,  69. 

Mason,  183. 

Compass,  universal,  154. 
Compton,  Jesse,  216. 
Condensing  tub,  151. 
Conic  sections,  43. 
Conner,  George,  215. 

Martin,   61. 

Constelation    (ship),    192. 
Constitution    (frigate),  97. 
Convention  troops,  194. 
Conway,  Capt,  135. 

Richard,  293. 
Robt.,  295. 

Cooke,  Philip  St.  George,  99. 
Cooper,  James,  153,  155. 
Cople  Parish,  126. 
Coppers,  157. 


Corbin,  — ,  128. 

George,  285. 
Corks,  152. 

Corn,  25,  139,  140,  150,  151,  155. 
Corn  sheller,  152. 
Cornwell,  William,  151,  152. 
Cosby,  Mark,  205,  208. 
Cotton,  140. 

Cotton  manufacturing,  155,  156. 
Cotton  packing,  152. 
Cotton  seed  oil,  153. 
Cotton   spinner,   152. 
County  courts,  54. 
County  maps  of  Virginia,  82. 
Coupar,  Robt.,  291. 
Courts,   51,   53. 
Cousins,   Martha  Eliz.,   72. 

Capt.  W.  H.,  72. 
Covington,  Va.,   82. 
Cox  family,  281. 
Cox,  Hannah,  281. 

Jacob,  293. 

Martha,  138. 

Stephen,  138. 
Crab  Orchard,  Ky.,  72. 
Craigie,  157. 
Cram,  David,  151. 
Crane,  W.  M.,  114. 
Craven,  Francis,  216. 
Crawley,  Nathaniel,  93. 
Criminal  law,  47. 
Critcher,  Thomas,   198. 
Crittenden,  John  J.,  43. 
Crook,  James,  177. 

Nancy  McCarty,  177. 
Cropper,  John,  285,  287. 
Crozier,   Wm.    Armstrong,    28,    30, 

181. 
Crumble,   Geo.,   268,   269,   270,   272, 

274. 

Crump,  John,  235,  237. 
Crupper,  Rich'd,  178. 
Crutchfield,  — ,  137. 

Robert,  155. 

Crutchfield's  Warehouse,  203. 
Cullen,  Dr.,  168. 
Culpeper  minute  men,  135. 
Culpeper  Pres.   church,  223. 
Culpeper  C.   H.,   146. 
Culpeper  Co.,  150,  225,  227. 
Cumberland,  Maryland,  36. 
Cumberland  Co.,  261,  274,  276. 
Curies,   257-275. 
Curlette,  — ,   167. 
Currants,  156. 
Curwen  families,  7. 


INDEX 


XI 


Custis,  Daniel  Parke,  202. 

Edmund,    288. 

Henry,    285. 

John,  285. 
Dabney,  Col.,  65. 

John,  209. 

William,   155. 
Dade,  Frrncis,  131. 
Dakin,  Thomas,  153. 
Dandrage,  Miss,  6. 
Dandrage  family,  6. 
Dandridge,  Jane,  165. 
Daniel,  Peter  V.,  91. 
Daniell,   William,   124. 
Daniel's  Branch,  89. 
Danville,  Ky.,  246. 
Darrell,  Lieut.  Sampson,  183. 
Davis,  Capt,  198. 

Samuel,  291. 
Timothy,  258. 
William,   215.      t 
Dawson,   N.   C.,   153. 
Day,  John,  215. 
Deane,  Francis  B.,  Jr.,  155. 
Deaths,  registration  of,  55. 
De  Bow's  Review,  81. 
Decatur,  Stephen,  97. 
Dedman,  Nathl.,  216. 

Samuel,  215. 
Deeds,  recording  of,  52. 
Degrees  (college),  102  et  sea. 
Delaplane,  Va,,  167. 
Democratic  societies,  239-256. 
Demopolis,  Ala.,  68 
Denbigh,  51,  52. 
Deneale.  James.  150,  153. 
Derby,  John,  286. 
Derrick,  Benj.,  183, 
Dettingen  Parish,  178. 
Dew,  Samuel,  154. 
Diamond  Spring,  49,  63. 
Digges,  Geo.  P.,  153. 
Diggs,  Dudley,  61. 
Dinwiddie  C.  H.,  63. 
Dinwiddie  Co.,  4,  8,  10,  14.  15,  16, 
49,  53,  57,  59.  62,  64,  65,  66,  68, 
70,  71,  72.  115. 
Diskin,  John,  176,  178. 
Dismal  Swamp  Canal,  82. 
Distilling,  149,  150,  157. 
Ditchley,   133. 
Dix,  John.  285. 
Doak,  Samuel,  279. 
Dobson,  T.,  44.  48. 
Dodwheeler.  Benj.,  215. 
Dolen,  Solomon.  215. 
Donald,  S.  M.,  186. 
Donaldson,  Robert,  290. 


Door  frames,  152. 
Dough    kneading   machines,    152. 
Douglass,  Daniel,  291. 
Gray,   291. 
Dow  &  Mclvor,  293. 
Downing,  William,   183. 
Downman,  Elizabeth,   172. 
Downs,  Henry,  185. 
Draper  collection,  250. 
Drinker  &  James,  271. 
Driskall,  Darby,  123,  124. 
Duane,  William,  100. 
Ducachet,  J.  H.,  115. 
Dudley,  Ambrose,  150. 
Duels,  90,  187,  227. 
Dugget,  Capt.  Richard,  86. 
Duke  of  York   (ship),  159. 
Dumfries,    91.    149,    150,    153,    223, 

253,  292. 

Dungan,  David,   150. 
Dungeness,  19. 
Dunlap,  John,  291. 
Dunmore,  Lord,  194. 
Durham  &  Pleasant's  machine.  149. 
Eades,  John,  215. 
Early,  Capt.,  196. 

Ruth  H.,  195. 
Easterly,  George,  150. 
Easton,  Md.,  90. 
Eaves,  Thomas,  183. 
Eckhart,  Mr.,  265. 
Ecoff,  John,  152. 
Edgar,  Sally,  180. 
Edgefield,  65- 
Ertmons-on,  James,  175. 
Edmundberry,  162. 
Education  in  Va.,  101-113,  210-212. 
Education  of  orphans,  55. 
Edwins,  Sarah  Jane.  70. 
Electricity,  43. 

Elevator  for  grain  or  fluids,  151. 
Elizabeth,  N.  J.,  69. 
Elizabeth  City  Co.,  51,  52,  58,  152 
Elizabeth  river,  50. 
Elizabeth  River  Parish,  117. 
Ellis,  Bartlet,  215. 

Charles,  183. 

Robr.,  2. 
Elmwood,  228. 
Elsdon,  Thos.,  269. 
Elsing  Green,  7. 
Elson-Green,  7. 
Eltham,  8. 

Engineers  in  Virginia,  81-84. 
Epes,  B.  J.,  71. 

Colo.  Peter,  4. 

Sarah,  4. 


Xll 


INDEX 


Eppes,  Anne,  136. 
John,  2,  3. 
Mary,  136. 
Epping  Forest,  173. 
Erie,  Fort   (battle),  98. 
Eskridge,  Capt.,  127. 

George,  125,  126,  178. 
Essex  Cc ,  151. 
Esten,  Howard,  217,  218. 
Euclid,  43. 

Evans,  Angelina  Elizabeth,  181. 
Anthony,  181. 
David,  153. 
Evard,  Thos.,  93. 
Everard,  Thos.,  208,  209. 
Evergreen,  19. 
Ewell,  Bertrand,  121,  178,  179. 

Maxey,  215. 
Ewing,  Mr.,  109. 
Ezell,  Anne,  136. 

Fairfax  Co.,   25,   27,   30,  75-84,   129, 
130,   131,  138,  150,   151,  163,   164, 
168,  169,  170,  174,  177,  178,  179, 
288,  293,  294,  295, 
Fairfax  Court  House,  75. 
Fall    Hill,   134. 
Falmouth,  223,  234,  235. 
Fan   riddles,  274. 
Fan,  wheat,  151. 
Farmington,  8. 
Farnham  Parish,  120,  124,  127,  171, 

172,  175. 

Farquhar,  — ,  205. 
Fauntleroy,  Thomas  T.,  99. 
Fauquier,  Francis,  79. 
Fauqv'er  Co.,  89,  91,  150,  151,  155, 

175,  176,  177,  179. 
Fayette  Co.,  Ky.,  248,  253. 
Federalists,  190. 
Ferguson.  Bryant,  88. 
John,   216. 
Patrick,    60. 
Ferry  Chapel,  53. 
Fickenson,  William,  215. 
Field,  Robert,  216. 
Fincastle  Co.,  151. 
Finch,  Adam,  87. 
Fireproof  ceiling,  151. 
Fisher,  Redwood,  155,  156. 
Fitzgerald,  Garrett,  137. 
John,  3.  291. 
Molly,  137. 
William,  136. 
Fitzgerald  &  Peers,  293. 
Fitzhugh,  Mrs.  Ann,  12E. 

Mrs.   Ann   Barbara,   127, 

128. 
Elizabeth,  128. 


Henry,  127,  128. 
.John,  127,  128. 
William,  125. 
Fitzpatrick,  Thos.,  293. 
Five  Forks,  71. 
Flat  Rock,  71. 

Flax,  29,  140,  141,  150,   155. 
Flax  seed,   274. 
Fleming,  Capt.  Thomas,  86. 
Fletcher,  W.  G.  D.,  95,  96. 
Flour,    156,    242,    260,    270,   288-291. 
Flower  dieu  Hundred,  198. 
Fly  killer,  155. 
Force,  Peter,  83. 
Ford,  W.  C.,  81. 
Fossaker,  Richard,  183. 
Fothergill,  S.,  273. 
Fouls,  M.*.,  158. 
Fowler,  Mathew,  145. 

Wm.,  145. 
Fox,   Miss,    168. 

Ann,  6. 

Ann   Elvira,   138. 

Charles,  168. 

Nathaniel,  145. 
Fox  Branch,  2. 
Fox  Forest,  138. 
France,  254,  255. 
Frank,  Graham,  93. 
Franklin,  Benjamin,  77,  94. 
Franklin  lightning  rod,  29. 
Frederick  Co.,   77,   151,   287. 
Frederick   (town),  Md.,  27,  33. 
Fredericksburg,    151,   221-238. 
Fredericksville  Parish,   154. 
French,  Mary,  132. 
French's  Store,  276. 
Friends,  Society  of,  257-275. 
Fritts,   Christian,   275. 
Frogghole  Mill,  3. 
Fruit  trees,  159. 
Fuqua,  Joseph,  87. 
Fuller,  Jacob,  152. 
Furniture,,   272. 
Gaines,  Betsy,  135. 

Edmund  Pendleton,  98,  100. 
Richard,  87. 
Gallego  Mills,  149,  156. 
Garber,  Michael,   Sr.,   150. 
Garden,  James,  276. 
Garland,  Edward,   209. 
Frances,  137. 
J.,  99. 
John,  92. 

Garret,  Elijah,  285. 
Gaston  county,  N.  C.,  63. 
Gee,  Richard  Henry,  41. 


INDEX 


xin 


Gentry,  Benj.,  216. 
David,  215. 
Martin,  215. 
Moses,  215. 

Georgetown,  D.  C.,  82. 
Geography,  43. 
Germantown,  Pa.,  118. 
Gest,  Capt.  Nathaniel,  87. 
Gibb,  William,  286,  287. 
Gibbons,  Anne,  136. 

Edmund,  136,  137. 
Elijah,  136. 
Eliss,   136. 
Elizabeth,  136. 
Epps,  136. 
James,  136. 
John,  136. 
Laurence,   136. 
Mary,    136. 
Rebecca,  136. 
Salley,  136. 
Thomas,  13$  137. 
William,   136. 
Gibson,  Rachel,  135. 
Gifts   to   distinguished   Virginians, 

97-100. 
Gilbert,   Capt,   257,   259,  265,   267. 

Win.,  136. 
Giles,  W.  B.,  100. 
Gilkesou  family,  185,  186. 
Gillenwater,  Joel,   136. 
Gilliam,  Dr.  J.  P.,  71. 
Gillington,    Ellener,    136. 
Nicholas,  136. 
Gillom,  John,  215,  216. 
Gilpln,  John,  127. 
Given,  John,  216. 
Glasgow,   206. 

Glasscock,  Ann  Nichols,  172. 
Margaret,  179. 
Thomas,  172,  179. 
William,  174,  175. 
Glendening,  Andrew,  155. 
Gloucester  Co.,  53,  218. 
Goldsmith,  works  of,  76. 
Gooch,  Jese,  215. 

Phillip,   216. 
William,  215. 

Goochland  Co.,  98,  163,  104,  165, 

166. 

Goochland  C.  H.,  138. 
Goodman,  Horsley,  216. 
Goodwin,  W.  A.  R.,  56,  59. 
Goodwyn,  Martha,  65. 

Col.  Peterson,  4. 

Goose  Creek,  32,  121,  129,  131,  132. 
Gooseberries,  157. 


Gordon,  Alex.,  291. 

Bazil,  222,  223. 
Joseph,  129. 
Samuel,   222,   223. 
Mrs.  Samuel,  224. 
Gore,  John,  124. 
Grady,   Joshua,   215. 
Graham,    Geo.,    252. 

Mary  Elizabeth,  222. 
Samuel  Lyle,  222. 
Grain,  149,   150,   151. 
Grammar,  John,  115. 
Grammer  family,  15. 
Grammer,  Mrs.,  17. 
Granning,  Anthony,   215. 
Granville  county,  277,  278. 
Granville  parish,  276.  278. 
Grass,  25,  32. 
Grayson,  — ,   148. 

Mary  Sayers,  130. 
William,  214. 
Great  Britain,  252. 
Green,  John,  Sr.,  152. 
Greene,  Nathaniel,  97. 
Greenbriar  Co..  155,  190. 
Greenhill,  Philip,  70. 
Greenwood,  John,  262. 
Gregg,  Thomas,  183. 
Gregory,  Elizabeth,  134. 

Major  Francis,  65. 
Frances,  134. 
Herbert.  4. 
Jemmie,  234. 
Martha  Ward,   64,   68. 
Mary,  9. 
Mildred,   134. 
Richard,  9,  64. 
Roger,  9. 
Griffin,  Wm.,  86. 
Grigsby,  Hugh  Blair,  89-91. 
Guerrirre  (frigate),  97. 
Guillen  tine,  see  Gillington. 
Gun,  Capt.  James,  86,  87. 
Guns,   151,   152,   153. 
Gustin,  Martha  Bowden,  138. 

Mrs.  W.  S.,  184. 
Gwinn,  Benjamin,  291. 
Gypsum,   20-39. 
Hairston,  Lieut.  Col.,  196. 
Halifax  county,  Va.,  15. 
Hall,  John,  215. 

William,  137. 
Halley,  Wm.,  291. 
Hallock,  James,  275. 

John,  264,  275. 
Pheby,  275. 

Hambleton,  Thomas,  180. 
Hamburg,  John,  205. 


XIV 


INDEX 


Hamilton,  Alexander,  139-144,  147. 
Hampcien-Sidney     College,    211-212, 

276. 

Hampshire  Co.,  72. 
Hampton,  52.  115,  149,  152. 
Hams,  258. 
Hannah,  Andrew,  87. 
Hanover   Co.,   8,   69,   92,   137,   163, 

204.  206,  208. 

Hanover  C.  H.,  203,  206.  207. 
Hansford.  Stephen,  176. 
Hardaway,  Mary  Simmons,  64. 
William.  70. 
Nancy,   63.   67. 
Hardeman  Co.,  Tenn,.  136. 
Harding,   William   H.,   30,   34. 
Hardwick,  Sukey,  176,  178,  179. 
Hare,  Charles  Willing,  48. 
Harfield,  Matthew,  62. 
Harlow,    Nathan,    216. 
Thomas,  215. 
Harmer,  202,  203,  206. 
Harper,  John.  291,   293. 
Joseph,  293. 
Robert,  293. 
William,  150. 

Harper's  Ferry,  151,  152,  153. 
Harrington,  Daniel,  151. 
Harris,  Benj.  James,  151. 
James,  215. 
John,  215. 

Harrison  family,  19. 
Harrison,  Ann,  19. 

Augustine,  12. 

Benj.,   11,   16,   18,   19,  46, 

90. 

Benj.  Henry,  12. 
Betsey,  19. 
Carter,    19. 
Charles,  1,  11,  12,  14,  18, 

19. 

Elizabeth  Randolph,  14. 
Henry,  19. 
Mary,  14. 
Mary  H.   (C),  1. 
Mary  Herbert,  12. 
Nathl.,    19. 
Robt.,  19. 
widow,   261,   264. 
Harrison  and  Hooe,  293. 
Harrisonburg,   155. 
Harrop  Parish,  53,  55,  59. 
Harry,  Peter,  155. 
Hart,  Col.  Thomas,  199. 

•Webb,  152. 
Hartfield,   60. 

Hartshorne,  William,   291,   293. 
Harvey,  John,  183,  276. 


Harwood,  William,  150. 

Hats,  153. 

Hawkins,  Elizabeth,  125. 

Richard,   125. 

William   M.,    151. 
Hawkins  Co.,  Tenri.,  136. 
Haw,ie,  Mrs.,  145. 
Haxall  Mills,  156. 
Hayden,   H.   E.,   49,   119,   120,   127, 

131,  172,  173,  281. 
Hayes,  James,   215. 
Raymond,  William,  281. 
Hazlewood,  163. 
Heaton,  Mr.,  85. 

Anne,  85. 

Heavin,  John,  149,  150,  151. 
Hedgman,  Peter,  183. 
Hedric  cottage,  283,  284. 
Hemp,  140,  141,  150,  155,  242. 
Henderson,  Richard,  248. 
Hendricks,  James,  291. 
Henings  Statutes,  4,  51,  52,  53,  54, 

56,  67. 

Henley,  Robert,  98,  100. 
Hennings,  Lawrence,  125. 
Henrico   Co.,   52,   54,   58,   124,   149, 

150,   152,   264,   274. 
Henry,  Patrick,  77,  78,  79,  80,  163, 

187,    194. 
Samuel,  87. 
Henshaw,  Melissa,  70. 
Hepburn,  Wm.,  291. 
Herbert   family,    15. 
Herbert,  Lord,  15. 

Buller,  15,  16. 

John,   15,   16. 

Mary,  1,  6,  15,  16. 

Mary   (Stith),  16,  17. 

Win.,  291,  293. 
Hereford,  John,  129. 
Herndon,  William  Lewis,  99. 
Hessian  fly,  34. 
Hickman,  John,   291. 

Wm.,   291. 
Higgins,  Christine,  128,  169. 

Penelope,   128,   169. 
Hill,   Charles,   151. 
D.  H.,  195,  196. 
Capt.  Geo.,  203. 
John,  122. 
Martha,  174. 
Hinton,   Samuel,   67. 
Hodgson,  William,  150. 
Hoes,  274. 

Hoge,  William,  249. 
Hogs,  159. 
Hoke,  Col.,  195. 
Holden,  — ,  274. 


INDEX 


xv 


Holds,worth,  Charles,  59. 
Hollins,  John,  145. 
Holloway,  Floyd,  93. 

Geo.,  87. 

James,  87. 

Holmes,  Andrew  Hunter,  98,  100. 
Home  manufactures,  139-148. 
Hominy,  258. 
Hone,  metallic,  150. 
Hooe  &  Harrison,  293. 
Hoomes,  Priscilla,  164. 
Hopkins,  John,  181. 
Price,  181. 
Hord,  Thomas,  151. 
Horn,  G.  K.,  282. 
Homer,  Gustavus  B.,  90. 
Inman,  89-91. 
William,  90. 
Horses,  261,  269,   272. 
House  of  Burgesses,  77. 
Houston,  Esther,  279. 

John,  150. 

Houston  Co.,  Ga.,  135. 
Howard,  James,  145. 
Samuel,  145. 
William,  136,  137. 
Howison  family,  221. 
Howison,    Anne,    221,   225,   228. 

Edward  Moore,  222. 

Elizabeth,  221. 

Helen  Judith,  222. 

Helen    Mary,   221. 

James,  222,  225. 

Jane  Briggs,  221. 

John,   221. 

Margaret  Morton,  222. 

Marion  Sterling,  222. 

Mary,  222. 

Mary  Graham,  222. 

Nannie  Watkins,  222. 

Neil  MacDonald,  221. 

Robert  Reid,  221-238. 

Samuel,  221. 

Samuel  Graham,  222. 

Samuel  Scott,  222,  232. 

William,  221. 

Hubbarj,  Epaphroditus,  175. 
Hudson,   Chas.,    215. 
Hugnes,  Agnes,   176. 

Blackmore,  204. 
James,  176,  239. 
Robert  M.,  40-48,  114-118. 
Hulet,  Rebecca,  61. 
Hull,  24. 

Humes,  John,  151,  154. 
Humphrey,  Dnvid.  216. 
Humphreys,  William,  215. 
Hundreds,  51. 


Hunt,  Mr.,  261,  265. 
George,  171. 
William,  61. 
Hunt  &  Waterman,  203. 
Hunter  family,  279. 
Hunter,  Andrew,  279. 

Francis,  180. 

Gao.,  279,  291. 

James  G.,  247. 

Jane,   180. 

Col.  John,  207. 

Stephen,  279. 

Wm.,  205,  207,  291,  293. 
Hunting  Creek,  76. 
Hunton,  Eppa,  89. 
Hurkamp,  Park,  236. 
Hutcheson,  David,  87. 
Hydrostatics,  43. 
Hylton,  John,  264. 
Immigrants,  list  of,  51. 
Indian  affairs,  188. 
Ingram,  T.  B.,  167. 
Internal  improvements  of  Va.,  82. 
Inventors  in  Va.,  149. 
Iredell,  James,  40,  44. 
Iron,  274. 
Iron  ore,  141. 

Irons,  for  heating  liquors,  157. 
Irvine,  William,  248. 
Isham,  Nancy,  137. 
Isle  of  Wight  Co.,  2,  3,  52,  58. 
Izard,  Ralph,  42. 
Jamaica  spirits,  270. 
James,  Captain,  15H. 
James  &  Drinker,  271. 
James  City  Co.,  50,  51,  52,  53,  58, 

181. 

James  river,  18,  50,  51,  52,  54. 
James   river   and   Kanawha   canal, 

82. 

James  river  and  Kanawha  road,  82. 
James  river  navigation,  Io3-154. 
Jameson,  David,  203. 

Wm..   87,    88. 
Jamestown,  50,  282. 
Jamison,  Andrew,  291. 
Janney,  Dr.  Daniel,  36,  37,  38. 

Israel,   37,   38,  39. 

John.  37. 

Jarvis,   Tom.    182. 
Jay,  John.  252. 
Jeane,   Betty,  85. 

Elizabeth,  85. 
Robt,  85. 

Jefferson  Co.,  151,  154. 
Jefferson,    Thomas.   20.    21,   22,   23, 
£5,  26,  34,  39.   40,  41,   42,   44,  45, 
46.  78,  81.  82,  101,  153,  154,  162. 


XVI 


INDEX 


Jefferson's  notes  on  Va.,  47. 
Jenito  Creek.  2. 
Jennings,  Robert,  87,  209. 
Samuel  K.,  151. 
Jett,  Margaret,  169. 
Joggins,  James,  86 
Johns,  Esther  Ballou,  138. 
Johnson,   Mr.,    253. 
Johnson  family,  280. 
Johnson,   Caleb,   150. 

Elizabeth,  165. 
Joseph,  138. 
Marmaduke,  280. 
Virginia,  68. 
William,   215. 
Col.  Wm.  Ransom,  68. 
Johnston,  Mr.,  223. 
Anne,  138. 
Christopher,  16. 
George,  75-80,  131,  168. 
Joseph,   138. 
Robert,  248,  251,  256. 
Sarah,  131. 
Jones,  Augustine,  15. 
Elizabeth,   133. 
Fredk.,  8,  15. 
Griffin,  183. 
John,   62,  133,   215. 
Genl.  Jos.,  8. 
Leanna,  133. 
Capt.  M.  C.,  197. 
Martha,   8,   138. 
Mary,   15. 
Paul,   223. 
Philip,  10. 
S.,  94. 
Swan,  133. 
William,  133,  228. 
Jordan,  John,  152. 
Jouett,  Capt.  John,  97. 
Joynes,  Levin,  287,  288. 
Kanawa  Co.,  152,  190. 
Karsner,  Benj.  H.,   167. 

George  Washington,  167. 
Robert,  167. 
Reach,  Mrs.,  133. 
Keeling,  Adam,  122. 
Keith,  Arthur  Leslie,  119-132,  167, 

179. 

Jas.,    290. 

Kelly,  Edmund,  183. 
Kemper,  Charles  E.,  185,  186. 
Kenmore,  222,  223,  224,  228. 
Kennawer  river,  90. 
Kennedy,  James,  291. 
Kenner,  Rodham,  125. 
Kenney,  Wm.,  215. 
Kent,  22. 


Kent  Island,  52. 

Kentucky,  29,  81,  189,  239-256. 

Kentucky    Land,    182. 

Keogh,  Patrick,  129. 

Kerr,  Jsmes,  216. 

Kettle,  165. 

Kindred,  Bartolomeh,  215. 

King,  Andrew,  85. 

John,  144. 

Mary  Hammond,  85. 

Miles,  114. 

King  and  Queen  Co.,  151,  162-166. 
King  George  Co.,  8,  169,  170,  281. 
King  William  Co.,  6,  7,  11,  102,  139, 

145,  150. 
Kingsville,  276. 
Kinsolving,  James,  215. 
Kirk,  William,  183. 
Kirkaldbright,  222. 
Kiskyake,  53. 
Klavans,  J.,  118. 
Knight,  William,  183. 
Kullah,  83. 
Lacey,   Israel,  34. 
Lachaise,  August,  250,  253,  254. 
Lacock,  Abner,  138. 
Lacy,   Benj.,   216. 

jLmes  Horace,  228. 
Lancaster  Co.,  53,  119,  127,  170,  172, 

173,  174,  175. 

Land  clearing  machine,  153. 
Land  patents,  54. 
Landrum,   Mark,   70. 
Lanford,  West,  215. 
Langford,   Robert,    216. 

Wm.,  216. 
Langly,  — ,  271. 
Languages,  ancient,  43. 
Lanier,  Robert,  65. 
Lannsman,  James,  293. 
Laporte,  Peter,  149,  153,  155. 
Larmer,  Harry,  204. 
Latta,  Mrs.   Jennie  Park,  72. 
Lauderdale,  161. 
Laurane,  Richard,  86. 
Laurel  Branch,  64. 
Law  rnd  Police,  professorship,  40. 
Law  of  nations,  43. 
Law  schools  in  U.  S.,  40-48. 
Law,  study  of,  in  Va.,  101. 
Lawns  Creek,  32. 
LawraFon,  James,  291. 
Lawrence   (ship),  97. 
Laws  of  Va.,  Hunter  to  complete, 

208. 

Lawson,  M.,  129. 
Lawson  McGhee  library,  283. 
Layne,  Robert,  216. 


INDEX 


xvii 


Lead,  141,  199,  200. 
Leather  breeches,  274. 
Lee,  Miss,  130. 
Anna,  127. 
Arthur,  41. 
Charles,  133. 
Elizabeth,  133. 
Francis,  127. 
George,  169. 
Geo.  H.,  291. 
Hancock,  133. 

Henry,  127,  147,  148,  171,  178. 
Leanna,  133. 
Lettuce  Corbin,  125. 
Ludwell,  41. 
Philip,  127. 
Richard,  125. 
Richard,  Bland,  251,  252. 
Richard,  Henry,  45,  77. 
Robert  E.,  280. 
Thomas,  127. 

Lee  Co.,  184.  • 

Leesburg,  Va.,  26,   27,  31,  37,  130, 

150. 

Leigh,  Benjamin  Watkins,  43. 
Lenox,  James,  223. 
Leroy,  — ,  148. 
Levers,  154. 
Lewis,  Mr.,  7. 

Betty    (Washington),   8. 
Col.  Charles,  194. 
Fielding,  8. 
Harvey,  100. 
Howell,  194. 
Robert,  8. 
Thomas,  194. 
William,  J.,  152. 
Lewisburg,  West  Va.,  82. 
Lexington,  Ky.,  248,  249,  251,  253. 
Library  of  Congress,  21,  25,  34,  83. 

239. 

Lidderdale,   John,   202. 
Robert,  202. 

Lidderdale  &  Harmer,  203,  206. 
Llllaston,  Thomas,  285. 
Lilly,  Christopher,  204. 

John,  61. 
Linen  cloth,  146. 
Linseed  oil,  153. 
Lipscomb,  Bernard,  145. 
Charles,  145. 
Llptrott,  Rachel,  275. 
Liquors,  151,  154. 
Litchfleld  School  of  law,  40. 
Liverpool,  217. 
Ljungstedt,  Milnor,  183. 
Logic,  43. 
London,  17. 


London  Company,  56. 
Lonsdale,  Earl  of,  83. 
Looking  glass,  164. 
Looms,  150,  151. 
Lords  of  Trade,  79. 
Lory,  Alexander,  293. 
Loucks,  Erne  Wells,  184. 
Loudoun   Agricultural    Society,   38. 
Loudoun   Co.,   20-39,    75,    121,   131, 
147,    149,    150,    153,  155,  167,  174, 
177. 

Loudoun  system,  20-39. 
Louisa  Co.,  77,  137,  147,  153,  154. 
Louisiana,  81,  200,  250. 
Louisville,  Ky.,  189. 
Loury,  Wm.,  291. 
Love,  Th.,  290. 
Lower  Norfolk  Co.,  52. 
Loyalists  in  Va.,  285-288. 
Lucas,  Elizabeth,  85. 
Humphrey,  85. 

Lucy  Walker  (steamboat),  68. 
Ludlow,  94,  95,  96. 
Ludlow  postman,  95. 
Lukens,  Henry.   115. 

Ipaiah,  118. 
Lumberton,  N.  C.,  84. 
Lunenburg  Co.,  14,  15,  65,  138,  182, 

279. 

Lungmann,  Meyler  E.,  293. 
Luttrell,  Louise,  283. 
Lyle,  Jas.,  274. 

Mary,  49,  63,  64. 
Lyles,  Wm.,  291. 
Lynchurg,  8,  81,  150,  151. 
Lynchburg  Press,  153. 
Lyncoln,  Genl.,  6,  9. 
Lynnhaven,  122. 
Lynnhaven  Bay,  192. 
Lyon,  John,  285-288. 
Macartney,  James,  276-278. 
McCarlagh,  Dennis,  122. 
McCartee,  Agnes,  176. 
Maco.i^tee,  Dennis,  120,  122. 
McCarthy  family,  119-132,  167-179. 
McCarthy,  Dennis,  119,  120,  123. 
Donal,  119. 
Florence,  120. 
McCarty,  Agnes,  176. 

Albert,  173. 

Ann,    127,    128,    129,    168, 
172,   175,  179. 

Anna  Barbara,  128. 

Ann  Barker,  174,  175. 

Ann  R.,  171. 

Armstead    Thompson    M., 
168. 

Arthur  Lee,  167. 


xvm 


INDEX 


Barbara,  122,  126. 
Barbary,    122,    125. 
Bartholomew,   175. 
Betsy,   121. 
Betty,  167,   175,   177,   178, 

179. 

Betty    (Elizabeth),    176. 
Billington,   120,   121,    126, 

127,  128,   131,   132,   167, 

170,  171,   172,   173,  174, 
175,  179. 

Bullington,    172,    173. 
Burr  H.,  167. 
Charles,  175. 

Charles  Barber,  172,  175. 
Charles   Fenton,    167. 
Charles  Travers,  175. 
Cordelia  Ball,  173,  174. 
Cornelius,   121,    176,    177, 

178,  179. 
Daniel,  119,  120,  121,  122, 

123,   124,   125,   126,   127, 

128,  129,   130,   169,   170, 

171,  172,   173,   175,   178, 
179. 

Dennis,  121,  122,  123,  124, 
126,  127,  128,  129,  131, 
132,  167,  168,  170,  172, 
173,  174,  179. 

Dennis  Thaddeus,  132, 
167. 

Eleanor,  176. 

Eliza,  171,  173. 

Eliza  Downman,  174. 

Elizabeth,  127,  128,  172, 
173,  176. 

Elizabeth,  Billington,  125. 

Elizabeth   Downman,   173. 

Elizabeth  Francis,  168. 

Ella,  167. 

Ellin,  175. 

Emily  Mason,  168. 

Enoch,  168. 

Fanny,  167,  175. 

Frances,  122,  176,  178. 

George,  173. 

George  Billington,  168. 

George  Washington,  132, 
168. 

Ignatius,  176. 

James,  176,  177,  178. 

James  Ball,  173. 

James  Byrd,  130. 

James  William,   168. 

John,  130,  175,  176. 

John  D.,  167. 

Juliet,  173,  174. 

Katherine,   120,    123,    124. 


Keith,   168. 
Lavinia,  173,  174. 
Lettice,   126,   127,   128. 
Margaret,  132,  171,  176. 
Mary,   129,   130,    132,    167, 

168. 

Maria  French,  168. 
Mary  Chinn,  174. 
Mary  Rose,  177. 
Nancy,  121,  132,  167,  173, 

176,  177,  178,  179. 
Ovid  Downman,  173. 
Page,  130. 
Penelope,  128. 
Presley,  175. 
Richard,   167. 
Richard  Chichester,  132. 
Robert,  167. 

Sarah,  127,  128,  129,  168. 
Sarah  (Ball),  121,  131. 
Sarah  Elizabeth,  121,  132, 

168. 

Sarah  Karsner,  167. 
Sarah      Richardson,     132, 

167,  168. 
Sinah,  131. 
Sinah  Ball,  130. 
Stephen  Washington,  168. 
Susan,   132. 
Tarpley,   175. 
Thaddeus,    120,    121,    127, 

128,   129,   131,   167,   168, 

171,  173,  174. 
Thomas,  121,  176,  177,  178, 

179. 

Thomas  Bozeley,  177. 
Ttornton,  130. 
Virginia,  173,  174. 
William,   174,   176. 
William   Beale,   174. 
William   Downman,   173. 
William  Gilmore,  167. 
William   Mason,   130. 
William   R.,    132,   167. 
William     Thaddeus,     168, 

173,  174. 

Winifred,  126,  127,  128. 
Winifred  B.,  168. 
Winifred  Hall,  168. 
Winny,  175. 
McCaully,  David,  215. 
McClanahan,  John,  291. 
McClenr  chan,    Anne,    129. 
McClenahan,  John,  185. 

Mary,  W.,  130. 
Robert,  185. 
McCluney,  William,  249. 


INDEX 


xix 


McClung,  Calvin  M.,  282,  283. 

James,  46. 

McCombs  family,  185. 
McConathy,  Jacob,  177. 
McCormick,  Cyrus,  155. 
E.  C.,  184. 
Stephen,  155. 
McCormick  plows,  149. 
McCoy,  Charles,  137. 
McCrea,  Robert,  291. 
McCrea  &  Mease,  293. 
McDonald  family,  225. 
McDonough,    Teige,    124,  125. 
McEvay,  Daniel,  215. 
McFarland,  J.  N.,  186. 

William,   293. 
McGee,  Wm.,  216. 
McGeorge,  Wm.,  180. 
McGregor,  Alex.,  253. 
McGroarty,  Wm.  Buckner,  134,  135. 
Machine  for  covering  corn,  155. 
Mclver,  Colin,  291. 

John,  291. 
Mclvor  &  Dow,  293. 
McKenzle,  Col.,  205. 
McKinnay,  James,  291. 
McKnlght,  Wm.,  291. 
McManaway,  Maggie,  180-182. 
Mcnamara,  — ,  203. 
McNeal,  Capt.  John,  86. 
Macon,  Wm.,  215. 
McPherson,  Isaac,  290. 

Danl.,  290. 

McRae,  Col.  D.  K.,  195-197. 
McRobert,  Archibald,  276. 
McWillla:n,  Hugh,  216. 
Madison,    Bishop    J.,    46,    185,    186, 

210. 

John,  185,  186. 
Thos.,  187. 
Mrs.  Thos.,  187. 
Madison  Co.,  m. 
Madison  Hall,  185. 
Mahogany  furniture,  266. 
Mail  bags,  155. 
Maitland,  Mr.,  223. 
Malone,   Mary,   85. 

Philip,  85. 
Manakintown,  280. 
Manchester,  10. 
Maae^ly  &  Sons,  116. 
Mangum,  James,  136. 
Manly,  — ,  281. 
Mansen,  Mary,  63. 

Peter,  66. 

Thomas,  63. 
Mansfield,  Joseph,  215. 
Mansion,  The,  164. 


Manufactures,  at  home  in  Va.,  139- 

144. 

Richmond,  155. 
Mapp,  John,  285. 
Mapping  lands,   153. 
Maps,  Virginia,  82. 
Maries  Mount,  52. 
Marriage  licenses,  55. 
Marriages,  registration  of,  65. 
Marshal,  James,  249. 
Marshall,  John,  41,  249. 
Marsteller,  T.,  290. 
Marston  Parish,  54,  56,  59. 
Martin,  John,  215. 

Richard,  86. 

Robert,  215. 
Martinsburg,  151. 
Martin's   Hundred   Parish,  53. 
Maryland,   35. 
Maryland  Gazette,  96. 
Mason,  Ann,  129,  130. 

George,  78,  130,  183. 

Stevens,  130. 

Stephens  T.,  187. 
Mason  Co.,  111.,  70. 
Massey,  M.,  131. 

Mrs..  183. 

Mathematics,  43,  103  et  seq. 
Matthews,  Baldwin  Smith,  174. 
John,  174,  215. 
John  Ryburn,  174. 
Matthews  Co.,  152. 
Matthews  Parish,  138. 
Mattiom,  Fork  of,  89. 
Mattoax,  17. 
Mattoponi  river,  50. 
Maupen,  Gabril,  215. 
Maupin,  Daniel,  215,  216. 
John,  215. 
Zackarius,  215. 
Maury,  MaJ.,  196. 

James,  154. 

M.  F.,  99. 

Mary,   14. 
Maxey  family,  280. 
May,   David,   69. 
Mayer.  Gotlieb,  116. 
Mayflower   (ship),  284. 
Mayo,  James,  215. 

William,    150. 
Mayse,  Betsy,  180. 

Cynthia,  180. 

James,  182. 
Maze,  John,  155. 
Meade,  Wm.,  53,  90,  121,  123,  176, 

276. 

Mealy,  Daniel,  183. 
Mean,  Robert,  291. 


XX 


INDEX 


Mearly,  Edmund,  2. 
Mease  &  Caldwell,  265. 
Mease  &  McCrea,  293. 
Meccarty,  Edward,  2. 
Mechanics,  43. 
Mecklenburg  Co.,  15,  66. 
Mecklenburg  Co.,  N.  C.,  63. 
Meherrin  river,  2. 
Melvin,  James  Monroe,  130. 

McCarty  Ball,  130. 

Sinah  Elizabeth,  130. 

William  B.,  130. 

William  Grayson,  130. 
Mercer,   John,   183. 
Mary,  170. 
Merchants,  214,  292-295. 

of  Alexandria,  289-291. 
war  of  1812,   193. 
Meredith,  Frances,  137. 
Msriweather,  Elizabeth,  165. 

Thomas,  165. 
Metals,  157. 
Methodist  Church,   30. 

in  Fredericks- 
burg,"  235  et 
seq. 

Michbau,  Abraham,  62. 
Micklam,  John,  70. 
Middletown  Parish,  55,  56,  59. 
Middle  Plantation,  51,  54,  56. 
Midland,  135. 
Milam,  Margaret,  86. 

Wm.,  86. 
Miller,   Emerson,    281. 

Mildred,  279. 
Mills,  3,  151,  152. 
Mills,  John,  214,  293. 
Minerals,  157. 
Minge,  George,  279. 

Sarah,  279. 
Minor,  John,  129. 

Nicholas,   127. 
Minute  men,  194. 
Minx,  Charles,  214. 
Mississippi  river,  240,  241,  242,  244, 

245,  246,  248,  250,  253,  255,  256. 
Mitchell,  Littleton  Downman,  174. 
Mitchell,  Wm.,  87,  152. 
Mobile,  Ala.,  69,  81. 
Mock-Jack  Bay,  157. 
Monk-Snake  Creek,  17. 
Monongalia  Co.,  281. 
Monongahela  river,  82. 
Monroe,  167,  170. 
Monroe  Co.,  190. 
Monterey,  99. 
Monterey,  battle,  98. 
Montgomery  family,  279. 


Montgomery,  Capt.,  260,  266.  270. 
Esther,  273. 
John,   183,   279. 

Montgomery  Co.,   149,  150,  190. 
Montgomery  Co.,  Tenn.,  70. 
Montgomery  C.  H.,  151. 
Moody,   Josiah,   85. 

Mary,  85. 
Moore,  Edmund,  122. 

Helen  MacDonald,  221. 

James,  239. 

Jonathan,   183. 

R.  Walton,  75-84. 

Richard  Channing,  115. 
Moot  courts,  41,  42,  47. 
Mopin,  John,  215. 

Mathey,    215. 
Thomas,  215. 
Moping,  Cornelyus,  214. 
Moray,  Alexander,  157-161. 
Sir  Mungo,  157. 
Sir  Robert,  157-161. 
Moredcai,  Mr.,  130. 
Moreton,  Sinah  B.,  130. 
Morgan  family,  281. 
Morgan,  Charles  W.,  97. 

Gen.  Daniel,  97. 

James,  281. 

Sarah,  281. 
Morgantown,  281. 
Morris,  Hugh  R.,  214. 
Morrison,  A.  J.,  81-84,  149-156,  198- 

201,   276-278. 
Morton,  Joseph,  170. 

Nannie  W.,  222. 

Richard,  73. 

W.  S.,  73,  85-88,  89. 
Moseley  family,  280. 
Mosley,  Littleberry,  155. 
Moss,  Sylvester,  183. 
Mt.  Air,  163. 
Mount  Airy,  16. 
Muir,  John,  291,  293. 
Mulberry  trees,   157. 
Mullens,   Gabriel,   215. 
Mun,  Samuel,  215. 
Munder,  Norman  T.  A.,  282. 
Munford,  Major  James,  57. 

Robert  B.,  285-288. 
Munsie,  James,  184. 
Murphy,  John,  183. 
Murray,   Alexander,   157-161. 

John,  29  r. 

Sir  Robert,  157-161. 

William,  239. 
Musack,  Ephraim,  216. 
Muse,  — ,  170. 
Muter,   George,    239. 


INDEX 


xxi 


Nails,  manufacture  of,  199. 
Nansemond  Co.,  53,  58,  115. 
Nansemond  river,  50. 
Nash,  Abner,  278. 

Sylvester,  152. 
Nassau    (College),  109,   112. 
Natural   philosophy,   43. 
Naturalization,  4. 
Naval  office,  292-295. 
Navigation,    James   River,   153-154. 
Navigation  of  Miss,  river,  239-256. 
Naylor,  William,  178. 
Negroes,  Free,  35. 

manumission  of,  274. 

of  Joseph  Pollard,  164-166. 

runaway,  62. 
Nelson,  Alexander,  183. 

Thomas,   46,   287,   288. 
Nelson,  Fort,  Va.,  12. 
Nelson    (ship),    203. 
Nevitt,  Elizabeth,  177. 
New  Castle,  204,  207.      * 
New  Glasgow,   150. 
New  Kent  Co.,  8,  9,  19,  64,  59. 
New  Orleans,  10. 
New  Providence  church,  280. 
New  River,   199,  200. 
Newbern  Academy,  277. 
Newcome,   Mr.,   69. 
Newell,  Mr.,  69. 
Newman,  Wm.,  145. 
Newton,  Josiah,  88. 

Wm.,  291. 
Niagara,  battle,  98. 
Nicholas,   Geo.,   251. 

Philip   Norborne,   100. 

W.  C.,  83,  100. 
Nicholls,  George,  172. 
Nichols,   Ann,   172. 
Eliz.,  85. 
Wm.,  85. 

Nicholson,  John  B.,  97. 
Nicholson  and  Prentis,  210-212. 
Nixon,  Samuel,  152. 
Noland,  James,  215. 
Nomony  Creek,  171. 
Norfolk,   51,   69,   114-118,    151,   152, 

153,   154,   155,   262. 
Norfolk  Co.,  58,  122. 
Norfolk.   Fort,  Va.,  12. 
Norfolk  System,  26. 
North  Carolina,  5th  regt.,  195-197. 
North  Farnham  Parish,  123. 
Northampton   Co.,   51,   52,   53,   122, 

123,  125,  127,  133,  150,  171,  178. 
Northeatt,  Sarah,  85. 
Terry,  85. 
Norton,  John  and  Sons,  217-219. 


Norvell,  George,  215. 
Nott,  Joseph,  215. 
Nova  Scotia,  31. 
Nulhead,   William,    282. 
Nuthead,  William,  282. 
Nunnally,  Alex.,  85. 
Eliz.,  85. 

Nursing  chairs,  154. 
Oats,  37,  285. 
O'Brien,  Michael,  119. 
O'Bryan,  John,  85. 

Mildred,  85. 
Oconostota,  83. 
Odometer,  152. 
Ogilvie,  Rev.  Mr.,  276. 
Oglesby,  Rev.  Mr.,  276. 
Ohio  river,  82. 
Old  Place,  50. 
Oldenburg,    Mr.,    158. 
Oldham,  Samuel,  169. 
Optics,  43. 
Orange  County,  133,  135,  150,  161, 

227,  229. 

Orange  Lane,  131. 
Orange  Pres.  Church,  223. 
Orare,  — ,  178. 
Orear,  — ,  178. 
Oriental    languages,    professorship, 

40. 

Orphans,  55. 
Osborn,  Lee  Byrd,  138. 

Lucy,  3. 
Osborne,  Bennet,  138. 

Thomas  D.,  138. 
Oswan,  Frederick,  151. 
Oswestry,   94. 
Ovens,   150. 

Overstreet,  John  H.,  211. 
Overwharton  Parish,  122,  176. 
Owen,  Ethan,  150. 
Owens,  Edward,  293. 
Owsley,  Capt.  Thomas,  183. 
Oxley,  Thomas,  153. 
Packe,   Sarah,  203,   206. 
Page,  Carter,  11. 
Palestine,  3. 
Palhoof,  John,  215. 
Palo  Alto,  98. 
Pamunkey  River,  7,  50. 
Pandy,  Wm.,  293. 
Pannell,  David,  145. 
Pantiles,   150. 

Paper  manufacturing,  34,  94,  206. 
Paper   money,  213-216. 
Parham,  Mrs.  Ann  Harper,  64. 

Matthew,  2. 

Parish   Churches,  registers,  61. 
Parishes,  52. 


xxii 


INDEX 


Park  Family,  72. 
Park,  John,  72. 
"Park  Hall,"  94,  203. 
Parker,  — ,  288. 

Geo.,  288, 

Ira,  115. 

Thomas,  286. 
Parks,  Elizabeth,  92. 

Elianor.  95. 

William,  92-96,  202-209,  282. 
Parliamentary  rules,  41,  42,  47. 
Parr,  Samuel,  216. 
Parramore,   William,    285,    287. 
Parsons,  James,  5. 

Rebecca,  85. 
William,  5,  85. 
Parsons'  case,  77. 
Passano,  E.  B.,  282. 
Patent  Office,  149. 
Patents  in  Virginia,  149-156. 
Paton,  William,  291,  293. 
Patterson,  Mr.,  253. 

Alexander,  137. 
Elizabeth  Lucinda.  137. 
Robt.,  256. 
Pattillo,   Mr.,    278. 
Patuxent  River,  50. 
Paul,  Mr.,  69. 

Payne,  Elizabeth,  125,  126. 
Jos.  M.,  166. 
Matthew   M.,  98. 
William,  125,  126,  127,  129. 
Peachy,  Major,  86. 

Samuel,   124,  127. 
Peale,  Capt.  Malachy,  183. 
Peck,  Benjamin,  285. 
Pedlar's  Mills,  153. 
Peers  and  Fitzgerald,  293. 
Pegram,  Adeline,  67. 

Ann,  63. 

Anne  Lyle,  64,  67. 

Anne  (Nancy)  Lyle,  65. 

Augustine  C.,  70. 

Baker,  49,  63,  64,  65,  66,  67. 

Benjamin  H.,  67. 

Betsey,  64,  65. 

Caroline,  68,  69. 

Daniel,   49,   59,   60,  62,  63, 
66,  67,  69. 

David  F.,  60. 

Edward,  49,  50,  60,  61,  62, 
63,  64,  65,  66,  67. 

Edward  Henry,  63. 

Edward    Lyle,    68,    69. 

Edward  Strange,  67. 

Edwin,  67,   70. 

Elizabeth,   63,   64,  66,  70. 

Emeline,  67. 


Ethelbert,  70. 

Fannie,  65. 

Frances,  62,  66. 

Franklin,  68,  69. 

George,  60,  63,   64,  65,  66, 

68,  69. 

Geo.   Herbert,  68,  69. 
Harriet,   64,   65.   67. 
Henry,  49. 
Henry  Daniel,  69. 
James,  70. 
James  West,  68. 
Jane,  70. 
John,  49,  60,  61,  63,  64,  65, 

66,    68. 
John  B.,  67. 
John  Coleman,  68,  69. 
Julia  Ann,   67. 
Lelia  Adela,  68,  69. 
Louisa  Jane,  68,  69. 
Maria,  70. 
Maria  Ward,  68,  69. 
Martha,  67. 
Martha  E.,  67. 
Martha  P.,  64. 
Martha  Rebekah,  68,  69. 
Mary,  60,  62,  63,  67,  68,  69, 

70. 

Mary  A.  F.,  67,  68. 
Mary  A.  L.,  67. 
Mary  Baker,  64. 
Mary  Lyle,  68. 
Mildred,  70. 
Nancy,  67. 
Patsey,  65. 
Rebekah,  64,  65. 
Rich.  Gregory,  68. 
Robert,  64. 

Robert  Baker,  68,  69,  99. 
Sally,  66. 
Sarah,   60,  61,   62. 
Sallie  W.,  63. 
Susan,  67. 
Thomas,  67. 
Virginia  Anne,  68,  69. 
William,  59,  61,  62,  63,  64, 

65,  66,  70. 

William  Baker,  69,  70. 
Wtn.  Benj.,  68. 
William  Henry,  67. 
Winchester,  67. 
Pemberton,  — ,  271. 

Mr.,   260. 

Jas.,  265. 

Josey,   260. 

Nancy,  260. 

Pendleton,    Edmund,    76,    162,    163, 
166. 


INDEX 


xxiii 


Fanny,  135. 
John,  165. 
Mille,  165. 
Sarah,  164. 

Pendulum  steam  engine,  150. 
Pennsylvania  packet,  44. 
Pennsylvania,  University  of,  40,  45. 
Penticost,  Joseph,  249. 
Perrin,  John,  86. 
Perry,  Joseph,  2. 
Peters,  Judge  Richard,  25. 
Petersburg,  1,  8,  14,  17,  49,  64,  65, 

68,  69,  71,  72,  152. 
Peterson  Ann,  4. 

Augustine  C.    4. 

Batt,  2,  3,  4,  6. 

Betty,  3. 

Elizabeth,  4. 

Elizabeth  C.,  1,  2. 

Frances,  4. 

John,  2,  3,  4,  5.» 

John  A.,  12. 

Jno.  Augustine,  12. 

John  H.,  1,  2. 

John  Herbert,  4,  6,  12,  17, 
18. 

Kinchen,  3. 

Lucy,  4. 

Lucy  Ann,  13. 

Maria  Harison,  13. 

Martha,  3,  4. 

Mary,  3,  4. 

Patience,  3. 

Peter,  4. 

Rebecca,  3. 

Temperance  Taylor,   4. 

Thomas,  1,  4,  15. 

William,  3. 
Petitions  to   Genl.   Assembly,   194, 

213-216. 
Pettypool,  Anderson,  66. 

Stephen,  66. 
Peyton,  Francis,  290. 

Lucy,  173. 

R.,  291. 
Philadelphia,  25. 

flour  trade,  289,  290. 
Physiognotrace,  150. 
Pickens,  Elizabeth,  137. 
Pilcher,  Stephen,  176. 
Pilgrims,  284. 
Pittyslvania  Co.,  155. 
Plantations,  51. 
Plaster  of  Paris,  20-39. 
Plate,  257. 
Pleading,  47. 


Pleasants,  Jas.,  274. 
Jane,  279. 
John,  273. 

John  Hampden,  153. 
Nancy,  258,  269,  273. 
Sammy,  264,  266,  267, 

269,  273. 
Sukey,     264,     266,     267, 

271. 

Robert,  257-275. 
Thos.,  263,  267,  275. 
Tommy,  257,  259,  274. 
Pleasants  &  Robinson,  261.  265. 
Pleasants'  Machine,  149. 
Plowing,  deep,  34. 
Plows,  21,  149,  152,  153,  155. 
Plymouth,  Mass.,  284. 
Pneumatics,  43. 
Pohick  Church,  163. 
Point  Comfort,  51. 
Poison  Fields,  229. 
Polk,  William,  285. 
Pollard,  Henry  Robinson,  163. 
Dr.  John,  163. 
John   Garland,   163. 
Joseph,  162-166. 
Pricilla,  165. 
Robert,  164. 

Thomas,  163,  164,  165,  166. 
William,  163,  164,  165. 
Pope,  Alex.,  works  of,  76. 

Humphrey,  125,  126,  127,  169, 

179. 

James,  123. 
Nathaniel,  125.  179. 
Pope's  Creek,  170. 
Pork,  242. 
Port  Republic,  185. 
Port  Royal,  226. 
Porter  family,  280. 
Porter,  Betsy,  169. 
Daniel,  169. 
Sarah  R.,   169. 
Thos.,  290. 
Portraits,  George  Johnston.  75. 

McCarthy,  127. 
Portsmouth,  115. 
Posey,  Capt,  87. 

Potomac  river,  27,  50,  76,  292-295. 
Potosi,  200. 
Potts,  John,  291. 
Powell,   Burr,   132. 
Frances,  4. 
Joseph,   291. 
Wm.  H.,  290. 
Powell's  Creek,  52. 
Powhatan  Co.,  152,  155,  280. 


XXIV 


INDEX 


Poythress,  Francis,  55. 

Francis,  Jr.,  5. 
Mary,  5. 

Pray,  Andrew,  215. 
Prentis,  Jno.,  13,  217,  218,  219. 
John  P.,  14. 
Maria,  14. 
Mary  Harrison,  14. 
Thomas  Augustine,   14. 
Wm.,  13,  14,  92. 
Prentis  &  Nicholson,  210-212. 
Presbyterians,  278. 
Preston,   Mrs.   A.,   192. 

Mrs.  Frances,  187. 
Francis,    187-193. 
John,   187-193. 
Polly,  191. 
Samuel,  169. 
William,  41,  46,  72. 
Price,  Oliver,  291. 
Prince  Edward  Co.,  211,  276,  278. 
Prince  George  Co.,  2,  3,  4,  5,  16,  57, 

58,  150,  152,  198. 

Prince  William  Co.,  34,  75,  89,  90, 
121,  129,  131,  150,  168,  177,  178, 
239-256. 

Princess  Ann  Co.,  59,  122. 
Princeton  College,  109,  112. 
Printing,  in  Maryland,  282. 

in  Virginia,  92-96,  206,  282. 
Procter,  George,  215. 
Provost  family,  7. 
Publishing  business,  149. 
Puddledock,  16,  17. 
Pumps,  152,  155. 
Purcellville,  36,  37,  38. 
Purdie's   Va.   Gazette,   217-219. 
Purnell,  John,  183. 
Quarrelstown,  152. 
Queen's  Creek,  51,  54. 
Queritt,   John,   215. 
Rabbit's  fur,  153. 
Ragsdale,  Drury,  139,  142,  145. 
Railways,  improvement  in,  153. 
Rainey,  R.  W.,  69. 
Raleigh,  N.  C.,  11. 
Ramsay,  Dennis,  168,  290. 
Geo.  W.  D.,  169. 
Robert  T.,  169. 
Jane  A.,  169. 
William,     168,     169,     179, 

215,  293. 
Randolph,   Mr.,   of  Amelia,   5.  • 

Miss,  of  Dungeness,  19. 
D.  M.,  149,  151,  154. 
Edmund,  46. 
Capt.  Edward,  19. 
Harrison,  19. 


Isom,   215. 
J.  W.,  149. 
John,  216. 
Lovely,  184. 
Lovey,  184. 
Lucy,  19. 

Peyton,  19,  76,  79,  184. 
Richd.,  269. 
Thomas  B.,  99. 
Thomas  M.,  100. 
Colo.  Wm.,  19. 
Rankin,  Mary  B.,  280. 

Richard,   280. 

Rapidan  river,  225,  229,  230. 
Rappahannock  Co.,  120,  123,  124. 
Rappahannock  river,  50. 
Ratcliffe,  John,   291. 
Rich.,  291. 

Rawlinson,  Annie  E.,  186. 
Read,  Jonathan,  88. 
Real  estate,  47. 
Redick,  David,  249. 
Reed,  James,  277. 
Thos.,  215. 

Registers  of  Parish  Churches,  51. 
Reid,  James,  216. 
Republican  Advocate,  33. 
Republicans,  190. 
Resaca  de  la  Palma,  98. 
Revivals,  236. 

Revolutionary    soldiers,    85-88. 
Reynolds,  John,  291. 
James,  215. 
Rhetoric,  43. 
Rhoads,  Sally,  260,  272. 

Sammy,  260,  272. 
Rhodei,  Agnes,  65. 
John,  183. 
Ryland,  155. 
Rice,  John,  123,  127. 
John  Holt,  81. 
Rebecca,  123. 
Rice,  150,  158. 
Richards,  William,  150. 
Richardson,  John  D.,  73. 
Nathaniel,  124. 
Sarah,  121,  131. 
Sarah  Elizabeth,  131. 
Richeson,  Peter,  145. 
Richmond   (city),  81,  149.  150,  151, 

152,  153,  154,  155,  156. 
Richmond  College,  163. 
Richmond   Co.,   120,   121,   122,   123, 

125,  127,  171,  172,  174,  175. 
Richmond  Standard,  5. 
Ricketts,  John  T.,  150. 
Rifles,  151,  152. 
Riggs  &  Co.,  115. 


INDEX 


Rind's  Va.  Gazette,  101-113. 
Ritchie,  Archibald,  100. 
John,  98,  100. 
Thomas,  100. 
Rives,  William  C.,  43. 
Roads,  Edward,  85. 

Prudence,  85. 
Roads,  in  Va.,  81. 
Roanoke  river,  82. 
Roberdeau,  Daniel,  291. 
Robert,  Capt,  86. 

Francis,  86. 
Roberts,   Joseph,    215. 
Mourning,  215, 
Wilson,  215. 
Robertson,  — ,  285. 
Robinson,  Ann,  124. 

Benjamin,  196. 
Catherine,  163. 
John,  76,  79,  150,  163. 
Moncure,  81,  li*5. 
Robert,  150. 
William,  124. 

Robinson  &  Pleasants,  261,  265. 
Rochester,  John,  198. 

Nathaniel,  198,  199. 
Nicholas,  198. 
Rochester,  N.  Y.,  199. 
Rockbridge  Co.,   152,  155,  280. 
Rockingham  Co.,  185. 
Rodgers,  Zorobable,  285. 
Rogers,  Frances,  164. 

Francis  Pollard,  163. 
George,   163. 
Hugh,  132. 
John,  165. 
Romney,   154. 
Rope,  151,  199. 
Resell,  Peter,  214. 
Ross,  David,  84. 

George,  293. 

Rothrock,  Mary  U.,  283. 
Rouvier,  Claude,  59. 

Elizabeth,  59. 
Rowlett,  Wm.,  88. 
Rowley  family,  280. 
Rowley,   Eng.,   281. 
Rowley,  William,  281. 
Royal  Society,  157-161. 
Rucker,  Anthony,  153. 
Rudder,  James,  152. 
William,  60. 
Ruffin,  Miss.,  8,  19. 
David,  152. 
Edmund,  19. 
James,  145. 
Joseph,  152. 
Mary,  7. 


Robert,  7. 
Sterling,  145. 
William,  11. 
Ruffner,  Tobias,  152. 
Ruffner  salt  apparatus,  149. 
Rum,   258. 
Rumney,  — ,  290. 
Russell,  168. 
Russell,  Elishe,  124. 

John,  124,  151. 
Nancy,  168. 
Sarah  E.,  132. 
Stephen,    115. 
Rye,  25. 

Saddle  Trees,  155. 
St.  Anne's  Parish,  154. 
St.  Asaph  diocese,  95. 
St.  George's  Parish,  286,  288. 
St.  Genevieve,  Mo.,  200. 
St.  Patrick's  Parish,  276. 
St.  Paul's  Parish,  170. 
St.  Stephen's  Parish,  125,  164. 
Salap,  281. 
Salem,  Mass.,  7. 
Sallee  family,  280. 
Salt,  149,  150,  151,  157,  192. 
Salt  water,  151,  152. 
Sampson,  John,  61. 
Sanders,  J.  H.,  276. 
Sanderson,   Robinson,  290. 
Sandford,  John,  293. 

Lawrence,  294. 
R.,  294. 

Sandy  Point,  178. 
Sandy  River  Church,  276. 
Sandford,  Richard,   216. 
Saunders,  Capt.,  198. 
John,   291. 
John  Hyde,  276. 
Sausage  machine,  155. 
Saw  mill,  150. 
Saw  tooth  setter,  151. 
Say,  Dr.  Thomas,  34. 
Scarburg,  Edmund,  283. 
Scarburg's   Neck,   284. 
Schley,  W.  H.  H.,  279. 
Schools  in  Va.,  101-113. 
Scimino  Creek,  54. 
Scotch,  in  Virginia,  159-160. 
Scotia,  232. 
Scott,  Miss,  9. 

Ann,  65. 

Mrs.  Fannie,  232. 

Francis,  87. 

Col.  James,  64,  90. 

John,  232. 

Judge  John,  89,  205. 

Rev.  John,  90. 


XXVI 


INDEX 


Peter,  64,  65,  205. 
Rebecca,   63. 
William,  64,  66. 
Winlield,   43,   63,  64,   98,   99, 
100. 

Scott  Co.,  247,  248. 
Screws,  cutting,  151. 
Scythes,  270. 
Seay,  Lucien,  70. 
Sedition  laws,  162. 
Servants  in  Virginia,  159,  160. 
Seule,  R.  H.,  130. 
Shackleford.  Benjamin,  138. 
Sharp,  Root,  215. 
Sharroch,  John  T.,   155. 
Sharswood,  George,  48. 
Shaver,  Peter,  215. 
Shelton,  Eleanor,  92. 

John,  92,  93,  166,  202.  208. 
Joseph,  166. 
William,  215. 

Sheppard,  Augustine,  216. 
Shenandoah  Co.,  155. 
Sherlock  on  Death,  30. 
Sherman,  Elizabeth,  127. 

John,  129. 

John   S.,  129. 

Joseph,  174. 

Richard,   129. 

William,   129. 
Shields,  Matthew,  61. 
Shingle  dresser,  150. 
Shipbuilding,  151. 
Shirley,  19. 

Shoes,  140,  144,  146,  270,  274. 
Shot  factory,  141. 
Shreve,  Benj.,  291. 

William,  291. 
Skinner,  Charles  W.,  155. 
Shropshire,   94. 
Shurley,  Thomas,  151. 
Silk,  157,  158. 
Simms,  John,  63. 
Simpscn,  Duncan,  183. 

Henson,   132. 
Sinclair,  Maj.,  196. 

Arthur,   97. 

I.  J.,  195. 

Sir  John,  20,  21,  25. 

Mordecai  B.,   89. 
Slacom,   Gabriel,   291. 
Slaughter,  P.,  49,  53. 
Slaves,  in  Loudoun  Co.,  35. 
manumission  of,  274. 
Smarr,  Mr.,  132. 
Smether,  Robert,  151. 
Smith  family,  280. 


Smith,   Mr.,    253. 

Alexander,  291. 
B.,  188. 
E.  W.,  280. 
Frank,  191. 
George,   280. 
Harold,  99. 
J.  Brookes,  222. 
James,  256. 
John,  2,  151. 
John   Blair,  212. 
Michail,  215. 
Thos.,  93,  203,  280. 
Wm.,  98,  198. 

Smoke,  mode  of  consuming,  152. 
Snead,  William,  285. 
Snell,  Philemon,  215. 
Society  for  propagation  of  Gospel, 

277. 

Solicitor-General  of  Va.,  56. 
Somervilla,  225,  226,  228. 
Somerville,    James,    225,    226,    227, 

230,  231. 

Samuel  Wilson,  227. 
Somerville  Ford,  229. 
South  river,  259. 
Southampton  river,  52. 
Southgate,  John,  114. 
Sowell,  John,  215. 
Sowers,  David,  215. 
Spain,  Mary,  3. 

Spain  and  Miss,  river,  240,  246. 
Sparta,  162. 
Speargrass,  31. 
Spears,  Henry,  124. 
Spencer,  Miss,  69. 
Eliz.,  73. 
Eliz.  A.,  73. 
Francis,  126. 
Gideon,  88. 
James  T.,  73. 
John,  88,  215,  216. 
Lucy,  73. 
Lucy  Ann,  73. 
Martha,  73. 
Scion,  73. 
Susan,  73. 
Thomas,  73,  88. 
Thomas  J.,  73. 
Wm.  W.,  73. 
Spickard,  Henry,  151. 
Spitsburg,  Jane,  92. 

Thomas,  92. 

Spotswood,  Alexander,  34. 
Spotsylvania  Co.,  281. 
Sprinkel,  Jacob,  151,  152. 
Sproul,  John,  215. 


INDEX 


xxvii 


Stackho-JBe's  History  of  the  Bible, 

29. 
Stafford  Co.,   28,  75,  121,  127,  129, 

150,  170,  176,  178,  183,  184. 
Stainback,  Charles,  69. 
Stamp  tax,  77,  79. 
Stanley  Hundred,  52. 
Stanton,  William,  150. 
Staples,  John,  150. 
Starke,   William,    145. 
Statham,  Frances,  137. 
Garland,   137. 
John,  137. 
Julia,  137. 
Love,  137. 
Martha,  137. 
Mary,  279. 
Mary  B.,  137,  138. 
Meredith,  137. 
Nancy,  137. 
Richmond,  137. 
Sarah,  137. 

William  Dabney,  137. 
Staunton,  150,  185,  222. 
Steam  engine,  150,  157. 
Steed,  R.  E.,  114. 
Steel,  Col.,  187. 

Samuel,  280. 
Steele  family,  279. 
Steele,  Jane,  280. 

Richard,  works  of,  78. 
Steenburgen,  Grn.,  37. 
Stein,  Albert,  81. 
Stephenson,  Betsy  Anne,  70. 
Steptoe,  Jas.,  181. 
Stevens,  Edward,  97,  139,  142,  146, 
147. 

Mrs.  John  B.,  138. 
Stevens  &  Brown,  95. 
Stewart,  James,   253,   293. 
Stewart  Co.,  Ga.,  137. 
Stills,  1K1. 
Stith  genealogy,  16. 
Stith,  Buckner,  16,  17. 

Capt.  Cincinatus,  65. 
Col.  Drury,  16,  17. 
John,  17. 
Mary,  16,  17. 
Obadiah,  152. 
William,  17. 

Stockings,  144,  145,  146. 
Stockton,  John,  215. 
Stokely,  Alexander,  285. 
Stone,  Mrs.   H.  W.,  281. 

John,  124. 
Stony  Creek,   57. 
Stover,  Jacob,  185. 
Stoves,  151,  154. 


Strahan,  David,  183. 
Straw  cutter,  150. 
Stretch,  Peter,  118. 
Stribbling,  Joell,  183. 
Strickland,  William,  20,  21,  36. 
Stuart,  Rev.  Mr.,   183. 

Richard,  171. 
Studley,  163. 
Sturdivant,  Miss,  49,  64,  65. 

John,  3. 

Suddearth,  James,  215. 
Sudderd,  William,  215,  216. 
Sugar,  270. 
Summers,  Win.,  291. 
Summon,  John,   176. 
Sumner,  Joseph,  183. 
Surry    County,    14,    27,    53,   57,   58, 

115,  143. 
Surveying,  43. 
Surveyor-General  of  Va.,  56. 
Surveyors,  56,  210. 
Sussex  Co.,  Va.,  1,  4,  6,  19,  59,  136. 
Sutherland,  Joseph,  215. 
Swain,  Levi,  114. 
Sweet  Hall,  7. 
Swem,  E.  G.,  83. 
Swift,  Jonathan,  76,  291. 
Swift  Run  Gap  turnpike  Co.,  228. 
Swords,  presented  by  Virginia,  97- 

100. 

Syme,  Mr.,  265. 
Tabb,  George,  151. 
Talbot  family,  279. 
Talbot,  Isham,  181. 

John,  279. 

Mathew,   279. 

Sarah,  181. 
Taliaferro,   Mary    (Battaile),   134. 

Nicholas,  134. 
Talmage,  Ezra,  151. 
Tarpley,  Fanny,  175. 
Tatham,  William,   81-84. 
Tayloe,  Barbara,  119,  127. 

John,  97,  127,  128. 

Joseph,    119,    124,    127. 
Taylor,  Anne,  164,  165. 

Benjamin,  216. 

Col.  Frank,  134. 

Hugh  Paul,  81,  82,  83. 

J.,  134,  135. 

Miss  J.,  135. 

Jesse,  291. 

Col.  George,  135. 

James,    135. 

John,  162,  163,  165,  215. 

Mrs.  John,  114. 

Nancy,  135. 

Robert  B.,  118. 


XXV111 


INDEX 


William,  61. 
Yardley,  36,  37,  38. 
Zachary,  98,  133. 
Tazwell,  Henry,  187. 
Tazewell,  Littleton  Waller,  43,  118. 
Tea,  217-219. 
Teackle,  Thomas  286. 
Tebbs,  Daniel,  125. 

Judge  Richard  H.,  26. 
Tennessee,  8,  10,  83. 
Terry,  Col.,  195,  196. 
Thaker,  Benjamine,  215. 

Nathaniel,  215. 
Thomas,  Ann,  259. 
I.,  94. 

Nelson,  215. 
Thomason,  Edwd.,  183. 
Thomlinson,  Thomas,  277. 
Thompson,  Mr.,  7,  185. 

Edw.  K.,  291. 
Josiah,    291. 
Nath.,  183. 
William,   215. 
Thorn,  Michael,  293. 
Thornton,  Anthony,  170. 

Francis,  134,  170. 
Col.  John,  134,  171. 
Mary,   134. 
Presley,  170. 
Reuben,  134. 
Sarah  Fitzhugh,  170. 
Winifred,  170. 

Thrashing  machines,  150,  152. 
Thursby,  Eng.,  277. 
Thweatt,  Ann,  3. 

Ann  H.,  13. 
Archibald,  3. 
James,  4. 
John  J.,  3,  13. 
Judith,  3. 
Lucy,  4. 
Martha,    3. 
Miles,   3. 
Richd  N.,  3. 
Sally,  4. 
William,  3. 
Thos.,  3.  4. 

Tile  and  brick  apparatus,  150. 
Tillett,  Samuel,  34. 
Timber  cutting,  151. 
Tislow,   Geo.,  85. 
Mary,  85. 

Tobacco,  46,  51,  84,   139,  140,   150, 
152,  154,  158,  159,  213,  242,  261. 
Todd,   Levi,   251. 
Robert,  239. 
Thomas,  243. 
Toncray,  Lewis,  193. 


Torrence,  Clayton,  1,  2,  83. 
Torres,  Manuel,  84. 
Townes,  Joel,  87. 
Travers,   William,   124. 
Treadway,  John,  87. 
Tredegar  Iron  Works,  156. 
Trenton,  Va.,  13. 
Trigg,  Col.,  190. 
Trigonometry,  43. 
Tripplett,  Robert,  69. 
Thos.,  291. 

True,  Rodney  H.,  20-39. 
Truro   Parish,   129. 
Tryon,  Gov.,  276,  278. 
Tuckahoe  swamp,  164. 
Tucker,  St.  George,  42,  47,  48. 

Wood,  67. 

Tuley,  Joseph,  151. 
Tullock,  William,   150. 
Turberville,  George,  128. 
Turner,  Jane  Inglish,  72. 

Joseph,  67. 
Twine  machine,  151. 
Tyler,  John,  41. 

Lyon  G.,  62. 
Tyler's  Quarterly,  280. 
Underwood,  Joseph  Rogers,  163. 

Oscar  W.,  163. 

Union  Theological  Seminary,  222. 
United   States    (frigate),  97. 
Universal   Asylum,   44. 
Updegraff,  Sergeant,  99. 
Upper  Norfolk  Co.,  52,  53. 
Upton,   Jos.,   216. 
Valandingham,  — ,  167. 
Van  Home  family,  7. 
Vaughan,  Elivia,  70. 
Vera  Cruz    (battle),    (99). 
Verts,   Conrad,   34. 
Vessels,  ventilating,  155. 
Via,  Micajah,  215. 
Village  View,  63. 
Virginia   (ship),  217. 
Virginia   Gazette,   47,   101-113,   210- 

212,  217-219. 
Virginia    Literary    &    Evangelical 

Magazine,  81. 

Virginia  Resolutions  of  1798,  162. 
Virginia  State  Library,  83. 
Wagener,    Sinah,    129. 
Wagoner,  Mr.,   131. 
Peter,  131. 
R.  R.,  129. 
Wagons,  274. 
Walker  family,  279. 
Walker,  Freeman,  279. 

William,  178,  181. 

Wyatt,   279. 


INDEX 


Wallace,  Andrew,  87. 

Howson   H.,  235. 
Josiah,  215. 
Waller,  Benjamin,  92,  93,  204. 

Thos.,   205. 
Walsh,  Th.  S.,  178. 
Walthoe,  Natl.,  205. 
Walton,  George,  181. 
War  of  1812,  192. 
Ward,   John,   87. 

Samuel,    34. 
Ware  River,  157. 
Warham's  Pond,  53. 
Warping  mill,  28. 
Warrenton,  89. 

Warrington,  Lewis  L.,  98,  100. 
Warrofciquj  oake,  51,  62. 
Warsaw,   172. 
Warwick  Co.,  52,  58. 
Warwick  river,  51,  52. 
Warwick  River  Co.,  52.  * 
Washing  machines,  149,  154,  155. 
Washington,  Augustine,  170. 

Gen.   Geo.,   7,    12,    44, 
77,  125,  128,  137,  163, 
168,   170,  173. 
John,   125. 
Lund,  291. 
Mary,    228. 
Nicholson  C.,  197. 
W.  H.,  34. 
William,  5. 
Washington  Co.,  193. 
Washington  Co.,  Pa.,  239-256. 
Washington  Parish,  171. 
Water   power,   Richmond,  156. 
Water  wheels,   152,   153,   155. 
Waterman,  — ,  203. 
Waterworks,  systems  in   Va.,   81. 
Watkins,  Joel,  88. 

Wm.  B.,  73. 

Watson,  Andw.,  93,  202. 
Evan,  215. 
Jonah,  290. 
Josiah,   293. 
Watt,  Rev.  Mr.,  36. 
Watts,  Ann,  181. 

Benjamin,  180,  181. 
John,   181,  183. 
Mary,  181. 
Wm.,  181. 
Watt's  Island,  285. 
Waugh,  Alexander,  30,  180. 

Polly,  180. 
Wayne,   Genl.,   188. 
Wehb,  George,  204. 


Webster,  Isaac,  264. 

Jas.,   264,   266. 
Joney,  269. 
Webster  Co.,  Ga.,  137. 
Weeks,  L.  H.,  94. 

M.  E.,  279. 

Weevil  prevention,  150. 
Weld,  Isaac,  153. 
Wellington,  177. 
Wells,  sinking  of,  152. 
Wesley,  John,  29. 
West,  John,  150,  183. 

William,   37,   38. 
West  river,  258,  259,  269,  273. 
Westerly  river,  3. 
Westmoreland  Co.,  54,  119,  120,  123, 

124,  125,  126,  127,   129,  169,  170, 

171,  174,  178,  179,  198. 
Westwood,  90. 
Wetnell,  Alexander,  215. 
Weyanoake,    52. 
Weyman,  Henry  T.,  95,  96. 
Whaittington,  Francis,  3. 
Wheat,   25,   31,  134,   139,   140,   150, 

151,  257,  260,  268,  269,  270,  272, 

273  274,  288-291. 
Wheatley,  James,  151. 
Wheeler,   Joel,  215. 

Micajah,  215,  216. 
William,    180. 
Wheeling,  152. 
Whetstones,  270. 
Whitacre,  — ,  167. 
White  Co.,  Tenn.,  136. 
White  Plains,  162. 
Whitehaven,  127. 
Whiteley's   Commentaries,    29. 
Whithall,  161. 
Whiting.  Maria  F.,  130. 
Whitlow,  Elizabeth,  86. 

John,  86. 

Whittle,  Lieut.  Col.,  195. 
Wicomico  river,  123. 
Wigton,  Eng.,  277. 
Wigton  grammar  school,  277. 
Wild,  Thomas,  202,  206. 
Wilkinson,   Genl.,   188. 
Wiles,  Col.,  160. 
William  &  Mary  College,  40-48,  56, 

91,  101-113,  117,  163,  164,  210. 
Williams,  Charles,  153. 
John,  215,  252. 
Simon  C.,  155. 
T.   J.   C.,  199. 
Thomas,  155. 
Williamsburg  19,  41,  42,  56,  57,  61, 

76,  77,  92,  93,   96,  102,  150,  162. 

194,  203,  208,  265,  282. 


INDEX 


Williamsburg,  battle  of  195-197. 
Williamson,  Miss,  63. 
David,   124. 
Thomas,  93,  114. 
Willing  family.  269. 
Willis,  Henry,  134. 
Wilson,  Lieut.,  12. 
Bird,  45. 
Henry,  124. 

James,  40,  44,  45,  47,  48. 
Wilton,   19. 
Winchester,  155,  184. 
Windmill  improvement,  152. 
Window   frames,   152. 
Windsor,  1,  6. 
Wingfield,  J.  H.,  115. 
Winship,  Capt.,   198. 
Wirt,  William,  79,  163. 
Wise,  John,  291. 
Withers,  Mr.,  15. 

Capt.  John,  183. 
Wood,  David,  138. 

George,  138. 

Henry,   138,  214. 

James,  187,  215,  291. 

John,  81,  82,  138. 

Johnson,  138. 

Leighton,  204. 

Martha,  138. 

Patsy,  138. 

Sallie,    138. 

Stephen,  138. 

Trist,   133. 

Valentine,  138. 

Wm.,   216. 
Wood  Co.,  152,  153. 
Woodford,  174. 
Woodford,  Capt.  Thos.,  86. 
Woodlawn,   65. 
Woods,  Andrew,  154. 
John,   216. 
Wm.,  215. 

Woodson,  Tarlton,  214. 
Woodson,  W.,  291. 
Woodville,  138. 
Wool,  140,  152. 
Woolen  cloth,  146. 
Wooten,  Dudley,  201. 
Wray,  James,  61. 
Wright  family,  180-182. 
Wright,  Abigale,  180. 

Angelina  Elizabeth,  181. 

Anthony,  180. 


Benjamin,  181. 

Betsy,  180. 

Catherine,   180. 

David,  181. 

Dorcas,  180. 

Elizabeth,    180,    181. 

Francis,  180. 

Jas.,  8. 

John,  180,  181,  182. 

Joseph,  180,  181,  182. 

Kitty,  181. 

Mary,  180. 

Nancy,  180. 

Orrey,   180. 

Orville,    181. 

Polly,  180. 

Rhoda,  180. 

Robert,  181. 

Ruth,  180. 

Sally,  181. 

Sarah,  180. 

Thomas,  180,  181. 

Tommy,  180. 

Wilbur,  181. 

William,  181,  182. 

Wm.   S.,   180. 

Wilson    Benjamin,    181. 

Winifred,  181. 
Wroth,    Lawrence    C.,    92-96,    209, 

282 
Wythe,  G.,  40,  41,  42,  44,  45,  46,  47, 

48,  77,  162. 

Wythe  Co.,  151,  152,  190,  199,  201. 
Wythe  C.  H.,  189. 
Yancey,  — ,  147. 

Chas.,  216. 
Robert,   215. 
Yarnall,  John  J.,  97. 
Yeocornico   Church,   126,   127. 
Yeocomico  warehouse,   169. 
Yerby,  Col.  Beverly,  173. 

Elizabeth  Woodbridge,  173. 

Oscar,  174. 
York,  53. 

York  Co.,  54,  58,  59,  61,  93,  2J8,  218. 
York  river,  50,  53. 
Yorktown,  56,  94. 
Young,  Edward,  66. 

Elian  Harrison,  13. 

John,  86. 

Mary  Harrison,  13. 

William,  61. 

Wm.   H.,   13. 


OTtllram  anli  Jiarp  College 

©tiarterlp  JMtftoncal  jWagajme 


Second 


Vol.  II.  redes  JANUARY,  1922  No.  1 


THE  PETERSONS,  CLAIBORNES,  AND  HARRISONS, 
AND  SOME  OF  THEIR  CONNECTIONS. 

Edited  by  CLAYTON  TORRENCE. 

The  editors  of  the  QUAETEELY  are  indebted  to  Miss  Elizabeth 
Claiborne  Peterson,  of  Petersburg,  Virginia,  for  permission  to  publish 
the  following  \eiy  interesting  paper.  This  account  of  the  early  Peter- 
eons  and  of  the  Claibornes  and  Harrisons  was  written  in  1829  by 
John  Herbert  Peterson,  and  while  his  statements  have  been  quoted 
time  and  again  it  is  believed  that  the  account  of  his  family  in  full  as 
written  by  him  has  never  before  been  published.  The  manuscript, 
now  very  much  worn  by  age,  and  in  some  small  sections  undecipherable 
from  having  been  broken  by  folding,  is  now  the  property  of  Miss  Eliza- 
beth Claiborne  Peterson,  of  Petersburg,  a  granddaughter  of  John  Her- 
bert Peterson.  The  manuscript  consists  of  nine  closely  written  legal 
sized  pages  and  a  small  slip  on  which  the  note  on  the  Harrisons  was 
added. 

John  Herbert  Peterson,  the  writer  of  the  following  paper,  was 
the  son  of  Thomas  Peterson  and  Elizabeth  Claiborne,  daughter  of 
Colonel  Augustine  and  Mary  (Herbert)  Claiborne,  of  "Windsor," 
Sussex  County,  Virginia.  He  was  born  circa  1777,  and  married  April 
9,  1795,  Mary  Herbert,  daughter  of  General  Charles  and  Mary  Her- 
bert (Claiborne)  Harrison,  the  latter  a  daughter  of  Colonel  Augustine 
and  Mary  (Herbert)  Claiborne.  Thus,  John  Herbert  Peterson  married 
his  own  first  cousin.  This  account  as  written  by  Mr.  Peterson  is  very 
interesting,  and  exceedingly  valuable,  as  he  personally  knew  so  many 
of  the  people  to  whom  he  alludes. 


2  WILLIAM  AND  MAKY  QUARTERLY 

A  Scetch  or  Memo,  of  the  Family  of  Jno.  Herbert  Peterson 
and  his  Wife  Mary  Herbert — By  Jno.  H.  Peterson  in  1829. ' 

John  Peterson  my  Great  Grand  Father  emigrated  to  Virginia 
from  the  Island  of  Great  Briton  about  the  Year  1660,  or  70  as  ap- 
pears from  his  papers,  and  settled  in  the  County  of  Isle  of  White 
and  died  about  the  Year  [1732]2  leaving  two  Sons,  John  and 

iThe  following  note  gives  Miss  Peterson's  (the  owner's)  permis- 
sion to  publish  the  above  account  of  the  Peterson  and  allied  families, 

Mr  Clayton  Torrence. 

Dear  Sir,  It  gives  me  pleasure  to  grant  your  request  to  publish 
the  family  history  of  the  Petersons  written  by  my  grandfather — John 
Herbert  Peterson  and,  I  feel  much  complimented  by  your  desire  to 
have  it  done. 

Most  respectfully, 

Elizabeth    Claiborne   Peterson 

July  18,  1918.  [417  Pilmore  Street,  Petersburg, 

Virginia] 

2The  following  data  are  from  the  records  of  Isle  of  Wight,  Prince 
George  and  Brunswick  Counties. 

John  Peterson,  of  Isle  of  Wight  Co.,  will  dated  Mar.  1,  1731;  pro- 
bated Jan.  24,  1731/2;  To  Burrell  Brown,  400  acres  being  plantation 
whereon  I  now  live  and  two  other  tracts  adjoining;  and  in  default 
of  issue  then  said  land  to  my  son  Batt  Peterson;  To  Jeremiah  Brown, 
200  acres  being  plantation  whereon  Joseph  Perry  formerly  lived,  and 
in  default  of  issue  to  said  Brown,  said  plantation  to  my  son  John 
Peterson;  Son  Batt  Peterson,  100  acres  adjoining  John  Smith;  To 
Matthew  Parham,  of  Isle  of  Wight,  100  acres  out  of  said  tract  on  Fox 
Branch  and  next  adjoining  to  his  land;  Grandson  John  Eppes,  100 
acres  whereon  Jonathan  Carter  did  live,  also  300  acres  on  Fox  Branch, 
and  if  said  Eppes  dies  without  lawful  issue  said  land  to  my  sons  John 
Peterson  and  Batt  Peterson;  Grandson  John  Eppes,  100  acres  whereon 
Robt  Ellis  formerly  lived  also  400  acres  I  bought  of  Edmund  Mearly 
on  Meherrin  River  on  Jcnito  Creek  and  for  default  of  issue  said  land 
to  my  sons  John  and  Batt  Peterson;  son  John  Peterson  all  my  land  in 
Isle  of  Wight  binding  on  south  side  of  Meherrin  River;  Son  Batt 
Peterson,  plantation  whereon  said  Batt  now  liveth  containing  400 
acres;  Son  John  Peterson,  333  acres  on  Meherrin  River  which  I  bought 
of  John  Smith;  Son  Batt  Peterson,  500  acres  on  Meherrin  River  which 
I  purchased  of  Edward  Meccarty;  To  Burrell  Brown,  4  negros  and  for 
default  of  issue  to  said  Brown  then  to  my  sons  John  Peterson  and 
Batt  Peterson;  To  Jeremiah  Brown,  4  negros,  under  same  conditions 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY  3 

Batte  as  appears  by  his  Will,  John  was  my  Grandfather,  he  inter- 
married with  Martha  Thweatt,  the  Sister  of  the  Grand  Father  of 
Jno.  James  Thweatt,  Archibald,  Eichd  N.  &  Thos.  Thweatt  who 
were  born  at  Palestine  in  Prince  George  County  of  an  nntient  & 
respectable  family  english  stock — My  Grand  Father  John  Peter- 
son died  in  the  Year  1773  Octr.  leaving  three  Sons  and  three 

as  the  negros  to  Burrell  Brown;  Grandson  John  Eppes,  when  21  years 
old,  4  negros  under  same  condition  as  negros  to  Burrell  and  Jeremiah 
Brown;  Daughters  Mary  Spain,  Judith  Thweat  and  Ann  Thweat,  one 
negro  each;  To  Burrell  Brown,  Jeremiah  Brown  and  grandson  John 
Eppes,  stock  and  personal  effects;  Residue  of  estate  to  sons  John  and 
Batt  Peterson,  and  all  debts  due  and  demands  in  England,  Virginia 
or  elsewhere,  and  they  fire  named  executors;  Witnesses  Miles  Thweat, 
John  Sturdivant  and  William  Thweat.  (Isle  of  Wight  Records,  Will 
Book  3,  pp.  292-5.)  , 

Nov  12,  1723,  John  Peterson  of  Prince  George  County,  Bristol 
Parish,  to  John  Fitzgerald,  of  same;  for  £200  currency;  water  grist 
mill  and  corn  mill  called  Frogghole  Mill  on  Baily  Creek,  Prince 
George  Co,  in  parish  and  county  aforesaid;  3  tracts  of  land  in  parish 
and  county  aforesaid:  (1)  118  acres  as  by  deed  Jan  26,  1677  from 
Francis  Whaittington  to  John  Peterson,  the  feoffor  "as  heir  at  law  to 
said  John  Peterson,  deed."  (2)  60  acres  as  by  deed  October  11,  1703, 
from  Henry  Batte  to  John  Peterson,  the  feoffor,  which  said  land  de- 
scended to  said  Henry  Batte  "as  heir  at  law  to  his  father  Henry 
Batte";  (3)  95  acres  purchased  by  John  Peterson,  the  feoffor,  of  Wil- 
liam Bobbit,  by  deed  May  12,  1703,  being  land  on  which  said  Bobbit 
then  lived  and  was  granted  to  William  Bobbit,  father  of  the  said  Wil- 
liam Bobbit,  by  patent  October  27,  1673,  and  descended  to  said  Wil- 
liam Bobbit,  as  heir  at  law  to  his  said  father  (Prince  George  Co 
Records,  vol  1713-28).  Jan  10,  1723/4,  John  Peterson,  Senior,  of  Isle 
of  Wight,  to  John  Peterson,  Junior,  of  Prince  George  County;  for 
£5  currency;  two  tracts  of  land:  (1)  100  acres  at  head  of  Frogghole 
Mill  Pond,  Bristol  Parish,  Prince  George  Co;  (2)  a  tract  on  Westerly 
Run.  Recorded  at  a  court  held  for  Prince  George  Feb  11,  1723/4  "in 
open  Court  acknowledged  by  John  Peterson  the  subscriber  thereto 
...  to  his  son  John  Peterson".  (Prince  George  Records  vol  1713-28) 

The  inventory  of  the  estate  of  Batte  Peterson  was  recorded  in 
Brunswick  Co  in  1752  and  an  account  of  his  estate  in  1758.  The  will 
of  John  Peterson,  of  Brunswick  County,  dated  May  16,  1763,  probated 
in  Brunswick  Co  Jan  23,  1769  names  sons  Batte,  William,  John  and 
Kinchen  Peterson;  daughters  Mary,  Martha,  Patience,  Rebecca,  Betty 


4  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

Daughters,  and  a  valuable  Estate  both  real  &  personal —  his  eldest 
Son  Peter  intermarried  with  Lucy  Osborn,  I  believe  of  Amelia,  by 
whom  he  had  only  two  daughters,  the  elder  of  which  intermarried 
with  James  Thweatt,  of  Dinwiddie,  who  left  two  Daughters,  Lucy 
&  Sally — Lucy  married  Herbert  Gregory — &  Sally  Married  Thomas 
Thweatt  above  named,  both  respectable.  The  2d  Son  of  my  Grand 
Father  was  named  John,  he  died  a  single  man  at  twenty  four  Years 
of  age  leaving  all  his  estate  except  some  trifling  legacies  (which 
were  given  to  some  young  Men  of  his  acquaintance)  to  his  Brother 
Thomas  my  Father;  My  Father  married  Elizabeth  Claiborne,  the 
Daughter  of  Colo.  Augustin  Claiborne  of  Sussex  County  Va.  by 
whom  he  had  three  Sons,  myself  John  Herbert,  Thomas,  Augustine 
Claiborne,  and  One  Daughter  Ann.  My  Father  died  in  November 
1788,  my  Sister  an  Infant  in  1794.  my  younger  Brother  Augus- 
tine Claiborne,  in  1803,  a  single  man  &  under  age  by  about  two  or 
three  Months.  My  Brother  Thomas  married  Sarah  Epes  dughter 
of  Colo.  Peter  Epes  of  Prince  George,  by  whom  he  had  no  issue 
and  died  in  about  five  months  after  marriage  in  the  Year  1809, 
leaving  his  Estate  real;  &  some,  personal  to  me  his  elder  Brother. 
I  have  omited  accounting  for  the  2d.  Daughter  of  my  Uncle  Peter — 
Her  Name  was  Elizabeth,  She  married  Colo.  Peterson  Goodwyn 
of  Dinwiddie,  who  was  long  a  Member  of  the  Virginia  assembly, 
and  also  for  many  years  a  Member  of  Congress,  and  a  Member  at 
the  time  of  his  death,  they  left  many  Sons  &  Daughters  who  mar- 
ried very  respectably.  This  compleats  an  Acct.  of  the  Sons,  of 
my  Grand  Father  and  of  there  issue. 

I  stated  as  above  that  my  Grand  Father  left  three  Daughters — 
There  Xames  were  as  follows,  Martha — Mary,  and  Frances.  Martha 

and  Lucy  Peterson  and  daughter  Temperance  Taylor;  sons  Batte  and 
John  executors;  "all  the  negros  that  Prances  Powell  holds  in  her 
right  of  dower,  they  and  their  increase  to  be  equally  divided  among 
my  above  said  children".  (Brunswick  County  Records). 

See  Hening,  Statutes  at  Large  of  Virginia,  vol  2,  page  339  and 
vol  3,  page  479  for  naturalization  of  Petersons  who  had  come  to  Vir- 
ginia; see  also  Chamberlayne,  Bristol  Parish  Vestry  Book  and  Regis- 
ter for  Peterson  entries  in  Bristol  Parish. 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY  5 

married  Kobert  Batte  of  Prince  George  County  Va.8  an  ancient 
Family  of  respectability  by  whom  she  had  three  Sons  and  two 
daughters  to  wit  John,  Robert  and  Frederick,  Mary  and  Martha 
all  of  whom  (except  Robert,  who  died  a  Young,  &  single  Man) 
married  in  respectable  and  reputable  Families,  &  leaving  issue 
Sons  &  Daughters.  The  next  Daughter  married  Francis  Poythress 
of  Amelia  County  by  whom  she  had  a  Son  &  Daughter — the  Son 
Francis  was  a  Horsemain  in  the  Troop  of  Capt.  William  Parsons 
during  the  revolution,  and  discharged  himself  in  every  instance 
with  great  Merit  as  I  have  always  been  informed,  for  he  was  in 
several  engagements  in  the  South,  under  the  ilustrious  General 
William  Washington;  soon  after  the  close  of  war  he  returned  to 
Virginia  &  died  a  Single  Man  at  about  twenty  four  years  of  age, 
his  Sister  Mary  married  a  Mr.  Randolph  of  Amelia  county  and 
died  leaving  I  believe,  an  only  Daughter. 

The  Youngest  Daughter  of  my  Grand  Father  married  James 
Parsons  Brother  of  the  above  named  Capt.  William  Parsons,  by 
whom  she  had  no  issue  &  died  soon  after  marriage. 

It  now  remains  for  me  to  account  for  my  Grand  Fathers 
younger  Brother  Batte  Peterson,  of  him  I  can  give  no  account. 
It  appears  that  after  the  Division  of  my  Great  Grand  Fathers 
Estate  between  his  two  Sons  John  &  Batte — that  John  the  eldest 
my  Grandfather,  came  up  to  Prince  George  County  &  settled  at 
the  Place  of  my  Now  residence,  soon  after  which  he  married  as 
before  stated  &c. — his  Brother  Batte  or  any  of  his  issue  I  have 
never  been  able  to  trace,  but  I  have  been  informed  that  there  are 
several  Petersons  in  North  Carolina  probably  they  may  be  his  off- 
spring. For  I  have  never  seen  any  person  from  whom  I  could 
trace  any  account,  of  any  decendant  of  my  Great  Grand  Father 
except  my  Grand  Father  and  his  decendants,  all  of  which  I  be- 
lieve I  have  embraced  in  the  foregoing. 

My  Mothers  Family 
The  Mother  of  John  Herbert  Peterson:    my  Mother  was  the 

»For  Batte  family  notes,  see  Richmond  Standard,  II,  No.  40,  June 
4,  1881. 


6  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

Daughter  of  ...  Colo.  Augustine  Claiborne4  of  Sussex  County 
took  an  active  part  him  &  his  Sons  in  the  Revolutionary  war  the 
assembly  at  Williamsburg  and  his  place  of  residence  (Windsor) 
Colo.  Claiborne  my  Grand  Father  on  the  side  of  my  Mother  mar- 
ried a  Miss  Mary  Herbert  (she  was  an  heiress  and  had  an  emence 
estate  perhaps  little  less  than  a  Million  of  Dollars,  of  her  and 
her  Estate  more  will  be  said  hereafter.  My  Grad  Father  Clai- 
borne died  about  the  Year  1785  quite  an  old  man  and  left  by  Miss 
Herbert  Thirteen  Children,  Eight  Sons  and  Five  Daughters — the 
Sons  were  Herbert,  William,  Augustine,  Buller  (who  was  one  of 
the  Aids  of  Genl.  Lyncoln  of  the  revolution)  John  Herbert,  Rich- 
ard Cook,  and  Bathurst  called  after  Lord  Bathurst  of  England 
a  Near  relation  of  my  Grand  Mother  Claiborne  formerly  Miss 
Herbert5 — I  will  first,  before  giving  an  acct.  of  my  Maternal  Grand 
Fathers  issue,  give  an  act.  as  far  as  I  can  of  his  ancestors.  My 
Grand  Father  Claiborne,  was  the  Youngest  Son  of  Capt.  William 
Claiborne  who  was  sent  to  Virginia,  by  the  King  of  England  aa 
Surveyor  General,  and  who  reed,  a  mortal  wound  from  an  Indian 
arrow  in  the  County  of  King  William  about  what  time  I  dont  know 
where  he  died  soon  after,  and  in  which  County  he  was  buried  and 
there  stands  I  believe  at  tin's  day,  the  Stone  over  his  Grave  marked 
with  the  occurrence.  Capt.  William  Claiborne  my  Maternal  Great 
Grand  Father  left  several  Sons,  to  wit  Len,  Bernard,  William, 
Thomas  &  some  whose  Names  I  do  not  recollect,  and  Augustine  my 
Grand  Father.  My  Great  Grand  Father  Capt.  William  Claiborne 
married  I  believe  a  Miss  Dandrage,  of  this  family  I  know  but  little, 
but  have  always  understood  they  were  very  respectable,  at  least  the 
family  of  Dandrages  are  all  now  in  my  day  spoken  off  very  hily  &c.* 

•*For  a  full  account  of  Colonel  Augustine  Claiborne  and  his  de- 
scendants, see  Virginia  Magazine  of  History  and  Biography,  vol.  1, 
p.  320,  et  seq. 

6See  note  14  post. 

«The  statement  here  from  "Capt  William  Claiborne^  my  great 
grandfather"  and  ending  "in  my  day  spoken  of  very  hily"  is  incorrect 
as  shown  by  facts  in  the  Claiborne  pedigree  worked  out  many  years 
after  Mr.  Peterson's  death.  The  line  of  descent  runs  thus:  William* 
Claiborne  had  a  son  Thomas2  Claiborne,  who  had  a  son  Thomass  Clai- 
borne (married  Ann  Fox)  who  was  father  of  Col.  Augustine*  Clai- 
borne. Compare  Claiborne  Genealogy  in  Virginia  Magazine  of  History 
and  Biography,  vol.  1,  p.  314  et  seq. 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY  7 

I  now  return  to  give  the  Acct.  of  my  Maternal  Grand  Fathers 
Children  as  I  before  stated  I  should,  in  doing  this  I  shall  begin 
with  the  Sons  first  and  with  his  first  Son,  Herbert  &  so  on  in  rota- 
tion. 

Herbert  Claiborne  the  elder  Son,  married  Mary  Ruffin  a 
Daughter  of  Robert  Ruffin  Esqr.  of  Sweet  Hall  on  the  North  Side 
of  Pomunky  River  in  King  William  County  Va.  a  Gentee  of  great 
fortune  &  one  of  our  first  familys  by  whom  he  had  an  only  Daugh- 
ter Mary  Herbert,  who  married  a  Scotch  Gentleman  by  the  Name 
of  Thompson  &  soon  died  with  the  family  complaint  the  consump- 
tion &  which  her  mother  died  with.  After  this  Herbert  Claiborne 
intermarried  with  Miss  Brown,  a  Daughter  of  William  Burnet 
Brown  commonly  called  count  Brown,  a  man  of  the  first  family,  of 
King  William  who  also  resided  of  the  North  Side  of  Pamunkey 
River.  Also  by  this  last  marriage  Herbert  Claiborne,  got  a  large 
Estate,  but  he  had  acted  so  improvidently  with  the  emence  Estate 
his  Father  had  given  him  &  what  he  got  by  Miss  Ruffin,  that  Count 
Brown  had  the  estate  given  his  daughter  so  fixed  that  Claiborne 
could  only  enjoy  the  profits  during  his  life,  &  at  the  death  of  Clai- 
borne &  his  wife  the  landed  estate  &  mansion  Elson-Green  was  to 
go  to  Claibornes  eldest  Son  provided  he  would  drop  the  Name  of 
Claiborne  &  take  that  of  William  Burnet  Brown,  which  he  did, 
and  an  act  of  the  Va.  assembly  passed  to  that  effect.  The  person- 
able property  that  Herbert  Claiborne  had  the  use  of  was  so  fixed  by 
his  [Father  and  Count  Brown]  that  at  the  death  of  Herbert  & 
his  wife  it  was  divided  between  the  Children  of  Herbert. 

Count  Brown  had  no  Son,  only  Daughters,  one  of  which  mar- 
ried a  Mr.  Lewis  a  Nephew  of  General  Geo.  Washington  &  the 
other  a  Mr.  Basset  John  I  believe.7  William  is  the  Next  Son  of 

TWilliam  Burnet  Browne,  of  "Elsing  Green,"  King  William  Co. 
(and  said  by  Mr  Peterson  to  have  been  called  "Count")  was  a  de- 
scendant of  the  distinguished  Browne  family  of  Salem,  Massachusetts, 
and  of  the  William  Burnett,  governor  of  New  York  and  New  Jersey 
and  of  the  families  of  Curwen,  of  Massachusetts,  Provost  and  Van 
Home,  of  New  York.  William  Burnet  Browne  was  born  in  Salem, 
Mass.,  Oct.  7,  1738,  died  in  Virginia  May  6,  1784.  He  married  Judith, 


8  WILLIAM  AND  MAKY  QUARTERLY 

my  Maternal  Grand  Father  a  man  of  easy  genteel  manners,  a 
farmer  &  beloved  by  all  that  knew  him  he  also  married  a  Miss 
Ruffin  and  Sister  to  his  Brother  Herberts  first  wife.  William  & 
his  wife  both  died  in  about  twelve  years  leaving  several  Children 
some  of  which  married  &  quite  respectable  Men,  &  others  never 
Married,  all  of  which  though  are  now  dead,  &  died  I  believe  gen- 
erally with  the  consumption. 

Augustine  is  the  next  Son,  no  Man  more  generally  beloved, 
&  no  Man  fonder  of  retirement,  he  married  an  amiable  woman 
Martha  Jones  A  Daughter  of  Fredk.  Jones  of  Dinwiddie,  and  a 
Near  relative  of  Genl.  Jos.  Jones  near  Petersburg.  By  this  mar- 
riage he  reed  a  handsome  estate  which  with  his  own  fully  ample, 
made  him  rich,  he  was  never  a  good  manager,  &  though  he  kept 
his  Estate  together,  yet  he  never  increased  it,  but  died  about  the 
year  1796  quite  clear  of  debt,  leaving  his  Estate  to  his  Children, 
Six  Sons  &  one  Daughter.  His  Sons  were  Buller,  Fredk.  John, 
Gray,  Augustine,  &  Cadwallader  the  four  first  died  soon  after  him, 
the  other  two  and  Daughter  are  now  living,  the  Sons  though,  soon 
waisted  the  Estate,  &  the  two  latter  &  their  Sister  has  since  moved 
to  Tenesee. 

Buller  is  the  Next  Son  to  acct.  for.  He  also  married  a  Miss 
Ruffin  sister  to  his  Brother  Herberts  &  Williams  wife,  all  of  whom 
were  amiable  fine  women,  possessing  beauty  of  person,  and  an  un- 
common share  of  fine  Mind  which  had  been  much  improved  by  a 
good  education,  she  also  died  quite  young  with  the  consumption, 
leaving  four  Sons  &  an  only  dughter,  the  Sons  all  died  early,  ex- 
cept Sterling  now  living  near  Lynchburg  in  Amhurst  County,  a 
lawyer  of  cleverness,  the  Daughter  Lucy  is  also  ded  &  with  the 
consumption.  She  married  Jas.  Wright  a  Merchant  of  Petersburg ; 

daughter  of  Charles  and  Mary  (Walker)  Carter,  of  "Cleve,"  King 
George  Co.,  Virginia.  Judith  Browne  (their  daughter)  married  Rob- 
ert Lewis  (son  of  Fielding  and  Betty  [Washington]  Lewis).  Betty 
Carter  Browne  (daughter  of  William  Burnet  Browne,  above)  married 
Sep.  12,  1786,  John  Bassett  (1765-1826)  of  "Farmington,"  Hanover  Co., 
son  of  Hon.  Burwell  and  Anna  Maria  (Dandridge)  Bassett,  of  "Elt- 
ham,"  New  Kent  Co.  (QUAETERLY,  V.,  p.  37.) 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY  9 

she  was  a  woman  of  an  extraordinary  fine  Mind  &  possessing  all 
those  virtues  &  qualities  that  is  an  ornament  to  the  fair  sex.  This 
Son  Buller  was  one  of  the  aids  of  Genl.  Lyncoln  of  the  Ee volution, 
and  he  was  the  real  soldier  in  all  his  deportment,  warm,  sincere, 
firm,  &  friendly  to  a  fault;  in  all  his  conduct  no  man  possessing  a 
more  noble  sole;  and  soldier  like  knew  not  the  value  of  money  nor 
how  to  take  care  of  a  fine  Estate,  consequently  he  like  many  other 
amiable  men  died  poor,  but  universally  beloved. 

John  Herbert  is  the  Next  Son,  he  is  now  living  in  Brunswick 
Va.  he  married  Mary  Gregory  the  Daughter  of  Roger  Gregory 
&  sister  to  Richard  Gy.  of  Chesterfield,  John  was  near  related  to 
his  wife,  her  Mother  being  a  Miss  Claiborne  and  Niece  to  his  Father 
Colo.  A.  Claiborne.  A«more  amiable  woman  never  lived.  I  knew 
her  well.  She  was  handsome,  she  was  lovely,  she  was  all  &  all, 
that  man  could  desire  to  make  his  passage  through  this  trouble- 
some world  desirable;  Yes  and  her  amiable  husband  knew  it,  she 
was  his  almost  idol  for  he  loved  her  dearly.  I  knew  it  from  many 
circumstances,  his  whole  deportment  proved  it,  &  she  knew  it  and 
she  lovely  like  set  a  proper  value  on  his  marked  affection.  No  man 
more  amable  than  John  H.  Claiborne  not  only  as  an  affectionate 
Parent  a  [kind?]  master,  but  a  sinere  friend,  and  one  of  the  Most 
dutiful  Sons  I  ever  saw.  He  was  also  prudent  in  the  management 
of  his  domestic  affairs,  for  he  kept  a  Handsome  Estate  together, 
though  could  never  increase  it;  he  always  lived  genteely  &  enter- 
tained much  company.  This  perhaps  in  some  measure  prevented 
[an  increase  of  his  estate]  this  union  produced  two  lovely  Daugh- 
ters &  a  dutiful  Son,  all  of  whom  married  in  families  of  wealth 
and  respectability. 

Thomas  is  the  Next  Son.  A  more  honest,  a  more  amiable,  &  a 
better  Man  never  lived,  a  Man  of  fine  Mind,  &  notwithstanding 
his  apparent  exertions,  he  yet  coiild  not  even  keep  his  handsome 
Estate  together  during  life,  &  now  reduced  almost  to  poverty,  he 
married  a  Miss  Scott,  the  Daughter  of  a  Scotch  Gentleman  who 
married  a  Miss  Cocke  on  James  River.  Thos.  is  now  living  in 
New  Kent  County  and  has  two  Sons  &  two  Daughters  one  of  which 
Sous  Thomas,  I  learn  is  doing  well. 

Richard  Cook  is  the  Next  Son,  he  died  about  1818  leaving  a 


10  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

pretty  Estate  to  an  only  Son,  who  soon  got  through  it,  &  who  ap- 
peared to  have  all  necessary  Sence  but  that  requsite  to  take  care  of 
himself.  Richd  C.  married  the  only  Daughter  of  Philip  Jones  of 
Dinwiddie,  by  whom  he  got  an  Estate  of  $20  or  $30  thousand  Dol- 
lars which  with  his  own  handsome  property  was  a  good  deal  les- 
sened before  his  death.  Richd  was  bred  to  the  Law,  &  though  well 
educated  too  rich  &  too  lasy  to  practice ;  an  amiable  Man  &  his  wife 
a  sweet  a  little  woman  as  I  ever  saw  &  Richard  knew  it  &  loved 
her  sincerely.  She  died  soon  after  marriage  &  he  never  married 
again. 

Bathurst  is  the  Next.  He  was  born  when  his  Mother  was  about 
forty  Eight  years  of  age,  her  darling  if  she  had  one,  which  I  ques- 
tion, for  no  woman  on  Earth  ever  made  a  fonder  Mother,  or  de- 
lighted in  her  Children  Yeas ;  her  Grand  &  Great  Grand  Children, 
than  she  did.  Bathursts  first  wife  was  a  Miss  Bott  of  Chesterfield, 
a  Daughter  of  Colo.  John  Bott.  I  think  she  was  one  among  the 
Handsome  women  of  the  day.  she,  poor  Girl  enjoyed  the  married 
state  but  a  little  while,  for  she  was  married  on  Thursday,  the  Sun- 
day following  went  to  Church,  &  there  taken  sick  and  died  the 
Wednesday  following,  Year  1796.  Bathurst  next  married  Miss 
Mary  Leigh  Claiborne,  a  near  relation,  &  Daughter  of  Wm.  Clai- 
borne  of  Manchester  &  sister  of  Governor  Wm  C.  C.  Claiborne  of 
New  Orleans  &  the  Hbl  Nathl.  Claiborne  &  Genl.  Ferdinand  L. 
Claiborne  of  the  state  of  Tenesee.  He  had  by  this  marriage  one 
Son  &  two  Daughters,  what  has  become  of  them  I  know  not,  but 
have  understood  that  the  Honl.  H.  Claborne  an  old  Batchellor  has 
taken  them  as  his  adopted  Children.  Bathurst  like  the  other  Sons 
(except  Herbert  the  elder  who  had  a  Princely  estate)  had  a  very 
fine  estate  &  like  them  nearly  exausted  it  before  his  death.  He 
&  his  wife  both  died  about  the  year  1810,  he  possest  all  the  good 
qualities  of  man  thats  necessary  to  be  beloved  except  the  one  of 
knowing  how  to  take  care  of  Money. 

Next  comes  the  Daughters  of  Colo.  Agustin  Claiborne,  &  their 
Husbands.  Oh  Heaven,  could  there  have  been,  from  what  I  have 
ever  seen,  &  heard,  more  lovely  mortals?  [obliterated  by 
folding  of  page]  .  .  all  .  heard  spoken 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY  11 

off  even  by  strangers,  and  those  by  no  way  connected  or 
related  to  them  in  most  exalted  terms.  Finely  educated  of  easy 
and  genteel  deportment  with  that  modest  and  gentle  demeanor 
that  always  accompany s  good  sence,  and  good  breeding  with  a 
share  of  Beauty;  two  particularly,  that  perhaps  was  scarcely  ex- 
celled by  any  of  their  day.  His  eldest  Daughter  Mary  married 
Charles  Harrison8  about  the  year  1763,  who  was  the  youngest  Son 
of  Colo.  Benj.  Harrison  of  Berlcly  Va.  laying  immediately  on  the 
North  side  of  James  Eiver,  about  Ten  miles  below  City  Point, 
which  Handsome  estate  is  now  at  this  distant  day  in  the  posses- 
sion off  &  owned  by  Benj.  Harrison  the  Great  Grand  Son,  a  man 
of  fine  education,  &  j)ff  the  true  old  Virginian  character  in  his 
whole  deportment.  This  union  took  place  at  an  early  age,  Charles 
not  quite  nineteen,  &  sweet  lovely  Mary  just  compleating  her  Six- 
teenth year;  often  have  I  heard  them  spoken  off  by  those  before 
me,  in  exalted  terms  for  their  many  accomplishments,  their  high, 
noble,  modest  &  genteel  deportment  &  her  extream  Beauty,  &  his 
manly  &  polished  Manners;  this  could  not  be  otherwise,  for  they 
were  brought  up  in  the  most  polished  circles,  and  under  Parents 
of  the  first  standing,  for  their  knowledge,  their  property,  their 
wealth  &  universal  good  conduct.  This  lovely  Mary  died  about 
1776.  By  this  Union  had  issue  three  Sons  &  three  Daughters 
Charles  the  eldest  Son.  Yeas  I  knew  Charles  &  I  would,  I  could, 
say  off,  &  do  justice  to  his  merits.  But  this  I  cannot  do,  I  will 
not  offer  to  eligise  one  whose  merits  are  beyond  my  praise.  At 
Sixteen  he  entered  a  Volunteer  in  a  troop  of  Cavalry,  that  waa 
raised  by  a  company  of  Young  men  of  fortune  &  who  elected  one 
of  them  Mr.  Carter  Page  as  their  Capt.,  there  were  about  sixty 
of  these  young  men,  who  furnished  &  equipped  themselves,  &  of- 
fered their  services  free  of  cash  to  their  oppressed  &  invaded  Coun- 
try for  Six  Months,  some  few  of  them  I  knew  to  wit  Jno.  H. 
Claiborne  uncle  to  Charles  Harrison,  Eoger  Atkinson  of  Chester- 
field, William  Ruffin  late  of  Roily  N.  [Raleigh]  Carolina,  James 
Clack  of  King  William  &c.  I  have  heard  many  annecdotes  of 

&See  post  for  Harrison  reference. 


12  WILLIAM  AND  MAEY  QUARTERLY 

Charles  while  in  this  Volunteer  troop — all  all  though  bearing  him 
out  as  he  proved  to  the  last,  though  then  young,  a  Boy  of  un- 
daunted courage.  In  the  year  1794  he  was  appointed  by  Genl. 
Washington  then  President  of  the  United  States,  a  Capt  in  the 
regular  army  &  was  stationed  at  Fort  Norfolk  or  fort  Nelson  Va. 
I  forgot  which ;  he  there  had  some  missunderstanding  with  a  Leut. 
Wilson  of  the  U.  S.  Army,  a  Duel  ensued  &  Charles  fell,  universally 
beloved  by  I  believe  all  that  knew  him. 

The  Next  Son  was  Augustine,  he  died  an  infant. 

The  Next  was  Benj.  Henry.  A  sincere  friend,  an  honest  Man. 
But  like  all  his  relatives  could  not  take  care  of  the  needfull 
(Money)  he  had  some  foibles,  but  these  a  drop  in  the  Bucket  to 
his  other  good  qualities. 

Now  For  the  Daughters  of  Charles  &  Mary  Harrison  formerly 
Mary  Claiborne.  Their  Elder  Daughter,  Mary  Herbert,  married 
her  own  Cousin,  the  Son  of  her  Mothers  Sister;  John  Herbert 
Peterson — This  Dr.  Mary  is  my  Bosome  companion,  my  amiable 
wife,  to  whom  I  have  been  married  this  very  year,  thirty  five  years, 
and  in  all  this  time  I  have  never  repented  my  puppy  selection,  and 
yet  do  pray  a  kind  providence  to  continue  the  union,  that  has 
produced  so  much  happiness,  so  much  comfort,  and  so  many  bless- 
ings as  long  as  in  his  Wisdom  he  has  intended  mortals  to  enjoy 
in  this  live. — This  happy  Unon  took  place  on  the  9t.  of  April 
1795,  the  most  beautiful  day  I  ever  saw,  every  tree  loaded  with 
blossoms,  &  all  nature  appeared  to  be  smiling — Of  my  lovely  Mary, 
a  great  god  knows  my  feeling — This  happy  Union  produced  five 
Children,  the  two  first  (Daughters)  died  in  a  few  days  after 
Birth,  they  just  entered  this  world,  found  it  unpleasant  &  by  a 
Kind  Maker,  bid  it  adieu  for  a  Better. 

The  third  Child  was  a  Son,  my  only  Son  christened  Jno.  Au- 
gustine, possessing  in  my  humble  opion  (perhaps  too  portial) 
every  quality  that  constitutes  a  good  Man,  no  Child  more  dutiful, 
no  Man  more  honourable,  &  none  a  more  sincere  friend  or  a  Bet- 
ter Master,  an  affectionate  Brother,  &  a  loving  &  sincerely  affection- 
ate Husband  &  Father — He  has  been  married — &  to  a  lovely  & 
Buteful  woman,  who  possessed  all  those  accomplishments  &  virtues 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY  13 

thats  an  ornament  to  the  female.  By  this  fine  &  lovely  woman, 
my  Son  had  two  Children — A  Son  who  was  called  after  his  Father, 
&  a  Daughter  called  Virginia  after  her  Mother,  two  sweet  little 
creatures,  (But  here?  the  cloven  Foot)  perhaps  as  they  are  mine 
is  the  cause.  After  this  last  Burth  a  Daughter,  this  sweet  Vir- 
ginia departed  this  life  with  a  consumption  in  the  year  1824.  She 
was  the  Elder  Daughter  of  John  Jas.  &  Ann  H.  Thweatt  of  Tren- 
ton Virginia,  both  of  whomVere  the  decendants  of  reputable  & 
high  standing  families. 

The  Next  child  of  Jno.  &  Mary  Peterson,  [John  Herbert  Peter- 
son and  Mary  H.,  his  wife],  was  a  Daughter,  Lucy  Ann,  always 
of  delicate  &  weakly  constitution,  but  by  the  good  care  of  herself, 
&  an  affectionate  Motner  she  lived  to  the  age  of  27  &  departed 
this  life  in  Oct.  182'8.  She  married  in  her  22  year,  Wm.  H.  Young, 
of  the  Town  of  Petersburg,  a  deserving,  meritorious  &  amiable 
Man,  and  an  affectionate  Husband;  this  good  Man,  stands  it  ap- 
pears alone;  he  has  no  Father,  no  Mother,  no  Brother,  no  Sister, 
no  Uncle  Aunt  or  any  relation  or  connection  on  eath  that  he  knows 
of — He  is  the  offspring  of  a  German  that  came  to  America  as  a 
Cavalry  Man  (a  Lieutenant)  in  the  French  Army  during  the  re- 
volution &  aided  to  establish  our  libertey.  He  married  an  Irish 
Lady,  &  he  is  the  only  issue,  &  both  parents  are  no  more.  Though 
a  mechanic,  &  he  prides  in  it,  his  company  is  of  the  best  &  ... 
This  Union  produced  issue  three,  one  a  still  born  Child  &  the  other 
two,  lovely  babes  Mary  Harrison  &  Elian,  two  sweet  babes  that 
God  thought  best  to  take  to  his  holy  keeping. 

The  Xext  &  last  Child  of  Jno.  &  Mary  Peterson  is  a  Daughter, 
Maria  Harrison,  this  little  Daughter,  is  yet  by  the  permission  of  a 
kind  providence  permitted  to  remain  with  us,  &  with  her  only 
Brother,  are  no  doubt  the  blessing  of  a  kind  Maker  to  there  aged 
parents  parents,  whom  it  is  to  be  hoped  will  be  ever  thankfull  for 
the  blessing  of  having  them  to  close  the  Eyes  of  there  affectionate 
Parents —  This  dear  Daughter  Maria,  possest  all  the  amiable 
qualities  that  parents  could  wish,  or  a  husband  could  desire,  she 
married  Jno.  Prentis,  the  third  Son  of  Capt.  Wm.  Prentis  of 
Petersburg  of  antient  &  respectable  family  &c,  who  emigrated  to 
this  Country  (from  England)  long  before  the  revolution,  a  de- 


14  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

cendant  of  an  old  &  reputable  family.  By  this  Unon  Maria  has 
two  Sons  &  one  Daughter  living  to  wit  John  Peterson,  Thomas 
Augustine,  &  Maria  —  she  lost  two  sweet  babes,  her  first  Daughter 
Mary  Harrison  called  after  her  Grandmother,  &  William  called 
after  his  Grandfather  Prentis.  The  Husband  of  my  Daughter 
Maria,  I  would  utter  [  ?]  in  no  respect  whatever,  except  I  could 
make  him  know  how  to  take  care  of  Money,  he  posses  many  amiable 
qualities,  and  none  bad  but  the  one  just  alluded  to.  He  is  a  Man 
of  fine  education,  &  nature  has  been  bounterfull  &  kind  to  him, 
but  the  needfull  he  knows  not  the  value  of. 

The  Next  Daughter  of  Charles  &  Mary  Harrison  married 
Matthew  Murry  Claiborne,  a  man  of  respectable  family  &  Con- 
nestions.  He  was  the  Grand  Son  of  one  of  Colo.  Augustine  Clai- 
bornes  Brothers.9  This  Union  produced  two  Sons  Mathew,  & 
Charles  &  three  Daughters  Susan,  Martha,  &  Maria,  this  family 
has  moved  to  the  Town  of  Baltimore,  and  I  am  told  there  have 
formed  respectable  connections,  the  third  &  last  Daughter  of 
Charles  &  Mary  Harrison,  is  named  Elizabeth  Bandolph.  She 
married  one  of  the  most  deserving  of  Men  Daniel  Claiborne  Butts 
of  Dinwiddie  County,10  now  of  Petersburg.  This  Union  produced 
four  Sons,  John,  Daniel,  Augustine  &  four  Daughters,  Mary  Har- 
rison, Martha,  Louisa  and  -  there  are  several  of  the  Sons 
&  Daughters  married,  who  connected  themselves,  with  good  de- 
serving Men  &  amiable  women  of  respectable  families. 

The  Next  Daughter  of  Colo.  Augustine  Claiborne  &  Mary 
his  wife  —  This  was  Nancy  —  she  intermarried  with  Colo.  Eichd 
Cocke  of  Surry  County,11  a  decendant  of  one  of  our  most  respect- 
able families,  by  whom  she  had  Children  three,  Eichd  Herbert  (now 
owner  of  Bacon  Castle  in  Surry  Va.)  a  relation  I  have  been  too 


Claiborne  (brother  of  Col.  Augustine  Claiborne)  married 
Mary  Maury,  and  lived  for  a  time  in  Lunenburg  Co.,  and  afterwards 
in  Dinwiddie  County,  where  he  died. 

loGeneral  Daniel  Claiborne  Butts  was  the  son  of  John  Butts,  of 
Dinwiddie  County,  and  his  wife  Mary  Ann,  daughter  of  Daniel  and 
Mary  (Maury)  Claiborne. 

11  and  i2See  Virginia  Magazine  of  History  and  Biography,  vol.  v, 
pp.  75  and  76. 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY  15 

partial  to,  to  say  much  of,  except  that  I  loved  him  &  held  him  in 
the  highest  light.  Augustin  who  died  a  Young  Man,  a  practising 
Lawyer  of  great  merit,  &  promis — Lucy  the  only  Daughter  died 
about  Sixteen,  a  sweet  pretty  girl  of  polished  manners.  Susan 
was  the  Next  Daughter  of  Colo.  Claiborne.  She  I  knew  but 
little  of  [  ?]  when  I  was  young,  but  I  heard  her  spoken  of 
in  very  favourable  terms,  she  Married  Frederick  Jones  of  Din- 
widdie — by  whom  she  had  a  Son  Augustine,  &  Mary  who  married 
a  Mr.  Withens  [Withers?]  of  Dinwiddie — and who  mar- 
ried ...  of  Lunenburg  or  Macklingburg,  of  respectable,  family 
I  have  been  told. 

The  Next  Daughter  of  Colo.  Claiborne  was  Elizabeth  (My 
Mother)  of  this  dear  source  of  my  existence  I  cannot,  say  enough, 
because  she  was  too  amiable  &  lovely  in  my  eye  to  say  enough  of 
her.  In  beaty  &  noble  deportment  none  surpassed  him  [her]  a 
most  dignified  carriage,  &  a  coentinance,  &  a  demeanor  that  drew 
admiration,  &  applause  from  all  who  knew  her.  she  died  in  the 
year  1794.  Thirty  Six  years  of  age — leaving  issue  refer  to  the 
History  of  my  Father  Thos.  Peterson  before  given. 

The  Next  &  last  Daughter  of  Colo.  Claiborne  was  Lucy  Her- 
bert— In  beauty  her  equal  scarcely  ever  seen,  in  form  &  mind, 
none  superior,  she  married  Colo.  John  Cocke,12  younger  Brother 
to  Richard  who  married  her  sister  Nancy — Lucy  left  two  Sons 
only;  Herbert,  &  John  Ruffin — both  of  whom  married  in  the  most 
respectable  familys  in  Halifax  County  Va. 

And  Now  for  the  History  of  My  Grand  Mother  Claiborne  Miss 
Mary  Herbert.  My  Grand  Mother  Claiborne,  was  Mary  Herbert 
the  only  issue  of  Buller  Herbert,  a  Grand  Son  of  Lord  Herbert  of 
England.13  Buller  with  a  Brother  of  his  John  Herbert,  emigrated 
to  Virginia  from  England  at  some  early  period  about  the  year — and 

i»For  an  account  of  what  is  verified  about  the  Herbert  family  of 
Prince  George  County,  see  QUARTERLY,  VIII,  p.  148,  and  Virginia  Maga- 
zine of  History  and  Biography,  XVIII,  p.  190.  It  is  not  improbable 
that  the  Herbert  connection  in  England  could  be  worked  out  by  piec- 
ing together  the  facts  in  the  case  and  getting  from  Prerogative  Court 
of  Canterbury,  and  the  court  in  London  the  wills  of  Herberts  and 
Crammers. 


16  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

settled  at  a  place  now  in  Prince  George  County  called  Puddledock 
the  residence  at  this  time  of  Benj.  Harrison  of  Mount  Airy.  John 
Herbert  in  some  few  years  returned  to  England,  &  what  else  of  him 
I  know  not.  Buller  Herbert  the  father  of  my  Grand  Mother  Clai- 
borne  married  a  Miss  Mary  Stith  (of  what  family  I  dont  know, 
but  likely  of  the  family  in  Brunswick,  for  she  often  spoke  of  her 
cousin  Buckner  Stith,  &  in  that  family  in  Brunswick  their  is  one 
of  that  name,  therefore  it  may  be  a  family  Name14) — and  my 
Grand  Mother  was  the  only  Child,  her  Father  died  while  she  was 
quite  young  leaving  her  sole  Heir  to  an  Estate  of  great  value. 
Not  less  than  three  Hundred  slaves,  and  in  Dinwiddie  County 
on  the  South  side  of  appomattox  River  and  Bordering  on  it  for 

"Every  genealogy  published  of  the  Herberts  and  Claibornes  has 
made  the  statement  that  Mary  Herbert  (wife  of  Col  Augustine  Clai- 
borne)  was  daughter  of  Buller  Herbert  and  Mary  Stith.  Some  in- 
vestigation (though  not  very  thorough)  was  made  several  years  ago 
in  order  to  try  and  identify  this  Mary  Stith;  but  a  reply  in  the  nega- 
tive, to  an  inquiry  addressed  to  the  late  Doctor  Christopher  Johnston, 
of  Baltimore  (who  was  at  that  time  publishing  a  Stith  genealogy  in 
the  QUARTERLY — see  vol.  21)  put  a  stop  to  the  investigation.  It 
seemed  indeed  a  hopeless  undertaking  if  Doctor  Johnston  in  his  wide 
investigation  had  not  run  on  some  item  that  would  serve  to  identify 
Mary  (Stith)  Herbert.  The  statement  by  Mr  Peterson  above  "but 
likely  of  the  family  in  Brunswick,  for  she  [i.  e.,  Mrs.  Mary  (Herbert) 
Claiborne,  daughter  of  Buller  and  Mary  (Stith)  Herbert]  often  spoke 
of  her  cousin  Buckner  Stith,  d  in  that  family  in  Brunswick  their  [sic] 
is  one  of  that  name";  coupled  with  Mr  Peterson's  statement  (see  ante, 
p.  )  that  "Bathurst  [son  of  Col.  Augustine  and  Mary  (Herbert) 
Claiborne]  called  after  Lord  Bathurst  of  England  a  Near  relation 
of  my  grandmother  Claiborne  formerly  Miss  Herbert,"  seems  certainly 
to  point  to  Mary  Stith's  connection  with  the  line  descending  from  Col. 
Drury  Stith  (died  1741)  of  Charles  City  Co.  and  his  wife  Susanna 
Bathurst,  daughter  of  Lancelot  Bathurst,  son  of  Sir  Edward  Bathurst. 
(See  QUARTERLY,  XXV,  p.  182  et  seq.)  Mr.  Peterson  says  that  his  own 
grandmother  "often  spoke  of  her  cousin  Buckner  Stith."  Now  it  is 
quite  well  verified  that  any  one  named  Buckner  Stith  in  that  day  de- 
scended from  Col.  Drury  Stith,  of  Brunswick  who  married  Elizabeth 
Buckner,  and  that  Drury  Stith  was  the  son  of  Col.  Drury  Stith  and 
Susannah  Bathurst.  As  a  matter  of  fact  Drury  and  Elizabeth  (Buck- 
ner) Stith,  had  a  son  Buckner  Stith,  who  lived  in  Brunswick  Co.  and 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY  17 

Fire  or  Six  miles  about  fifteen  Thousand  acres  of  valuable  Laud — 
also  on  Monk-snake  Creek  in  same  County  upwards  of  three  thou- 
sands acres  and  in  addition  to  this,  the  Puddledock  estate,  and  a 
valuable  tract  of  Land  in  Chesterfield  County  on  the  North  side 
of  appomattox  River  called  Mattoax,  and  in  addition  to  this  sev- 
eral Lotts,  &  Houses  in  Boiling  point,  now  called  Petersburg  with 
an  interest  also  in  Lots  &  Houses  in  the  City  of  London —  In  about 
fifteen  or  twenty  years  after  the  marriage  of  Colo.  Claiborne  with 
Miss  Herbert,  she  had  left  her  by  will  by  a  Near  relation  in  Eng- 
land Mrs.  Grammer  a  compleat  square  Block  of  Buildings  in  the 
City  of  London.  This  Estate  in  London  much  against  the  wishes 
of  my  Grand  mother  was  sold,  by  Her  Husband  Colo.  Claiborne, 

£ 

was  a  contemporary  of  Mrs.  Mary  (Herbert)  Claiborne.  The  will  of 
Col.  Drury  Stith,  of  Charles  City  Co.  (who  married  Susannah 
Bathurst)  was  probated  in  1741  in  Charles  City  Co.  but  the  will  book 
in  which  it  was  recorded  has  been  destroyed  and  only  the  probate 
order  (in  an  Order  Book)  remains.  The  names  of  only  three  of  the 
children  of  Drury  and  Susanna  (Bathurst)  Stith  are  known,  viz.: 
(1)  Drury,  of  Brunswick  (2)  William  of  Charles  City,  and  (3)  John, 
of  Charles  City.  It  is  not  at  all  improbable  that  there  were  other  chil- 
dren; and  when  all  of  the  facts,  as  above  stated,  are  taken  into  con- 
sideration we  have  very  good  circumstantial  evidence  of  the  identity 
of  Mrs.  Mary  (Stith)  Herbert.  It  must  be  borne  in  mind  that  John 
Herbert  Peterson  was  an  own  grandson  of  Mrs.  Mary  (Herbert)  Clai- 
borne, whose  mother  was  the  Mary  Stith  under  discussion;  and 
(though  we  have  not  the  date  of  Mrs.  Mary  [Herbert]  Claiborne's 
death)  it  is  not  improbable  that  John  Herbert  Peterson  had  heard  her 
allude  to  her  cousin  Buckner  Stith  (he  says  that  "she  often  spoke  of 
her  cousin  Buckner  Stith":  one  would  infer  that  the  person  so  record- 
ing the  fact  had  heard  the  party  make  the  statement).  John  Herbert 
Peterson  wrote  his  account  in  1829;  his  father  died  in  Nov.  1788  (see 
ante,  page  4)  and  John  Herbert  Peterson  makes  the  statement 
(see  ante,  page  )  that  he  [the  said  John  Herbert  Peterson]  was 
married  in  April  1795;  from  his  allusion  to  his  "puppy  selection" 
(which  turned  out  such  a  wonderful  source  of  joy)  one  would  Infer 
that  he  was  quite  young  at  the  time,  but  probably  not  less  than  eigh- 
teen years  old,  which  would  place  his  birth  in  the  year  1777.  Equally 
hard  problems  in  Virginia  genealogy  have  been  solved  before,  and  the 
coming  years  may  reveal  some  hitherto  undiscovered  document  that 
may  settle  this  interesting  "Mary  Stith"  matter. 


18  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

to  a  Company  in  London  for  Eighty  one  thousand  pounds  Sterling, 
about  three  Hundred  &  seventy  Thousand  Dollars.  Thun  you  see, 
the  emence  estate  Miss  Herbert  brought  her  Husband ;  and  though 
Herbert  Claiborne  her  eldest  son,  had  wasted  a  handsome  estate 
given  him  by  his  Father  yet  his  being  the  elder  Son  &  from  the 
partiality  of  his  Father,  he  had  a  draft  on  this  House  in  London  for 
fiften  thousand  pounds  of  the  purchase  Money;  and  all  could  not 
answer  his  extravagance  &  wastf ull  disposition.  It  is  [told  ?]  that 
notwithstanding  Grand  Father  Claiborne  was  call  a  violent  Whig, 
&  a  strenuous  supporter  of  the  Revolution,  yet  my  grand  Mother 
was  quite  the  reverse,  she  was  for  nobility  &  distinction  &  he  for 
liberty  &  equality.  No  Man,  and  no  Lady  ever  stood  hier  than 
Colo.  Claiborne  &  his  Lady,  with  every  description  of  reputable 
people,  for  their  gentility,  ther  virtue  &  grandure — &  universal 
good  conduct.  No  Man  a  more  affectionate  loving  husband  and 
no  lady  a  more  affectionate,  loving  &  dutiful  wife,  his  only  fault 
was  he  indulged  his  Son  too  much,  in  their  wishes  of  extravagance 
&  Idleness.  They  could  not  move  without  a  Servant  with  a  large 
poartmantue  &  horse  following  them,  &  every  thing  of  a  [piece?] 
&c. 

Thus  endeth  the  scetch,  or  narrative,  of  my  family,  on  my 
Fathers  &  my  Mothers  side,  and  also  on  the  Side  of  my  Wifes 
Mother — and  it  is  with  pleasure  I  can  say,  that  I  never  have  heard, 
of  a  disrespectable  charge  against  one  of  the  Males  or  feemales,  in 
my  life,  not  of  Virtue  or  integrity,  on  the  part  of  the  fee  Male — 
or  Honesty  on  the  part  of  the  Male.  The  only  charges  I  have  ever 
heard  was  that  the  Male  Claibornes  generally,  &  my  Father  also, 
were  too  extravagant,  &  did  not  take  care  of  their  estates,  for- 
geting  it  was  their  duty  to  provide  for  old  age,  &  their  Children, 
and  this  is  a  trate  I  do  not  admire  in  them — I  have  felt  severely 
the  smart  of  it. 

Next  Comes  the  narative  or  scetch  of  my  Wifes  Fathers  family 
J.  H.  P.  [i.  e.,  John  Herbert  Peterson]  Wifes  Father  was  Chas. 
Harrison,  the  younger  Son  of  Colo.  Benjamin  Harrison  of  Berk- 
ley on  Jas.  River.15  he  married  Ann  Carter  the  Aunt  of  the  late 


a  full  account  of  the  Harrison  family,  see  Keith's  Ancestry 
of  Benjamin  Harrison. 


WILLIAM  AND  MABY  QUARTERLY  19 

Chas.  Carter  of  Shirley — Colo.  Harrison  of  Berkley  was  killed 
by  lightning  in  1742  as  he  opend  the  North  door  at  Berkley,  &  at 
the  same  time  or  by  the  same  flash  of  lightning  2  of  his  daughter 
were  killed  then  young  women.  Colo.  Harrison  by  his  wife  Miss 
Carter  left  6  Sons  &  3  daughters  Benjn.,  Carter,  Eobert,  Henry, 
Nathaniel,  Charles —  Benj.  was  the  signer  of  the  declaration  of 
Independence  &  married  Elizabeth  Basset,  sister  of  Colo.  Burwell 
Basset  of  New-Kent  County  Va.  Carter  married  a  Miss  Ran- 
dolph of  Dungenest  Sister  of  that  Randolph  &  left  several  Chil- 
dren— Robert  married  who  I  dont  know — Henry  married  a  Miss 
Avery[?]  Nathl.  Miss  Ruffin  the  daughter  of  Edmund  Ruffin  of 
Evergreen — &  Charles  married  a  Mary  Claiborn  the  daughter  of 
Colo.  Augt.  Claiborn^  of  Sussex — the  daughters  Betsey  married 
Peyton  Randolph  of  Williamsburg  (generally  called  Speaker  Ran- 
dolph) speaker  of  the  House  of  Burgesses  &  one  of  the  signers  of 
the  declaration  of  Independence,  both  died  without  issue,  the 
Next  Daughter  Ann  married  Colo.  Wm.  Randolph  of  Wilton  who 
left  issue  Peyton  &c,  the  Next  Daughter  Lucy  married  Capt.  Ed- 
ward Randolph  who  went  to  England  long  before  the  Revolution, 
&  died  &  left  2  children  Harrison  &  Lucy. 


20  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 


JOHN  BINNS  OF  LOUDOUK 
By  Rodney  H.  True.* 

It  is  probable  that  if  Thomas  Jefferson  had  not  mentioned  him 
in  a  correspondence  on  agricultural  matters  with  Sir  John  Sinclair 
and  Mr.  William  Strickland  of  England  a  little  over  a  hundred 
years  ago,  the  name  of  John  Alexander  Binns,  of  Loudoun  County, 
Virginia,  would  long  since  have  passed  permanently  into  oblivion. 
As  it  is,  he  has  been  well-nigh  forgotten.  Jefferson's  testimony, 
however,  continues  to  call  our  attention  to  a  little  book  "written 
in  the  plain  stile"  for  fellow  farmers,  a  book  which  discovers  an 
act  of  social  service  and  gives  us  glimpses  of  a  personality  which 
seems  distinctly  to  merit  consideration.  Mr.  Jefferson,  President 
of  the  United  States,  turning  from  trouble  at  home  at  the  hands 
of  his  bitter  enemies,  the  Federalists,  and  from  the  perplexities 
incident  to  steering  his  country  in  a  peaceful  course  amid  the  bois- 
terous seas  of  foreign  war,  addresses  Sir  John  Sinclair,  the  head 
of  the  English  Board  of  Agriculture  as  follows: 

"Washington,  June  30,  1803. 
Dear  Sir 

It  is  long  since  I  had  the  pleasure  of  hearing  from  you,  of  which 
I  take  the  blame  on  myself  acknoledging  myself  to  be  entirely 
the  defaulter,  with  a  mass  generally  before  me  which  will  not  ad- 
mit delay,  I  have  suffered  those  things  to  lie  too  long  which  might 
bear  some  postponement  without  reproach,  knowing  your  love  of 
agriculture,  and  your  skill  in  it,  I  could  not  pretermit  the  occa- 
sion of  sending  you  the  enclosed  pamphlet  on  the  use  of  gypsum, 
by  a  mr.  Binns,  a  plain  farmer,  who  understands  handling  his 
plough  better  than  his  pen.  he  is  certainly  somewhat  of  an  en- 
thusiast in  the  use  of  this  manure;  but  he  has  a  right  to  be  so. 
the  result  of  his  husbandry  proves  his  confidence  in  it  well  found 

*Botanical  Department,  University  of  Pennsylvania. 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY  21 

for  from  being  poor,  it  has  made  him  rich,  the  county  of  Loudoun 
in  which  he  live[s]  exhausted  &  wasted  by  bad  husbandry,  has, 
from  his  example,  become  the  most  productive  one  in  Virginia: 
and  its  lands,  from  being  the  lowest,  sell  at  the  highest  prices, 
these  facts  speak  more  strongly  for  his  pamphlet  than  a  better  ar- 
rangement &  more  polished  phrases  would  have  done,  were  I  now 
a  farmer  I  should  surely  adopt  the  gypsum,  but  when  I  found 
myself  called  from  home  for  four  years  certain,  perhaps  for  eight, 
I  leased  the  farms  in  which  I  had  begun  the  course  of  husbandry 
which  you  saw:  obliging  the  tenant  to  continue  the  same,  he 
does  so  in  a  good  degree,  and  I  have  reason  to  be  content  with  the 
result." 

• 
Jefferson  then  turns  to  discuss  Napoleon  and  the  European 

War. 

On  the  same  day  he  addresses  a  letter  to  Mr.  William  Strick- 
land, likewise  of  the  Board  of  Agriculture.  Jefferson  had  had  the 
pleasure  of  entertaining  Mr.  Strickland  at  Monticello,  on  the  occa- 
sion of  his  visit  to  America  some  years  before  when  he  had  shown 
to  that  gentleman  an  improved  plow  of  his  own  design  novel  for 
America  in  being  made  wholly  of  iron. 

"Washington  June  30.  1803. 
Dear  Sir 

It  is  so  long  since  I  had  the  pleasure  of  writing  to  you,  that  it 
would  be  vain  to  look  back  to  dates  to  connect  the  old  &  the  new. 
yet  I  ought  not  to  pass  over  my  acknoledgements  to  you  for  vari- 
ous publications  received  from  time  to  time,  and  with  great  satis- 
faction and  thankfulness.  I  send  you  a  small  [a  short  word  is 
here  torn  from  the  mss.]  in  return,  the  work  of  a  very  unlettered 
farmer,  yet  valuable,  as  it  relates  plain  facts  of  importance  to 
farmers,  you  will  discover  that  Mr.  Binns  is  an  enthusiast  for 
the  use  of  gypsum,  but  there  are  two  facts  which  prove  he  has  a 
right  to  be  so.  1.  he  began  pour,  &  has  made  himself  tolerably 
rich  by  his  farming  alone.  2.  the  county  of  Loudoun,  in  which  he 
lives,  had  been  so  exhausted  &  wasted  by  bad  husbandry,  that  it 
began  to  depopulate,  the  inhabitants  going  Southwardly  in  quest 


22  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

of  better  lands.  Binn's  success  has  stopped  that  emigration,  it  is 
now  becoming  on[e]  of  the  most  productive  counties  of  the  state 
of  Virginia,  and  the  price  given  for  the  lands  is  multiplied  mani- 
fold." 

Again  the  War  and  Napoleon  succeed  John  Binns  and  his 
gypsum. 

It  seems  clear  that  both  of  the  gentlemen  addressed  received 
their  copies  of  Binns'  little  book  and  gave  them  prompt  attention. 
Eeplies  from  both  are  to  be  seen  in  the  Division  of  Manuscripts  of 
the  Library  of  Congress,  accompanied  by  the  copies  of  the  letters 
from  Jefferson  just  quoted. 

Sir  John  Sinclair,  writing  from  Charlotte  Square,  Edinburgh, 
on  New  Year's  day,  1804.  to  that  greatest  of  democrats,  addresses 
his  reply  to  "His  Highness,  Thomas  Jefferson." 

"Dear  Sir, 

On  various  accounts,  I  received  with  much  pleasure,  your  ob- 
liging letter  of  the  30th  of  June  last,  which  only  reached  me,  at 
this  place,  on  the  19th  of  November.  I  certainly  feel  highly  in- 
debted to  Mr.  Binns,  both  for  the  information  contained  in  the 
pamphlet  he  has  drawn  up ;  and  also,  for  his  having  been  the  means 
of  inducing  you  to  recommence  our  correspondence  together,  for  the 
purpose  of  transmitting  a  paper,  which  does  credit  to  the  practical 
farmers  of  America. 

As  to  the  Plaster  of  Paris,  which  Mr.  Binns  so  strongly  recom- 
mends, it  is  singular,  that  whilst  it  proves  such  a  source  of  fer- 
tility with  you,  it  is  of  little  avail,  in  any  part  of  the  British  Is- 
lands, Kent  alone  accepted.  I  am  thence  inclined  to  conjecture, 
that  its  greatest  advantage  must  arise  from  its  attracting  moisture 
from  the  atmosphere,  of  which  we  have  in  great  abundance  in  these 
kingdoms  without  the  intervention  of  that  agent;  and  the  benefit 
which  has  been  found  from  the  use  of  this  article  in  Kent,  (one 
of  the  dryest  Counties  in  England)  tends  to  countenance  this  hypo- 
thesis." .  .  . 

Mr.  Strickland's  reply  is  written  but  a  fortnight  later,  and  is 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY  23 

interesting  as  showing  that  while  the  pamphlet  sent  by  Jefferson 
greatly  interested  him,  the  subject  of  gypsum  in  agriculture  was 
not  new  and  had  received  some  attention  at  his  hands. 

"York,  JanT  13th,  1804. 
"Dear  Sir 

"Your  letter  of  the  30th  of  June,  I  received  on  the  22d  of 
October,  since  which  time  I  have  been  waiting  for  a  safe  conveyance 
of  my  answer.  I  am  highly  flattered  by  your  recollection,  particu- 
larly at  a  period  when  you  must  be  occupied  by  so  many  mo- 
mentous engagements,  an  unwillingness  to  interrupt  which  has 
been  the  cause  of  my  long  silence.  I  have  many  times  wished  for 
an  opportunity  of  expressing  my  respect  for  you,  &  congratulating 
you  &  your  country  on  the  elevated  rank  you  now  hold,  equally  to 
your  honour  &  the  benefit  of  your  Country. 

I  have  read  with  attention  &  satisfaction  the  unassuming  narra- 
tive of  your  practical  farmer,  &  have  no  hesitation  in  confiding  in 
what  he  relates.  My  countrymen  who  know  nothing  of  the  use  of 
gypsum  will  hardly  give  credit  to  the  account,  but  I  who  have 
paid  all  the  attention  to  it  in  my  power,  in  the  country  where  it  is 
used,  &  have  witnessed  the  surprising  effects  produced  by  it,  can 
without  hesitation  give  credit  to  a  little  more  than  I  have  seen. 

Confirmed  as  I  am  at  present  in  a  town  life,  in  order  more  ad- 
vantageously to  educate  a  very  numerous  family,  I  have  never  been 
able  to  make  the  various  experiments  on  gypsum,  which  my  knowl- 
edge of  the  application  of  it  in  America,  has  enabled  me  to  plan, 
&  which  I  certainly  shall  execute  as  soon  as  I  am  able,  for  though 
I  could,  by  communicating  them  to  others,  have  them  sooner 
brought  to  the  proof,  yet  should  they  fail  under  such  a  person's 
management,  the  practice  might  at  once  be  brought  into  discredit, 
&  farther  trials  be  totally  put  a  stop  to;  whereas  under  my  own 
direction  they  might  succeed,  which  would  more  than  compensate 
for  the  loss  of  time.  Certain  it  is  that  many  trials  on  the  utility 
of  Gypsum  have  been  made  in  this  country,  but  either  from  in- 
judicious management  or  some  peculiarity  of  our  climate,  no  suc- 
cess has  attended  them,  nor  any  benefit  that  can  be  reived  on.  Xo 
country  could  reap  greater  advantage  from  the  use  of  Gypsum 


24  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

than  England  &  this  part  of  it  in  particular,  since  no  country 
produces  it  in  greater  variety  or  purity,  and  within  ten  miles  or  a 
little  more  of  this  city,  it  is  found  to  the  East,  the  South,  &  the 
West  in  inexhaustible  quantity.  While  on  the  subject  of  Gypsum 
it  may  not  be  useless  to  mention,  that  after  having  witnessed  the 
effect  of  it  in  America  &  wishing  to  ascertain  the  quality  of  what 
is  produced  here,  I  had  a  considerable  quantity  got  in  this  neigh- 
bourhood, imported  into  N.  York  from  Hull,  &  wag  informed  by 
the  manufacturer  there,  that  he  had  never  ground  any  of  so  fine  a 
quality,  &  I  have  heard  that  it  answered  equally  well  in  the  use; 
Upon  gaining  this  information  I  endeavored  to  make  it  known  to 
the  Masters  of  American  Vessels  that  it  might  be  procured  at 
Hull,  &  that  were  it  only  substituted  for  ordinary  ballast,  each 
vessel  might  take  20,  or  30  tuns,  by  which  a  considerable  saving 
might  be  made,  that  persons  at  Hull  had  usually  a  supply  by  them 
&  that,  an  increased  demand  would  insure  it;  but  I  believe  little 
consequence  has  attended  any  attempt,  so  difficult  is  it  to  make  an 
alteration  in  the  usual  course  of  practice.  I  believe  the  price  at 
Hull  is  generally  about  20/sterl:  a  tun  &  it  might  be  delivered 
cheaper,  &  would  be  if  the  demand  was  increased,  as  it  does  not 
cost  at  the  pitts  more  than  4/  or  5/. — 

In  return  for  the  pamphlet  you  were  so  obliging  as  to  send,  I 
transmit  to  you  (not  know  of  anything  at  present  more  valuable 
to  communicate)  the  corrected  Agricultural  survey  of  this  part  of 
the  County  drawn  up  under  the  direction  of  the  Board  of  Agricul- 
ture. It  will  serve  as  a  specimen  of  the  manner  in  which  these 
surveys  are  drawn  up,  not  more  than  a  third  part  of  which  are  yet 
published  &  this  is  thought  to  be  one  of  the  best.  The  author  is  a 
practical  Quaker  farmer  residing  near  this  City  with  whom  I  am 
well  acquainted  &  being  the  survey  of  my  own  country,  I  can  vouch 
for  the  accuracy  of  it.  It  may  not  prove  so  full  &  complete  a  de- 
scription, as  you  or  any  person  unacquainted  with  the  general 
practice  of  agriculture  in  this  Kingdom  might  wish,  because  some 
practices  of  universal  notoriety  are  omitted,  as  are  also  some  less 
generally  known,  but  which  had  been  fully  treated  of  in  other 
surveys  previously  published ;  but  it  is  as  complete  as  was  necessary 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY  25 

for  this  country."  .,  _.   .  The  remaining  pages  are  largely  given 
up  to  Napoleon. 

Through  these  unpublished  letters  we  are  put  in  possession  of 
more  information  concerning  John  Alexander  Binns  than  is  avail- 
able in  any  published  work  known  to  the  writer.1 

The  services  of  this  pioneer  experimenter  seem  to  have  received 
greater  recognition  than  the  man  himself,  since  in  contemporary 
prints,  one  finds  references  to  the  Loudoun  system  in  much  the 
same  matter-of-course  way  in  which  the  Norfolk  system  in  Eng- 
land is  mentioned.  The  work  spoke  for  itself  but  had  little  to  say 
of  the  man  who  was  its  author. 

It  cannot  be  claimtd  for  Binns  that  he  first  pointed  out  the 
importance  of  the  service  rendered  by  gypsum.  This  had  been 
done  some  years  before  by  Judge  Eichard  Peters  and  Jacob  Barge, 
and  by  still  others  of  Philadelphia,  and  earlier  still  by  German 
farmers  near  Leipsic.  Binns,  though  ridiculed  and  scoffed  at,  be- 
came its  prophet  and  proceeded  to  demonstrate  to  Loudoun  County 
what  gypsum  could  do  for  it.  His  experiments,  briefly  described  in 
the  little  book  that  caught  Jefferson's  eye,  were  begun  in  1784, 
when  he  procured  from  a  ship's  captain  at  Alexandria  in  the  neigh- 
boring county  of  Fairfax,  "two  small  stones,  weighing  about  15 
Ibs.  which  I  beat  with  a  sledgehammer,  pounded  it  fine  in  a  mortar, 
and  sifted  it  through  a  hair  sifter."  The  resulting  powder  was 
given  to  a  tenant  with  instructions  that  it  be  put  on  some  four  or 
five  hundred  hills  of  Indian  corn.  Experiments  with  blue  grass, 
clover  and  other  forage  crops,  wheat,  rye,  barley  and  other  grains 
followed.  Applications  were  made  to  all  types  of  soil  found  on 
his  lands  and  the  different  sorts  and  grades  of  plaster  coming  to 
Alexandria  were  tested.  He  had  thus  studied  the  action  of  gypsum 
for  nineteen  years  before  he  put  pen  to  paper  in  1803  to  tell  what 
he  had  learned  of  this  new  and  invaluable  substance.  A  second  edi- 

iThe  letter  from  Jefferson  to  Sinclair  has  already  been  printed  in 
the  twenty-volume  Memorial  Edition  of  Jefferson's  works,  but  the 
remainder  of  the  correspondence,  so  far  as  I  have  observed  is  to  be 
found  only  in  the  collection  of  Jefferson  Manuscripts  in  the  Library 
of  Congress  at  Washington. 


26  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

tion,  differing  from  the  first  in  the  addition  of  some  short  essays 
on  agricultural  subjects,  but  chiefly  in  the  addition  of  a  long  series 
of  certificates  from  persons  in  a  position  to  know  the  facts,  regard- 
ing the  accuracy  of  Binn's  account,  appeared  in  1804. 

Here  our  knowledge  of  Binns  seems  to  end.  His  name  is  lost 
while  the  "Loudoun  system"  grows  and  becomes  famous  as  a  cause 
of  agricultural  progress  in  many  parts  of  the  country,  especially 
in  the  South. 

It  might  seem  that  this  were  a  fitting  ending  to  the  story,  in 
harmony  with  the  character  of  the  obscure  man  who  was  at  the 
heart  of  it  and  sufficient  as  a  recognition  of  the  limited  and  hum- 
ble service  he  rendered  in  his  day.    There  is,  however,  a  touch  of 
something  in  his  little  book  unnoted  in  Jefferson's  comment.   There 
runs  through  it  an  element  of  high  purpose,  a  sincere  anxiety  for 
the  general  good  which  led  him  to  face  indifference  and  ridicule, 
and  even  reflections  on  his  honesty,  in  order  that  he  might  per- 
suade others  for  their  own  good  to  break  with  habit  and  to  try  the 
new  way.    His  book  lacks  all  attempts  at  literary  grace,  presenting 
a  plain  tale  with  a  bold    simplicity    of    style.     The  phraseology, 
though  to  Jefferson  that  of  an  unlettered  man,  was  that  of  one 
used  to  short  words  sparingly  employed  and  chosen  as  by  one  more 
familiar  with  the  English  of  the  Bible  and  of  the  Puritans  than 
with  the  Greek  and  Latin  classics.    Here  was  an  elementally  plain 
man,  so  socially  minded  in  agricultural  matters  that  he  could  not 
do  other  than  preach  his  gospel — the  gospel  of  gypsum.    It  is  not 
given  to  many  men  tied  by  their  circumstances  to  the  soil  to  make 
a  poor  county  the  richest  in  a  great  state  and  to  make  that  county 
the  synonym  of  progress  among  thinking  men  in  all  parts  of  the 
nation.     The  character  and  the  achievement  of  John  Binns  of 
Loudoun  County  perhaps  justify  some  inquiry  into  the  ordinary 
circumstances  of  his  life. 

In  this  quest,  the  writer  has  had  recourse  chiefly  to  two  sources : 
first,  the  editions  of  the  book  already  referred  to,  and  second,  the 
official  records  of  Loudoun  County  at  Leesburg,  Va.  Of  great  help 
has  been  the  aid  given  by  Judge  Kichard  H.  Tebbs,  of  Leesburg, 
a  descendant  of  Charles  Binns,  junior,  the  younger  brother  of  the 
John  A.  Binns  with  whom  we  are  now  concerned. 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY  27 

Although  its  author  had  no  other  thought  than  to  present  the 
subject  of  gypsum,  the  book  itself  is  autobiographical  to  a  high 
degree.  The  naive,  almost  child-like  way  of  telling  his  story 
argues  a  man  who  had  not  become  sophisticated  and  diplomatic. 
His  self-revelation  is  as  unconscious  as  it  is  unintended.  He  evi- 
dently lived  near  enough  to  the  Potomac  River  to  know  familiarly 
certain  of  its  islands  and  to  have  dealings  in  Frederick  [town], 
Maryland.  He  lived  near  enough  to  "Catocktin  Mountain"  to  be 
acquainted  with  crop  and  soil  conditions  in  that  neighborhood. 
This  would  seem  to  indicate  that  he  lived  in  that  part  of  the  coun- 
try settled  by  emigration  of  Virginia  farmers  from  the  tide  water 
country.  North  were  the  Germans  and  West  were  the  Quakers. 

There  were  several 'groups  of  families  by  the  name  of  Binns  in 
older  parts  of  Virginia.  Surry  county  was  perhaps  the  earliest  and 
chief  seat  of  people  of  this  name.  That  branch  of  the  family, 
however,  which  concerns  us  most  appears  in  the  records  of  Loudoun 
County  at  the  date  of  its  separation  from  Fairfax  County  in  1756.2 
Charles  Binns,  of  whom  nothing  prior  to  that  date  has  been  learned, 
became  the  first  Clerk  of  Loudoun  County,  an  office  which  he  held 
until  his  death  in  1796,3  forty  years  later.  In  17A6  he  was  a  vigor- 
ous man  probably  approaching  middle  age.  He  lived  in  Leesburg, 
the  county  seat,  located  near  the  Potomac  in  that  part  of  the  coun- 
try that  had  been  occupied  by  Virginia  planters  coming  from  the 
tide  water  regions  in  search  of  new  lands.  He  was  clearly  a  man 
of  affairs  in  whom  people  had  confidence  and  he  had  certainly  been 
used  to  doing  business. 

Such  a  study  of  the  records  of  Loudoun  County  as  the  writer 
has  thus  far  been  able  to  make  indicate  that  all  the  early  Binnses 
of  Loudoun,  with  but  one  possible  exception,  are  descended  from 
this  Charles  Binns.  The  possible  exception  is  William  Binns,  of 

aJohnston.     Memorials  of  Virginia  Clerks,   1888:239. 

^According  to  Johnston,  the  death  of  Charles  Binns  took  place 
In  1796,  but  the  records  of  Loudoun  County  show  that  his  will  was 
made  in  1800  and  probated  in  July  of  the  following  year. 


28  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

Loudoun  who  for  three  years  served  as  a  private  in  the  Virginia 
line  of  the  Continental  army  in  the  Revolution.4 

Charles  Binns  was  the  father  of  John  Alexander  Binns,  the 
writer  of  the  little  book  on  gypsum,  who  in  the  course  of  time  was 
to  rescue  Loudoun  County  from  its  "land-murdering"  owners.  Al- 
though the  records  fail  to  tell  us  whence  he  came  or  when  he 
was  born,  they  do  give  us  considerable  information  concerning 
this  first  clerk  of  Loudoun  County. 

On  April  17,  1760,  probably  at  approximately  the  date  of 
Charles  Binns'  marriage  to  Ann  Alexander,  the  father  of  the  bride 
settles  on  his  daughter  certain  property.  The  deed  of  gift  begins 
in  these  words :  "I,  John  Alexander,  the  Eldest  of  Stafford  County 
Gent,  for  and  in  consi deration  of  the  natural  Love  and  Affection 
which  I  have  and  do  bear  to  my  daughter  Ann  Binns  wife  of 
Charles  Binns  of  Loudoun  County  Gent,  and  for  and  in  considera- 
tion of  the  marriage  already  had  and  solemnized  by  and  between 
the  said  Charles  and  Ann  and  for  their  better  maintenance,  liveli- 
hood and  support  and  for  other  good  causes  and  considerations  me 
hereunto  moving."  Then,  after  the  usual  preliminary  form,  he 
presents  her  with  five  slaves,  six  head  of  horses,  twelve  head  of 
cattle,  two  beds  and  furniture,  and  ten  barrels  of  Indian  corn.8 
This  document  seems  to  establish  the  social  class  to  which  Binns, 
as  well  as  his  wife's  family,  belonged.  It  further  conveyed  con- 
siderable valuable  property.  The  fact  that  this  gift  consisted 
largely  of  such  items  as  would  be  valuable  only  when  employed  on 
a  considerable  area  of  land  seems  to  indicate  that  Mr.  Binns  was 
already  the  owner  of  a  fair  number  of  acres  which  may  not  have 
been  under  cultivation  or  the  crop  from  which  was  not  to  be  his 
property.  At  all  events,  his  father-in-law  seems  to  have  deemed  it 
wise  to  present  with  the  slaves  and  live  stock  enough  Indian  corn 
to  provide  for  their  maintenance  until  a  crop  could  be  grown. 

This  marriage  seems  to  have  been  followed  by  a  long  life  to- 
gether, the  husband  dying  first.  Charles  Binns'  will,6  drawn  in 

KJrozier.    Virginia  County  Records  9:27,  1911. 
»Deed  Book,  B,  folio  49. 
•Will  Book  F,  317. 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY  29 

December,  1800,  was  probated  in  July  of  the  following  year,  his 
wife  and  the  two  older  sons  being  appointed  as  executors.  Bond 
to  the  sum  of  $15,000  each  was  provided  by  them.  The  terms  of 
the  will  and  the  items  of  the  inventory  of  the  estate  are  of  interest 
chiefly  as  throwing  further  light  on  the  constitution  and  conditions 
of  the  family  to  which  the  eldest  son,  with  whom  we  are  especially 
concerned,  belonged.  That  the  family  affairs  had  not  suffered  dur- 
ing his  life  is  shown  by  the  fact  that  in  his  will,  Charles  Binns 
disposed  of  2109  acres  in  specified  areas,  240  acres  being  in  Lou- 
doun  County,  the  remainder  being  in  Kentucky,  and  of  a  further 
indefinite  area  in  that  state  divided  among  his  five  sons.  Ample 
provision  was  made  for  his  wife's  future  in  the  following  words: 
"I  give  to  my  beloved  wife  Ann  Binns  my  clock  to  be  by  her  dis- 
posed of  as  she  shall  think  proper  by  will  or  otherwise  and  I  also 
give  unto  my  said  wife  the  use  of  all  my  Estate  both  real  and  per- 
sonal to  be  by  her  possessed  during  her  natural  life  .  .  .  '  The 
area  containing  the  family  burying  ground  was  given  to  his  son 
William  Alex.  Binns.  In  addition  to  these  legacies,  Binns  had 
previously  presented  land  to  each  of  his  sons  under  such  terms  as 
suggest  that  their  coming  of  age  was  in  some  cases  celebrated  in 
this  substantial  way.  In  a  deed  dated  September  7,  1782,T  John 
Alexander,  the  oldest  son,  was  presented  with  220  acres  and  build- 
ings, located  doubtless  in  Loudoun  County. 

An  examination  of  the  Inventory8  of  the  estate  of  Charles 
Binns  Sen.  showed  him  to  be  the  owner  of  19  slaves  valued  at 
$2,316.  The  live  stock,  grain  supply,  flax  machinery,  loom  and 
warping  mill  throw  much  light  on  the  nature  of  the  operations 
likely  to  have  been  carried  on  in  the  Loudoun  county  of  his  day.  Of 
interest  is  the  valuation  of  the  "Franklin  lightning  rod"  at  $2. — 
The  books  listed  are  such  as  to  justify  our  guess  that  the  Binns 
family  were  Dissenters.  Three  volumes  of  Wesley  on  the  New 
Testament,  Wesley's  Life,  Wesley's  Sermons,  two  volumes  of  the 
Armenian's  Magazine,  six  volumes  of  Stackhouse's  History  of  the 
Bible,  seven  volumes  of  Whiteley's  Commentaries,  together  with 

TDeed  Book  N,  folio  367. 
•Will  Book  F,  folio  322. 


30  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

Sherlock  on  Death,  a  hymn  book,  and  a  copy  of  the  Discipline 
of  the  Methodist  church.  These  names  have  no  uncertain  sound. 
The  family  of  Charles  and  Ann  Binns  has  already  been  briefly 
alluded  to.  There  were  five  boys,  John  Alexander,  our  author, 
doubtless  the  oldest,  Charles  junior,  Simon  Alexander,  Thomas 
Neilson,  and  William  Alexander,  and  four  daughters,  Susanna 
Pearson,  who  married  Alexander  Waugh,  Anne  Alexander,  who 
married  William  H.  Harding,  Catherine  Alexander,  who  married 
Wesley  Adams  of  Fairfax  County  and  was  deceased  prior  to  the 
making  of  the  will. 

Of  this  family  our  interest  chiefly  concerns  the  oldest  son,  John 
Alexander,  for  it  was  he  who  later  saved  Loudoun  County.     No 
records  thus  far  seen  give  the  date  of  his  birth.    If  we  assume  that 
the  farm  given  him  by  his  father  on  Sept.  7,  1782,  was  a  present 
celebrating  his  coming  of  age,  the  date  sought  would  be  found  in 
1761.     There  is  little  evidence  to  either  disprove  or  confirm  this 
supposition.    This  date  would  fall  about  one  year  and  four  months 
after  the  probable  date  of  the  marriage  of  his  parents.     Another 
significant  date  in  the  life  of  John  A.  Binns  was  March,  1781, 
when  he  was  recommended  by  the  gentlemen  justices  of  the  county 
court  of  Loudoun  County  to  the  Governor  for  appointment  to  the 
position  of  first  lieutenant  in  the  militia,9  his  brother  Charles 
being  at  the  same  time  recommended  for  the  second  lieutenancy. 
In  order  to  be  recommended  for  the  position  of  lieutenant,  it  would 
be  expected  that  the  person  in  question  should  have  reached  years 
of  discretion  and  should  have  demonstrated  in  his  every  day  rela- 
tions with  men  that  he  could  accept  such  responsibility  and  would 
be  accepted  by  his  men.     Assuming  1761  as  the  year  of  Binns' 
birth,  he  would  have  about  reached  his  majority  when  recommended 
for  the  command  in  the  militia.    The  considerations  mentioned  do 
not  establish  the  date  of  the  birth  of  our  Loudoun  County  farmer 
but  seem  to  the  writer  to  make  it  probable  that  he  was  born  in 
the  year  1761. 

For  information  concerning  his  further  course  in  life,  we  find 
much  in  the  records  of  the  county  that  he  made  famous,  and  in  his 

»Crozier.     Virginia  County  Records  9:54,  1911. 


WILLIAM  AND  MART  QUARTERLY  31 

book.    After  receiving  the  farm  from  his  father  in  1782',  we  may 
suppose  him  to  have  promptly  attacked  the  problem  of  running  it. 
At  all  events,  two  years  later,  in  1784,  we  find  him  as  his  book 
relates,  at  Alexandria,  probably  his  chief  place  of  business,  getting 
the  stones  which  he  powdered  and  had  sown  on  his  Indian  corn. 
This  farm  was  probably  near  Leesburg,  where  he  lived  on  the  tract 
given  him  in  1782  not  far  from  his  father,  now  aged  but  still  first 
Clerk  of  the  County.     This  seems  to  have  remained  his  place  of 
residence  till  1793,  when  he  pithily  relates,  "After  getting  this 
plantation  to  produce  luxuriant  crops  of  grass  by  the  use  of  plaister, 
in  the  years  1788,  '89,  '90,  '91,  and  '92,  1  exchanged  it  for  the  place 
I  now  live  on.    It  was  generally  thought  by  my  friends  that  I  was 
going  to  a  place  which*  was  worn  out,  and  that  I  must  starve  on 
it."10    He  tells  in  succeeding  pages  how  this  farm  under  gypsum, 
clover  and  deep  plowing  became  very  productive  and  was  visited 
by  people  from  various  parts  of  Virginia  and  Maryland  who  came 
to  see  the  "Loudoun  system"  in  operation.     This  place  seems  to 
have  still  been  his  place  of  residence  at  the  time  of  writing  his 
book  in  1803  and  1804. 

The  records  at  Leesburg  show  that  Binns  began  in  1793  to  buy 
tracts  of  land  large  and  small  in  Loudoun  County,  a  lot  in  Lees- 
burg being  a  minor  item.  Up  to  1797  his  transactions  are  chiefly 
purchases.  After  that  time  he  buys  and  sells  actively  for  many 
years.  Owing  to  some  difficulty  in  tracing  individual  tracts,  the 
writer  has  not  attempted  to  determine  the  profits  coming  to  Binns 
but  from  such  evidence  as  is  at  hand,  they  seem  to  have  been  sub- 
stantial. 

For  several  years  he  was  in  possession  of  a  mill  at  which  he 
seems  to  have  ground  the  lump  gypsum  from  Nova  Scotia  for  sale.11 
This  mill  was  located  in  a  settlement  (p.  39)  and  was  doubtless 
one  of  the  many  small  mills  scattered  plentifully  through  those 
parts  of  the  wheat  country  that  were  supplied  with  water  power, 


,   John   A.     A   Treatise   on    Practical   Farming.     1st   ed: 
5,  1803. 

uBinns,   J.   A.     A   Treatise  on   Practical  Farming,     ed.   1:33-35. 

1804. 


32  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

possibly  along  Goose  Creek.  Here  he  doubtless  combined  busi- 
ness with  his  efforts  for  the  public  welfare.  He  seems  not  only  to 
have  demonstrated  gypsum  on  his  place  but  to  have  been  an  active 
missionary  in  its  favor,  and  to  have  met  some  of  the  experiences 
usually  met  by  missionaries.  On  one  occasion  he  presented  a  bushel 
of  "plaister"  to  a  doubting  neighbor,  upon  the  condition  that  he 
would  buy  a  like  quantity  and  sow  it  on  his  meadow  and  grain, 
"hoping  from  the  operation  it  would  encourage  other  farmers  to 
use  more  largely."  This  the  neighbor  reluctantly  agreed  to  do, 
Binns  himself  assisting  in  the  sowing  of  the  plaster.  No  imme- 
diate results  appearing,  the  farmer  complained  that  his  money 
had  been  thrown  away.  The  year  following  he  "acknowledged  that 
he  never  got  in  one  year  one  half  of  the  grass  he  did  this  .  .  . 
This  convinced  many  of  the  farmers,  and  was  the  means  of  my 
selling  a  great  quantity  of  the  plaister,  altho'  about  this  time  I 
was  much  persecuted  about  it."  Binris  "gave  some  to  an  old  and 
aged  farmer  in  the  settlement  and  directed  him  to  sow  it  on  some 
speargrass  (bluegrass).  It  was  with  difficulty  I  could  prevail  on 
him  to  take  the  trouble  of  taking  it  home  and  sowing  it  ... 
The  year  following  he  purchased  30  or  40  bushels  of  me  and  has 
since  by  the  use  thereof  made  his  farm  rich,  and  his  stock  of  horses 
and  cattle  constantly  fat  and  in  fine  condition.  About  the  same 
time  there  was  another  circumstance  happened.  I  was  at  a  public 
place  ridiculed  by  a  gentleman  about  plaister,  he  declared  that  he 
verily  believed  flint  stones  equal  to  plaister;  after  scoffing  at  me 
and  deriding  the  use  of  it,  I  offered  to  compliment  him  with  a 
bushel,  if  he  would  try  the  experiment;  after  this  he  was  so  well 
pleased  with  it  as  to  be  induced  the  year  following  to  purchase 
several  tons,  as  I  am  informed ;  upon  discoursing  with  him  on  that 
subject,  since,  I  find  him  a  warm  advocate  in  favour  of  its  virtues." 
Thus  he  worked  among  his  neighbors  persuading  the  reasonable, 
almost  forcing  gypsum  without  price  on  the  more  ignorant  and 
prejudiced.  It  must,  therefore,  have  given  him  great  satisfaction 
in  1803  to  be  able  to  witness  the  general  prosperity  that  followed 
his  efforts,  (p.  38)  "The  difference  it  has  made  on  the  farms  of 
my  neighbors,  who  have  (generally)  made  use  of  this  valuable 
manure  in  sufficient  quantities,  in  the  course  of  two  or  three  years 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY  33 

past,  would  astonish  any  man  who  knew  them  before  the  use  of  the 
plaister;  and  should  see  them  now  with  a  crop  growing  thereon. 
First,  they  yield  nearly  double  the  corn  off  the  same  quantity  ef 
ground  that  they  did  before.  Secondly,  farmers  make  three  or 
four  times  the  wheat  that  they  did  prior  to  using  it;  .  .  .  the 
greatest  complaint  at  present  is  against  its  luxuriant  growth,  and 
their  force  not  being  sufficient  to  get  the  wheat  threshed  and  manu- 
factured in  the  winter  season,  so  as  to  get  their  flour  to  market 
before  the  next  harvest.  I  do  not  think  that  the  millers  in  the 
compass  of  ten  miles  square,  in  the  settlement  where  I  live,  al- 
though a  great  many  of  them,  will  be  able  to  manufacture  much 
above  one  half ;  there  are  some  in  the  settlement  that  will  be  obliged 
to  desist  from  thresliing,  being  unable  to  find  room  in  the  mills, 
or  "yet  deposit  any  more  in  their  granaries/'  He  proceeds  to  tell 
how  by  the  use  of  plaister  (p.  41)  "lands  which  at  present  are  eo 
light  and  subject  to  be  washed  in  gullies,  will  become  stiff  and 
prevent  the  washing  away  of  the  soil." 

Who  can  deny  to  our  humble  agricultural  prophet  the  genuine- 
ness of  his  inspiration  or  the  great  reward  that  came  to  him  through 
the  bursting  granaries  of  his  neighbors! 

But  he  was  not  to  be  allowed  the  joy  of  his  triumph  without 
alloy.  Those  who  came  and  saw,  believed,  and  they  were  a  great 
number  from  different  parts  of  his  own  state  and  some  from  be- 
yond the  Potomac.  His  book,  written  after  an  experience  of  nine- 
teen years  with  gypsum,  and  at  the  request  of  his  "friends  and  ac- 
quaintances as  well  as  of  sundry  persons  from  a  distance/'  was  not 
convincing  to  all  who  read  it,  and  the  accuracy  of  his  statements 
was  challenged.  These  doub tings  were  brought  to  his  attention 
and  like  the  missionary  who  realizes  that  his  message  must  be 
received  before  it  can  save,  he  immediately  set  about  the  task  of 
convincing  these  Thomases.  While  his  first  edition  was  still  being 
advertised  by  the  publisher,  John  B.  Colvin,  the  editor  of  the  Re- 
publican Advocate  of  Frederick-Town,  Maryland,  Binns  announced 
in  the  columns  of  this  paper  that  a  supplement  was  being  prepared 
which,  in  addition  to  further  notes  on  gypsum  and  other  matters 
of  farm  practice,  should  include  certificates  from  many  who  knew 
his  farms  before  and  after  his  occupation,  stating  what  changes 


34  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

had  taken  place  and  by  what  means  these  changes  had  been  wrought. 
This  list  of  witnesses  to  the  honesty  and  accuracy  of  John  Binns 
included  almost  all  sorts  and  conditions  of  men. 

Neighbors  who  had  seen  the  wonders  wrought  testified.  W.  H. 
Washington,  Samuel  Tillett,  Israel  Lacey,  William  H.  Harding, 
and  others  said  that  he  had  told  the  truth.  Congressman,  (later, 
United  States  Senator),  Richard  Brent,  of  Prince  William  County, 
and  Alexander  Spotswood,  the  grandson  of  the  old  Royal  Governor 
of  the  Colony  of  Virginia,  for  whom  the  County  of  Spotsylvania 
was  named,  testified  to  the  correctness  of  his  statements.  Con- 
rad Verts,  who  helped  to  cradle  the  heavy  grain  testified  to  the 
difficulties  experienced  in  cutting  so  heavy  a  crop  and  made  his 
mark  in  the  presence  of  witnesses  to  prove  it.  Samuel  Ward, 
for  many  years  Binns'  right  hand  man  in  his  farming  and  milling 
operations,  testified  to  the  accuracy  of  Binns'  statement  from  long 
experience  in  contact  with  all  operations. 

With  this  vindication,  Binns  seems  to  have  closed  his  career  as 
a  writer.  He  states  in  the  "Advocate"  that  copies  of  this  supple- 
ment "will  be  lodged  at  sundry  places  as  soon  as  time  will  permit" 
for  the  accommodation  of  those  who  purchased  his  book. 

This  little  pamphlet  sold  for  the  modest  price  of  fifty  cents 
and  was  probably  printed  in  a  small  edition,  the  printer  complain- 
ing of  the  scarcity  of  paper  "among  the  paper  mills"  of  the  vicinity, 
a  trouble  he  seeks  to  rectify  by  anxiously  offering  to  buy  rags  at 
good  prices  in  the  hope  of  replenishing  the  supply.  The  little  book 
is  now  hard  to  find,  and  the  first  edition,  but  for  the  copy  pre- 
served by  Jefferson  and  now  treasured  among  that  great  man's 
books  in  the  Library  of  Congress,  would  be  well  nigh  lost. 

In  spite  of  the  fact  that  "it  is  not  written  in  a  scholastic  stile" 
few  books  have  been  written  in  which  more  sound  practical  agri- 
culture is  crowded  into  so  small  a  space.  Binns'  chapter  on  the 
life  history  of  the  Hessian  fly  stands  as  a  piece  of  careful  observa- 
tion that  might  have  done  credit  to  Dr.  Thomas  Say  himself.  The 
three  fundamental  supports  on  which  agricultural  prosperity  in 
Loudoun  County  rests  were  never  more  clearly  or  soundly  appre- 
ciated:— gypsum,  clover  and  deep  plowing.  This  was  the  back- 
bone of  the  famous  "Loudoun  System"  which  came  to  be  recog- 


WILLIAM  AND  MAKY  QUARTERLY  35 

nized  as  the  progressive  practice  for  that  part  of  the  country  a 
hundred  years  ago. 

And  what  happened  to  the  missionary  himself?  Again  Lou- 
doun  County  records  must  answer.  He  seems  to  have  continued 
to  handle  large  areas  of  land  and  to  buy  and  sell.  He  seems  not 
to  have  lived  to  the  ripe  old  age  we  should  expect.  He  boasts  in 
his  book  that  by  keeping  his  stables,  yards,  cow-pens,  hog-pens, 
and  the  other  parts  of  his  premises  thoroughly  clean,  "my  family 
have  never  experienced  an  intermittent  or  a  remittent  unless  at- 
tacked with  them  away  from  home  first,  and  upon  their  return 
they  have  immediately  left  them  ...  If  every  family  would 
observe  this  most  strictly,  they  would  have  little  need  of  having 
recourse  to  the  apothetary  .  .  .  * 

Whether  induced  by  remittents  or  intermittents  or  by  some- 
thing else,  we  find  on  record  that  Binns  made  his  will  on  Jan.  11, 
1813,  and  that  it  was  not  much  too  soon,  since  it  was  offered  for 
probate  on  Nov.  1  of  that  year.  If  our  surmise  be  correct  that 
he  was  born  in  1761,  he  met  his  end  while  still  in  the  years  of 
active  life.  Since  certain  characteristics  of  Binn's  personality 
are  revealed  in  this  document  and  light  is  likewise  cast  on  condi- 
tions long  since  passed  away,  it  will  reward  us  to  notice  certain 
features  of  this  last  expression.  "I  give  and  bequeath  the  place 
I  now  live  on  called  Clover  Hill  unto  my  loving  wife,  Dewanner 
for  and  during  her  natural  life  .  .  .  It  is  also  my  desire  that  my 
beloved  wife  may  hold  all  my  young  slaves  untill  they  arrive  to 
the  age  of  Twenty-five  years  old,  also  Elijah  is  to  serve  his  mistress 
six  years  from  this  present  time.  ...  1  give  and  bequeath  unto 
my  brother  Thomas  Neilson  Binns  five  hundred  dollars  provided  he 
will  be  at  the  trouble  of  taking  to  Maryland  or  any  other  state  all 
my  negroes  so  that  they  obtain  their  freedom  at  the  within  time 
mentioned  in  my  will  and  if  he  should  BO  refuse  to  do  then  in 
that  case  any  other  of  my  relations  steping  forward  for  that  pur- 
pose shall  be  entitled  to  the  above  sum  of  five  hundred  dollars  and 
in  case  all  my  relations  shall  refuse  to  assist  my  blacks  obtaining 
their  freedom  then  in  that  case  any  other  person  stepping  forward 
to  bring  about  the  emancipation  of  my  negroes  shall  be  entitled 
to  the  aforesaid  sum  of  five  hundred  dollars." 


36  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

Since  he  leaves  his  property  in  the  end  to  his  "neises,"  we  are 
probably  justified  in  concluding  that  he  had  no  children.  He  was 
"tolerably  rich"  as  Jefferson  told  Strickland  he  was.  The  execu- 
tors of  his  will  gave  bond  for  $30,000  each  and  the  inventory  of 
his  personal  property  shows  that  he  was  actively  engaged  in  farm- 
ing operations  at  the  time  of  his  death.  His  grain  bins  and  hay 
mows  were  well  stocked,  his  farm  machinery  ample,  his  live  stock 
abundant.  He  had  a  book  case  and  desk  and  a  parcel  of  books 
valued  at  $35.  Unfortunately  the  titles  are  not  given.  And  he 
had  on  hand  Plaister-of-Paris  valued  at  about  $39. 

Where  his  body  was  buried  has  not  been  learned,  but  perhaps 
in  that  family  burying  ground  his  father  mentioned  as  being  on 
the  farm  given  to  his  brother  William,  wherever  that  may  have 
been.  It  was  doubtless  in  Loudoun  County  and  probably  not  far 
from  Leesburg.  Perhaps  in  the  future  some  one  may  seek  to  know 
more  about  this  village  Liebig  and  may  be  able  to  trace  the  very 
spot.  He  has  left  an  ample  memorial  in  the  rich  acres  of  a  still 
prosperous  county,  but  few  know  whom  it  commemorates. 

Concerning  the  later  years  of  Dewanner,  his  wife,  we  learn 
from  a  letter  written  to  K  F.  Cabell  by  Yardley  Taylor  of  Pur- 
cell  ville,  "on  10  mo.  llth  1854,  .  .  .his  widow  married  a  Meth- 
odist minister  of  the  name  of  Watt,  who  died  some  years  ago  and 
she  died  at  Cumberland  in  Maryland  only  about  a  year  since." 

Binns  seems  to  have  been  pretty  thoroughly  forgotten  as  early 
as  1853  when  the  continued  prominence  of  Loudoun  County  as 
a  prosperous  agricultural  community  called  the  attention  of  an 
historically  minded  Virginian,  N.  F.  Cabell,  to  a  consideration  of 
the  underlying  cause. 

Cabell  was  at  that  time  interested  in  collecting  material  for 
his  projected  history  of  agriculture  in  Virginia,  and  seems  to  have 
stirred  the  memories  of  some  of  the  older  men  of  Loudoun  County 
in  his  endeavor  to  get  light  on  the  already  darkening  question  of 
the  introduction  of  gypsum  and  clover  into  that  county.  His  in- 
quiries seem  eventually  to  have  reached  Dr.  Daniel  Janney  resid- 
ing near  Purcell  ville.  The  reply  elicited  was  seen  by  the  writer 
among  the  papers  of  N.  F.  Cabell,  at  the  Virginia  State  Library. 
Since  it  not  only  throws  some  light  on  John  Binns  but  also  sheds 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY  37 

some  interesting  sidelights  on  the  way  history  is  sometimes  made, 
I  will  quote  the  letter  entire.  I  am  able  to  do  so  through  the  cour- 
tesy of  the  authorities  of  the  Library. 

"Loudoun  Co.  Va.  1  mo  2nd  1845. 
Esteemed  Friend 

N.  Francis  Cabell, 

Thy  letter  directed  to  my  cousin  John  Janney,  of  Leesburg 
was  handed  me  being  the  only  surviving  son  of  Israel  Janney  out 
of  seven.  [I]  take  pleasure  in  giving  any  information  relative  to 
the  first  use  of  plaster  or  gypsum  and  red  clover  in  Loudoun 
County,  Va.  I  well  remember  hearing  my  father  in  conversation 
with  Gen1.  Steenburgen  and  numerous  others,  state  his  first  trial 
with  Plaster,  with  a  small  quantity  he  brought  home  from  Ches- 
ter Co.  Pennsylvania  in  his  Saddle  Bags,  procured  I  believe  from 
William  West,  of  that  County  a  great  practical  farmer,  and  Grazier, 
an  intimate  acquantance  of  his,  from  whom  he  received  many 
valuable  hints  in  the  improvement  of  lands,  this  was  previous 
to  the  6  month  1792  for  I  find  on  reference  to  his  store  Books  at 
this  date  he  Purchased  ten  tons  of  Plaster  and  used  it  much  more 
extensive  than  before,  being  convinced  of  its  power  by  the  small 
experiments  made  heretofore,  in  the  third  month  1794  I  find  in 
his  Books  Clover  seed  sold  out  to  the  neighbours  very  few  of 
whom  purchased  more  than  1  quart  for  trial,  in  the  4th  month 
1794  John  Binns  is  charged  with  one  ton  of  plaster  furnished  him 
being  as  I  understand  his  first  experiment  with  its  use.  my  father 
continued  its  use  combined  with  Grazing  untill  his  death  in  the 
8th  month  1823.  often  I  have  heard  him  express  he  had  no  ambi- 
tion for  fame  as  the  first  Pioneer  in  this  cause,  so  the  County 
derived  the  benefit  therefrom,  the  first  experiment  that  T  remem- 
ber was  sewing  it  on  Oats,  leaving  some  lands  without  its  use. 
the  difference  was  so  striking,  that  it  was  the  wonder  of  the  neigh- 
borhood. .  .  . 

Daniel  Janney,  M.  D." 

It  seems  that  Cabell's  inquiries  were  made  known  to  Mr. 
Yardley  Taylor,  likewise  of  Purcellville,  a  corresponding  rr; ember 


38  WILLIAM  AND  MAKY  QUABTEBLY 

of  the  Loudoun  Agricultural  Society  and  in  two  long  letters 
written  by  him  in  1854,  he  sketches  the  agricultural  progress  of 
Loudoun  County.  To  Israel  Janney,  he  gives  great  credit  for 
many  of  the  improvements  seen  in  the  agriculture  of  the  County. 
A  pioneer  in  the  matters  of  good  roads  and  grazing,  Israel  Janney 
did  much  to  advance  agriculture.  Taylor  does  not  repeat  Dr. 
Janney's  testimony  regarding  the  introduction  of  plaster  and  red 
clover,  but  endorses  the  accuracy  of  the  Doctor's  statements.  Even 
though  he  does  not  mention  Binns,  we  seem  to  get  the  jingering 
echo  of  ancient  discord  in  the  remark,  "And  what  was  a  distin- 
guishing trait  in  his  character,  he  appeared  not  to  care  who  had 
the  credit  so  that  his  fellow  citizens  were  benefit." 

One  is  a  little  at  a  loss  to  understand  why  this  testimony  to 
Israel  Janney's  carelessness  about  his  fame,  as  a  pioneer  in  the  use 
of  gypsum  keeps  recurring  thirty  years  after  the  death  of  Janney 
and  forty  years  after  Binns  was  gathered  to  his  fathers.  One  is 
tempted  to  see  here  some  possible  connection  with  the  rather  hasty 
preparation  of  the  list  of  testimonials  which  Binns  appended  to 
the  second  edition  of  his  little  book.  Whether  he  sought  to  meet 
the  priority  claims  of  the  perhaps  somewhat  ambitious  relatives  of 
Israel  Janney,  or  whether  he  also  was  satisfied  "if  but  the  County 
were  benefit"  is  not  clear;  the  latter  alternative  seems  more  proba- 
ble when  one  re-examines  these  testimonials.  They  deal  with  the 
later  years  of  Binns'  activities,  with  those  falling  after  the  date 
at  which  Israel  Janney's  store  books  showed  the  sale  of  gypsum 
to  John  Binns.  These  certificates  still  seem  to  be  what  they 
purport  to  be,  the  message  of  those  who  have  seen  and  believed  to 
those  who  believed  not  in  gypsum. 

In  spite  of  Dr.  Daniel  Janney  and  Mr.  Yardley  Taylor  we  can 
see  no  reason  to  question  the  honesty  of  John  Binns,  when  he  de- 
scribes his  experiments  with  the  powder  obtained  by  beating  up  the 
two  stones  obtained  in  Alexandria,  more  than  ten  years  before 
the  Friends  of  Purcellville  saw  Israel  Janney  produce  from  his 
saddle  bags  the  plaster-of-Paris  obtained  from  William  West,  and 
a  decade  before  the  ton  purchased  at  Janney's  store.  The  experi- 
ments carried  on  by  Binns  during  that  decade  had  perhaps  not  come 
to  the  attention  of  the  neighbors  at  Purcellville,  and  the  appear- 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUABTEBLY  39 

ance  of  his  little  book  may  have  surprised  some  who  had  belieyed 
Israel  Janney  to  have  been  first. 

In  closing  let  me  quote  our  practical  farmer  in  the  preface  to 
his  first  edition  of  1803,  copied  from  the  pamphlet  that  belonged  to 
Thomas  Jefferson:  "Having  been  frequently  requested  by  several 
of  my  friends  and  acquaintances,  as  well  as  sundry  persons  from 
a  distance,  to  publish  my  Experience  in  Farming  generally,  and 
more  especially  on  the  use  of  the  Plaister-of-Paris ;  (the  use  of 
which  has  made  my  farm,  from  that  of  being  tired  down,  or  the 
natural  soil  entirely  worn  out,  a  rich  and  fruitful  one),  I  have  been 
induced  to  present  them  with  the  following  Pamphlet,  whicb  my 
other  pursuits  have  prevented  me  from  doing  sooner. — Although 
it  is  not  written  in  a  Scholastic  stile,  yet  I  hope  my  meaning  may 
be  plainly  understood ;  and  I  further  hope,  that  it  may  hare  a  fair 
trial  before  it  is  condemned. 

With  respect,  I  remain, 

The  public's  humble  servant, 

John  A.  Binns." 


40  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY,  THE  FIRST  AMERICAN  LAW 

SCHOOL. 

By  ROBERT  M.  HUGHES. 

Hon.  Hampton  L.  Carson,  in  his  interesting  article  on  James 
Wilson  and  James  Iredell,  published  in  the  March  number  of  the 
American  Bar  Association  Journal,  says : 

"In  1790  he  (James  Wilson)  was  chosen  as  Professor  of  Law 
in  the  University  of  Pennsylvania — the  first  publicly  established 
law  school  in  the  United  States." 

I  presume  Mr.  Carson  intends  by  the  expression  "publicly  es- 
tablished" the  first  law  school  in  a  public  institution  or  estab- 
lished by  public  authority,  as  distinguished  from  one  run  as  a 
private  enterprise,  like  the  Litchfield  School  in  Connecticut.  In 
any  event,  that  is  the  construction  which  would  usually  be  put 
upon  his  language. 

I  regret  to  join  issue  with  Mr.  Carson,  for  whose  qualities  as  a 
lawyer,  a  scholar  and  a  man  I  have  the  highest  esteem.  I  would 
not  do  so  if  I  had  to  rely  upon  my  own  arguments.  But  for- 
tunately I  can  cite  contemporaneous  documentary  evidence,  which 
demonstrates  that  the  first  law  school  in  America  of  any  character, 
public  or  private,  was  established  at  the  College  of  William  & 
Mary  in  Virginia  in  1779. 

Jefferson  says  in  his  Autobiography 

"On  the  1st.  of  June  1779,  I  was  elected  Governor  of  the  Com- 
monwealth, and  retired  from  the  Legislature.  Being  elected  also 
one  of  the  Visitors  of  William  &  Mary  College,  a  self-electing 
body,  I  effected  during  my  residence  in  Williamsburg  that  year, 
a  change  in  the  organization  of  that  institution,  by  abolishing  the 
Grammar  School  and  the  two  professorships  of  Divinity  and  Orien- 
tal languages,  and  substituting  a  professorship  of  law  and  police, 
one  of  Anatomy,  Medicine  and  Chemistry,  and  one  of  Modern 
language". 

George  Wythe,  a  signer  of  the  Declaration  and  later  a  distin- 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY  41 

guished  Virginia  Chancellor,  was  the  first  professor,  and  had  active 
charge  till  his  resignation  in  1789.  Among  his  most  distinguished 
pupils  were  John  Marshall,  Spencer  Eoane  and  John  Breckinridge. 
His  text  book  was  Blackstone,  supplemented  by  his  own  lectures. 
Those  lectures  were  in  existence  in  manuscript  form  as  late  as  1810, 
for  they  are  described  in  a  letter  of  the  first  Governor  Tyler  to 
Jefferson.  (Letters  and  Times  of  the  Tylers,  vol.  1,  p.  249.) 
But  the  character  of  his  instruction  is  abundantly  shown  by  con- 
temporaneous letters. 

On  August  31,  1780  Eichard  Henry  Lee  writes  to  his  brother 
Arthur : 

"If  Ludwell  is  not  useful  to  you  there,  I  think  he  may  benefit 
himself  by  repairing  to  Williamsburg  and  finishing  his  law  studies 
under  Mr.  Wythe,  who  is  now  most  worthily  employed  in  the  char- 
acter of  Law  Professor  at  William  &  Mary  College — which  pro- 
fessorship he  discharges  the  duty  of  with  wonderful  ability  both  as 
to  theory  and  practice." 

John  Brown,  afterwards  one  of  the  first  senators  from  Ken- 
tucky, writes  on  February  15,  1780  to  his  uncle  "William  Preston: 

"I  apply  closely  to  the  study  of  the  law  and  find  it  to  be  a 
more  difficult  science  than  I  expected,  though  I  hope  with  Mr. 
Wy the's  assistance  to  make  some  proficiency  in  it ;  those  who  finish 
this  study  in  a  few  months  either  have  strong  natural  parts  or 
else  they  know  little  about  it." 

In  a  later  letter  dated  July  6,  1780  he  says: 

"Mr.  Wythe,  ever  attentive  to  the  improvement  of  his  pupils, 
founded  two  institutions  for  that  purpose,  the  first  is  a  Moot 
Court,  held  monthly  or  oftener  in  the  place  formerly  occupied 
by  the  Gen.  Court  in  the  Capitol.  Mr.  Wythe  and  the  other  pro- 
fessors sit  as  judges.  Our  audience  consists  of  the  most  respecta- 
ble of  the  Citizens,  before  whom  we  plead  causes  given  out  by  Mr. 
Wythe.  Lawyer  like  I  assure  you.  He  has  form'd  us  into  a 
Legislative  Body,  consisting 'of  about  40  members.  Mr.  Wythe  is 
Speaker  to  the  House  and  takes  all  possible  pains  to  instruct  us  in 
the  Rules  of  Parliament.  We  meet  every  Saturday  and  take  under 
our  consideration  those  Bills  drawn  up  by  the  Comtee  appointed 
to  revise  the  laws,  then  we  debate  and  alter  (I  will  not  say  amend) 


42  WILLIAM  AND  MAKY  QUARTERLY 

with  the  greatest  freedom.  I  take  an  active  part  in  these  Institu- 
tions and  hope  thereby  to  rub  off  that  natural  bashfulness  which  at 
present  is  extremely  prejudicial  to  me.  These  exercises  serve  not 
only  as  the  best  amusement  after  severer  studies,  but  are  very  useful 
and  attended  with  many  important  advantages. 

Jefferson  in  a  letter  to  Ralph  Izard,  dated  July  17,  1788,  says: 

"I  can  not  but  approve  your  idea  of  sending  your  eldest  son, 
destined  for  the  Law,  to  Williamsburg.  .  .  .  The  pride  of  the 
institution  is  Mr.  Wythe,  one  of  the  Chancellors  of  the  State,  and 
Professor  of  Law  in  the  College.  He  is  one  of  the  greatest  men 
of  the  age,  having  held  without  competition  the  first  place  at  the 
Bar  of  our  General  Court  for  25  years,  and  always  distinguished 
by  the  most  spotless  virtue.  He  gives  lectures  regularly,  and  holds 
Moot  Courts  and  Parliaments,  wherein  he  presides,  and  the  young 
men  debate  regularly  in  Law  and  Legislation,  learn  the  rules  of 
Parliamentary  Proceeding  and  acquire  the  habit  of  public  speak- 
ing. Williamsburg  is  a  remarkably  healthy  situation,  reasonably 
cheap,  and  affords  very  genteel  society." 

Wythe  removed  to  Richmond  in  1791,  on  account  of  the  fact 
that  he  had  been  made  sole  Chancellor;  and  his  place  had  been 
filled  by  St.  George  Tucker,  the  author  of  Tucker's  edition  of 
Blackstone,  which,  so  far  as  my  sources  of  information  go,  was  the 
first  legal  text  book  published  in  America.  His  annotations  show 
fairly  well  the  character  of  the  course  at  William  &  Mary  at  the 
time,  when  taken  in  conjunction  with  the  main  text. 

One  of  the  live  subjects  before  the  Bar  Association  to-day  is 
the  degree  of  preparation  which  should  be  required  as  a  condition 
of  a  law  degree.  The  William  &  Mary  law  school  is  notable  as 
having  gone  on  record  in  its  infancy  in  favor  of  requiring  an 
academic  degree. 

In  the  compilation  of  the  College  statutes  published  in  1792  it 
was  provided: 

"For  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Law,  the  Student  must  have  the 
requisites  for  Bachelor  of  Arts;  he  must  moreover  be  well  ac- 
quainted with  civil  History,  both  Ancient  and  Modern,  and  par- 
ticularly with  municipal  Law  and  police/' 

These  statutes    were    a    compilation  of  previous  regulations. 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY  43 

The  records  of  the  Board  of  Visitors  for  that  period  are  lost, 
so  that  the  exact  date  of  this  regulation  can  not  be  fixed,  but  it 
was  probably  very  soon  after  the  organization  of  the  law 'depart- 
ment. 

The  same  statutes  set  out  the  requirement  for  the  A.  B.  degree 
as  follows: 

"For  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Arts,  the  Student  must  be  ac- 
quainted with  those  branches  of  the  Mathematics,  both  theoretical 
and  practical,  which  are  usually  taught  as  far  as  Conic  Sections, 
inclusive,  viz.  The  first  six  books  of  Euclid,  plain  Trigonometry, 
the  taking  of  Heights  and  Distances,  Surveying,  Algebra,  the  llth. 
and  12th.  books  of  Euclid,  Spherics,  Conic  Sections:  must  have 
acquired  a  knowledge  *of  Natural  Philosophy  as  far  as  it  relates 
to  the  general  properties  of  Matter,  Mechanics,  Electricity,  Pneu- 
matics, Hydrostatics,  Optics  and  the  first  principles  of  Astronomy ; 
must  be  well  acquainted  with  Logic,  the  Belles  Lettres,  Khetoric, 
Natural  Law,  Law  of  Nations,  and  the  general  principles  of  Poli- 
tics; he  must  also  have  a  competent  knowledge  of  Geography  and 
of  Ancient  and  Modern  languages." 

More  than  half  the  judges  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  Appeals  of 
Virginia  prior  to  1861  were  educated  at  William  &  Mary,  some 
before  the  establishment  of  the  law  department,  and  many  after- 
wards. Among  the  distinguished  alumni  were  Littleton  Waller 
Tazewell,  Benjamin  Watkins  Leigh,  John  J.  Crittenden,  Philip 
P.  Barbour,  William  T.  Barry,  Winfield  Scott  and  William  C. 
Rives. 

The  law  department  had  a  continuous  existence  till  1861.  The 
outbreak  of  the  Civil  War  compelled  the  closing  of  the  College.  In 
1862  the  main  building  was  destroyed  by  fire,  except  the  massive 
old  walls,  which  had  already  withstood  two  conflagrations.  At  the 
close  of  the  war  the  dilapidated  condition  of  the  buildings  neces- 
sitated the  use  of  the  diminished  endowment  in  rebuilding,  so 
that  it  has  not  been  possible  to  revive  this  historic  law  school, 
though  the  other  departments  of  the  College  are  in  full  operation. 

The  time  may  yet  come  when  some  patriotic  citizen  will  repair 
the  injury  inflicted  by  the  devastations  of  war,  and  endow  the  law 
school  so  liberally  as  to  restore  it  to  the  rank  it  held  so  long. 


44  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

II. 

March  31,  1921. 
Robert  M.  Hughes,  Esq., 
Plume  &  Granby  Streets, 

Norfolk,  Va. 
My  dear  Mr.  Hughes: 

I  have  read  your  paper  entitled  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  THE 
FIRST  AMERICAN  LAW  SCHOOL  with  interest.  Far  be  it 
from  me  to  wish  to  pluck  even  a  single  leaf  from  the  chaplet  on 
the  brows  of  William  and  Mary. 

I  see  no  reason  in  the  evidence  you  submit  in  support  of  the 
Virginia  claim  to  priority  of  establishment,  to  change  the  state- 
ment made  by  me  in  my  recent  article  on  Wilson  and  Iredell,  pub- 
lished in  the  March  number  of  the  American  Bar  Association 
Journal.  My  statement  was  that  in  1790  James  Wilson  was  chosen 
Professor  of  Law  in  the  University  of  Pennsylvania — "the  first 
publicly  established  law  school  in  the  United  States." 

The  evidence  on  which  I  rely  in  making  this  statement  is  as 
follows:  The  Minutes  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  University 
of  Pennsylvania  of  July  10th,  August  6th,  10th,  14th,  1790,  dis- 
close the  formal  establishment  of  the  Professorship  of  Law,  and 
the  election  on  August  17th  of  James  Wilson.  It  was  a  contested 
election  and  not  a  private  appointment  as  in  the  case  of  the  ap- 
pointment of  Wythe  by  Jefferson.  On  October  26,  1790,  there  was 
published  in  the  Pennsylvania  Packet  and  Daily  Advertiser  an 
account  of  the  establishment  of  the  Professorship.  The  plan  of 
the  Law  School  as  sketched  by  Justice  Wilson  was  printed  in  full 
in  the  columns  of  the  Packet..  On  the  15th  of  December,  1790, 
the  Introductory  Lecture  by  Wilson  was  delivered  to  a  large  au- 
dience in  Philadelphia,  then  the  National  capital,  in  the  presence 
of  President  and  Mrs.  Washington,  the  members  of  the  Cabinet, 
the  Congress  of  the  United  States,  State  officials,  and  citizens  of 
Philadelphia.  The  proceedings,  inclusive  of  the  address,  were  pub- 
lished in  The  Universal  Asylum  and  Columbian  Magazine  for 
1791,  Vol.  1,  page  9  et  seq :  also  in  The  American  Museum  or  Uni- 
versal Magazine,  8th  Vol.,  page  259.  The  Introductory  Lecture 
was  separately  published  in  pamphlet  form  by  T.  Dobson,  to  which 


WILLIAM  AND  MART  QUARTERLY  45 

was  added  a  plan  of  the  Lectures.  The  Lectures  were  delivered 
in  1791-92,  and  were  subsequently  gathered  together  with  other 
works  of  Wilson  by  his  son,  Bird  Wilson,  Esq.,  in  1804. 

I  am  in  possession  of  all  this  evidence. 

I  submit  that  as  evidence  of  the  public  establishment  of  a  Law 
School,  it  is  far  more  cogent  than  private  letters  of  Jefferson, 
Richard  Henry  Lee  and  John  Brown,  even  though  such  letters  be 
earlier  in  date  than  1790. 

As  to  the  merits  and  abilities  of  George  Wythe  as  a  teacher  of 
eminent  men  there  can  be  no  doubt,  but  eminent  as  he  was  his 
lectures  were  never  printed  as  were  Wilson's,  nor  can  I  discover 
in  the  evidence  you  submit  anything  which  would  indicate  the 
public  establishment  tit  the  Law  School  at  William  and  Mary. 
Diligent  though  Wythe  doubtless  was  in  lecturing  to  pupils,  it  is 
clear  that  open  acknowledgment  of  his  work  does  not  rest  on  a  basis 
comparable  to  that  which  sustains  the  labors  of  Wilson. 

I  am 

Yours  very  truly, 

HLC/D  Hampton  L.  Carson. 

III. 

Norfolk,  Virginia,  April  8,  1921. 
Hon.  Hampton  L.  Carson, 

Philadelphia,  Pa. 
Dear  Mr.  Carson: 

I  regret  that  the  necessity  of  writing  to  Williamsburg  and  Rich- 
mond for  information  not  accessible  to  me  here  has  delayed  a  reply 
to  your  letter  of  March  31st. 

Your  emphasis,  if  I  understand  you  correctly,  is  placed  not  on 
the  question  of  priority  as  between  the  Wythe  and  Wilson  schools 
but  on  the  question  of  publicity.  You  first  vouch  the  minutes  of 
the  Pennsylvania  Board  of  Trustees  showing  the  establishment  of 
the  school  and  the  election  of  Wilson  in  1790.  Unfortunately  the 
records  of  the  William  and  Mary  Board  were  destroyed  when 
the  College  was  burned.  But  the  fire  did  not  undo  the  fact,  though 
it  entitles  me  to  use  secondary  evidence.  The  first  which  I  sub- 
mit is  the  record  of  the  Faculty  Book  of  that  date,  which  is  in  ex- 
istence. It  recites  under  date  of  December  29,  1779: 


46  WILLIAM  ANI>  MARY  QUARTERLY 

"At  a  meeting  of  the  President  and  Professors  of  Wm.  & 
Mary  College  under  a  statute  passed  by  the  Visitors  the  fourth 
day  of  December  1779.  Present. 

James  Madison,  President  &  Professor  of  Natural  Philosophy 
&  Mathematics. 

George  Wythe,  Professor  of  Law  &  Police. 

James  McClurg,  Professor  of  Anatomy  &  Medicine. 

Eobert  Andrews,  Professor  of  Moral  Philosophy,  the  Laws  of 
Nature  &  of  Nations,  &  of  the  Fine  Arts. 

Charles  Bellini,  Professor  of  Modern  Languages. 
*******  *** 

For  the  Encouragement  of  Science, 

Resolved,  That  a  Student  on  paying  annually  one  thousand 
pounds  of  Tobacco  shall  be  entitled  to  attend  any  two  of  the  fol- 
lowing Professors,  viz:  of  Law  &  Police,  of  Natural  Philosophy 
and  Mathematics,  &  of  Moral  Philosophy,  the  Laws  of  Nature  and 
Nations  &  of  the  Fine  Arts,  &  that  for  fifteen  hundred  punds  he 
shall  be  entitled  to  attend  the  three  said  Professors.  ..." 

I  now  submit  the  following  extract  from  a  letter  of  John  Brown 
to  William  Preston,  dated  December  9,  1779 : 

"William  &  Mary  has  undergone  a  very  considerable  Revolu- 
tion; the  Visitors  met  on  the  4th.  Instant  &  form'd  it  into  a 
University,  annuPd  the  old  Statutes,  abolished  the  Grammer  School, 
Continued  Mr.  Madison  President  &  Professor  of  Mathematics, 
Appointed  Mr.  Wythe  Professor  of  Law,  Dr.  McClurg  of  Physick, 
Mr.  Andrews  of  Moral  Philosophy  &  Monsr.  Bellini  of  modern 
Languages." 

You  state  that  Wythe  was  a  private  appointment  by  Jefferson. 
In  this  you  are  mistaken.  He  was  elected  by  the  same  Board  that 
established  the  professorship,  of  which  Jefferson  (then  Governor) 
was  an  influential  member.  But  the  Board  also  included  John 
Blair,  James  Madison,  Edmund  Randolph,  Thomas  Nelson  and 
Benjamin  Harrison,  so  that  three  of  its  members  had  been  Wythe's 
companions  in  signing  the  Declaration. 

You  state  that  an  account  of  the  Wilson  professorship  was 
printed  in  a  Philadelphia  paper  on  October  26,  1790. 

The  statute  of  the  William  &  Mary  Board  establishing  the 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY  47 

Wythe  professorship  was  printed  in  the  Virginia  Gazette  of  Decem- 
ber 18,  1779. 

In  Query  XV  of  Jefferson's  Notes  on  Virginia  (the  first  edi- 
tion of  which  was  printed  in  1787)  it  is  described  and  stated  to 
be  the  action  of  the  Visitors. 

You  state  that  Wilson's  lectures  were  printed  and  Wythe's 
were  not.  They  were  not  printed  till  1804.  St.  George  Tucker, 
Wythe's  successor,  printed  his  edition  of  Blackstone  in  1803. 

The  preface  to  Wilson's  Lectures  shows  that  only  a  part  of 
those  printed  were  ever  delivered.  If  the  plan  given  in  vol.  I,  p. 
41,  is  the  one  which  was  published  in  the  Packet,  the  lectures  even 
as  printed,  fell  far  short  of  it.  They  are  practically  limited  to 
governmental  and  criminal  law.  There  is  nothing  on  the  four  per- 
sonal relations,  nothing  on  real. estate,  and  nothing  on  pleading. 
Wythe  on  the  other  hand  covered  all.  His  work  in  his  moot  court 
and  parliament  could  not  be  printed  from  its  very  nature.  His 
other  lectures  were  in  writing  and  in  existence  in  1810.  While 
posterity  may  have  suffered  from  their  loss,  his  classes  did  not. 

The  Wythe  school  lasted  until  broken  up  by  the  losses  of  the 
College  in  the  Civil  War.  The  Wilson  school  did  not  survive  its 
second  summer. 

In  short,  the  difference  is  that  the  Wythe  lectures  were  given 
though  never  published,  while  the  Wilson  lectures  though  post- 
humously published,  were  never  given,  except  in  part. 

Yours  Sincerely 

Robt.  M.  Hughes. 
IV 

April  9,  1921. 
My  dear  Mr.  Hughes: 

I  have  no  objection  to  your  rejoinder  save  that  it  seems  to  me 
to  raise  an  issue  not  intended.  I  never  wrote  a  word  in  deprecia- 
tion of  The  Virginia  Law  School,  nor  attempted  a  contrast  be- 
tween it  and  the  Law  Department  of  the  University  of  Pennsyl- 
vania. In  my  Wilson-Iredell  article,  published  in  the  Journal  of 
the  American  Bar  Association  for  March,  I  used  as  to  the  Penn- 
sylvania School,  the  words  "the  first  publicly  established  law  school 
in  the  United  States."  I  still  submit  that  the  evidence  as  de- 


48  WILLIAM  AITO  MARY  QUARTERLY 

tailed  in  my  former  letter  in  reply  to  your  first  is  far  the  weightier 
in  character.  Philadelphia  as  the  national  capital,  and  the  public 
delivery  in  the  presence  of  the  President  of  the  United  States  of 
Wilson's  introductory  lecture,  the  publication  of  that  lecture  by 
Dobson  (which  you  have  overlooked  in  your  rejoinder)  followed 
by  the  publication  of  three  solid  volumes  of  Wilson's  lectures,  de- 
livered and  prepared  for  delivery,  no  matter  what  the  topic  so  long 
as  it  relates  to  law,  are  all  items  of  greater  publicity  than  what 
took  place  at  Williamsburg,  or  was  made  the  subject  of  private 
correspondence. 

Your  reference  to  Tucker's  Edition  of  Blackstone's  Commen- 
taries does  not  seem  to  be  pertinent.  The  work  was  Blackstone's, 
not  Wythe's,  nor  Tucker's  except  as  to  the  latter's  notes,  which 
were  printed  as  an  appendix  to  each  volume  in  the  form  of  essays 
showing  the  differences  between  the  English  and  Virginian  law. 
If  it  be  pertinent,  however,  let  me  remind  you  that  the  first  Ameri- 
can edition  of  Blackstone's  Commentaries  was  printed  and  pub- 
lished in  Philadelphia  in  1769 — nearly  seven  years  before  the 
American  Eevolution,  and  was  referred  to  by  Burke  in  the  House 
of  Commons  in  his  great  speech  on  the  conciliation  of  America. 

It  is  scarcely  accurate  to  say  that  the  "Wilson  school  did  not 
survive  its  second  summer."  Wilson's  other  public  duties  and  sub- 
sequent death  interrupted  his  work,  as  I  imagine  Wythe's  resigna- 
tion from  the  professorship  and  the  election  of  Tucker  interrupted 
his,  but  the  school  survived,  not  continuously  it  is  true,  but  in 
1817  Charles  Willing  Hare  was  the  Professor  and  actually  lectured, 
followed  in  1854  by  the  eminent  George  Sharswood,  an  editor  of 
Blackstone. 

But  all  of  this  is  afield.  I  am  perfectly  willing  to  concede  that 
Wythe  by  the  almanac  lectured  at  William  &  Mary  before  Wilson 
at  Pennsylvania,  but  I  assert  that  the  publicity  attending  his  able 
efforts  was  not  a  tithe  of  that  which  was  accorded  to  Wilson. 

Let  us  of  this  generation  be  thankful  that  the  sons  of  both  of 
these  great  schools  of  law  so  auspiciously  begun,  respect  the  glory 
of  their  founders  without  any  detraction  from  the  fair  fame  of 
either. 

Very  truly  yours, 

Robert  M.  Hughes,  Esq.  Hampton  L.  Carson. 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY  49 


ORIGIN   OF   THE   PEGRAM   FAMILY  IN   THE   UNITED 
STATES  AND  HISTORY  OF  THE  SAME  DURING 
THE  EIGHTEENTH  CENTURY. 

By  HENRY  PEGRAM,  of  the  New  York  Bar. 

The  published  account  of  the  origin  of  the  Pegram  family 
in  the  United  States  is  as  follows: 

"The  ancestor  of  the  Pegram  family  in  Virginia  was  ,* 

surveyor,  who  settled  in  what  is  now  Dinwiddie  County  and  mar- 
ried ,  daughter  of  Col.  Baker,  and  had  issue 
5  sons  of  whom :  Major  Baker2 ;  Daniel2  of  Charlotte,  N.  C. ;  Ed- 
ward2 an  officer  of  the  Revolution  and  a  juror  on  the  trial  of 
Aaron  Burr  married  Mary  Lyle."1 

The  principal  traditional  account  is  as  follows: 

"The  history  of  the  Pegram  family  in  this  country  begins  with 
Edward  Pegram  I,  who  came  over  from  England  in  the  latter  part 
of  the  year  1669  with  a  party  of  Engineers  under  Col.  Daniel 
Baker.  He  was  'Queen's  Engineer,  or  Surveyor  to  the  Crown',  and 
reported  directly  thereto.  He  married  Mary  Scott  Baker,  daugh- 
ter of  Col.  Baker,  and  was  the  father  of  twelve  or  more  children, 
among  whom  were: — 1.  John  Pegram,  2.  Edward  Pegram  II f  3. 
Baker  Pegram,  4.  Daniel  Pegram.  After  his  term  of  office  ex- 
pired, he  settled  on  a  tract  of  land,  ten  miles  square,  granted  to 
him  by  Queen  Anne,  situated  some  18  miles  below  Petersburg, 
Virginia,  in  Dinwiddie  County.  He  lies  in  the  old  burial  ground 
on  that  place.  John  Pegram  married  Miss  Sturdivant  and  was 
the  father  of  Edward  Pegram  III,  who  was  born  January  20,  1772. 
Edward  Pegram  II  was  born  in  Dinwiddie  County,  Virginia,  about 
the  year  1720;  he  resided  in  the  Colony,  or  Province  of  Virginia, 
at  'Diamond  Spring7,  from  1720  to  1795,  where  he  died  at  the  age 

i  Bristol   Parish,   Philip   Slaughter,   206;    Va.    Genealogies,   H.    E. 
Hayden,  314. 


50  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

of  95  and  was  buried  on  the  Old  Place  some  16  miles  below  Peters- 
burg."2 

Other  traditional  accounts  give  the  date  of  the  ancestor's  ar- 
rival from  England  as  1699;  and  the  age  of  Edward  Pegram  II, 
at  the  time  of  his  death,  as  75.3 

The  earliest  permanent  settlement  in  Virginia  was  made  at 
James  City,  now  Jamestown,  on  the  north  bank  of  the  James 
River.  From  thence,  settlements  gradually  spread  up  and  down 
both  banks  of  the  James  River  and  of  its  tributaries,  the  Chicka- 
homini,  Appomattox,  Nansemond  and  Elizabeth  Rivers.  Next, 
came  the  settlements  along  the  banks  of  the  York  River  and  of  its 
tributaries,  the  Pamunkey  and  Mattapony  Rivers,  and  the  eastern 
shore  of  Chesapeake  Bay;  and,  finally,  came  the  settlements  along 
the  banks  of  the  Rappahannock,  Potomac  and  Patuxent  Rivers. 
It  was  not  until  tide-water  Virginia  had  become  fairly  well  set- 
tled that  the  inland  development  of  the  colony  was  undertaken. 
The  reason  for  this  is  quite  obvious.  The  tidal  rivers  and  creeks 
afforded  a  safe  and  ready  means  of  communication,  at  a  time  when 
the  country  was  covered  with  dense  forests,  infested  by  hostile  In- 
dians and  beasts  of  prey.  In  addition,  the  peninsulas,  formed  by 
the  tidal  rivers  and  creeks,  rendered  it  a  comparatively  easy  mat- 
ter to  keep  the  early  settlements  free  from  attack  by  Indians  and 
wild  beasts,  once  the  aboriginal  denizens  had  been  expelled  there- 
from. 

From  well  authenticated  facts,  it  is  definitely  established  that 
there  were  persons  by  the  name  of  Pegram  in  Virginia,  during  the 
time  that  the  tide-water  regions  were  in  process  of  settlement,  and 
long  before  any  inland  settlements  had  been  undertaken.  There- 
fore, before  proceeding  to  a  consideration  of  the  facts  relating  to 
these  early  settlers,  it  is  advisable  to  review,  briefly,  the  historical 
facts  relating  to  the  settlement  of  tide-water  Virginia,  so  far  as 
they  have  a  bearing  upon  the  early  history  of  the  Pegram  family 
in  that  colony,  as  set  forth  in  the  published  and  traditional  accounts 
thereof. 

•Various  family  papers. 
•Ibid. 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY  51 

James  City  was  settled  in  1607  in  the  reign  of  James  I,  after 
whom  it  was  named.  It  was  the  seat  of  government  of  the  colony 
throughout  the  seventeenth  century,  and,  in  1619,  the  first  colonial 
Assembly  was  held  there.4  Until  1623-4,  the  only  court  in  the 
colony  was  held  at  James  City;5  but,  in  that  year,  owing  to  the 
remoteness  of  Charles  City  and  Elizabeth  City  from  the  seat  of 
government,  monthly  courts  were  authorized  to  be  held  in  these 
two  corporations.8  In  1631-2,  additional  monthly  courts  were  auth- 
orized to  be  held  at  "Warwick  River  (Denbigh),  Warrosquyoake 
(Norfolk)  and  Accawmacke  (Northampton) ;  and  quarterly  courts 
only  were  directed  to  be  held,  thenceforth,  at  James  City.  In  the 
same  year,  the  practice  was  instituted  of  requiring  the  masters  of 
all  incoming  ships  to  .furnish  the  commander  of  the  fort  at  Point 
Comfort  with  lists  of  their  passengers,  setting  forth  their  names, 
ages,  nationalities  and  places  of  birth.7 

At  the  Assembly  held  on  Sept.  4,  1632,  the  ministers  of  the 
parish  churches  were  directed  to  keep  registers  of  the  dates  of  all 
christenings,  weddings  and  burials,  occuring  within  their  parishes ; 
and,  at  the  next  Assembly,  held  on  Feb.  1,  1632-3,  an  act  was 
passed  providing  for  the  seating  (settling)  of  a  new  plantation, 
to  be  known  as  Middle  Plantation,  in  the  forest  lands  between 
Queen's  Creek,  emptying  into  Charles  River,  and  Archer's  Hope 
Creek,  emptying  into  James  River.8 

At  this  time,  the  political  divisions  of  the  colony  were  called 
Hundreds  and  Plantations;9  the  Parishes  not  yet  having  attained 
the  dignity  of  a  political  status.  These  political  units  had  grown 
up  in  a  very  informal  way  and  were  so  loosely  defined  that  the 
lands  embraced  by  them  were  constantly  shifting.  The  act  of 
Aug.  21,  1633,  providing  for  the  erection  of  seven  central  tobacco 
storehouses,  gives  a  fair  idea  of  the  very  limited  territory  which, 
up  to  that  time,  had  been  settled.  This  act  provided  that  two 

4lHening's  Statutes  at  large,  119. 

»1  Hist.  Introd.  Va.  Col.  Dec.,  R.  T.  Barton,  72. 

«1  Hen.  Stat.,  125. 

Tlbid.,  166,  168,  174. 

«1  Hen.  Stat.,  182,  183,  208. 

»1  Hist.  Introd.  Va.  Col.  Dec.,  R.  T.  Barton,  73. 


52  WILLIAM  AND  MAEY  QUARTERLY 

storehouses  should  be  built  at  convenient  places  for  the  use  of  the 
inhabitants  of  both  sides  of  James  River,  from  the  falls  to  Weyan- 
oake ;  a  third  at  James  City,  for  the  use  of  the  inhabitants  on  both 
sides  of  James  Eiver,  from  Weyanoake  to  Stanley  Hundred  and 
Lawnes  Creek;  a  fourth  at  Warrosquyoake ;  a  fifth  at  Denbigh, 
for  the  use  of  the  inhabitants  from  there  down  to  Maries  Mount; 
a  sixth  on  Southampton  Eiver,  for  the  use  of  the  inhabitants  of 
Maries  Mount,  Elizabeth  City,  Accawmacke  and  the  Isle  of  Kent; 
and  the  seventh  on  Charles  River,  for  the  use  of  Kiskyake,  York 
and  the  places  adjoining.10  In  1634,  the  colony  was  divided  into 
eight  shires,  or  counties,  which  were  named  James  City,  Henrico, 
Charles  City,  Elizabeth  City,  Warwick  River,  Warrosquyoake, 
Charles  River  and  Accawmack.11 

By  act  of  Assembly  of  Jany.  6,  1639-40,  James  City  was  for- 
mally designated  as  the  capital  of  the  colony;  and,  at  the  same 
session,  Warrosquyoake  County  was  subdivided  into  three  counties, 
which  were  named  Isle  of  Wight,  Upper  Norfolk  and  Lower  Nor- 
folk, and  Chiskiack,  subsequently  re-named  Hampton,  was  created 
a  parish,  this  being  the  first  formal  recognition  of  a  Parish  as  a 
political  division.  At  this  session,  likewise,  deeds  and  mortgages 
were  first  directed  to  be  registered  by  the  local  monthly  courts.12 
At  the  Assembly  held  Mar.  2,  1642-43,  the  name  of  Achommack 
County  was  changed  to  Northampton,  that  of  Charles  River  to 
York,  and  that  of  Warwick  River  to  Warwick;  and  Bristol  Parish 
was  created  as  follows: 

"Be  it  also  enacted  and  confirmed  for  the  conveniency  of  the 
inhabitants  on  both  sides  of  Appomattock  River  being  farr  remote 
from  the  parish  church  of  the  said  plantation  upon  Appomattock 
be  bounded  into  a  parish  by  themselves  as  followeth,  to  beginn  at 
Causon's  ffeild  within  the  mouth  of  Appomattock  River  on  the  east- 
ward side,  and  at  Powell's  Creek  on  the  westward  side  of  the  river, 
and  so  to  extend  vp  the  river  to  the  falls  on  both  sides  and  the 
said  parish  to  be  called  by  the  name  of  Bristoll."  13 

101  Hen.  Stat.,  211. 
iilbid.,  224  n. 
islbid.,  226,  227,  228. 
"Ibid.,   249,   251. 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY  53 

The  mother  church  of  Bristol  Parish  was  at  Bermuda  Hundred, 
opposite  City  Point.  In  1723,  a  second  place  of  worship,  known 
as  the  Ferry  chapel,  was  erected  near  the  Falls,  not  far  from  the 
site  of  the  Old  Blandford  Church,  by  which  it  was  replaced  about 
1737.14 

At  the  foregoing  session,  an  Order  of  Court,  made  Oct.  8,  1630, 
for  a  grant  of  land  to  the  Undertakers,  who  seated  the  first  and 
second  years  upon  Chescake  and  Yorke,  was  ratified  and  confirmed ; 
and  measures  were  taken  to  encourage  the  discovery  of  a  new  river 
or  unknown  land  bearing  west  southerly  from  Appomattox  River.15 
It  would  seem,  from  the  foregoing,  that,  as  late  as  1643,  the  terri- 
tory, known  as  Dinwiddie  County,  was  still  unexplored. 

At  the  Assembly  neld  on  Feb.  17,  1644-5,  a  new  county,  North- 
umberland, was  mentioned;  and  the  inhabitants  of  the  east  side 
of  Archer's  Hope  Creek,  to  the  head  thereof  and  down  to  Warhanvs 
Pond,  were  authorized  to  separate  from  James  City  Parish  and 
unite  with  Martin's  Hundred  Parish,  or  become  a  separate  parish, 
as  they  preferred;  and  at  the  Assembly  held  on  Nov.  20,  1645, 
these  inhabitants,  having  signified  their  desire  to  become  a  sepa- 
rate parish,  were  authorized  to  call  the  same  Harrop  Parish.  At 
the  same  session,  the  name  of  Upper  Norfolk  County  was  changed 
to  Nansimum  (Nansemond) ;  and  the  county  courts  were  author- 
ized to  administer  estates  and  to  probate  wills  and  were  directed 
to  record  the  latter  and  all  estate  inventories  and  accounts.16 

At  the  Assembly  held  on  April  26,  1652,  two  new  counties, 
Gloucester  and  Lancaster,  were  mentioned;  and,  at  the  Assembly 
held  on  Nov.  25,  1652,  another  new  county,  Surry,  was  mentioned. 
At  this  session,  the  following  special  powers  were  conferred  upon 
the  inhabitants  of  Bristol  Parish,  viz: 

"The  inhabitants  of  Appomattock  River  shall  have  power  to 
keep  courts  according  to  the  sence  of  the  act  of  Assembly  for  courts 
in  the  like  nature,  to  hear  and  determine  all  differences  within  the 
said  parish,  which  said  court  is  to  be  kept  by  the  commissioners 

"1  Old  Churches  &c.,  Bishop  Meade,  439;  Slaug.  Brist.  Par.  7. 

isi  Hen.  Stat,  257,  262. 

ielbid.,  294  n,  298,  302,  303,  317,  321. 


54  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

resideing  in  the  said  parish  of  Bristoll,  and  they  to  take  place 
respectively  as  by  act  of  Assembly  they  are  nominated;  appeals 
lying  from  this  court  to  either  Henrico  county  or  Charles  City 
county  court,  as  also  to  have  power  to  treate  with  the  Indians  ac- 
cording to  act."  17 

At  the  Assembly  held  on  July  5,  1653,  a  new  county,  Westmore- 
land, was  mentioned;  and,  at  the  session  held  on  Nov.  20, 
1654,  New  Kent  County  was  formed  from  the  upper  part  of 
York  County;  and  the  land  from  the  head  of  the  north  side  of 
Queen's  Creek  as  high  as  to  the  head  of  Scimino  Creek  was  made 
a  separate  parish  and  named  Marston  Parish.18  At  the  Assembly 
held  on  Mar.  31,  1655,  courts  in  Charles  City  County  were  di- 
rected to  be  held  on  the  south  side  of  James  River,  and,  at  the 
Assembly  held  on  Mar.  13,  1657-8,  it  was  directed  that  no  patents 
of  land  be  made,  without  exact  surveys  being  produced  in  the  Sec- 
retary's office,  and  the  name  of  the  monthly  courts  was  changed  to 
county  courts.19 

At  the  Assembly  held  on  Mar.  30,  1657-8,  an  effort,  which  had 
been  made  to  subdivide  Charles  City  County,  was  denied  in  the 
following  form: 

"Ordered,  That  the  county  of  Charles  Citty  shall  not  be  divided, 
but  that  it  remaine  one  entire  county  and  for  the  ease  of  the  people 
that  there  shall  be  two  courts  kept,  one  on  the  south  side  where  it  is, 
and  the  other  on  the  north  side  by  turnes.  The  commissioners 
of  both  sides  to  assist  at  both  courts  indifferently :  And  each  side 
of  the  river  to  beare  the  charge  of  building  their  own  court  house 
and  prison."  20 

At  the  session  held  on  April  1,  1658,  the  following  order  was 
adopted,  viz : 

"Upon  the  petition  of  the  inhabitants  of  Middle  Plantation  and 
Harrop  parishes,  it  is  ordered,  That  both  of  them  be  henceforth 
incorporated  into  one  parish  which  is  to  be  called  the  parish  of 

"I  Hen.  Stat,  371  n,  372  n,  376. 
"Ibid.,  381  n,  387  n,  388. 
i9lbid.,  426,  445,  462. 
201  Hen.  Stat.,  497. 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY  55 

Middletowne  and  the  bounds  of  the  same  to  be  those  already  in- 
cludeing  both  the  aforesaid  former  parishes."  21 

At  the  Assembly  held  on  Mar.  13,  1659-60,  an  act  entitled  "An 
Act  to  record  all  Marriages,  Births  and  Burrialls"  was  passed  in 
the  following  form  : 

"Be  it  therefore  enacted,  That  every  parish  shall  well,  truly 
and  plainly  record  and  sett  downe  in  a  booke  provided  for  that 
purpose,  all  marriages,  deaths  and  births  that  shall  happen  within 
the  precincts  of  the  parish,  and  in  the  month  of  March  in  every 
yeare,  the  person  appointed  by  the  parish  so  to  do,  shall  make  true 
certificate  into  the  clerke  of  every  county  to  the  intent  the  same 
may  there  remaine  on  <record  for  ever/'  " 

At  an  Assembly  held  on  Oct.  11,  1660,  all  licenses,  including 
marriage  licenses,  were  directed  to  be  returned  to  the  Secretary's 
office;23  and,  at  the  same  time,  an  act  entitled  "Concerning  Or- 
phants"  was  passed,  so  far  as  material,  in  the  following  form  : 

"if  the  said  Will  be  soe  made  that  noe  person  will  undertake 
the  management  of  the  estate,  or  education  of  the  orphants  ac- 
cording to  the  tenor  of  it,  then  that  the  estate  by  appointment  of 
the  court  shalbe  managed  according  to  the  rules  sett  downe  for 
the  ordering  the  estate  of  persons  intestate,  as  followeth: 

First,  that  noe  account  be  allowed  for  dyett,  cloaths,  phisick, 
or  else  against  any  orphants  estate,  but  that  to  be  educated  and 
provided  for  by  the  interest  of  the  estate,  and  increase  of  their 
stock  according  to  the  proportion  of  their  estates,  if  it  will  bear  it  ; 
but  if  the  estate  be  so  mean  and  inconsiderable,  that  it  will  not 
extend  to  a  free  education,  then  it  is  enacted  that  such  orphants 
shalbe  bound  apprentices  to  some  handycraft  trade  until  one  & 
twenty  years  of  age,  except  some  kinsman  or  relation  will  maintain 
them  for  the  interest  of  the  small  estate  they  have,  without  di- 
minution of  the  principall  which  whether  greate  or  small  always 
to  be  delivered  to  the  orphants  at  the  years  appointed  by  the 
law."  2< 


497. 

542. 
232   Ibid.,  28. 
2*2  Hen.  Stat,  93. 


56  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

In  1669,  when,  according  to  the  principal  traditional  account, 
the  ancestor  of  the  Pegram  family  arrived  in  America,  Charles  II, 
grandson  of  James  I,  was  king  of  England,  having  succeeded  his 
father,  Charles  I,  upon  the  restoration  of  the  monarchy  at  the 
close  of  the  Commonwealth  era.  In  1674,  Middle  town  and  Mar- 
ston  Parishes  were  united  under  the  name  of  Bruton  Parish.  The 
original  parish  church  was  at  Yorktown;  the  present  parish  church 
is  at  Williamsburg.25 

In  1685,  Charles  II  was  succeeded  by  James  II,  who,  in  turn, 
was  succeeded,  in  1689,  by  William  and  Mary,  as  joint  sovereigns 
of  England.  On  Feb.  8,  1693,  the  College  of  William  and  Mary 
was  incorporated  by  royal  charter  and,  as  one  of  the  means  of 
raising  revenue  for  the  College's  support,  the  office  of  Surveyor- 
General  of  Virginia  was  bestowed  on  that  institution.26  The  office 
of  Surreyor-General  was  created  after  the  abolition  of  the  London 
Company,  the  original  proprietors  of  Virginia.  The  Surveyor- 
General  was  appointed  by  warrant,  drawn  by  the  Solicitor- General 
of  England  under  the  great  seal  of  the  kingdom.  His  duties  con- 
sisted in  keeping  a  record  of  the  surveys  and  in  commissioning  the 
whole  body  of  surveyors.  The  latter  reported  to  him,  annually, 
at  James  City,  where  their  books,  showing  the  work  performed  by 
them  during  the  preceding  year,  were  examined  by  him.27 

In  1694,  Queen  Mary  died  and,  thenceforth,  King  William 
reigned  alone,  under  the  title  of  William  III.  At  the  Assembly 
held  Apr.  27,  1699,  an  act  entitled  "An  act  directing  the  building 
the  Capitoll  and  the  City  of  Williamsburg"  was  passed.  This  act, 
after  reciting  the  destruction  by  fire  of  the  State-House  at  James 
City  and  the  healthiness  of  the  locality  in  which  Middle  Plantation 
was  situated  and  the  ease  with  which  supplies  could  be  delivered 
there  by  means  of  the  creeks  emptying  into  the  James  and  York 
Rivers,  appropriated  land  for  building  a  capitol  and  a  city,  to  be 
named  Williamsburg,  there;  and  directed  how  the  capitol  should 
be  built  and  how  the  city  should  be  laid  out.23 

"Bruton    Ch.,    W.    A.    R.    Goodwin,     pref.;     personal     interviews 
8/17/21, 

*«1  Bruce's  Inst.  Hist.,  390. 
aTBruce's  Econ.  Hist.,  534. 
"3  Hen.  Stat.,  168,  197,  229,  419,  420,  422. 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY  57 

William  III  died  in  1701-2'  and  was  succeeded  by  Queen  Anne. 
At  the  Assembly,  begun  at  "her  Majestyes  Roial  Colledge  of  Wil- 
liam and  Mary,  Adjoining  to  the  City  of  Williamsburg,"  on  Dec. 
5,  1701,  and  thence  continued  to  Aug.  14,  1702,  Charles  City 
County  was  subdivided  and  the  portion  thereof  lying  south  of  the 
James  River  was  created  a  new  county,  by  the  name  of  Prince 
George  County.29 

Queen  Anne  died  in  1714  and  was  succeeded  by  George  I,  who, 
in  turn,  was  succeeded  by  George  II,  in  1727,  who  died  in  1760. 
At  an  Assembly,  held  at  the  Capitol  in  the  City  of  Williamsburg 
on  May  6,  1742',  Bristol  Parish  was  subdivided,  as  follows: 

"the  said  parish  <jf  Bristol  shall  be  divided,  by  a  line,  to  begin 
at  Major  James  Munford's  mill,  on  Appomattox  river,  and  running 
thence  a  course  parallel  to  the  lower  line  of  the  said  parish  to 
Stony  Creek;  and  thence  down  the  said  creek  to  Surry  county,  and 
all  that  part  of  the  said  parish,  situated  below  the  said  line,  be 
erected  into  one  district  parish,  and  retain  the  name  of  Bristol: 
And  all  that  other  part  thereof,  situated  above  the  said  line,  be 
erected  into  one  other  distinct  parish,  and  called  by  the  name  of 
Bath."  80 

At  an  Assembly,  held  at  the  College  in  Williamsburg  on  Feb. 
27,  1752,  Prince  George  County  was  subdivided,  as  follows : 

"the  said  county  of  Prince  George  be  divided  into  two  coun- 
ties; that  is  to  say;  All  that  part  thereof,  lying  on  the  upper  side 
of  the  run  which  falls  into  Appomattox  river^  between  the  town  of 
Blanford,  and  Boiling's  point  warehouse,  to  the  outermost  line 
of  the  glebe  land,  and  by  a  south  course  to  be  run  from  the 
said  outermost  line  of  the  glebe  land,  to  Surry  county,  shall  be 
one  distinct  county,  and  called  and  known  by  the  name  of  Din- 
widdie,  and  all  that  other  part  thereof,  below  the  said  run  and 
course,  shall  be  one  other  distinct  county,  and  retain  the  name  of 
Prince  George."31 

From  the  foregoing,  it  is  apparent  that,  at  a  very  early  period 


223. 

•05  Hen.  Stat,  212,  213. 
•16  Ibid.,  254,  255. 


58  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

in  its  history,  the  colony  of  Virginia  made  careful  and  ample  provi- 
eion  for  the  preservation  of  all  matters  of  subsequent  genealogical 
interest,  in  the  county  court  records  and  in  the  parish  registers. 

Of  the  counties,  into  which  lower  tide-water  Virginia  is  now 
divided,  the  present  condition  of  their  early  records  is  as  follows: 

James  City  County,  all  records,  prior  to  1865,  are  said  to 
have  been  destroyed  during  the  War  between  the  States.82 

Henrico  County,  no  information  obtained. 

Charles  City  County,  all  seventeenth  and  eighteenth  century 
records  destroyed,  except  for  the  years  1655-65,  1737-57  and 
1764-72,  which  are  in  the  State  Library.33 

Elizabeth  City  County,  the  records,  between  1632-1865,  are 
rery  much  broken  and  only  a  few  scattering  ones  remain.84 

Warwick  County,  the  only  records,  prior  to  1865,  are  about  a 
dozen  old  wills  and  part  of  a  Court  Order  Book.35 

Norfolk  County,  no  information  obtained. 

Nansemond  County,  the  only  record,  prior  to  1865,  is  one  book 
of  recorded  deeds.38 

Isle  of  Wight  County,  the  records  are  pretty  well  preserved, 
from  about  1735-1740,  and  possibly  some  few  as  far  back  as  1721.8T 

York  County,  the  records,  from  1633  to  date,  seem  to  be  com- 
plete; but  some  of  the  early  ones  are  seriously  mutilated.38 

Surry  County,  the  records  go  back  to  1652,  a  few  of  the  earlier 
books  are  missing.39 

Prince  George  County,  all  eighteenth  century  records  destroyed, 
except  for  the  years  1713-1728,  1759-1760,  1787-1792  and  1794- 
1824  and,  possibly,  a  package  of  old  wills.40 

32Fers.  Interv.  8/18/21. 

33County  Clerk's  letter,  11/15/21;  State  Librarian's  let., 
11/22/21. 

34  Co.  Cl's  let.  11/14/21. 
35Co.  Cl's  let.  11/19/21. 
86Co.  Cl's  let.  ll/— /21. 
"Co.  Cl's  let,  ll/— /21. 
sepers.  Exam.  8/17/21. 
89Co.  Cl's  let.  11/12/21. 
4oco.   Cl's  let.   11/11/21. 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY  59 

Dinwiddie  County,  all  records,  prior  to  1865,  except  the  Court 
Order  Book  for  1789,  destroyed.41 

Sussex  County,  no  records  missing,  since  formation  of  county 
in  1754.42 

Chesterfield  County,  no  information  obtained. 

New  Kent  County,  no  information  obtained. 

Princess  Anne  County,  no  information  obtained. 

From  a  personal  examination  of  the  York  County  records  and 
from  the  reports  received  from  various  County  Clerks,  it  appears 
that  most  of  the  seventeenth  and  eighteenth  century  records,  now 
extant,  are  not  indexed,  and  that  none  of  them  is  cross-indexed. 
Consequently,  a  complete  inspection  of  these  records  can  only  be 
made  by  a  page  to  page  examination  thereof.  It  is  said  that  the 
registers  of  Harrop,  Marston  and  Middletown  Parishes  are  lost;48 
and  that  the  registers  of  Bristol  and  Bruton  Parishes,  prior  to  1865, 
were  destroyed  in  the  War  between  the  States.  Fragments  of  these 
registers  are,  however,  preserved  in  the  histories  of  these  two 
parishes.44 

The  earliest  reference  of  record  to  a  Pegram  in  Virginia,  thus 
far  found,  appears  in  the  York  County  records  for  1713.  It  is 
believed,  however,  that,  if  a  page  to  page  examination  of  the  prior 
records  of  this  county  were  made,  still  earlier  references  would  be 
found.  The  following  entries  have,  thus  far,  been  found,  in  the 
records  of  York  County  and  in  the  history  of  Bruton  Parish,  viz. : 

Jany.  18,  1713 :  Action  upon  the  Case  by  Claude  Rouvier  and 
Eliza,  his  wife,  Executors  &c  of  Joseph  Chermeson,  dec'd,  against 
William  Pegram.  Confession  of  judgment  by  defendant  for  £.2s.lO 
by  account.  Execution  issued  Aug.  16,  1714.45 

Jany.  18,  1713:  Action  of  debt  by  Daniel  Pegram  against 
Charles  Holdsworth..  Judgment  for  plaintiff  for  Ibs.  750  tobbaco 
and  cask.4* 

"Co.  CI's  let.  ll/— /21. 
42Co.  CI's.  let.  11/12/21. 
«Bruton  Ch.,  W.  A.  R.  Goodwin,  Pref. 

"Peru.  Interv.  8/18/21;  Brut.  Ch.,  W.  A.  R.  Goodwin,  133  et  seq.; 
Bristol  Par,  C.  G.  Chamberlayne,  354  et  seq. 
«14  York  Co.  Order.  &c,  300. 
"Ibid.,  300. 


60  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

Jany.  15,  1719:  Lease,  by  Feoffees  or  Trustees  of  land  appraised 
for  building  and  erecting  City  of  Williamsburg  to  Daniel  Pegram 
of  York  County,  of  lot  183  on  platt  of  City,  for  one  year  at  an- 
nual rent  of  one  grain  of  Indian  corn ;  Release,  by  same  to  same  of 
same  lot,  in  free  and  common  soccage,  consideration  s.15.*7 

1725  :     Death  of  John  Pegram.48 

June  19,  1727:     Probate  of  following  will: 

In  the  name  of  God,  Amen,  I  Sarah  Pegram  being  weak  of 
body  but  of  perfect  Sense  and  memory  do  make  this  my  last  Will 
and  Testament  in  manner  and  form  following :  I  give  to  my  Son, 
David  Foese,  his  freedom  and  all  the  tools  formerly  belonging  to 
my  husband  Daniel  Pegram;  Item,  I  give  to  my  daughter  Mary 
my  best  bed  and  furniture  thereunto  belonging  and  a  chest  of 
drawers  and  large  looking  glass;  Item,  I  give  to  my  daughter 
Sarah  my  second  best  bed  and  furniture  thereunto  belonging  and 
six  leather  chairs  and  a  brown  table;  and  after  my  debts  and  fun- 
eral expenses  are  defrayed.  The  rest  of  my  Estate  equally  to  be 
divided  between  my  five  children,  Mary,  Sarah,  Daniel,  George  and 
Edward;  I  do  likewise  appoint  John  Pegram  to  be  the  Executor  of 
this  my  last  Will  and  Testament.  Signed  and  Sealed  in  the  pres- 
ence of  William  Rudder,  Benjamin  Bryan.  Sarah  Pegram,  (L.S.). 
This  Will  and  Testament  of  Sarah  Pegram  was  presented  by  Pat- 
rick Ferguson  (John  Pegram  the  Executor  therein  named  having 
relinquished)  and  being  proved  by  the  Oaths  of  the  Witnesses 
thereto  is  admitted  to  record.49 

July  17,  1727:  .  Inventory  and  appraisement  of  Estate  of 
Sarah  Pegram.  Personal  estate  appraised  at  £.54  s.  8  d.  4-%50 

May  19,  1729:  Return  of  Settlement  of  Sarah  Pegram' s  Es- 
tate. 

Mentions  receipt  of  £.  2  s.  3  d.  6  from  .  .  .  Hartfield  for  rent 
of  the  plantation  after  death  .  .  .  year  1727.  (record  is  badly 
mutilated).51 

"3  York  Co.  Deeds  &c.,  323,  324. 
48Good.  Brut.  Ch.,  140.  , 

*916  York  Co.  Ord.,  Wills  *c.,  466. 
Boibld.,  476. 
"Ibid.,  607. 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY  61 

May  17,  1731:  Complaint  of  Sarah  Pegram  against  Dudley 
Digges,  Martin  Conner  and  William  Hunt;  Digges  and  Conner  not 
appearing,  Hunt  ordered  to  answer  for  misdemeanor  at  next  Gen- 
eral Court.  £.  10  Bond  of  Sarah  Pegram  to  prosecute  him.62 

Sept.  18,  1732:  Action  upon  the  Case  by  John  Lilly  against 
John  Pegram,  former  order  continued  till  next  Court.53 

Dec.  18,  1732 :  Information  of  riot  exhibited  by  Sarah  Pegram 
against  William  Taylor  and  others  dismissed  for  failure  of  in- 
former to  prosecute54 

Nov.  15,  1742:  Upon  motion  of  Sarah  Pegram  on  evidence 
for  John  Sampson  against  Kebecca  Hulet,  ordered  that  John  Samp- 
son pay  her  for  two  days  attendance  according  to  law.55 

May  16,  1745:  B.  *&  S.  deed  by  William  Pegram,  bricklayer, 
Bruton  Parish,  York  County,  and  Sarah,  his  wife,  to  William 
Young,  carpenter,  conveys  lot  323  on  platt  of  City  of  Williams- 
burg,  purchased  by  William  Pegram  of  Matthew  Shields  and  wife, 
by  deed  dated  Jany.  28,  1745.  Consideration  £.  60  Va.86 

May  20,  1745 :  William  Pegram  and  Sarah,  his  wife,  acknowl- 
edged their  bond  with  receipt  endorsed  to  James  Wray.5T 

1748:     Death  of  Sarah  Pegram.68 

Jany.  21,  1754:  Personal  estate  of  John  Pegram f  dec'd,  ap- 
praised at  £.  4  s.  11  d.  1-1/2-59 

Doubtless,  if  a  page  to  page  examination  of  the  early  York 
County  records  were  made,  other  Pegram  references  would  be 
found  therein;  as  some  of  the  foregoing  were  found  in  the  unin- 
dexed  books. 

In  the  Charles  City  County  records,  there  appears  the  follow- 
ing entry : 

Apr.  17,  1737:     "The  Court  approves  that  Edward  Pegram 

6217  Ibid.,  167,  168. 

BS17  Ibid.,  316. 

8*17  Ibid.,  337 

"19  York  Co.  Wills  &c.,  132. 

««6  York  Co.  Deeds  &c.,  134. 

Brig  York  Co.  Wills  &c.,  364. 

"Good.  Brut.  Ch.,  142. 

"20  York  Co.  Wills  &c.,  308. 


62  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

Should  be  bound  to  Matthew  Harfeild  to  learn  the  trade  of  a  brick- 
layer and  that  he  be  bound  accordingly  as  the  Law  directs."60 

It  is  possible  that  other  references  to  Pegrams  might  be  found 
in  the  Charles  City  County  records,  upon  a  thorough  examination 
thereof. 

The  only  references  to  Pegrams  in  the  history  of  Bristol  Parish 
are  the  following:  Sara,  d.  of  Daniel  and  Francis  Pegram,  born 
Dec.  29,  1741,  baptized  Feb.  28,  1742.  William,  s.  of  Edward  and 
Mary  Pegram  born  June  18,  1742,  baptized  July  4,  1742.61 

In  the  Journal  of  Council,  appears  the  following  entry: 

Dec.  15,  1742 :  Daniel  Pegram  v.  Abraham  Micheau,  The  De- 
fendant to  have  an  Order  for  the  Land  paying  the  Plaintiff  50 
shil.62 

In  the  Journal  of  the  House  of  Burgesses,  appear  the  following 
entries : 

Nov.  22,  1753 :  A  Petition  of  Edward  Pegram,  in  the  County 
of  Dinwiddie,  setting  forth,  That  Some  Time  in  the  year  1748, 
the  Petitioner,  in  taking  up  a  Runaway  Negroe,  was  obliged  to 
give  him  several  Blows,  Some  Time  after  which  he  died ;  that  John 
Jones,  Gent,  to  whom  the  said  Negroe  belonged,  brought  a  Suit 
against  the  Petitioner,  and  obtained  a  Judgement  against  him  for 
40  £.  and  praying  Relief,  was  offered  to  the  House :  And  the  Ques- 
tion being  put,  that  the  said  Petition  be  received,  Resolved  in  the 
Negative.88 

Jany.  14,  1764 :  A  Claim  of  William  Pegram  for  taking  up  a 
Runaway  therein  mentioned,  was  presented  to  the  House  and  re- 
ceived.84 

It  is  possible  that  other  references  to  Pegrams  might  be  found 
in  the  foregoing  journals,  upon  a  thorough  examination  thereof. 

The  foregoing  constitute  all  of  the  references  of  record  to  Pe- 
grams, prior  to  the  Revolutionary  War,  which  have  been  thus  far 
found. 

•estate  Lib.  Let.  11/22/21. 
•iChamb.   Brisk  Par.   354. 
"XVI  Va.  Mag.  Hist.  &  Biog.,  21. 
"Lyon  G.  Tyler  let.  3/17/17. 
"Ibid. 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY  63 

The  earliest  pedigree,  set  forth  in  the  traditional  accounts  of 
the  Pegram  family  in  the  United  States  is  that  of  Edward  Pegram, 
the  father  of  the  William  Pegram  born  on  June  18,  1742,  accord- 
ing to  the  Bristol  Parish  Register.  The  Edward  Pegram  in  ques- 
tion was  born  on  Mar.  4,  1722,  and  married  Mary  S.  Baker,  born 
Nov.  12,  1723,  by  whom  he  had  eleven  children,  viz: 

William  Pegram  b.  June  18,  1742; 

Mary  Pegram    b.  Mar.     6,  1744; 

Edward  Pegram   b.    Jan.     13,  1745 ;  d.  Mar.  30,  1816. 

John  Pegram b.  Dec.    20,  1748 ; 

Elizabeth  Pegram   b.  Aug.  24,  1750; 

Sallie  W.  Pegram  . b.  Jan.    12,  1753; 

George  Pegram   b.  Aug.  29,  1755 ; 

Baker  Pegram b.  Jan.    27,  1758 ; 

Daniel  Pegram   b.  Apr.    25,  1760 ; 

Ann  Pegram    b.  July     4,  1762 ; 

Daniel  Pegram   b.  Mar.  30,  1767;  d.  Oct.    23,  1832. 

Of  the  foregoing  it  is  stated  that: 

Mary  Pegram  married  Thomas  Mansen. 

Edward  Pegram  was  appointed  Special  Commander  by  the 
Colonial  Government  to  defend  his  Parish  and  County  from  the 
attacks  of  the  Indians;  he  was  a  Captain  in  the  Revolutionary 
War  and  one  of  the  grand  jury  which  indicted  Aaron  Burr  for 
treason;  he  married  Mary  Lyle,  who  died  June  30,  1779,  and, 
then,  Mrs.  Ann  Harper  Parham,  who  died  Sept.  18,  1814;  he  died 
at  "Diamond  Spring"  or  "Village  View,"  near  Dinwiddie  C.  H. 

George  Pegram  married  Miss  Williamson;  among  his  chil- 
dren was  Capt.  Edward  Henry  Pegram  of  Dinwiddie  Co.  who 
married  Rebecca  Scott,  a  sister  of  Gen.  Winfield  Scott. 

Baker  Pegram  married  Mary  Mansen;  he  was  a  Major  in  the 
Revolutionary  War. 

Ann  Pegram  married  John  Simms  of  Scotland. 

Daniel  Pegram  married  Nancy  Hardaway;  he  was  the  ances- 
tor of  the  Pegrams  of  Mecklenburg  and  Gaston  Counties,  N.  C. 


64  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

Edward  Pegram,  who  first  married  Mary  Lyle  and,  then,  Ann 
Harper  Parham,  had  fourteen  children,  seven  by  each  wife,  viz: 

Elizabeth  Pegram b.  Jan.    28,  1766; 

Mary  Baker  Pegram b.  Nov.  16,  1767; 

Rebekah  Pegram b.  May  28,  1769; 

Anne  Lyle  Pegram   b.  Aug.     6,  1771;  d.  Jan.    26,  1825. 

John  Pegram  b.  Nov.  16,  1773;  d.  Apr.     8,  1831. 

Baker  Pegram   b.  May     8,  1776 ; 

Edward  Pegram    b.  May,  10,  1778; 

Martha  P.  Pegram b.  Dec.    24,  1780;  d.  Aug.  15,  1855. 

Robert  Pegram   b.  Dec.      8,  1782;  d.  Apr.  16,  1824. 

William  Pegram   b.  Apr.  26,  1785; 

Betsey  Pegram b.  Jan.    31,  1787; 

William  Pegram  II b.  Mar.  25,  1789; 

Harriet  Pegram    b.  Oct.    30,  1793; 

George  Pegram b.  Sept.  26,  1795; 

Of  the  foregoing,  it  is  stated  that : 

Mary  B.  Pegram  married  William  Scott  of  Petersburg. 

Rebekah  Pegram  married  Peter  Scott,  brother  of  William 
Scott,  of  Dinwiddie  Co. 

Anne  (Nancy)  Lyle  Pegram  married  Edward  Pegram,  son 
of  John  Pegram  and  Miss  Sturdivant. 

John  Pegram  was  born  in  Dinwiddie  Co.  and  resided  on  a 
part  of  the  original  ten  mile  square  grant  from  Queen  Anne,  until 
his  death;  he  was  a  Member  of  the  Virginia  Assembly  1798-1799, 
Major  General  of  the  Virginia  Forces  in  the  War  of  1812,  Mem- 
ber of  Congress,  1818-1819,  and,  at  his  death,  U.  S.  Marshal  for 
the  Eastern  District  of  Virginia;  at  the  age  of  twenty,  he  married 
Elizabeth  Eppes  Coleman  of  Dinwiddie  Co.,  who  died  in  1797;  in 
1800,  he  married  Martha  Ward  Gregory,  daughter  of  Richard 
Gregory  of  Chesterfield  Co.,  who  was  born  Sept.  15,  1781,  and 
died  Dec.  31,  1836. 

Martha  P.  Pegram  married  Col.  James  Scott  of  "Laurel 
Branch",  Dinwiddie  Co.,  brother  of  Gen.  Winfield  Scott. 

Robert  Pegram  married  Mary  Simmons  Hardaway;  he  was 
a  Colonel  in  the  War  of  1812. 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY  65 

Betsey  Pegram  married  Major  Francis  Gregory. 

Harriet  Pegram  married  Capt.  Cincinatus  Stith  of  Dinwiddie 
Co.,  who  moved  to  Alabama. 

Baker  Pegram,  Edward  Pegram,  William  Pegram,  William 
Pegram  II  and  George  Pegram,  all  died  in  infancy. 

It  is  stated  that  the  John  Pegram,  who  is  said  to  have  married 
a  Miss  Sturdivant,  had  four  children,  viz. : 

Edward  Pegram b.  Jan.  20,  1772;  d.  Nov.    5,  1814. 

Fannie  Pegram  

Patsey  Pegram   

John  Pegram,  Jr.    .  .^ b.  Apr.  13,  1785;  d.  July  3,  1864. 

Of  the  foregoing,  it  is  stated  that : 

Edward  Pegram  married  his  first  cousin,  Anne  (Nancy)  Lyle 
Pegram,  and  resided  at  "Edgefield",  Dinwiddie  Co. 

Fannie  Pegram  first  married  Colonel  Dabney  and  then  Robert 
Lanier. 

Patsey  Pegram  married  Stanfield  Coleman  of  Dinwiddie  Co. 

John  Pegram,  Jr.,  first  married  Ann  Scott,  daughter  of  Re- 
bekah  Pegram  and  Peter  Scott,  and  then  Martha  Goodwyn;  he  re- 
sided at  "Woodlawn",  Dinwiddie  Co.,  about  four  miles  from 
Petersburg,  where  he  died. 

The  foregoing,  are  the  only  pedigrees,  prior  to  the  Revolutionary 
War,  which  have,  thus  far,  been  established;  and,  of  these,  doubt 
is  still  entertained  as  to  the  correctness  of  the  Pe^ram-Sturdivant 
pedigree.  That  there  were  other  contemporaneous  pedigrees  which 
are  missing,  is  obvious  from  the  following  references  of  record  to 
Pegrams,  in  the  last  quarter  of  the  eighteenth  century,  viz.: 

Jany  29,  1779 :  Marriage  bonds  of  William  Pegram  and  Agnes 
Rhodes,  recorded  in  Lunenburg  County. M 

1779:  Edward  Pegram,  Captain  of  Dinwiddie  County  Mili- 
tia/6 

«»IX  Wm.  &  M.  Col.  Quart.,  178. 
•«Va.  Must.  Rolls  Rev.  War,  345. 


66  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

1782:  William  Pegram,  head  of  family  in  Mecklenburg 
County,  consisting  of  6  white  and  4  blacks.67 

1782:     Personal  Property  List  of  Dinwiddie  County.68 

Free  Infant 

Tithing  List  Male     Negro     negroes     Horses     Cattle 

John  Pegram    1  3  7  6  25 

Capt.  Edward  Pegram  . .     1  8  13  11  32 

George  Pegram  1  1  2  5  8 

Baker  Pegram 2  4  1  4  12 

George  Pegram,  Jr 1  3  3  15 

Elizabeth  Pegram 1  3  1  4  8 

William  Pegram  Estate . .  —  1 

Edward  Pegram   1  4  5  5  21 

Jany.  19,  1789 :  Edward  Pegram,  Jr.,  Joseph  Turner,  Wood 
Tucker  and  George  P&gram,  Justices  of  Dinwiddie  County  Court.69 

1789:  Distribution,  by  Dinwiddie  County  Court,  of  Estate  of 
William  Pegram,  dec'd,  between  the  widow,  Elizabeth  Pegram  and 
children  Daniel,  eldest  son,  Sally,  Elizabeth,  Frances,  William  and 
Baker.70 

1789:  Action  of  Debt,  brought  in  Dinwiddie  County  Court  by 
Edward  Pegram,  Jr.,  assignee  of  Vines  Collier,  against  Stephen 
Pettypool  and  Anderson  Pettypool.71 

1789:  At  Dinwiddie  County  Court,  Baker  Pegram,  Captain 
William  Scott,  Lieutenant,  and  Benjamin  Andrews,  Ensign,  of  the 
Company  of  Light  Infantry  in  the  militia  severally  took  the  oath 
required  by  the  Militia  Law  and  Act  of  Congress.72 

1789:  At  Dinwiddie  County  Court,  Edward  Young,  orphan  of 
Edward  Young,  made  choice  of  Baker  Pegram  as  guardian.  Peter 
Mansen  security.73 

Feb.,  1789 :    John  Pegram,  mentioned  as  an  Executor  of  Sam- 

«7U.  S.  1790  Census. 

«»XXVI  Wm.  &  M.  Col.  Quart.,  103,  252. 
«922  Va.  Mag.  Hist.  &  Biog.,  86. 
70XIV  Wm.  &  M.  Col.  Quart.,  139. 
TiXXIII  Ibid.,  214. 

215. 

215. 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY  67 

uel  Hinton's  Will,  upon  probate  of  same  by  Dinwiddie  County 
Court.74 

The  following  are  the  only  eighteenth  century  pedigrees,  sub- 
sequent to  the  Revolutionary  War,  which  have,  as  yet,  been  estab- 
lished, viz. : 

Daniel  Pegram,  who  married  Nancy  Hardaway,  had  eleven 
children,  viz. : 

Edward  Pegram   b.  Feb.  14,  1787; 

Mary  Pegram    b.  Feb.  27,  1789; 

Thomas  Pegram b.  Apr.  20,  1791 ; 

Susan  Pegram    b.  Aug.  20,  1793 ; 

Nancy  Pegram b.  Jan.    31,  1796; 

Winchester  Pegram   b.  June  23,  1799; 

Martha  Pegram    b.  Mar.  10,  1802; 

Harriet  Pegram b.  June     6,  1804 ; 

Julia  Ann  Pegram b.  Aug.  21,  1806 ; 

Emeline  Pegram   b.  June  20,  1809; 

Adeline  Pegram   b.  Mar.  26,  1812; 

Of  the  foregoing,  it  is  stated  that  Winchester  Pegram  was  the 
ancestor  of  the  Pegrams  of  Charlotte,  N.  C. 

Edward  Pegram,  who  married  Anne  Lyle  Pegram,  had  twelve 
children,  viz. : 

Baker  Pegram   b.  Nov.     3,  1790;  d.  Feb.  9,  1815. 

Martha  E.  Pegram   b.  Sept.  24,  1792;  d.  Jan.  31,  1793. 

Mary  A.  L.  Pegram b.  Nov.  20,  1793;  d.  July  20,  1794. 

Mary  A.  F.  Pegram b.  Nov.  24,  1795;  d.  Sept.  9,  1881. 

Edwin  Pegram b.  June  27,  1798;  d.  Sept.  29,  1828. 

John  B.  Pegram   b.  Oct.    30,  1800;  d.  Mar.  ,  1869. 

William  Henry  Pegram...  b.  July     8,  1803;  d.  Nov.  27,  1852. 

Infant  (not  named) b.  Aug.  17,  1806;  d.  Aug.  17,  1806. 

Edward  Strange  Pegram..  b.  Jan.    19,  1808;  d.  Aug.  23,  1888. 

Infant  (not  named) b.  Apr.  27,  1810;  d.  Apr.  27,  1810. 

Benjamin  H.  Pegram b.  Mar.  20,  1812;  d.  July  28,  1816. 

Infant  (not  named) b.  Nov.  16,  1814;  d.  Nov.  16,  1814 

.,  215. 


68  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

Of  the  foregoing,  it  is  stated  that  Mary  Ann  Frances  Pegram 
married  Thomas  Clark  of  Petersburg  and  was  the  mother  of 
Judge  William  E.  Clark,  of  Demopolis,  Ala.,  and  of  Eichard  Henry 
Clark,  Member  of  Congress  from  Alabama. 

John  Pegram,  who  first  married  Elizabeth  Eppes  Coleman  and, 
then,  Martha  Ward  Gregory,  had  two  children  by  his  first  wife  and 
twelve  by  his  second  wife,  viz. : 

John  Coleman  Pegram b.  Sept.  27,  1794;  d.  Mar.   27,  1840. 

Edward  Lyle  Pegram   b.  June  26,  1796;  d.  Aug.    10,  1843. 

Richard  Gregory  Pegram..  b.  May      7,  1801;  d.  Nov.      8,  1829. 

Mary  Lyle  Pegram b.  Feb.      1,  1803 ; 

James  West  Pegram b.  Jan.    22,  1804;  d.  1844 

Maria  Ward  Pegram b.  Feb.    16,  1806 : 

Virginia  Anne  Pegram b.  Feb.    21,  1807; 

George   Herbert   Pegram..  b.  Apr.     3,  1810; 

Robert  Baker  Pegram b.  Dec.    10,  1811;  d.  Oct.     24,  1894. 

Louisa  Jane  Pegram b.  Feb.      1,  1813; 

Martha  Rebekah  Pegram..  b.  July   11,  1815; 
William  Benjamin  Pegram .  b.  Mar.     1,  1817; 

Lelia  Adela  Pegram b.  Nov.  23,  1820; 

Franklin  Pegram b.  Sept.  27,  1822 ; 

Of  the  foregoing,  it  is  stated  that: 

John  Coleman  Pegram  was  a  physician  and  a  vestryman  of 
Bristol  Parish  in  1802;  he  married  Caroline,  daughter  of  George 
Pegram,  and  moved  to  Carrollton,  111. 

Edward  Lyle  Pegram  married  Mary,  daughter  of  George  Pe- 
gram; he  died  in  Dinwiddie  Co. 

Richard  Gregory  Pegram  married  Jane,  daughter  of  Robert 
Birchett. 

James  West  Pegram  was  a  General,  a  vestryman  of  Bristol 
Parish  in  1839  and  President  of  the  Bank  of  Virginia;  he  mar- 
ried Virginia,  daughter  of  Col.  William  Ransom  Johnson,  who 
was  born  in  1818  and  died  Dec.  2,  1888 ;  he  lost  his  life  in  rescuing 
a  lady  and  her  children  upon  the  explosion  of  the  steamboat  Lucy 
Walker. 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY  69 

Maria  Ward  Pegram  married  David  May. 

Virginia  Anne  Pegram  married  Robert  Triplett  of  Kentucky. 

George  Herbert  Pegram  was  a  Captain  and  Adjutant  General 
of  Generals  Taylor  and  Scott  in  the  Mexican  War;  he  married  a 
Miss  Spencer  of  Elizabeth,  N.  J. 

Robert  Baker  Pegram  served  in  the  U.  S.  Navy  and  in  the 
C.  S.  Navy. 

Louisa  Jane  Pegram  married  R.  W.  Rainey. 

Martha  Rebekah  Pegram  married  Charles  Stainbach. 

William  Baker  Pegram  was  a  lawyer  and  married  Amelia 
Combs  of  Kentucky. 

Leila  Adela  Pegram  married  a  Mr.  Paul  of  Petersburg. 

Franklin  Pegram  Vas  a  first  lieutenant  in  the  First  Virginia 
Volunteers  in  the  Mexican  War. 

A  Daniel  Pegram  married  Rebecca  Barrett,  by  whom  he  had 
three  children,  all  of  whom  were  born  in  Petersburg,  Va.,  viz. : 

Henry  Daniel  Pegram b.  June   23,   1796;   d.   Feb.   1,   1844. 

(daughter)   Pegram 

(daughter)   Pegram 

Of  the  foregoing,  it  is  stated  that: 

Henry  Daniel  Pegram  on  Aug.  10,  1815,  married  Ciscelia  Fen- 
dall  Bell  of  Hanover  County,  who  was  born  on  Mar.  10,  1797,  and 
who  died  at  Richmond,  on  July  31,  1880;  he  died  at  Mobile,  Ala. 

One  daughter  married  a  Mr.  Newell  of  Norfolk. 

The  other  daughter  married  a  Mr.  Newcome  of  Norfolk. 

A  George  Pegram  married  ,  by  whom  he  had  two 

children,  viz. : 


Caroline  Pegram 
Mary  Pegram . . . 


Of  the  foregoing,  it  is  stated  that : 

Caroline  Pegram  married  John  Coleman  Pegram. 

Mary  Pegram  married  Edward  Lyle  Pegram. 


70  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

A  William  Baker  Pegram,  son  of  William  Pegram  and  Eliza- 
beth ,  born  Feb.  15,  1776,  in  Dinwiddie  County,  married 
Martha  Coleman,  daughter  of  Capt.  Williamson  Coleman  and  Mil- 
liam  Hardaway  of  Dinwiddie  County,  and  moved  to  Montgomery 
County,  Tenn.  He  had  ten  children,  all  born  in  Dinwiddie  County, 
viz.: 

William  Pegram  b.  1801 ; 

James  Pegram b.  1803 ; 

Mildred  Pegram b.  1804 ; 

Edwin  Pegram    b. 

Ethelbert  Pegram   b. 

Mary  Pegram b. 

Elizabeth  Pegram  b. 

Maria  Pegram b. 

Jane  Pegram  b.  ; 

Augustin   C.    Pegram b.  Feb.    5,  1815; 

Of  the  foregoing,  it  is  stated  that: 

William  Pegram  moved  to  Baton  Rouge,  La. ;  he  married  Betsy 
Anne  Stephenson. 

James  Pegram  moved  to  Baton  Rouge,  La. 

Mildred  Pegram  married  Lucien  Seay  in  1836,  who  moved  to 
Mason  Co.,  111. 

Edwin  Pegram  died  unmarried. 

Ethelbert  Pegram  married  Elvia  Vaughn. 

Mary  Pegram  died  unmarried. 

Elizabeth  Pegram  married  Mark  Landrum. 

Maria  Pegram  married  John  Mieklam,  who  moved  to  Mason 
Co.,  111. 

Jane  Pegram  married  Phillip  Greenhill. 

Augustin  Coleman  Pegram  married  Sarah  Jane  Edwins  (Mrs. 
Alman),  who  died  Jan.  15,  1852,  and,  then,  Melissa  Henshaw;  he 
moved  to  Carrollton  111.,  and  from  there  to  Mason  Co.,  111. 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY  71 

JAMES  BOISSEAU. 
By  STERLING  BOISSEAU. 

James  Boisseau,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in  Peters- 
burg, Va.,  June  10th  1822,  his  father,  James  Boisseau  died  when 
he  was  two  years  of  age,  and  his  mother  when  he  was  just  five. 
He  made  Dinwiddie  County  his  home  at  an  early  age,  living  at 
"Flat  Rock"  with  his  maiden  aunt  Sally  Boisseau  whose  estate  he 
managed  when  he  grew  up. 

He  entered  William  and  Mary  College  in  1839  from  which  place 
he  graduated  in  1842  in  which  year  the  A.  B.  degree  was  conferred 
on  him.  Returning  to  Dinwiddie  he  taught  school  and  bought 
"Cedar  Lane"  just  south  of  the  Five  Forks  where  he  farmed  and 
prepared  himself  to  enter  the  University  of  Virginia  to  take  the 
law  course  from  which  he  graduated  in  1851  (The  University  Cata- 
logue erroneously  has  him  as  M.  D.)  He  soon  built  up  a  large 
practice  and  had  charge  of  the  affairs  of  many  large  estates.  Poli- 
tics seem  also  to  have  entered  largely  into  his  life,  for  he  was 
elected  to  the  following  offices: 

Commissioner  of  the  Revenue,  1848-49  and  '50;  Common- 
wealth attorney  1852-53-54-55  and  '56;  Justice  of  the  Peace,  and 
Presiding  Justice  in  1860;  there  were  no  County  Judges  in  those 
days,  a  bench  of  Justices  having  about  the  same  jurisdiction; 
Member  of  the  Legislature  in  1857-58  and  member  of  the  famous 
Secessionist  Convention  in  1861.  Was  elected  as  the  first  County 
Judge  in  1870  which  position  he  held  to  the  time  of  his  death. 
Was  a  corporal  in  the  Confederate  army  in  Capt.  Epes,  (B.  J.) 
Company  of  which  Dr.  J.  P.  Gilliam  was  first  lieutenant,  after- 
wards Captain;  he  was  captured  a  short  time  before  the  surrender 
of  Lee,  was  in  the  battles  of  Drewry's  Bluff,  Howletf  s  and  other 
places.  The  roster  of  his  company  was  also  captured,  and  there  is 
no  record  of  it  in  the  state's  archives  except  a  list  made  from  the 
memory  of  some  of  its  members,  the  records,  however,  are  in 
Washington. 

In  his  younger  days  he  was  familiarly  called  "Jimmy  Straight," 


72  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

being  very  erect  in  stature,  but  not  more  so  than  in  character.  This 
name  might  also  have  been  applied  to  him  to  distinguish  from 
Dr.  James  P.  Boisseau,  and  James  W.  Boisseau,  also  of  Dinwiddie. 

He  was  a  son  of  James  Boisseau,  a  merchant  of  Petersburg, 
and  Jane  Inglish  Turner,  his  wife,  the  latter  is  buried  in  Bland- 
ford  Cemetery  Petersburg  near  the  old  church  on  whose  tomb- 
stone appears  James  Boisseau  1780-1824,  "An  honest  man  is  the 
noblest  work  of  God/'  He  was  also  a  grandson  of  John  Boisseau, 
and  as  the  name  indicates,  was  of  French  Huguenot  extraction,  the 
family  having  been  refugees  to  the  American  Colonies  after  the 
revocation  of  the  Edict  of  Nantes.  The  name  has  been  prominently 
identified  with  Bristol  Parish,  and  Blandford  Church,  Rev.  James 
Boisseau  having  been  a  minister  of  the  church  of  England  in  the 
Virginia  Colony  in  1687,  and  some  years  preceding  and  succeeding 
that  time. 

Judge  Boisseau  married  Martha  Elizabeth  Cousins,  daughter 
of  Capt.  William  Henry  Cousins  (of  the  war  of  1812)  of  Din- 
widdie Feby  29th  1860,  four  children  having  reached  maturity, 
Sterling,  Ada  Cousins,  Emma  Robinson,  and  Preston.  He  died 
Nov.  2'9th  1872,  and  is  buried  at  Cedar  Lane,  in  Dinwiddie. 


GENEALOGICAL  QUERIES. 

PARK  FAMILY. — Who  were  the  parents  of  John  Park  of  Hamp- 
shire County,  near  Capon  Bridge.  He  received  a  deed  from  Lord 
Fairfax  Aug.  18,  1762.  His  will  is  dated  Apr.  20,  1816.  Where 
did  he  come  from  to  Virginia,  or  from  what  part  of  Virginia  to 
settle  in  Hampshire  Co. — Mrs.  Jennie  Park  Latta,  4412  Univer- 
sity Ave.,  Des  Moines,  Iowa. 


The  Editors  are  in  receipt  of  a  query  in  regard  to  William 
Preston  who  moved  from  Virginia  to  Crab  Orchard,  Kentucky. 
No  name  is  attached  to  the  query,  and  the  letter  accompanying  it, 
if  sent,  has  not  been  found.  Will  the  writer  please  communicate 
with  the  Editors. 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY  73 


LIEUTENANT  SPENCER. 

(Order  Book  No.  29.) 
1833,  Nov.  4th. 

A  Copy — "The  Court  upon  proof  made  to  them  doth  certify 
that  Lucy  Spencer  is  the  widow  of  Col.  Thomas  Spencer,  late  of 
this  county,  a  Lieutenant  in  the  Continental  line,  and  that  the 
following  are  his  children,  to-wit,  Elizabeth,  who  has  intermarried 
with  John  D.  Richardson,  Susan,  who  has  intermarried  with  Wm. 
B.  Watkins,  Martha,  who  has  intermarried  with  Richard  Morton, 
Mary  H.  Allen,  widow  of  Daniel  Allen,  deed.,  Scion  Spencer,  Wil- 
liam W.  Spencer,  Thomas  J.  Spencer,  the  said  Thomas  J.  Spencer 
died  leaving  a  widow,  Elizabeth  A.  Spencer  and  two  infants,  James 
Thomas  and  Lucy  Ann  Spencer,  and  that  there  are  no  other  chil- 
dren or  grand  children." 

W.  S.  Morton,  Charlotte  C.  H.,  Va. 


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Vol.  II.  lS£d  APRIL,  1922  No.  2 

REMARKS   OF  R.   WALTON   MOORE   IN   THE   FAIRFAX 

COURT  HOUSE,  MAY  30TH,  1921,  ACCEPTING  FOR 

FAIRFAX  COUNTY  THE  PORTRAIT  OF 

QEORGE  JOHNSTON. 

The  County  of  Fairfax,  honoring  George  Johnston,  one  of  her 
foremost  sons,  welcomes  the  opportunity  of  placing  his  portrait  on 
the  walls  of  this  Court  room,  in  company  with  the  portraits  of 
Washington  and  Mason,  to  whom  he  was  bound  by  many  strong 
ties. 

Such  records  of  the  County  as  are  still  preserved  afford  evi- 
dence of  his  prominence  and  activity. 

As  a  lawyer  he  was  in  the  front  rank  of  the  bar  of  this  section. 
His  name  constantly  occurs  in  the  minute  books  of  the  County 
Court  which  detail  its  proceedings,  while  the  County  seat  was 
maintained  at  what  is  now  called  the  Old  Court  House  Hill,  and, 
afterwards,  following  its  removal  from  there  to  Alexandria,  near 
the  middle  of  the  18th  century.  The  town  of  Alexandria,  and  what 
is  now  Arlington  County,  were  of  course,  until  the  end  of  that 
century  a  part  of  Fairfax.  As  Johnston  was  born  in  1700,  it  is 
interesting  to  note  the  evolution  of  the  counties  as  he  himself 
witnessed  it.  Prince  William  was  detached  from  Stafford  in  1730. 
Fairfax  was  detached  from  Prince  William  in  1742,  and  Loudoun 
was  not  detached  from  Fairfax  until  1757. 

In  the  deed  books  are  conveyances  of  land  with  which  he  was 
connected.  The  will  books  contain  his  last  will  and  testament, 
written  in  1766  within  a  few  months  of  his  death,  which  is  brief 
and  simple  compared  with  the  prolix  wills  customary  in  those  days. 
The  will  books  also  contain  the  inventory  of  his  estate  from  which 


76  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

it  seems  that  he  was  a  man  of  considerable  wealth.  He  owned  a 
residence  in  Alexandria.  Across  Hunting  Creek  from  the  Town, 
and  lying  along  the  Potomac  River,  was  his  very  extensive  farm, 
well  stocked  with  cattle  and  horses,  equipped  with  all  the  agri- 
cultural implements  then  in  use,  and  cultivated  by  his  numerous 
slaves. 

The  inventory  indicates  that  he  was  studious  and  widely  read. 
The  catalogue  of  his  library  includes  an  excellent  collection  of 
law  books  that  had  been  then  published.  It  includes  also  a  large 
number  of  other  books,  among  them  the  works  of  Addison,  Steele, 
Goldsmith,  Swift  and  Pope,  who  were  his  contemporaries,  and  who, 
as  all  know,  contributed  to  making  theirs  one  of  the  golden  periods 
of  the  literature  of  our  language. 

While  capable  of  engaging  in  the  largest  affairs,  Johnston  was 
concerned  about  everything  that  affected  the  general  welfare.  He 
was  an  ardent  and  untiring  public  servant,  exerting  himself  to 
advance  the  interests  of  the  colony  and  his  own  community.  For 
several  years,  he  represented  the  County  in  the  House  of  Bur- 
gesses. At  home,  he  found  time  from  the  labors  of  his  profession 
to  look  after  local  matters.  For  instance,  he  assisted  in  organizing 
new  parishes ;  settling  their  boundaries,  and  acting  as  the  adviser  of 
the  vestries  that  had  charge  of  such  business. 

Johnston's  participation  in  one  of  the  most  memorable  events 
of  our  political  history  was  so  outstanding  as  to  insure  him  against 
$he  possibility  of  ever  being  forgotten.  It  was  the  event  that 
occurred  at  Williamsburg  on  the  30th  of  May,  1765,  exactly  156 
years  ago  today.  Williamsburg  was  the  seat  of  the  Colonial  Gov- 
ernment. From  the  Capitol  waved  the  flag  of  Great  Britain.  On 
every  hand  were  the  insignia  of  royalty.  Devotion  to  the  Crown 
was  almost  universal.  The  House  of  Burgesses,  which  had  been 
in  session  several  weeks,  was  made  up  of  the  most  eminent  char- 
acters of  the  Colony.  America  could  not  then  have  produced  a 
more  distinguished  or  brilliant  assemblage.  Those  who  were  sup- 
posed to  guide  and  dominate  the  House  were  the  unswerving  ad- 
herents of  the  Crown.  The  Speaker  was  John  Robinson,  an  ultra- 
conservative,  and  among  the  members  who  supported  him  were 
Peyton  Randolph,  Richard  Bland,  Edmund  Pendleton,  George 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY  77 

Wythe  and  Richard  Henry  Lee.  To  these  names  many  others  not 
less  notable  might  be  added.  One  of  the  older  members  was  George 
Johnston,  representing  Fairfax,  and  one  of  the  younger  members 
was  George  Washington,  representing  Frederick. 

The  English  Parliament  had  just  passed  a  statute  placing  a 
tax  on  all  legal  instruments  executed  in  America,  ranging  from 
three  pence  to  ten  pounds — the  famous  Stamp  Tax.  This  had 
aroused  some  indignant  comment,  but  many — possibly  a  large 
majority — of  the  Colonial  leaders  were  inclined  to  submit.  For 
example,  Benjamin  Franklin,  then  in  London,  where,  as  agent  of 
some  of  the  colonies,  he  had  endeavored  to  prevent  the  passage  of 
the  Act,  was  sure  that  there  would  be  acquiescence.  Writing  to  a 
friend  he  said  that  tye  could  no  more  have  hindered  the  passage  of 
the  Act  than  he  could  have  hindered  the  sun  from  setting.  "That," 
he  said,  "we  could  not  do.  But  since  the  sun  is  down,  my  friend, 
and  it  may  be  long  before  it  rises  again,  let  us  make  as  good  a  night 
of  it  as  we  can.  We  can  still  light  the  candles."  Many  members 
of  the  House  of  Burgesses  were  in  the  same  attitude  and  not  a  few 
of  them  were  aggressively  loyal  in  supporting  the  authority  of  Par- 
liament. But  there  were  some  who  were  willing  to  risk  their  all 
rather  than  submit,  and,  after  a  while,  three  days  before  the  close 
of  the  session,  they  found  a  leader. 

It  seems  almost  providential  that  the  member  representing 
Loujsa  when  the  House  met,  resigned  during  the  session,  and  thus 
made  way  for  the  election  of  Patrick  Henry,  who  was  chosen  to 
fill  the  vacancy.  Henry  was  then  29  years  old,  and  only  known 
as  the  lawyer  who  by  his  ability  and  eloquence  had  won  The  Par- 
son's case.  He  did  not  belong  to  the  wealthy  or  aristocratic  group 
and  was  new  to  the  field  upon  which  he  entered  at  Williamaburg. 
Nevertheless,  he  determined  upon  a  course  of  resistance  to  the 
enforcement  of  the  Stamp  Tax.  He  planned  to  offer  resolutions 
of  protest  and  condemnation,  and  these  he  wrote  upon  the  fly 
leaf  of  an  old  law  book.  The  fifth  and  concluding  resolution  was 
as  follows:  "Resolved,  therefore,  that  the  General  Assembly  of 
this  Colony  have  the  sole  right  and  power  to  levy  taxes  and  im- 
positions upon  the  inhabitants  of  this  Colony;  and  that  every  at- 
tempt to  vest  such  power  in  any  person  or  persons  whatsoever, 


78  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

other  than  the  General  Assembly  aforesaid,  is  a  manifest  tendency 
to  destroy  British  as  well  as  American  freedom." 

In  advance  of  their  introduction  the  resolutions  were  shown 
by  their  author  to  but  two  members,  one  of  whom  was  Johnston. 
It  is  easy  to  believe  that  the  inexperienced  member  who  was  about 
to  challenge  the  power  of  the  British  Government,  consulted  with 
Mr.  Johnston  because  of  his  desire  to  have  the  cooperation  of  a 
statesman  and  lawyer  of  wide  experience  and  mature  judgment. 
Nor  is  it  difficult  to  believe  that,  knowing  of  Johnston's  in- 
timacy with  George  Mason,  Henry  assumed  that  his  views  were 
similar  to  those  entertained  by  the  political  philosopher  of  Gun- 
ston  Hall.  Certain  it  is  that  the  resolutions  received  Johnston's 
unhesitating  approval  and  that  at  the  critical  moment  he  was 
relied  upon  for  the  support  that  Henry  regarded  as  essential. 

They  both  understood  the  strenuous  nature  of  the  struggle 
they  were  bringing  on  in  an  unsympathetic  House — they  were  pre- 
pared for  what  happened.  As  soon  as  the  resolutions  were  offered, 
to  quote  from  a  memorandum  Henry  left  for  his  executors :  "Vio- 
lent debates  ensued.  Many  threats  were  uttered  and  much  abuse 
cast  on  me  by  the  party  for  submission."  He  described  as  "long 
and  warm"  the  contest  which  resulted  in  the  resolutions  being 
passed  by  the  smallest  possible  majority. 

It  is  fortunate  that  we.  have  the  illuminating  testimony  of 
Thomas  Jefferson  as  to  what  transpired.  He  describes  the  scene 
as  marked  by  confusion  and  excitement.  The  two  principal  figures 
which  appear  in  his  picture  are  those  of  Henry  and  Johnston.  It 
seemed  to  him  that  "Henry  spoke  as  Homer  wrote."  He  "never 
heard  such  a  splendid  display  of  eloquence  from  any  other  man." 
But  he  is  emphatic  in  recognizing  that  by  Johnston  "the  learning 
and  logic  of  the  case  was  maintained."  Says  the  Jefferson  narra- 
tive: "Torrents  of  sublime  eloquence  from  Henry,  backed  by  the 
solid  reasoning  of  Johnston  prevailed.  The  last  and  strongest 
resolution,  however,  was  carried  by  a  single  vote.  The  debate  on 
it  was  most  bloody.  I  was  then  but  a  student  at  William  and 
Mary  College,  and  stood  at  the  door  of  communication  between 
the  House  and  the  lobby  (for  as  yet  there  was  no  gallery),  during 
the  whole  of  the  debate  and  vote]  and  I  well  remember  that  after 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY  79 

the  members  of  the  division  were  told  and  declared  by  the  Chair, 
Peyton  Randolph,  the  King's  Attorney '  General,  came  out  of  the 
door  where  I  was  standing  and  said  as  he  entered  the  lobby: 
'By  God,  I  would  have  given  five  hundred  guineas  for  a  single 
vote.' ''  One  sentence  from  Henry's  speech  has  survived,  his  ex- 
clamation that  "Caesar  had  his  Brutus — Charles  I  his  Cromwell — 
and  George  III  may  profit  by  their  example.  If  this  be  treason 
make  the  most  of  it."  As  he  named  George  III  he  was  interrupted 
by  Speaker  Robinson  crying  out  "Treason,"  and  that  cry  was 
echoed  throughout  the  House.  Waiting  until  order  was  restored, 
the  tradition  is  that  he  drew  himself  up  to  his  full  height  and  de- 
fiantly continued  his  unreserved  comparison  of  the  English  King 
with  the  tyrants  who  had  suffered  for  their  misdeeds,  and  scorn- 
fully left  the  charge  of  treason  to  be  dealt  with  by  those  who  had 
made  it.  Fauquier,  the  Governor  of  the  Colony,  in  a  letter 
to  the  Lords  of  Trade,  written  on  June  5th,  expressing  regret  and 
humiliation  at  the  conduct  of  the  House,  severely  criticised  Henry's 
words.  "In  the  course  of  the  debate,"  he  wrote,  "I  have  heard 
that  very  indecent  language  was  used  by  Mr.  Henry,  a  young  law- 
yer who  had  not  been  but  about  a  month  in  the  House,  who  carried 
all  the  young  members  with  him."  One  of  the  young  members 
who  followed  Henry  and  Johnston  was  the  man  who  was  to  become 
the  leader  of  the  American  Revolution  and  the  first  President  of 
the  Republic. 

There  is  no  report  of  the  argument  of  Johnston  in  favor  of 
the  resolutions,  but  we  can  think  of  him  as  calmly  summarizing  the 
facts  and  precedents,  and  contending  with  irresistible  force  that 
the  Stamp  Tax  was  not  only  inexpedient  and  the  beginning  of  an 
oppressive  policy,  but  that  it  was  in  violation  of  the  fundamental 
principles  of  English  liberty.  We  can  think  of  him  as  urging 
many  of  the  same  considerations  that  were  urged  upon  the  House 
of  Commons  less  than  a  decade  later  by  Edmund  Burke  in  his 
wonderful  speeches  on  "Taxation  in  America"  and  "Conciliation 
with  America."  William  Wirt,  himself  a  remarkable  lawyer  and 
orator,  and  for  a  longer  time  than  any  other  man  Attorney  General 
of  the  United  States,  in  his  account  of  the  struggle  over  the  resolu- 
tions, describes  Johnston  as  "a  lawyer  highly  respected  in  his  pro- 


80  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

fession,  a  scholar  distinguished  for  vigor  of  intellect,  cogency  of 
argument,  firmness  of  character,  love  of  order,  and  devotion  to 
the  cause  of  natural  liberty.  In  short,  exactly  guided  by  his  love  of 
the  cause  and  the  broad  and  solid  basis  of  his  understanding,  to  up- 
hold the  magnificent  structure  of  Henry's  eloquence." 

Except  for  Henry  the  House  would  have  adjourned  without 
taking  a  definite  stand  against  the  enforcement  of  the  Tax.  Except 
for  Johnston  the  resolutions  condemning  the  Tax  would  have 
failed  to  pass. 

Their  joint  effort  having  triumphed,  they  could  well  be  indif- 
ferent to  the  fact  that  on  the  next  day,  when  Henry  and  other 
members  had  already  left  Williamsburg,  some  step  was  taken  that 
prevented  the  Journal  from  showing  the  passage  of  the  fifth  reso- 
lution. But  whatever  might  be  said  or  done,  it  had  been  adopted 
along  with  the  other  resolutions  and  the  situation  could  not  be 
materially  affected  by  any  subsequent  attempt  to  reverse  the  action 
of  the  House.  The  most  powerful  Colony  had  made  plain  an- 
nouncement to  the  world  of  its  purpose  not  to  submit  to  any  legis- 
lation by  the  British  Government  constituting,  in  its  opinion, 
a  serious  infringement  of  its  rights.  The  example  of  Virginia 
had  an  immediate  and  decisive  effect  on  other  colonies.  The  step 
taken  by  Virginia  started  an  agitation  that  led  to  the  Declaration 
of  Independence  and  the  Eevolution. 

What  had  occurred  established  Henry's  leadership  and  his 
fame  grew  as  time  went  on.  Johnston  returned  to  his  County  and 
died  the  next  year,  leaving  the  scene  before  the  new  order  of  things 
was  fully  accomplished.  Two  of  his  sons  served  in  the  Army  of  the 
Eevolution,  one  of  them  on  the  staff  of  the  Commander-in-Chief, 
and  many  of  his  descendants  have  rendered  valuable  service  to  the 
public. 

The  portrait  is  an  authentic  picture  of  the  man  whose  memory 
we  honor  and  it  seems  to  me  to  give  a  vivid  impression  of  the  high 
qualities  with  which  he  was  endowed.  While  the  County  exists, 
those  who  look  upon  the  portrait  will  recall  the  career  of  the  Fair- 
fax citizen,  who,  next  to  Washington  and  Mason,  is  best  entitled 
to  be  remembered,  of  those  who  dignified  and  adorned  its  colonial 
history. 


COLONEL  TATHAM  AND  OTHER  VIRGINIA  ENGINEERS. 
By  A.  J.  MORRISON. 

The  most  interesting  sketch  of  the  life  of  Moncure  Robinson, 
in  the  October  number  of  this  magazine,  suggests  the  importance 
of  setting  forth  facts  in  the  careers  of  other  Virginia  engineers. 
There  was  Albert  Stein,  for  instance,  who  it  is  likely  was  brought 
to  Virginia  as  a  result  of  Mr.  Robinson's  visit  to  Holland  about 
1825.  Albert  Stein  probably  began  his  work  in  Virginia  on  a 
system  of  waterworks  for  the  town  of  Lynchburg.  He  was 
also  (was  he  not?)  in  charge  of  the  installation  of  a  system  for 
Richmond.  Settling  finally  at  Mobile,  Mr.  Stein  worked  out  many 
excellent  plans  for  the  improvement  of  the  Mississippi  River.  ( See 
his  articles  in  De  Bow's  Review,  1849  and  after.) 

As  it  happens,  a  recent  edition  of  Letters  of  Jefferson  (Bixby 
Collection,  edited  by  Worthington  C.  Ford,  Boston,  1916)  con- 
tains items  throwing  light  on  three  Virginia  engineers,  two  of 
whom  ended  their  days  about  the  time  Mr.  Robinson  was  beginning 
his  work,  and  the  third  seems  to  have  lived  not  much  longer.  A 
book  might  be  written  about  any  one  of  them, — William  Tatham, 
John  Wood,  and  Hugh  Paul  Taylor. 

Colonel  Tatham  was  writing  at  length  to  Mr.  Jefferson  in  1790 
and  1791,  regarding  many  plans  for  historical  and  topographical 
studies,  a  surveyorship  of  roads,  and  a  road  guide  for  strangers 
in  Virginia.  John  Wood  in  1805  reported  to  President  Jefferson 
on  surveys  he  had  been  making  in  Kentucky  and  in  Louisiana. 
Hugh  Paul  Taylor  in  1823  wrote  to  Mr.  Jefferson  about  the 
activities  of  the  engineering  department  of  the  Virginia  Board  of 
Public  Works,  in  which  the  correspondent  was  employed.  Internal 
improvements,  and  topographical  surveys  were  what  interested 
Hugh  Paul  Taylor.  In  this  letter  he  made  mention  of  the  Boye 
map,  itself  the  outcome  of  John  Wood's  official  surveys  around 
1819.  These  letters  from  Tatham,  Wood  and  Taylor  are  to  be 
found  in  the  Bixby  collection  referred  to  above. 

In  John  Holt  Rice's  Virginia  Literary  and  Evangelical  Maga- 
zine, March,  1825  (Vol.  VIII,  p.  153),  there  is  printed  a  pros- 


82  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

pectus  of  Hugh  Paul  Taylor's  "Historical  Sketches  of  the  Internal 
Improvements  of  Virginia."  The  book  is  exactly  described  as  to 
contents  and  number  of  pages — 430  pages,  $2.50  bound.  Is  this 
manuscript  still  in  existence  in  the  Covington  or  Lewisburg  region  ? 
Mr.  Taylor  was  at  Lewisburg  in  18*33.  Two  years  later,  by  the 
prospectus,  he  had  shaped  up  his  manuscript  containing : 

"1.  A  history  of  the  laws,  surveys,  maps,  and  charts  for  a  new  map 
of  Virginia. 

2.  A  detailed  history  of  the  James  and  Kanawha  road  and  canals 

from  their  origin. 

3.  History  of  the  Board  of  Public  Works. 

4.  History  of  the  Chesapeake  and  Ohio  Canal,  and  of  the  Dismal 

Swamp  Canal. 

5.  History  of  the  improvement  of  Ohio,  Monongahela,  Roanoke, 

Appomattox1  and  other  rivers,  roads,  etc.,  in  Virginia. 

6.  Appendix — Treatise  in  behalf  of  the  energetic  consummation 

of  the  James  and  Kanawha  scheme  of  improvements." 

It  is  certainly  very  much  to  be  hoped  that  this  valuable  manu- 
script may  be  recovered.  It  covers  the  ground. 

John  Wood  apparently  did  not  leave  much  behind  him  in  the 
way  of  topographical  material  of  a  narrative  form.  But  he  left 
his  county  maps,  (whoever  did  the  actual  work),  and  those  maps 
are  of  immense  interest.  Wood  owed  his  appointment  as  in  charge 
of  these  surveys  to  Mr.  Jefferson,  who  might  have  recommended 
Colonel  Tatham.  The  tragical  history  of  Colonel  Tatham  affords  a 
dreadful  example — a  man  of  wit,  of  proved  capacity,  of  endless 
ideas  who  came  to  nothing,  as  we  say. 

The  brief  account  of  Colonel  Tatham  in  the  Dictionary  of 
National  Biography  is  pretty  good,  written  by  one  who  knew  noth- 
ing of  Virginia,  Tennessee  or  North  Carolina,  where  Colonel  Tat- 
ham spent  his  most  active  years  in  America.  Why  should  that 
notice,  and  others,  have  it  that  Colonel  Tatham  ended  his  life  in 
Alexandria  ?  He  seems  to  have  made  his  residence  in  the  District 

iLatrobe's  work  on  Appomattox  River  about  1798,  as  shown  by 
his  published  journal. 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY  83 

of  Columbia  a  good  deal  after  1806.  He  offered  his  topographical 
collections  to  Congress  that  year  in  a  letter  written  from  Jefferson 
St.,  Georgetown.  In  1814  he  had  a  house  near  the  Treasury,  and 
it  was  then  that  Peter  Force  may  have  purchased  a  good  many 
items  from  the  Colonel's  collections.  After  his  death  in  1819, 
the  Virginia  Board  of  Public  Works  bought  the  residue  of  the 
Colonel's  papers,  and  it  is  extremely  likely  that  Hugh  Paul  Taylor 
had  access  to  those  papers  in  compiling  his  book.  It  seems  proba- 
ble that  Colonel  Tatham  helped  to  found  both  the  Library  of  Con- 
gress and  the  Virginia  State  Library.  (See  Johnston?  History 
of  the  Library  of  Congress,  1904,  pp.  50-53.) 

The  fullest  account  of  William  Tatham's  life  is  that  given  in 
Ann.  of  Biog.  and  Obit,  (cited  in  Diet,  of  Nat.  Biog.)  year  1820, 
Vol.  IV,  pp.  149-168.  This  writer  knew  the  man,  but  did  not 
know  the  Virginia  region.  The  article,  however,  is  well  worth 
reading,  and  besides  biographical  items  gives  some  Cherokee 
sketches,  observations  of  Colonel  Tatham  when  he  was  in  the  Ten- 
nessee country,  matter  relative  to  Attakullah,  Kullah,  Oconostota, 
and  other  head  men.  The  Colonel,  like  many  other  ministers'  sons, 
had  a  great  fancy  for  wild  life.  He  was  well  connected,  was  a  dis*- 
tant  relation  of  the  Earl  of  Lonsdale,  but  his  family  seems  to  have 
done  very  little  for  him.  He  came  to  Virginia  in  1769,  when  quite 
a  boy,  and  followed  his  employer,  Colonel  John  Carter,  to  the 
Tennessee  country. 

Interest  in  William  Tatham  was  started  a  few  years  ago  by 
Mr.  Clayton  Torrence  who  published  in  the  William  and  Mary 
College  Quarterly  (XXV,  83)  extracts  from  obituary  notices  in 
the  Eichmond  papers  of  1819.  Following  that  article,  the  present 
writer  sent  to  the  Virginia  Magazine  of  History  and  Biography 
(XXV,  198)  a  few  Tatham  memoranda.  Mr.  Swem  grew  inter- 
ested in  the  subject  and  assembled  a  good  many  notes.  There  is 
certainly  material  to  be  had  for  a  voluminous  essay  on  Colonel 
Tatham.  Many  letters  from  him  are  listed  in  the  Calendar  of 
Jefferson  Correspondence  (State  Department) ;  there  are  letters 
to  Wilson  C.  Nicholas  (1807-1809)  listed  in  the  Handbook  of 
Manuscripts  in  the  Library  of  Congress;  (see  also  Poore's  Index) ; 


84  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

and  a  bare  list  of  Colonel  Tatham's  writings  has  not  yet  been  ade- 
quately made  out. 

At  least  one  of  William  Tatham's  books  should  be  republished, 
in  whole  or  in  part — his  excellent  "Historical  and  Practical  Essay 
on  the  Culture  and  Commerce  of  Tobacco/'  London  1800,  pp.  330. 
This  book  shows  the  author's  sound  common  sense,  and  yet  he  was 
not  what  we  call  a  commonsense  man.  At  p.  70  the  very  informing 
statement  is  made  that  David  Ross  was  a  great  man,  was  the 
founder  of  Columbia-up-the-James,  and  of  the  upland  warehouses 
generally.  William  Tatham  was  a  pleasing  and  witty  writer.  In 
the  preface  to  this  book  he  remarked,  "An  useful  work  needs  no 
indelicate  recommendation,  nor  can  a  bad  one  be  supported  by  it? 
although  a  sonorous  patron  might  happen  to  help  the  sale — This 
work  being  devoted  to  the  prosperity  of  commerce  bids  me  take  my 
leave  of  compliment  and  attend  to  my  subject.  November,  1799." 

Around  1800  the  author  was  employed  at  London  in  the  engi- 
neering and  construction  of  docks.  A  few  years  later  he  was  in 
our  coast  survey  off  North  Carolina.  He  had  been  a  member  of 
the  North  Carolina  House  of  Assembly,  soon  after  the  Peace  of 
1783,  and  was  one  of  the  founders  of  the  town  of  Lumberton  in 
North  Carolina.  His  experience  about  the  world,  on  the  continent 
of  America,  in  Cuba,  Spain,  and  in  England,  made  it  possible  for 
him  to  take  broad  views  of  commercial  and  political  affairs.  In 
1800  he  published  at  London  "Observations  on  the  Commerce  of 
Spain  with  her  American  Colonies  in  time  of  War.  Written  by  a 
Spanish  gentleman  in  Philadelphia  (Manuel  Torres?)  this  present 
year  1800.  Edited  in  London  by  William  Tatham."  The  editor 
spoke  thus  timely :  "When  many  nations  of  the  world  seem  to  be 
running  mad,  as  it  were,  with  the  intoxicating  pleasure  of  cutting 
each  other's  throats  by  way  of  lottery  (without  any  man's  being 
able  to  identify  the  depending  prizes  or  calculate  the  chances),  it 
may  perhaps  do  some  good  if  men  of  more  cool  and  dispassionate 
observation  are  permitted  to  lead  them  into  a  more  productive  way 
of  thinking." 


CHARLOTTE  COUNTY,  VA. 

Contributed  by  W.  S.  MORTON. 

1778.     Revolutionary  Soldiers,   (Order  Book  No.  4) 

A  list  of  soldiers  whose  families  were  furnished  with  sup- 
plies while  they  were  in  active  service: — 

1.  William    Parsons,    (wife   Rebecca), — continental    service. 

2.  John  Bryant  (wife  Milliner), — in  service  from  this  county. 

3.  Josiah  Moody,  (wife  Mary),—  "        "         "       "        " 

4.  Benjamin   Childress,    (wife   Susan), — continental   service 

5.  Humphrey  LuCas  (wife  Elizabeth),-  "  " 

6.  Robert  Jeane   (wife  Elizabeth),—  "  " 

7.  David  Jeane  (wife  Betty)-  " 

8.  Andrew  King  (wife  Mary  Hammond), — service  of  the  U.  S. 

9.  Alexander  Nunnally,  (wife  Elizabeth).         "       "     "       " 

10.  Wm.  Nichols,  (wife  Elizabeth), — service  of  the  U.  S.  from 

this  county. 

11.  Heaton,  (wife  Anne), — in  the  service  of  the  U.  S.  from 

this  county. 

12.  John  O'Bryan,  (wife  Mildred), — in  the  service  of  the  U.  S. 

from  this  county. 

13.  John   Brafford,    (wife   Elizabeth), — in   the   service   of   the 

U.  S.  from  this  county. 

14.  Edward   Roads,    (wife  Prudence), — in   the   service   of  the 

U.  S.  from  this  county. 

1779. 

15.  Terry  Northeatt,  (wife  Sarah), — in  the  service  of  the  United 

States 

16.  Philip  Malone,  (wife  Mary), — in  the  service  of  the  United 

States 

17.  George  Tislow,  (wife  Mary), — in  the  service  of  the  United 

States 

18.  John  Allday,   (wife  Mary), — in  the  service  of  the  United 

States 


86  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

19.  John  Whitlow,  (wife  Elizabeth), — late  a  soldier  in  conti- 
nental army, — died  in  the  service  at  the  northwest  in  the 
course  of  the  summer  of  1778, — certified  to  the  Auditor  of 
Public  Accounts  for  half  pay. 

20.  William  Milam,  a  soldier  in  continental  army,  had  recently 
died, — his  widow,  Margaret,  was  furnished  with  supplies 

1780  Colonial  Soldiers. 

A  partial  list  of  Colonial  soldiers  who  "came  into  court 
and  made  oath  that"  they  "served  in  the  late  war  between 
Great  Britain  and  France",  that  they  were  "recruited  in 
Virginia,  served  to  the  end  of  the  war,  (or  full  time  of 
enlistment),  regularly  discharged, — never  received,  or 
claimed,  the  bounty  of  land,  under  the  proclamation  of 
1763,  as  a  compensation  for  that  service,  which,  on"  their 
"motion,  is  ordered  to  be  certified" : — 

Feb.  Ct.     1.  Richard  Martin,  private,  in  Capt.  Mordicai  Buckner's 

company,  of  the  1st.,  Va.,  Regiment. 
"       2.  John  Adams,  in  Capt.  Thomas  Woodford's  company, 

1st.,  Va.,  Regiment. 

"       "       3.  James   Joggins,   corporal,   in   Major   Peachy's   com- 
pany, 1st.,  Va.,  Regiment. 
"       4.  Richard  Laurane,   corporal,   in  Capt.   James   Gun's 

company,  Ist.Va.,  Regiment. 
"       5.  Francis   Robert,    private,   in    Capt.   John   McNeaPs 

company,  1st.  Va.,  Regiment. 
"       6.  John    Pen-in,    sergeant,   in    Capt.    John    McNeal's 

company,  1st  Va.,  Regiment. 
"        "       7.  Butler  Buckley,  private,  in  Capt.  Thomas  Fleming's 

company,  1st  Va.,  Regiment. 

Mch.    "       8.  John  Young,  private,  in  Capt.  James  Gun's  com- 
pany, 1st  Va.  Regiment. 
"       "       9.  William  Griffin,  private,  in  Capt.  Robert's  company, 

1st  Va.  Regiment. 

"        "     10.  Benjamin  Cage,  private,  in  Capt.  Richard  Dugget's 
company,  of  Virginia  Regiment. 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY  87 

"  11.  John  Tread  way,  private,  in  Capt.  Nathaniel  Gest's 
company,  of  Virginia  Regiment. 

"  12.  Roger  Cock  Bailey,  corporal,  in  Capt.  James  Gun's 
company,  Virginia  Regiment. 

"  13.  David  Hutcheson,  private,  in  Capt.  Posey's  com- 
pany, Virginia  Regiment. 

Militia  Officers. 

1778.    The  follow  gentlemen  produced  their  commissions  in  court 
and  took  the  oath  of  a  militia  officer  as  by  law  directed: — 

Jan.      Ct.     1.  William  Jameson,  a  lieutenant. 
Feb.        "      2.  Diggs  Bumpass,  a  2d.  lieutenant. 
Mch.       "      3.  Robert  Jennings,  a  2d  lieutenant. 
May       "      4.  Adam  Finch,  an  ensign 
"          "5.  John  Ward,  an  ensign. 
July        "      6.  Wm.  Mitchell,  an  ensign. 

"      7.  Joseph  Fuqua,  a  first  lieutenant. 

"          "  8.  Samuel  Henry,  an  ensign. 
Sept       "      9.  Andrew  Wallace,  a  2d  lieutenant. 

Nov.       "  10.  Joseph  Fuqua,  a  2d  lieutenant. 

Dec.        "  11.  George  Holloway,  ensign. 

"  12.  Adam  Finch,  1st  lieutenant. 
"    13.  Wm.  Jameson,  1st  lieutenant. 

1779. 

Feb.  Ct.  14.  Francis   Scott,  ensign. 

"  "  15.  Samuel  Henry,  2d  lieutenant. 

"  "  16.  Thomas  Bouldin,  ensign. 

"  17.  Langston  Bacon,  1st  lieutenant. 

"  "  18.  Joel  Townes,  2d  lieutenant. 

Mch.  "  19.  Edward  Almond,  2d  lieutenant. 

"  "  2'0.  Richard  Gaines,  Captain. 

Apr.  "  21.  James  Holloway,  2d  lieutenant. 

May  "  22.  Francis  Scott,  2d  lieutenant. 

"  "  23.  Andrew  Hannah,  ensign. 


88  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

July  "    24.  Bryant  Ferguson,  1st  lieutenant. 
"    25.  Josiah  Newton,  major. 

Aug.  "    26.  Jonathan  Read,  ensign. 

Sept.  "    27.  Thomas  Spencer,  Jr.,  Captain. 

"  "28.  Gideon  Spencer,  ensign 

"  "    29.  John  Spencer,  2d  lieutenant. 

Nov.  "    30.  Joel  Watkins,  Lt.  colonel. 

"  "31.  Wm.  Rowlett,  2d  lieutenant. 

"  "    32'.  Wm.  Jameson,  captain 

"  "    33.  Jonathan  Eead,  1st  lieutenant. 

"  "    34.  Wood  Bouldin,  ensign. 


CUTHBERT  BULLITT. 

LETTER  OF  INMAN  HORNER  TO  HUGH  BLAIR  GRIGSBY. 
Contributed  by  W.  S.  MORTON. 

Warrenton,  October  10th,  1859 
Dear  Sir: 

I  have  been  expecting  from  Mr.  Mordecai  B.  Sinclair  or  from 
Gen.  Eppa  Hunton,  of  Brentsville,  Prince  William  County,  Va. 
fuller  and  more  minute  information  of  Cuthbert  Bullitt  than  I 
possess,  the  latter  informed  me  that  the  former  was  making  dili- 
gent inquiries,  and  ^would  give  me  the  result  of  them.  Although 
I  have  communicated  by  letter  with  Mr.  Sinclair,  and  personally 
more  than  once  with  Gen.  Hunton,  the  promises  made  to  me  have 
not  been  performed.  That  you  may  not  be  kept  in  suspense,  I  will 
now  furnish  you  with  some  facts,  as  I  possess  and  have  obtained 
from  different  sources. 

It  appears  from  the  will  of  Benjamin  Bullitt,  proved  in  the 
County  Court  of  Fauquier,  that  Cuthbert  Bullitt  was  his  son,  and 
that  the  wife  of  Benjamin  was  Sarah  Bullitt.  Benjamin  Bullitt 
was  also  the  father  of  Thomas  Bullitt.  Thomas  Bullitt  was  a  mili- 
tary man  of  distinguished  courage  and  merit.  Irving  in  his  life 
of  Washington  gives  a  striking  instance  of  his  coolness,  and  cour- 
age, in  the  several  conflicts  with  the  Indians.  In  Sparks'  Wash- 
ington Correspondence,  if  my  memory  is  not  greatly  at  fault  you 
will  find  letters  between  him  and  Washington. 

In  the  will  of  Benj.  Bullitt,  he  gives  to  his  son,  Thos.,  two 
tracts  of  land  in  the  Province  of  Maryland,  and  situated  in  a 
Fork  of  Mattioman,  where  his  Father  Joseph  Bullitt  was  buried. 
The  other  on  Daniel's  Branch. 

The  will  of  Benj.  Bullitt  is  dated  3d  May  1756,  and  was  proved 
on  the  27th  October  1766  [?]  in  the  County  Court  of  Fauquier, 
he  appoints  his  two  sons  Thos.  &  Cuthbert,  and  his  wife  Sarah  his 
Executors. 

The  will  of  Thomas  Bullitt  was  also  proved  in  the  County 
Court  of  Fauquier,  it  is  dated  the  17  September  1775  and  was 


90  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

admitted  to  record  on  the  23d  Feb.  1778.  Cuthbert  Bullitt  was 
appointed  his  Executor. 

It  appears  in  this  will  that  Thos.  Bullitt  owned  lands  on  the 
Kennawwer  River  at  the  mouth  of  Elk. 

The  letters  to  which  I  have  reference  in  Sparks,  I  think  refer 
to  Western  Lands  in  which  Wash.  &  he  were  interested. 

After  some  special  legacies,  Thomas  gives  to  his  Brother  Cuth- 
bert all  the  rest  of  his  estate,  real  and  personal,  and  all  entries 
and  interest  in  any  land  whatsoever. 

The  will  of  Thos.  Bullitt  shows  that  he  had  a  fondness  for  fine 
horses.  In  one  clause  he  gives  two  colts,  one  a  horse  and  another 
a  mare,  to  Benjamin  Harrison. 

In  a  letter  now  before  me,  dated  July  12th,  1790  and  ad- 
dressed to  Dr.  Gustavus  B.  Horner,  my  Uncle,  Cuthbert  Bullitt 
among  other  things  speaks  of  the  rect  of  a  letter  from  the  former, 
after  the  return  of  C.  Bullitt  from  the  Eastern  Shore,  that  is,  I 
suppose,  of  Maryland.  The  lands  in  Maryland  spoken  of  above 
descended  or  were  devised,  to  Judge  Thomas  I.  Bullitt  a  son  of 
Cuthbert  Bullitt,  the  Brother  of  Thomas.  Judge  Thomas  I.  B. 
died  in  or  near  Easton  Maryland.  Cuthbert  Bullitt  married  a 
daughter  of  the  Rev.  James  Scott  of  Westwood,  Prince  William. 
She  was  a  sister  of  the  Rev.  John  Scott,  the  father  of  the  late 
Judge  John  Scott  of  Fauquier  County.  She  was  also  a  first  cousin 
of  Dr.  Gustavus  B.  Horner  and  of  William  Horner,  my  father. 
There  is  a  letter  now  before  me,  addressed  to  the  mother  of  the 
two  last  named,  by  Mrs.  Bullitt,  in  which  she  speaks  of  the  illness 
of  her  husband,  but  it  is  without  date. 

The  Rev.  John  Scott  above  named  is  one  of  the  Principals  in 
an  affair  of  honour,  of  which  I  send  you  an  account.  The  facts 
are  derived  from  the  records  of  the  County  of  Prince  William. 
The  statements  will  enable  you  to  judge  of  the  prominent  char- 
acteristics of  C.  Bullitt. 

In  Bishop  Meade's  -History  of  the  Church  you  will  find  an 
account  of  the  duel,  and  the  connection  of  the  Rev.  John  Scott 
with  it. 

C.  Bullitt  was  born  and  died  in  Prince  William  and  was  there 
buried. 

I  cannot  give  you  any  confident  account  of  his  person,  educa- 


WILLIAM  AND  MABY  QUAETEBLY  91 

tion,  or  religious  character  or  style  of  speaking.  But  I  have  often 
heard  him  spoken  of  by  persons  who  knew  him  and  were  either 
related  to  or  connected  with  him.  The  impression  derived  from 
them  is  that  he  was  of  medium  size,  and  compactly  formed,  that 
he  had  been  a  student  of  Wiliam  and  Mary  College,  possessed  a 
quick,  strong  mind,  that  he  was  well  informed  and  was  earnest 
and  vehement  in  voice,  thought  and  gesture.  The  statement  ac- 
companying this  letter  will  persuade  you,  that  he  was  a  warm, 
faithful,  candid  friend,  that  he  was  generous,  cool  and  intrepid, 
humane  and  noble. 

He  C.  B.  was  born  and  died  in  the  County  of  Prince  William 
and  was  buried  in  or  near  Dumfries. 

It  appears  by  tn*e  Minutes  of  Fauquier  County  Court  that  he 
qualified  to  practice  as  an  attorney  in  the  court  on  the  24th  May 
1759,  and  that  on  the  3d- day  of  April  1761  he  produced  a  certifi- 
cate appointing  him  Deputy  Attorney. 

Judge  Peter  V.  Daniel  of  the  Supreme  Ct.  U.  S.  is  connected 
with  him  and  he  probably  can  make  you  better  acquainted  with 
the  subject.  I  am  about  to  leave  home,  and  thinking  that  further 
delay  might  be  inconvenient  to  you,  I  have  without  method  written 
this  letter.  If  any  further  information  shall  come  to  me,  I  will 
send  it  to  you  promptly.  It  gives  me  pleasure  to  serve  you. 

Yrs  very  try, 

Inman   Horner 
Hugh  B.  Grigsby,  Esq., 
Charlotte  Court  House. 


WILL  OF  WILLIAM  PARKS,  THE  FIRST  PRINTER  IN 

VIRGINIA. 

With  Note  by  Lawrence  C.   Wroth,  Assistant  Librarian   Enoch 
Pratt  Library,  Baltimore. 

In  the  Name  of  God  Amen  I  William  Parks  of  the  City  of 
Williamsburg  in  the  Dominion  of  Virginia  Gent  being  sick  and 
weak  of  body  but  of  Perfect  and  sound  Mind  and  MeMory  do  make 
and  ordain  this  my  last  will  and  Testament  in  manner  and  form 
following  That  is  to  say  I  bequeath  my  Soul  to  God  hoping  through 
the  merits  of  Christ  the  same  shall  be  saved  and  my  body  to  be 
buried  in  a  decent  manner.  Imprimis — I  give  and  [bequeath?] 
all  my  Estate  whether  Real  or  Personal  to  my  Daughter  Eleanor 
Shelton  and  the  heirs  of  her  body  lawfully  begotten  after  all  my 
Just  Debts  and  legacys  hereafter  bequeath  [ed?]  are  duly  dis- 
charged. 

Item  I  give  and  bequeath  to  my  sister  Jane  Spitsburg  fifty 
pounds  current  money  of  Virginia. 

Item  I  give  and  bequeath  One  hundred  Pounds  like  money  to  be 
divided  equally  amongst  my  said  Sister  Jane  Spitsburgs  children 
to  be  paid  to  my  brother  in  Law  Thomas  Spitsburg  or  his  lawful 
Attorney — 

Item  I  give  and  bequeath  to  my  Sister  Elizabeth  Parks  fifty 
Pounds  current  money  of  Virginia  aforesaid.  It  is  my  desire 
that  my  wife  Eleanor  Parks  and  my  son  in  Law  John  Shelton  do 
carry  on  and  complete  Printing  the  Laws  of  Virginia  which  I 
have  undertaken.  And  it  is  my  desire  that  the  accounts  now  oPen 
between  Mrs.  Sarah  Pack  and  me  be  settled  by  Mr.  John  Garland 
on  her  part  and  Mr.  Benjamin  Waller  on  my  part  and  all  con- 
tracts or  agreements  between  the  said  Sarah  Pack  and  me  to  stand 
void  til  the  determination  of  John  Garland  and  Benjamin  Waller 
aforesaid.  It  is  my  will  and  desire  that  my  Executors  hereafter 
mentioned  do  take  care  of  and  perform  the  articles  stipulated  be- 
tween me  and  Benjamin  Bayley. 

I  do  hereby  constitute  and  appoint  my  Son  in  law  John  Shelton 
of  Hanover  County  and  Benjamin  Waller  and  William  Prentis  of 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY  93 

Williamsburg  Gentlemen  Executors  of  this  my  last  Will  &  Testa- 
ment—  And  it  is  my  Will  and  desire  that  Mr.  Benjamin  Waller 
will  be  pleased  to  accept  of  twenty  pounds  for  executing  this  my 
Will. 

In  WITNESS  whereof  I  have  hereunto  set  my  hand  and  af- 
fixed my  Seal  this  thirtieth  day  of  March  Anno.  Dom.  One  thou- 
sand seven  hundred  and  fifty. 

Wm.  Parks 

Signed  Sealed  and  Declared  in  presence  of. 

Andw  Watson 

Thomas  Williamson 

Graham  Frank  ^ 

Thos.  Smith—* 

At  a  Court  held  for  York  County  the  18th  day  of  June  1750. 

This  will  was  proved  by  the  Oaths  of  Andrew  Watson  Thomas 
Williamson  and  Thomas  Smith  Witness  thereto  sworn  to  by  John 
Shelton  one  of  the  Executors  therein  named  and  ordered  to  be 
recorded  and  on  the  motion  of  the  said  John  Shelton  who  with 
Benjamin  Waller  Gent,  and  Nathaniel  Crawley  his  Secureties 
entered  into  and  acknowledged  Bond  according  to  law  certificate 
was  granted  him  for  obtaining  a  Probat  thereof  in  due  form: 
liberty  being  reserved  to  the  other  Executors  named  in  the  said 
Will  to  join  in  the  Probat  when  they  shall  think  fit: 

Tester 

Thos.  Evard  Ct  Clerk— 
A  Copy  Tester 

(Signed)    Floyd  Holloway 

Clerk- 
page  183:  Wills  &  Inventories  20:  1746  to  1759 

Until  his  death  in  the  year  1750,  Parks  continued  to  fill  an 
important  place  in  the  public  life  of  Virginia.  In  the  course  of 
a  voyage  to  England  undertaken  in  this  year,  he  came  down  with 
a  pleurisy  and  died  after  a  short  illness.  His  body  was  carried  to 
England  and  there  buried.  That  his  labors  after  all  had  been 
unrewarded  may  be  inferred  from  the  fact  that  at  his  death  his 


94  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

assets  were  found  to  be  slightly  more  than  six  thousand  pounds, 
while  his  liabilities  were  only  a  few  pounds  less  than  this  amount. 
There  was  no  printer  of  his  day,  however,  Franklin  alone  excepted, 
whose  service  to  typography  and  letters  in  America  presents  a 
greater  claim  on  the  interest  and  gratitude  of  posterity. 

For  information  as  to  Parks  in  Virginia,  consult  the  Journals 
of  the  House  of  Burgesses  of  Virginia,  [for  the  years  1727-1758]. 
Eichmond,  1909-1910;  Thomas,,  History  of  Printing  in  America; 
William  and  Mary  College  Quarterly,  7:  10-12;  Weejcs,  L.  H., 
History  of  Paper  Manufacturing  in  the  U.  S.,  1690-1916.  N.  Y. 
1916.  See  also  his  will  and  inventory  and  accounts  in  the  Court 
House,  York  Town,  Va.  Copies  of  these  are  in  the  Maryland  His- 
torical Society. 

After  this  account  of  William  Parks  had  been  set  and  paged, 
and  consequently  when  it  was  too  late  for  an  extensive  investiga- 
tion, the  author  came  upon  a  clue  which  may  lead  to  the  discovery 
of  the  origin  and  early  life  of  this  interesting  printer.  In  the 
Catalogue  of  an  Exhibition  of  Books — Illustrative  of  the  History 
&  Progress  of  Printing  and  Bookselling  in  England,  1477-1800, 
Held  at  Stationers'  Hall  25-29  June,  1912,  by  the  International 
Association  of  Antiquarian  Booksellers,  item  No.  895  is  an  edition 
of  Jones,  S.,  The  Most  Important  Question,  What  is  Truth, 
printed  by  William  Parks  at  Ludlow  in  Shropshire,  England,  in 
1719-20.  The  editor  of  the  catalogue  has  appended  this  note: 
"The  first  book  printed  at  Ludlow,  The  printer  afterwards  emi- 
grated to  America  and  started  printing  at  Annapolis/'  Imme- 
diately after  perusing  this  entry,  the  author  began  a  search  in 
available  histories  of  Ludlow  and  Shropshire  for  verification  of 
fche  statement  as  to  the  identity  of  William  Parks  of  Ludlow  and 
Annapolis,  but  in  the  short  time  at  his  disposal  secured  no  definite 
information.  He  discovered,  however,  that  at  a  short  distance  from 
the  town  of  Oswestry  in  Shropshire  there  is  a  celebrated  "half- 
timbered"  mansion  known  as  "Park  Hall",  and,  that  there  is  an- 
other "Park  Hall"  at  Bitterley  near  Ludlow.  Recalling,  as  is  stated 
in  this  narrative,  that  on  April  19,  1731,  a  tract  known  as  "Park 
Hall"  was  surveyed  in  Maryland  for  William  Parks,  and  knowing 
the  tendency  of  the  colonial  American  to  name  his  tract  after  some 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY  95 

English  estate  dear  or  familiar  to  him,  he  felt  that  he  was  in  the 
way  of  throwing  light  of  an  interesting  nature  on  the  early  life 
of  this  emigrant  printer.  Through  the  kindness  of  the  New  Eng- 
land Historic  Genealogical  Society  examination  was  made  of  the 
parish  registers  of  Oswestry  in  the  Shropshire  Parish  Register 
Society  (Diocese  of  St.  Asaph)  series,  but  with  negative  results, 
except  to  show  that  Parks  was  a  common  name  in  that  neighbor- 
hood, as  it  seems  to  have  been  also  in  the  neighborhood  of  Bitterley. 

This  evidence  is  so  slender  in  amount  and  character  that  the 
author  hesitates  to  add  to  it  more  of  the  same  nature,  but  the  fact 
that  among  the  slaves  left  by  William  Parks  was  a  negro  man 
named  "Ludlow"  seems  to  have  sufficient  significance  to  justify 
its  inclusion  among*  the  other  indications  of  the  identity  of  William 
Parks,  printer  of  Annapolis,  Maryland,  and  William  Parks,  printer 
of  Ludlow,  England. 

Through  Messrs.  B.  F.  Stevens  &  Brown  of  London  the  fol- 
lowing additional  information  has  been  received  concerning  Wil- 
liam Parks,  the  first  printer  of  Ludlow,  England.  The  Rev.  W.  G. 
D.  Fletcher,  Honorary  Secretary  of  the  Shropshire  Parish  Register 
Society,  writes  that  the  Ludlow  Parish  Register  records  the  bap- 
tism on  March  20,  1719/20  of  "William,  son  of  William  Parks 
and  Elianor."  This  was  doubtless  the  son  of  William  Parks  the 
Ludlow  printer.  The  connection  which  this  entry  provides  be- 
tween William  Parks  of  Ludlow  and  William  Parks  of  Annapolis 
lies  in  the  name  of  the  wife,  which  is  given  as  Eleanor  in  the  will 
of  the  Maryland  and  Virginia  printer  (Wills  and  Inventories, 
20:  183,  1746-1759  in  Court  House,  Yorktown,  Va.,  dated  March 
30,  1750.)  No  son  was  mentioned  in  this  will.  Mr.  Fletcher  com- 
municated the  matter  of  the  inquiry  to  Henry  T.  Weyman,  Esq. 
F.  S.  A.  of  Fishmore  Hall,  Ludlow,  who  transmitted  to  him  in 
reply  some  interesting  facts  as  to  the  activities  of  William  Parks 
of  Ludlow.  Mr.  Weyman  writes  in  reference  to  this  Parks  that 
he  was  the  publisher  of  the  first  newspaper  of  Ludlow,  probably 
the  first  in  Shropshire,  entitled  "The  Ludlow  Post-Man,  Or  the 
Weekly  Journal."  Some  copies  of  this  newspaper  are  in  the  British 
Museum  and  a  reproduction  of  the  first  page  of  its  first  issue  was 
printed  in  Cassell's  Family  Magazine  in  October  1896,  p.  885.  In 


96  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

this  reproduction  of  No.  1,  the  date  of  publication  is  given  as  Fri- 
day, October  9,  1719,  and  the  introductory  address  of  its  publisher 
is  signed  "Typographer".  One  familiar  with  Parks'  Maryland 
Gazette,  seeing  this  reproduction,  will  notice  immediately  the  simi- 
larity in  the  arrangement  of  the  two  headings;  that  is,  the  title 
centered  between  two  decorative  and  symbolical  woodcuts,  repre- 
senting Neptune  and  Mercury  in  the  Maryland  Gazette,  a  mounted 
postman  and  the  arms  of  Ludlow  in  the  Ludlow  Post-Nan.  The 
imprint  of  this  journal  is  "Ludlow  published  by  William  Parkes". 
Mr.  Weyman  refers  to  an  announcement  by  W.  Parkes  in  1720  of 
the  forthcoming  publication  by  him  of  a  "Prospect  of  the  Demi 
Collegiate  Church  of  Ludlow",  price  one  shilling. 

In  the  information  here  set  forth,  for  which  thanks  are  due  to 
Messrs.  Fletcher  and  Weyman,  there  appears  no  proof  that  William 
Parks  of  Ludlow  and  William  Parks  of  Annapolis  were  the  same, 
but  the  facts  presented  in  this  and  in  the  preceding  paragraphs 
seem  to  indicate  their  identity  with  a  sufficient  degree  of  certainty 
to  justify  one  in  thinking  of  this  interesting  printer  as  "William 
Parks  of  Ludlow,  Annapolis  and  Williamsburgh,"  even  though  the 
evidence  so  far  collected  is  not  enough  to  prove  this  claim. 


SOME  NOTES  RELATIVE  TO  GIFTS  TO  DISTINGUISHED 
CITIZENS,   PRINCIPALLY  VIRGINIANS,  AUTHOR- 
IZED BY  THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY,  OR 
COUNCIL  OF  VIRGINIA,  1780  TO  1860. 

Horse  and  sword  presented  to  Col.  William  Campbell.  House 
journal,  Nov.  10,  1780,  p.  13. 

"Elegant  sword  and  pair  of  pistols"  ordered  to  be  presented 
to  Capt.  John  Jouett.  House  journal,  June  12,  1781,  p.  15. 

"To  procure  General  Edward  Stevens  an  elegant  horse  together 
with  furniture  pursuant  to  a  resolution  of  the  assembly/'  Council 
journal,  July  30,  17£1. 

"Two  elegant  geldings  to  be  purchased  and  presented  to  Gen. 
Nathaniel  Greene".  Ordered  by  the  general  assembly,  and  by 
the  council,  Jan.  14,  1782. 

Horse  and  furniture  voted  to  Gen.  Daniel  Morgan  by  the  gen- 
eral assembly.  Council  journal  July  11,  1782. 

An  elegant  sword  to  be  purchased  for  Capt.  John  Jouett.  Coun- 
cil journal  Dec.  14,  1786. 

"To  Commodore  Stephen  Decatur,  and  to  lieutenants  William 
H.  Allen  and  John  B.  Nicholson,  appropriate  swords,  commemo- 
rative of  the  late  gallant  exploit  of  themselves  and  their  brave 
compatriots  of  the  frigate  United  States."  Resolution  of  general 
assembly  passed  Jan.  2,  1813. 

"For  his  gallant  conduct  in  the  action  between  the  United  States 
frigate  Constitution  and  his  Britannic  Majestie's  frigate  Guerriere", 
an  appropriate  sword  to  Midshipman  John  Tayloe.  Resolution 
of  general  assembly  passed  Feb.  5,  1813. 

Sword  for  Lieutenant  Charles  W.  Morgan  of  the  Constitution. 
Resolution  of  General  Assembly,  Feb.  10,  1813. 

To  John  J.  Yarnall,  a  lieutenant  on  board  the  Lawrence,  in 
the  battle  of  Lake  Erie,  an  appropriate  sword,  commemorative  of 
that  gallant  exploit.  Resolution  of  general  assembly  passed  Jan. 
1,  1814. 

To  Captain  Arthur  Sinclair,  distinguished  in  the  battle  which 
took  place  on  Sept.  28,  1813,  between  the  United  States  squadron 


98  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

and  that  of  the  enemy,  on  Lake  Ontario,  an  appropriate  sword, 
commemorative  of  his  distinguished  gallantry.  Resolution  of  gen- 
eral assembly  passed  Jan.  13,  1814. 

To  Major  General  Winfield  Scott,  for  gallantry  at  Chippewa 
and  Niagara,  an  appropriate  sword.  Resolution  of  general  assem- 
bly Feb.  12,  1816. 

To  Major  General  Edmund  Pendleton  Gaines,  for  repelling  an 
attack  on  Fort  Erie  Aug.  15,  1814,  a  suitable  sword.  Resolution 
of  general  assembly  Feb.  12,  1816. 

To  Lieutenant  Colonel  Geo.  M.  Brooke,  for  conduct  in  sortie 
from  Fort  Erie,  and  at  battles  of  Chippewa,  Niagara  and  Bridge- 
water,  an  appropriate  sword.  Resolution  of  general  assembly 
Feb.  12,  1816. 

To  nearest  male  relative  of  Capt.  John  Ritchie,  who  fell  covered 
with  wounds  on  plains  of  Bridgewater,  an  appropriate  sword. 
Resolution  of  general  assembly  Feb.  12,  1816. 

To  nearest  male  relative  of  Major  Andrew  Hunter  Holmes, 
who  fell,  covered  with  wounds,  near  Michillimackinac,  an  appro- 
priate sword.  Resolution  of  general  assembly  Feb.  12,  1816. 

To  Captain  Lewis  L.  Warrington,  for  skill  and  gallantry  in 
capturing  the  enemy's  brig  Epervier,  an  appropriate  sword.  Reso- 
lution of  general  assembly  Feb.  14,  1816. 

To  Capt.  Robert  Henley  for  important  services  in  capture  of 
British  forces  on  Lake  Champlain,  an  appropriate  sword.  Resolu- 
tion of  general  assembly  Feb.  14,  1816. 

Sword  for  Captain  R.  H.  Bell.  Resolution  of  General  Assembly, 
Feb.  2,  1835. 

To  Major  General  Zachary  Taylor,  for  skill,  courage,  gallantry 
and  patriotism  displayed  at  Palo  Alto,  Resaca  de  la  Palma,  Mon- 
terey, a  sword  with  suitable  devices.  Resolution  of  general  assem- 
bly, Feb.  9,  1847. 

To  Lieutenant  Colonel  Matthew  M.  Payne,  for  services  at  Palo 
Alto  and  Resaca  de  la  Palma  a  sword  with  suitable  devices.  Reso- 
lution of  general  assembly,  Feb.  9,  1847. 

Letter  of  Col.  M.  M.  Payne,  of  Bellfield,  Goochland  County, 
Va.,  dated  5th  March,  1847,  to  Governor  Wm.  Smith,  acknowledg- 
ing receipt  of  a  letter  of  £2d  February  transmitting  resolution  of 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY  99 

the  legislature,  instructing  the  governor  "to  procure  a  sword  with 
suitable  devices  to  be  presented  (to  Col.  Payne)  for  services  in 
the  battles  of  Palo  Alto  and  Resaca  de  la  Palma." 

To  Lieutenant  Colonel  J.  Garland,  for  services  at  Monterey, 
a  sword  with  suitable  devices.  Resolution  of  general  assembly 
Feb.  9,  1847. 

To  each  of  the  company  officers  of  the  Virginia  regiment  of 
volunteers,  a  sword.  Resolution  of  general  assembly,  Feb.  20, 
1847. 

Swords  to  "annexed  officers,  natives  of  the  state,  who  distin- 
guished themselves  in  the  late  brilliant  campaign  in  Mexico;  also 
a  sword  to  William  Bertrand  Alburtis  of  Berkeley  County,  only 
surviving  child  of  Capt.  William  Alburtis  who  was  killed  at  Vera- 
Cruz.  .  .  .  ;  also  a  silver  medal  to  Sergeant  Updegraff.  .  .  .  ' 
(List  of  officers  follows)  Resolution  April  4,  1848.  Journal  House 
of  Delegates  1847/48,  p.  458,  459. 

Swords  for  Thomas  B.  Randolph,  Francis  Otway  Bird,  and 
Harrold  Smith  "who  distinguished  themselves  during  the  last 
war  with  Great  Britain."  Resolution  April  4,  1848.  Journal 
House  of  Delegates  1847/48,  p.  460. 

Gold  medal  for  General  Winfield  Scott,  Feb.  7,  1848.  The  in- 
scription was  changed  by  Resolution  of  general  assembly  of  March 
26,  1850. 

Gold  medal  for  Capt.  William  Lewis  Herndon  of  the  United 
States  Navy.  Resolution  of  general  assembly  adopted  Jan.  23, 
1858.  Va.  acts,  1857/58,  page  286. 

Promotion  of  Lieut.  M.  F.  Maury.  Resolution  April  8,  1858. 
Va.  acts,  1857/58,  p.  287. 

Sword  for  Lieut.  Robt.  B.  Pegram,  of  the  United  States  Navy. 
Resolution  of  general  assembly,  Apr.  6,  1858.  Va.  acts  1857/58, 
p.  287. 

Resolution  relative  to  the  presentation  of  a  sword  to  Col.  Philip 
St.  George  Cooke,  H.  Doc.  62,  1859/60 

Joint  resolution  complimentary  to  Col.  Thomas  T.  Fauntleroy, 
colonel  first  regiment,  U.  S.  dragoons,  for  "gallant  and  distin- 
guished service,"  and  commending  him  for  promotion  to  rank  of 
brigadier  general.  Joint  resolution  30.  Acts  of  assembly  1859/60, 
p.  706-707 


100  WILLIAM  AND  MABY  QUAETEBLY 

Governor  Barbour,  from  the  difficulty  of  having  the  swords 
made  in  Richmond  had  directed  the  swords  to  be  made  in  Phila- 
delphia, and  confided  the  superintendence  of  the  work  to  CoL 
William  Duane.  The  delay  was  due  to  the  war.  The  swords  were 
finished  in  October  and  two  had  already  been  received.  (Letter  of 
Governor  W.  C.  Nicholas,  Dec.  30,  1815.  House  journal  1815/16, 
p.  86.  In  the  archives  there  are  letters  of  Duane  on  this  subject 
attached  to  the  governor's  letter.) 

Sword  presented  to  date  only  to  Col.  Geo.  M.  Brooke,  accord- 
ing to  resolution  of  General  Assembly  of  1815/16,  adopted  Feb. 
12,  and  14,  1816.  Governor  was  ordered  to  present  suitable  swords 
with  appropriate  emblems,  devices  and  inscriptions,  to  Major 
General  Scott,  Major  General  Gaines,  and  Col.  Geo.  M.  Brooke 
of  the  Army  of  the  United  States ;  to  nearest  male  relative  of  Capt. 
John  Ritchie  and  Major  Andrew  Hunter  Holmes,  both  of  whom 
fell  in  battle,  in  late  war  with  Great  Britain,  also  to  Captains  Lewis 
Warrington  and  Robert  Henley  of  the  United  States  Navy.  All 
the  swords  which  had  been  voted  before  February,  1816,  were  made 
in  every  part,  ornamented  and-  finished  in  Philadelphia,  with  de- 
vices and  inscriptions  furnished  by  Col.  Wm.  Duane  of  that  city. 
(Abstract  of  letter  of  Governor  Thomas  M.  Randolph,  Feb.  24, 
1822) 

Governor  Giles  presented  a  sword  to  Philip  Norborne  Nicholas, 
as  representative  of  nearest  male  relative  of  Major  Andrew  Hunter 
Holmes.  Received  on  behalf  of  Governor  Holmes.  (House  journal, 
1827/28,  Document  2,  p.  10) 

The  swords  were  executed  by  Harvey  Lewis  under  the  direction 
of  Gen.  Cadwallader  of  Philadelphia.  Presented  publicly  July 
4,  1827.  No  one  appeared  to  receive  the  sword  for  nearest  male 
relative  of  Captain  Henley  and  it  was  retained.  (Governor's  mes- 
sage and  documents  1827/28,  p.  1) 

-To  Mr.  Thomas  Ritchie,  as  the  representative  of  the  nearest 
male  relative  of  Captain  John  Ritchie,  "who  fell  covered  with 
wounds  and  with  glory,  on  the  plains  of  Bridgewater,  fighting  in 
defence  of  his  country's  rights  and  honor."  "To  be  passed  over 
to  your  elder  brother,  Col.  Archibald  Ritchie."  Mr.  Thos.  Ritchie 
replied  and  received  it  on  behalf  of  his  brother.  (House  journal 
1827/28,  Document  2,  p.  9,  10). 


WILLIAM  AND  MAEY  COLLEGE  IN  1774. 
LETTERS  IN  RIND'S  VIRGINIA  GAZETTE. 

Mrs.  RIND, 

It  is  a  very  common,  and,  I  believe,  a  very  just  complaint,  that 
the  college  of  William  and  Mary  hath1  as  yet  been  far  from  an- 
swering the  ends  of  its  institution,  and,  indeed,  those  ends  which 
might  reasonably  be  expected  from  a  college  so  well  endowed. 
Superior  in  its  revenues  to  any  literary  establishment  upon  the 
continent,  it  hath  fallen  greatly  short  of  some  of  them  as  a  semi- 
nary of  learning.  To  suppose  that  the  gentlemen  who  have  been 
entrusted  with  the  jnanagement  of  it  have  been  always  in  fault 
would  certainly  be  very  unfair.  Many  of  these,  without  doubt, 
have  been  both  ably  qualified  and  heartily  inclined  to  promote  its 
good  intention.  But  a  wrong  mode  of  education,  at  the  first 
adopted,  and  since  too  blindly  followed,  together  with  an  evil 
which  the  professors  had  no  power  to  remedy,  seem  to  have  frus- 
trated all  endeavours  to  make  it  flourish.  A  grammar  school  at 
the  foundation  of  the  college  was  annexed  to  it,  a  measure  which 
at  that  time  might  have  been  dictated  by  the  circumstances  of  the 
country,  and  the  low  state  of  the  funds,  but  which  experience  has 
since  taught  us  to  be  attended  with  many  bad  consequences.  Little 
or  no  distinction  is  made  between  the  boys  of  this  school  and  the 
students  of  the  college.  Entitled  to,  or  at  least  indulged  with, 
nearly  the  same  privileges,  the  former  too  soon  forget  that  they 
are  boys,  and  the  latter  too  seldom  perceive  that  they  have  a  su- 
perior character  to  maintain.  As  this  is  not  merely  speculation, 
but  real  matter  of  fact,  it  is  surely  worthy  of  the  most  serious  at- 
tention of  the  visitors.  The  revenues  of  the  college  are  now  much 
encreased,  the  assembly  has  ever  shewn  a  willingness  to  assist  it, 
and  a  large  extent  of  country  is  equally  populous,  and  equally  well 

iThis  letter  is  interesting  as  foreshadowing  some  of  the  changes 
that  were  made  in  1779,  under  the  influence  of  Thomas  Jefferson, 
who  at  the  time  was  governor  of  Virginia.  The  grammar  school  was 
eliminated  as  a  department  of  the  college,  and  the  first  law  school  in 
the  United  States  was  established. 


102  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

cultivated  with  that  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Williamsburg.  What 
then  is  there  to  prevent  the  visitors  from  removing  the  grammar 
school  to  some  of  the  college  lands,  at  a  distance  from  the  metro- 
polis ;  for  instance,  to  those  in  King  William  ?  Every  thing  neces- 
sary for  the  accommodation  of  the  boys  could  there  be  easily 
procured,  temptations  to  idleness  and  vice  would  be  less  common, 
seeing  none  enjoy  greater  liberties  than  themselves,  they  would  be 
satisfied  with  their  portion,  nor  would  they  languish  for  such 
as  it  would  be  improper  to  grant  them.  Having  compleated  their 
classical  education  there,  then  let  them  be  removed  to  the  college. 
This  removal  would  create  in  them  a  higher  idea  of  the  dignity 
of  a  student.  They  would  look  upon  themselves  as  entering  upon 
a  nobler  scene  of  action;  a  scene  wherein  puerility  was  to  be  ex- 
changed for  the  manly  and  philosophical  life.  I  can  easily  foresee 
that  the  step  which  I  have  proposed  would  meet  with  opposition 
from  those  in  and  about  the  city  of  Williamsburg.  But  if  it  be 
considered  that  this  grammar  school  was  intended  for  the  benefit 
of  the  public,  and  not  of  individuals,  that  by  such  a  removal  no 
general  inconvenience  could  be  produced,  but  that  several  good 
consequences,  as  shown  above,  would  result  from  it,  their  opposi- 
tion must  appear  selfish  and  unreasonable. 

The  great  imperfection  in  the  present  mode  of  education  seems 
to  be  this;  that  instead  of  a  regular  process  in  their  studies,  the 
students  are  permitted,  for  the  most  part,  to  attend  what  lectures 
they  please,  and  in  the  order  most  agreeable  to  themselves.  That 
such  a  liberty  will  put  it  into  their  power  to  waste  much  of  their 
time  is  very  evident.  For  instance,  a  student  chuses  to  attend 
lectures  upon  natural  philosophy.  As  these  are  not  given  oftener 
than  twice  in  a  week,  he  has  four  days  entirely  at  his  own  disposal. 
For  these,  it  is  true,  he  may  find  sufficient  employment,  in  making 
himself  acquainted  with  what  different  authors  have  said  upon  the 
immediate  object  of  his  study;  but  he  is  under  no  obligation  to  do 
this.  If  he  is  indolent,  or  vicious,  or  fond  of  pleasure,  he  has  it 
in  his  power  to  indulge  himself.  And  thus,  after  throwing  away 
three  or  four  of  the  most  precious  years  of  his  life,  does  many  a 
youth  quit  the  college  with  only  the  credit  of  having  been  so  long 
there.  Degrees  have  been  indeed  lately  conferred  on  some  few 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY  103 

students,  and  from  this  it  might  be  presumed,  by  a  stranger,  that 
these  at  least  had  gone  through  a  regular  course  of  education.  This, 
however,  as  far  as  I  have  been  able  to  learn,  was  not  the  case.  Some 
of  them  were  acquainted  with  the  classics,  others  with  the  mathe- 
matics, others  had  attended  lectures  upon  rhetoric  and  moral  philo- 
sophy, but  none  had  run  the  general  circle,  none  had  been  called  to 
an  examination,  previous  to  the  conferring  of  this  literary  honour 
upon  them;  a  custom  in  all  other  colleges  and  universities.  The 
impropriety  of  this  mode  of  education  is  so  very  apparent,  that  any 
farther  demonstration  of  it  would  be  an  insult  upon  the  most 
common  understanding. 

An  improvement  upon  the  present  plan  would,  I  think,  require 
another  professor,  whose  business  it  would  be  to  read  with  the 
students  the  higher  classics,  and  to  give  lectures  upon  chronology, 
geography,  and  history.  Part  of  this  duty  is  at  present  expected 
from  the  moral  professor,  but  he  has,  exclusive  of  this,  as  much  as 
he  can  well  perform;  and  these  are  branches  of  literature  with  which 
erery  man  of  liberal  education  ought  to  be  acquainted. 

The  students  should  be  divided  into  three  classes,  which  might 
be  distinguished  by  the  titles  of  seniors,  juniors,  and  freshmen. 
The  qualifications  of  such  as  enter  the  freshmen,  or  lower  class, 
ought  to  be  a  good  acquaintance  with  the  Latin  and  Greek  school 
authors,  and  with  arithmetic.  At  their  entrance  into  college,  they 
should  begin  with  algebra,  under  the  professor  of  mathematics 
and  natural  philosophy,  logic  under  the  moral  professor,  and  Ho- 
race, Homer,  or  some  other  classic,  under  the  other,  whom  we  will 
call  the  professor  of  humanity.  Euclid's  elements  should  succeed 
to  algebra,  metaphysics  to  logic,  and  chronology  and  history  might 
be  intermixed  with  the  classics.  This  would  be  ample  employment 
for  the  first  year.  Let  them  then  be  examined,  and  as  many  as 
are  approved  of  raised  into  the  junior  class.  Such  as  are  deficient, 
should  be  obliged  to  remain  amongst  the  freshmen  another  year. 
The  juniors  should  begin  with  plain  trigonometry,  which  they 
might  apply  to  surveying,  then  proceed  to  fluxions,  conic  sections, 
and  spherical  trigonometry,  which  might  conclude  the  business  of 
the  second  year  in  this  department.  The  same  period,  in  the  other 
two,  should  comprehend  the  study  of  moral  philosophy,  and  of 


104  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

Cicero's  moral  works,  with  other  Eoman  and  Greek  moralists.  Let 
them  be  again  examined,  and  either  preferred  to  the  senior  class, 
or  continued  juniors,  as  they  acquitted  themselves.  The  study  of 
natural  philosophy  and  astronomy,  of  rhetoric  and  the  best  English 
poets,  of  the  Roman  and  Grecian  critics  and  orators,  together  with 
a  general  review,  should  be  the  business  of  the  third  and  last  year 
of  their  college  education.  Let,  then,  such  as  chuse  to  stand  for 
degrees,  be  examined  by  the  professor,  either  privately  or  before 
a  few  of  the  visitors,  in  every  branch  of  academical  learning.  If 
they  pass  this  with  credit,  let  a  day  be  appointed  for  public  ex- 
amination, when  every  one,  who  is  inclined,  may  attend.  After- 
wards it  may  not  be  improper  to  fix  a  day  for  public  exercises, 
when  each  candidate  may  have  an  opportunity  of  displaying  his 
abilities  as  a  writer  and  an  orator.  At  the  conclusion  of  these 
exercises,  let  them  be  rewarded  with  those  honours  which  ought 
only  to  be  conferred  upon  the  sons  of  science.  These  two  last  regu- 
lations, though  not  absolutely  necessary,  would  have  this  use: 
They  would  give  satisfaction  to  the  country,  raise  the  reputation 
of  the  college,  and  be  a  powerful  incitement  to  the  youthful  mind, 
which  is  ever  fond  of  pomp  and  public  applause. 

(We  are  obliged  to  defer  the  remainder  of  ACADEMICUS 
till  next  week)  From  Virginia  Gazette,  May  19,  1774. 

The  Remainder  of  Academicua 

A  batchelor  of  arts,  of  three  years  standing,  might  be  entitled 
to  a  master's  degree,  without  attending  any  part  of  this  time  at 
college,  provided  he  ever  testified  a  proper  respect  for  it,  and 
sustained  a  good  moral  character.  This  indulgence  would  be  neces- 
sary in  an  infant  country,  where  the  majority  are  but  illy  able  to 
support  their  sons  at  a  college  for  any  great  number  of  years. 

Were  this  or  some  similar  mode  of  education  adopted,  I  am 
persuaded  that  the  college  of  William  and  Mary  would,  in  a  few 
years,  rival  any  literary  institution  in  the  world.  This  at  least 
is  certain,  that  its  reputation  would  not,  as  it  does  at  present,  de- 
pend so  much  on  the  idle  and  dissolute,  who  may  chance  to  spend 
some  time  in  it,  but  from  such  only  as  had  gone  through  a  regular 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY  105 

course  of  studies,  and  had  been  dignified  with  the  honours  of  the 
college,  would  its  character  be  taken. 

The  charter  very  properly  appoints  two  professors  of  divinity; 
the  one  to  read  with  the  students  the  scriptures  in  the  original 
languages,  the  other  to  give  lectures  upon  the  controverted  points 
of  theology.  To  those  who  have  any  regard  for  religion,  the  im- 
portance of  these  two  professorships  must  be  very  evident.  Were 
the  design  of  them  attended  to  as  it  ought,  what  advantages  might 
we  not  expect  to  reap  from  them !  Instead  of  clergymen,  who  can 
scarcely  construe  a  sentence  of  Greek,  whose  utmost  reading  ex- 
tends not  beyond  Burnet  and  Pearson  (I  mean  not  to  reflect  upon 
these  gentlemen,  1^  lament  their  want  of  opportunity  for  greater 
improvement)  our  church  would  be  supplied  with  men  skilled  in 
the  original  languages  of  our  sacred  writings,  well  furnished  with 
arguments  in  defence  of  Christianity,  and  thoroughly  acquainted 
with  its  doctrines  and  precepts;  and  to  render  them  thus  useful 
seems  to  be  much  in  the  power  of  the  visitors.  They  have  already 
passed  a  statute  entitling  a  student  of  this  college,  who  enters  into 
holy  orders,  to  a  certain  sum  of  money.  They  might  make  his 
attending  lectures  in  divinity,  for  such  a  term  as  might  be  thought 
proper,  a  necessary  condition;  and  to  enable  him  to  continue  at 
college  the  term  prescribed,  a  few  fellowships  might  be  established, 
and  given  to  such  as  had  taken  a  batchelor  of  arts  degree,  and  in- 
tended to  enter  into  the  church. 

It  might  conduce  still  more  to  the  advancement  of  learning 
in  the  colony  if  the  charter  were  enlarged,  and  professorships  of 
law  and  physic  established.  A  fuller  consideration,  however,  of 
this  matter,  I  shall  defer  to  some  future  time,  having  already  ex- 
ceeded the  limits  which  I  had  assigned  to  this  paper. 

ACADEMICUS. 
From   Virginia  Gazette,  May  26,   1774. 


TO  ACADEMICUS 
SIR, 

It  is  with  pleasure  that  I  read  every  ingenious  proposal  for 
the  advancement  of  literature,  and  the  improvement  of  our  college. 


106  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

The  object  is  such  as  must  necessarily  engage  the  attention  of 
every  one  who  regards  the  improvement  of  the  mind.  But  as  a 
misunderstanding,  and  consequently  a  misrepresentation,  of  the 
present  mode  of  education,  can  be  of  no  service  to  so  laudable  a 
design,  I  must  beg  leave  to  rectify  a  few  mistakes,  which,  I  doubt 
not,  took  its  origin  from  ignorance,  rather  than  maliciousness. 
Your  zeal  has  certainly  somewhat  outgone  your  knowledge;  but 
that  is  a  defect  too  common  in  human  nature  to  be  much  com- 
plained of.  In  pointing  out  the  great  imperfection,  you  have  un- 
luckily made  a  very  great  blunder.  The  students  have  no  such 
liberty  as  you  mention,  of  attending  what  lectures  they  please.  It 
is  contrary  to  the  rules  of  the  college,  which  are  never  dispensed 
with,  except  in  circumstances  of  a  particular  nature;  such  as  the 
certainty  of  a  short  stay,  and  the  necessity  of  prosecuting  that 
study,  which  is  more  immediately  requisite.  To  place  this  great 
imperfection  in  a  clearer  light,  you  being  an  instance,  which  is, 
indeed,  a  very  unfortunate  one,  for  I  will  bring  the  same  instance 
to  shew,  that  you  know  as  little  of  the  great  imperfection  as  of  a 
proper  mode  of  education.  "As  for  instance,  then,  a  student  onuses 
to  attend  lectures  on  natural  philosophy.  As  these  are  not  given 
oftener  than  twice  in  a  week,  he  has  four  days  entirely  at  his  own 
disposal."  Now  there  is  no  choice  in  the  case;  he  must  attend 
only  once  a  week.  But  is  it  not  so  much  the  worse,  say  you? 
For  admitting  that  I  was  a  little  too  positive  as  to  the  chusing, 
you  will  allow  that  he  has  five  days  instead  of  four,  wherein,  "if 
he  be  indolent,  or  vicious,  or  fond  of  pleasure,  he  has  it  in  his 
power  to  indulge  himself."  Not  at  all,  my  literary  projector; 
for  he  will  find  no  days  at  his  own  disposal.  Each  day  is  alter- 
nately employed  either  in  the  school  of  moral  philosophy,  or  in  that 
of  the  mathematics.  This  piece  of  information  may  be  of  service 
to  you  in  your  future  lucubrations  on  so  important  a  subject, 
wherein  you  should  avoid  even  the  appearance  of  error.  You  will 
be  cautious,  however,  to  strike  out  of  your  calendar  those  inter- 
vening days  of  idleness  which  you  so  much  complain  of.  You 
would  also  do  well  to  lay  aside  those  insinuations  of  the  pre valency 
of  ignorance,  as  well  as  idleness;  for  if  my  information  be  just, 
as  I  have  reason  to  believe  it  is,  idleness  is  become  dishonourable, 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY  107 

and  that  love  of  science  universally  prevails,  which  even  Academi- 
cus,  was  he  better  acquainted  with  the  present  disposition  of  the 
students,  would  acknowledge  to  forbode  the  happiest  effects. 

Another  important  deficiency  is,  the  manner  in  which  degrees 
have  been  conferred.  Though  they  were  acquainted  with  particular 
branches  of  the  highest  value,  "they  had  not  run  the  general  circle, 
none  had  been  called  to  an  examination  previous  to  the  conferring 
of  this  literary  honour  upon  them."  Academicus,  I  fear,  has  been 
born  the  heir  of  mistakes,  since  not  a  literary  honour  has  been 
conferred  which  was  not  the  prize  of  public  contest,  or  which 
merit  did  not  claim.  The  classic,  the  mathematician,  and  the  moral 
philosopher,  are  seldom  found  united  in  every  academician.  An 
acquaintance  with*  either  of  those  branches  of  science  is  generally 
esteemed  worthy  of  a  reward  in  every  seminary.  Your  Nassaus 
alone  can  boast  the  truly  magic  art  of  forming,  in  a  year  or  two, 
the  classic,  the  mathematician,  the  moral  philosopher,  and  the 
patriot.  It  is  there  they  run  the  general  circle,  and,  as  Academicus 
would  have  it,  it  is  there  they  end  where  they  begun. 

But  we  cannot  pass  over  the  triumph.  "The  impropriety  of 
this  mode  of  education  is  so  very  apparent  that  any  farther  demon- 
stration of  it  would  be  an  insult  upon  the  most  common  under- 
standing." Surely,  Academicus,  you  should,  like  a  second  Pytha- 
goras, have  offered  at  least  a  hecatomb.  You  have  afforded  the 
world  a  noble  specimen  of  those  demonstrating  powers  which  can 
bring  forth  the  clearest  demonstration  without  a  single  true  posi- 
tion. But  convincing  as  it  appeared  to  you,  others  perhaps  may 
now  think  that  a  farther  demonstration  would  be  no  insult  upon 
the  most  common  understanding;  or  must  they  not  rather  be 
struck  with  astonishment  at  that  boldness  which  should  dare  to 
prostitute  the  name  of  demonstration,  in  order  to  vilify  a  mode  of 
education  of  which  you  are  entirely  ignorant  ? 

You  will  probably  discover  the  great  imperfection,  upon  a 
second  search,  to  be  in  the  present  establishment.  Whenever  that 
is  altered  for  the  better,  a  more  enlarged  mode  of  education  must 
take  place ;  not  such,  I  hope,  as  every  puny  genius  of  fancied  litera- 
ture shall  dictate,  but  such  as  shall  carry  along  with  it  whatever  is 
great  and  noble,  whatever  shall  tend  most  effectually  to  improve 


108  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

the  mind  and  mend  the  heart.  Nor  do  I  doubt  but  the  gentlemen 
of  the  visitation  will  gladly  promote  every  means  which  may  con- 
duce to  so  important  an  end.  That  they  have  it  in  view,  every 
one  knows;  and  that  they  will  use  their  utmost  endeavours  to  ex- 
pedite as  much  as  possible  so  happy  an  alteration,  no  one  can  doubt. 
The  universities  in  England  will  afford  them  the  best  general  plan, 
while  their  own  good  sense  must  judge  of  such  particular  exigencies 
as  shall  arise.  But  you  should  remember  that  weak,  hasty,  and  ill- 
timed  efforts,  may  often  baffle  the  most  noble  designs.  I  am  your 
humble  servant. 

A.  B. 
From  Virginia  Gazette,  May  26,  1774. 

To  A.  B. 
SIR, 

When  I  offered  to  the  public  my  thoughts  on  the  defects  of 
the  [  ?]  of  education  at  the  college,  and  proposed  such  a  mode 
as  I  thought  would  be  most  likely  to  remedy  them,  I  was  too  well 
acquainted  with  the  disposition  of  mankind  to  expect  that  I  should 
pass  uncensured;  I  was  therefore  not  in  the  least  surprised  to  see 
your  address  to  Academicus  in  the  last  paper.  You  have,  however, 
in  some  points,  rather  outgone  my  expectations,  and  in  others  you 
have  disappointed  me.  You  have  been  profuse  in  reflections,  but 
you  have  not  ventured  a  single  objection  to  the  plan  which  I  pro- 
posed. To  let  you  into  a  secret,  it  was  by  no  means  a  plan  of  my 
jown.  Nearly  the  same  has  long  been  pursued  in  more  colleges 
than  one  of  established  reputation,  and  it  has  been  deemed  worthy 
of  the  adoption  of  the  professors  of  William  and  Mary  by  some  of 
the  most  sensible  and  learned  men  of  this  country.  This,  sir?  will 
shew  you  how  little  I  deserve  the  title  of  "literary  projector/'  which 
you  have  been  pleased  to  confer  upon  me. 

You  have  accused  me  of  misrepresentation.  If  you  will  again 
peruse  what  I  have  said,  and  examine  impartially  into  the  matter 
of  fact,  you  will  perhaps  find  reason  to  recall  your  heavy  charge. 
Not  to  recur  to  the  past,  I  could  mention  many,  who,  at  this  time, 
are  suffered  to  proceed  in  the  irregular  manner  of  which  I  com- 
plained; and  if  there  are  others  more  regular,  A.  B.  may  find  that 


WILLIAM  AND  MAEY  QUARTERLY  109 

it  is  what  I  have  never  denied.  You  tell  us  indeed,  of  particular 
circumstances,  in  which  the  rules  of  the  college  are  dispensed  with ; 
but  you  should  know  that  the  rules  of  a  college  should  submit  to 
no  such  circumstances.  To  teach  the  particular  branches  of  any 
science  is  the  business  of  private  masters  only,  and  beneath  the 
dignity  of  a  professor,  as  well  as  subversive  of  all  order  and  regu- 
larity. 

You  next  inform  us  that  "not  a  literary  honour  has  been  con- 
ferred which  was  not  the  prize  of  public  contest,  or  which  merit 
did  not  claim."  This  is  a  sentence,  the  meaning  of  which  I  do  not 
well  understand.  You  were  speaking,  I  believe,  of  degrees,  and 
I  never  before  knew  that  these  were,  as  a  medal  sometimes  is, 
"the  prize  of  public  contest,"  unless  by  public  contest  is  to  be 
understood  a  private  examination  before  one  or  two  professors. 
I  am  sorry  that  you  should  have  asserted  that  "an  acquaintance 
with  either  of  the  branches  of  science  is  generally  esteemed  worthy 
of  a  reward  (by  which,  if  you  mean  any  thing,  you  must  mean  a 
degree)  in  every  seminary,"  as  there  is  no  gentleman  of  a  liberal 
education  who  does  not  well  know  that,  except  honorary  degrees, 
none  are  conferred  but  upon  such  as  have  attended  a  general  course 
of  lectures,  and  have  proved  themselves,  as  well  in  public  as  in 
private  examination,  acquainted  with  the  principles  of  all  the  lib- 
eral arts  and  sciences.  I  am  sorry,  also,  that  you  should  have  taken 
the  unnecessary  trouble  of  reflecting  on  the  college  in  the  New 
Jersies.  I  assure  you,  sir,  I  am  no  son  of  Nassau,  nor  am  I  much 
acquainted  with  it.  This,  however,  I  do  know,  that  it  deserved  to 
be  better  spoken  of.  The  name  of  Ewing,  who  there  laid  the  foun- 
dation of  that  knowledge,  which  has  since  made  him  esteemed 
amongst  the  literati  in  Europe,  as  well  as  in  America,  should  have 
secured  to  it  more  respect. 

Your  flashes  of  wit  and  ridicule  are  unworthy  of  a  serious  no- 
tice, and  I  am  by  no  means  disposed  to  imitate  you  in  so  con- 
temptible a  species  of  writing.  I  shall  only  observe  that  this 
vitiated  taste  has  of  late  years  prevailed  but  too  much  in  the  pro- 
ductions of  William  and  Mary.  Suffer  me  also  to  add,  that  how- 
ever "weak,  hasty,  and  ill-timed,"  you  may  judge  my  "efforts/1 
I  have  the  pleasure  of  knowing  that  they  have  met  with  the  appro- 


110  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

bation  of  several  gentlemen  in  this  colony,  whose  judgment  I  esteem, 
and  which,  I  fancy,  A.  B.  himself  would  be  far  from  despising. 
I  am,  sir,  your  humble  servant, 

ACADEMICUS. 
From  Virginia  Gazette,  June  2,  1774. 

TO  ACADEMICUS 
SIR, 

The  first  appearance  of  your  address  to  the  public  on  the  sub- 
ject before  us  with  difficulty  extracted  from  me  a  reply  to  a  particu- 
lar part.  Silence  was  considered  for  some  time  as  the  proper  treat- 
ment which  it  merited.  Not  that  I  was  deterred  from  any  diffi- 
culty in  the  undertaking,  for  it  is  an  easy  but  disagreeable  task 
to  point  out  the  absurdities  which  are  often  to  be  met  with  in  the 
opuscula  of  little  writers.  But  since  you  have  dragged  me  forth, 
I  must  once  more  attend  you.  To  do  you  justice,  your  last  should 
really  be  analysed;  for  by  this  means  the  strength  of  your  rea- 
soning, and  the  truth  of  your  assertions,  will  become  more  con- 
spicuous. By  this  means  you  will  appear  in  your  proper  dignity, 
especially  in  the  first  paragraph,  which  must  add  a  peculiar  force 
and  energy  to  your  modes  and  plans.  "When  I  offered  to  the  public 
my  thoughts  on  the  defects  of  the  present  plan  of  education  at  the 
college,  and  proposed  such  a  mode  as  I  thought  would  be  most 
likely  to  remedy  them,"  etc.  So  far  we  allow  that  the  thoughts,  and 
consequently  the  mode  and  plan  proposed  in  those  thoughts,  were 
entirely  your  own.  But  let  us  see  what  follows  a  sentence  or  two 
below :  "To  let  you  into  a  secret,  it  was  by  no  means  a  plan  of  my 
own;"  that  is,  the  thoughts  wherein  the  mode  and  plan  were  pro- 
posed were  by  no  means  your  own,  or  your  thoughts  were  not  your 
thoughts.  This  is  indeed  a  mode  of  reasoning  of  your  own  (and 
as  you  are  fond  of  degrees)  cujus  te  doctor  em  creo.  It  was  highly 
necessary,  however,  that  you  should  let  us  into  this  secret.  But  let 
us  go  a  little  farther :  "It  has  been  deemed  worthy  of  the  adoption 
of  the  professors  of  William  and  Mary  by  some  of  the  most  sensible 
and  learned  men  of  this  country."  Now  indeed  you  have  emerged, 
and  broke  forth  the  great  luminary  of  the  western  world.  These 
plans  and  modes  were  not  your  own,  but  some  of  the  most  sensible 


WILLIAM  AND  MABY  QUARTERLY  111 

and  learned  men  of  this  country  have  thought  them  worthy  of 
adoption.  Academicus  was  the  first  who  saw  their  merit,  and 
thought  them  worthy  of  adoption ;  therefore  Aeademicus  is  the  first 
among  the  most  sensible  and  learned  of  this  country.  Ye  sages! 
it  is  now  ye  must  hide  your  diminished  heads,  it  is  Academicus  who 
shines  the  cynosure  of  America,  to  him  ye  shall  look  up  as  your 
faithful  guide  and  monitor  in  all  your  researches ;  for  what  are  the 
labyrinths  of  philosophy  but  so  many  mazes,  which  lead  to  error, 
unless  he  shall  guide  and  direct  you!  "This,  sir,  will  shew  you 
how  little  I  deserve  the  title  of  literary  projector;"  or  rather  this, 
sir,  will  shew  how  cautious  you  ought  to  be  in  controverting  opin- 
ions before  you  know  from  whence  they  come;  this  will  shew  you 
that  I  am  the  proper  judge  of  all  modes  and  plans,  and  to  let 
you  into  another  secret,  that  my  knowledge  in  all  the  branches  of 
science  has  rendered  me  the  great,  the  wise  Academicus. 

The  merit  of  the  following  paragraph  will  be  found  to  deserve 
the  same  analysis.  The  beauties  of  a  writer  are  never  so  clearly 
discovered  as  when  we  trace  and  consider  each  separate  part,  its 
connections  and  dependencies  upon  the  whole.  After  recommend- 
ing a  second  perusal  to  your  plan,  which  is  indeed  a  hard  injunc- 
tion, you  observe,  "I  could  mention  many  who  at  this  time  are 
suffered  to  proceed  in  the  irregular  manner  of  which  I  complained." 
Suppose  there  are  one  or  two  of  those  who  may  properly  be  called 
students,  the  reason  which  was  given,  you  say,  was,  that  there  must 
be  (in  an  infant  country  especially),  particular  circumstances  in 
which  the  rules  of  a  college  are  dispensed  with.  But  Academicus 
observes,  "you  should  know  that  the  rules  of  a  college  should  sub- 
mit to  no  such  circumstances."  So  far  our  assertions  may  at  least 
balance  one  another.  But  let  us  try  whether  we  cannot  throw  the 
confident  Academicus  into  my  scale,  and  whether  he  may  not  be 
found  in  another  piece  to  admit  of  some  material  indulgencies  in 
an  infant  country.  You  will  find  at  the  head  of  the  tail  of 
Academicus  that  "a  batchelor  of  arts,  of  three  years  standing, 
might  be  entitled  to  a  master's  degree,  without  attending  any  part 
of  his  time  at  college.  This  indulgence  would  be  necessary  in  an 
infant  country,  where  the  majority  are  but  illy  able  (an  expression 
which  should  be  adopted  in  William  and  Mary)  to  support  their 


112  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

sons  at  a  college  for  any  great  number  of  years."  What  are  we  to 
judge  of  an  author  who,  on  the  same  plan,  can  advance  sentiments 
so  diametrically  opposite?  Be  it  your's  to  reconcile  contradic- 
tions. To  make  a  reflection  here  would  really  ~be  an  insult  upon 
the  most  common  understanding.  Permit  me,  however,  to  observe, 
that  this  irregularity  not  only  might,  but  doth  prevail,  in  those 
models  from  which  you  have  taken  your  plans  and  modes,  and 
that,  so  far  from  an  obligation  to  attend  any  part  of  his  time  at 
college,  his  master's  degree  is  sent  in  pursuit  of  him  to  the  most 
distant  provinces. 

Let  us  try  the  next.  It  had  been  observed,  "that  not  a  literary 
honour  has  been  conferred  which  was  not  the  prize  of  public  con- 
test, or  which  merit  did  not  claim."  This  is  a  prof ound  sentence, 
the  depth  of  which  you  cannot  discover.  Degrees,  you  say,  were 
never  known  to  be  the  prize  of  public  contest.  In  your  models, 
perhaps,  they  never  were ;  but  at  Oxford  they  are  considered  as  the 
most  honourable ;  for  you  should  know  that  they  are  not  all,  though 
of  the  same  standing,  considered  as  equally  honourable,  but  that 
they  have  their  distinctions  and  differences  according  to  the  abili- 
ties of  the  person  on  whom  they  are  conferred,  which  are  discov- 
ered by  public  contest,  or  if  you  will,  by  public  disputations.  You 
sound  an  alarm  also  about  public  examinations  before  the  candi- 
dates are  admitted  to  degrees.  In  this,  too,  you  are  sadly  con- 
fused ;  for  at  Oxford  each  candidate  is  in  fact  "privately  examined 
by  the  masters  of  arts.  Now  for  your  sorry  sentences.  "I  am  sorry 
that  you  have  asserted  that  an  acquaintance  with  either  of  the 
branches  of  science  is  generally  esteemed  worthy  of  a  reward  in 
any  seminary,"  etc.,  because  I  suppose  you  have  never  heard  of 
degrees  of  doctor  of  laws,  doctor  of  divinity,  and  many  others. 
As  to  Nassau,  it  matters  not  much,  I  believe,  whether  you  are  a 
son  of  this  or  that  place.  It  will  scarcely  make  so  much  noise  in 
the  world  as  the  natale  solum  of  a  Homer,  and  others  of  the  an- 
tient  sages.  Your  plans  and  modes  were  worthy  of  her  adoption, 
and  therefore  it  was  probably  they  came  from  thence,  or  its  en- 
virons. 

You  were  pleased  in  a  former  piece  to  lay  down  a  proper  plan 
by  which  the  mathematic  school  should  be  conducted.  I  shall  not 


WILLIAM  AND  MABY  QUAHTERLY  113 

take  up  time  to  consider  its  particular  merits,  I  shall  not  ask  you 
why  algebra  is  to  precede  the  first  elements  of  geometry,  why 
fluxions  must  precede  spherical  trigonometry  or  conic  sectiong;  it 
would  be  as  useless  as  absurd.  The  method  which  has  been  for 
three  or  four  years  adopted  is  such  as  has  received  the  sanction  of 
a  Barrow,  a  Newton,  a  McClaurin,  a  Whiston,  a  Saunderson;  and 
shall  this  Academicus  scarcely  emancipated,  perhaps,  from  some 
noisy,  pompous  school,  presume  to  dictate?  You  may  be  of  use  in 
some  departments  of  life;  but  let  me  recommend  modesty,  and  a 
proper  attention  to  your  own  affairs,  as  your  best,  your  surest 
guide.  Beware  of  the  blushing  merits  of  a  Rigby ! 

We  now  advance  towards  the  conclusion,  where  we  find  yon 
extending  your  plbns,  and  in  your  greatness  descending  to  correct 
"that  vitiated  taste  which  has  of  late  years  but  too  much  prevailed/' 
It  is  to  be  lamented  that  you  had  not  given  some  general  plans 
here  also,  from  which  a  proper  taste  in  composition  might  be  at- 
tained. But  no  doubt  considerable  advantages  must  be  derived 
from  the  perusual  of  your  late  performances,  so  fraught,  as  we 
have  seen,  with  all  the  elegancies  of  language,  so  strengthened  with 
all  the  powers  of  reason.  But  I  must  confess  that  your  entrance 
into  this  field  has  made  me  almost  repent  my  undertaking.  We 
should  soon  have  a  quarrel  with  the  criss-cross-row,  and  be  obliged 
to  fight  it  out,  in  a  short  time,  through  all  the  squadrons  of  the 
vowels,  the  mutes,  -the  semivowels,  and  the  liquids.  Here  indeed 
would  be  a  sore  and  endless  labour.  Therefore,  to  spare  both  time 
and  pains,  I  must  beg  leave  to  bid  you  adieu,  but  recommending 
a  like  behaviour  on  your  part,  unless  you  can  oblige  the  world  with 
something  less  crude,  and  better  digested  than  your  present  plans. 
Trust  me,  Academicus,  the  public  has  too  serious  a  game  to  play 
to  be  much  entertained  with  ours. 

A.  B. 
From  Virginia  Gazette,  June  9,  1774. 


CHRIST  CHURCH,  NORFOLK,  BELL  AND  CLOCK. 
By  the  late  H.  B.  BAGNALL,  with  a  Sequel  by  ROBERT  M.  HUGHES. 

In  every  community  churches  which  have  the  prestige  of  age 
are  always  of  historic  interest  to  the  people,  but  with  those  who 
have  worshipped  within  their  walls  in  childhood  and  maturer 
years,  the  feeling  is  deeper;  they  are  the  heart's  holiest  shrine  to 
many.  This  is  what  old  Christ  Church  stands  for  today,  although 
present  conditions  are  so  much  out  of  harmony  with  the  past  it  is 
still  the  sanctuary  of  memory,  the  church  of  bygone  years  which 
the  heart  loved. 

The  conflagration  of  Friday,  March  9,  1827,  destroyed  many 
buildings  in  Norfolk,  among  them  was  Christ  Church,  the  first  of 
the  name.  This  left  the  Episcopalians  of  the  borough  without  a 
home  as  the  old  parish  church  from  long  disuse  had  become  dis- 
mantled, prompt  action  was  therefore  necessary. 

The  building  committee,  consisting  of  Messrs.  John  Southgate, 
R.  E.  Steed,  Thomas  Williamson  and  Miles  King,  procured  a  new 
site  on  the  corner  of  Freemason  and  Cumberland  streets  and  pro- 
ceeded at  once  to  have  a  church  built  thereon. 

Mr.  Levi  Swain,  architect  and  contractor,  was  entrusted  with 
its  erection.  The  building  was  so  satisfactory  that  upon  comple- 
tion Christ  Church^  the  second,  was  conceded  to  be  the  handsomest 
church  of  its  date  in  Virginia.  The  imposing  pillared  vestibule 
prepared  the  visitor  for  the  attractive  interior;  there  were  eighty- 
eight  pews  below  and  forty-two  in  the  galleries;  the  chancel  arch 
was  of  artistic  finish  and  on  a  ground  of  blue  in  gilt  letters  were 
inscribed  the  words  from  Jeremiah:  "0  Earth,  Earth,  Hear  the 
Word  of  the  Lord !"  Loving  friends  had  already  made  costly  gifts 
to  the  sanctuary,  among  them  was  Mrs.  John  Taylor,  who  presented 
the  pulpit  lamps;  Commodore  W.  M.  Crane,  U.  S.  N.,  sent  from 
Italy  the  beautiful  marble  font  so  long  in  use,  the  new  organ  was 
highly  praised  by  the  musicians  of  the  day  for  the  quality  of  its 
tone. 

Sunday,  November  9,  1828,  marked  the  completion  of  the 
church,  and  was  the  date  of  its  dedication.  The  clergymen  present 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUAETEELY  115 

at  the  morning  service  were  Et.  Rev.  Richard  Channing  Moore, 
bishop  of  the  diocese  of  Virginia ;  Rev.  James  B.  Buxton,  of  Eliza- 
beth City,  N.  C. ;  Rev.  J.  H.  Wingfield,  of  Portsmouth ;  Rev.  Mark 
L.  Cheevers,  of  Hampton;  Rev.  John  Cole,  of  Surry;  Rev.  John 
Grammar,  of  Dinwiddie;  Rev.  Ira  Parker,  of  Nansemond,  and 
Rev.  J.  H.  Ducachet,  the  rector  of  the  church,  who  preached  the 
dedicatory  sermon  from  the  text  inscribed  on  the  arch;  of  course 
the  bishop  was  in  charge.  There  was  a  second  service  in  the  after- 
noon with  a  sermon  from  Mr.  Grammar.  The  bishop  confirmed  a 
class  at  night. 

Monday  evening,  November  10th,  a  grand  oratorio  was  given  in 
the  new  church,  with  a  large  audience  present  to  enjoy  the  music 
and  also  to  observe  the  beauty  of  the  building  when  lighted. 

The  citizens  were  deeply  interested  upon  being  informed  that 
the  church  was  to  have  a  bell  and  clock,  the  only  church  bell  in  the 
town  hung  in  the  steeple  of  the  Presbyterian  church;  the  promise 
of  the  clock  meant  much  to  all  classes.  In  January,  1829,  Stephen 
Russell  came  to  Norfolk  from  Philadelphia  and  established  a  foun- 
dry on  Briggs  Point,  at  the  eastern  end  of  Holt  street.  The  order 
for  the  bell  was  given  to  the  new  firm,  the  first  and  only  church  bell 
ever  cast  in  Norfolk.  Some  of  the  members  showed  their  interest 
by  visiting  the  foundry  and  when  the  metal  was  in  a  state  of  fusion 
threw  in  silver  coins  to  add  to  the  silvery  tone  and  also  to  have  a 
personal  part  in  its  composition.  The  cost  was  $490.95 ;  as  the  bill 
was  paid  January  4,  1830,  the  bell  was  probably  delivered  in  the 
fall  of  1829. 

Henry  Lukens,  of  Philadelphia,  was  in  his  day  perhaps  the  best 
known  of  the  American  clock-makers.  Messrs  Riggs  and  Co.  are 
his  successors.  The  historic  timepiece  of  Independence  Hall  came 
from  the  Lukens  establishment.  To  this  firm  was  entrusted  the 
order  for  Christ  Church  clock,  which  was  carefully  executed.  The 
schooner  Naomi  arrived  in  Norfolk,  November  25,  with  all  the 
parts  ready  for  installation  in  the  new  tower.  The  cost  was  $863.63, 
as  shown  by  bill  paid  December  11,  1829. 

The  new  timepiece  became  the  friend  of  all  the  citizens,  house- 
hold and  business  affairs  were  largely  regulated  by  it  as  the  town 
clock,  when  its  hammer  fell  upon  the  bell  and  the  strokes  an- 


116  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

nounced  the  passing  hours  the  sound  was  musical  to  the  ear.  For 
30  years  it  reckoned  time  without  an  accident,  but  in  1859  as  the 
sexton  was  ringing  for  a  service  the  bell  cracked  under  the  pres- 
sure! although  its  discordant  notes  were  unlike  the  tones  of  the 
olden  days  it  was  not  disturbed  until  1860  when  the  order  for  a 
new  one  was  given  to  Messrs.  Maneely  and  Sons,  of  West  Troy, 
N.  Y.  This  bell  arrived  in  Norfolk  June  5,  1860;  its  weight  of 
1,218  pounds  indicated  that  it  was  larger  than  the  old.  . 

The  Russell  bell  of  1829  sounded  its  farewell  notes  Sunday, 
June  6,  1860.  On  the  day  following  it  was  removed  and  the  new 
one  took  its  place.  This  is  the  bell  which  now  hangs  in  the  tower 
of  Christ  Church,  the  third  on  Olney  Road.  To  those  who  cher- 
ish the  past,  its  music  is  sweeter  than  cathedral  chimes  or  the  bells 
of  Shandon. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Select  Council  held  November  16,  1865, 
it  was  ordered  that  because  of  its  public  convenience  the  city  ap- 
pointed a  keeper  of  Christ  church  clock  at  an  annual  salary  of  $50 ; 
his  duties  being  to  wind  and  regulate  the  same.  The  Common 
Council  concurred  December  5th,  1865,  and  the  office  then  created 
became  effective  January  1,  1866,  Mr.  Gotlieb  Mayer  was  the  first 
appointee ;  he  and  his  successors  remained  in  office  until  September 
1?  1904,  when  the  councils  failed  to  appoint  a  keeper;  the  question 
was  reopened  but  nothing  was  definitely  determined  and  the  an- 
cient timepiece  entered  upon  the  period  of  its  long  silence. 

Reader,  do  these  lines  bring  back  any  recollections  to  you? 
Was  the  clock  a  part  of  your  life,  its  place  in  the  hearts  of  many 
was  that  of  a  friend;  are  you  among  the  number?  Does  memory 
recall  school  days  at  the  Norfolk  Academy,  when  you  rejoiced  to 
hear  it  strike  because  it  told  that  the  closing  hour  was  near  and 
freedom  would  soon  be  yours?  Have  you  forgotten  the  vigils  of 
the  night  when  illness  in  the  home  made  sleep  impossible  the  clock 
struck  the  early  morning  hours  and  you  were  encouraged,  believ- 
ing that  when  "the  day  broke  the  shadows  would  flee  away";  are 
there  old  wounds  which  bleed  afresh  when  the  heart  is  reminded 
of  funeral  processions  leaving  the  church  for  the  cemetery,  while 
the  bell  tolled  so  solemnly? 

Above  everything  sweeter  than  all  else  earthly,  are  memories 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY  117 

of  the  services  held  within  the  dear  old  church  with  clock  and  bell 
calling  the  people  to  the  house  of  prayer.  The  different  rectors 
beloved  and  honored,  the  bishop's  visitations,  the  peaceful  hours 
of  the  Holy  Communion,  the  Christmas  festivals,  the  solemn  fasts 
and  joyful  Easter  days,  the  organists  and  their  choirs.  Reader,  are 
all  these  memories  yours;  could  anything  tempt  you  to  part  with 
them? 

The  old  clock,  the  worn  sentinel  of  time,  now  rests  in  its  quiet 
grave  in  the  church  tower,  after  marking  the  passing  hours  for 
seventy-five  years;  its  voice  is  hushed  into  the  stillness  of  death 
though  silent  it  yet  speaks  for  the  past  is  in  the  keeping  of  hearts 
that  do  not  forget. 

•  H.  B.  BAGNALL. 


CONTINUATION. 

By  Robert  M.  Hughes. 

As  stated  in  the  above  eloquent  article  of  Boswell  Bagnall,  the 
bell  which  had  been  in  use  in  the  Freemason  street  building  of 
the  Christ  church  congregation  was  removed  to  the  new  building  on 
Olney  Road,  where  it  still  performs  its  ancient  duties.  But  it 
was  found,  much  to  the  regret  of  the  vestry,  that  the  clock  could 
not  be  removed.  There  was  no  place  on  the  tower  of  the  new  church 
where  it  would  fit,  except  at  an  elevation  so  great  as  to  make  it 
too  indistinct.  Consequently  it  was  left  in  the  Freemason  street 
building. 

When  that  building  was  sold  to  the  Greek  congregation,  the 
clock  was  excepted  from  the  sale. 

On  January  10,  1919,  the  vestry  decided  that  the  best  disposi- 
tion to  make  of  it,  in  view  of  its  historic  associations,  was  to  do- 
nate it  to  the  College  of  William  and  Mary,  and  passed  a  resolution 
to  that  effect.  The  board  of  visitors  of  the  college  accepted  it  in 
the  following  resolution: 

RESOLVED,  That  this  board  tenders  its  cordial  thanks 
to  the  vestry  of  Christ  Episcopal  Church,  Elizabeth 
River  Parish,  Norfolk,  Virginia,  for  the  clock,  which  was  so 


118  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

long  in  service  in  its  Freemason  street  building;  and  wel- 
comes it  as  a  renewed  bond  between  the  College  of  William 
and  Mary  and  that  church  which  furnished  to  our  roll  of 
alumni  Littleton  Waller  Tazewell,  Robert  B.  Taylor  and 
others  hardly  less  distinguished. 
The  clock  had  not  run  for  many  years.  Mr.  J.  Klavans,  of  this 

city,  was  employed  to  examine  it,  and  if  found  capable  of  repair, 

to  remove  it  to  the  cupola  of  the  college.     It  was  found  to  need 

nothing  but  a  general  overhauling  and  cleaning.     The  works  were 

all  of  metal,  and  not  a  cog  was  even  worn. 

It  was  thoroughly  re-conditioned,  taken  to  Williamsburg  and 

installed  in  the  college  belfry,  where  it  is  performing  good  service. 
When  the  clock  was  taken  down  preparatory  to  its  removal,  the 

following  inscription  was  found  upon  a  plate  attached  to  the  main 

frame : 

ISAIAH  LUKENS 

Fecit.  No.  14 

Philadelphia,  Nov.  12, 

1820. 

Isaiah  Lukens  came  from  a  Dutch  family,  which  settled  in 
Germantown,  Pennsylvania,  as  early  as  1685.  In  1820  he  con- 
structed -in  the  tower  of  Independence  Hall,  Philadelphia,  the 
clock  which  replaced  the  original  one  made  by  Peter  Stretch  in 
1759.  In  1878,  it  was  decided  to  substitute  a  larger  one,  and  his 
clock  was  taken  down  and  removed  to  the  town  hall  at  Germantown, 
where,  so  far  as  the  writer  is  informed,  it  still  remains,  having 
thus  by  a  happy  coincidence,  found  its  way  to  the  ancestral  home 
of  its  constructor. 


THE  MCCARTHY  FAMILY. 

By  ARTHUR  LESLIE  KEITH,  Northfield,  Minn. 

Introduction.  A  new  book,  The  McCarthys  in  Early  Ameri- 
can History,  by  Michael  J.  O'Brien,  has  just  come  off  the  press. 
This  book  represents  a  prodigious  amount  of  work,  and  for  the 
data  assembled  from  so  many  sources  Mr.  O'Brien  is  certainly  en- 
titled to  a  vote  of  thanks.  No  one  interested  in  the  McCarthy 
family  can  afford  to  be  without  this  book.  It  is  of  course  impos- 
sible that  a  work  so  extensive  as  this  is  should  be  altogether  free 
from  errors.  But  while  this  is  so,  it  is  extremely  unfortunate  that 
errors  of  a  most  se*rious  nature  occur,  particularly,  in  the  account 
of  the  Virginia  McCarthys,  which  can  not  be  overlooked.  The 
author  shows  a  regrettable  incapacity  for  distinguishing  between 
tradition  and  record,  an  inability  to  analyze  a  record  even  when 
he  has  one,  and  a  tendency  to  jump  too  readily  to  conclusions.  He 
offers  statements  without  the  faintest  semblance  of  authoritative 
record  in  a  manner  that  is  staggering.  It  will  be  sufficient  to  in- 
dicate only  a  few  such  cases. 

On  pages  14-15  he  makes  Daniel  McCarthy  of  Westmoreland 
County  the  son  of  a  Donal  McCarthy.  Not  a  shred  of  evidence 
does  he  furnish  to  prove  this  claim.  Nothing  can  be  more  certain 
than  that  this  Daniel  was  the  son  of  Dennis  who  married  Elizabeth 
Billington.  The  author  lightly  dismisses  Hayden's  claim  that 
Daniel  was  the  son  of  this  Dennis  with  the  cavalier  remark  that 
"he  is  clearly  mistaken  in  this  assumption."  But  did  Mr.  O'Brien 
ever  read  the  will  of  Daniel  McCarty,  probated  in  Westmoreland  in 
1724?  In  this  will  the  testator  mentions  "uncle  Joseph  Tayloe" 
and  "aunt  Barbara  Tayloe",  wife  of  Joseph.  Now  Joseph  Tayloe 
and  wife  Barbara  of  Lancaster  County  on  May  22,  1710  made  deed 
for  land  patented  by  Luke  Billington,  and  Barbara's  two  sisters  as 
coheirs  joined  in  this  deed.  That  is,  Joseph  Tayloe  married  Bar- 
bara Billington  and  she  was  aunt  of  Daniel  McCarty  of  West- 
moreland. But  if  that  is  not  sufficient  proof  that  Daniel  was  the 
son  of  Dennis  who  married  Elizabeth  Billington,  what  will  Mr. 
O'Brien  say  of  the  clause  in  the  will  of  Daniel  McCarty  of  West- 


120  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

moreland,  1724  (the  will  in  which  he  mentions  sons  Dennis, 
Daniel,  Thaddeus,  and  Billington)  in  which  he  leaves  son  Billing- 
ton,  land  in  Farnham  Parish,  Richmond  County,  which  (as  the 
testator  says  in  his  will)  belonged  to  my  "grandfather  Billington"  ? 
The  matter  is  beyond  dispute.  The  evidence  is  overwhelming  (if 
Mr.  O'Brien  cares  for  evidence)  that  Hay  den  was  right  in  assum- 
ing Dennis  of  Eappahannock  as  father  of  the  Daniel  of  Westmore- 
land, the  same  whose  will  was  probated  in  1724. 

With  this  claim  goes  also  the  claim  of  the  author  that  the 
Daniel  of  Westmoreland  was  exiled  to  the  colonies  about  1692. 
His  sole  evidence  for  this  assertion  is  a  letter  written  in  1884, 
nearly  200  years  after  the  supposed  event,  a  letter  which  offers  not 
one  scrap  of  contemporary  record.  It  is  past  understanding  that 
the  author  should  consider  this  as  evidence. 

On  page  10  the  author  says:  "This  latter  Dennis  Maccartee 
must  have  been  the  son  of  the  first  Dennis,  since  the  latter  died  in 
1694."  How  does  he  know  this?  By  inspiration?  The  will  of 
Dennis  Me C arty  was  in  existence  a  few  years  ago,  in  which  will  he 
names  his  children  Daniel  and  Katherine,  minors,  as  joint  heirs. 
If  there  had  been  a  son  Dennis,  we  should  expect  him  to  be  men- 
tioned, and  lacking  such  mention  we  should  want  concrete  evi- 
dence from  some  other  source  that  he  had  a  son  Dennis.  Mr. 
O'Brien  on  page  13  assigns  a  son  Florence  to  the  Dennis  of  Eap- 
pahannock. On  what  evidence? 

On  page  15  he  says  that  Daniel,  son  of  Dennis,  was  buried  in 
Farnham  Parish  on  Aug.  6,  1739.  How  does  he  know  that  this 
Daniel  was  the  son  of  Dennis?  It  is  far  more  likely  that  this 
Daniel  was  the  young  son  of  Billington  (and  the  records  show 
that  he  had  a  son  named  Daniel)  and  since  he  is  not  mentioned  in 
Billington  McCarty's  will,  1745,  this  son  Daniel  had  probably  pre- 
deceased him.  Certainly,  the  Daniel  dying  in  1739  was  not  the 
son  of  Dennis. 

The  author  on  page  15  refers  to  the  discrepancy  in  the  age  of 
Daniel  McCarty,  the  register  giving  his  birth  as  1684  and  the 
tombstone  showing  that  he  died  in  1724  at  the  age  of  49.  From 
this  discrepancy  Mr.  O'Brien  may  excusably  infer  that  there  were 
two  of  the  same  name.  I  admit  the  difficulty  of  the  situation  but 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY  121 

nevertheless  I  believe  they  are  one  and  the  same  Daniel.  There 
are  far  worse  discrepancies  that  undoubtedly  refer  to  the  same  per- 
son. 

On  page  55  he  states  that  Thaddeus,  son  of  Major  Dennis  and 
Sarah  (Ball)  McCarty,  was  born  Apr.  1,  1739  and  married  Ann 
Chinn.  This  is  undoubtedly  erroneous.  The  present  writer  has 
the  testimony  of  several  descendants  of  Thaddeus,  son  of  Major 
Dennis,  to  the  effect  that  the  said  "Thaddeus  married  Sarah  Rich- 
ardson, and  that  he  was  the  son  and  not  the  nephew  of  Major 
Dennis.  He  lived  in  Loudoun  County  where  in  1740  land  was 
patented  for  him  by  his  father.  This  land  was  on  Goose  Creek. 
He  refers  to  this  land  in  his  will  probated  in  Loudoun  County  in 
1812,  in  which  will  he  mentions  wife  Sarah  Elizabeth.  There  was 
a  Thaddeus  McCarty  who  married  Ann  Chinn  but  he  was  of  Rich- 
mond County  and  there  is  no  reason  for  doubting  that  he  was  the 
son  of  Billington  McCarty. 

On  page  83  the  author  assumes  as  the  father  of  Cornelius, 
Thomas,  Nancy,  and  Betsy  McCarthy  (they  were  brothers  and 
sisters)  a  Cornelius  McCarthy.  He  gives  no  evidence  for  this  as- 
sertion. He  apparently  means  the  Cornelius  McCarthy  mentioned 
on  same  page  who  bought  land  of  Bertrand  Ewell  on  Aug.  18,  1749. 
But  this  Cornelius  died  in  1755.  His  will,  describing  himself  as 
of  Prince  William  County,  was  probated  in  Stafford  County,  in 
1755.  The  writer  has  copy  of  this  will.  It  is  obvious  that  he  could 
not  be  the  father  of  Thomas,  Cornelius,  Nancy,  and  Betsy,  for 
Cornelius  was  not  born  before  1765  and  Betsy  was  born  in  1771. 

In  his  book  the  author  has  without  doubt  assembled  many 
valuable  facts.  But  the  ascertainable  errors  throw  the  shadow  of 
doubt  upon  them  and  make  it  necessary  to  scrutinize  them  care- 
fully before  accepting  them. 

The  accompanying  article,  now  for  the  first  time  offered  for 
publication,  was  written  before  Mr.  O'Brien's  work  was  out. 

McCARTY. 

Meade  and  others  in  speaking  of  the  McCarty  family  say  that 
there  were  two  brothers,  named  Daniel  and  Dennis  McCarty  who 
came  to  Virginia  about  1670.  This  statement  of  the  two  brothers 


122  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

may  be  correct  but  no  certain  record  has  as  yet  been  found  that 
the  Daniel  and  Dennis  McCarty  who  appear  in  the  early  Virginia 
history  were  brothers.  Dennis  McCarty's  history  is  fairly  well 
known,  and  will  be  given  below.  The  following  references  con- 
cern Daniel  McCarty,  the  supposed  brother  of  Dennis.  Daniel 
McCarty  in  Northumberland  County,  Virginia,  had  wife  Frances 
in  1691,  at  which  time  they  received  a  grant  for  land.  In  same 
county  on  Jan.  19,  1708,  one  Dennis  McCarty,  born  1693,  chose 
John  Hill  as  guardian.  This  Dennis  could  not  have  been  a  de- 
scendant of  the  older  Dennis,  mentioned  above,  but  was  very  proba- 
bly the  son  of  the  Daniel  appearing  in  Northumberland  County 
in  1691.  One  Daniel  McCarty  and  wife  Barbary  made  a  deed 
in  Richmond  County,  Virginia,  in  1698.  Both  made  their  marks. 
This  Daniel  may  have  been  the  one  given  above  as  of  Northumber- 
land County.  Possibly  however  he  was  the  son  of  Dennis  Mc- 
Carty but  if  so  he  must  have  been  married  very  young  and  we  have 
no  record  that  this  Daniel  ever  had  a  wife  named  Barbara.  If  this 
Barbara  was  the  wife  of  Daniel,  son  of  Dennis,  the  other  marriages 
of  Daniel  were  his  second  and  third  and  not  his  first  and  second, 
as  has  commonly  been  supposed,  and  the  marriage  with  Barbara 
was  the  first.  If,  as  seems  more  likely,  this  Daniel  was  the  older 
one  of  the  name,  then  the  marriage  with  Barbara  was  the  second 
and  the  marriage  with  Frances,  the  first.  No  further  record  of 
Daniel  McCarty,  supposed  brother  of  Dennis,  and  of  his  descendants 
is  known.  Possibly  the  McCartys  of  Overwharton  Parish^  Stafford 
County,  Virginia,  descend  from  him,  for  whom  see  below. 

Before  taking  up  the  Dennis  McCarty  in  whom  we  are  particu- 
larly concerned  in  this  paper  we  note  a  few  references  pertaining 
to  a  Dennis  McCarty  who  is  possibly  not  identical  with  the  above. 
Dennis  McCartee  in  1675  in  Norfolk  County,  Virginia,  sold  to 
Adam  Keeling  250  acres  formerly  belonging  to  Thomas  Allen  of 
Lynnhaven.  In  same  year  Dennis  McCartagh  of  Norfolk  County, 
Virginia,  bought  150  acres  of  Edmund  Moore  on  east  shore  of 
Lynnhaven.  This  same  Dennis  apparently,  received  grant  for  400 
acres  on  Oct.  20,  1691,  in  Princess  Ann  County,  Virginia,  and  in 
1693  is  described  as  being  old,  lame,  and  poor.  If  he  was  any 


WILLIAM  AND  MABY  QUARTERLY  123 

relation  to  the  Dennis  appearing  in  the  counties  farther  north,  it 
is  not  now  known. 

We  take  up  next  the  Dennis  McCarty  of  Rappahannock  County, 
Virginia,  one  of  the  two  brothers  to  whom  Meade  refers,  and  here 
we  are  on  surer  ground.    He  is  probably  identical  with  the  Dennis 
Carty  (sic)  of  Northumberland  County,  Virginia,  Ensign  in  the 
Susquehanna  war,  1676.    On  Dec.  20,  1686,  Rebecca  Rice,  wife  of 
John  Rice,  merchant,  of  Rappahannock  County,  appointed  Mr. 
Dennis  McCartie  of  Rappahannock  County,  her  friend,   as  her 
attorney  to  give  consent  in  the  matter  of  a  deed  made  by  herself  and 
husband.    On  Sept.  15,  1691,  Mr.  Dennis  McCartie  of  Rappahan- 
nock County,  received  250  acres  in  Northumberland  County,  Vir- 
ginia, on  a  branch  ftf  Wicomico  River  and  joining l^r.  James  Pope. 
Dennis   McCarty   married   about    1677   to   Elizabeth   Billington, 
daughter  of  Luke  Billington,  of  whom  some  account  will  be  given 
below.     By  this  marriage  there  seem  to  have  been  only  two  chil- 
dren who  grew  to  maturity,  namely,  Katherine  and  Daniel.     Ac- 
cording to  the  records    of    North    Farnham   Parish,  Richmond 
County,  Virginia,  Catherine,  daughter  of  Dennis  and  Elizabeth 
McCarty,  was  born  Apr.  16,  1678;  and  Daniel,  son  of  Dennis  and 
Elizabeth  McCarty,  was  born  Mch  19,  1684.     This  last  date  how- 
ever is  in  conflict  with  the  age  of  Daniel  McCarthy  as  given  on  his 
tombstone,  which  is  given  as  45,  and  as  he  died  May  4,  1724,  this 
age  if  correct  would  carry  his  birth  back  to  1679.     Undoubtedly 
they  refer  to  the  same  Daniel.    I  am  inclined  to  accept  the  earlier 
date  as  correct-. 

Dennis  McCarty's  will  was  probated  in  Richmond  County,  Vir- 
ginia on  Apr.  4,  1694,  in  which  he  names  his  children  Daniel  and 
Katherine,  minors,  as  his  joint  heirs.  As  Daniel  appears  to  have 
been  the  only  son,  all  the  later  generations  of  McCarty s  descend 
from  him.  The  daughter  Katherine  is  probably  the  Mrs.  (sic) 
Kath  McCarty  who  with  Capt.  Daniel  McCarty,  was  named  as  heir 
of  Darby  Driskall  in  1720  in  Westmoreland  County,  Virginia. 
The  Mrs.  prefixed  to  her  name  might  indicate  that  she  had  mar- 
ried a  man  of  the  same  surname  but  more  likely  it  designates  a 
spinster  lady  of  mature  years  and  she  probably  died  unmarried. 
At  this  point  we  digress  in  order  to  trace  the  history  of  the 


124  WILLIAM  AND  MAEY  QTJAETEELY 

Billington  family.     Nicholas  Bullington    (sic)    was   in   Henrico 
County,  Virginia,  in  1624.     In  the  same  county  George  Bulling- 
ton appears  in  1664  and  Robert  Bullington  in  1679,  and  Nicholas 
Bullington  again  in  1691  (will).    Between  these  Bullingtons  and 
Luke  Billington  there  is  no  known  connection.     Luke  Billington 
first  appears  in  Accomac  County,  Virginia,  in  1654   (patent  of 
land).    Luke  Billington  in  1663  patented  250  acres  in  Rappahan- 
nock  County,  Virginia.    In  1669  he  patented  679  acres  in  Rappa- 
hannock  County.     Luke  Billington  in  Farnham  Parish,  Rappa- 
hannock  County  made  will  Nov.  13,  1671,  probated  May  2'3,  1672. 
He  names  his  wife  Barbara  as  executor ;  he  names  son  Luke ;  daugh- 
ters Eliza,  Elitia,  Jane,  Barbary,  and  Mary;  grandchild  William 
Daniell;   friends  William   Travers,    Gyles    Gate    (?),   Dr.   John 
Russell,  as  trustees.    The  will  was  witnessed  by  Henry  Spears  and 
John  Russell.     Barbary  Billington    (undoubtedly  the  widow   of 
Luke)  of  Rappahannock  County,  made  will  Aug.  7,  1674,  pro- 
bated Oct.  21,  1674.     She  mentions  son  Luke  Billington;  daugh- 
ters Jane  and  Barbary;  daughter  Elishe   (Elitia?)   Russell;  son 
Luke  and  daughter  Elishe  to  be  executors;  Robert  Bayley,  Henry 
Clerk,  and  Samuel  Peachey  to  act  as  overseers.    The  will  was  wit- 
nessed by  John  Stone,  Henry  Wilson,  and  Nathaniel  Richardson. 
Eliza  (Elizabeth),  mentioned  in  the  will  of  Luke  Billington  in 
1671,  is  not  mentioned  in  the  will  of  his  widow.    She  had  proba- 
bly before  this  time,  that  is,  Aug.  7,  1674,  married  Dennis  Mc- 
Carty.    Barbara  Billington,  daughter  of  Luke  and  Barbara,  later 
married  Joseph  Tayloe.     As  seen  in  Barbara  Billington's  will, 
1674,  Elitia  had  married  a  Russell.     Another  daughter,  possibly 
one  of  those  named  in  Luke's  will,  had  married  a  Daniell,  prior 
to  1671.    Possibly  Darby  Driskall  who  made  will  in  Westmoreland 
County  in  1720,  probated  1720,  married  one  of  the  other  daugh- 
ters of  Luke  Billington,  for  as  we  have  already  seen,  he  names 
Capt.  Daniel  McCarty  and  Mrs.  Kath  McCarty  as  his  heirs  along 
with  Robert  Bayly,  John  Gore,  David  Williamson,  and  Edward 
Clark,  some  of  which  names  are  found  in  the  will  of  Barbara  Bill- 
ington, 1674.    Luke  Billington  of  Rappahannock  County  made  will 
Jan.  25,  1686,  probated  Mch.  2,  1686-7,  in  which  he  mentions 
Teige   (?)    McDonough,  William  Robinson,  Ann  Robinson,  and 


WILLIAM  AND  MAEY  QUARTERLY  125 

brother  Carty;  sister  Barbara;  his  pistols  are  to  go  to  "little 
Daniell  McCarty".  This  will  was  nuncupative.  The  witnesses 
were  Teige  (?)  McDonough  and  Lawrence  Hennings.  As  Luke 
Billington  apparently  died  without  issue  and  as  he  was  the  only 
son  of  Luke  Billington  Sr  it  is  evident  that  the  male  line  of  Luke 
Billington,  Sr  became  extinct  with  the  death  of  Luke  Billington,  Jr 
in  1686-7.  The  name  Billington  as  a  first  name  was  carried  down 
througd  many  geiitiations  in  the  HcCoity  family. 

Daniel  McCarty,  son  of  Dennis  and  Elizabeth  Billington  Mc- 
Carty, was  born  in  1679  or  1684  (see  above)  and  died  May  4, 
1724.  He  was  possibly  but  not  likely  the  Daniel  McCarty  who  had 
wife  Barbary  in  Eichmond  County,  Virginia  in  1698.  He  cer- 
tainly married  Elizabeth  Payne,  widow  of  William  Payne  and 
eldest  daughter  of  Col.  Humphrey  Pope.  She  had  four  children 
named  Payne  and  eight  named  McCarty.  Daniel  McCarty  mar- 
ried again  to  Mrs.  Ann  Fitzhugh,  widow  of  William  Fitzhugh  und 
daughter  of  Richard  and  Lettice  Corbin  Lee.  Daniel  McCarty  had 
no  children  by  this  marriage.  Col.  Humphrey  Pope  by  virtue  of 
being  the  father  of  Daniel  McCarty's  wife  is  the  ancestor  of  all 
the  subsequent  generations  of  McCartys  of  this  line.  Ho  married 
Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Richard  Hawkins.  He  lived  not  far  from 
Col.  Nathaniel  Pope,  the  ancestor  of  George  Washington,  and 
there  was  probably  a  relationship  between  these  two  Popes  but  it 
is  not  known  now. 

The  following  references  pertaining  to  Daniel  McCarty  are 
found.  William  Carr  of  Westmoreland  County  in  his  will  dated 
Jan.  13,  1702-3  mentions  his  grandsons  (so  Crozier  but  probably 
intended  for  godsons)  Daniel  McCarty  and  George  Eskridge.  In 
1704  Daniel  McCarty  and  Daniel  Tebbs  patented  1350  acres  in 
Richmond  County,  Virginia.  On  July  26,  1706  Daniel  McCarty  in 
St.  Stephen's  Parish,  Northumberland  County,  Virginia,  witnessed 
the  will  of  Rodham  Kenner.  In  1707  he  patented  151  acres  in 
Westmoreland  County.  On  Feb.  5,  1707  he  was  attorney  for  the 
King  in  Richmond  County,  Virginia,  in  regard  to  the  estate  of 
Col.  John  Washington.  In  1706  Daniel  McCarty  was  a  member 
of  the  House  of  Burgesses  representing  Westmoreland  County.  He 
was  Speaker  of  the  House  of  Burgesses  for  the  years  171548,  and 


126  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

a  Burgess  again  in  1723.  In  1718  he  was  recommended  as  a  Com- 
missioner of  the  Customs  for  the  Potomac  Eiver.  In  1715  he  was 
named  as  executor  to  the  will  of  Francis  Spencer  of  Westmoreland 
County,  George  Eskridge  Jr,  being  one  of  the  heirs.  We  shall 
return  to  Daniel  McCarty's  will  a  little  later. 

Col.  Daniel  McCarty  was  buried  at  Yeocomico  Church.  In 
1907  as  his  tomb  was  being  righted  an  unknown  and  unsuspected 
slab,  broken  and  badly  mutilated  was  found  beneath  his  tomb.  This 
slab  is  hopelessly  defaced  in  places  but  still  gives  very  valuable 
information.  It  marks  the  burying  place  of  Elizabeth,  wife  first 
of  William  Payne  and  second  of  Daniel  McCarty.  It  reads  as 
follows :  ...  h  the  Body  of  ELIZABETH  .  .  .  er  of 
Humphrey  Pope  Gent  by  ....  is  wife,  first  the  wife  of  ...  ne, 
Gentleman,  to  whom  sh  .  .  .  .  ns  and  two  daughters  and  las  ... 
Daniel  McCarty,  Esq  to  ....  was  married  the  19th  Oct  .... 
ore  four  sons  and  four  daug  ....  BARBARA  the  30th  of  No- 
vem  ....  7th  of  Novem  ....  of  March  ....  1705  .... 
....  1709  ....  1709  Sarah  ....  and  Thaddeus  the  .... 
1  BER  1712.  She  was  Born  ...  of  June  1667  &  departed  .  .  .  e 
21st  and  was  entombed  ....  year  of  her  A  .... 

Some  of  these  lacunae  can  be  filled  from  other  sources  of  in- 
formation. We  know  that  Elizabeth  Payne  bore  her  husband  Wil- 
liam Payne  two  sons.  The  names  of  only  three  of  Daniel's  chil- 
dren appear  in  the  above  inscription  but  the  other  five  can  be  made 
out  from  Daniel's  will  dated  1724.  Dennis  should  probably  come 
next  to  Barbara  as  he  was  maried  in  1724  and  was  the  oldest  son. 
Daniel,  who  is  called  the  second  son  of  Daniel,  probably  comes  next 
to  Dennis.  As  he  is  the  second  son  his  place  obviously  could  not 
be  after  1709.  Billington  may  be  the  one  represented  by  the  inscrip- 
tion as  born  in  1705  or  else  one  of  the  twins  born  in  1709.  If  Bil- 
lington belongs  to  1705  the  twins  of  1709  are  Winifred  and  Lettice. 
It  will  be  observed  that  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Humphrey  Pope, 
was  born  in  1667.  If  we  assign  Daniel  McCarty  the  earlier  of  the 
two  dates  found  for  his  birth  she  was  twelve  years  older  than  her 
husband. 

Capt.  Daniel  McCarty  of  Cople  Parish,  Westmoreland  County, 
Virginia,  made  will  Mch  29,  1724,  probated  June  9,  1724.  To  son 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY  127 

Dennis  he  leaves  all  land  in  Stafford  County.  Son  Billington  is 
to  receive  land  in  Farnham  Parish,  Richmond  County  that  be- 
longed to  the  testator's  grandfather  Billington,  and  also  land  in 
Northumberland  County.  Son  Daniel  is  to  receive  land  in  West- 
moreland County.  Son  Thaddeus  is  to  receive  land  in  Richmond 
County  that  belonged  to  Capt.  John  Rice.  Daughters  Winifred 
and  Sarah  are  mentioned ;  also  daughter  Mrs.  Anna  Barbara  Fitz- 
hugh  and  his  grandchildren  (probably  her  children  were  his  only 
grandchildren  at  this  time).  Son  Mr.  Henry  Fitzhugh  (his  step- 
son). Son-in-law  William  Payne  (stepson  again,  the  son  of  his 
first  wife  by  her  first  husband).  First  wife's  daughters  Elizabeth 
Sherman  and  Mary  Burns.  Mention  is  made  of  "my  uncle"  Mr. 
Joseph  Tayloe,  late  clerk  of  Lancaster  and  "my  aunt"  Mrs.  Bar- 
bara Tayloe  (she  was  the  daughter  of  Luke  Billington).  "My 
brothers"  Philip,  Francis,  Thomas,  and  Henry  Lee  (his  second 
wife's  brothers).  Friend  Capt.  Eskridge.  Directs  that  his  son 
Daniel  he  continued  under  the  care  of  Mr.  John  Gilpin  of  White- 
haven  until  his  education  comes  to  100  pounds,  which  is  to  be  paid 
on  his  arrival  in  Virginia.  Also  directs  that  his  younger  sons  be 
educated  "one  as  a  lawyer,  one  a  divine,  one  a  physician,  Chirur- 
geon  or  mariner."  Pictures  of  son  and  daughter  Fitzhugh  are  to 
go  to  their  son  when  he  is  seven  years  old  but  the  pictures  of  him- 
self and  first  wife  are  to  remain  in  his  dwelling  house.  Wife  Anna 
and  her  brothers  Col.  and  Capt.  Lee.  Appoints  Col.  John  Tayloe, 
Humphrey  Pope,  Nicholas  Minor,  John  Fitzhugh  &  Samuel 
Peachey  gents,  as  executors  until  son  Thaddeus  is  17  years  old. 
Only  three  daughters  are  mentioned  in  the  above  will  whereas  it 
is  certain  there  was  a  fourth  daughter.  Her  name  was  Lettice  and 
we  can  only  guess  at  the  reason  of  her  being  unmentioned.  She 
will  appear  in  the  will  of  her  stepmother  Ann  McCarthy  in  1728. 
Hayden  inclines  to  think  that  she  may  have  been  Ann  McCarty's 
daughter  by  her  first  marriage,  that  is,  with  Fitzhugh.  In  that 
case  we  may  suppose  that  Daniel's  fourth  daughter  predeceased 
him. 

Aside  from  the  slab  marking  the  grave  of  Elizabeth  McCarty, 
mentioned  above,  there  are  three  other  McCarty  tombstones  at  the 
Yeocomico  Church.  One  belongs  to  Daniel  McCarthy  and  states 


128  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

that  he  died  May  4,  1724,  at  the  age  of  45  years.  Another  belongs 
to  Thaddeus  McCarthy  youngest  son  of  Daniel,  saying  that  he  died 
Feb.  7,  1731  in  the  19th  year  of  his  age  (the  inscription  referred 
to  above  shows  that  he  was  born  in  1712).  The  fourth  tombstone 
belongs  to  Penelope,  wife  of  Daniel  McCarthy,  second  son  of  Daniel, 
and  daughter  of  Christine  Higgins,  Esq.,  saying  that  she  died  Mch 
26,  1732'  in  the  19th  year  of  her  age  and  one  child. 

We  take  up  next  the  will  of  Ann  McCarty  widow  of  Capt. 
Daniel.  Her  will  is  dated  Nov.  7,  1728,  probated  May  31,  1732. 
She  leaves  to  each  of  her  brothers  and  their  wives  a  ring,  also  to 
Col.  John  Tayloe.  Son  Henry  Fitzhugh  is  to  receive  "my  grand- 
father Corbin's  mourning  ring".  Also  to  Elizabeth  Fitzhugh, 
daughter  of  Maj.  John  Fitzhugh,  to  Billington  McCarty,  to  Thad- 
deus McCarty,  and  to  Sarah  Beale. 

Of  the  eight  children  of  Capt.  Daniel  McCarty,  Anna  Barbara 
married  Maj.  John  Fitzhugh  in  or  before  1719.  Descendants  not 
traced  farther.  Dennis  McCarty  married  Sarah  Ball  in  1724,  see 
below.  Daniel  McCarty  married  1.  Penelope  Higgins  who  died  in 
1732,  see  above.  Married  2. .  Billington  McCarty  mar- 
ried June  16,  1732  to  Ann  Barber.  Thaddeus  McCarty  died  at 
the  age  of  19,  probably  unmarried.  Lettice  McCarty  married 
George  Turberville,  descendants  not  traced.  Sarah  McCarty  mar- ' 
ried  Thomas  Beale  Apr.  27,  1728  and  died  without  issue.  Noth- 
ing is  known  of  Winifred,  daughter  of  Daniel  McCarty. 

We  now  take  up  the  three  sons  of  Daniel  McCarty,  who  left 
issue,  in  the  order  of  their  age,  that  is,  Dennis,  Daniel,  and  Billing- 
ton. 

Dennis  McCarty,  son  of  Daniel  and  Elizabeth,  married  Sarah 
Ball,  Sept.  22,  1724.  She  was  the  daughter  of  Col.  William  Ball 
by  his  wife  Hannah  Beale.  Col.  William  Ball  was  the  son  of  Wil- 
liam Ball,  born  1641  who  was  also  the  son  of  William  Ball,  the 
emigrant,  by  his  wife  Hannah  Atherold.  William  Ball,  the  emi- 
grant, had  another  son  named  Joseph  Ball,  whose  daughter  Mary 
Ball  was  the  mother  of  George  Washington.  Thus  the  descendants 
of  the  marriage  of  Dennis  McCarty  and  Sarah  Ball  are  blood  rela- 
tives of  our  first  President.  We  have  already  seen  that  Dennis  re- 
ceived by  the  terms  of  his  father's  will  all  the  testator's  lands  in 


WILLIAM  AND  MABY  QUABTEBLY 

Stafford  County.  This  land  lay  in  the  portion  which  later  be- 
came Prince  William  County  and  later  still  Fairfax  County.  In 
1732-41  he  was  a  vestryman  of  Truro  Parish.  In  1741  he  was 
the  only  McCarty  on  a  poll  list  of  Prince  William  County  (Fair- 
fax was  formed  from  Prince  William  in  1742).  On  Dec.  13,  1739 
he  bought  522  acres  in  Prince  William  County  of  John  Minor. 
This  deed  was  witnessed  by  Jno.  S.  Sherman,  M.  Lawson,  and  John 
Allen.  On  Dec.  16,  1740  Maj.  Dennis  McCarty  of  Prince  William 
County,  patented  1220  acres  in  Prince  William  County  on  Goose 
Creek  in  the  name  of  his  son  Thaddeus  McCarty,  who  at  that  time 
must  have  been  very  young.  Dennis  McCarty,  gent.,  of  Prince 
William  County,  made  will  Mch  18,  1742,  probated  Jan.  20, 
1742-3  in  Fairfax  County.  It  was  witnessed  by  William  Payne, 
William  Sherman,  Kichard  Sherman,  and  John  Sherman  (these 
witnesses  were  probably  related  to  the  testator  on  his  mother's  side). 
Mentions  land  bought  of  John  Hereford  in  Prince  William 
County ;  land  lying  in  Stafford  County  on  the  Acquia.  Wife  Sarah ; 
sons  Daniel,  Dennis,  and  Thaddeus;  daughters  Sarah  and  Ann. 
Mentions  joiner  John  Allen.  Brother  Daniel  McCarty,  gent.,  of 
Westmoreland  County,  friend  and  kinsman  John  Minor  and  son 
Daniel  are  appointed  executors.  The  will  was  proved  Jan.  20, 
1742-3  but  not  admitted  to  record  until  Apr.  21,  1743  at  which 
time  the  court  appointed  wife  Sarah  as  executor.  The  John  Minor 
mentioned  as  kinsman  in  the  will  was  related  to  the  testator  proba- 
bly through  his  mother's  side,  that  is,  the  Pope  line. 

We  follow  now  the  children  of  Maj.  Dennis  in  the  order  in 
which  they  appear  in  the  will,  that  is,  Daniel,  Dennis,  Thaddeus, 
Sarah,  and  Ann. 

Daniel  McCarty,  the  oldest  son  of  Maj.  Dennis  married  Sinah 
Ball.  He  died  in  Fairfax  County,  Virginia,  about  1792  leaving 
will  in  which  he  mentions  son  Daniel  (apparently  his  only  son), 
daughters  Mary  McCarty,  Sarah  Chichester,  Sinah  Wagener,  and 
Anne  McClenachan;  grandson  Daniel;  wife  Sinah  and  son  Daniel 
are  appointed  executors.  The  will  is  witnessed  by  John  Hereford, 
Jr.,  Joseph  Gordon,  Patrich  Keogh,  Doddridge  Pitt  Chichester, 
and  R.  R.  Wagoner.  Col.  Daniel  McCarty,  son  of  Daniel  and 
Sinah  Ball  McCarty,  married  about  1778  to  Ann  Mason,  daugh- 


130  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

ter  of  George  Mason,  author  of  the  famous  "Bill  of  Rights".  They 
had  Hon.  William  Mason  McCarty,  who  represented  his  district  in 
Congress  for  several  times,  and  John  McCarty,  who  killed  his 
cousin  Gen.  Stephens  Mason  in  a  duel  in  1818.  William  Mason 
McCarty  sold  his  beautiful  estate,  Cedar  Grove,  in  Fairfax  County 
and  moved  to  Richmond  in  1852  where  he  died  in  1863.  His  first 
wife  was  his  cousin,  Miss  Mason,  sister  of  Gen.  Stephens  Mason 
killed  by  John  McCarty  in  a  duel.  By  her  he  had  Thorton  Mc- 
Carty and  Dr.  James  Byrd  McCarty.  By  his  second  wife,  a  Miss 
Burwell,  he  had  son  Page  McCarty.  Thornton  McCarty  was  a 
lawyer  at  Charlottesville,  Virginia,  and  left  three  sons  who  in 
1905  were  living  in  Texas.  Dr.  James  Byrd  McCarty  died  with- 
out issue.  Page  McCarty  killed  young  Mordecai  in  a  duel  in  Rich- 
mond and  was  himself  severely  wounded  and  died  single  a  few 
years  later.  John  McCarty,  son  of  Col.  Daniel  and  Ann  Mason 
McCarty,  married  a  Miss  Lee  of  Leesburg  and  had  one  daughter 
who  married  and  left  heirs.  Unless  the  three  sons  of  Thornton 
McCarty,  who  were  living  in  Texas  in  1905,  left  heirs,  the  male 
line  of  descent  from  Col.  Daniel  McCarty  who  married  Ann  Mason, 
has  become  extinct. 

Mary  McCarty,  daughter  of  Daniel  and  Sinah  Ball  McCarty, 
died  single  in  Fairfax  County,  Virginia,  in  about  1815  leaving 
will  in  which  she  mentions  niece  Sinah  Elizabeth  Melvin,  wife  of 
William  B.  Melvin;  William  Grayson  Melvin,  McCarty  Ball  Mel- 
vin, and  James  Monroe  Melvin,  sons  of  William  Grayson  Melvin; 
nieces  Sarah  Ball  Moreton  and  Mary  Sayers  Grayson.  William 
B.  Melvin  is  appointed  executor.  The  will  is  witnessed  by  Sinah 
B.  Moreton,  Maria  F.  Whiting,  Mary  W.  McClenachan  (?),  R.  H. 
Seule  (?).  The  heirs  mentioned  in  this  will  are  probably  all 
descendants  of  the  Daniel  McCarty  who  married  Sinah  Ball  but 
the  connection  has  not  yet  been  made  out. 

Daniel  McCarty  Chichester  who  died  in  Fairfax  County,  Vir- 
ginia, on  Aug.  7,  1820  at  the  age  of  51  (therefore  born  about  1769) 
was  probably  the  son  of  Sarah  Chichester,  mentioned  in  the  will 
of  Daniel  McCarty.  This  Daniel  may  have  been  the  grandson 
mentioned  by  the  testator  in  his  will  of  1792.  Nothing  further  is 
known  of  the  Chichester  family,  excepting  that  Sarah  Chichester's 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY  131 

husband  was  named  (Col.)  Bichard  Chichester.  Sinah  McCarty 
married  Peter  Wagoner  and  died  in  about  1809  presumably  leav- 
ing heirs. 

We  return  now  to  Dennis  McCarty,  second  son  of  Dennis  and 
Sarah  Ball  McCarty.  He  served  as  Ensign  about  1756  in  the  regi- 
ment of  Col.  George  Washington.  In  spite  of  the  fact  that  they 
were  second  cousins  the  two  seem  to  have  had  some  misunderstand- 
ings. Dennis  McCarty  resigned  and  returned  home  but  his  resign- 
tion  may  have  been  partly  due  to  ill  health  for  he  died  soon  after, 
about  1757,  leaving  a  will  in  which  he  mentions  mother  Sarah 
Barnes  (his  mother  after  the  death  of  her  first  husband  Dennis 
McCarty  had  married  Abram  Barnes)  and  George  Johnston,  Sr 
and  Sarah,  his  wife.  The  will  was  witnessed  by  M.  Massey,  Cuth- 
bert  Bullett,  and  Francis  Dade,  Jr.  From  this  will  it  is  apparent 
that  Dennis  McCarty,  son  of  Dennis  and  Sarah  Ball  McCarty,  died 
unmarried.  Sarah,  wife  of  George  Johnston,  Sr,  was  his  sister. 

We  take  up  next  Thaddeus  McCarty,  third  son  of  Dennis  and 
Sarah  Ball  McCarty.  We  have  already  seen  that  his  father  Maj. 
Dennis  McCarty  on  Dec.  16,  1740  patented  1220  acres  on  Goose 
Creek  in  Prince  William  County  in  the  name  of  his  son  Thaddeus 
McCarty.  This  patent  was  probably  in  present  Loudoun  County, 
Virginia.  He  married  April  20,  1768,  being  at  that  time  probably 
past  30  years  of  age,  Sarah  Elizabeth  Eichardson,  as  tradition 
has  it,  in  the  home  of  George  Washington.  There  seems  to  be  no 
reason  for  disputing  this  tradition.  Hayden  represents  this  Thad- 
deus McCarty  as  marrying  one  Ann  Chinn,  in  which  he  is  certainly 
in  error.  As  we  shall  see  below  there  was  a  marriage,  between  a 
Thaddeous  McCarty  and  an  Ann  Chinn  but  it  was  another  Thad- 
deus, namely  the  son  of  Billington,  and  a  first  cousin  of  the  other 
Thaddeus.  Sarah  Eichardson  was  from  Colechester,  Orange  Lane, 
England,  and  was  visiting  her  uncle  Wagoner  in  Fairfax  County, 
but  while  there  she  met  Thaddeus  McCarty  and  married  him  and 
never  returned  to  England.  He  took  up  his  residence  in  Loudoun 
County  probably  on  the  land  patented  in  his  name  in  1740  by  his 
father.  This  plantation  was  of  quite  ample  proportions  but  there 
was  a  feeling  among  his  descendants  for  several  generations  that 
his  father  had  not  adequately  provided  for  him  in  his  will.  Thad- 


132  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

deus  McCarty  made  will  on  Aug.  4,  1812,  probated  Dec.  14,  1812 
in  Loudoun  County  Virginia.  This  will  was  witnessed  by  Burr 
Powell,  Hugh  Rogers,  and  Henson  Simpson.  He  refers  to  land 
lying  on  Goose  Creek.  He  mentions  wife  Sarah  Elizabeth;  sons 
Dennis,  William  E.,  and  George  Washington;  daughters  Sarah  E. 
Russell  and  Mary  McCarty. 

Dennis  McCarty,  eldest  son  of  Thaddeus  and  Sarah  Richard- 
son McCarty,  was  born  Jan.  1772  and  on  Nov.  16,  1792'  married 
Margaret  Beatty  who  was  born  Sept.  16,  1777  and  was  the  daugh- 
ter of  Andrew  Beatty  by  his  wife  Mary  French.  Margaret  Beatty 
died  about  1859.  Dennis  McCarty  and  his  wife  Margaret  Beatty 
had  six  children,  as  follows:  1.  Susan  McCarty,  married  Smarr. 
2.  Richard  Chichester  McCarty,  born  1806,  married  but  died  about 
1873  without  issue.  3.  Dennis  Thaddeus  McCarty,  born  1808, 
died  1868.  For  his  children  see  below.  4.  Margaret  McCarty,  died 
single  about  1876.  5.  Billington  McCarty,  died  about  1897,  leav- 
ing a  family.  6.  Nancy  McCarty. 

[To  be  continued.] 


BELL-JONES-LEE  NOTE. 

In  the  QUARTERLY  of  last  October  is  an  article  entitled  "Tay- 
lor and  Jones  Families/'  I  cited  records  to  show  that  Elizabeth 
Lee,  dau.  of  Hancock  Lee  of  "Ditchley,"  m.  1st.  Swan  Jones  of 
Northumberland  Co.,  Va.,  and  2nd.  Zachary  Taylor  of  Orange  Co., 
Va.  (the  President's  grandfather),  and  that  by  her  first  husband 
she  had  Capt.  John  Jones  of  Orange  Co.,  will  dated  31  May  1758, 
proved  the  same  year,  who  m.  Mary  Bell,  and,  furthermore,  that 
this  Mary  Bell  m.  (2dly)  Zachary  Burnley  in  1759. 

Mrs.  Keach's  researches  among  Northumberland  records,  pub- 
lished in  the  QUARTERLY,  were  liberally  used  by  me  in  writing  the 
article,  and  again  I  had  recourse  to  them  to  establish  the  probable 
identity  of  the  above.Mary  Bell  who  m.  1st,  Capt.  John  Jones,  and, 
2dly,  Zachary  Burnley. 

Captain  William  Jones,  first  cousin  to  Swan  Jones  mentioned 
above,  m.  (as  Mrs.  Keach  shows)  Leanna  Lee,  and,  among  other 
children  by  her,  had  Elizabeth  Jones,  b.  1707,  who  m.  Eev.  John 
Bell,  and  Leanna  Jones,  b.  1720,  who  m.  Charles  Lee,  and  who  in 
her  will,  dated  24  Jan.  1761,  names  her  "neice  Mary  Burnley." 

Here  then  is  the  evidence  as  it  unfolds: 

Mary  Bell,  Capt.  John  Jones'  widow,  m.  Zachary  Burnley  in 
1759. 

Above  testatrix  mentions  "niece  Mary  Burnley"  in  1761,  and 
testatrix'  sister,  Elizabeth,  was  married  to  Rev.  John  Bell. 

Surely  this  establishes  the  identity  of  Mary  Bell.  She  was 
daughter  of  Rev.  John  Bell  and  Elizabeth  Jones. 

In  my  article  in  the  October  number  appears,  bottom  of  p. 
288,  the  following:  .  .  .  "was  testator's  half-sister — that  is  to 
say,  the  sister  of  testator's  mother  by  her  second  husband,  Zach- 
ary Taylor." 

The  family  relationship  I  was  dealing  with  was  complicated 
enough  without  an  error  being  thrown  in  for  lagniappe.  So  for 
"the  sister  of  testator's  mother"  please  read  "the  daughter  of 
testator's  mother." 

Trist  Wood. 


TADIAFERRO  FAMILY. 

Editor : 

Wm.  &  Mary  Quarterly: 
Sir: 

In  the  "Family  Register"  of  Nicholas  Taliaferro,  published  in 
the  July,  1931,  QUARTERLY,  I  have  discovered  some  errors,  and 
have  had  others  pointed  out  to  me,  chiefly  in  connection  with  the 
notes  with  which  it  was  accompanied.  It  is  advisable  of  course 
that  these  should  be  corrected. 

The  date  of  the  marriage  of  the  honored  grandparents,  page 
146,  is  given  as  1708;  this  should  be  1718. 

Note  15,  page  151,  gives  dates  of  Mary  (Thornton)  Battaile's 
birth  and  death  as  1731-1757,  which  is  really,  as  your  readers  have 
of  course  discovered,  the  dates  belonging  to  her  daughter,  Mary 
(Battaile)  Taliaferro;  (page  146).  The  correct  dates  for  Mary 
Thornton  are,  Born  1706,  married  1726,  died  1757. 

It  may  be  noted  in  passing  in  connection  with  note  16,  that 
Col.  John  Thornton  and  Mildred  Gregory  were  married  Oct.  18, 
1740 :  Francis  Thornton  and  Frances  Gregory  were  married  Sept. 
3,  1736  and  Henry  Willis  and  Elizabeth  Gregory  were  married 
April  30,  1742:  Elizabeth  married  secondly  Reuben  Thornton,  but 
the  date  of  this  marriage  I  have  not  found. 

On  page  153  the  second  and  third  lines  from  the  bottom  of 
the  page  need  alteration:  "One  of  the  sponsors  was  Mr.  Francis 
Thornton;  another  Francis  Thornton"  should  read,  "One  of  the 
sponsors  was  Mr.  Francis  Thornton  and  he  was  a"  &c.  This  was 
Francis5  of  "Fall  Hill,"  son  of  Francis.4 

Page  159,  second  paragraph,  note  43:  "In  This  will"  should 
be  "In  his  will." 

Page  161,  note  54,  quoting  from  Col.  Frank  Taylor's  Diary 
(as  originally  quoted  by  Dr.  Slaughter  in  "Old  St  Marks,"— "My 
son  and  daughter  went  to  the  wedding."  Col.  Frank  Taylor  lived 
and  died  a  bachelor.  What  he  wrote  was  this,  under  date  of  March 
18,  1797: 

"To  J.  Taylor's  and  dined.    J.  Taylor  returned  from  wedding 


WILLIAM  AND  MAKY  QUARTERLY  135 

at  Captain  Conwa/s;  the  horses  having  got  away,  J.  Taylor  Jr  & 
wife  &  Nancy  Taylor  had  not  got  home  when  I  came  away ;  Fanny 
Pendleton  &  Betsy  Gaines  &  B,  Chew  there." 

This  was  the  Hay  Taliaferro- Susanna  Conway  wedding  but 
Col.  Taylor  does  not  mention  the  contracting  parties.  The  J. 
Taylor  mentioned  was  the  Diarist's  brother,  James.  It  is  not 
known  how  Dr.  Slaughter  made  the  curious  error  he  did. 

Col.  Frank  Taylor  was  one  of  the  sons  of  Col.  George  Taylor 
and  Rachel  Gibson,  his  wife;  he  was  born  in  1747  and  died  in 
1799;  he  lived  at  "Midland/'  Orange  Co  which  was  left  him  by 
his  father's  will,  dated  Sept  5,  1789.  He  was  Colonel  in  the 
"Liberty  or  Death"  Culpeper  Minute-Men,  and  on  their  march  to 
Williamsburg  was  Commanding  Captain  2d  Va.  Regt.  (May  8, 
1776),  Major  15th  Va.,  1778;  Lt.  Col.  Convention  Guards  Dec. 
24th,  1778;  Colonel,  March  5th,  1779. 

William  Buckner  McGroarty. 

Jan.  7,  1922. 


GIBBONS  FAMILY. 

Thomas  Gibbons,  son  of  John  Gibbons  and  his  wife  Rebecca 
• — ,  born  2'0  October  1734,  Surry  County,  Virginia;  he  mar- 
ried Anne  (her  name  is  believed  to  be  Eppes — who  were 

her  parents?);  their  children  were  as  follows  (the,  birth  dates  of 
the  four  eldest  from  the  Albemarle  Parish  Register — Sussex 
County,  before  1754  Surry) : 

1.  Mary  Gibbons   (b.   7  Dec.— bapt   6  Mar.   1763;  sponsors, 
Wm.  Gilbert,  Anne  Ezell,  Mary  Eppes;  married  William  Fitz- 
gerald who  died,  1815,  White  County,  Tennessee. 

2.  John  Gibbons  (b.  26  Mar.  bapt.  3  May  1767;  sponsors,  Lau- 
rence Gibbons,  jr.,  James  Mangum,  jr.,  Eliss  Gibbons). 

3.  Thomas    Gibbons     (b.    20     Oct.     1769) ;   married    

Chisholm  and  had  a  son,  Elijah  Gibbons. 

4.  Anne  Gibbons  (b.  1  Apr.  1772) ;  married  William  Howard. 

5.  Elizabeth   Gibbons    (b.    12   Nov.    1774 — date   from  family 
record)  ;  married  Major  James  Chisholm    (or  Chisum),   son  of 

Elijah  Chisholm  and  his  wife,  Lucy ,  and  grandson  of  John 

Chisholm  and  his  wife,  Ellener  Gillington  (daughter  of  Nicholas 
Gillington,  or  Guillentine,  of  Amelia  County,  Va.) ;  both  Elijah 
Chisholm  and  his  wife  died  in  1818,  White  County,  Tenn. ;  Major 
James  Chisholm  (Chisum)  died,  1835,  Hardeman  Co.,  Tenn. 

6.  Edmond  Gibbons   (in  1807,  his  father  gave  him  power  of 
attorney  to  collect  numerous  claims,  Hawkins  County,  Tenn.) 

7.  William  Gibbons  (in  1807,  he  was  deeded  property  by  his 
father  in  Hawkins  County,  Tenn.) 

8.  Salley  Gibbons  m.  Joel  Gillen water. 

9.  Epps  Gibbons    (in  1807,  he  was  deeded  property  by  his 
father,  Hawkins  County,  Tenn.;  15  Mar.  1817,  deeded  land  in 
Hawkins  County,  Tenn.,  lived  for  a  time  in  Madison  County, 
Tenn.,  and  is  said  to  have  died  in  Texas). 

10.  Rebecca  Gibbons  m.  Bell. 

11.  James  Gibbons  m. (issue). 

(James  Gibbons  pre-deceased  his  father.) 

At  what  time  Thomas  Gibbons  left  Sussex  County,  Va.,  is  not 
known  but  in  1786,  he  was  living  in  Hawkins  County,  then  North 


WILLIAM  AND  MAEY  QUARTEELY  137 

Carolina,  for  in  that  year  the  first  court  in  Hawkins  County  was 
held  at  his  house;  after  1796,  Hawkins  County  was  under  the 
jurisdiction  of  Tennessee;  his  name  appears  in  numerous  trans- 
fers of  land  in  Hawkins  County;  his  will  was  probated  there,  13 
June  1809,  and  in  it  the  above-named  children  were  mentioned — 
he  also  mentioned  his  daughter,  Molly  Fitzgerald's  children,  Nancy 
Isham,  Garrett  Fitzgerald  and  Elizabeth  Babb.  His  executors 
were  his  son  Edmond  and  son-in-law,  Wm.  Howard. 

The  names  of  Thomas  Gibbons'  mother  and  his  wife,  and  the 
names  of  their  parents,  are  desired;  also  the  names  of  John  Chis- 
holm's  parents;  also  the  name  of  Elijah  Chisholm's  wife's  parents. 

E.  T.  C. 

I  have  some  earlier  Gibbons'  records. 


NOTES  AND  QUERIES. 

STATHAM. — Would  be  obliged  for  the  proof  of  the  maiden  name 
of  the  wife  of  William  Dabney  Statham,8  born  about  1759,  son  of 
John  Statham,2  of  Albemarle  County,  Virginia,  and  grand  son  of 
Love  and  Martha  (Meriwether?)  Statham1  of  Louisa  County  and 
Hanover,  Virginia.  William  Dabney  Statham3  is  said  to  have 
married  about  1780,  Frances  Meredith,  or  Garland,  of  Virginia, 
and  he  died  in  Houston  County,  Georgia,  1846 ;  had  issue : 

i.  John,4  ii.  Richmond,4  born  1805,  died  1854,  married  Eliza- 
beth daughter  of  David  Brunson,  of  North  Carolina,  both  of  them 
died  in  Webster  County,  Georgia,  iii.  Meredith;4  iv.  Garland,4 
married  Elizabeth  Lucinda,  daughter  of  Alexander  Patterson  and 
Elizabeth  Pickens  his  wife.  v.  Nancy,4  married  William  Hall;  vi. 
Frances,4  married  Jacob  Bason,  of  North  Carolina;  vii.  Sarah,4 

married Crutchfield;  viii.  Julia,4  married  Charles  McCoy. 

iv.  Garland  Statham,4  the  fourth  son,  was  a  member  of  the  Georgia 
Legislature  from  old  Stewart  County,  Georgia,  between  1846  and 
1850.  (Family  Bible  Records  in  Georgia.) — Miss  Mary  B.  Statham, 
20  Third  Street,  S.  E.,  Washington,  D.  C. 


138  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

"Wanted  a  copy  of  the  Will  of  Colonel  Henry  Wood,  who  died 
May  2,  1757,  at  "Woodville,"  twelve  (12)  miles  north  of  Gooeh- 
land  Court  House,  Virginia.  He  married  Martha  Cox  and  had 
son  Valentine  Wood.  Did  he  have  a  son  Stephen  named  after 
Stephen  Cox? 

A  Stephen  Wood  of  Lunenburg  County,  Virginia,  married 
July  6,  1756,  Anne  daughter  of  Joseph  Johnston  or  Johnson  of 
Lunenburg.  Stephen  Wood's  Will  in  Lunenburg,  dated  October 
30,  1781,  proved  1782.  (Will  Book  2,  page  111)  had  sons  John, 
David,  Johnson  and  George.  Daughters  Patsy  or  Martha  (named 
after  Martha  Cox?)  and  Sallie  Wood." — Mary  Beaumont  Statham. 

Wanted:  Eevolutionary  data  of  Rice  Meredith  Ballou,  Jr., 
or  Leonard  Ballou'  (or  Ballow).  Esther  Ballou  Johns  was  the 
daughter  of  either  of  the  above  mentioned. — Mrs.  John  B.  Stevens, 
801  K  Yakima  Ave.,  Tacoma,  Wash. 

Would  like  the  names  of  the  children  of  Benjamin  Shackleford, 
whose  wife  was  Martha  Jones,  married  Dec.  24,  1770,  in  Matthews 
Parish. — Martha  Bowden  Gustin,  839  Ogden  St.,  Denver,  Colorado. 

LACOCK  FAMILY. — Who  were  the  parents  of  Abner  Lacock, 
born  in  Fairfax  County,  Va.,  in  1770,  died  in  Freedom,  Pa.,  Aug. 
12,  1837.  U.  S.  Senator  from  Pennsylvania,  1813-1819.  Presi- 
dent of  the  Pennsylvania  and  Ohio  Canal  Company.  Address 
Editor  of  the  William  and  Mary  College  Quarterly  Historical  Maga- 
zine. 

Fox  FAMILY. — Who  were  the  parents  of  Amos  Fox,  of  "Fox 
Forest,"  Fairfax  County,  Virginia?  Where  did  they  come  from? 
He  removed  to  Kentucky,  where  his  daughter  Ann  Elvira  married 
Lee  Byrd  Osborn,  who  also  came  from  Virginia.  His  father  Lt. 
Bennet  Osborne  was  a  friend  of  Col.  William  Byrd,  for  whom  he 
named  his  son.  Who  were  Bennet  Osborne's  parents?  Where  did 
they  come  from? — Thomas  D.  Oslorne,  450  Riverside  Drive,  New 
York  City. 


HOME  MANUFACTURES  IN  VIRGINIA  IN  1791. 

Letters  to  Alexander  Hamilton,  from  Gen.  Edward  Carrington.1 

Richmond,  October  4th,  1791. 

The  enclosed  papers  contain  parts  of  the  information  which  I 
expect  to  furnish  upon  the  subject  of  Manufactures  in  Virginia, 
and  are  transmitted  agreeably  to  your  request.  These  papers  have 
come  from  the  two  lower  Surveys  of  the  District,  the  information 
they  contain  as  to  the  particular  Neighbourhoods  from  which  they 
are  drawn  may  be  applied  with  propriety  to  the  whole  of  these  Sur- 
veys ;  indeed,  so  equally  do  the  People  of  Virginia  go  into  Manuf ac- 
turies  within  themselves,  that  the  application  might  be  made  to  the 
whole  Country,  with  only  a  few  allowances  from  a  consideration  of 
their  respective  staples  which  I  will  in  some  degree  inable  you  to 
make,  upon  the  following  principles.  In  regard  to  staples,  Vir- 
ginia is  contemplated  under  three  divisions,  the  Lower,  the  Middle, 
&  the  Upper:  the  first  is  comprehended  between  the  Sea  and  the 
falls  of  our  great  rivers;  the  Second  between  these  falls  and  the 
blue  ridge  of  Mountains  the  latter  takes  all  the  Country  beyond  the 
mountains. 

The  staples  of  the  first  are  Indian  corn  principally,  small  crops 
of  indifferent  Tobacco  small  crops  of  wheat,  &  in  some  parts,  lum- 
ber. 

iThe  letters  herewith  presented  are  in  the  Hamilton  manuscripts  in 
the  Library  of  Congress.  When  as  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  Alexander 
Hamilton  was  preparing  his  report  on  manufactures,  he  collected  in- 
formation from  the  federal  officials  and  others  in  the  different  States. 
General  Edward  Carrington,  who  had  been  appointed  by  Washington, 
the  marshal  of  the  United  States  District  Court  of  Virginia,  and  who  as 
marshal  had  had  charge  of  the  census  returns  in  1790,  gathered  the 
information  from  his  friends  and  federal  officers  in  the  State.  One  of 
the  letters  is  from  General  Edward  Stevens,  well  known  as  an  efficient 
officer  in  the  Revolution.  The  report  of  the  home  manufactures  of  King 
William  county  is  especially  valuable,  having  been  made  out  with  care 
by  Mr.  Drury  Ragsdale.  It  gives  us  some  information  of  the  extent  of 
the  old  industrial  life  which  was  centered  about  the  home. 


140  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

The  Middle  Country  produces  our  great  exports  of  Tobacco  & 
wheat. 

The  Upper  Country  produces  Hemp,  Flax,  &  wheat  principally, 
and  small  and  indifferent  crops  of  Tobacco. 

I  have  observed  that  the  people  of  the  whole  country  are  in 
habits  of  Domestic  Manufactures  pretty  equally,  except  that  some 
allowances  must  be  made  on  Account  of  field  labour  upon  their  re- 
spective staples,  these  are  as  follow :  the  staples  of  the  lower  country 
require  moderate  labour,  and  that  at  particular  seasons  of  the  year, 
the  consequence  is  that  they  have  much  leisure  and  can  apply  their 
hands  to  Manufacturing  so  far  as  to  supply^  not  only  the  cloathing 
of  the  Whites,  but  of  the  Blacks  also. 

The  great  staple,  Tobacco,  in  the  Middle  Country  requires  much 
labor  when  growing,  and,  what  with  fitting  it  for  market,  and  pre- 
paring land  for  succeeding  crops  leaves  but  little  time  for  the  same 
hands  to  Manufacture :  the  consequence  is,  that  the  latter  business 
is  carried  on  only  by  white  females  in  poor  families^  and,  in  wealthy 
families,  under  the  Eye  of  the  Mistress,  by  female  slaves  drawn  out 
of  the  Estates  for  that  purpose,  aided  by  the  superfluous  time  of  a 
superabundance  of  house-servants;  the  consequence  is,  that  less  is 
manufactured  here  than  in  the  lower  country,  yet  the  difference  is, 
I  believe,  no  greater  than  as  to  the  cloathing  of  the  field  slaves,  for 
which  purpose  Kendal  Cotton,  oznabrigs,  &  hempen  rolls  are  pur- 
chased, but  the  owner  of  every  plantation  tans  the  hides  of  the  cattle 
which  are  killed  or  casually  die,  and,  by  that  means,  supplies  the 
slaves  in  shoes  for  winter.  The  staples  of  the  upper  Country  re- 
quire somewhat  more  field  labour  than  those  of  the  Lower  and  much 
less  than  those  of  the  Middle,  &  having  however  but  few  slaves,  and 
being  distant  from  foreign  intercourse,  the  people  depend  princi- 
pally upon  home  manufactures,  and,  at  least,  equal  the  lower  coun- 
try in  them. 

As  to  raw  materials,  no  Country  under  the  sun,  is  capable  of 
producing  more  than  Virginia,  the  lower  Country  produces  fine 
Cotton  &  Wool,  and  both  might  be  increased  even  to  satisfy  great 
foreign  demands  in  many  parts  good  flax  is  also  made.  The  middle 
Country  produces  fine  Cotton,  but  the  more  valuable  staples  of 
wheat  and  Tobacco,  confine  the  production  to  the  demand  of  the 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY  141 

private  Manufactures  of  the  Country  itself — it  is  also  well  adapted 
to  Hemp  &  Flax,  of  the  first,  some  is  produced  for  market :  of  the 
latter,  every  family  makes  for  its  own  use :  to  the  same  extent  Wool 
is  also  produced.  The  Upper  Country  supplies  our  Markets  with 
great  quantities  of  hemp,  said  to  be  equal  to  any  in  the  World,  flax 
is  also  here  produced  in  high  perfection,  and  in  great  quantities, 
the  People  using  it  for  purposes  to  which,  Cotton  is  applied  below : 
for  supplying  the  Article  of  Wool  this  part  of  Virginia  is  so  favor- 
able that  large  droves  of  sheep  go  from  it,  to  the  lower  Town 
Markets. 

The  Mountainous  parts  of  Virginia,  abound  in  Iron  Ore,  from 
which  most  of  the  Iron,  and  some  of  the  steel,  used  in  the  state,  are 
supplied,  and  the  productions  of  both  might  be  so  increased  as  to 
make  great  exports.  We  have  also  a  valuable  lead  mine,  in  the 
Southwestern  part  of  the  upper  Country,  from  which  new  manufac- 
tures are  daily  coming  into  practice,  such  as  sheet  lead  for  roofing, 
shot  &tc.  there  is  a  shot  factory  in  Richmond,  well  established  by 
the  present  worker  of  this  Mine,  and  the  same  hand  has  furnished 
the  lead  for  covering  the  roof  of  our  Capitol,  or  State  House,  This 
mine  was  during  the  War,  worked  under  the  public  direction  of  the 
state,  and  supplied  all  the  lead  used  in  the  Southern  service;  sup- 
plies of  it,  also  went  to  the  Main  Army,  but  whether  for  the  whole 
service  I  will  not  undertake  to  say. 

As  to  regular  Trades  we  have  but  few,  they  are  however,  in- 
creasing daily  in  the  upper  Country,  there  are  severall  fulling  Mills 
from  which  good  Cloth  is  seen,  I  will  endeavour  to  obtain  samples. 

I  have  now  endeavoured  to  give  you,  in  addition  to  the  inclosed 
papers,  such  information  as  will  furnish  a  general  idea  of  the  Man- 
ufactures throughout  the  Commonwealth,  and  having  been  tolerably 
attentive  to  these  circumstances  for  several  years,  as  I  have  passed 
through  the  various  parts  of  the  Country,  am  persuaded  you  may 
rely  upon  it,  as  well  founded.  I  have  been  led  to  do  it,  from  a 
consideration,  that  the  approach  of  the  session  requires  an  early 
communication,  and  from  the  information  expected  from  the  upper 
Inspectors,  having  not  yet  arrived:  When  I  receive  their  reports 
they  shall  be  forwarded  immediately. 

I  beg  you  to  be  assured,  that  this  business  has  been  attended 


142  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

with  no  material  trouble  or  inconvenience,  and  that  it  has  given 
pleasure  to  both  myself  &  the  Inspectors  that  you  requested  our  as- 
sistance in  obtaining  the  desired  information. 
I  have  the  Hono.  to  be 
With  great  respect 
Sir 
Your  Most  Obt.  si 

E.  J.  CARRINGTON 

Supervisor  of  Virg. 
Alexr.  Hamilton  Esq. 

N.  B.  D.  Ragsdales  return  is  made  upon  20  Families  in  one 
neighbourhood  comprehending  all  classes  in  life  from  the  richest  to 
the  poorest — Upon  my  Census  returns  of  the  district  of  Virg.  (ex- 
clusive of  Kentucky).  70,825  Families  appear,  this  note  is  made 
upon  a  supposition  that  it  may  possibly  be  useful  in  calculation 
which  the  Secretary  may  wish  to  make. 

Richmond  October  8th  1791. 

Since  mine  of  the  4th  Instant,  conveying  some  information 
upon  Manufactures  I  have  received  an  additional  report  from  Gen- 
eral Stevens  Inspector  of  Survey  No.  2  which  together  with  his 
letter,  and  a  Copy  of  one  he  received  from  one  of  his  Collectors  I 
now  do  myself  the  pleasure  to  inclose.  It  was  my  intention,  at  first, 
to  have  obtained  the  Reports  of  all  the  Inspectors,  and  then  have 
made  a  general  one,  with  certain  allowances,  and  remarks,  for  you. 
This  would  have  been  attended  with  but  little  trouble,  and  although 
you  was  good  enough  to  desire  that  it  might  be  dispensed  with,  yet 
I  should  have  done  it.  The  detached  manner  in  which  my  informa- 
tion comes  &  the  late  period  at  which  I  should  be  enabled  to  com- 
municate it  to  you  were  I  to  delay  for  this  purpose,  dictates  the 
greater  propriety  of  complying  with  your  dispensation,  and  giving 
you  the  information  by  parts,  as  it  comes  in.  You  find  that  Genl. 
Stevens  &  Mr.  Ragsdale  have,  both,  reported  the  domestic  manu- 
factures made  in  twenty  families,  comprehending  the  various  classes 
of  life,  from  the  richest  to  the  poorest :  this  is  done  in  consequence 
of  a  request  I  made  of  each  Inspector  in  order  to  form  a  principle 
of  calculation  upon  the  whole  number  of  families  in  the  State, 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY  143 

expecting  that,  as  these  Gentlemen  reside  in  different  parts  such 
reports  might  enable  us  to  judge  how  far  a  general  principle  of 
calculation  might  be  relied  upon,  or  what  deviations  might  be 
proper  to  lead  the  nearest  the  truth.  You  will  observe  that  each  of 
these  reports  already  received,  take  in  the  whole  year  1790,  the 
others  will  do  the  same  and  as  they  come  to  my  hands,  they  shall 
be  forwarded  to  you. 

The  enquiries  upon  this  subject  gave  rise,  at  first,  to  suggestions 
from  the  Enemies  of  the  Government,  that  the  object  was  a  Tax 
upon  manufactures,  this  led  to  the  necessity  of  the  Inspectors  ef- 
fecting their  enquiries  in  such  manner  as  would  not  favor  such  an 
alarm,  and  this  they  Jiave  been  so  judicious  in,  that  there  is  nothing 
said  about  it  now.  indeed  it  is  generally  believed  in  the  true  light 
as  leading  to  some  project  for  the  encouragement  of  home  manufac- 
tures. 

I  am  with  the  greatest  respect 

Sir 

Your  most  ob.  st. 
E.  J.  CARRINGTON 

Supervisor  Va. 
Alexander  Hamilton  Esq. 

Surry  Augt  23d  17912 

Dr  Friend 

Thine  of  the  2'6th  of  last  Mo.  I  received  &  set  about  with  much 
chearfulness  to  comply  with  thy  request  but  thou'l  be  perhaps  sur- 
prised at  hearing  that  most  of  the  people  in  these  parts  have  got 
into  such  spirit  of  Jealousy  that  they  suspect  some  design  unfavor- 
able to  them  in  every  thing  that  is  attempted  of  a  public  nature. 
"What  are  they  going  to  Tax  our  cloath  too?  was  the  reply  of  sev- 
eral, and  as  nothing  I  could  say  in  respect  to  the  real  intention 
would  satisfy,  was  inclined  to  think  it  would  be  best  to  decline  the 
attempt.  I  suppose  however  that  several  of  the  neighbours  make 
from  three  to  four  hundred  yards  of  Cloth  each  year,  which  is 

2This  letter  is  addressed  to  Gen.  Carrington. 


144  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

mostly  Cotton,  a  small  proportion  of  it  is  mixt  Cotton  &  Wool  and 
Cotton  &  Flax  but  there  is  very  little  made  that  is  all  Wool  or  Flax 
— I  am  inclined  to  think  that  for  ten  Miles  round  me  the  average 
quantity  of  Clo.  would  be  nearly  two  hundred  yards  to  each  Family. 
That  at  least  5/6  of  all  the  Cloth,  Shoes  &  Stockings  that  are  used 
in  those  Families  are  home  made.  The  average  price  of  which  are 
nearly  as  follows.  Cloth  2/—  Shoes  5/6  or  6/ 

Thy  Friend 

ABSOLM  BAILEY 


jo  junoray 


eeanoQ 


eaiBd  OUT  j 


98JHOO  JO  9ntB^ 


spacX  jo  -on  IB^OX 


a&inoQ 


•oo ococoo  «>    ispceo    ^    ^  o 

eo^o^jo^ojo^    i»:5S322o8 


o  r*  oo  «o  10  to  t*  <o  «o  oo 


eo  co  eo  w  «  eo  eo  ec  eo  co  co  eo  leoeocoeo  "coeo 


coco>oc 

i^  ^<  CO 


i  eo  -^  eo  to  «o  co 


eo  eo  o  t^  ^^  ^^  eo 


<-i    i  ^  e«  eo  oo  e«  c«  o  eo  »H 


y 


II 


146  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLV 

Culpeper  Court  House  October  6,  1791.3 

Expecting  this  to  be  nearly  about  the  time  you  would  wish  to  be 
receiving  the  reports  respecting  the  manufactures  of  this  State.  I 
have  made  Out  and  now  Inclose  you  such  a  one  as  (I  conceived) 
you  required  of  me ;  at  least  as  nearly  so  as  was  in  my  power ;  And 
I  hope  it  may  be  such  as  will  answer.  You  will  understand  the 
information  was  taken  entirely  from  persons  of  this  County,  in- 
deed I  found  great  reluctance  in  many  of  my  Acquaintances,  re- 
fusal from  others,  at  least  their  conduct  produced  the  same  effect, 
as  they  never  could  find  a  proper  time  to  detail  to  me  or  sit  down 
and  acct.  themselves.  However  it  will  make  no  difference  my  get- 
ing  the  intelligence  intirely  from  persons  of  this  County  as  I 
think  the  circumstances  of  all  the  Countys  in  my  survey  are  nearly 
similar,  as  to  Cultivation,  Produce  and  Domestic  manufacturies, 
except  perhaps  in  one  or  two  of  the  little  Countys  in  the  Lower 
parts  of  it  In  averaging  the  prices  of  the  different  Articles  I  gov- 
erned myself  from  the  information  as  well  as  by  the  following 
Principles.  The  Linnen  Cloth  made  by  the  Rich  is  generally  for 
their  negroes  which  is  course,  that  made  by  the  midling  Kind,  in 
great  proportion,  is  also  made  in  the  same  way,  and  that  by  the 
lower  Sort  for  their  own  wear,  therefore  a  greater  part  of  theirs 
would  be  somewhat  of  a  finer  Quality  In  the  Woolen  Cloth  both 
the  Rich  and  the  middling  by  what  I  could  learn  was  nearly  the 
same  Kind  for  negroes,  and  Children  some  of  it  [  ?]  colour  and  other 
in  the  Shape  of  a  Stuff  which  is  imported  from  Britain  and  called 
Twayo  [  ?]  The  poorest  people  among  us  raise  few  or  no  Sheep  and 
what  wool  they  commonly  have  is  I  fancy  mostly  made  into  Stock- 
ings. The  Cotton  Cloth  made  by  the  Rich,  a  great  proportion  for 
Coverlet  [?]....  which  is  valuable.  It  is  also  nearly  the  case 
with  the  middling,  or  at  least  what  they  may  be  deficient  in  Cover- 
let ...[?]  they  make  up  in  Womens  fine  Gowns.  The  Poorest  is 
generally  coarse.  With  Respect  to  Stockings  and  Shoes  the  Rich 
commonly  purchase  the  greater  parts  of  the  fine  Kinds  which  they 

sThe  inclosed  papers  mentioned  by  Gen.  Stevens  in  this  letter  have 
not  been  found. 


WILLIAM  AND  MABY  QUARTERLY  147 

wear  and  the  other  Classes  dont  make  much  use  of  them.  Therefore 
after  taking  into  Acct.  that  the  largest  Quantity  are  for  negroes 
and  the  poorest  people,  I  think  I  may  be  pretty  near  the  value  of 
these  Two  Articles. 

I  have  received  one  Report  of  the  Stated  Trades,  or  rather  a 
List  of  the  names  of  the  deferent  Tradesmen,  distinguishing 
whether  leaving  in  Town  or  Country,  from  Mr.  Adams  of  Loudon, 
he  says  it  was  not  in  his  Power  to  do  more,  he  seems  to  be  of  a  dis- 
position to  oblige  and  has  the  Character  of  a  very  active  attentive 
Industrious  good  man.  I  have  also  received  from  Mr.  Yancey  of 
Louisa  by  way  of  a  Paragraph  of  a  Letter  of  some  thing  on  the  Sub- 
ject, but  in  order  to  give  you  a  better  Knowledge  of  it,  than  a  de- 
scription, I  have  taken,  the  Liberty  to  inclose  you  a  Copy.  In  what 
manner  do  you  wish  me  to  hand  them  to  you  ?  I  mean  as  to  waiting 
until  they  all  come  forward  to  me,  and  make  a  General  report.  I 
am  with  very  much  respect.  Sir 

Your  most  hum.    Servt. 

EDWARD  STEVENS  Inspector 

Revenue,  Survey  No.  2 

FROM  GEN.  HENRY  LEE  TO  HAMILTON. 

Alexa.  12th  August  17914 
My  Dear  Sir 

our  parting  conversation  has  deeply  employed  my  mind  &  I  con- 
tinue to  lament  exceedingly  the  existence  of  any  event  which  puts 
us  even  politically  opposite. 

No  man  is  more  warmly  attached  to  his  friends  than  I  am; 
among  the  first  of  whom  my  heart  places  you.  I  thoroughly  con- 
fide in  the  unstained  purity  of  your  principles,  altho  I  feel  enmity 
to  the  measures  flowing  from  them.  I  am  solicitous  for  your  en- 
creasing  fame  &  yet  cannot  applaud  your  system.  The  superiority 
of  your  understanding  I  am  not  a  stranger  to  &  therefore  very  often 
am  led  to  doubt  the  accuracy  of  my  own  conclusions;  my  conse- 
quent apprehensions  introduce  redeliberation  which  always  termi- 
nates in  confirmation  of  my  opinions. 

'Hamilton  manuscripts  in  the  Library  of  Congress. 


148  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

In  one  thing  I  am  nearly  decided,  to  advocate  a  patient  trial  for 
a  few  years  of  the  fiscal  plan  because  by  this  the  harmony  of  the 
community  will  be  undisturbed  &  such  alterations  may  be  effected 
as  will  go  to  banish  from  among  us  bickerings  &  discord.  Amend- 
ments of  this  nature  yourself  would  surely  patronise,  because  the 
undivided  confidence  of  a  nation  is  not  only  highly  gratifying  to  a 
public  minister  but  is  the  best  foundation  for  complete  success  to 
just  &  wise  measures.  I  wish  I  could  know  your  mind  on  this  sub- 
ject &  whether  you  cannot  project  a  mode  which  will  in  our  day 
gradually  extinguish  a  debt  which  so  many  abhor  &  dread.  This 
would  ease  the  hearts  of  thousands,  allay  the  fury  of  faction  & 
relaurel  your  brow 

I  have  partly  contracted  for  your  riding  horse  &  as  soon  as  I 
can  will  forward  him  to  you. 

Since  my  return,  in  consequence  of  a  conversation  with  Mr. 
Oasinove  I  have  received  a  large  sum  in  funded  paper  &  shall  send 
the  same  as  soon  as  I  get  the  transfer  to  Mr.  Leroy  &  Bayard  re- 
commended to  me  by  Mr.  C  to  turn  into  cash. 

The  money  being  soon  wanted  &  the  price  allowed  by  me  very 
high,  disappointment  in  the  agency  will  be  injurious  &  distressing. 
Therefore  do  I  take  the  liberty  to  request  you  the  moment  you  read 
this  letr.  to  walk  to  Mr.  Leroy',  see  my  letr.  to  him  &  urge  him  to 
do  the  business  in  the  best  manner  for  me,  as  I  am  a  stranger  to 
him. 

By  return  of  the  post  I  expect  to  receive  your  reply;  if  you 
will  then  enclose  Graysons  bond,  I  shall  be  able  to  put  it  in  a  prob- 
able road  to  payment. 

most  affy.  yours  always 

HENKY  LEE. 
Col.  Hamilton 


MiUmm  anb  jfflarp  College 

(Quarterly  Historical 


Vol.  II.  JULY,  1922  No.  3 


VIRGINIA  PATENTS. 
%     A.  J.  MORRISON. 

The  genealogy  of  our  industrial  works  in  Virginia  is  worth  no- 
tice. It  has  been  a  good  deal  forgotten  that  John  Heavin,  of 
Montgomery  County;  James  Barren,  of  Hampton,  D.  M.  Ran- 
dolph, of  Henrico,  and  others  were  considerable  inventors  before 
1825.  We  know  hardly  anything  of  the  famous  McCormick  plough 
of  1826  or  of  Durham  and  Pleasants's  "machine  for  cutting  grain 
by  horse  power,"  of  1827.  The  Ruffner  salt  apparatus  of  1817 
and  later  was  very  important.  We  have  to  be  reminded  thai 
Loudoun  County  produced  washing  machines  in  the  old  times, 
that  Dumfries  was  a  place  of  invention,  that  the  distillery  busi- 
ness of  the  State  was  regularly  patented,  and  that  Peter  Laporte,  of 
Richmond  and  elsewhere,  was  a  very  capable  man.  For  that  mat- 
ter, who  knows  anything  worth  mentioning  about  the  old  Gallego 
Mills,  or  the  book  trade  and  publishing  business  of  Richmond 
"before  the  war?"  Who  was  J.  W.  Randolph? 

The  items  given  in  this  list  through  1824  (and  a  few"  beyond) 
are  drawn  from  the  printed  statements  issued  from  the  Patent 
Office,  at  first  in  1805  for  the  period  since  1790,  and  then  annually. 
The  Patent  Office  was  in  the  State  Department  at  first  and  Secre- 
tary Madison  to  1805  neglected  to  order  the  lists  complete  so  as  to 
show  the  residence  of  the  inventor.  Later  he  was  more  careful, 
and  Secretary  Monroe  was  careful  to  have  the  inventor's  place  of 
residence  appear.  These  extracts  therefore  begin  with  1805,  and 
it  must  be  eaid  that  through  1824  the  Patent  Office  seems  now 


150  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

and  then  to  have  thrown  the  lists  together  in  a  hurry.  Some  one 
could  render  a  service  by  working  out  this  matter  of  early  Vir- 
ginia patents. 

1805.  John  Houston,  Williamsburg.     Metallic  Hone. 
Daniel  Atherton,  Richmond.     Physiognotrace. 
John  Heavin,  Montgomery  Co.     In  propelling  boats. 

"  "  "    Machine  for  cutting  straw. 

William  Hodgson,  Richmond.     Tile  and  Brick  apparatus. 
William  Harwood,  Richmond.    In  making  pantiles. 

1806.  William  Tullock,  Orange  Co.    Grain  screens. 
James  Deneale,  Dumfries.     Perpetual  oven. 

1807.  Benjamin  B.  Bernard,  .     In  thrashing  machines. 

1808.  Caleb  Johnson,  New  Glasgow.     Double  lever  tobacco  press. 
John  Thomas  Ricketts,  Fairfax  Co.    Rice  huller  &c. 

John  West,  Stafford  Co.    In  ovens. 

1809.  John  Robinson,  Charlotte  Co.     In  curing  tobacco. 
James  Deneale,  Dumfries.     Wheat  rubber  machine. 
Robert  Robinson.    Leesburgh.    Washing  machine. 

1810.  George  Easterly,  Richmond.      Mfg    barilla    from  tobacco 

stems,  corn  stalks  &c. 
Michael  Garber,  Sr.^  Staunton.     In  distilling. 

1810.  William  Armistead,  Prince  William  Co.    Weevil  prevention. 

1811.  David  Dungan,  Loudoun  Co.     Washing  machine. 
John  Staples,  Richmond.     Pendulum  steam  engine. 
William  Harper,  Richmond.    Hemp  and  flax  breaker  &c. 
Wm  Presley  Claiborne,  King  William  Co.  For  cutting  wheat 

1812.  William  Richards,  Culpeper   Co.     Threshing  machine. 
John  Heavin,  Montgomery  Co.     Shingle  dresser. 

Geo.  McAdam  Brown,  Northumberland  Co.  Grain  separa- 
tor. 

Ambrose  Dudley,  King  William  Co.     In  mfg  salt. 

William  Stanton,  Lynchburg.     Washing  machine. 

William  Mayo,  Henrico  Co.    For  grinding  Corn  in  cobb. 

Amos  Bolton,  Fauquier  Co.    Mill  water-gate. 

Ethan  Owen,  Prince  George  Co.  Saw  mill  to  be  worked  by 
animal  power. 

John  Heavin,  Montgomery  Co.     In  the  loom. 


WILLIAM  AND  MABY  QUARTERLY  151 

Kobert  Christy,  Jefferson  Co.    Elevator  for  grain  or  fluids. 
Robert  Smether,  Orange  Co.    In  bridles. 

1813.  David  Cram,  Clarksburg.     Machine  for  cutting  timber. 
John  J.  Cabell,  Lynchburg.     Apparatus  for  mf g  salt. 
John  Heavin,  Montgomery  C.  H.    Rope  and  twine  machine. 
Daniel  Harrington,  Fairfax  Co.    A  warm  bathing  vessel. 
James  Wheatley,  Fauquier  Co.     Still  and  condensing  tub. 
John  Humes,  Richmond.     Machine  for  cutting  screws. 

1814.  Samuel  K.  Jennings,  Lynchburg.     A  warm  and  portable 

bath. 

John  Heavin,  Montgomery  Co.    In  looms. 

Ezra  Talmage,  Hichmond.    In  stills. 

Thomas  Hord,  Caroline  Co.     For  mfg  salt. 

Brightberry  Brown,  Albemarle  Co.     Water  loom. 

William  M.  Hawkins,  King  &  Queen  Co.     Salt  water  eva- 
porator. 

Jacob  Sprinkel,  Wythe  Co.    In  the  loom. 

Benj.  James  Harris,  Richmond.    Fireproof  ceiling. 

Joseph  Tuley,  Frederick  Co.     A  family  stove. 

Thomas  K.  Beale,  Alexandria.     Method  for  brick  cornices. 

1814.  John  J.  Cabell,  Lynchburg.    In  mfg  salt. 

Charles  Hill,  Essex  Co.     A  machine  for  weeding  corn  and 

other  crops. 

Henry  Spickard,  Fincastle.     Clover  seed  cleaner. 
Thomas  Shurley,  Madison  Co.     Heater  for  mfg  spirituous 

liquors. 
William  Cornwell,  Accomac  Co.    Horizontal  water  wheel  for 

mills. 

1815.  Samuel  Arnold,  Botetourt  Co.     Clover  seed  cleaner. 
Frederick  Oswan,  Harper's  Ferry.     In  guns  and  rifles. 
John  Smith,  Fredericksburg.     For  gathering  clover  seed. 
David  M.  Randolph,  Richmond.    In  making  candles. 

In  ship  building. 

Matthew  Cluff,  Norfolk.    In  steam  engines. 
John  Russell.     Brooke  Co.     Saw  tooth  setter. 

1816.  George  Tabb,  Martinsburg.     Frame  bridges. 
William  Adams, .    Wheat  fan. 


152  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

John  Green,  Sr., .  Overshot  water  wheel. 

Jacob  Fuller,  Rockbridge  Co.     Machine  for  shelling  Indian 
corn. 

1816.  William  Mitchell,  Henrico  Co.     Making  bricks. 
James  Barron,  Elizabeth  City.     Windmill  improvement. 
Jacob  Sprinkel,  Wythe  Co.     Cotton  and  wool  spinner. 
William  Cornwell,  Accomac  Co.    Improvement  in  the  horse 

mill. 

1817.  David  and  Joseph  Ruffin,  Kanawha.     Mode  of  obtaining 

salt  water. 

Webb  Hart,  Accomac  Co.    Mode  of  applying  draught  horses 
to  machinery. 
[And  1825,  of  Petersburg.    A  mode  of  packing  cotton.] 

William  Mitchell,  Richmond.    Brickmaking  and  clay  grind- 
ing machine. 

John  Jordan^  Rockbridge  Co.    Window  and  door  frames. 

1818.  [Name  not  given],  Mathews  Co.     Thrashing  machine. 
Samuel  Nixon,  Prince  George  Co.     Dough  kneading  ma- 
chine. 

John  Ecoff,  Wheeling.     Mode  of  consuming  smoke. 
Sylvester  Nash,  Harper's  Ferry.     Machine  for  turning  gun 

barrels. 
James  Clarke,  Powhatan  Co.     Odometer  to  ascertain  the 

distance. 

1818.  Tobias  Ruffner,  Kenawha.     Sinking  wells. 
George  D.  Avery.    Wood  Co.    Plough. 

1819.  James   Barron,    Hampton.      Machine    for  making  bottle 

corks. 
William  J.  Lewis,  .    Mode  of  propelling  boats  or 


James  Rudder,  Norfolk.  Anti-friction  bush  for  sheaves  in 
blocks. 

James  Barron,  Hampton.    Pump  for  air  or  water. 

Obadaah  Stith,  Brunswick  Co.  ("Quarrelstown").  Im- 
provement in  the  gun  or  rifle. 

Edmund  Brown,  Richmond.     Tobacco  press. 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY  153 

James  Cooper,  Augusta  Co.  Improvement  in  the  Archi- 
median  screw. 

1820.  Charles   Williams,    Richmond.      Improvement   in   railways 

and  carriages. 

Thomas  Dakin,  Harper's  Ferry.  Machine  for  draw  grind- 
ing gun  barrels. 

James  Deneale,  Dumfries.     Instrument  for  mapping  lands. 

John  Ballthrop,  Loudoun  Co.     Double  shovel  plough. 

David  Evans,  Alexandria.  Knapping  hats  with  rabbits's 
fur. 

David  Beauchamp,  Wood  Co.     Improved  water  wheel. 

Geo.  P.  Digges,  Albemarle  Co.  Application  of  the  oil  of 
cotton  seed  for  all  the  purposes  of  linseed  oil. 

1821.  Peter  Laporte,  Louisa  Co.    Bridle  for  stopping  horses  when 

running  away. 

Thomas  Oxley,  Norfolk.     Land  clearing  machine. 
N.  C.  Dawson  &  A.  Rucker,1  Amherst  Co.     Improvement 

in  boats  for  rivers. 

i  JAMES  RIVER  NAVIGATION. 

The  Lynchburg  Press  (John  Hampden  Pleasants),  August  17,  1821, 
in  discussing  Anthony  Rucker's  patent,  mentioned  the  objections  of 
the  paper  to  the  patent  laws  as  those  laws  were  often  made  to  work, 
but  added  that  in  this  case  it  would  seem  that  a  patent  was  quite 
warranted.  "Anthony  Rucker  was  unquestionably,"  said  The  Press, 
"the  inventor  and  original  constructor  of  the  James  River  Batteaux,  a 
species  of  boat  essentially  different  from  any  before  that  time  used 
on  the  waters  of  America.  Mr.  Jefferson,  we  understand,  is  pre- 
pared to  give  his  testimony  in  favor  of  the  ancestor  (Anthony  Rucker, 
Sr.)  of  the  patentees,  and  it  is  said  was  a  spectator  of  the  launch  of 
the  first  boat  of  the  kind  ever  used  on  James  River,  and  which  oc- 
curred somewhere  in  Albemarle." 

That  is  to  say,  the  patent  to  N.  C.  Dawson  and  A.  Rucker,  of 
Pedlar's  Mills,  Amherst  County,  April  3,  1821,  was  possibly  [like  so 
many  patents]  in  litigation  very  soon  after  issuance.  It  may  be  that 
Anthony  Rucker,  Jr.,  and  N.  C.  Dawson  thought  it  well  in  1821  to 
patent  the  device  of  Anthony  Rucker,  Sr.  And  it  may  be  that  the 
elder  Rucker's  boats  were  those  that  Isaac  Weld  [Travels  Through 
the  United  States  of  North  America,  &c]  saw  at  Lynchburg  in  1796 — 
"boats  in  which  produce  is  conveyed  down  the  river  are  from  forty- 


154  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

David  M.  Randolph,  Richmond.     Improvement  in  drawing 

liquor. 

John  Humes,  Richmond.     Machine  for  digging  canals. 
James  Barron,   Norfolk.     Washing  machine. 
1822.  Andrew  Woods,  Jefferson  Co.    Improvement  in  the  nursing 

and  other  chairs. 
Samuel  Dew,  Romney.    Improvement  in  the  universal  com- 


James  Barron,  Norfolk.     Angle  lever. 

Stove. 

eight  to  fifty-four  feet  long,  but  very  narrow  in  proportion  to  their 
length.  Three  men  are  sufficient  to  navigate  one  of  these  boats,  and 
they  can  go  to  Richmond  and  back  in  ten  days.  They  fall  down  with 
the  stream,  but  work  their  way  back  again  with  poles." 

At  any  rate,  it  seems  likely  that  the  Rose  and  Rucker  methods 
were  the  improved  methods  of  getting  down  James  River  from  Albe- 
marle  before  the  coming  of  the  canal.  James  Maury,  Thomas  Jef- 
ferson's teacher,  explained  the  Rose  method  in  1756,  and  registered 
the  name  of  the  inventor,  that  remarkable  man  Robert  Rose,  min- 
ister of  St.  Anne's  Parish,  Albemarle,  who  died  in  1751.  Mr.  Maury, 
minister  of  Fredericksville  Parish,  Louisa,  was  no  less  remarkable, 
as  the  whole  of  this  letter,  treating  of  the  navigation  of  our  western 
waters,  gives  proof.  Mr.  Maury  said,  writing  from  Louisa  January 
10,  1756  (see  Memoirs  of  a  Huguenot  Family): 

"Although  one  single  canoe  will  carry  but  a  small  weight,  yet 
nothing  is  more  common  than  to  see  two  of  these  tottering  vehicles, 
when  lashed  together  side  by  side  with  cords,  or  any  other  strong 
bandages,  carrying  down  our  upland  streams  eight  or  nine  heavy  hogs- 
heads of  tobacco  at  a  time  to  the  warehouse,  rolled  on  their  gunwales 
crossways,  and  secured  against  moving  fore  or  aft  by  a  small  piece 
of  wood  drove  under  the  bilge  of  the  two  extreme  hogsheads;  an  al- 
most incredible  weight  for  such  slender  embarkations.  But  as  they 
will  bear  such  a  burden,  their  slender  contexture  is  an  advantage; 
they  draw  but  few  inches  water,  move  down  a  current  with  gFeat 
velocity,  and  leave  the  waterman  nothing  but  Palinurus's  task  to  per- 
form when  going  downwards,  and  when  they  return  two  men  will 
shove  the  canoes  with  poles  as  far  against  stream  in  one  day  as  four 
brisk  watermen  with  oars  can  a  boat  that  will  carry  the  same  burden, 
In  two  days.  For  this  great  improvement  of  inland  navigation  we 
mountaineers  are  indebted  to  the  late  Reverend  and  ingenious  Mr. 
Rose/'  (See  also  Brown,  Cabells  and  Their  Kin,"  51,  215.) 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY  155 

[And  1826 — Carrying  and  lifting  trunk  dock — Capt.  U. 

S.  Navy.] 

Peter  Laporte,  Richmond.    Bridle  (improvement). 
Charles  W.  Skinner,  Norfolk.     Method  of  ventilating  ves- 


Thomas  Williams,  Pittsylvania  Co.     Improvement  in  ma- 
chine for  covering  corn. 

1823.  John  Maze,  Greenbrier  Co.    Vertical  water  wheel. 

Peter  Harry,  Harrisonburg.    Elastic  spring  girth  and  sad- 
dle tree. 

Littleberry  Mosby,  Powhatan  Co.     Raising  water  by  suc- 
cessive pumps. 

Ryland  Rhodes,*  Albemarle  Co.     Plough. 

Simon  C.  Williams,  Shenandoah  Co.    Bee  hive. 

James  Cooper,  Augusta  Co.    Wheel  to  prevent  chain  from 
slipping, 
[and  1826.     Machine  to  supersede  the  use  of  cogs.] 

John  T.  Sharrock,  Winchester.  Improvement  in  mf'g  cotton. 

1824.  Robert  Crutchfield,  Botetourt  Co.     Burning  bricks. 
Peter  Laporte,  Richmond.    Mail  bags. 

[1828  of  Augusta  Co.    Cloth  for  boots  of  stages.] 
Andrew  Glendening,  Loudoun  Co.     Apple  cutter. 

Fly  killer. 

"  "  "  Washing  machine. 

"  "  "  Sausage  machine. 

William  Dabney,  Richmond.  Machine  for  raising  water. 
The  first  McCormick  plough  (Stephen  McCormick,  of  Fauquier 
County)  was  patented  in  1826.  In  1828  Moncure  Robinson,  of 
Richmond,  was  granted  patent  on  his  "method  of  transporting 
carriages  on  inclined  planes."  We  come  to  modern  times  with  1830, 
in  which  year  Robert  McCormick,  of  Rockb ridge  County  (father 
of  Cyrus  McCormick)  received  patent  on  his  flax  and  hemp  ma- 
chine. Around  1830  Virginia  patentees  were  in  number  about 
twenty-five  a  year. 

In  this  connection,  it  is  well  to  note  a  letter  on  the  "Manufac- 
tures of  Richmond,"  written  by  Francis  B.  Deane,  Jr.,  in  1845. 
(See  Redwood  Fisher's  National  Magazine  and  Industrial  Record, 


156  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

New  York,  Dec.,  1845,  Vol.  II,  631-633).  Mr.  Deane  began  his 
letter  by  comment  on  the  unused  opportunities  at  Richmond — the 
coal  fields  and  the  water  power  there.  He  spoke  of  the  cotton  fac- 
tory established  in  1826;  of  the  Tredegar  Iron  Works  [which  he 
had  been  greatly  instrumental  in  getting  started  about  1836]  ; 
and  of  the  Gallego  and  Haxall  Mills,  "the  largest  in  the  United 
States,  and  the  best  flour  in  the  United  States."  That  flour  was 
then  going  almost  exclusively  to  South  America.  Mr.  Deane  said 
to  Redwood  Fisher.  "I  cannot  withhold  my  acknowledgments  for 
so  enlightened  and  patriotic  effort  [as  yours]  to  teach  the  me- 
chanic and  manufacturer  properly  to  appreciate  the  important 
position  they  occupy,  and  how  much  of  true  national  greatness  is 
dependent  upon  their  moral  and  intellectual  culture.  We  of  the 
South,  who  have  ventured  to  become  pioneers  in  manufacturing, 
require  in  an  especial  manner  such  support  and  teachings  as  are  to 
be  found  in  your  work." 


LETTERS  WRITTEN  BY  MR.  MORAY,  A  MINISTER  TO 

SR.  R.  MORAY/  FROM  WARE  DIVER  IN  MOCK- 

JACK  BAY,  VIRGINIA,  FEB.  1,  1665.2 

read  Mar.  28.  66 
entd  L.  B.  1  241 

I  am  disappointed  at  this  time  of  some  rarities  of  stone,  min- 
erals and  mettals,  whereof  I  writ  to  you  before,  and  was  promised 
by  a  gentleman  of  good  esteem  here,  but  you  may  have  them  any 
other  time  as  conveniently.  He  is  above  100  miles  distant  from 
me,  up  upon  the  freshes,  at  the  falls  of  the  mountains  ;  and  there 
is  but  seldom  occasion  of  meeting  with  him.  But  I  shall  not  be 
wanting  to  take  all  occasions  herein,  to  serve  you.  I  writ  to  you 
before  of  those  bals  or  irons,  for  heating  liquors,  for  brewing  or 
distilling  in  barrels,  and  desire,  that  according  to  that  letter  you 
would  satisfy  me  therein,  "[and  buy  2  or  3  of  them  if  they  will  be 
so  far  usefull  as  to  save  the  charge  of  coppers,  to  distill  or  brew  in] 
And  I  desire  further,  that  you  would  procure  me,  the  easiest  and 
best  receipt  for  making  common  white  salt;  and  how  they  make 
bay  salt  at  Rochel  in  France,  for,  salt  is  very  dear  here,  and  what 
else  you  can  recommend  to  me  for  any  thing  worth  improving 
here;  I  would  willingly  be  at  the  Charges,  to  improve  art  and 
vertue.  I  have  planted  here  already  ten  thousand  mulberry  trees, 
and  hope,  w^in  2  or  3  years  to  reap  good  silk  of  them.  I  have 
planted  them  in  an  extraordinary  way,  wch  advances  them  2  or  3 
years  growth,  in  respect  of  being  sown  in  seed;  and  they  are  now, 
at  writing  hereof  all  holding  good,  in  bud  and  herbs  ;  although  this 
has  been  a  very  long  and  bitter  winter  with  us,  much  longer  and 
colder  than  ever  I  did  find  it  in  Scotland  or  England.  I  intend 
likewise  to  plant  them  all,  as  if  they  were  currans  or  goosberries,  so 
thick  as  in  hedges,  whereby  one  man  may  gather  as  many  herbs,  as 


Robert  Moray  or  Murray,  born  about  1600,  died  1673,  was  one 
of  the  founders  of  the  Royal  Society.  He  was  the  son  of  Sir  Mungo 
Moray  of  Craigie  in  Perthshire. 

*Royal  Society  MSS.y  M.  I.  36a.     Extract  only  in  Transactions  I, 
No.  12. 


158  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

otherwise  planted  "in  trees  at  distance  4  persons  may  doe.  For 
expedient  is  the  benefit  of  this  trade,  and  having  discoursed  of 
this  new  way  to  all  here,  they  may  inclinable  to  this  way,  consider- 
ing the  planting  their  trees,  as  before,  at  distance,  and  let- 
ting them  grow  high,  has  been  the  only  obstruction  of  that  work 
hitherto,  and  the  losse  of  their  time  and  gain :  For  being  in  hedges 
they  will  be  always  young  tender  plants  and  herbs,  and  early  be 
cut  in  a  great  quantity  wth  a  pair  of  sissers :  and  yet  I  intend,  at 
more  leasure,  a  better  way,  wch  is  to  sow  some  Acres  with  mul- 
berry seed,  and  cut  it  with  a  sith,  [and  to  keep  it  ever  under]. 
I  have  bethought  also  of  a  new  way,  for  a  few  hands  to  serve  many 
worms,  and  that  more  cleanly,  than  before:  w°h  also  will  be  a 
means,  wthout  more  trouble  or  pains,  to  separate  unwholesome 
worms  from  healthfull,  and  by  wch  a  great  many  more  may  be  kept 
in  a  room,  than  otherways  upon  shelves  as  is  usual  here,  and  how 
to  kill  worms  with  expedition,  wch  here  is  a  great  difficulty,  they 
lying  sometimes  3  or  4  daies  in  the  sun,  before  they  dye,  and 
bring  many  inconveniencies  upon  those,  who  have  endevored  the 
work,  but  of  those  things,  as  my  experience  shall  confirm  me,  I 
shall  afterwards  inform  me  more  at  large.  I  have  sown  a  little 
French  barley  and  rice  seed,  and  have  thought  on  a  way  of  pre- 
paring them  for  the  marchant,  as  they  are  to  be,  but  if  you  inform 
me,  how  they  are  prepared,  you  may  save  me  some  labor,  if  you 
can  procure  me  any  coffee  in  husks,  or  any  thing  else  of  com- 
modities, from  the  Straits  to  try  here,  you  will  oblige  me :  its  like 
that  some  of  those  marchants  that  are  of  yr  Society,  who  keep  a 
correspondency  there,  may  help  you  hereto.  By  the  latter  ships, 
I  intend  to  send  you  a  new  sort  of  sweet  sented  Tobacco,  wch  yet 
I  have  not  had  time  to  have  emproved,  and  having  none  to  do  any 
thing,  but  myself  and  another  friend,  whom  I  brought  along  with 
me  to  keep  me  Company,  but  afterwards  I  shall  send  it  wth  its 
propertie,  and  leave  it  to  yr  censure.3 

Sr* 

Your  Last  by  Mr  fouls  about  10  days  agoe  I  received:  which 

3ln  the  catalogue — said  to  be  a  copy  by  Mr.  Oldenburg. 
*Royal  Society  MSS.,  M.  I.  37. 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY  159 

argued  no  less  your  mindfulness  in  writing  to  me,  then  your  re- 
spect, in  requiring  my  advise  in  such  concerns,    truly  my  obliga- 
tions to  you,  should  have  made  me  adventure  any  thing,  for  youi 
friends  good :  but  I  hope  he  is  so  much  happier,  by  recomendation 
to  others,  upon  whom  he  is  now  cast  himself ;  that  he  is  altogether 
out  of  my  way  of  serving  him :  being  gon  into  another  Eiver :  and 
relying  on  great  mens  promises.     I  have  ordered  you  a  token  of 
Tobaco  by  a  former  ship,  and  4  letters:  and  by  the  Duke  of  York, 
whereof  Cap :  James  is  Commander,  you  may  expect  my  wiffe  and 
another  token;  she  will  sail  hence  about  5  weeks:  had  not  this 
last  year,  been  so  fatal  to  me,  and  to  all  this  Country,  I  should 
have  been  able  to  have  acquitted  my  self,  of  part  of  those  great 
ingagements  but  by  .the  great  gust,  and  my  familys  passage,  and 
the  death  of  several  of  my  family,  and  the  death  of  my  cattel, 
and  now  my  wyfs  return  for  England  again:  I  have  lost  above 
twenty  thousand  weight  of  Tobaco,  too  much  saving  Gods  pleasur, 
for  a  beginner :  but  I  hope  en  a  year  or  two :  to  recruit  a  litle.    my 
wyfe,  will  acquaint  you  of  my  endevors;  and  what  hopefulness  of 
providing    settlement,    of    my    own:  to    let    free,    from     being 
Chargeable  to  the  Gospel,  if  I  could  once  procure  two  or  three  men 
servants  more.     I  have  by  Gods  blessing  a  Considerable  stok  of 
Cattle  left,  about  20  head  of  Cattle  and  3  mares,  yong  &  old  and 
30  hogs  and  3  or  4  servants :  and  I  am  now  upon  seating  som  land 
of  my  own,  with  my  servants,  and  provided  above  a  1000  fruit 
-[p.    2]    trees    to    plant   upon    it   and    after    I    have    setied     it, 
I    intend    to    return    for    England:    which    may    be    in    the 
spring  following  this  nixt  spring:  with  a  designe  of  recomend- 
ing,  to  our  Country  men  a  settlement  and  plantation  to  the  South- 
ward of  this :  which  may  be  the  hopefullest  busseness,  yet  hes  been 
aimed  at.    as  here  after  I  shall  have  better  occasion  to  acquaint 
you,  and  how  farr  I  have  with  many  of  our  Country  men  here, 
proceeded  therein:  and  made  discoveries  for  the  same:  being  the 
hopefullest  place  in  the  world.    I  should  think  my  self  very  happy 
in  living  in  this  Country :  being  so  pleasant,  so  fertil  &  so  plenti- 
ful a  country:  but  that  the  emulations,  and  differences  betwixt 
us  and  the  English,  not  only  givs  discouragement  but  that  when  wee 
have  occasion,  we  meet  with  many  disapointments  in  justice,  both 


160  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

for  securing  states  [  ?]  &  persons  &  our  peace :  however  we  must 
take  the  bitt  and  the  busket  with  i,t,  and  they  tell  us,  we  are  like 
the  jews,  we  thrive  being  crost:  I  hope  our  afflictions  work  for  our 
good:  for  they  make  us  spare,  and  ther  prosperity  make  them 
spend  so  as  generally  the  condi°n  betwixt  the  English  and  us, 
is  not  fair  different  as  to  outward  things,  many  of  our  Country 
men,  living  better  then  ever  ther  forfathers,  and  that  from  so 
mean  a  beginning  as  being  sold  slavs  here,  after  hamUtons  engage- 
ment and  Worster  fight  are  now  herein  great  masters  of  many 
servants  themselfs:  my  zeal  for  my  Country;  oversways  all  things 
else  with  me  nixt  the  Gospel,  and  I  hope  ther  is  no  true  Country 
man  will  be  wanting  when  occasion  may  serv  for  a  good  endevor 
micat  ut  sol  inclyta  virtus;  he  who  is  altogether  self  he  is  but  as 
the  beast,  he  is  born  a  beast,  he  livs  a  beast,  he  dies  a  beast,  and 
forgot  as  a  beast:  but  the  righteous  and  vertous  shall  be  had  in 
everlasting  remembrance  and  he  that  will  be  discourag[ed  *  *  * 
be] cause  of  difficulties  is  worse  then  the  beast:  which  fears  nothing 
to  attain  its  designe.  Difficilia  quae  pulchra,  says  the  pro- 
verb. And  wee  must  not  expect  by  dalliance  and  daintes 
to  attain  them  dulcia  non  meruit  qui  non  gustavit  amara: 
you  have  been  venturing  all  your  lyfe,  but  I  think  the  greatest  ven- 
ture is  your  Court  venture:  which  so  many  fondly  affect,  and 
blindly,  if  they  Considerd  procul  a  jove  procul  a  fulmine:  ther  is 
no  quiet,  lyk  to  the  desart:  qui  bene  latuit  bene  vigit:  Could  a 
publick  good,  consist  with  a  hermetik  condi°n,  I  should  prefere  it 
before  all  others,  but  the  nixt  to  it  which  is  the  settling  in  a 
wilderness  of  milk  and  honey:  non  can  know  the  sweetness  of  it: 
but  he  that  tasts  it:  one  ocular  inspection,  one  aromatik  smel  of 
our  woods:  one  hearing  of  the  consert  of  our  birds  in  those  woods 
would  affect  more  then  a  1000  reported  stories  let"  the  authors  be 
never  so  readible.  I  doubt  I  am  tedious  now  for  my  former  brevity. 
I  recomended  in  my  last  unto  you  a  gentleman  Col  Willes  my  pa- 
rishoner  and  friend :  with  whom  being  conversant  you  may  satisfie 
yourself  of  those  phylosophick  speculations,  and  Quyries  you  re- 
comended to  me,  and  for  further  satisfaction,  I  shall  en- 
devour  it  at  my  return.  Thus  recomending  my  all,  unto  you  as 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY  161 

unto  its  own:  for  tho  circulation  in  logick  be  had:  yet  in  affec- 
tion and  blood  its  as  natural  and  good  so  I  rest 

Yrs  or  not  my  own 

Alexr  Moray 

from  my  house  in  Ware  Riv.  in 
Mockjack  bay  in  Virginea  Jun.  12  1665. 
My  wyf  desires  to  present  her  Service 
unto  you  until  she  attend  on  you  herselfe 
[Addressed  on  the  back] 

for 

Sr  Robert  Moray 

$i  the  Earl  of  Lauderdales 

Lodgings  in  the  ston  Gallery 

in  Whithall 

London 

these 


THE  WILL  OF  JOSEPH  POLLARD  OF  KING  AND  QUEEN 
COUNTY,  VIRGINIA. 

By  MARY  POLLARD  CLARKE. 

The  will  of  Joseph  Pollard  (1701-91),  the  ancestor  of  three 
U.  S.  Senators,  one  Congressman,  and  an  Attorney-General  of 
Virginia,  is  here  published  for  the  first  time.  The  will  is  re- 
markable for  the  number  of  distinguished  names  it  contains. 

1.  The  son-in-law,  named  as  one  of  the  executors,  was  Judge 
Edmund  Pendleton  (1721-1803),  member  of  the  first  Continental 
Congress,  author  of  the  resolutions  of  the  Virginia  Convention 
of  May,   1776,  proposing  a   declaration  of  independence,  presi- 
dent of  the  Virginia  Convention  which  ratified  the  Constitution 
of  the  U.  S.,  and  president  of  the  first  Supreme  Court  of  the  State. 
Jefferson  said  of  him,  "He  was  the  ablest  man  in  debate  I  have 
ever  met  with."     (Jeifersonian  Enc.,  p.  685.)       With  Jefferson 
and  Wythe,  he  wrote  the  first  Code  of  Virginia.     His  home  "Ed- 
mundberry"  in  Caroline  Co.,  was  standing  in  1906.     His  remains 
were  removed  from  his  family  burying  ground  and  placed  under 
the  aisle  of  Bruton  Church,  Williamsburg,  about  1910.     He  left 
no  issue. 

2.  The  other  son-in-law  mentioned  as  executor,  Edmund  Pen- 
dleton, "the  younger,"  was  a  Colonel  in  the  Revolutionary  War. 
He  lived  at  "White  Plains"  near  Sparta,  Caroline  Co.,  Va.     His 
home  is  still  standing  and  is  owned  by  Rev.  Andrew  Broadus. 

3.  The  grandson,  John  Taylor  (1750-1824)  mentioned  in  the 
will  was  Colonel  in  the  Revolutionary  Army,  three  times  senator 
from  Virginia.     He  offered  the  famous  Virginia  Resolutions  of 
1798  against  the  Alien  and  Sedition  laws.    He  was  a  prolific  writer 
on  political  and  agricultural  topics.     Among  his  books  are  "An 
Inquiry  into  the  Principles  and  Policies  of  the  Government  of 
U.  S.""  (1814),  and  "New  Views  of  the  Constitution  of  the  U.  S." 
(1823)  and  "Arator,"  one  of  the  first  American  books  on  Agri- 
culture.    Jefferson  said  that  his  book,  "Construction  Construed/' 
was  "the  most  logical  retraction  of  government  to  the  original 
and  true  principles  of  the  Constitution  creating  them,  which  has 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY  163 

appeared  since  the  adoption  of  that  instrument."  (Jeffersonian 
Enc.,  p.  859.)  John  Taylor's  home  in  Caroline  Co.,  "Hazlewood," 
where  he  is  buried,  is  still  a  fine  estate  and  is  owned  by  a  son-in- 
law  of  William  Jennings  Bryan. 

Both  the  Col.  Edmund  Pendleton  and  John  Taylor  were  edu- 
cated by  their  uncle,  Judge  Edmund  Pendleton,  at  the  College  of 
William  and  Mary. 

4.  The  daughter,   Francis  Pollard  Rogers,  mentioned  in  the 
will  was  the  wife  of  George  Rogers  (1721-1802)  of  Mt.  Air,  Caro- 
line Co. — the  uncle  of  George  Rogers  Clarke.    From  this  daughter 
was  descended  Joseph  Rogers  Underwood   (1791-1873)    born  in 
Goochland  Co.,  Va.,  JJ.  S.  Senator  from  Kentucky,  1835-43,  and 
also  the  present  U.  S.  Senator  Oscar  W.  Underwood,  of  Alabama, 
Democratic  Leader. 

5.  The  son,  William,  mentioned  iji  the  will  was  William  Pol- 
lard, clerk  of  Hanover  County,  1740-81.     He  was  a  friend  and 
neighbor  of  Patrick  Henry.     His  name  is  signed  to  the  resolu- 
tions of  the  famous  gathering  of  Hanover's  citizens  to  take  action 
concerning  the  formation  of  a  Congress  of  the  colonies  to  formu- 
late plans  to  resist  British  oppression.     (See  William  Wirt's  Life 
of  Henry,  p.  98.)     His  home,  "Buck-eye,"  near  Studley  is  still 
standing  and  is.  owned  by  the  family. 

6.  The  son,  Thomas  Pollard,  mentioned  in  the  will  lived  in 
Fairfax  Co.,  Va.,  and  was  a  friend  and  neighbor  of  George  Wash- 
ington and  served  with  him  as  vestryman  in  Pohick  Church.  (See 
History  of  Pohick  Church.)     He  afterwards  moved  to  Kentucky, 
and  has  many  descendants  in  the  West. 

7.  The   grandson,   Joseph    Pollard     (son   of   William)    men- 
tioned in  the  will  was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  War  and  was 
at  the  surrender  at  Yorktown.     He  married  Catherine  Robinson, 
great-granddaughter  of  John  Robinson,  President  of  the  Council, 
and  acting  Governor  of  Virginia  1749.    From  him  were  descended 
the  late  Col.  John  Pollard,  of  King  and  Queen  Co.,  his  sons,  the 
late  Dr.  John  Pollard,  of  Richmond  College,  and  Henry  Robinson 
Pollard,  former  City  Attorney  of  Richmond,  and  John  Garland 
Pollard,  former  Attorney-General  of  Virginia,  and  now  professor 


164  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

of  Constitutional  History  and  Law  at  the  College  of  William  and 
Mary. 

Joseph  Pollard,  the  maker  of  the  will  here  published,  was  a 
son  of  Eobert  Pollard,  of  King  and  Queen  Co.,  Va.,  who  received 
from  the  King  a  grant  of  land  in  St.  Stephens  Parish  near  Tucka- 
hoe  swamp  in  said  county.  (See  records  in  the  office  of  the  Regis- 
ter of  Lands  at  Richmond.)  Joseph  Pollard  lived  in  King  and 
Queen  County  until  175 1  and  then  moved  to  Goochland  County, 
where  he  became  treasurer  of  the  county.  He  married  Prissilla 
Hoomes,  of  Caroline,  who  lived  at  "The  Mansion,"  near  Bowling 
Green. 

The  writer,  Mary  Pollard  Clarke,  1815  Hanover  Ave.t  Rich- 
mond, Va.,  is  collecting  data  for  publication  and  would  be  glad  to 
receive  information  concerning  the  descendants  of  those  men- 
tioned in  the  will. 

In  the  name  of  God  amen  I  Joseph  Pollard  of  Goochland 
County  being  in  an  advanced  Age  but  by  Divine  favour  of  sound 
&  disposing  memory  do  make  this  my  last  Will  and  Testament 
for  setting  my  temporal  Affairs.  Imprimis  my  eldest  daughter 
Sarah  Pendleton  having  received  her  due  proportion  of  my  estate 
is  therefore  omitted  herein. 

Item.  I  give  to  the  Children  of  my  son  Wiltiam  Pollard  deed, 
a  negro  Woman  named  Lucy  &  her  children  fc  a  boy  Sawney  now 
in  the  possession  of  the  sd  children,  and  a  fifth  part  of  my  stocks 
of  Cattle,  Sheep  &  Hoggs  in  Goochland  &  a  sixth  part  of  my 
household  furniture. 

Item.  I  give  to  my  daughter  Frances  Rogers  Four  Negroes 
Brutus,  Hannah,  Patty  &  Chloe  now  in  her  Husband's  possession 
with  the  children  of  the  females  born  or  to  be  born,  also  one  fifth 
part  of  my  Cattle,  Sheep  &  Hoggs  in  the  County  of  Goochland 
&  a  sixth  part  of  my  Household  furniture. 

Item.  I  give  to  my  son  Thomas  Pollard  &  his  Heirs  the  Land 
whereon  he  lives  in  Fairfax  County  &  all  the  stocks  thereon,  also 
three  Negroes  named  Gilbert,  Scopeo  &  Moll  with  her  children 
now  in  his  possession  &  a  sixth  part  of  my  household  furniture. 

Item.     I  give  to  my  daughter  Anne  Taylor  a  large  looking 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY  165 

glass  &  a  large  Kettle  which  I  purchased  of  her  Husbands  estate 
also  one  fifth  part  of  my  stocks  in  Goochland  County  &  a  sixth 
part  of  my  household  furniture:  also  I  confirm  to  her  daughter 
Elizabeth  Johnson  a  negroe  woman  named  Janey  and  her  chil- 
dren to  go  according  to  the  terms  of  her  marriage  settlement. 

Item.  I  give  to  my  daughter  Elizabeth  Meriwether  the  use 
of  young  negro  woman  named  Rachel  &  her  increase  during  her 
natural  life  &  at  her  death  to  be  equally  divided  between  her  chil- 
dren. I  also  give  her  one  fifth  part  of  my  said  stocks  in  Gooch- 
land and  a  sixth  part  of  my  Household  furniture. 

Item.  My  daughter  Jane  Dandridge  having  received  her  due 
proportion  of  my  estate  is  therefore  omitted  herein. 

Item.  I  give  tonny  daughter  Mille  Pendleton,  my  Negroes 
Flora  &  her  children  born  or  to  be  born  &  Emos  now  in  her  Hus- 
bands possession,  also  one  fifth  part  of  said  stocks  in  Goochland 
and  a  sixth  part  of  my  Household  furniture. 

Item.  It  is  my  meaning  that  none  of  the  bequests  of  stocks 
in  Goochland  or  of  Household  furniture  shall  take  effect  until 
the  death  of  my  wife  who  shall  have  the  use  thereof  during  her 
life. 

Item.  All  the  rest  of  my  Estate  I  give  to  my  wife  during  her 
natural  Life  and  after  her  death  I  give  a  Young  Negroe  or  Forty 
pounds  Specie  (at  the  current  value  of  Gold  or  Silver)  to  each 
of  my  Grandsons  Joseph  Pollard  (son  of  William)  Joseph  Pol- 
lard (son  of  Thomas)  John  Rogers,  John  Taylor,  Thomas  Meri- 
wether &  John  Pendleton  and  the  remainder  of  my  estate  or  resi- 
due after  my  just  debts  being  paid  I  give  at  the  death  of  my  wife 
to  be  equally  divided  between  my  son  Thomas  Pollard  and  the 
children  of  William  Pollard,  deed. 

Item.  If  any  Child  should  die  before  me  the  legacies  herein 
devised  to  such  child  shall  not  lapse  but  go  to  the  representatives 
of  him  or  her  according  to  the  Statute  of  distributions,  except 
where  it  is  otherwise  limited. 

Item.  The  looking  glass  &  kettle  to  m^  daughter  Anne  Tay- 
lor are  to  be  taken  out  before  a  General  division  of  my  Household 
furniture. 

Lastly  I  do  appoint  my  sd  wife  PricUla  Pollard,  my  son  Thomas 


166  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

Pollard,  and  my  sons  in  law  Edmund  Pendleton  &  Edmund  Pen- 
dleton  the  Younger  Executors  of  this  my  will  who  I  desire  may 
not  be  compelled  to  give  security  and  that  my  estate  may  not  be 
appreaised. 

Witness  my  hand  and  seal  this  Twenty  Third  day  of  November 
one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  Ninety  one. 

Joseph  Pollard     seal 

Sealed  and  Published  before  us  who  subscribed  the  same  in  the 
Testators  and  at  his  request.  Jno  Shelton,  Joseph  Shelton,  Jos. 
M.  Payne. 

Recorded  in  the  Clerks  Office  of  Goochland  Co  Va  Deed  & 
Will  book  #6  p.  56 


MCCARTHY  FAMILY. 

(Continued.) 
By  ARTHUR  LESLIE  KEITH. 

Dennis  Thaddeus  (in  later  years  the  Thaddeus  was  dropped) 
McCarty,  born  1808,  died  1868,  married  and  left  the  following 
issue.  Richard  McCarty  living  in  1908  near  Delaplane,  Vir- 
gina,  with  five  sons  and  one  daughter.  Billington  McCarty  died 
single  during  the  civil  war.  Robert  McCarty  living  in  1908  near 
Delaplane,  Virginia,  with  five  sons  and  one  daughter.  Dennis 
McCarty  living  in  19Q8  near  Delaplane,  Virginia,  with  six  sons 
and  two  daughters.  Daughter  married  Whitacre  and  had  two 
daughters.  Daughter  married  Curlette  (?)  and  had  no  issue. 
Betty  McCarty  living  single  near  Delaplane,  Virginia,  a  few  years 
ago. 

We  return  now  to  William  R.  McCarty,  second  son  of  Thad- 
deus and  Sarah  Richardson  McCarty.  We  do  not  know  whom 
he  married  but  the  following  must  certainly  be  his  children 
though  no  known  contemporary  record  proves  it.  Sarah  Kichard- 
son  McCarty  (said  to  have  been  named  for  her  grandmother), 
born  about  1805,  married  Benjamin  H.  Karsner  about  1824  and 
moved  to  Florence,  Alabama.  Daughter  (Nancy?)  married  Mon- 
roe. Daughter  Fanny  McCarty  married  Valandingham.  Burr 
Harrison  McCarty,  born  June  10,  1810,  in  Loudoun  County, 
Virginia,  in  1888  living  at  Jefferson  City,  Missouri.  Benjamin  H. 
Karsner  and  wife  Sarah  Richardson  McCarty  had  sons  George 
Washington  Karsner,  born  1828,  living  in  1908  at  Florence,  Ala- 
bama, with  daughter  who  had  married  T.  B.  Ingram;  and  Rob- 
ert Karsner.  Burr  Harrison  McCarty  had  the  following  children 
living  in  1888.  William  Gilmore  ( ?)  McCarty,  Charles  Fenton 
McCarty,  Arthur  Lee  McCarty,  John  D.  McCarty,  Mary  McCarty, 
Ella  McCarty,  and  Sarah  Karsner  McCarty,  all  of  whom  except- 
ing John  D.  lived  in  1888  at  Jefferson  City,  Missouri. 

We  take  up  next  George  Washington  McCarty,  third  son  of 
Thaddeus  and  Sarah  Richardson  McCarty.  He  married  Winifred 


168  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

Beatty,  sister  of  his  brother  Dennis'  wife.  They  had  the  following 
children.  Maria  French  McCarty,  born  about  1800,  died  about 
1864.  William  Thaddeus  McCarty,  born  about  1807,  see  below. 
Stephen  Washington  McCarty,  born  about  1808  (married  Eliza- 
beth Francis  and  had  two  sons,  James  William  who  died  in  Eagle- 
lake,  Texas,  about  1904,  leaving  four  sons,  and  Enoch  who  was 
killed  at  the  first  battle  of  Manassas).  George  Billington  McCarty, 
born  about  1812,  died  single.  Armistead  Thompson  Mason  Mc- 
Carty, born  about  1815,  died  sirigle  in  Texas.  Winifred  Hall  Mc« 
Carty,  married  Dr.  Cullen  and  moved  to  Mississippi.  Sarah  Bich- 
ardson  McCarty,  born  about  1818,  died  about  1850. 

William  Thaddeus  McCarty,  born  about  1807,  son  of  George 
Washington  and  Winifred  Beatty  McCarty,  married  a  Miss  Fox, 
daughter  of  Charles  Fox  of  Prince  William  Couatv,  Virginia. 
They  had  William  Thaddeus  McCarty,  an  attorney  living  a  few 
years  ago  at  Emporia,  Kansas,  and  Emily  Mason  McCarty,  un- 
married and  living  at  Emporia,  Kansas.  William  Thaddeus  Mc- 
Carty of  Emporia  had  at  least  one  son,  named  Keith  McCarty. 

Sarah  Elizabeth  McCarty,  daughter  of  Thaddeus  and  Sarah 
Bichardson  McCarty,  has  the  distinction  of  being  called  by  Gen- 
eral George  Washington  his  "red-haired  pet/'  and  we  do  not 
learn  that  any  offense  was  taken  at  this  designation.  She  married 
a  man  named  Eussell  and  had  at  least  one  child  named  Nancy 
Eussell,  and  probably  others.  Nothing  seems  to  be  known  definitely 
of  Mary  McCarty,  the  other  daughter  of  Thaddeus  and  Sarah 
Eichardson  McCarty. 

This  ends  the  account  of  the  sons  of  Maj.  Dennis  McCarty 
who  married  Sarah  Ball  and  died  in  1743.  We  now  take  up  his 
two  daughters  Sarah  and  Ann.  Sarah  McCarty  married  George 
Johnston  and  they  are  mentioned  in  the  will  of  her  brother  Dennis 
McCarty  in  1757.  George  Johnston  died  in  1766  in  Fairfax  County, 
Virginia.  Nothing  further  is  known  of  her  family.  Ann  Mc- 
Carty married  William  Eamsay  who  was  born  in  Scotland  in  1716 
and  settled  in  Alexandria  in  1744.  They  had  sons  Dr.  William 
Bamsay  (surgeon  in  the  American  army  in  the  Ee volution)  and 
Dennis  Bamsay  who  was  mayor  of  Alexandria  in  1793.  The  follow- 
ing heirs  of  Dr.  William  Eamsay,  surgeon  in  the  Eevolutionary 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY  169 

army,  request  bounty  land  due  to  him,  on  Jan.  23,  1836:  Eliza 
Blacklock,  Robert  T.  Ramsay,  Anne  McCarty  Blacklock,  Jane 
A.  Ramsay,  George  W.  D.  Ramsay,  of  Alexandria ;  Amelia  Barry 
of  Baltimore;  Daniel  Porter,  Sarah  R.  Porter,  Betsy  Porter,  and 
Sally  Cawood  of  Washington;  and  Ann  Allison  and  John  Allison 
of  Frederick,  Maryland. 

William  Ramsay  bought  land  in  Fairfax  County,  Virginia,  be- 
tween 1755  and  1761  of  Thomas  Bozeley.  For  a  supposed  Mc- 
Carty and  Bozeley  connection,  see  below. 

We  now  return  to  Westmoreland  County,  Virginia,  to  take  up 
Daniel  McCarty,  the  second  son  of  Captain  Daniel  who  died  in 
1724.  Capt.  Daniel  McCarty  left  all  his  lands  in  Westmoreland 
County  to  his  son  Daniel  and  apparently  this  Daniel  is  the  only 
one  of  the  name  remaining  in  this  county.  He  represented  West- 
moreland County  in  the  Virginia  House  of  Burgesses  in  1736, 
1738,  1740,  1742,  and  in  1744  his  place  was  taken  by  George  Lee, 
Daniel  McCarty  having  died.  He  appears  in  many  deeds  in  West- 
moreland and  adjacent  counties.  In  1732  he  was  appointed  as  one 
of  the  executors  of  the  will  of  Humphrey  Pope  (the  testator  calls 
him  cousin  Daniel  McCarty).  In  1735  Daniel  McCarty,  Gent., 
of  King  George  County,  Virginia,  sold  to  Philip  Burgess  (?). 
Also  he  sold  to  Samuel  Preston  in  1736  land  devised  to  him  by 
his  father  Daniel  McCarty.  No  wife  signs  these  deeds. 

The  Daniel  McCarty  of  King  George  County  and  the  Daniel 
McCarty  of  Westmoreland  County  were  undoubtedly  the  same 
man.  Daniel  McCarty,  Gent,  sued  Samuel  Oldham,  one  of 
the  inspectors  at  Yeomico  on  Oct.  18,  1737.  On  Nov. 
7,  1738,  Daniel  McCarty,  Gent.,  was  restored  to  his  former 
place  as  Commissioner  of  the  Peace  for  Westmoreland  County. 
On  Mch.  29,  1744,  he  was  appointed  with  Philip  Aylett  as  execu- 
tor of  the  will  of  William  Aylett  of  Westmoreland  County.  On 
Sept.  26,  1739,  he  was  appointed  executor  of  the  will  of  Mar- 
garet Jett.  Daniel  McCarty  married  1.  Penelope  Higgins,  daugh- 
ter of  Christine  Higgins,  and  she  died  Mch.  2'6,  1732,  in  the  19th 
year  of  her  age.  His  will  cited  below,  shows  that  he  married 
again  but  the  name  of  his  second  wife  is  unknown.  Furthermore 
it  is  not  known  whether  his  only  child,  a  son  named  Daniel,  was 


170  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

the  child  of  his  first  or  second  wife.  The  terms  of  the  will  seem  to 
imply  that  his  first  wife  was  the  mother  of  his  child.  Daniel 
McCarty  of  Westmoreland  County,  Gent.,  made  will  May  16, 
1744,  proved  June  26,  1744.  It  was  witnessed  by  Anthony  Thorn- 
ton, Francis  Thornton,  and  James  Carter.  He  gives  his  wife 
(name  not  given)  the  use  of  all  Ms  estate  until  son  Daniel  is  21 
years  of  age,  who  is  then  to  inherit  the  whole  estate  excepting  his 
dwelling-house  and  15  slaves  which  at  her  death  are  to  go  to  son 
Daniel.  He  provides  that  in  the  event  of  his  son  Daniel  dying 
without  issue  that  all  his  estate  is  to  be  divided  among  the  heirs 
of  his  brothers  Dennis  and  Billington  McCarty.  He  appoints 
Col.  Presley  Thornton,  Mr.  Joseph  Morton,  Mr.  Augustine  Wash- 
ington, and  Mr.  Lawrence  Butler,  Gents.,  as  executors.  By  codicil 
he  provides  for  possible  unborn  child. 

Capt.  Daniel  McCarty  as  therefore  the  only  son  of  the  Daniel 
McCarty  who  died  in  1744.  On  Dec.  6,  1769,  he  wrote  a  letter  to 
George  Washington,  which  is  included  in  the  latter's  published  cor- 
respondence. In  this  letter  he  refers  to  land  devised  by  his  grand- 
father's will  lying  in  Fairfax  County  (but  at  the  making  of  the 
will  lying  in  Stafford  County).  He  sends  Washington  a  copy 
of  his  grandfather's  will  (clearly  that  of  Capt.  Daniel  McCarty 
who  died  in  1724).  He  refers  in  the  letter  to  deeds  made  by  him- 
self and  wife  to  Mr.  Chichester  and  also  a  deed  made  by  Mr. 
Chichester  and  wife  to  himself.  He  mentions  6000  acres  owned 
by  him  in  Loudoun  County.  Eefers  to  his  wife's  father's  will  a 
copy  of  which  he  could  not  send  Washington  because  it  was  filed 
in  Lancaster  County.  This  Daniel  is  called  Capt.  Daniel  McCarty 
of  Pope's  Creek,  and  later  Col.  Daniel  McCarty.  He  married  in 
St.  Paul's  Parish  in  Stafford  County,  now  King  George  County  on 
Jan.  15,  1765  to  Winifred  Thornton,  daughter  of  Francis  and 
Sarah  Firtzhugh  Thornton.  Possibly  he  is  identical  with  the 
Daniel  McCarty  who  in  about  the  same  place  on  Apr.  3,  1764, 
married  Mary  Mercer  (  ?),  or  Monroe  (  ?),  or  Muse  (  ?).  But  the 
two  marriages  seem  to  have  been  rather  close  together  if  they  be- 
long to  the  same  Daniel.  If  they  were  not  the  same  Daniel  we  have 
no  idea  who  the  other  Daniel  was.  Daniel  McCarty  of  Pope's 
Creek,  Westmoreland  County,  on  Jan.  10,  1788,  gave  consent  for 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY  171 

the  marriage  of  his  daughter  Eliza  McCarty  to  Burwell  Bassett. 
On  Jan.  5,  1789,  he  is  named  as  executor  of  Ann  Carter  in  West- 
moreland County.  Daniel  McCarty  of  Washington  Parish,  West- 
moreland County,  Virginia,  made  will  Apr.  17,  1793,  probated 
Sept.  28,  1795.  He  leaves  to  son  Daniel  McCarty  land  that  he 
bought  of  John  Thornton,  on  Nomony  Creek.  He  also  makes 
bequest  to  daughter  Elizabeth  Bassett. 

Daniel  McCarty,  only  son  of  the  Daniel  who  died  in  1795., 

married  Margaret .    He  made  will  in  Westmoreland  County 

on  Apr.  27,  1800,  probated  June  22,  1801,  in  which  he  mentions 
wife  Margaret.  In  same  county  on  July  27,  1802,  Margaret  Mc- 
Carty was  married  to  Richard  Stuart.  She  was  probably  the 
widow  of  the  last  named  Daniel.  Elizabeth  McCarty  Bassett  died 
without  issue  so  the  line  of  Daniel  McCarty,  son  of  the  Capt. 
Daniel  McCarty  who  died  in  1724  terminates  here.  From  1731 
down  to  1817  no  other  McCarty  aside  from  this  line  of  Daniels 
appears  in  Westmoreland  County,  but  on  Mch.  24,  1817,  license 
to  marry  is  granted  to  Henry  Lee  and  Ann  R.  McCarty.  The  as- 
sociation of  the  names  Lee  and  McCarty  seems  significant  but  we 
have  no  clue  as  to  this  Ann  R.  McCarty.  She  may  have  been  a 
descendant  of  Billington  McCarty  who  lived  in  an  adjoining 
county. 

We  now  take  up  Billington  McCarty,  third  son  of  Daniel  Mc- 
Carty, who  died  in  1724  in  Westmoreland  County.  We  have  al- 
ready seen  that  by  the  terms  of  his  father's  will  he  received  land 
in  Farnham  Parish,  Richmond  County,  and  in  Northumberland 
County,  Virginia.  About  1740  Billington  McCarty  and  wife 
Ann  sold  land  in  Northumberland  County  to  James  Blackerby  and 
to  George  Hunt.  This  is  probably  the  land  heired  to  him  by  Capt. 
Daniel  of  1724.  The  following  records  from  Farnham  Parish, 
Richmond  County,  undoubtedly  refer  to  this  Billington  McCarty. 
Billington  McCarty  and  Ann  Barber  were  married  June  16,  1732. 
Daniel,  son  of  Billington  and  Ann  McCarty,  was  born  Oct.  22, 
1733  and  died  Aug.  6,  1739.  Billington  McCarty,  son  of  Billing- 
ton and  Ann  McCarty,  was  born  Oct.  3,  1736.  Thaddeus,  son  of 
Billington  and  Ann  McCarty,  was  born  Apr.  1,  1739.  Charles 


172  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

Barber,  son  of  Billington  and  Ann  McCarty,  was  born  Aug.  23, 
1741.     Ann  McCarty  died  Jan.  7,  1753. 

Ann  Barber  who  married  Billington  McCarty  was  the  daughter 
of  Charles  and  Frances  Glasscock  Barber  and  was  born  Aug.  16, 
1709.  Frances  Glasscock  was  the  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Ann 
Nichols  Glasscock  and  was  born  July  14,  1680.  Thomas  Glass- 
cock  was  the  son  of  another  Thomas  Glasscock  who  appears  in 
Lancaster  County,  Virginia,  in  1652.  Ann  Nichols,  wife  of 
Thomas  Glasscock,  Jr.,  was  the  daughter  of  George  Nicholls  who 
died  in  Richmond  County,  Virginia,  in  1677.  Such  was  the  an- 
cestry of  Ann  Barber  who  married  Billington  McCarty  and  she  is 
apparently  the  Ann  McCarty  who  died  in  1753,  see  above.  The 
civil  records  pertaining  to  Billington  McCarty  have  not  been 
searched  diligently.  However  there  are  two  wills  under  the  name 
Billington  McCarty  recorded  at  Warsaw,  Richmond  County,  Vir- 
ginia, one  dated  July  1,  1745,  and  the  other  Mch.  1771.  Hayden 
seems  to  have  known  only  of  the  latter  one  and  he  erroneously  takes 
him  for  the  son  of  the  Daniel  who  died  in  1724.  I  believe  that 
Billington  McCarty,  son  of  the  Daniel  of  172'4  is  identical  with 
the  one  of  the  will  dated  1745.  The  testator  of  the  1745  will  names 
son  Billington,  Jr.,  and  others.  As  Daniel,  the  oldest  son  of 
Billington  and  Ann  Barber  McCarty,  had  died  in  1739,  the  testa- 
tor is  naming  his  oldest  surviving  son,  namely,  Billington,  born 
1736,  and  the  others  are  unnamed.  The  Billington  McCarty  of 
the  1771  will  I  make  to  be  the  son  of  the  Billington  who  died  in 
1745  and  therefore  only  36  years  at  his  death.  Neither  Billington 
lived  past  middle  age.  Incidentally,  we  may  observe  that  almost 
all  the  earlier  generations  of  McCartys  died  comparatively  young. 
The  emigrant  Dennis,  his  son  Daniel,  and  the  latter's  four  sons 
as  well  as  some  of  the  next  generation  seem  to  have  died  at  the 
age  of  45  or  younger.  Billington  McCarty  of  the  1771  will,  mar- 
ried Elizabeth  Downman  Oct.,  1756,  and  some  of  their  children 
appear  in  the  Farnham  Parish  records.  They  are  as  follows. 
Daniel,  son  of  Bullington  (sic)  and  Ann  McCarty,  was  born  Aug. 
24,  1757.  I  think  this  Ann  must  be  an  error  for  Elizabeth  or 
else  this  Billington  was  married  twice  in  quick  succession  for  his 
wife  in  1759  was  Eliza  (Elizabeth).  Bullington,  son  of  Bulling- 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY  173 

ton  and  Eliza  McCarty,  was  born  Mch.  18,  1759.  Thaddeus,  son 
of  Bullington  and  Eliza  McCarty,  was  born  Sept.  1,  1763.  Eliza- 
beth Downman,  daughter  of  Billington  and  Elizabeth  McCarty, 
was  born  Nov.  30,  1768.  Now  these  children  correspond  well  with 
the  heirs  of  Billington  McCarty  as  given  in  the  will  of  1771.  The 
few  differences  may  be  accounted  for  by  deaths  and  unrecorded 
births.  In  this  will  the  testator  mentions  children  Nancy  Mc- 
Carty, Daniel  McCarty,  William  Thadias  McCarty,  Dennis  Mc- 
Carty, and  Elizabeth  Downman  McCarty.  Hayden  calls  this  Bill- 
ington, Senior.  If  he  found  that  in  the  record  the  question  arises, 
Who  was  the  Junior?  He  had  a  son  Billington  as  shown  by  the 
parish  records  but  he  is  not  mentioned  in  the  will,  having  appar- 
ently predeceased  his  father.  The  clerk  who  reported  the  will  to 
the  present  writer  makes  no  mention  of  Sr.  in  connection  with 
the  testator  of  1771.  Perhaps  Hayden  has  erred  here  as  he  cer- 
tainly did  in  representing  that  this  Billington  was  the  son  of 
Daniel  who  died  in  1724.  Billington,  the  son  of  Daniel  of  1724, 
must  have  been  born  in  1709  or  earlier.  He  did  not  likely  begin 
to  rear  his  family  when  he  was  almost  50  years  old. 

We  take  up  now  Dennis  McCarty,  son  of  Billington  and  Eliza- 
beth Downman  McCarty.  For  his  line  we  are  indebted  almost 
wholly  to  an  account  appearing  in  The  Baltimore  Sun,  Apr. 
16,  1905.  The  part  relating  to  the  line  of  this  Dennis  appears 
to  be  correct  though  other  portions  are  not  free  from  errors.  This 
Dennis  McCarty  (according  to  this  account)  married  Elizabeth 
Woodbridge  Yerby,  daughter  of  Col.  Beverly  Yerby.  They  had 
three  children,  as  follows.  1.  William  Downman  McCarty.  2. 
Albert  McCarty,  who  married  Lucy  Peyton.  3.  George  McCarty, 
who  married Brannan. 

William  Downman  McCarty,  son  of  Dennis  and  Elizabeth 
Yerby  McCarthy,  married  Frances  Ravenscroft  Ball,  great-grand- 
daughter of  Joseph  Ball  of  Epping  Forest,  George  Washington's 
grandfather.  They  had  two  sons  and  four  daughters,  as  follows. 
Capt.  James  Ball  McCarty.  Ovid  Downman  McCarty.  Cordelia 
Ball  McCarty.  Juliet  McCarty.  Virginia  McCarty.  Lavinia  Mc- 
Carty. Capt.  James  Ball  McCarty  married  Lavinia  Carter  of  Lan- 
caster County,  Virginia,  and  they  had  six  children.  Grid  Down- 


174  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

man  McCarty  married  Martha  Hill  and  they  had  two  children. 
Cordelia  Ball  McCarty  married  1.  Bartholomew  Carter  Chinn  and 
had  three  children,  and  2.  Oscar  Yerby  and  had  one  child.  Juliet 
McCarty  married  Barton  Ball  of  Lancaster  County,  Virginia. 
Virginia  McCarty  married  William  Beale  McCarty  of  Woodford, 
Virginia,  and  had  two  children.  Lavinia  McCarty  married  Litel- 
ton  Downman  Mitchel  of  Lancaster  County,  Virginia,  and  had 
seven  children. 

Col.  William  McCarty  of  Eichmond  County,  Virginia,  Speaker 
of  the  House  of  Representatives  in  1799,  was  probably  identical 
with  Wil'liam  Thaddeus  mentioned  in  the  will  of  Billington,  1771. 

We  now  return  to  the  Thaddeus  McCarty,  son  of  Billington  and 
Ann  Barber  McCarty.  He  was  born  Apr.  1,  1739.  It  was  this 
Thaddeus  and  not  the  son  of  Maj.  Dennis  of  Fairfax  County,  who 
in  Lancaster  County,  Virginia,  married  Ann  Chinn  on  May  19, 
1758,  William  Glasscock  being  the  security.  On  Oct.  8,  1773, 
Thaddeus  McCarty,  Senr.,  and  wife  Ann  sold  to  Joseph  Sherman 
200  acres  in  Loudoun  County,  Virginia,  which  the  said  Ann  had 
inherited  from  her  deceased  father  Eawleigh  Chinn.  They  are 
undoubtedly  the  Thaddeus  and  Ann  of  Lancaster  County.  The 
Senr.  attached  to  the  name  of  Thaddeus  occasions  some  difficulty. 
Who  was  the  Junior?  If  he  was  thus  styled  in  order  to  distin- 
guish him  from  the  Thaddeus,  son  of  Maj.  Dennis,  the  latter  must 
have  been  born  after  Apr.  1,  1739,  and  before  Dec.  16,  1740,  the 
date  on  which  land  is  patented  in  his  name.  There  is  nothing  in- 
herently improbable  in  this.  The  father  may  have  taken  this 
way  to  provide  for  a  younger  son.  Or  else  Thaddeus  of  the  deed 
1773  was  called  Senr.  in  order  to  distinguish  him  from  Thaddeus, 
son  of  Billington  and  Eliza  Downman  McCarty,  who  as  we  have 
already  seen  was  born  Sept.  1,  1763.  Thaddeus  McCarty  (who 
married  Ann  Chinn)  was  from  1778  to  1787  the  clerk  of  Lan- 
caster County,  Virginia.  James  Ball  was  security  to  his  bond  on 
July  28,  1786.  He  seems  to  have  died  about  1787.  He  had  at 
least  one  daughter,  named  Mary  Chinn  McCarty,  who  married 
John  Matthews  of  Westmoreland  County,  Virginia,  and  they  had 
two  sons,  namely,  John  Ryburn  Matthews  and  Baldwin  Smith 
Matthews,  both  of  whom  were  still  living  in  1821. 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY  175 

We  return  now  to  Charles  Barber  McCarty,  son  of  Billington 
and  Ann  Barber  McCarty.  He  was  born  Aug.  23,  1741.  The 
Farnham  parish  records  show  that  Charles  and  Winny  McCarty 
had  daughter  Fanny,  born  Aug.  3,  1763,  and  daughter  Winny, 
born  Sept.  4,  1775.  In  1775  in  Richmond  County,  Virginia, 
Charles  McCarty  was  security  to  a  marriage  between  Eawleigh 
Chinn  and  "Fanny  Tarpley.  Charles  McCarty  of  Richmond  County, 
Virginia,  made  will  Nov.  11,  1784,  probated  Apr.  4,  1788.  He 
was  undoubtedly  the  son  of  Billington  and  Ann  Barber  McCarty. 
In  this  will  he  mentions  sons  Bartholomew  and  Charles  Travers 
who  are  to  be  continued  with  their  two  uncles;  daughters  Fanny, 
Winny,  and  Betty;  and  also  sons  Tarpley,  Presley,  and  John. 

Before  leaving  tliis  part  of  the  state  we  mention  several  other 
records  which  seem  to  refer  to  this  branch  of  the  family.  James 
Edmonson  and  Ann  McCarty  married  in  Richmond  County  Apr. 
19,  1775.  She  is  probably  identical  with  Ann  McCarthy  who  in 
Fauquier  County,  Virginia  on  Oct.  20,  1785  (license)  married 
Epaphroditus  Hubbard.  Katharine  Chinn,  born  June  7,  1686,  is 
said  to  have  married  a  McCarty.  William  Glasscock  and  Billing- 
ton McCarty  in  Lancaster  County  in  1750  witnessed  marriage  of 
Francis  Christian  and  Katharine  Chinn.  This  Billington  may 
have  been  the  one  born  1736  though  he  would  be  rather  young  to  act 
as  witness.  Robert  Baylis  and  Ellin  McCarty  were  married  in 
Richmond  County  in  Nov.,  1711. 

In  the  preceding  pages  we  have  followed  the  history  of  the 
McCarty  family  so  far  as  it  has  been  definitely  traced.  There 
probably  are  certain  un traced  (as  yet)  branches  of  this  same  family 
tree.  As  noted  at  the  beginning  of  this  article,  Meade,  a  very 
reliable  Virginian  historian,  believes  that  the  McCarty  family  in 
Virginia  begins  with  two  brothers,  one  of  whom  married  Eliza- 
beth Billington  and  whose  line  has  been  traced  in  these  pages,  and 
the  other,  namely,  Daniel,  of  whose  family  Meade  seems  to  know 
nothing.  There  are  other  McCartys  in  the  Virginia  records  which 
seem  to  connect  with  the  known  line,  yet  proof  of  such  connection 
is  lacking.  I  shall  now  proceed  to  give  some  of  these  McCartys, 
but  the  reader  must  keep  in  mind  the  general  caution  that  as  yet 
no  certain  connection  has  been  established. 


176  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

Overwharton  Parish  in  Stafford  County,  Virginia  was  the  home 
of  some  of  these  McCartys.  We  have  already  seen  that  certain 
of  the  line  traced  above  had  Stafford  connections.  The  McCarty 
records  from  this  parish  follow. 

John  McCarty,  son  of  William  and  Agnes,  was  born  Mch.  27, 
1741. 

James  McCarty,  son  of  John,  was  born  Apr.  1,  1741. 

William  McCarty  died  Sept.  15,  1743. 

Agnes  McCartee  (probably  widow  of  the  preceding  William) 
and  James  Hughs  were  married  May  6,  1744. 

Agnes  Hughs  died  Mch.  4,  1747. 

Elizabeth  McCarthy  married  Simson  Bailey  Dec.  24,  1747. 

Eleanor  McCarty  married  John  Summon  Apr.  10,  1748. 

Honora  Carty  (sic)  married  John  Adams  Sept.  2'3,  1750. 

Thomas  Cartee  (sic)  died  at  Stephen  Pilcher's,  June  18,  1751. 

Cornelius  McCarty  (I  think  Cornelius  must  be  right  though 
the  published  records  give  it  as  Ignatius  McCarty;  there  was  cer- 
tainly a  Cornelius  McCarty,  who  died  about  this  time  in  Stafford 
County)  died  Feb.  18,  1755. 

Frances  McCarty  (apparently  widow  of  the  preceding  Cor- 
nelius) married  John  Diskin,  June  19,  1755. 

Margaret  McCarty  and  Stephen  Hansford  were  married  Oct. 
14,  1755. 

In  the  January  and  July,  1914,  numbers  of  The  William  and 
Mary  Quarterly,  the  present  writer  published  an  account  of  a 
McCarty  family  beginning  with  two  brothers  and  two  sisters.  They 
were  named  Thomas,  Cornelius,  Nancy  (the  writer's  great-great- 
grandmother),  and  Betty  (Elizabeth)  McCarty.  Thomas  Mc- 
Carty married  Elizabeth Dec.  5,  1777,  and  reared  a  family 

of  two  sons  and  ten  daughters.  He  moved  to  Kentucky  about 
1797  finally  settling  in  present  Meade  County,  Kentucky,  where 
he  died  Feb.  23,  1828.  Cornelius  McCarty,  born  about  1766,  mar- 
ried in  Fauquier  County,  Virginia,  Dec.  12,  1787  (license)  to 
Sukey  Hardwick.  They  reared  a  family  of  eleven  children.  He 
moved  to  Kentucky  about  1797  finally  settling  in  present  Meade 
County,  Kentucky,  where  his  will  was  probated  Feb.  28,  1831. 
Nancy  McCarty,  sister  of  Thomas  and  Cornelius,  married  about 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY  177 

1780  to  James  Crook.  James  Crook  appears  in  the  Virginia  cen- 
sus for  1785  as  a  neighbor  of  James  McCarty,  probably  his  father- 
in-law.  James  and  Nancy  McCarty  Crook  had  three  children. 
In  1789  he  was  living  in  Loudoun  County,  Virginia.  Probably 
James  Crook  died  soon  after  as  his  children  were  reared  in  the 
family  of  their  uncle  Thomas  McCarty  and  accompanied  him  to 
Kentucky.  An  unconfirmed  tradition  states  that  Nancy  McCarty 
Crook  married  again,  to  a  man  named  Samuel  Adams.  This, 
however,  should  be  received  with  caution.  Betty  McCarty,  sister 
of  Thomas,  Cornelius,  and  Nancy,  was  born  Apr.  20,  1771,  died  in 
Fayette  County,  Kentucky,  Mch.  1,  1807.  She  married  Mch. 
19,  1789,  to  Capt.  Jacob  McConathy  near  Wellington,  Prince  Wil- 
liam County,  Virginia,  and  bore  him  five  children.  The  subse- 
quent generations  of  Thomas,  Cornelius,  Nancy,  and  Betty  will 
not  be  traced  here,  as  they  have  already  been  published  in  the 
article  referred  to  above. 

These  McCartys  seem  to  have  lived  in  the  four  adjoining 
counties  of  Fairfax,  Prince  William,  Fauquier,  and  Loudoun. 
Their  father  was  almost  certainly  James  McCarty  who  appearg  in 
the  census  of  Fairfax  County,  Virginia,  in  1782  at  the  head  of  a 
family  of  five  (a  neighbor  of  Thomas  McCarty)  and  in  1785  at  the 
head  of  a  family  of  six  (a  neighbor  of  James  Crook.  The  mother 
of  Thomas,  Cornelius,  Nancy,  and  Betty  McCarty  (and  the  w^fe 
of  James  McCarty?)  was  Nancy  who  died  in  the  home  of  her  son 
Thomas  McCarty  in  Kentucky  on  April  18,  1813.  Thomas  Mc- 
Carty had  a  granddaughter  named  Mary  Rose  McCarty,  born 
Apr.  9,  1805,  who  was  much  interested  in  family  history.  In  her 
Bible  is  the  following  inscription  in  her  own  handwriting :  "Nancy 
Boseley  from  Scotland,  Elizabeth  Nevitt  from  England.  These 
were  my  Great-Great-Grandmothers."  This  would  indicate  a 
Bozeley  connection  one  generation  farther  back  than  the  Nancy 
McCarty,  who  died  Apr.  18,  1813,  in  the  home  of  her  son  Thomas 
McCarty,  yet  she  might  have  been  in  error  on  the  particular  gen- 
eration and  the  Nancy  Bozeley  may  be  identical  with  the  Nancy 
McCarty  who  died  in  1813.  One  of  Cornelius  McCarty's  grand- 
daughters informed  the  writer  about  12  years  ago  that  she  be- 
lieved that  Cornelius'  mother  was  a  Bozeley.  Certain  it  is  that  one 
of  Cornelius'  grandsons  was  named  Thomas  Bozeley  McCarty,  and 


178  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

the  Bozeley  was  supposed  to  be  a  family  name.  We  must  however 
note  that  there  is  also  some  good  reason  for  believing  that  Cor- 
nelius' (and  also  of  his  brother  Thomas  and  his  sisters  Nancy  and 
Betty)  mother  was  named  Orear  or  Orare. 

From  here  we  pass  to  one  Cornelius  McCarthy  who  first  ap- 
pears in  1749.  Because  of  the  region  in  which  he  lived  it  seems 
that  he  must  have  been  a  relative  of  the  Cornelius  McCarty  who  in 
1787  married  Sukey  Hard  wick.  Cornelius  McCarthy  in  Prince 
William  County,  Virginia,  with  wife  Frances  on  Aug.  18,  1749, 
bought  200  acres  on  the  Potomac  River  from  Bertrand  Ewell. 
This  land  was  bounded  by  a  survey  which  the  said  Cornelius  Mc- 
Carthy had  made  when  he  was  a  resident  of  Sandy  Point,  Vir- 
ginia. The  deed  was  witnessed  by  John  T.  ( ?)  Bryan,  Rich'd 
Crupper,  Th.  S.  ( ?)  Walsh.  Sandy  Point  is  in  Northumberland 
County,  Virginia,  which  county  has  associations  with  the  line  of 
Dennis-Daniel-Billington  McCarty. 

Cornelius  McCarty  of  the  Parish  of  Dettingen,  Prince  William 
County,  Virginia,  planter,  made  will  May  21,  1754,  probated  Apr. 
8,  1755,  in  Stafford  County,  Virginia.  He  mentions  no  children; 
appoints  wife  Frances  heir  and  executor.  The  will  was  witnessed 
by  Henry  Lee,  William  Naylor,  and  William  Walker.  Frances 
McCarty  who  in  the  following  June  in  the  same  parish  married 
John  Diskin  is  probably  his  widow. 

It  seems  very  probable  that  James  McCarty  of  Fairfax  County, 
Virginia,  in  1782  and  1785  and  the  Cornelius  McCarty  who  had 
wife  Frances  in  1749  and  died  in  1755  were  brothers.  The  refer- 
ence to  Sandy  Point  may  indicate  a  Northumberland  County  origin. 
Further  than  this  we  can  not  go  at  present. 

What  connection  had  these  McCartys  with  the  Daniel  McCarty 
of  Westmoreland  County,  Virginia,  who  died  in  1724?  This  ques- 
tion can  not  now  be  answered,  but  we  may  note  a  few  associations! 
that  suggest  strongly  that  there  was  some  connection.  1.  Sand} 
Point  from  which  Cornelius  McCarthy  hailed  was  the  home  of 
Col.  George  Eskridge,  who  was  a  close  friend  of  Capt.  Daniel  Mc- 
Carty, Westmoreland  County,  1724.  2.  Henry  Lee,  a  witness  to 
the  will  of  Cornelius  McCarty,  1755  was  a  friend  and  kinsman 
(by  marriage)  of  the  same  Daniel  and  is  mentioned  by  him  in 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY  179 

his  will.  3.  Sukey  Hardwick  who  in  Fauquier  County,  Virginia, 
in  1787,  married  Cornelius  McCarty,  descended  from  the  Hard- 
wick  family  of  Westmoreland  County,  and  Bertrand  Ewell  who 
sold  to  the  other  Cornelius  McCarthy,  was  closely  related  to  this 
same  Hardwick  family.  4.  This  same  Hardwick  was  early  con- 
nected with  the  family  of  Col.  Nathaniel  Pope,  and  Daniel  Mc- 
Carty, who  died  in  1724,  married  a  daughter  of  Col.  Humphrey 
Pope  (it  must  be  admitted  however  that  the  connection  between 
these  two  Popes  is  not  yet  proven).  5.  The  mother  of  Sukey 
Hardwick  who  married  Cornelius  McCarty  in  1787,  was  one  Mar- 
garet Glasscock.  She  was  undoubtedly  of  the  same  Glasscock 
family  referred  to  several  times  in  the  preceding  pages  as  con- 
nected with  and  associated  with  the  other  McCarty  family.  We 
have  seen  that  the  mother  of  Ann  Barber  who  married  Billington 
McCarty  was  one  Frances  Glasscock  Barber,  daughter  of  Thomas 
Glasscock.  Maj.  Dennis  McCarty  of  Fairfax  County,  Virginia, 
had  a  connection  by  marriage  with  the  Glasscock  family.  6. 
Thomas  Bozeley  in  Fairfax  County,  Virginia,  between  1755  and 
1761  (name  in  index  but  volume  to  which  index  refers  has  been 
lost)  sold  to  William  Bamsay.  We  have  just  noted  the  connection 
between  the  Bozeley  family  and  the  family  of  McCartys  repre- 
sented by  Thomas,  Cornelius,  Nancy  and  Betty.  The  William 
Ramsay  of  this  deed  married  Ann  McCarty,  daughter  of  Maj. 
Dennis  McCarty  of  Fairfax  County,  representing  the  other  line 
of  McCartys.  This  does  not  exhaust  the  list  of  associations  which 
seem  to  represent  something  more  than  a  mere  coincidence,  but  as 
stated  above,  the  actual  proof  of  any  connection  has  not  yet  been 
discovered. 


WEIGHT  FAMILY. 
By  MAGGIE  MCMANAWAY,  Stewartsville,  Va. 

Thomas  Wright  died  in  Bedford  County  in  1763.  He  made  a 
will  dated  15th  Dec.  1762;  it  was  proved  and  probated  22nd  Nov. 
1763.  In  it  he  mentions  his  wife  Mary  Wright,  daughters  Eliza- 
beth Wright,  May  Wright,  Abigale  Wright,  Sarah  Wright,  Dorcas 
Wright,  Catharine  Wright,  son  John  Wright,  and  son  Joseph. 
Wright. 

His  wife  Mary  Wright  and  John  Board  were  nominated  as 
executors  of  his  will. 

John  Wright  died  in  Bedford  County  in  1803.  Mentions  in 
his  will  his  wife,  Elizabeth  Wright,  and  children,  viz., 

Tommy  Wright  married  Cynthia  Mayse. 

Sarah  Wright  married  William  Wheeler. 

Anthony  Wright  married  Betsy  Mayse. 

Nancy  Wright  married  James  Asbury. 

Betsey  Wright  married  Thomas  Hambleton. 

Polly  Wright,  married  Benjamin  Watts. 

Ehoda  Wright,  married  Wm.   S.   Wright. 

John  Wright. 

Joseph  Wright  married  Sally  Edgar. 

Ruth  Wright  married  Wm.  McGeorge. 

My  mother  knew  Tommy  Wright  and  his  wife,  Anthony  Wright 
and  his  wife  and  Nancy  Wright  Asbury.  All  of  these  were  old 
persons  in  her  youth.  And  she  knew  they  were  related  to  her  but 
she  did  not  know  the  relationship. 

Another  John  Wright  died  in  1810,  will  probated  in  the 
county  of  Bedford  25th  June  1810.  He  mentions  in  will  his  wift 
Mary  Wright  and  children: 

Jane  Hunter,  wife  of  Francis  Hunter;  son  Francis  Wright; 
daughter  Susanna  Bateman,  wife  of  Benjamin  Bateman ;  daughter 
Decia  Clayton,  wife  of  Thomas  T.  Clayton;  grandchildren,  John 
Lewis  Clayton,  Betsy  Lewis  Clayton,  children  of  Thomas  L.  Clay- 
ton and  Betsy  his  wife;  daughter  Orrey  Wright,  wife  of  

Bateman;  daughter  Polly  Waugh,  wife  of  A.  Waugh;  daughter 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY  181 

Sally  Wright;  daughter  Kitty  Wright;  son  Thomas  Wright;  and 
son  John  Wright. 

John  Wright  died  in  Bedford  county  in  1814.  He  made  a  will 
dated  28th  Dec.  1814,  probated  26th  Sept.  1814.  He  left  a  wife, 
name  not  given  in  will,  and  children  to  Wilson  Benjamin  Wright, 
son  Joseph  Wright;  grandchildren  Mary  Watts,  Benjamin  Watts, 
and  John  Watts,  children  of  Wm.  Watts,  and  Ann  his  wife;  son 
John  Wright  ;  son  Thomas  Wright;  daughter  Mary  Watts,  wife 
of  Benjamin  Watts;  daughter  Elizabeth  Wright  and  son  Wil- 
liam Wright.  The  witnesses  to  his  will  were  Wm.  I.  Walker,  John 
Hopkins,  and  Price  Hopkins.  Benjamin  Wright  was  nominated 
executor  of  will. 

David  Wright  was*  appointed  deputy  sheriff  of  Bedford  County, 
Oct.  26th  1778. 

In  the  marriage  licenses  of  Bedford  county  there  is  a  record  of 
the  marriage  of  David  Wright,  Jr.,  to  Sarah  Talbot,  daughter  of 
Isham  Talbot  28th  Sept.  1782,  Jas.  Steptoe,  Secretary. 

In  the  Virginia  Colonial  Militia:  Wm.  Armstrong  Crozier, 
Land  Bounty  Certificate,  page  51. 

John  Wright  soldier  under  Colonel  Byrd,  1758,  and  was  then 
discharged.  Bedford  County  Records,  March  1780. 

One  John  Wright,  received  a  deed  from  George  Walton  in 
1760.  Bedford  County  Records. 

Now  about  the  Wright  Brothers,  inventors  of  the  airship. 
Several  years  since  in  the  lifetime  of  my  mother,  an  article  ap- 
peared in  a  magazine  in  which  it  was  stated  that  Winfield  Wright 
and  his  wife  Angelina  Elizabeth  Wright  were  ancestors  of  Wilbur 
and  Orvi.lle  Wright.  My  mother  at  once  said  that  she  in  her  youth- 
ful days  knew  this  couple  and  knew  that  Winfield  Wright  was 
related  to  her,  but  did  not  know  the  relationship. 

The  county  records  give  the  marriage  of  Winfield  Wright  to 
Angelina  Elizabeth  Evans,  daughter  of  Anthony  Evans,  8th  of 
April,  1791. 

From  the  Land  Office  Richmond,  Virginia,  I  learn  that  the 
first  Wright  patent  of  Record  in  that  office  was  issued  to  Robert 
Wright  for  12  acres  situate  and  being  in  the  Eastward  of  James 
City,  Sept.  1,  1627.  There  was  a  patent  to  Thomas  Wright  for 
150  acres  of  land  July  19th,  1635.  Land  Office  Records. 


182  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

In  Lunenburg  County,  Va.,  in  1760,  there  is  a  deed  to  John 
Wright  from  James  Mayse,  Lunenburg  Court  Records,  1790. 
Lunenburg  County  Deed,  Joseph  Wright  from  Tom  Jarvis. 

Other  Wrights  are  mentioned  in  the  early  records  of  Lunen- 
burg County. 

From  the  Land  Office,  Richmond,  I  learn  that  William  Wright 
received  a  grant  of  land  in  Bedford  county,  Virginia,  200  acres, 
Sep.  1,  1780. 

I  have  given  you  a  full  account  of  the  Wrights  as  I  have 
learned  of  them  in  Bedford  county.  In  talking  with  one  of  the 
old  time  colored  men  whose  wife  belonged  to  my  family,  he  told 
me  that  some  of  the  large  bodies  of  land  which  belonged  to  some 
of  the  descendants  of  John  Wright  who  died  in  1803  was  always 
known  as  "Kentucky  Land."  He  said  he  understood  Wrights 
were  the  first  settlers  on  this  land.  Some  of  the  land  is  still  in 
the  family. 


SOME  STAFFORD  RECORDS. 

From  the  First  Order  Book  of  Stafford  County,  p.  276. 

"  .  .  .  All  the  Justices  and  officers  both  Civil  and  Military 
being  .  .  .  Sumoned  .  .  .  met  at  the  Courthouse  of 
[STAFFORD]  County  on  the  8th  day  of  June  Anno 
Dom  1692  being  .  .  .  Capt  Malachy  Peale  Mr,  Edwd 
Thomason  Capt  John  Withers  Mr.  Nath  Thompson  Mr. 
Rob1  Alexander  Cap1  George  Mason  Cap1  Thomas  Owsley 
Mr  John  Harvey  Corr  Richd  Fossaker  Cap1  Lieu1  Thomas 

Gregg  Lieu1  Sampson  Darrell  Lieu1  Charles  Ellis  Lieu1 
Joseph  Sunrner  Lieu1  John  West  Lieu1  David  Strahan 

&  the  Rangers  Coronet  William  Downing  Ensign  Joell 
Stribling  Justices  &  Militia  Officers" 

A  LIST  OF  THE  RENTS  belonging  to  the  Estate  of  Capt  William 
Brent,  Deced  Virginia,  yrs  1746-1749. 

James  Batton  Daniel  Mealy 

George  Bush  Alexander  Nelson 

Mr.  Charles  Brent  John  Waters 

John  Purnell  John  Rhodes 

Mason  Combs  Mary  Carberry 

Benja  Derrick  Adam  Atchison 

Thomas  Eaves  The  Revd  Mr.  Stuart 

Charles  Carter  Duncan  Simpson 

Griffin  Jones  John  Montgomery 

William  Knight  Mr.  George  Brent 

Edmund  Kelly  John  Murphey 

William  Kirk  Peter  Cash 

Benjamin  Brent  William  Champe 

Jonathan  Moore  Peter  Hedgman 

John  Mercer,  Gent.  Mrs.  Massey 

Sylvester  Moss  took  Possession  1748  of  a  New  Plantation. 

Vol.  0,  p.  163. 
Milnor  Ljungstedt. 


184  WILLIAM  AND  MAKY  QUARTERLY 

QUERIES. 

'^Wanted  information  concerning  the  family  history  of 

Brooks,  first  banker  of  Richmond,  Va.  The  bank  failed  in  one  of 
the  early  financial  panics  and  his  children  moved  West.  He  was 
the  father  of  James  Murphy  Brooks,  born  at  Winchester,  Va., 
June  11,  1798;  Luella  Brooks,  who  died  at  New  Orleans,  La.,  in 
1861,  and  Mary  Brooks  who  married  James  M.  CoSman,  of  Galli- 
polis,  Ohio.  Any  one  who  has  information  concerning  this  family 
will  please  address  E.  C.  McCormick,  311  N.  Harvey  Ave.?  Oak 
Park,  111." 

I  am  very  anxious  to  trace  a  Lovely,  or  Lovey,  Randolph  born 
about  1794,  who  married  James  Munsie  and  removed  at  or  after 
marriage  from  Bland  Co.,  Va.,  to  Lee  Co.,  Va.  Her  brother, 
Peyton,  came  to  Lee  Co.  with  her. 

Any  information  about  this  Lovey  Randolph  and  her  parents 
will  be  greatly  appreciated. 

(MRS.)   EFFIE  W^ELLS  LOUCKS. 
319  E.  French  St., 
Pipestone,  Minn. 

Information  is  desired  concerning  the  ancestry  and  descendants 
of  Presson  Bowdoin  and  Wm.  Bowden,  the  latter  Atty-Gen.  of  the 
Colony  1743.  Address  Mrs..W.  S.  Gustin,  839  Ogden  St.,  Denver, 
Colo. 


THE  BIRTH-PLACE  OF  BISHOP  MADISON. 
By  CHARLES  E.  KEMPER. 

The  Virginia  historians  all  unite  in  saying  that  Bishop  Madi- 
son was  born  in  1749  at  Madison  Hall  near  present  Port  Republic 
in  Rockingham  Co.,  Va.,  but  there  is  evidence  which  tends  to  show 
conclusively  that  such  was  not  the  case. 

John  Madison,  father  of  the  Bishop  was  appointed  the  first 
clerk  of  Augusta  Co.,  Va.,  in  1745,  and  in  1746  a  court  order  was 
entered  ordering  a  road  to  be  cleared  from  "The  court  house  to  the 
clerk's  office." 

In  1745  (Dec.  1%)  John  Madison  bought  from  Moses  Thomp- 
son 1041  acres  of  land,  and  in  1752  John  Madison  sold  731  acres 
of  this  land  to  Robert  McClenahan,  and  it  is  described  as  lying 
"on  the  north  branch  of  Christian's  Creek."  In  1763  Robert  Mc- 
Clenahan sold  a  part  of  this  land  to  John  McClenahan,  Sr.,  his 
son,  and  his  son,  John  inherited  the  remainder  of  the  land  from 
his  father.  On  April  13,  1751,  John  Madison  bought  from  Henry 
Downs  ( ?)  1010  acres  of  land,  which  had  first  been  granted  to 
Jacob  Stover,  a  part  of  the  upper  grant  of  5000  acres  to  Jacob 
Stover,  which  is  well  known.  This  was  the  Port  Republic  land  and 
Madison  Hall  was  built  on  it,  and  there  Bishop  Madison  grew  to 
manhood,  but  the  evidence  of  the  records  quoted  clearly  shows  that 
Bishop  Madison  was  born  in  the  present  county  of  Augusta,  Va., 
on  the  north  branch  of  Christian's  Creek,  in  the  vicinity  of  the 
present  village  of  Barterbrook,  about  6  miles  south  of  Staunton. 
John  Madison  was  clearly  living  at  the  place  in  1746  and  owned  the 
clerk's  office  at  his  house  and  he  did  not  buy  the  Port  Republic 
land  until  April  13,  1751,  so  if  Bishop  Madison  was  born  in 
1749,  he  was  born  at  the  place  stated  and  not  at  Port  Republic. 
There  is  an  old  abandoned  road  which  leaves  the  Lexington 
road  some  distance  south  of  Staunton  and  goes  down  to  the  north 
branch  of  Christian's  Creek.  This  was  evidently  the  old  road  to 
the  clerk's  office.  The  Madison  lands  on  Christian's  Creek  have 
been  owned  in  recent  years  by  the  Gilkeson  estate,  by  the  McClana- 
hans,  and  by  the  McCombs,  and  the  old  road  mentioned  en- 


186  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

tered  the  Madison  land  at  the  Gilkeson  place,  and  Mr.  S.  M.  Donald 
the  postmaster  of  Staunton,  Va?  informs  me  that  near  the 
Gilkeson  place  an  old  log  structure  stood  years  ago.  This  was  in 
all  probability  the  birth  place  of  Bishop  Madison,  about  1%  miles 
north  of  present  Barterbrook,  Augusta  Co.,  Va.,  and  the  house 
stood  on  the  Gilkeson  place.  The  Madison  lands  lay  in  the  fork  of 
the  north  and  south  branches  of  Christian's  Creek  in  the  pres- 
ent county  of  Augusta.  I  hope  to  collect  the  facts  still 
more  fully  but  the  facts  are  so  interesting  that  I  send  them  to  you 
in  this  way,  at  the  present  time  in  order  to  prevent  any  possibility 
of  their  being  lost. 

Charles  E.  Kemper. 
March  8,  1922. 

I  wish  to  add  this  to  the  information  recently  sent  you  con- 
cerning the  birthplace  of  Bishop  Madison.  As  stated,  he  was 
born  on  the  Gilkeson  estate  on  Christian's  Creek  about  6  miles 
south  of  Staunton,  Va.  This  was  the  home  of  his  father  John 
Madison  until  1751,  when  he  acquired  the  Port  Republic  land 
and  moved  to  that  place.  That  portion  of  the  Gilkeson  estate 
on  which  the  Madison  house  stood  is  now  owned  by  Mrs.  Annie 
E.  Eawlinson.  This  was  undoubtedly  the  birthplace  of 
Bishop  Madison.  The  house  in  which  he  was  born  was  a  log 
structure  and  Mr.  J.  N.  McFarland,  the  county  treasurer  of 
Augusta  Co.,  informs  me  that  he  was  a  visitor  in  the  old  Madison 
house  just  prior  to  the  civil  war  in  1859  or  1860. 

Charles  E.  Kemper. 

March  14,  1922. 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  PRESTON.1 

To  FRANCIS  PRESTON.   DESCRIBING  DUEL  BETWEEN  GEN.  WOOD 
AND  THOS.  MADISON. 

.  .  .  I  will  join  in  an  attempt  to  procure  him  pay  during 
his  captivity,  so  that  I  think  he  had  better  be  sent  to  this  place  as 
soon  as  possible  that  he  may  be  here  before  the  rising  of  the  As- 
sembly which  I  expect  will  be  short;  as  nothing  of  importance 
is  likely  to  come  before  us  this  Session. 

Stephen  T  Mason  &  Henry  Tazwell  are  our  Senators — Robert 
Brooke  our  Governor! 

A  few  mornings  ago  some  misunderstanding  took  place  be- 
tween Genl  Wood  &  Mr.  Thos  Madison,2  about  the  election  of  the 
Governor,  in  which  tho  not  face  to  face  some  things  were  said 
which  they  supposed  involved  their  public  &  private  characters  A 
Chalenge  passed,  was  accepted  &  they  met  at  the  Church  yard,  & 
fired  at  each  other  once,  but  missed;  a  second  load  was  put  into 
the  pistols,  when  the  seconds  (Colo  Steel  &  myself)  interposed  & 
compromised  the  difference  amicable  &  honorably; — It  was  a  mis- 
understanding of  terms  &  not  of  sentiments  &  the  too  officious 
conduct  of  their  pretended  friends  that  created  the  difference — 
They  both  behaved  bravely  &  stood  very  firm. 

Ive  not  heard  from  home  lately  I'm  in  good  health,  so  is  the 
rest  of  our  relations  in  this  quarter — 

I  am  Dr  Brother  yours  most  affectionately 

J  Preston 

Nov.  25,  1794 


iFor  other  letters  of  John  Preston  see  the  William  and  Mary  Col- 
lege Quarterly,  new  series,  Jan.,  1921,  v.  1,  no.  1. 

zMrs.  Madison  was  a  sister  of  Patrick  Henry,  and  an  aunt  of  Mrs. 
Francis  Preston. 


J88  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

To  FRANCIS  PRESTON.    INTERESTING  DISCUSSION  OF  INDIAN 

AFFAIRS. 

Jo.  Breckenridges  Lexington  May  3,  '93 
Dear  Francis 

After  a  very  tedious  tho'  (after  I  left  Kanawa)  not  a  very  dis- 
agreeable journey,  I  arrived  at  this  place  the  28th  Int;  having 
parted  with  Billy  two  days  before  at  Limestone  on  the  Ohio,  who 
went  on  to  head  quarters  with  his  company  all  in  good  health  & 
Spirits.  I  should  have  accompanied  them  but  heard  of  Genl  Wilk- 
enson  whom  we  met  on  the  River  that  B.  Smith  has  been  just  sent 
on  command  to  one  of  the  frontier  posts;  this  journey  I  then  put 
off  untill  I  can  hear  of  his  return;  I'm  happy  to  say  that  from 
Genl.  Wilkenson's  information  B.  Smith  who  is  now  promoted  to 
a  Major  has  intirely  reformed ;  become  a  new  man  both  in  his  con- 
duct &  constitution,  &  abandoned  both  women  &  wine  forever, 
as  his  greatest  enemies  &  the  only  cause  of  his  former  disgrace; 
God  grant  he  may  persever  in  this  judicious  &  prudent  resolution; 
in  which  if  he  succeeds  his  friends  may  again  have  some  hopes  of 
him.  I  have  collected  very  little  news  since  I  came  to  this  state; 
the  Indians  have  done  no  mischief  for  some  time  past;  it  is  sup- 
posed the  treaty  which  is  on  the  Carpet  has  put  an  end  to  this  for 
a  time.  What  will  be  the  result  of  it  no  one  can  tell,  but  it  is 
generally  supposed,  the  Indians  will  not  treat  upon  any  terms 
which  will  be  acceptable  to  us; — it  is  however  wished  for  in  this 
country,  that  their  terms  may  be  refused  and  the  war  against  them 
continued.  I  think  in  all  probability  there  will  be  no  campaign 
carried  on  against  them  this  season  should  the  treaty  fail  as  Genl. 
Wayne  has  orders  to  act  only  on  the  defensive  untill  the  result  of 
the  treaty  can  be  known;  the  treaty  commences  about  the  10th  of 
June  somewhere  near  the  lakes  (under  British  protection) 
some  time  must  be  necessarily  spent  in  conferences,  etc, 
which  .will  nearly  spend  the  month  of  June;  the  report 
of  the  Commissioners  to  the  President  &  the  time  he  will 
take  to  consider  &  adopt  other  plans,  will  exhaust  July; 
&  then  to  give  Genl  Wayne  official  notice  of  this  &  he  to  put  some 
necessary  measures  on  foot  will  bring  about  the  first  of  Sept.  a 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY  189 

period  too  late  in  the  year  to  call  on  the  militia  for  aid,  who  cannot 
return  in  the  winter  seasons;  &  his  own  army  is  too  small  to  pro- 
ceed without  this  assistance;  I've  heard  it  amounts  only  to  2500 
effective  men.  The  business  of  this  treaty  &  the  effect  that  it  may 
have  is  highly  disagreeable  to  the  people  of  this  country.  The  set- 
ting it  on  foot  is  contributed  to  the  President  of  the  United  States, 
for  which  he  is  spoken  of  freely  here ;  indeed  much  more  so  than  I 
ever  heard  before  at  any  time  or  place.  Some  few  politicians  in 
this  country  talk  of  a  disunion  with  the  U  States;  of  an  intire  in- 
dependent government;  of  an  alliance  with  G  Britain  etc  God 
only  knows  what  event  a  few  years  may  bring  about. 

I  have  done  but  little  business  since  my  arrival  only  enquired 
the  price  of  Land,  T  proposed  some  for  sale,  &  yours  at  the  falls. 
The  seat  of  Government  seems  to  influence  the  price  of  Land  in 
this  country  more  than  any  other  circumstance;  Lands  situated 
near  it  bear  a  very  high  price,  from  2l/2  to  10  Dollars  an  acre  ac- 
cording to  its  conveiniences.  I've  seen  Genl  Breckenridge,  &  told 
him  that  you  wished  to  sell,  he  appeared  desirous  to  purchase;  no 
proposals  were  made  or  terms  offered,  tho'  I  thought  I  collected 
enough  to  discover  that  his  price  would  not  be  sufficient;  Two  or 
three  more  have  spoken  to  me  about  it;  Lands  are  rising  &  I  think 
it  would  be  improper  for  you  to  sell  if  a  good  price  cannot  now  be 
had  provided  you  can  in  any  manner  make  out  without  it.  The 
fit  for  purchasing  land  near  the  seat  of  Government  where  every 
persons  attention  is  now  turn'd  will  shortly  cease.  &  then  lands 
distant  from  it  will  again  begin  to  be  in  better  repute.  Pray  write 
me  every  oppertunity.  Your  friends  are  all  in  good  health  &  cir- 
cumstances in  this  County.  John  Breckenridge  will  make  a  for- 
tune hastily,  he  is  in  high  repute; 

My  love  to  your  wife  etc,  Adieu 

J,  Preston 

To  FRANCIS  PRESTON.    DISCUSSES  POLITICS  OF  TIME. 

At  Smithfield  Deer.  19th,  1802. 
Dr  Brother 

It  would  have  given  me  much  pleasure  to  have  seen  you  when 
you  was  at  Wythe  Court-house  last  week  &  had  I  not  been  confined 
•  with  a  fit  of  the  Rheumatic  would  have  went  up : — 


190  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

i 

It  has  been  a  matter  of  much  conversation  among  the  Republi- 
cans throughout  the  Counties  I  have  travelled  in  the  last  two 
months  past  respecting  a  change  of  the  Congressional  district  of 
Botetourt  etc-  They  conceive  ( —  I  believe  with  propriety  too) 
that  unless  the  contemplated  change  is  made,  a  Federal  candidate 
may  or  will  be  elected,  which  will  give  courage  again  in  this  quar- 
ter of  Virginia  to  that  party.  I  know  every  exercion  on  the  part  of 
the  Federalist  will  be  made,  but  not  openly  untill  a  short  time 
before  the  election;  The  private  system  of  attack  is  now  visible. 
Every  kind  of  artifice  is  used,  ridicule,  contempt,  &  treating  in 
the  lightest  manner  the  present  mode  of  administring  the  Gov- 
ernment, as  trifling  &  puerile,  &  unworthy  of  so  great  a  nation  as 
we  are;  This  is  to  prepare  the  way  for  introducing  a  man  who 
will  assist  in  conducting  the  Government  with  more  dignity,  that 
is  like  the  former  administration  conducted  it  etc — with  a  thou- 
sand other  little  modes  which  may  have  some  weight  with  people 
who  have  not  fairly  descided  on  the  late  important  question  re- 
specting principle — in  this  state  a  very  large  majority  of  the  Peo- 
ple of  Greenbriar,  Monroe  &  Kanawa  are  &  they  would  be  as  apt 
to  decide  in  favour  of  a  Federal  as  a  Republican  Candidate —  The 
Republicans  of  Virginia  wish  ardently  that  there  should  not  be  the 
least  division  in  sentiment  among  their  Representatives  in  the  next 
Congress  &  and  without  this  &  one  or  two  more  changes  in  the 
districts  laid  off  last  session  of  the  Assembly  there  is  great  danger 
of  this  division.  I  have  been  frequently  consulted  on  the  occasion, 
but  I  confess  never  strongly  encouraged  the  thing,  for  two  reasons. 
One  that  I  feared  that  if  Montgomery  should  be  added  to  Botetourt 
that  a  man  might  be  elected  in  your  district  who  would  be  more 
to  be  feared  than  an  open  professed  honest  Federalist;  I  thought 
two  men  would  be  candidates,  neither  of  whom  can  in  my  opinion 
be  trusted  &  the  one  or  the  other  of  them  would  be  chosen  if  no  bet- 
ter offered.  The  other  reason  is  that  I  feared  I  might  be  suspected, 
for  wishing  a  district  that  might  suit  myself  to  the  prejudice  of 
the  present  Representative ;  as  by  adding  Montgomery  to  the  lower 
counties,  &  Kanawa  to  Wythe,  it  would  place  me  in  a  district  in 
which  I  was  infinitely  better  known  that  Col.  Trigg,  &  would  cut 
off  from  him  almost  all  his  acquaintances — this  latter  objection 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY  191 

I  could  get  over  by  positively  declining  to  offer  in  case  Col.  Trigg 
did,  but  the  former  I  could  not  without  you  would  agree  to  be  a 
Candidate  for  the  upper  district,  &  I  believe  sincerely  if  you  would, 
that  the  district  would  be  changed: —  I  gave  my  opinion  to  all 
who  spoke  with  me  on  the  subject  freely  respecting  the  two  persons 
whom  I  reckoned  would  be  candidates  in  your  district;  it  was  al- 
most always  accorded  to  &  the  same  opinion  seemed  to  have  possess- 
ed nearly  all  I  spoke  with  on  the  subject,  &  all  mentioned  you.  Now 
I  think  if  you  will  agree  to  offer  that  the  change  ought  to  be 
made  &  can  be  done  if  it  is  known  in  time  that  you  will  offer — 
Would  you  say  whether  or  not  you  will  ?  Our  Cousin  Frank  Smith 
I  have  learnt  wishes  to  be  a  Candidate  in  case  the  alteration  is 
made;  I  sincerely  wifch  to  see  him  advanced  in  life  as  much  as 
is  proper,  but  I  doubt  whether  it  would  be  right  in  him  (suppose 
he  could  be  elected)  to  turn  himself  into  that  route  for  a  time 
to  come —  I  heard  he  had  consulted  you  &  that  you  approved  of 
his  plan.  I  would  be  glad  to  hear  upon  what  ground  you  did  it. 

Brother  William  informs  me  that  you  complained  of  a  scarcity 
of  hands  to  carry  on  your  iron  works  &  would  be  willing  perhaps 
to  hire  some;  Should  this  be  the  case  and  we  can  agree  I  would 
hire  seven  of  my  best  negroe  men  to  you  for  a  year  &  also  the 
waggon  and  team  you  had  last  summer;  The  horses  are  in  good 
order  again  &  every  thing  about  the  gears  will  be  well  repaired. 
The  men  that  I  would  hire  are,  Billy  Pointer,  Will  Braxton, 
Butcher  Ned,  Henry,  Daniel  Farrow,  Hanibal,  &  Tom — with  the 
last  mentioned,  China  must  be  hired,  as  she  is  his  wife,  the  others 
have  not  wives.  Should  you  feel  any  disposition  to  hire  these  men 
&  the  woman,  &  waggon  &  team  you  will  please  to  let  me  hear 
from  you  by  the  return  of  the  next  post,  as  I  have  another  plan 
in  view  to  dispose  of  them  if  this  does  not  succeed  in  a  few  days. 

I  am  happy  to  hear  that  your  Lady  is  in  better  health  &  pray 
she  may  continue  to  get  better  untill  she  is  perfectly  recovered. 
My  little  ones  are  in  great  health.  Polly  &  myself  have  both  been 
unwell  she  with  the  mumps,  I  with  the  Eheumatism,  we  have 
however  so  far  recruited  as  to  venture  out  this  far.  Our  Mother 


192  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

is  well,  Mrs.  A.  Preston  also,  &  that  is  the  family  who  are  at  this 
place  at  present : — 

With  love  I  am  Dr.  Brother 
Yours  sincerely 
J  Preston 

P.  S.     Our  Mother  begs 
you  would  send  her  4  or  8  bushels  of 
salt  in  a  barrel  or  two  by  Mr.  John  Preston's  wag- 
gon when  it  comes  down,  or  by  some  other  opportunity. 

J  Preston. 


To  FRANCIS  PRESTON.    DISCUSSES  POLITICAL  CONDITIONS. 

Eichmond  Mar.  3rd.  1813; 
Dr  Brother 

Nothing  material  has  occured  since  you  left  this,  nor  have 
had  any  news  of  consequence  from  the  Blockading  Squadron  since 
you  left  us.  It  is  said  that  several  of  the  vessels  have  disappeared 
and  two  only  remain  in  Lynhaven  Bay;  if  these  have  realy  gone 
off  we  shall  shortly  have  a  scuffle  with  those  remaining.  The  Con- 
stelation,  the  26  Gun  Boats  near  Norfolk,  together  with  such 
force  as  could  &  ought  to  be  sent  down  the  Patomack,  making  a 
simultaneous,  &  combined  movement  under  a  favourable  wind 
might  make  a  successful  attack  on  any  two  frigates  of  the  Block- 
ading Squadron.  But  my  opinion  is  that  all  the  Vessels  that  have 
disappeared  are  out,  gone  out  on  a  cruise,  or  to  look  into  some 
of  our  other  seaports,  &  harbours  to  give  alarms.  This  is  the  kind 
of  war  w&ahall  be  subjected  to,  &  more  indeed  for  whenever  a  fav- 
ourable opportunity  offers  &  we  are  found  off  our  guard  the  enemy 
will  make  a  landing,  &  destroy  &  plunder  some  one  or  more  of  our 
towns. —  You  will  see  in  the  papers  the  infamous  attempt  of  the 
British  Government  to  seduce  out  Citizens  from  their  allegeance, 
&  to  produce  discord  &  a  seperation  between  us,  in  the  infernal 
orders  to  their  Governors  etc — &  the  proclamation  of  the  Prince 


WILLIAM  AND  MAEY  QUARTERLY  193 

Regent.  I  realy  fear  that  the  cupidity  of  the  merchants  will  be 
ready  to  seize  on  such  an  offer  &  thereby  create  great  disturbances 
among  our  citizens.  I  wish  Congress  would  lay  an  Embargo  & 
make  it  felony  to  violate  it. 

Enclose  you  have  the  Auditors  Quietus  to  Lewis  Toncray, 
Jailor  of  Washington  for  $389.25  the  nett  proceeds  of  the  sale  of 
a  run  away  slave  called  Mingo,  which  sum  I  advanced  for  you 
agreeable  to  your  request. — 

We  are  all  well  &  wish  you  may  find  your  dear  family  in 
.  .  .  state  to  whom  we  all  desire  to  be  affectionately  remem- 
bered. 

Yr  Brother 
•  J  Preston 


COL.  CHARLES  LEWIS. 

Nov.  25,  1795 

To  the  Honourable  Speaker  and  Members  of  the  Virginia 
House  of  Delegates —  The  Petition  of  Thomas  Lewis  sheweth 
that  your  petitioners  father,  Charles  Lewis,  late  of  Albemarle 
County  Dec'd.  was  one  among  the  first  Citizens  of  this  Common- 
wealth who  took  arms  against  Great  Britain,  that  early  in  the 
year  1775  he  was  on  his  march  to  Williamsburg  at  the  head  of 
a  company  of  Volunteers  to  restrain  the  outrages  then  committed 
by  Lord  Dunmore,  he  was  met  by  Col.  Henry  who  informed  him 
he  had  effected  that  object,  he  was  soon  after  appointed  to  the 
command  of  a  Regiment  of  Minute  men,  that  serving  as  long  as 
there  was  occasion  for  his  services  on  the  Eastern  part  of  the  State, 
he  was  sent  on  an  expedition  against  the  Cherokies  which  was 
not  terminated  untill  about  December,  1776,  on  his  return  he 
was  appointed  to  the  Command  of  the  14th.  Virginia  Regiment, 
that  he  continued  in  that  service  untill  sometime  in  the  year  1778, 
that  then  the  care  of  a  large  family  obliged  him  to  resign,  that 
in  December,  1778,  he  was  appointed  to  Command  a  Regiment 
destined  to  guard  the  Convention  Troops  at  the  Barracks  in  Albe- 
marle and  that  he  died  in  that  Command,  the  26th  day  of  Feb., 
1779. 

Your  petitioners  father  not  having  served  the  term  of  three 
years  either  in  the  Continental  Army  or  in  the  service  of  this 
State,  he  is  not  entitled  as  his  representative  to  the  bounty  of 
land  given  to  officers  who  did  serve  for  that  time,  but  as  your 
petitioners  father  was  in  the  Service  of  the  United  States,  and 
of  this  State  at  least  three  years,  and  died  in  the  service  of  this 
State,  your  petitioner  trusts  that  he  will  be  allowed  the  same 
bounty  in  land  that  has  been  allowed  to  others  who  your  petitioner 
humbly  conceives  were  not  better  entitled  to  it  and  your  peti- 
tioner will  pray  as  in  duty  bound — 

Howell  Lewis 

Endorsement — Howell  Lewis,  Petitioner,  25th.,  Nov.,  /95 

Reasonable — A  Colonel's  Bounty  to  Representative. 

(From  Virginia  State  Archives,  State  Library.) 


BATTLE  OF  WILLIAMSBURG,  VA.,  MAY,  1862. 

Report  of  Col.  D.  K.  McRae,  5th  No.  Ca.  Regiment.1 
Headquarter's  Early's  Brigade. 
May  10,  1862. 

General.  I  have  the  honor  to  report,  under  your  order,  the 
casualties  in  the  5th  No.  Ca.  commanded  by  me  on  May  5th  in 
the  battle  near  Williamsburg. 

About  3  P.  M.  my  regiment  was  formed  in  line  of  battle,  com- 
posed of  the  5th  No.  Ca.  on  the  right;  23d  No.  Ca.  (Col.  Hoke) 
next;  38th  Va.  (Lieut.  Col.  Whittle)  next;  and  24th  Va.  (Col. 
Terry)  on  the  extreme  left,  with  orders  from  Gen  Early  to  ascer- 
tain the  position,  and  charge  a  battery  of  the  enemy  supposed  to 
be  stationed  in  the  woods  on  our  front.  After  the  formation  of 
the  line  we  were  moved  forward  by  direction  of  Maj.  Gen.  I).  H. 
Hill  with  instructions  to  approach  the  enemy  with  trailed  arms, 
without  firing,  until  close  upon  him. 

The  line  passed  down  into  a  marshy  ravine  and  my  regiment 
found  itself  in  a  dense  undergrowth  composed  chiefly  of  pines, 
which  made  the  advance  in  line  difficult.  On  the  verge  of  the 
field  beyond  I  halted  and  reformed  the  line  and  examined 
for  the  enemy's  battery.  Not  seeing  any  indications  of  hia 
presence,  I  advanced  the  line  about  100  yards  into  the  field  and  as 
soon  as  I  did  so  a  battery,  situated  at  a  distance  of  800  or  900  yards 
on  the  left,  opened  upon  us  with  shell.  I  immediately  changed 
the  direction  of  the  line  so  as  to  face  towards  this  point  and  found 
that  the  battery  was  posted  in  a  skirt  of  woods  near  a  redoubt 
crossed  and  in  which  there  appeared  to  be  at  least  a  brigade  of  the 
enemy.  As  soon  as  I  made  this  movement  I  found  that  the  line 
was  broken,  and  I  could  neither  see  Col.  Hoke  with  the  23d  No. 
Ca.  Reg.  nor  Lieut.  Col.  Whittle  with  the  38th  Va.  The  ap- 
proach was  through  an  open  field  of  soft  earth  without  any  cover 
for  my  troops  and  feeling  great  anxiety,  I  dispatched  my  adjutant 
(Lieut  McRae)  aand  Maj.  I.  J.  Sinclair  to  General  Hill  with  a 
request  to  be  informed  what  battery  I  was  to  charge.  Maj.  Sin- 
clair returned  with  an  answer  that  I  was  "to  charge  the  battery 

iThe  manuscript,  from  which  this  is  printed,  has  been  presented 
recently  to  the  library  of  William  and  Mary  College  by  Miss  Ruth  H. 
Early. 


196  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

that  opened  on  us,  and  to  do  it  quickly."  I  immediately  put  the 
line  in  motion,  and  the  men  sprang  off  at  a  rapid  pace. 

About  this  time  a  regiment,  which  I  found  afterwards  to  be  the 
24th  Va.  (Col.  Terry)  engaged  the  enemy  at  some  300  yards  to  my 
left,  in  front  and  drove  him  out  of  some  houses  towards  his  re- 
doubt. Finding  the  23d  and  38th  still  absent,  I  saw  the  neces- 
sity of  connecting  my  line  with  this  to  support  it  and  at  the  same 
time  get  the  cover  of  the  houses  referred  to.  I  orderd  my  line  to 
advance,  obliquing  to  the  left  and  when  I  found  my  men  advanc- 
ing too  rapidly  and  sufficiently  obliquing,  I  ordered  a  halt,  passed 
to  the  front  of  the  line  and  urged  my  men  to  move  less  rapidly  and 
to  press  more  sensibly  to  the  left,  and  in  order  to  compose  them, 
I  ordered  them  to  lie  down.  The  enemy  had  now  commenced  to 
fire  upon  us  with  rifles,  which  began  to  be  fatal  and  at  that  mo- 
ment, I  observed  Captain  Early  (Gen.  Early's  aid)  some  distance 
on  my  left  waving  me  on :  I  then  pushed  on.  My  color-bearer  was 
first  struck  down  when  his  comrade  seized  the  flag  and  he  fell 
immediately:  a  third  one  took  it  and  shared  the  same  fate  then 
Capt.  Benjamin  Robinson  of  Co.  "A,"  carried  it  until  the  staff 
of  the  flag  was  shivered  to  pieces  in  his  hands. 

Under  this  fire  of  grape  from  the  battery  and  volleys  from  the 
infantry,  the  regiment  continued  to  advance  until  I  formed  a  slight 
shelter  of  a  low  fence  within  100  yards  of  the  redoubt.  The  fire 
was  terrific :  my  officers  and  men  were  falling  on  every  side.  The 
24th  Va.  on  my  left,  was  suffering  in  like  proportion.  I  had  de- 
lievered  my  first  fire  at  the  distance  of  about  150  yards  and  my 
men  were  now  firing  with  effect  upon  a  body  of  the  enemy  who 
were  retreating  into  the  redoubt.  At  this  time  Col.  Terry  fell 
upon  my  left,  Lieut.  Col.  Hairston  also  and  the  horse  of  Maj. 
Sinclair  had  been  killed  under  him.  Lieut.  Col.  Badham  fell  upon 
my  right  and  I  found  that  Maj.  Maury  of  the  24th  Va.  and  myself 
were  the  only  field  officers  remaining  mounted.  I  had  previously  sent 
my  adjutant  to  Gen.  Hill  announcing  my  loss  and  the  danger  of 
my  position  and  earnestly  begged  for  reinforcements;  but  finding 
my  force  too  small,  and  the  position  fatally  destructive,  I  did 
not  await  his  return,  but  ordered  my  command  to  fall  off  down 
to  the  cover  of  the  fence  and  immediately  afterwards  I  received 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY  197 

the  order  to  retreat.    The  charge  upon  the  battery  was  not  attended 
by  success. 

I  have  no  doubt  it  would  have  been,  had  the  23d  No.  Ca.  and 
the  38th  Va.,  as  originally  designated,  participated  in  the  as- 
sault, for  the  enemy  were  so  much  disconcerted  at  the  persistant 
advance  of  the  troops  that  he  drew  off  one  or  more  of  his  pieces  and 
his  infantry,  under  the  severe  fire,  of  the  two  regiments,  hastily 
sought  shelter  in  and  behind  the  redoubt.  How  heroically  my 
men  and  officers  endeavored  to  execute  the  charge  intrusted  to 
them.  The  list  of  casualties  hereto  appended  will  exhibit  results, 
and  it  is  a  matter  of  pride  to  the  survivors,  as  it  was  to  all,  to  know 
that  their  whole  conduct  was  under  the  direction  and  immediate 
observation  of  their  Major  and  Brigadier  generals,  the  latter  of 
whom  fell  while  bravely  leading  the  attack. 

All  of  my  officers  and  men  behaved  with  equal  courage,  and 
no  discrimination  can  be  made  among  them.  My  regiment  is  now 
reduced  so  as  to  be  insufficient.  I  beg  that  it  may  be  speedily 
supplied,  and  I  ask  you,  general,  in  calling  to  the  attention  of  the 
Department,  this  request,  to  suggest  that  my  first  lieutenants,  who 
are  now  with  me,  may  be  assigned  to  the  companies  which  have 
lost  their  captains  by  death,  wounds  and  imprisonments,  except 
in  the  case  of  Capt.  M.  C.  Jones,  who  was  wounded,  but  who  es- 
caped and  who,  I  hope  will  soon  resume  his  command.  My  ad- 
jutant, who  was  with  me  throughout  the  fight  rendered  me  valua- 
ble assistance,  and  his  good  conduct  did  not,  I  am  sure,  fail  to 
attract  your  attention.  I  beg  to  bring  to  your  notice  another  in- 
stance of  patriotic  action  which  merits  remark.  Mr.  Nicholson 
C.  Washington,  a  young  gentleman  from  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  who  vol- 
unteered as  a  private  in  my  ranks,  and  on  this  occasion  accom- 
panied me  as  my  orderly  on  the  field.  He  maintained  his  position 
by  my  side  and  delivered  my  orders  along  the  line  with  coolness 
and  precision.  I  ask  your  favorable  consideration  of  his  claims 
for  a  commission. 

I  was  unable  to  bring  off  more  than  forty  of  the  wounded. 
I  have  the  honor  to  accompany  this  with  a  list  of  casualties  in  this 
and  other  regiments  of  this  brigade. 

Very  resp'y 

D.  K.  McRae,  Colonel  of  5th  No.  Ca. 
Reg.,  Commd'g  Brigade. 


ROVING  BUSINESS. 

Smith,  Rochester  and  Austin. 
By  A.  J.   Morrison. 

The  incomparable  Niles  printed  in  his  Register  during  1820 
(XVIII,  417)  a  sketch  of  the  life  of  William  Smith  of  Flower 
dieu  Hundred,  Prince  George  County,  who  had  made  eight  voy- 
ages around  the  world,  besides  one  voyage  to  China  and  back.  Wil- 
liam Smith  was  born  November  14,  1768.  He  was  first  at  sea  in 
ship  Tartar,  both  navy  vessels.  For  some  years  to  1790  he  was 
1779  in  the  U.  S.  row  gaily  Manly,  Captain  Saunders,  up  and 
down  the  Chesapeake.  He  then  was  on  the  brig  Jefferson  and  the 
in  the  West  India  trade,  out  of  Philadelphia,  Baltimore,  and  Vir- 
ginia ports.  After  1790  he  was  sailing  out  of  Boston.  On  his 
eighth  voyage  around  the  world  he  left  Boston  in  the  ship  Alba- 
tross July  6,  1809,  and  did  not  come  home  (and  then  in  another 
ship)  until  the  middle  of  October,  1817.  For  some  seven  years  of 
that  voyage,  Smith  was  in  command  of  the  Albatross,  a  great 
part  of  the  time,  transporting  sandal  wood  from  the  Sandwich 
Islands  to  Canton,  under  a  contract  of  King  Tamaanah  of  the 
Islands  with  Captains  Davis  and  Winship  of  Boston.  The  war 
spoiled  the  contract.  Smith  then  engaged  in  the  sea  otter  trade  off 
the  California  coast  (for  the  China  market),  was  captured  by  the 
Spaniards  and  held  two  months;  he  then  joined  the  Ship  O'Cain, 
and  came  home.  On  his  ninth  voyage,  from  which  he  returned 
in  1820,  he  was  shipwrecked  on  the  voyage  out.  According  to 
Mies,  Smith  held  the  record  for  circumnavigations. 

The  year  William  Smith  was  born,  Nathaniel  Rochester  began 
his  business  career.  Rochester  was  a  native  of  Westmoreland 
County.  He  was  born  in  1752.  His  grandfather  Nicholas  Roches- 
ter had  come  to  Westmoreland  from  England.  His  father,  John 
Rochester,  died  in  1756,  and  his  mother  married  Thomas  Critcher, 
who  in  1763  settled  in  the  western  part  of  Granville  County,  North 
Carolina.  Nathaniel  Rochester  began  his  long  and  successful 
business  career  at  Hillsboro,  in  North  Carolina.  He  became  in- 


WILLIAM  AND  MABY  QUARTERLY  199 

terested  with  Col.  Thomas  Hart  (father-in-law  of  Henry  Clay)  in 
the  manufacture  of  nails  and  the  manufacture  of  rope.  With 
Colonel  Hart  he  removed  to  Hagerstown,  Maryland,  in  1780,  and 
in  1785  first  ventured  to  Kentucky  in  a  business  way.  That  year 
his  capital  of  £1100  sent  in  merchandise  to  Kentucky  returned 
him  £1000  net.  Soon  after  another  venture  to  Kentucky  in  1800, 
Rochester  began  taking  up  land  in  New  York.  He  settled  there 
in  1810,  establishing  the  town  of  Rochester  a  good  deal  by  means 
of  his  large  paper  mill  there,  re-engaged  in  banking,  and  died  at 
the  age  of  eighty  in  1831.  Unquestionably  Nathaniel  Rochester 
was  a  first-rate  man  of  business  and  showed  his  character  very 
early.* 

About  the  time  Rochester,  with  headquarters  at  Hagerstown, 
was  withdrawing  from  Kentucky  and  investing  in  New  York, 
Moses  Austin,  a  Connecticut  Virginian,  was  fixing  his  home  in 
Upper  Louisiana.  Stephen  Austin  has  told  the  story  briefly  and 
well.  The  following  is  a  copy  of  a  memorandum  made  and  kept  by 
Stephen  F.  Austin  for  the  information  of  his  brother,  J.  E.  B. 
Austin : 

"My  father  was  a  native  of  Durham,  Connecticut,  and  was 
regularly  educated  a  merchant.  He  was  a  partner  of  the  import- 
ing house  of  Stephen  Austin  &  Co.,  in  Philadelphia,  and  married 
Miss  Maria  Brown  in  that  city,  a  native  of  Morris  County,  New 
Jersey,  shortly  after  which  a  branch  of  the  mercantile  house  was 
established  in  Richmond,  Virginia,  under  the  firm  name  of  Moses 
Austin  &  Co.,  and  my  father  settled  in  that  city. 

"Some  years  afterwards  the  company  purchased  the  lead 
mines  in  Wythe  County,  Virginia,  on  New  River,  known  as 
Chisel's  (ChiswelPs)  Mines,  to  which  place  he  removed  and  con- 
ducted the  mining  and  manufacturing  of  lead  on  an  extensive 
scale. 

"He  was  the  first  who  brought  to  this  country  English  miners 
and  manufacturers  of  lead,  and  he  established  the  first  manufac- 

*See  autobiography  of  Nathaniel  Rochester  in  T.  J.  C.  Williams's 
History  of  Washington  County,  Maryland.  Hagerstown,  1906.  Vol. 
I.  pp.  136-139. 


200  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

tory  of  shot  and  sheet  lead  in  the  United  States,  at  Eichmond  and 
the  mines  on  New  River,  Virginia. 

"A  brother  of  my  father,  Elijah  Austin,  was  well  known  to  the 
mercantile  community  of  New  York  and  New  Haven  as  being  the 
first  who  ever  fitted  out  a  ship  for  a  sealing  voyage  to  the  north- 
west coast  of  America,  and  from  there  to  India.  My  uncle  fitted 
out  Captain  Green,  who  made  the  first  trip  of  that  kind  that  was 
ever  undertaken. 

"In  1796  my  father^  finding  the  mines  on  New  River  less  pro- 
ductive than  he  had  expected,  and  having  accidentally  met  with 
a  person  who  had  been  in  the  mining  district  to  the  west  of  Saint 
Genevieve,  west  of  the  Mississippi  River,  in  Upper  Louisiana,  and 
who  gave  a  favorable  account  of  the  prospects  in  that  country?  de- 
termined to  visit  it.  After  much  difficulty  he  obtained  the  neces- 
sary passports  from  the  Spanish  minister,  as  at  that  time  the 
Spanish  possessions  extended  to  the  Pacific  Ocean,  and  were  closed 
to  the  admission  of  foreigners. 

"During  the  winter  of  1796  and  1797  he  explored  Upper 
Louisiana  and  with  his  whole  company  nearly  perished  in  the 
wilderness  between  Vincennes  and  St.  Louis.  At  that  time  Vin- 
cennes was  the  only  settlement  between  Louisville  and  St.  Louis. 
He  obtained  a  grant  for  one  league  of  land  embracing  the  lead 
mines  of  Mine  A.  Burton  [now  Potosi],  and  in  1798  removed  his 
family  from  Virginia  to  his  new  grant.  Mine  A.  Burton  is  forty 
miles  west  of  St.  Genevieve,  and  at  the  time  my  father  moved 
there  was  uninhabited.  .  .  . 

"Considering  that  when  he  first  visited  Upper  Louisiana  in 
1797,  the  country  from  Louisville  to  the  Mississippi^  now  compos- 
ing the  States  of  Indiana  and  Illinois,  was  a  total  wilderness  with 
the  exception  of  Vincennes  on  the  Wabash,  and  Kas-Kas-Kia  and  a 
few  French  settlements  in  the  Mississippi  bottoms  opposite  St. 
Louis  and  St.  Genevieve ;  that  he  moved  by  a  new  and  almost  un- 
explored route  down  the  Kanawha  river  in  large  flat  boats,  a  thing 
which  never  before  had  been  attempted  from  the  point  where  he 
embarked ;  the  mountainous  and  wilderness  country  through  which 
he  had  to  pass  between  Austinville  and  that  point ;  the  thinly  popu- 
lated situation  of  the  western  portion  of  Virginia  and  of  the  States 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 


201 


of  Kentucky  and  Ohio ;  and  to  this  add  the  immeasurable  distance 
which  it  was  then  thought  separated  Louisiana  from  the  settled 
portions  of  the  United  States,  and  the  universal  prejudice  which 
existed  against  the  Spanish  government;  the  long  and  tedious 
trip  by  flat  boats  down  the  Kanawha  and  Ohio  rivers,  and  up  the 
Mississippi  to  St.  Genevieve,  and  the  hostile  condition  of  the  In- 
dians [It  is  curious  that  the  Osages  in  Moses  Austin's  way  had 
learned  from  the  Pacific  Coast  to  call  Americans  'Bostonians/ 
The  Creeks  at  that  time  were  in  the  habit  of  calling  Americans 
'Virginians/]  and  I  think  it  will  be  readily  conceded  that  my 
father  is  justly  entitled  to  high  credit  for  his  enterprise  in  having 
even  conceived  the  idea  of  moving  his  own  and  many  other  families 
from  the  interior  of  Virginia  to  so  remote  a  country.  His  success 
affords  a  proof  of  his  judgment  and  perseverance. 

"His  family  consisted  of  three  children — Stephen  Fuller,  the 
eldest,  born  at  Austinville,  Wythe  County,  Virginia,  November  3, 
1793 ;  James  Elijah  Brown,  the  youngest,  born  at  Mine  A.  Burton, 
1803;  and  Emily  Margaret  Brown,  born  June  22,  1795,  at  Austin- 
ville, Virginia,  who  married  James  Bryan."* 

How  picturesque  things  were  before  1830!  The  railroad  has 
done  much  to  make  such  a  century  as  never  was.  And  by  1930  it 
is  not  impossible  the  railroad  will  be  rather  secondary. 

*See  chapters  on  the  early  history  of  Texas,  by  Col.  Guy  M. 
Bryan  (son  of  James  Bryan  and  Emily  Austin),  in  History  of  Texas, 
edited  by  Dudley  Wooten.  Dallas,  1898.  Vol.  I,  pp.  440-442. 


KEPOKT   OF   EXECUTORS    OF    ESTATE    OF  WILLIAM 
PARKS,  THE  FIRST  PRINTER  IN  VIRGINIA. 


Parks 
Wm. 

Settlement 
1750 


Dr.  The  estate  of  Mr.  William  Parks  deed,  returned 
by  John  Shelton  acting  Exr. 

Current — 


To  cash  paid  for  a  judgment  obtained 
against  the  estate  of  Robt  &  John 
Lidderdale  Merchts  in  London       £ 
To  the  Sheriff  Clerk  &  Lawyers  fees 
To  Cash  paid  for  a  judgment  obtained 
agst  the    estate    by  Daniel  Parke 
Custis  Esq 

To  the  Sheriff  Clerk  &  Lawyers  fees 
To  cash  paid  for  judgment  obtained 
against  the  estate  Messrs  Lidder- 
dale &  Harmer  surviving  partners 
of     Thomas     Chamberlayne     mer- 


239-13-  3 
10-  2-  2 


239-  1-  2-1/2 
10-  1-11 


chants  in  Bristol 

25  P-cent  advance  on  Do — 
To  the  Clerks  Sherifs  &  Lawyers  fees 

(Sherifs  fee    for    collecting    £600 

of  the  above) 
To  a  judgment  obtained  against  the 

estate  by  Capt-  Andrew  Watson 

25  P  cent 
To  the  Clerks  Sherfs  &  Lawyers  fees 


Sterling 
£  932-  9-  l-i/2 
233-  2-  3-1/2 


To  cash  Mr.  Parks  funeraL  expenses 
as  p  acct  pd.  Capt  Watson 

To  cash  paid  Robert  Cary  &  Co  Mer- 
chants in  London 

To  cash    paid     Thomas    Wild    as  P 


17-15-  8 

Sterling 
50-  0-  0- 
1210  - 

1-19 

1736-14-  7-1/2 
6-15- 
31-15- 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUAETEBLY 


203 


1751 
April  1 


agreement  made  by  Mr.  Parks  for 

63  hhds  tobo  63 

To  paid  the  inspection  of  the  above 

63  hhds  of  tobo  shipt  Lidderdale  & 

Harmer  9-  9- 

To  paid  David  Jameson  as  P  accot 

for  paper  7-  2- 

To  the  white  servants  expenses  from 

Wmburg  to  Hanover  Court 
To  paid  Hunt  &  Waterman  Merchts 

in  London  Bond  &  Interest  113-16-  4 

To  paid  Capt.   Geo.  Hill  Mariner  6-  8-  9 


To  cash  paid  Sarah  Packe  P  agree- 
ment &  award —  100- 

To  cash  paid  the  inspectors  at  Crutch- 
fields  Warehouse  as  P  acct  0-  4-  3- 

To  cash  paid  the  inspector  at 

[?]  Do  Do  09-6 

To  cash  paid  by  the  guardian  of  Thos 
Carter  45-16-  9 

To  cash  paid  Mr.  Macnamara  Attor- 
ney at  law  in  Maryland  his  fees 
docking  Intail  of  a  tract  of  land 
call  Park  Hall  &  also  Lot  at  an- 
napolis  &  other  services)  14-15-  - 

To  the  Secretarys  Clerks  &  other  offi- 
cers fees  for  the  above  13-12-  9 

To  my  expenses  for  five  journeys  to 
Maryland  25-  -  - 

To  paid  Doctr  Thomas  Smith  for 
attending  Mr.  Parks  in  his  sickness 
on  board  the  Nelson  6-12-  6- 


454-  6-10 


204 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 


To  cash  paid  Blackmore  Hughes  for 
finishing  a  house  sold  Mr.  Geo. 
Webb  in  New  Castle)  15-  -  - 

To  paid  Mr.  Leighton  Wood  Mercht 
in  Bristol  upon  a  protested  Bill  of 
exchange  &  account  136-  -  - 

To  paid  Judgment  obtained  by  Chris- 
topher Lilly  Mercht  in  Bristol  345-16-  8 

To  cash  paid  Harry  Larmer  his  share 

of  crop  as  &  overseer  for  parks  10-  -  - 

To  cloathing  Mr.  ?  Negros  2  years 

in  Hanover  19-12- 

To  paying  their  levies  &  white  ser- 
vants Do  1194  Ibs  tobo  a  2  d  9-19 

To  finding  working  tools  6- 

To  cash  paid  the  Midwife  for  deliver- 
ing 2  negro  women  1-  -  - 

To  paid  quit  Rents  for  the  land  2  years     3-  1-    - 


546-  8-  8- 


To  one  Negro  Women 
mole  valued  at  £10 

To  one  Negro  Man  Ben  £30 

To  one  Negro  Worster     40 

To  2  sorrel  horses  £3 — 
one  Gray  do  £4  7 

To  six  shoats  at  6/7 
steers  at  45/ 

To  11  cows  at  30/4 
three  year  old  at  25/ 

To  7  2  year  old  at  20/5 
calves  at  6/ 

To  1  Bull  at  20/1  tum- 
bler &  wheels 

To  1  leaden  tray  2 
feather  beds  one  bol- 
ster &  2  sheets  1  pot 
rack  10  cart  &  chain 


Delivered  to  Mrs  Packe 
by  agreement  with  Mr. 
Parks  &  by  order  of  Mr. 
Ben.  Waller  and  others 
Arbitrators 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUABTEBLY 


205 


1752 


To  cash  paid  Sarah  Packe  as  P  award  100 

To  cash  Mr.  John  Hanbury  Merch 

in  London  upon  Bond  1186-  8-  4 

To  a  judgment  obtained  against  the 
estate  by  Peter  Scott  &  costs  105-13- 

To  a  judgment  obtained  agst  the  es- 
tate by  Col  McKenzie  a  Protested 
bill  of  exchange  157-14-  7 

To  a  judgment  obtained  agst  the  es- 
tate by  Mr.  John  Scott  &  costs  59-15-  3-i/2 

to  cash  paid  Natl  Walthoe  by  acct 
due  to  Thos.  Waller  Bookseller 
London  159-  3-  8 


These   two 
judgm 
are  not 
pd  off  tout 
believe 
I  have 
sufficient 
funds  to 
pay  them 


1708-14-10  l/2 
To  sundry  debts  pd  by  Mark  Cosby 

as  may  more  fully  appear  663-19-  9 

To   sundry   debts   pd   by   Mr.   Wm. 

Hunter  Wmburg  exclusive    of  the 

above  sums  317-17-  4 

To  a  judgment  obtained  by   Sarah 

Packe  118-11-  3 

1100-  8-  4- 
£5606-13-  3- 

To  a  judgment  obtained  Richard  Am- 
bler Esq    on  bond  £  500-    -    - 
Interest  on  do 

To  a  judgment  obtained  by  Messrs 
Bowden  &  Farquhar  in  London 
Bond  360  sterling— 

25  P  c  91 

interest  on  do 
To  sundry  traveling  expenses 


206  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 


The   Estate  of  William  Parks  deed  Or. 

By  sundry  goods  shipt  by  Mr.  Parks 

from  London  reed  in  Hanover 

sterling  £261-  5-  1- 
By  sundry  goods  from  Glasgow  reed  in 

Hanover  269-11-  9- 


530-16-10- 
sold  at  50  P  ct  advance  265-  0-  5 


£  796-  5-  3- 
By  sundry  outstanding  debts  reed  in 

Hanover  121-16-  3- 

By  63  hhd  tobo  reed  Thos  Wild  P 
agreement  made  by  Mr.  Parks  shipt 
Lidderdale  &  Harmer  sterling  332-14-10 

25   Pet   advance  83-  3-  8-% 

By  cash  reed  of  Thomas  Wild 

sterling    £  397-  7-  7- 
25  P  ct  advance  99-  6-10-% 


496-14-  5-1/2 

1830-14-  6 
By  the  sale   of   Hanover  Courthouse 

taken  by  execution  660-  5- 

By  the  sale  of  the  paper  Mill  do  96-  3-  9 

By  the  sale  of  the  printing  office  do  156-14-  7 
By  the  sale  of  5  Negroes  in  Hanover 

do  220     -    - 
By   the   sale   of   9   do            do  300 
By  the  sale  of  5  horses            do  16-  7-  6 
By  the  sale  of  21  head  of  cattle  Han- 
over 16-  1- 
By  the  sale  of  29  hogs  Hanover  4- 
By  the  sale  1225  gros  Pork     do     12/6  7-  7-  6 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUABTEELY  207 

By  the  sale  of  drest     "        do     19/      10-  1-  7 
By  sale  of  cart  &  trases          do  1-7- 


1488-  7-11 

By  sale  of  a  parcel  of  corn     do  6-  3-  6- 

By  the  sale  of  a  set  of  Black- 
smith tools  do  15-    -    - 
By  the  sale  of  7  white 

servants  men  &  women     do  94-    -     - 

By  the  sale  of  a  silver  watch  do  4-    -    - 

By  the  sale  of  one  scarlet  Rockalow  £3   £3-    -     - 
Two  velvet  waist  coats  £4  £4     -    - 

2  pr  velvet  britches  4-6-8  4-  6-  8- 

Wig  &  box  35/  one  coat  &c  48/  15-  9-  8- 

By  one  years  rent  of  Hanover  Court- 
house 50- 
By  the  sale  of  a  House  and  Lot  in  New 

Castle  150 

By    cash    reed    of    Edwd    Athawes 

Mercht  in  London  31 10 

By   the  sale  of  Negro  man  Casar  at 

Wmburg  69-10 

By  the  sale  of  a  Negro  Women  Brid- 
get &  Child  do  53-10 
By  the  sale  of  one  pr  hand  irons  22 / 
2    elbow    chairs    16/    6    leather 
chairs  31/  3-  9- 
By  sundry  outstanding  debts  reed  in 

Wmburg  by  Hunter  526-19-  6 


1019-11-  8 


By  an  order  on  the  Treasurery  payable 
to  Col  John  Hunter  the  ballance 
due  to  the  estate  for  printing  the  laws 
after  paying  Mr.  Wm.  Hunter  for 
his  completing  the  same  P  agree- 
ment £850- 


208  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

By  Ballance  of  sundry  Printing  mate- 
rials sold  Mr.  William  Hunter  after 
paying  him  for  completing  the  laws 
as  P  account  settled  will  more  fully 
appear  359-  1-  5- 


1209-  1-  5-% 

By  cash  received  280- 

By  sundry  debts  Kecd  by  Mark  Cosby 
in  Williamsburg  as  the  book  cannot 
be  found  I  suppose  it  to  be 
£383-19-9  being  the  balance  of 
the(  ?)  we  find  he  paid  after  deduct- 
ing £280  reed  of  treasury  out  of 
£663-19-9-  the  money  we  find  paid 
by  Cosby  383-19-  9 


663-19-  9 

6211-15  -3 

Errors  Excepted 
1754  April  25th 

P  John  Shelton 

Returned  into  York  County  Court  the  17th  day  of  June  1754 
and  ordered  to  be  recorded 

examd  Teste  Thos.  Everard  Clr-Cur 

Parks        An  inventory   of  the  estate   of   Mr. 
appr         William    Parks    deed    in    Hanover 
County  as  appraised  by  the  subscri- 
bers Viz: 
1  Negro  man  name  Stan  ton  £37  1  do 

name  George  £37  £74 

1  do   name   Taylor   £20    1    do   name 
Ned  £40  £60 

1  Negro  Women  name  nan  £25  1  old 
white  hours  £4  29 

2  cows    &    calvs  46/  1  yearling  10/ 

4  cows  &  calvs  £6  8-16 

2  barron  cows   56/   one  large   45/   1 
bull  20/  3  small  steers  48/  8-  9- 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY  209 

4  smaller  steers  28/  one  small  heffer 

12 /  one  bay  horse  37/6  3-17-  6 

1  roane  bourse  50/1  old  white  do  £4 

1  old  do  £4  10  10  - 

1  old  cart  &  wheels  15/  1  pr  horse 

hames  &  iron  trases  12/  1-  7- 

1  old  set  Smiths  tools  £10  3  sows  20/ 

7  shoats  17/6  11-17-  6 

2  pigs  2/  17  do  22/6  6  sows  36/  3-  0-  6 
one  silver  watch  £4  1  scarlet  Kocka- 

low  £3  £7 

1  black  velvet  waist  coat  40/  1  uncut 
velvet  do  40/  4 

2  pair  velvet  britches  £4-6-8   1   gray 

wig  &  Box  35/  6-  1-  8 

1  all  a  peen  coat  wainst  coat  48/  one 

old  Gray  wig  6s  1  old  Banyan  2/6  2-11- 

1  negro  man  named  Tom  £37  1  Negro 
women  named  Phillis  £35-  72 

1  Negro  man  named  Worcester  40  1 

Negro  man  Named  Ned  £40  80 

1  Negro  man  named  Peter  £36  1  Ne- 
gro Women  Lucy  &  her  child  45  81  - 

1  Negro  Women  Sarah  &  her  child  £45 
1  negro  man  Ludlow  £37  82 


545-11-  2 
Eobt  Jennings 
John  Dabney 
Edward  Garland 

Returned  into  York  County  Court  the  18th  day  of  May  1752 
and  ordered  to  be  recorded 
examnd  Teste:  Thos  Everard  Clr.  Cur- 

iThis  report  adds  considerable  information  to  our  knowledge  about 
Parks,  and  is  printed  here  through  the  courtesy  of  Mr.  Lawrence  C. 
Wroth,  of  the  Enoch  Pratt  Free  Library,  Baltimore. 

The  Virginia  Press  Association  has  appointed  a  special  committee 
to  consider  the  project  of  establishing  some  memorial  to  William  Parks 
in  Williamsburg. 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  COLLEGE, 
August  9,  1782. 

The  public  are  hereby  informed,  that  the  University  of  William 
and  Mary  is  now  open  for  the  reception  of  students;  the  com- 
mencement of  public  lectures  is  postponed  until  the  first  Monday 
in  October,  in  order  to  afford  time  for  those  to  assemble,  who  wish 
to  profit  by  them;  but  the  Professors  will  give  instructions  pri- 
vately to  those  who  attend  before  the  above  mentioned  time.  Many 
respectable  families  in  town  will  board  students  upon  reasonable 
terms.  The  inconvenience  which  have  been  formerly  felt  make  it 
necessary  also  to  inform  the  public,  that  the  usual  fee  will  be  ex- 
pected upon  entrance. 

J.  MADISON 

From  Nicholson  &  Prentis's  Virginia  Gazette  and  Weekly  Ad- 
vertiser, Richmond,  Aug.  17,  1782. 

WILLIAM  AND  MARY  COLLEGE, 

August  20,  1782. 

As  few  surveyors  have  settled  with  the  college  of  William  and 
Mary  for  many  years,  notice  is  hereby  given  that,  to  render  a  set- 
tlement as  convenient  as  possible  to  them,  the  Burser  will  attend 
at  Richmond  from  the  27th  of  October  next  to  the  2nd  day  of  No- 
vember. Suits  will  be  immediately  commenced  against  those  who 
shall  not  then  bring  or  send  in  their  accounts,  unless  ihey  may 
have  previously  within  the  present  year. 

It  is  expected  that  all  persons  indebted  to  the  college  for  board 
or  otherwise,  will  also  take  that  opportunity  of  discharging  their 
respective  dues,  the  circumstances  of  the  college  indispensibly  re- 
quiring a  speedy  and  general  collection  of  what  is  owing  to  it. 

ROBERT  ANDREWS. 

From  Nicolson  &  Prentis's  Virginia  Gazette  and  Weekly  Ad- 
vertiser, Richmond,  Aug.  31,  1782'. 


HAMPDEN  SIDNEY  (PRINCE  EDWARD), 
Oct.  16,  1782. 

The  confusions  of  the  war  have  been  very  unfavorable  to  the 
cultivation  of  science  in  general,  and  to  the  interests  of  the  Acad- 
emy of  Hampden  Sidney  in  particular.  The  present  more  agree- 
able prospect  of  public  affairs,  has  induced  the  Trustees  to  at- 
tempt the  revival  of  it.  They  are  about  making  the  necessary  re- 
pairs in  the  rooms  of  the  principal  buildings,  and  have  engaged 
Major  John  H.  Overstreet  to  act  as  steward  for  the  ensuing  year. 
They  hope  that  the  friends  of  learning  will  patronize  an  institu- 
tion capable  of  being  eminently  useful,  in  a  country  so  extensive 
as  Virginia,  and  at  a  time  when  knowledge  of  every  kind  is  pecu- 
liarly necessary.  The  Academy  will  be  open  for  the  reception  of 
students  on  the  first  of  November,  and  I  beg  leave  to  pledge  my- 
self to  the  public  for  the  faithful  discharge  of  my  duty  as  director 
of  the  institution.  The  same  attention  to  the  morals  and  instruc- 
tions of  the  students,  which  distinguished  this  seminary  as  long 
as  we  could  have  them  boarded  on  the  spot,  shall  again  be  given; 
and  I  hope  for  the  favour  of  those  Gentlemen,  especially,  whose 
relations  have  ever  been  here  for  any  considerable  time.  The  cul- 
tivation of  the  English  language,  Geography,  Mathematics,  and 
Philosophy,  shall  be  the  principal  objects  of  instruction,  and  a 
very  accurate  acquaintance  with  the  Latin  and  Greek  languages 
shall  be  added,  where  it  is  desired.  If  any  gentleman  could  fur- 
nish Boyer's  French  grammers  or  any  of  a  later  date,  I  would 
engage  a  native  of  France,  who  is  a  man  of  learning,  to  teach  the 
pronunciation,  etc.,  of  that  tongue,  where  the  number  should  be 
considerable  enough  to  enable  me  to  do  it.  The  steward  will  fur- 
nish boarding  for  16  £  per  annum,  one  half  to  be  paid  at  entrance, 
and  the  other  half  in  six  months.  The"  price  of  tuition  is  settled 
at  5  £,  to  be  paid  in  the  same  manner.  Mr-  Overstreet  desires  me 
to  inform  the  public  that  his  accomodations  and  attention  shall 


212  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

never  be  deficient,  especially  if  his  payments  are  punctually  re- 
ceived. 

JOHN  BLAIE  SMITH. 

N.  B.     I  have  five  or  six  hundred  acres  of  good  land  in  this 
county,  to  dispose  of,  on  reasonable  terms. 

From  Nicolson  &  Prentis's  Virginia  Gazette  and  Weekly  Ad- 
vertiser, Oct.  26,  1782. 


PETITION  FROM  ALBEMARLE  FOR  EMISSION  OF  PAPER 

MONEY. 

Albemarle  County,  Anno  Dom.  1788 

To  the  Honorable  Speaker,  and  House  of  Delegates  Convened 
together  at  the  City  of  Richmond;  to  take  under  their  considera- 
tion, what  may  attend  to  the  good  of  the  Commonwealth  of  Vir- 
ginia, etc. — 

We  your  Humble  petitioners  sendeth  these  lines  to  this  Hon 
ourable  House,  to  inform  you  of  our  distressed  condition,  which  is 
coming  on  us  daily,  for  want  of  a  circulating  Medium  among  us, 
therefore  we  pray  you  to  take  it  under  your  consideration,  and 
grant  our  request,  which  is  this,  We  pray  and  wish  you  to  emit  as 
much  paper  money  as  will  pay  our  domestic  debt,  and  said  money 
to  be  a  Lawfull  Tender,  in  all  debts  dues  and  Demands,  whatsoever 
(Except  the  Demands  of  Congress,  which  we  ever  shall  be  happy  to 
be  Taxed  in  Tobacco,  Etc.  to  answer  that  of  paying  our  Foreign 
debt  &  Loan  Pjtc.)  For  admitting  the  enemies  of  said  paper 
Money,  Should  depreciate  it  a  little  at  first,  it  is  better  for  a  few 
to  suffer  a  little  than  a  majority  of  the  State  to  become  Servants 
to  the  rest,  and  it  appears  to  your  petitioners  likely  to  be  the  case 
when  we  consider  the  quantity  of  money  it  takes  to  pay  off  our 
Sivel  list  annually,  and  also  our  Six  per  cent  Interest  Warrants, 
And  we  Consider  it  just  and  right,  that  the  old  british  debts  should 
be  paid  that  was  contracted  before  the  War,  but  also  we  remember 
that  when  those  debts  was  contracted,  that  there  was  a  paper  Cur- 
rency among  us  that  they  generally  was  willing  to  recover,  therefore 
we  wish  to  pay  them  off  in  paper  money,  and  then  they  will  be  will- 
ing to  allow  us  a  reasonable  price  for  our  Tobacco  Etc.,  and  leave 
our  money  among  us,  for  we  are  not  so  doubtfoll  of  the  faith  of  our 
State  as  many  appearantly  is,  for  we  are  heartoly  willing  to  sell 
our  property  for  said  money,  as  well  now,  as  when  George  the  third 


214  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

was  our  head,  for  we  believe,  when  said  money  is  calld  in  by  Tax- 
ation, that  you  our  Legislature  has  wisdom  enough  to  lay  it  out  on 
purchasing  Tobacco  Etc.,  to  help  to  Ease  a  fund,  and  admitting 
some  persons  should  say  that  this  cannot  be  done  we  are  very  clear 
that  there  can  be  as  good  a  fund  Rased  to  redeem  this  said  money, 
as  was  done  to  redeem  our  Militia  Certificates  Etc. 

and  now,  if  this  Honourable  House  will  not  grant  this  our  re- 
quest, we  still  will  pray  farther,  for  our  property  to  be  received  in 
payment  of  our  debts,  at  the  valuation  of  two  or  three  good  men, 
and  we  wish  to  leave  it  to  your  wisdom  to  point  out  what  kind  of 
property  shall  be  received  in  payments  of  our  debts,  and  if  some- 
thing similar  to  our  requests  is  done  what  heart  can  stand  by  and 
see  his  property  that  he  hath  laboured  hard  for,  sell  for  one  fourth 
of  its  value  and  in  a  few  years  perhaps  not  for  over  one  tenth  of  its 
value,  then  power  will  naturally  follow  property,  then  God  help  the 
poor — Therefore  by  these  hints  you  may  know  what  our  prayers 
and  wish  is — and  now  we  wish  that  good  Spirit  above  may  inspire 
your  breasts  so  that  you  may  never  consent  to  the  Tnstaulment  Act, 
for  it  alarms  your  petitioners  when  they  consider  that  the  Mer- 
chant is  the  channel  by  which  the  money  must  come  through  to 
the  planter,  then  will  they  not  consult  together,  And  fix  the  price 
on  our  Commodity  as  they  see  fit,  and  will  they  not  keep  back  more 
than  six  per  cent  upon  all  their  debts  due  to  them  that  they  do  not 
receive  in  the  first  years  payment  Etc.  Etc. 

Alass  will  Instaulment  put  a  stop  to  that  eating  Canker  of  six 
per  cent  Interest  Warrants,  and  also  the  old  British  Debts  must 
be  paid  under  the  same  Act  which  will  make  the  old  proverb  true — 
a  new  Broom  sweps  clean,  then  that  saying  will  soon  come  to  pass 
They  have  taken  Virginia  without  the  fere  of  a  gun,  and  now  we 
conclude  wishing  that  God  May  direct  you  for  to  act  and  do  what- 
sover  may  attend  for  the  good  of  the  Commonwealth  of  Virginia  in 
general,  Amen — 

Then  thy  Humble  Petitioners  shall  ever  Pray — 

Hugh  R.  Morris  Charles  Minx  John  Burnley 

William  Grayson  Henry  Wood  Cornelyus  Moping 

John  Mills  Talton  Woodson  Fetter  Rosell 


WILLIAM  AND  MABY  QUARTERLY 


215 


Grabriel  Mullens 

John  Maupin 

Gabril  Maupen 

Thos.  Reed 

Bartolomeh  Kindred 

Jno.  Brit 

Joel  Wheeler 

John  Sproul 

Jesey  Gooch 

James  Briget 

Micajah  Wheeler,  Jr. 

Bartlet  Ellis 

Maxey  Ewell 

Jno.  Mopin,  sen. 

James  Harris 

Peter  Shaver 

John  Jones 

David  Gentry 

Wm.  Macon,  Sen. 

Wm.  Woods 

James  Kinsolving 

William  Thompson,  Tax 

Payer 

Joseph  Mansfield 
John  Martin 
John  Hall 
Zackarius  Maupin 
John  Day 
Robert  Layne 
Banj.  Dod wheeler 
Daniel  Maupin,  Jr. 
James  Reynols 
Thomas  Harlow 
Claudius  Buster,  Jr. 
William  Fickenson 
David  Sowers 
David  Burges 
Joseph  Burnett 
Daniel  Me.  Evay 
Peter  Belew 

his 
George  X  Procter 

mark 

James  Hayes 
Isom  Randolph 


his 
Jeremiah  X  Cleveland 

mark 

John  Williams 
George  Norvell 
John  Baly,  Sr. 
Samuel  Burch 
John  Alexander 
Wilson  Roberts 
William  Shelton,  Sr. 
Anthony  Granning 
John  Eades 
Joseph  Sutherland,  Sr. 
John  Allen,  Tax  P. 
Joseph  Burch 
Moses  Gentry 
Nelson  Thomas 
William  Ramsay 
Robt.  Sharp,  Jr. 
John  Buster,  Sr. 
John  Allphin 
John  Queritt 
James  Siddearth,  Sr. 
James  Suddearth,  Jr. 
Samuel  Dedman 
Josiah  Wallece 
John  Harris 
Solomen  Dolen 
John  Stockton 
William  Davis 
William  Gooch 
Alexander  Wetnell 
James  Brooks 
Joseph  Nott 
John  Brown 
Evan  Watson 

his 
Joshua  X  Grady 

mark 

Obediah  Britt 
Benjemine  Thaker 
Nathanuel  Thaker 
West  Lanford 
Claudius  Buster 
Barnett  Carter 


John  Taylor 
Wm.  Coles,  Sen. 
Edward  Butler 
Michail  Smith 
Chas.  Hudson 
Wm.  Kenney 

his 
John  X  Palhoof  (?) 

mark 

Samuel  Mun 
Micajah  Via 
Martin  Gentry 
John  Matthews 
James  Wood 
Daniel  Maupin 
Mourning  Roberts  T.  P. 
William  Humphreys  T.  P. 
Joseph  Roberts  T.  P. 
John  Bent 
George  Conner 
John  Gillum,  Senr. 
John  Gillum,  Jun. 
William  Berry 
Thos.  Harlow 
Philemon  Snell 
Samuel  Brookman 
Oliver  Cleveland 
James  Noland 
Andrew  Pray 
Mathey  Mopin 
Robert  Yancey 
David  Me.  Caully 
William  Sudderd 
Joseph  Claiborne 
John  Sowell 
Thos.  Cobbs 
James  Mayo,  T.  P. 

his 
John  X  Brian 

mark 

William  Johnson 
William  Clarke,  T. 
Robert  Martin 
John  Spencer 
Thomas  Mopin 


216 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 


Ephraim  Musack 
David  Buster 
Edward  Broaddus 
John  Spencer,  Jr. 
Nathl.  Dedman,  T.  P. 
Jesse  Compton 
Robert  Field 
James  Reid 
Wm.  Wood,  Jr. 
Benjamin  Taylor 
Wm.  Langford 
Daniel  Cain 

his 
John  X  Randolph 

mark 
William  Bailey 


Micajah  Wheeler 
Daniel  Maupin 
Robert  Langford 
William  Sudderd 
Chas.  Yancey 
David  Humphrey 
Nathan  Harlow 
Richard  Sanford 
John  Fergusson 
Augustine  Shepperd 
Phillip  Gooch 
James  Kerr 
John  Gillom 
William  Wood 
Samuel  Parr 
Samuel  Black 


John  Given 
Boling  Burnett 
Jo.  Upton 
Wm.  Me.  Gee 
Benj.  Lacy 
Benj.  Gentry 
John  Woods 
Hugh  Me.  William 
Francis  Craven 
Horsley  Goodman 
Endorsement — 

Albemarle  Petition  for 
an  Emmision  of  Paper 
Money  3rd  of  Nov.,  1787, 
Petition  A174,  Nov.  3, 
1787. 


JOHN  NORTON  &  SONS. 
From  Purdie's  Virginia  Gazette  of  May  12,  1775. 

Narrative  of  facts  relative  to  John  Norton  and  Sons  shipping 
two  half  chests  in  the  Virginia,  Howard  Esten,  humbly  address  to 
the  inhabitants  of  Virginia. 

JOHN  NORTON  and  sons,  some  time  in  the  month  of  June 
1774,  received  a  letter  from  Mess.  John  Prentis  and  co.  covering  an 
invoice  of  a  cargo  of  goods,  in  which  were  contained  two  certain  ar- 
ticles, viz.  a  chest  of  hyson  tea,  and  another  common  green  ditto.  In 
the  course  of  the  same  month,  they  received  likewise  another  letter, 
with  a  copy  of  the  said  invoice,  in  which  were  inserted  the  same  ar- 
ticles of  tea.  However,  J.  Norton  and  sons,  being  uneasy  at  the  or- 
der, did  not  give  it  out  till  the  month  of  August,  hoping  and  expect- 
ing they  should  have  received  countermanding  orders  with  respect  to 
the  shipping  the  same;  but  none  such  ever  came  to  hand,  though 
they  had  a  letter  from  Mess.  Prentis  and  co.  dated  the  26th  of 
June,  and  afterwards  a  copy  thereof,  both  of  which  were  received 
in  the  month  of  August.  Thus  disagreeably  circumstanced,  J. 
Norton  and  sons,  much  against  their  inclinations,  complied  with 
shipping  the  two  chests  of  tea  in  the  latter  end  of  the  month  of 
August,  amounting  to  the  precise  quantity  of  154  Ibs.  neat;  no 
other  chests  of  tea  being  on  board,  to  their  best  knowledge  and  be- 
lief. Their  letters  and  invoices  were  made  up,  and  dated  the  31st 
of  August :  about  which  time,  some  other  goods  offering,  J.  Norton 
and  sons  were  induced  to  detain  the  ship  fourteen  days  longer  than 
they  intended.  On  the  15th  of  September,  in  the  evening,  they 
received  a  letter  from  Mr.  John  Backhouse  of  Liverpool,  by  the 
post,  dated  the  12th  of  the  same  month,  enclosing  a  copy  of  the 
Virginia  association  entered  into  the  beginning  of  August,  which 
they  verily  believe  was  the  first  account  received  in  any  part  of 
England.  Under  these  circumstances,  how  could  J.  Norton  and 
sons  act?  The  ship  Virginia  was  then  cleared  pit.  and  at  Graves- 
end;  and  the  commencement  of  the  non-importation  agreement 


218  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

fixed  for  the  first  of  November,  a  time  scarce  thought  sufficient  for 
her  arrival  in  Virginia.  To  apply,  therefore,  for  permission  to 
land  the  tea  (could  it  have  been  obtained)  was  thought  inadviseable, 
since,  during  the  course  of  such  an  application,  the  time  allowed 
by  the  association  for  importation  was  running  on  fast,  and  their 
correspondents  might  have  been  subject  to  many  inconveniencies 
therefrom,  in  case  the  ship  did  not  arrive  in  time ;  therefore,  it  was 
not  attempted.  Capt.  Esten  left  London  very  early  on  the  morn- 
ing of  the  16th  of  September,  and  passed  through  the  Downs  the 
next  day ;  and  that  no  step,  which  prudence  could  suggest,  might  be 
ommitted,  he  was  directed  to  consult  with  the  committee,  and  other 
Gentlemen  in  Virginia,  immediately  on  his  arrival,  and  honestly 
to  lay  the  case  before  them;  and  that,  if  he  found  it  disagreeable 
to  the  inhabitants  that  the  tea  should  be  landed,  stored,  or  returned 
in  the  ship,  he  was  then  to  propose  destroying  it,  but  by  no  means  at- 
tempt the  landing  it  without  leave.  From  such  a  plain  and  faithful 
narration  of  facts,  and  from  a  conviction  of  the  candour  which  they 
possess  to  whom  these  lines  are  addressed,  J.  Norton  and  sons  are 
induced  to  hope  that  the  imputation  of  injustice  to  America  will 
cease,  that  truth  will  trample  over  calumny  or  misrepresentation, 
and  that  they  shall  recover  that  place  which  they  formerly  held  in 
the  esteem  of  their  friends  and  countrymen  in  Virginia. 

JOHN  NORTON  &  SONS. 
LONDON,  Jan.  5,  1775. 

Since  my  writing  the  above,  on  reading  the  Virginia  Gazette  of 
the  24th  of  November  last,  it  gives  me  infinite  concern  to  find  that 
I  have  unhappily  fallen  under  the  heavy  displeasure  of  the  Gentle- 
men of  the  committee  for  York  and  Gloucester  counties,  by  inad- 
vertently shipping  two  half  chests  of  tea  on  board  the  Virginia, 
Howard  Esten  master,  ordered  by  Mess.  Prentis  &  co.  My  excuse 
is  set  forth  in  the  foregoing  narration  of  facts,  which  I  submit 
to  the  committees  in  particular,  and  the  publick  in  general;  and 
hope  I  shall  be  acquitted  from  any  evil  intentions  of  prejudicing 
a  people  I  have  a  great  esteem  for?  and  among  whom  I  have 
lived  (I  may  say)  the  happiest  part  of  my  life.  A  censure  also, 
for  a  supposed  contempt  of  the  resolutions  entered  into  by  the 


WILLIAM  AND  MAKY  QUARTERLY  219 

worthy  members  of  the  late  Assembly,  respecting  the  importa- 
tions of  tea  into  Virginia,  being  passed  upon  me  by  the  above 
mentioned  committee,  I  must  confess  that  I  thought  all  the  re- 
solves made  at  that  time  were  preparatory  only  to  those  intended 
at  the  general  meeting  in  August;  that  they  were  then  to  receive 
a  sanction  from  the  Congress;  and  that  the  resolve  particularly 
alluded  to,  in  the  hurry  of  business,  entirely  escaped  my  notice, 
for  which  I  am  heartily  sorry.  I  must  sincerely  declare,  that  in 
shipping  the  tea  there  was  not  the  least  design  intended  of  um- 
brage to  the  inhabitants  of  Virginia,  or  lending  an  aid  to  govern- 
ment towards  raising  a  revenue  in  America;  that  my  avowed  prin- 
ciples (which  I  now  publish)  are,  that  the  Parliament  of  Great 
Britain  have  not  the 'least  shadow  of  right  to  tax  America:  that 
I  never  will,  directly  or  indirectly,  deviate  from  these  principles, 
which  I  have  always  professed,  and  which  ought  to  govern  every 
person  that  has  any  regard  for  the  liberty  of  America;  and  I 
also  farther  declare,  that,  so  far  from  having  any  connexion  with 
the  Ministry,  my  person  is  even  unknown  to  any  of  them,  and 
that  I  never  was  in  their  presence,  except  when  I  attended  about 
the  copper  coinage  for  Virginia,  in  which  I  was  employed,  instead 
of  a  better  agent. 

JOHN  NORTON. 
London,  Jan.  16,  1775. 

In  answer  to  an  objection  made  to  my  charging  Mr.  Prentis 
the  duty  on  the  two  half  chests  of  tea  in  the  invoice,  it  has  ever 
been  the  custom  of  the  house  so  to  do;  as  by  that  means  the 
whole  amount  of  costs  and  charges  appears  to  the  persons  debit, 
in  one  sum,  in  their  account  current.  The  Captain  draws  for  the 
amount  of  the  duty  when  he  pays  the  same  in  Virginia;  but,  in 
the  case  of  Mr.  Prentis,  he  must  now  have  credit  for  it.  And  as 
to  the  relanding  of  the  tea  at  Gravesend,  I  am  creditably  informed 
(the  ship  being  cleared)  it  could  not  have  been  allowed;  bond  and 
security  having  been  given  at  the  excise  office  for  the  exportation 
thereof,  some  time  before  the  ship  was  cleared. 


Mtllmm  anb  JWarp  College 

(Quarterlp  JMstorical  #lajja?me 


Vol.  II.    ££  OCTOBER,  1922  No.  4 


FREDERICKSBUKG,  HER  PEOPLE  AND  CHARACTERS.1 
BY  ROBERT  REID  HOWISON. 

Having  thus  sufficiently  introduced  the  antecedents  of  the 
"Howison"  family  and  of  their  home  in  the  Old  World,  I  feel  at 
liberty  to  begin  some  of  the  reminiscences  of  Fredericksburg, 
which  has  long  held,  in  the  public  prints  of  Virginia,  the  title 
of  the  "Old  Burg/' 

She  is  not  quite  as  old,  in  recognized  life,  as  the  remains  of 
Jamestown  and  of  the  island  on  which  they  stand.  These  have 
been  taken  under  the  care  of  the  "Society  for  the  Preservation  of 
Virginia  Antiquities,"  and  it  is  certain  that  without  that  fatherly 
and  especially  motherly  care,  the  remnant  of  the  once  solid  old 
chimney  and  the  very  ledges  of  the  island  itself  would  have  crum- 
bled into  ruin.  But  Fredericksburg  is  older  than  Dumfries  or 
Richmond,  or  Norfolk,  or  Petersburg.  She  deserves  her  title. 

The  highest  science  of  psychology  at  present  known  teaches 
that  even  after  a  child  is  born  into  this  world,  self  consciousness 
does  not  immediately  come.  A  period — longer  or  shorter — of  con- 

iThis  is  chapter  2  of  the  autobiography  of  R.  R.  Howison. 

Robert  Reid  Howison  was  born  in  Fredericksburg,  Va.,  June  22, 
1820,  and  died  at  his  country  home,  Braehead,  near  Fredericksburg, 
November  1,  1906.  He  was  the  tenth  of  twelve  children  born  to 
Samuel  Howison  and  his  wife,  Helen  MacDonald  Moore.  The  twelve 
were  as  follows: — William  Howison,  lawyer,  unmarried;  Neil  Mac- 
Donald,  naval  officer,  unmarried;  Anne,  twice  married;  John,  married; 
Elizabeth,  died  in  infancy;  Helen  Mary,  married;  Jane  Briggs,  mar- 


222  WILLIAM  AND  MAEY  QUARTERLY 

sciousness,  and  then  of  semi-consciousness  attends  the  infant 
progress,  and  is  often  more  complete  and  protracted  than  the  cor- 
responding period  of  some  of  the  lower  animals. 

But  this  is  what  might  be  expected  from  the  teachings  both  of 
reason  and  revelation.  It  gives  confirming  strength  to  the  belief 
that  both  the  soul  and  the  body  of  the  infant  are  derived  from  the 
parents,  and  that  a  preparation,  for  a  life  of  endless  duration,  and 
of  immortal  destiny  and  duty,  is  very  different  from  the  quickly 
matured  preparation  for  the  brief  and  entirely  earthly  life  of  the 
very  highest  of  the  lower  animal  creation. 

I  had  emerged  from  unconsciousness,  and  had  learned  to  utter 
a  few  words  expressing  conscious  thought,  though  not  in  the  best 
pronunciation,  when  the  germs  of  the  proclivity  to  the  study  of 
history,  afterwards  so  plainly  developed,  first  made  their  appear- 
ance. I  was  so  nearly  infantile  that  memory  alone,  in  myself,  only 
dimly  recalls  any  of  the  facts.  But  they  are  perfectly  authenticated 
by  testimony. 

Next  to  our  garden  paling  on  the  west  lay  the  residence  and 
grounds  of  the  ample  estate  known  still  as  "Kenmore".  There 
lived  the  Scottish  family  of  Mr.  Samuel  Gordon.  He  and  his 
younger  brother,  Bazil,  were  sons  of  a  prosperous  landed  proprietor 
near  Kirkaldbright,  a  little  village  which  has  sent  forth  many 

ried;  Marion  Sterling,  married;  James,  married;  Robert  Reid,  mar- 
ried; Samuel  Scott,  married;  Edward  Moore,  married. 

Robert  Reid  married  Mary  Elizabeth  Graham,  daughter  of  Samuel 
Lyle  Graham,  Professor  of  Oriental  Languages  in  Union  Theological 
Seminary,  Va.  Their  children  were  Helen  Judith,  unmarried,  died 
1920;  (Samuel  Graham,  married  Nannie  "Watkins  Morton;  Mary,  un- 
married. 

The  grandchildren  are  Margaret  Morton,  married  to  J.  Brookes 
Smith;  Mary  Graham,  and  Nannie  Watkins  Howison. 

Dr.  Howison  was  twice  a  lawyer,  and  twice  a  minister.  At  twenty- 
three  he  relinquished  a  brilliant  law  practice  to  study  for  the  min- 
istry at  Union,  and  on  graduating  was  called  to  the  First  Presbyterian 
Church,  Staunton,  Va.  After  a  year's  successful  pastorate  he  suffered 
a  nervous  breakdown  and  at  command  of  his  physician  he  resumed 
the  practice  of  law  in  Richmond. 

Here  he  continued  until  severe  injuries  received  in  the  Capitol 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY  223 

successful  merchants  to  America,  among  whom  were  Lenox,  Mait- 
land  and  Johnston  of  New  York. 

Bazil  Gordon,  the  younger  brother,  was  at  school  with  a  son 
of  the  celebrated  Paul  Jones  of  naval  memory  who  was  himself  a 
neighbor  of  the  Gordon  family.  Samuel  and  Bazil  Gordon  both 
determined  to  seek  residence  and  occupation  in  Virginia.  Naturally 
enough,  they  first  thought  of  Dumfries,  where  so  many  Scottish 
colonists  had  settled  and  prospered.  But  their  choice  finally  fell 
upon  Falmouth,  which  was  not  more  than  a  mile  from  Fredericks- 
burg,  and  at  the  head  of  the  tide-waters  of  the  Rappahannock, 
on  the  northern  side. 

Here  they  settled  themselves  about  the  year  1786,  and  became 
eminently  successful  merchants.  After  accumulating  a  fine  for- 
tune, Samuel  bought  the  Kenmore  estate,  and  abandoned  mer- 
chandise. Bazil  continued  in  business,  and  at  his  death  left  to  his 
family  an  estate  in  varied  forms  of  safe  investment  which  was 
moderately  estimated  to  amount  to  between  two  and  three  millions 
of  dollars.  His  adventures  were  nearly  always  successful,  but  he 
owed  much  of  his  success  to  his  native  Scottish  good  sense,  his 
perfectly  temperate  and  regular  habits,  his  self-reliance  which 
enabled  him  patiently  to  wait  for  results  when  he  had  formed  his 
plans,  and  his  serene  temper,  which  secured  for  him  friends  in 


Disaster,  April  27,  1870,  compelled  his  retirement  from  active  work. 
Upon  recovery  of  his  health  he  returned  to  the  ministry,  and  spent 
twenty-three  years  preaching,  teaching  and  writing. 

His  charges  were  as  follows: — .Samuel  Davies,  1880-'82;  Richmond 
Third,  1882-'88;  Culpeper  and  Orange,  1888-'93;  Ashland,  1893-1903. 

During  1890-1903  he  taught  History  in  the  Frederickshurg  College. 

Among  other  books,  Dr.  Howison  wrote  "Predericksburg,  Past 
Present  and  Future,"  1880;  "A  History  of  the  United  States,"  1892; 
"History  of  the  War  Between  the  States,"  published  serially  in  the 
Southern  Literary  Messenger;  "A  History  of  Virginia,"  In  two  volumes, 
1848.  Dr.  Howison  was  the  author  also  of  a  work  entitled  "God  and 
Creation,"  which  created  considerable  discussion  at  the  time,  due 
to  the  fact  that  the  author  was  an  independent  and  fearless  thinker. 
In  his  later  years,  Dr.  Howison  prepared  this  autobiography,  of  which 
we  print  herewith,  Chapter  2.  It  is  the  intention  of  the  editors  to 
publish  several  other  chapters  of  this  autobiography. 


224  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

nearly  all  with  whom  he  came  in  contact.    He  died  in  1847. 

The  "Kenmore"  Gordon  family  consisted  of  the  husband  and 
wife,  and  a  number  of  children — sons  and  daughters — all  of  whom 
married,  and  from  whom  very  numerous  lineal  descendants  are 
now  living  in  the  United  States.  They  were  carefully  educated, 
and  fitted  for  practical  duly,  and  success  in  life.  Mrs.  Samuel 
Gordon  was  a  lady  of  taste  and  culture,  very  fond  of  reading — 
especially  of  its  more  solid  elements  in  history  and  literature.  She 
was  genial  and  cordial  to  those  whom  she  esteemed.  She  often 
visited  my  mother,  and  manifested  her  kindly  spirit  to  her  and 
her  children. 

Before  I  could  talk  plainly,  I  had  taken  so  much  interest  in  an 
old  school  copy  of  Goldsmith's  "History  of  England','  that  I  mas- 
tered the  names  of  each  king  and  queen,  and  connected  them  with 
the  somewhat  rude  and  doubtful  pictorial  faces  given  in  this  now 
antiquated  school  book.  I  was  specially  emphatic  and  indignant, 
in  identifying  and  naming  "Buddy  Maywy,"  the  ''bloody  Mary/' 

Mrs.  Gordon  was  visiting  my  mother  one  forenoon.  And 
as  we  had  no  special  nurse,  and  I  was  an  infant,  it  was  natural 
that  I  should  be  in  the  parlor  near  my  mother's  feet.  The  old 
copy  of  Goldsmith  was  open,  and  in  a  short  time  I  had  pointed 
out  and  named  the  kings  and  queens,  especially  "Buddy  Maywy." 
Mrs.  Gordon  was  really  interested,  and  expressed  surprise  that  a 
child  so  young  should  have  so  early  manifested  the  love  of  history. 
After  her  return  home,  in  a  few  days,  a  packet  was  received  directed 
to  me,  care  of  my  father  and  mother.  On  opening  it,  a  number 
of  very  beautifully  executed  and  colored  historical  cards  were  seen, 
each  one  bearing  the  name  and  the  best  ascertained  face  of  each  of 
the  kings  and  queens  of  England,  with  a  brief  sketch  in  pica  type 
of  the  life  of  each.  The  inscription  on  the  inside  casing  bore  my 
name  with  the  words  "To  the  young  historian"  from  Mrs.  Gordon. 
These  cards  were  long  my  treasure  and  delight. 

It  was  about  a  year  after  this  time  that  I  passed  through  a 
phase  of  experience  in  life,  through  which,  of  course,  all  young 
persons  pass,  but,  in  most  cases,  there  is  reason  to  believe  that 
they  pass  it  without  real  recognition — without  active  conscious- 
ness of  its  novelty.  I  was  about  three  years  old,  was  full  of  health 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY  225 

and  good  spirits,  and  was  able  to  talk  on  all  childish  subjects. 

One  morning,  after  breakfafst,  while  sitting  quietly  on  the 
steps  of  the  stairway  which  led  to  the  chambers  above,  I  became 
vividly  conscious  that  I  was  "talking  to  myself."  I  felt 
troubled  and  agitated.  I  tried,  but  tried  in  vain,  to  stop 
this  interior  talk.  But  it  went  on — on — on — passing  from  one 
subject  to  another,  but  never  failing  to  find  incessant  and  constantly 
renewed  subjects  on  which  some  power  within  me  "talked  to  itself." 

I  changed  my  position,  came  down  from  the  steps  and  walked 
several  times  quite  rapidly  up  and  down  the  passage,  with  some 
vague  hope  that  this  self-conversation  would  cease.  But  I  soon 
found  that  it  continued  all  the  time  unless  when  I  was  sound  asleep. 
As  the  days  passed,  my* trouble  on  the  subject  seemed  to  fade  away- 
But  the  impressions  then  made  have  never  left  me.  Materialism 
became  an  absurd  and  impossible  hypothesis  to  me.  For  me,  at 
least,  there  remained  no  doubt  that  the  soul  was  not  the  body, 
and  the  body  was  not  the  soul. 

An  interval  of  five  years  occurred  between  my  birth  and  that 
of  the  son  next  born  into  our  family.  As  my  mother's  health  was 
not  strong,  and  she  needed  all  the  quiet  and  rest  that  could  be 
secured  for  her,  an  arrangement  was  made  by  which  our  oldest 
sister — Anne — took  charge  of  my  brother,  James  (who  was  only 
one  and  a  half  years  older  than  I  was),  and  myself,  and  under  a 
loving  invitation  the  three,  attended  by  a  faithful  servant,  Lucy, 
went,  in  a  hired  hack  drawn  by  two  horses,  to  "Somervilla,"  near 
the  Somerville  Ford  on  the  Rapidan  river.  Somervilla  was  a 
beautiful  country  seat  surrounded  by  a  fertile  farm  and  large 
wooded  tract  of  land  in  Culpeper  County. 

It  was  the  property  of  James  Somerville,  a  Scottish  gentleman 
of  considerable  property  who  had  married  Mary  Atwell  who  was 
a  first  cousin  of  my  mother  and  descended  as  she  did  from  that 
same  McDonald  grandfather.  Mr.  Somerville  came  from  a  family 
of  wealth  in  Scotland,  and  a  family  firmly  established  in  Christian 
profession  and  life  according  to  the  creed  and  forms  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Church. 

After  coming  to  Fredericksburg,  and  receiving  there  the  large 
estate  devised  and  bequeathed  to  him  by  his  uncle  born  in  Scot- 


226  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

land,  but  for  many  years  resident  in  Fredericksburg,  and  who 
died  in  Port  Royal  in  1798.  Mr.  Somerville  married,  and  for  some 
years  lived  in  Fredericksburg.  His  uncle,  who  was  also  James 
Somerville,  had  been  three  times  elected  Mayor,  and  had  discharged 
the  duties  faithfully.  The  nephew  was  much  esteemed  for  his 
social  and  genial  qualities.  His  life  was  remarkable. 

In  Fredericksburg  he  had  yielded  too  much  to  an  increasing 
fondness  for  the  taste  and  the  effects  of  Scottish  whiskey,  and 
when  he  went  with  his  family  to  live  at  his  lovely  home,  known 
as  Somervilla,  he  came  more  and  more  under  the  thraldom  of  this 
insidious  habit.  But,  although  he  indulged  himself  every  day, 
he  manifested  a  singular  prudence  even  in  resisting  the  complete 
domination  of  this  appetite. 

He  devoted  all  the  early  hours  of  the  day  up  to  12  o'clock — 
noon — to  the  skillful  management  of  his  farm  and  his  business 
He  was  sagacious  and  successful  in  nearly  all  of  his  investments, 
and  thus  kept  his  large  estate  substantially  sound,  and  increasing 
in  value. 

On  each  day,  as  12  o'clock  approached,  he  eyed  with  growing 
appetency  the  crystal  jug  containing  the  finest  Scottish  whiskey, 
and  the  tumblers  on  the  table  before  him.  When  his  tall  eight-day 
clock  struck  12,  he  grasped  the  decanter,  and  began  his  potations. 
He  was  generally  in  an  exalted  state  of  hilarity  by  3  o'clock.  In 
this  condition,  his  belief  in  his  own  prowess  was  immeasurably 
high,  and  he  openly  expressed  his  opinion  concerning  all  the  most 
athletic  men  of  his  neighborhood,  and  declared  his  ability  to  "twirl" 
any  of  them. 

One  day  about  half  an  hour  after  12  o'clock,  a  respectable 
gentleman  came  to  "Somervilla"  to  see  the  owner  on  business 
relating  to  a  bond.  He  was  so  importunate,  and  had  ridden  so 
far,  that  it  was  deemed  best  to  conduct  him  into  the  apartment 
in  which  Mr.  Somerville  was. 

That  gentleman  pleasantly  informed  his  visitor  that  his  known 
habit  was  that  no  business  matter  should  be  urged  upon  his  at- 
tention after  12'  o'clock.  The  visitor  persisted-  Warm  words  were 
uttered  on  both  sides.  The  Scottish  gentleman  pronounced  a  chal- 
lenge to  mortal  combat.  The  Virginia  gentleman  accepted  it.  Mr. 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY  227 

Somerville  drew  from  his  desk  a  pair  of  loaded  and  primed  pistols. 
He  conducted  his  opponent  to  one  corner  of  the  room,  and  handed 
him  the  two  pistols,  giving  him  his  choice.  Holding  the  one  not 
chosen,  Mr.  Somerville  walked  to  the  opposite  corner  and  faced  his 
opponent.  "Now,"  said  he,  "when  I  drop  my  handkerchief,  do 
you  fire,  and  I  will  fire." 

By  this  time,  some  sensible  thoughts  had  passed  through  the 
mind  of  the  visitor.  He  found  words.  "Oh !  Mr.  Somerville,"  he 
said,  "have  you  no  thoughts  of  your  family,  your  wife,  and  your 
children  ?"  "Hah,"  said  Mr.  Somerville,  with  a  start,  "that  is  true. 
I  had  not  thought  of  them  before.  Come,  let  us  shake  hands,  and 
be  friends !"  This  invitation  to  peace  was  cordially  accepted.  The 
business  matter  was  taken  up  and  promptly  settled  on  honorable 
terms.  The  visitor  joined  his  host  in  drinking — each  to  the  health 
of  the  other — and  then  he  departed  with  thanks  for  a  pressing 
invitation  to  stay  longer. 

His  life  of  daily  indulgence  in  undue  appetite  for  Scottish 
whiskey  was  continued  by  James  Somerville  for  many  years.  But 
he  never  lost  the  impressions  of  his  youth  in  favor  of  the  necessity 
for  renewal  and  repentance,  and  the  life  in  Christ,  the  Saviour 
of  Sinners. 

About  the  year  1839,  a  warm  and  sound  interest  in  personal 
Christianity  passed  through  Culpeper  and  Orange  Counties,  and 
found  its  way  to  Fredericksburg.  Mr.  Somerville  was  deeply  im- 
pressed. He  attended  the  religious  services.  He  read  the  Holy 
Word.  He  sought  his  closet  for  prayer.  He  yielded  to  the  invita- 
tions of  the  Spirit  of  God.  He  hoped  in  Christ,  and  took  His 
name  upon  him,  in  an  open  confession-  And  from  that  time  to 
the  hour  of  his  death,  he  persevered  in  a  course  so  manifestly  Chris- 
tian and  consistent  that  even  worldly  men  were  sometimes  heard 
to  ascribe  to  a  miracle  the  change  in  his  case. 

Many  lineal  descendants  from  his  family  survive.  Among 
them  is  Professor  Samuel  Wilson  Somerville,  of  Fredericksburg, 
who  has  held  close  relation  to  the  "Home  and  School"  and  the 
"College"  for  the  support  and  education  of  the  children  of  mis- 
sionaries, and  the  orphan  children  of  deceased  ministers,  and  who, 
with  his  family,  occupies  an  attractive  residence  builded  under  his 


228  WILLIAM  AND  MABY  QUABTEBLY 

own  direction  on  his  lot  near  the  monument  and  tomb  of  Mary 
Washington,  in  view  of  the  rock  and  chasm  on  the  "Kenmore" 
estate. 

The  ties  of  blood  and  friendship,  between  the  Somerville  family 
and  our  own,  led  to  many  happy  meetings  and  visitings.  In  lome 
cases  arrangements  were  made  for  exchanging,  for  years,  the  resi- 
dence of  the  boys  and  girls  of  each  clan  with  a  view  to  advantages 
of  education  in  Fredericksburg,  and  of  gaming  health  and  agri- 
cultural knowledge  at  Somervilla. 

It  was  to  this  delightful  rural  home,  "Somervilla/'  that  my 
sister,  Anne,  my  older  brother  and  myself,  attended  by  the  faithful 
''Lucy"  of  African  descent,  started  at  about  four  o'clock  in  a  re- 
freshing summer  morning.  We  went  by  Chancellorsville  then 
kept  by  Mr.  'Chancellor,  whose  notable  wife  kept  an  excellent 
table,  the  pickle  from  which  had,  on  a  previous  occasion,  been 
keenly  enjoyed  by  our  sister. 

We  passed  up  the  graded  dirt  road  of  the  "Swift  Eun  Gap 
Turnpike  Company" — passed  in  sight  of  "Elmwood,"  the  estate 
and  residence  of  a  wealthy  Virginia  gentleman,  named  William 
Jones,  who  was  the  father  of  Mrs.  Judge  St.  George  Coalter,  of 
"Chatham,"  opposite  to  Fredericksburg,  and  who,  being  left  a 
widower  and  in  his  70th  year,  sought  another  wife,  and  found 
one  in  a  very  attractive  young  lady  of  sixteen  years,  with  more 
than  the  normal  share  of  beauty  and  grace  and  a  pair  of  bright 
dark  eyes  which  looked  out  from  a  cheerful  soul.  From  this  mar- 
riage a  daughter  was  born  so  nearly  the  image  of  her  mother  that, 
as  she  grew  up,  the  parentage  spoke  for  itself.  This  daughter 
became  the  wife  of  Major  James  Horace  Lacy,  of  Norman-English 
blood.  He  had  been  famed  as  a  politician  and  legislator  in  Vir- 
ginia, and  his  style  of  oratory,  in  his  best  moods,  was  magnetic 
and  strong.  From  this  marriage  many  well  known  and  much 
loved  sons  and  daughters  have  been  born- 

A  short  distance  beyond  "Elmwood,"  our  somewhat  wearied 
horses  stopped  at  the  "Almand  Tavern" — a  wooden  building  of 
homely  look,  and  somewhat  tumbled-down  condition,  especially  as 
to  its  enclosures  and  front  steps.  But  we  were  all  too  glad  to  find 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY  229 

a  resting  place  and  a  prospect  for  dinner  to  be  disposed  to  find 
fault  with  the  "Almand  Tavern/'  Only  our  servant,  Lucy,  in- 
dulged herself  in  a  few  sharp  criticisms  and  comparisons  between 
this  country  inn  and  its  surroundings  and  her  flower-environed 
home  in  Fredericksburg. 

The  dinner  spread  for  us  was  all  that  our  health  and  habits 
could  have  craved.  Fat  roasted  pullets  with  plenty  of  egg  and 
other  appetizing  dressings,  perfectly  fresh  vegetables  of  the  best 
kinds,  wheat  bread,  corn  bread,  delightful  butter,  cups  of  skillfully 
prepared  coffee,  and  at  last,  an  apple  pie  with  cold  milk  just  from 
the  spring  below  the  hill.  After  we  had  dined  and  had  enjoyed 
a  brief  season  of  sleep,  our  horses  and  driver  were  refreshed  and 
rested.  We  started  a^ain,  turning  off,  however,  from  the  turnpike, 
and  making  our  way  through  woods  well  shaded,  even  though  they 
passed  through  the  region  known  as  the  "Poison  Fields"  of  Orange. 
We  were  soon  crossing  the  "Somerville  Ford,"  near  a  magnificent 
and  lofty  ledge  of  Rock  on  the  Eapidan,  and  in  a  few  minutes  we 
were  welcomed  by  the  family  in  the  wide  and  breezy  hall,  to  which 
an  ample  porch  admitted  us. 

Our  visit  covered  the  part  of  the  summer  and  fall,  ending  when 
the  closing  days  of  September  began  to  impart  to  the  forests  all 
those  rich  hues  for  which  the  wooded  regions  of  North  America 
have  been  distinguished.  The  impressions  made  on  me  even  thus 
early  in  life,  by  the  fields,  the  orchards,  the  hills,  the  river  with 
its  towering  rock,  the  dam  with  its  darker  water  above,  on  which 
floated  a  small  flat  bottomed  boat  that  gave  us  the  means  of  fish- 
ing and  excursions,  the  blacksmith's  shop  with  its  bright  fires, 
anvil  and  strokes  of  the  hammer — the  mill  for  grinding  corn,  with 
an  appendage  of  a  saw  mill  for  logs  and  boards,  and  above  all, 
the  barns  in  which  worked  the  great  stationary  threshing  mills 
and  machinery  moved  by  horses  and  mules,  driven  around  and 
around  by  boys  of  African  descent  generally  about  fourteen  or 
fifteen  years  old — the  winnowing  by  the  fan,  and  the  gathering 
of  the  wheat  into  garners  in  the  barns  have  retained  their  fresh- 
ness— all  these  afforded  to  the  young  souls  from  the  town  sources  of 
the  purest  and  most  healthful  enjoyment. 

The  huge  rock  of  which  I  have  spoken  rose  from  the  edge  of 


230  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

the  water,  and  had  a  height  probably  of  sixty  feet  or  more.  But 
on  its  frowning  face  there  were  several  ledges  or  strong  platforms, 
by  a  skillful  use  of  which  a  resolute  and  athletic  climber  could 
make  his  way  from  top  to  bottom,  or  from  bottom  to  top.  The 
Eapidan  was  subject  to  freshets,  after  protracted  rains,  and  these 
were  sometimes  so  strenuous  and  violent  in  their  effects  that  the 
waters  thundered  over  the  dam  with  a  voice  heard,  at  a  distance 
of  many  miles,  and  which  agitated  the  minds  even  of  the  quiet  resi- 
dents at  Somervilla.  Several  times  the  dam  was  carried  away,  but 
was  afterwards  restored  with  added  strength  by  the  resolute  pur- 
poses of  the  Scottish  owner.  It  was  many  years  after  his  death, 
and  while  the  property  was  owned  and  occupied  by  his  son,  Samuel 
"Wilson  Somerville  and  his  family,  that  a  freshet  came  with  so 
much  of  fury  and  persistent  power  that  dam,  mills  and  all  ma- 
chinery and  appurtenances  were  swept  away  in  a  wreck  so  hope- 
less, that  all  idea  of  rebuilding  them  was  abandoned- 

But  during  the  life-time  of  James  Somerville,  the  floods  of 
water  were  never  so  destructive  as  to  deprive  him  of  his  resolute 
will  to  up  build  and  repair.  The  tumbling,  rushing  currents  seemed 
rather  to  incite  him  to  poetic  fervor.  Memory  retains  one  of  these 
occasions. 

Among  the  successive  teachers  employed  in  his  family,  to  in- 
struct his  children  and  sometimes  also  several  other  children  and 
young  people  collected  into  a  school,  was  a  gentleman  of  uncertain 
age,  named  Abbott.  He  was  a  good  scholar  and  reasonably  suc- 
cessful teacher.  But  he  had  the  misfortune  to  have  a  tender  and 
susceptible  heart  not  always  under  the  wise  control  of  the  head. 
He  fell  in  love  with  several  of  the  daughters — of  course  in  due 
succession — and  with  only  one  at  a  time.  But,  greatly  to  his 
tribulation,  not  one  of  these  young  maidens  received  his  lover-like 
attentions  with  the  slightest  favor.  They  refused  to  practice  even 
the  faintest  approaches  to  the  modern  forms  of  gentle  flirtation. 
When  he  whispered  of  love,  they  grew  cold  and  distant.  He  became 
a  sad,  gloomy,  moody  man.  He  wandered  in  the  lanes  and  the 
woods.  His  favorite  place  for  sad  musings  on  his  disappointment 
was  the  summit  or  one  of  the  ledges  of  the  rock  over-looking  the 
river. 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY  231 

Few  suspected  that  James  Somerville  had  ever  bestowed  0 
thought  on  all  these  movements  or  their  sources.  But  they  knew 
not  of  the  deep  fountain  of  poetic  possibility  within  him.  On  one 
occasion  a  succession  of  summer  rains  had  raised  the  river.  The  roar 
of  the  waters  tumbling  over  the  dam  was  heard.  Unheeding  this,  and 
listening  only  to  his  own  sad  thoughts,  Abbott  had  crossed  the 
pond,  and  was  gloomily  stretched,  at  full  length,  on  the  rock  look- 
ing down  on  the  foaming  currents. 

James  Somerville  saw  him,  and,  yielding  to  the  divine  af fllatus, 
instantly  composed,  in  his  own  mind,  this  stanza: 

Abbott,  beware! 

No  longer  dare 

To  tempt  the  dangerous  flood 

I  thought  my  friend 

His  life  would  end 

On  the  rock  where  lovers  wooed. 

While  the  poetry  yet  had  life,  in  memory,  he  hastened  up  to 
the  house,  and  repeated  to  all  of  his  family  whom  he  could  find,  this 
soul-moving  stanza.  In  due  time,  Abbott  also  made  his  appear- 
ance, and  heard  how  the  poet  had  been  moved,  and  what  words 
had  come.  In  a  few  weeks,  Mr.  Abbott  took  his  leave  of  the  family, 
and  went  his  way  to  other  fields  of  love  and  teaching. 

Of  course  I  was  too  young  to  have  any  personal  knowledge 
of  these  incidents.  But  they  are  fully  established  by  testimony 
not  to  be  questioned. 

When  wte  returned  to  our  home  in  Fredericksburg,  I  have  a 
Yivid  recollection  of  my  surprise  at  seeing  a  cradle  near  my 
mother's  bed,  and  a  small  infant  sleeping  therein.  I  was  told 
that  he  was  a  little  boy,  and  was  my  youngest  brother,  and  that 
my  ''nose  was  broken."  Feeling  no  pain  nor  fracture  in  that  im- 
portant facial  appendage  I  was  unable  to  comprehend  this  declara- 
tion; and  to  this  day,  no  clear  light  has  come  to  my  mind  ex- 
plaining the  origin  of  this  statement.  But  I  afterwards  discovered 
that  it  was  a  well  understood  suggestion  in  such  cases. 

My  mother  had  been  in  feeble  health  for  some  time  before  her 


232  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

infant  was  born,  and  after  his  birth  she  did  not  regain  her 
strength,  and  suffered  with  a  continued  fever  which  threatened 
her  life.  Her  own  family,  and  many  loving  friends  did  all  that 
the  most  sedulous  care  and  nursing  could  do.  But  others  knew 
what  I  did  not  then  know,  that  for  many  weeks,  her  life  trembled 
in  the  balance. 

Then  came  manifestations  of  sincere  friendship.  John  Scott 
of  a  well  known  Scottish  clan  had  settled  in  Freidericksburg  as  a 
merchant  and  had  gained  a  good  repute  and  prosperous  business. 
His  wife,  Mrs.  Fannie  Scott,  was  widely  known  by  reason  of  her 
firm  and  steadfast  virtues — her  courage  to  befriend  the  unfortunate 
— her  zeal  in  organizing  "Ladies'  Fairs"  and  other  Christian  en- 
terprises, and  her  almost  despotic  rulings  and  managings  of  the 
young  people  who  patronized  or  took  part  in  them.  The  title  by 
which  she  was  generally  known  among  them  was  that  of  "the  old 
queen/5 

But  though  she  loved  to  rule,  she  loved  also  to  befriend  and 
comfort.  She  was  a  warm  friend  of  my  mother,  and  now  in  the 
time  of  her  illness  and  danger,  Mrs.  Scott,  though  she  lived  in 
the  well  known  residence  then  and  since  known  as  "Scotia,"  which 
was  then  worthily  filled  by  her  own  large  family  consisting  of  hus- 
band, sons  and  daughters,  so  lovingly  and  earnestly  asked  that  she 
might  be  permitted  to  take  the  young  infant  to  her  home  and  care 
for  him,  that,  under  all  the  circumstances,  her  request  was  recog- 
nized as  one  not  to  be  rejected. 

Accordingly,  my  infant  brother  passed  several  months  of  his 
earliest  life  in  the  pleasant  and  happy  home  of  "Scotia."  When 
a  name  was  to  be  given  to  him,  that  of  "Samuel  Scott"  was  pro- 
posed in  our  clan,  and  no  dissenting  voice  was  raised. 

The  illness  of  our  loved  mother  was  long  and  critical.  For 
many  weeks,  fever  was  constantly  with  her,  preying  on  her  native 
strength  and  menacing  her  life.  Our  family  physician  was  Doctor 
James  Carmichael.  He  was  skillful  and  highly  esteemed  in  his 
profession,  in  all  its  branches,  and  was  followed  by  two  sons  and 
as  many  grandsons  bearing  that  same  name  of  Carmichael  and 
deserving  the  reputation  as  physicians  and  surgeons  which  they 
gained  and  held  for  a  large  part  of  a  century. 


WILLIAM  AND  MAST  QUARTERLY  233 

The  name  "Carmichael"  is  primitively  Irish,  and  has  carried 
with  it,  for  two  hundred  years,  the  memories  of  the  traits  and 
characters  of  that  Emerald  Isle — the  mother  of  poets,  orators, 
statesmen,  historians,  patriots,  freemen,  and  men  of  genius  and 
of  the  ebullitions  and  eccentricities  which  have  so  often  attended 
genius  and  checked  its  highest  attainments. 

With  no  feeling  save  one  of  respect  and  affection  for  all  who 
ever  bore  the  name  in  Virginia  or  elsewhere  in  our  country,  I 
am  liberty  to  give  some  facts  which  illustrate  and  explain  these 
ebullitions. 

Doctor  James  Carmichael  attended  on  my  mother  with  sedu- 
lous care  and  skill.  He  came  day  after  day  and  watched  the  symp- 
toms of  the  persistefH  fever,  and  applied  cautiously  and  gently 
the  remedies  which  his  science  suggested-  All  of  us,  old  enough 
to  perceive  it,  noted  his  anxiety,  and  we  looked  for  his  visits  with 
mingled  hope  and  fear. 

One  morning  we  thought  our  mother  was  better.  When  Dr. 
Carmichael  arrived,  he  went  to  the  bedside — looked  at  her  face — 
looked  in  her  eyes — took  her  wrist  in  his  fingers  and  felt  her  pulse. 
A  look  of  relief  passed  over  his  features.  But  these  were  the  first 
and  the  exact  words  he  uttered :  "Well,  I  am  glad  to  tell  you,  that 
the  devil  will  not  get  you  this  time/' 

She  knew  well  some  of  his  ways.  She  answered  him,  "Doctor 
you  ought  not  to  talk  so.  I  hope  that  if  it  had  pleased  God  to 
take  me  away  from  this  world,  He  would  have  saved  me  from  the 
Evil  power  you  speak  of."  He  shook  his  head,  but  a  smile 
beamed  over  his  face,  as  he  answered :  "I  don't  know  about  that. 
Not  so  certain.  Satan  is  very  busy  with  all  of  us." 

But  he  welcomed  the  symptoms  of  the  favorable  crisis  and 
the  return  of  strength  and  he  seconded  them  with  so  much  of  skill 
and  care,  that  in  a  few  weeks  my  mother  was  able  to  leave  her 
bed.  She  grew  stronger  daily,  and  was  soon  fully  recovered. 

This  skilled  yet  eccentric  physician  had  a  large  practice  and 
was  very  successful-  Everybody  believed  in  him,  and  trusted  him. 
But,  though  not  a  case  was  known  in  which  wilful  neglect  on  his 
part  had  ever  jeoparded  life  or  permanent  health  in  any  of  his 


234  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

patients,  his  habits  sometimes  made  the  occurrence  of  such  cases 
probable. 

He  was  generally  abstemious  and  clear  in  mind.  But,  at  long 
intervals,  often  more  than  six  months  apart,  he  got  into  what  is 
called  both  in  England  and  North  America  a  "spree."  This 
word  is  found  even  in  Worcester,  and  of  course  in  Webster. 

He  became  unduly  elevated  by  the  effects  of  wine  or  of  other 
worse  intoxicants.  And  when  he  began,  he  would  spend  several 
days — sometimes  a  week — in  performing  vagaries  of  the  most 
eccentric  character.  He  did  not  become  morose  or  quarrelsome. 
His  moods  always  tended  to  the  hilarious  and  the  ridiculous.  Yet, 
it  is  not  to  be  denied  that,  in  them,  he  occasionally  performed 
feats  very  annoying,  and  destructive  to  the  peace  of  well  ordered 
society. 

In  those  days,  he  always  found  some  companions  in  Fredericks- 
burg,  ready  to  countenance  and  join  him  in  his  revels.  Their 
cherished  amusement  was  to  run  through  the  streets  about  mid- 
night, ringing  at  every  door  which  had  a  door-bell,  and  disappear- 
ing long  before  man,  or  mistress,  or  servant,  or  child  could  open 
the  door. 

In  some  cases  the  doctor  stopped  at  the  houses  of  some  families 
in  which  he  practised,  and  after  knocking  for  admittance,  if  he  did 
not  gain  it,  actually  broke  out  one  of  the  lower  panels  of  the 
front  door,  and  crept  in.  In  such  cases,  his  friends  generally  suc- 
ceeded in  causing  his  "spree"  to  come  to  what  he  regarded  as  a 
premature  end. 

Once  while  he  and  a  boon-companion  whom  I  am  entirely  un- 
able to  identify  except  as  one  "Jemmie  Gregory"  were  in  a  high 
frolic  near  the  bridge  across  the  Eappahannock  which  connected 
Falmouth  with  the  road  leading  northward  from  Fredericksburg, 
they  saw  two  middle-aged  ladies  dressed  with  more  than  ordinary 
care,  who  were  walking  across  it  to  Falmouth.  A  wagon  was  near 
the  two  hilarious  gentlemen-  They  borrowed  from  the  wagoner 
two  currycombs.  Each  took  one,  and  they  set  off,  with  such  speed 
as  their  potations  would  allow,  to  catch  the  ladies  and  give  them 
a  lesson  against  the  love  of  fine  dressing.  Fortunately  these 
ladies  had  passed  them,  and  knowing  something  of  their  ways, 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY  235 

had  looked  back,  and,  seeing  them  coming — each  brandishing  a 
curry-comb — fled  at  full  speed  and  with  screams  and  cries — drew 
the  aid  of  some  brave  man  on  the  Falmouth  side  who  came  to 
their  rescue.  The  pursuers  of  the  ladies  stopped  in  time,  turned 
back  and  retreated,  and  the  Falmouth  man,  having  a  shrewd  sus- 
picion as  to  their  persons  and  condition,  forbore  to  chase  them. 

During  these  seasons  of  festive  interregnum  Doctor  Car- 
michaePs  patients  were  carefully  attended  by  one  or  more  of  the 
other  physicians  of  the  town,  according  to  a  comity  well  under- 
stood. He  would  never  visit  a  patient  while  he  was,  in  the 
slightest  degree,  affected  by  intoxicants.  After  his  "spree"  had 
spent  its  force,  and  it  was  known  where  he  was,  Mrs.  Carmichael — 
a  lady  of  resolute  Spirit  and  tact — would  go  after  him,  and 
generally  succeeded  in  inducing  him  to  accompany  her  to  their 
home.  But  if  she  found  him  obstinate,  she  returned  home,  and 
sent  a  faithful  female  servant  of  African  descent  to  look  after 
him.  This  skilled  domestic  was  never  known  to  fail  to  conduct 
him  to  his  home.  Here  he  would  remain,  quiet  and  thoughtful, 
and  frequently  reading  the  Bible  until  he  was  entirely  himself 
again. 

One  more  incident  must  be  narrated  which  brought  serious 
trouble  to  him  and  one  of  his  cherished  friends.  This  incident 
probably  occurred  before  my  birth,  but  it  is  fully  proved.  It  was 
circumstantially  related  in  my  presence  and  in  that  of  Howson  H. 
Wallace,  a  highly  esteemed  merchant  of  Fredericksburg  by  John 
Crump  who  not  only  witnessed  it,  but  bore  a  part  of  its  evil 
effects- 
Mr.  Crump  had  come  with  his  pleasant  family — wife,  sons  and 
daughters,  from  the  piedmont  country  on  the  Rapidan  to  reside 
in  Fredericksburg.  Their  genial  qualities  soon  gained  for  them 
many  friends.  The  office  of  Inspector  of  flour  was  bestowed  upon 
Mr.  Crump,  and  its  duties  were  diligently  performed  by  him  during 
many  years.  He  was  witty  and  humorous  in  conversation.  He 
was  free  from  unduly  convivial  habits.  But  he  loved  cards,  whist, 
loo,  and  all  the  train.  He  and  Dr.  Carmichael  were  fast  friends. 
At  that  time,  the  members  and  adherents  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  and  congregation  in  Fredericksburg  were  not 
BO  numerous  nor  BO  cultured  and  wealthy  as  they  now  are.  Their 


236  WILLIAM  AND  MABY  QUARTEBLY 

church  was  a  large  framed  building  then  located  just  beyond  the 
grave  yard  which  has  since  been  converted  into  the  shaded  and 
beautiful  public  resort  kown  as  the  "Hurkamp  Park."  The  monu- 
ments and  grave-slabs,  and  (as  far  as  known)  the  bodies  of  the 
dead  have  all  been  removed. 

Our  Methodist  brethren  at  that  time  often  held  protracted 
meetings  with  a  special  view  to  revival  of  sluggish  Christians  and 
awakening  and  conversion  of  impenitent  sinners.  These  scenes 
were  often  attended  by  several  ministers  and  the  services  were 
varied  by  loud  and  exciting  sermons,  deep  responses  in  prayer, 
alarming  appeals,  groans,  shrieks,  shoutings  and  bodily  contortions- 
As  the  interest  increased,  mourners  and  seekers  were  invited  to 
come  into  a  part  of  the  church  in  front  of  the  pulpit  cushioned 
rail.  This  part  was  generally  covered  with  clean  straw,  so  as  to 
prevent  the  clothing  and  the  persons  of  the  many  who  crowded 
this  place  from  suffering  with  soiling  or  bruising. 

In  truth,  a  well-established  tradition  prevailed  which  has  often 
come  to  my  ears,  though  I  cannot  personally  vouch  its  truth,  that 
on  one  occasion  when  unusual  numbers  of  awakened  men,  women 
and  well  grown  children  had  cast  themselves  down  in  all  the  space 
covered  by  clean  straw,  one  of  the  most  zealous  of  the  church- 
officers  shouted  in  stentorian  sounds  the  words:  "More  straw! 
bring  more  straw  here!  Souls  are  perishing  here  for  the  want 
of  more  straw !" 

Whatever  view  may  be  taken  of  those  religious  services  by  the 
staid  and  grave  admirers  of  order  and  quiet,  especially  in  the 
sanctuary  of  God,  it  is  certain  that  these  revival  scenes  were 
often  followed  by  numerous  additions  of  members  to  the  visible 
church  of  Christ,  and  that  these  members  afterwards  adorned  the 
doctrine  of  God  their  Saviour  in  all  things,  and  led  lives  of  con- 
sistent Christian  zeal  and  purity.  It  is  through  such  scenes  that 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  has  borne  the  banner  of  the  Cross 
over  hill  and  valley  until  she  has  attained  the  numbers,  the 
strength  and  the  influence  which  give  to  her  the  leading  position 
in  the  march  of  pure  Christianity  in  the  United  States. 

But  it  was  one  of  the  inevitable  results  of  such  scenes  to  excite 
in  some  of  the  people  of  Fredericksburg  a  disposition  to  seek  mere 


WILLIAM  AND  MABY  QUARTERLY  237 

amusement  in  witnessing  them.  It  was  in  this  mood  that  Dr. 
James  Carmichael  who  had  just  tasted  the  opening  joys  of  a 
"spree"  came  to  John  Crump,  and  urged  him  to  accompany  him 
to  the  church  promising  him  that  he  would  see  something  worth 
seeing.  In  an  unguarded  hour,  Mr.  Crump  assented  and  went 
with  him. 

They  arrived  just  as  the  mourners  began  to  pour  into  the  straw 
covered  space  in  front  of  the  pulpit,  and  just  as  the  mingled 
voices — singing,  shouting  and  praying  varied  by  appeals  from 
the  ministers  were  most  exciting. 

They  had  pressed  through  the  crowd  and  were  close  to  this 
space.  Of  course  no  one  sought  to  stop  them,  though  they  were 
seen  and  identified.  Suddenly  Mr.  Crump  saw  the  doctor  pass 
into  the  mourners'  space,  and  begin  to  wave  his  hands  and  join  in 
the  singing.  He  drew  from  the  ample  pockets  of  his  professional 
overcoat  handful  after  handful  of  the  strongest  Scottish  snuff  made 
from  pulverized  tobacco  and  threw  them  broadcast  over  the  mourn- 
ers, sometimes  varying  his  aim  and  sending  many  successive  hand- 
fuls  into  the  midst  of  the  crowded  congregation- 

For  a  moment,  amazement  stilled  every  sound.  But  it  was 
only  for  a  moment.  The  potent  Scotch  snuff  began  to  work.  Tre- 
mendous sneezes  burst  from  every  part  of  the  house.  At  first  they 
were  separated  claps  of  thunder.  But  quickly  they  united,  and  a 
prolonged  roll  of  the  startling  sound  of  continuous  sneezing  in 
every  form  of  noise  made  by  that  resistless  movement  of  the 
mucuous  membrane  of  the  human  soul  and  body  shook  the  entire 
§pace  within  the  church,  and  threatened  to  shake  the  roof  itself. 

John  Crump  in  a  state  of  mind  not  to  be  described  made  for 
the  door.  The  doctor  having  exhausted  all  of  his  tobaccco  ammu- 
nition, sought  likewise  to  escape.  But  several  stalwart  men  in 
the  congregation,  pursued  and  seized  them.  Others  ran  for  the 
police.  In  a  short  time,  both  of  these  gentlemen  were  in  jail, 
and  passed  the  night  there. 

They  were  carried  before  the  Mayor  the  next  morning.  He 
was  a  sensiible  and  well  balanced  man.  He  grasped  the  situation 
instantly.  After  hearing  so  much  of  the  testimony  as  was  needful, 
he  delivered  to  the  culprits  a  serious  lecture-  He  imposed  moderate 


238  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

fines  on  each — but  differing  in  amount,  because  of  the  difference 
in  offence;  put  them  under  recognisances  to  keep  the  peace  and 
be  of  good  behavior  for  a  year,  and  then  released  them. 

The  conduct  of  the  church  officers  was  admirable.  They  per- 
suaded their  people  to  be  silent  on  the  subject.  Gradually  its 
memories  grew  dim,  but  were  not  forgotten  by  the  two  most 
prominent  actors.  Mr.  Crump  asserted  his  own  entire  innocence. 
Yet  some  accessorial  spirit  was  imputed  to  him. 


WILLIAM  AND  MABY  QUARTERLY  239 


THE   DEMOCEATIC   SOCIETIES   OF  1793  AND   1794  IN 
KENTUCKY,  PENNSYLVANIA  AND  VIRGINIA.1 

FELLOW -CITIZEN. 

THE  Democratic  Society  of  Kentucky  have  directed  us  to 
transmit  to  you  the  Address  and  Remonstrance  which  ac- 
company this  letter.  The  subject  of  those  papers  is  highly  inter- 
esting to  the  Western  People.  We  flatter  ourselves  that  the  meas- 
ures recommended  in  the  Address  will  meet  your  approbation; 
and  that  you  will  exert  your  influence  to  induce  your  neigh- 
bouring fellow-citizens  to  give  their  sanction  to  the  Remonstrance. 
The  Remonstrance  when  signed,  may  be  transmitted  to  the 
representative  in  Congress  from  your  district,  or  to  any  other 
member  of  that  body,  delegated  from  the  Western  Country.  It  is 
intended  that  a  decision  upon  this  subject  should  be  obtained 
during  the  present  Session  of  Congress,  and  to  effect  this,  it  is 
necessary  that  the  Remonstrance  should  be  presented  as  soon  as 
possible. 

The  inclosed  Resolution  of  the  Democratic  society  is  one  on 
which  we  are  directed  to  request  your  sentiments;  and  should 
you  approve  it  we  promise  ourselves  that  you  will  assist  in  carrying 
it  into  effect- 

WILLIAM  MURRAY,  \ 

JAMES   HUGHES,  n 

JAMES  BROWN,  Committee  of 

JAMES  MOORE,  Correspondence 

ROBERT  TODD, 

December  31,  1793. 
To  George  Muter 

"RESOLVED,  That  it  will  be  proper  to  make  an  attempt 
in  a  peaceable  manner,  to  go  with  an  American  bottom  properly 
registered  and  cleared,  into  the  sea  through  the  channel  of  the 


iThese  documents  are  printed  from  manuscripts  in  the  Library  ot 
Congress. 


240  WILLIAM  AND  MABY  QUARTERLY 

Mississippi;  that  we  may  either  procure  an  immediate  acknowl- 
edgment of  our  right  from  the  Spaniards;  or  if  they  obstruct  us 
in  the  enjoyment  of  that  right,  that  we  may  be  able  to  lay  before 
the  Federal  Government,  such  unequivocal  proofs  of  their  having 
done  so,  that  they  will  be  compelled  to  say,  whether  they  will 
abandon  or  protect  the  inhabitants  of  the  western  country." 

26 

To  the  Inhabitants  of  the  United  States  West  of  the  Allegany  and 
Apalachian  Mountains. 

Fellow  Citizens. 

The  Democratic  Society  of  Kentucky  having  had  under  con- 
sideration the  measures  necessary  to  obtain  the  exercise  of  your 
right  to  the  free  navigation  of  the  Mississippi,  have  determined 
to  address  you  upon  that  important  Topic.  In  so  doing,  they 
think,  that,  they  only  use  the  undoubted  right  of  Citizens  to  consult 
for  their  common  welfare.  This  measure  is  not  dictated  by 
party  or  faction,  it  is  the  consequence  of  unavoidable  necessity. 
It  has  become  so,  from  the  neglect  shewn  by  the  general  Govern- 
ment, to  obtain  for  those  of  the  Citizens  of  the  United  States, 
who  are  interested  therein,  the  Navigation  of  that  Eiver. 

In  the  Present  age,  when  the  rights  of  man  have  been  fully 
investigated  and  declared,  by  the  voice  of  Nations,  and,  more 
particularly,  in  America,  where  those  rights  were  first  developed 
and  declared,  it  will  not  be  necessary  to  prove,  that,  the  free 
Navigation  of  the  Mississippi  is  the  natural  rights  of  the  Inhabi- 
tants of  the  Country  watered  by  its  streams.  It  cannot  be  believed, 
that  the  beneficent  God  of  Nature  would  have  blessed  this  Country 
with  unparalleled  fertility,  and  furnished  it  with  a  number  of 
navigable  streams,  and  that,  that  fertility  should  be  consumed 
at  home,  and  those  streams  should  not  convey  its  superabundance 
to  other  climes.  Far  from  it :  for  if  we  examine  the  wise  diversity 
of  the  Earth  as  to  Climate  and  production,  Lands,  seas  and  Eivers 
we  must  discover  the  glorious  plan  of  infinite  beneficence  to  unite 
by  this  exchange  of  their  surplus,  various  Nations  and  connect 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY  241 

the  ends  of  the  Earth,  in  the  bands  of  commerce  and  mutual 
good  offices.  From  the  Everlasting  decrees  of  Providence,  then, 
we  derive  this  right:  And  must  be  criminal  either  to  surrender 
or  suffer  it  to  be  taken  from  us,  without  the  most  arduous  struggles. 
But  this  right  is  ours,  not  only  from  nature  but  compact.  We 
do  not  mean  to  urge  this,  as  if  a  compact  could  give  an  additional 
sanction  to  a  natural  right;  but  to  shew  that  our  claim  is  derived 
from  every  source,  which  can  give  it  validity-  The  Navigation 
of  the  Mississippi  was  solemnly  given  and  confirmed,  by  great 
Britain,  to  the  Citizens  of  the  United  States,  by  the  provisional 
articles  entered  into,  at  Paris,  between  the  two  Nations.  More 
than  Eleven  years  have  since  elapsed,  during  which  we  have  been 
denied  the  exercise  of  a  right,  founded  upon  such  irrefragible 
grounds.  What  has  been  done  by  the  former  or  present  Govern- 
ment, during  that  period,  on  our  behalf  ?  In  the  former,  we  have 
been  able  to  learn  of  no  attempt  to  procure  from  the  King  of 
Spain,  even  an  acknowledgement  of  our  right.  Repeated  memo- 
rials were  presented  to  Congress  upon  this  Subject,  but  they 
were  treated  with  a  neglect  bordering  on  contempt.  They  were 
laid  upon  the  Table,  there  to  rest  in  endless  oblivion.  Once  indeed, 
we  know,  this  Subject  was  introduced  into  Congress,  under  the 
former  Government;  but  it  was  by  an  unwarrantable  and  dis- 
graceful proposition  to  barter  away  our  right.  The  Proposition 
was  not  adopted;  the  attempt  being  rendered  abortive  by  the 
Spirited  and  patriotic  opposition  of  a  part  of  the  Union.  The 
time  at  length  came,  when  the  voice  of  the  people  called  for  a 
change  in  the  General  Government;  and  the  present  Constitution 
of  the  United  States  was  adopted.  We  then  flattered  ourselves  that 
our  rights  would  be  protected ;  for  we  were  taught  to  believe,  that 
the  former  loose  and  weak  confederation  having  been  done  away, 
the  new  Government  would  possess  the  requisite  energy.  Memo- 
rials upon  the  subject  were  renewed,  six  years  have  passed  away 
and  our  right  is  not  yet  obtained.  Money  is  to  taken  from  us  by 
an  odious  and  oppressive  Excise:  but  the  means  of  procuring  it, 
by  the  exercise  of  our  just  right,  is  denied.  In  the  mean  while 
our  Brethren,  on  the  Eastern  Waters,  possess  every  advantage 
which  Nature  or  contract  can  give  them.  Nay,  we  do  not  know 


242  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

that  even  one  firm  attempt  to  obtain  it  has  been  made.  Alas! 
Is  the  Energy  of  our  Government  not  to  be  exerted  against  our 
Enemies  ?  Is  it  all  to  be  reserved  for  her  Citizens  ? 

Experience,  Fellow  Citizens,  has  shown  us  that  the  general 
Government  is  unwilling,  that  we  should  obtain  the  navigation 
of  the  River  Mississippi.  A  local  policy  appears  to  have  an  undue 
weight  in  the  Councils  of  the  Union-  It  seems  to  be  the  object  of 
that  Policy  to  prevent  the  population  of  this  country :  which  would 
draw  from  the  Eastern  States  their  industrious  Citizens.  This 
conclusion  inevitably  follows  from  a  consideration  of  the  measures 
taken  to  prevent  the  purchase  of  and  settlement  of  the  lands  bor- 
dering on  the  Mississippi.  Among  those  measures,  the  unconsti- 
tutional interferance,  which  rescinded  sales,  by  one  of  the  States 
to  private  Individuals,  makes  a  striking  object.  And,  perhaps, 
the  fear  of  a  successful  rivalship  in  every  Article  of  their  Exports 
may  have  its  weight.  But  if  they  are  not  unwilling  to  do  us  justice, 
they  are  at  least  regardless  of  our  rights  and  welfare.  We  have 
found  prayers  and  supplications  of  no  avail,  and  should  we  con- 
tinue to  load  the  Table  of  Congress  with  Memorials,  from,  a  part 
only,  of  the  Western  Country,  it  is  too  probable,  they  would  meet 
with  a  fate,  similar  to  those  which  have  been  formerly  presented. 
Let  us,  then,  all  unite  our  endeavors  in  the  common  cause.  Let 
all  join,  in  a  firm  and  manly  remonstrance  to  the  President  and 
Congress  of  the  United  States,  stating  our  just  and  Undoubted 
right  to  the  Navigation  of  the  Mississippi,  remonstrating  against 
the  conduct  of  Government  with  regard  to  that  right  which  must 
have  been  occasioned  by  local  policy  or  neglect  and  demanding  of 
them  speedy  and  effectual  exertions  for  its  attainment.  We  cannot 
doubt,  that  you  will  cordially  and  unanimously  join  in  this  measure. 
It  can  hardly  be  necessary  to  remind  you,  that  considerable  quanti- 
ties of  Beef,  Pork,  flour,  Hemp,  Tobacco  &c  the  produce  of  this 
Country  remain  on  hand  for  want  of  purchasers,  or  are  sold  at  in- 
adequate prices.  Much  greater  quantities  might  be  raised,  if  the 
Inhabitants  were  encouraged  by  the  certain  sale,  which  the  free 
navigation  of  the  Mississippi  would  afford.  An  additional  in- 
crease of  those  articles  and  a  greater  variety  of  produce  and  manu- 
factures would  be  supplied,  by  means  of  the  encouragement,  which 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY  243 

the  attainment  of  that  great  object  would  give  to  Immigration. 
But  it  is  not  only  your  own  rights,  which  you  are  to  regard.  Re- 
member that  your  posterity  have  a  claim  to  your  exersions  to  obtain 
and  secure  that  right.  (Let  not  your  memory  be  stigmatized  with 
a  neglect  of  duty)-  Let  not  History  record,  that  the  Inhabitants 
of  this  beautiful  country  lost  a  most  invaluable  right  and  half 
the  benefits  bestowed  upon  it,  by  a  bountiful  Providence,  through 
your  neglect  and  supineness.  The  present  crisis  is  favourable. 
Spain  is  engaged  in  a  war,  which  requires  all  her  forces.  If  the 
present  golden  opportunity  be  suffered  to  pass  without  advantage, 
and  she  shall  have  concluded  a  peace  with  France,  we  must  then 
contend  against  her  undivided  strength. 

But,  what  may  be*  the  event  of  the  proposed  application  is  still 
uncertain.  We  ought  therefore  to  be,  still,  upon  our  guard  and 
watchful  to  seize  the  first  favourable  opportunity  to  gain  our  object. 
In  order  to  this,  our  Union  should  be  as  perfect  and  lasting  as 
possible.  We  propose,  that  Societies  should  be  formed,  in  con- 
venient Districts,  in  every  part  of  the  Western  Country,  who 
shall  preserve  a  correspondence,  upon  this  and  every  other  subject 
of  general  concern.  By  means  of  these  Societies  we  shall  be  enabled 
speedily  to  know  what  may  be  the  result  of  our  endeavours,  to 
consult  upon  such  further  measures,  as  may  be  necessary,  to  pre- 
serve Union,  and  finally  by  these  means  to  secure  success. 

Remember  that  it  is  a  common  cause,  which  ought  to  unite 
us,  that,  that  cause  is  indubitably  just,  that  ourselves  and  posterity 
are  interested,  that  the  Crisis  is  favourable,  and  that  it  is  only 
by  Union,  that  the  object  can  be  atchieved.  The  obstacles  are 
great,  and  so  ought  to  be  our  efforts;  Adverse  fortune  may  attend 
us,  but  it  shall  never  dispirit  us.  We  may  for  a  while  exhaust  our 
Wealth  and  Strength,  but  until  the  all  important  object  is  procured, 
we  pledge  ourselves  to  you,  and  let  us  all  pledge  ourselves  to  each 
other,  that  our  Perseverance  and  our  firmness  will  be  inexhaustable. 
JOHN  BRECKINRIDGE 
Chairman 

December  13th  1793. 
Teste 

Thomas  Todd          >      Clks. 
Thomas  Bodley 


I 


244  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 


TO  THE  PRESIDENT  AND  CONGRESS  OF  THE  UNITED 
STATES  OF  AMERICA- 

The  Remonstrance  of  the  Citizens  West  of  the  Allegany  Mountains. 
Respectfully  sheweth. 

THAT  Your  Remonstrants  are  entitled  by  Nature  and  by 
stipulation,  to  the  undisturbed  Navigation  of  the  river 
Mississippi,  and  consider  it  a  right  inseparable  from  their  prosper- 
ity. That  in  colonizing  this  distant  and  dangerous  desart,  they 
always  contemplated  the  free  enjoyment  of  this  right,  and  con- 
sidered it  as  an  inseparable  appendage  to  the  country  they  had 
sought  out,  had  fought  for,  and  acquired. — That  for  a  series  of 
years  during  their  early  settlement,  their  petitions  to  government 
to  secure  this  right,  were  answered  by  its  alledged  weakness,  and 
your  Remonstrants  taught  to  expect,  that  the  time  was  approaching 
fast,  when  both  power  and  inclination  would  unite  to  establish 
it  on  the  firmest  grounds.  In  this  anxious  expectation  they  waited, 
and  to  the  insolence  of  those  who  arrogated  its  exclusive  exercise, 
they  patiently  submitted,  till  the  government  of  America  had  so 
strengthened  itself  as  to  hold  out  an  assurance  of  future  pro- 
tection to  all  its  citizens,  and  of  redress  for  all  their  wrongs. 

That  protection  has  not  been  extended  to  us,  we  need  only 
refer  to  our  present  situation,  and  that  that  situation  has  not  been 
concealed  from,  or  unknown  to,  Congress,  we  appeal  to  its  archives. 
We  have,  without  ceasing,  deplored  to  you  our  degraded  situation, 
and  burdened  you  with  our  humble  petitions  and  requests.  But 
alas!  we  still  experience,  that  the  strong  nerved  government  of 
America,  extends  its  arm  of  protection  to  all  the  branches  of  the 
union,  but  to  your  Remonstrants.  That  it  is  competent  to  every 
end,  but  that  single  one,  by  which  alone  it  can  benefit  us;  the 
protection  of  our  Territorial  rights.  It  is  competent  to  exact 
obedience ;  but  not  to  make  that  return  which  can  be  the  only  just 
and  natural  exchange  for  it. 

Long  have  your  Remonstrants  been  anxiously  in  quest  of  the 
obstacles  that  have  stood  in  your  way,  to  the  establishment  of  this 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY  245 

our  right;  and  as  long  has  their  pursuit  been  fruitless.  Formal 
and  tardy  negociations  have  no  doubt  been  often  projected,  and 
have  as  often  miscarried.  It  is  true,  some  negociations  were  once 
attempted,  that  were  neither  formal  nor  tardy,  and  gave  an  early 
shock  to  our  encreasing  population  and  to  our  peace  of  mind;  but 
your  Remonstrants  are  constrained  to  be  of  opinion,  that  the  neglect 
or  local  policy  of  American  councils,  has  never  produced  one  single 
real  effort  to  procure  this  right-  Could  the  Government  of  America 
be  for  ten  years  seriously  in  pursuit  of  the  establishment  of  a 
grand  Territorial  right,  which  was  arrogantly  suspended,  and 
return  to  that  quarter  of  the  union  to  whom  it  was  all-important, 
but  an  equivocal  answer  ? — We  think  it  high  time  that  we  should  be 
thoroughly  informed  ctf  the  situation  on  which  your  negociations, 
if  any,  have  left  this  right;  for  apathy  itself  has  grown  hopeless 
from  long  disappointed  expectation. 

Your  Eemonstrants  yield  not  in  patriotism  to  any  of  their 
fellow-citizens :  but  patriotism,  like  every  other  thing,  has  its 
bounds.  We  love  those  states  from  which  we  were  all  congregated, 
and  no  event  (not  even  an  attempt  to  barter  away  our  best  rights) 
shall  alien  our  affections  from  the  individual  members  who  com- 
pose them:  But  attachment  to  governments  cease  to  be  natural, 
when  they  cease  to  be  mutual.  To  be  subjected  to  all  the  burthens, 
and  enjoy  none  of  the  benefits  arising  from  government,  is  what 
we  will  never  submit  to.  Our  situation  compels  us  to  speak  plainly. 
If  wretchedness  and  poverty  await  us,  it  is  of  no  concern  to  us  how 
they  are  produced.  We  are  gratified  in  the  prosperity  of  the 
Atlantic  states,  but  would  not  speak  the  language  of  truth  and 
sincerity,  were  we  not  to  declare  our  unwillingness,  to  make  any 
sacrifices  to  it,  when  their  importance  and  those  sacrifices  result 
from  our  distresses.  If  the  interest  of  Easterp  America  requires 
that  we  should  be  kept  in  poverty,  it  is  unreasonable  from  such 
poverty  to  exact  contributions.  The  first,  if  we  cannot  emerge 
from,  we  must  learn  to  bear;  but  the  latter,  we  never  can  be 
taught  to  submit  to. 

From  the  General  Government  of  America,  therefore,  your 
Remonstrants  now  ask  protection,  in  the  free  enjoyment  of  the 
navigation  of  the  river  Mississippi,  which  is  withheld  from  them 


246  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

by  the  Spaniards.  We  demand  it  as  a  right  which  you  have  the 
power  to  invest  us  with,  and  which  not  to  exert,  is  as  great  a 
breach  of  our  rights,  as  to  withhold.  We  declare,  that  nothing  can 
retribute  us  for  the  suspension  or  loss  of  this  inestimable  right. 
We  declare  it  to  be  a  right  which  must  be  obtained;  and  do  also 
declare,  that  if  the  General  Government  will  not  procure  it  for  us, 
we  shall  hold  ourselves  not  answerable  for  any  consequences  that 
may  result  from  our  own  procurement  of  it.  The  God  of  nature 
has  given  us  both  the  right  and  means  of  acquiring  and  enjoying 
it;  and  to  permit  a  sacrifice  of  it  to  any  earthly  consideration, 
would  be  a  crime  against  ourselves,  and  against  our  posterity. 

Danville  January  6th  17932 

Gentlemen 

In  obedience  to  your  request  &  in  duty  to  my  fellow  Citizens  I 
shall  briefly  state  to  you  my  sentiments  upon  the  impt  subject 
submitted  to  my  consideration. 

The  resolution  of  your  Society  is  in  my  opinion  not  only 
proper  but  indispensible  in  the  procurement  of  that  right  it 
has  for  its  object. 

My  reasons  for  approving  the  resolutions  are  these.  I  consider 
it  the  duty  of  those  who  complain  of  a  grievance  to  show  where 
it  exists,  that  the  remedy  may  be  apportioned  to  the  disease.  We 
have  hitherto  complained  of  the  infraction  of  a  right  which  Nature 
and  compact  had  ceded  to  us,  this  complaint  cannot  (unless  we 
adopt  the  resolve  of  your  Society)  be  fully  supported,  admitting 
that  the  Spanish  Government  have  restrained  individuals  in  the 
exercise  of  commerce  thro  the  Channell  of  the  Mississippi,  it  does 
not  follow  as  a  consequence  that  our  National  rights  were  thereby 
infringed,  for  whoever  has  the  most  superficial  Knowledge  of  com- 
mercial intercourse  among  Nations  must  know  that  certain  rules  are 
and  ought  to  be  established  for  their  reciprocal  benifit.  Here- 
tofore it  appears  to  have  been  the  Practice  for  individuals  to  emerge 
from  this  Country  on  commercial  enterprizes  without  a  single 


2As  this  letter  refers  to  the  remonstrance  of  December  13,  1793,  the 
date  in  the  letter  must  be  a  mistake  for  1794. 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY  247 

Muniment  of  any  kind  to  shew  what  they  were  or  to  whom  they 
belonged,  such  an  omission  the  most  shortsighted  Policy  wold  con- 
demn. For  in  order  to  legalize  trade  between  Nations,  it  is  as 
necessary  to  have  the  sanction  of  our  own  laws  as  the  seal  of  the 
Soverign  with  whom  we  traffic,  and  in  Order  to  evince  both  or  either 
of  these  such  public  Acts  of  Notoriety  are  necessary  as  contract, 
immemorial  usage  or  the  Laws  of  Nations  require,  those  defects 
will  be  removed  by  carrying  the  resolve  of  your  Society  into  effect, 
&  if  the  right  of  navigation  should  then  be  denied  to  us,  then  & 
not  before  ought  our  complaints  to  begin.  It  may  be  infered  from 
my  last  sentence,  at  what  period  I  approve  of  a  remonstrance  and 
shall  for  perspicuity,  that  I  think  a  remonstrance  prior  to  the 
legal  demand  of  tlfe  Navigation  in  the  manner  proposed  by  the 
resolution,  would  be  premature. 

The  remonstrance  in  the  General  meets  with  my  hearty  con- 
currence, it  is  laudable  and  spirited,  and  when  the  necessary  pre- 
paratory steps  to  its  proper  introduction  are  taken,  I  shall  cheer- 
fully annex  my  signature  and  as  many  more  as  my  influence  can 
command  thereto,  in  the  interim  I  shall  do  nothing  to  impede  its 
operations.    Any  services  I  can  render  to  promote  the  resolve,  are 
at  the  command  of  the  Society, 
I  am 
Gentlemen 

With  high  Esteem 
Your  respectful  Servant 
James  G.  Hunter 
To  the  Committee 
of  Correspondence 
of  Democratic  Society. 

Scott  County  January  the  19th  1794. 
Fellow  Citizens 

Having  Eeceived  your  Address  to  the  Inhabitants  of 
Western  America,  and  your  Remonstrance  to  the  President  and 
Congress  of  the  United  States  and  called  a  meeting  expressly  for 
that  purpose,  we  laid  them  before  our  Society.  After  maturely 
considering  the  Address  we  conceived  it  very  necessary  and  ex- 
treamly  well  calculated  for  the  purpose  of  rousing  the  lethargic 


248  WILLIAM  AND  MABY  QUARTERLY 

Spirits  of  our  fellow  Citizens  in  unanimously  joining  in  your 
Spirited  remonstrance.  Your  Remonstrance  was  also  accorded  to 
and  distributed  among  the  persons  we  conceived  best  qualified  from 
inclination  and  influence  to  render  the  most  service  to  your  Spirited 
undertaking.  Your  Resolve  with  respect  to  the  vessell  properly 
Cleared  and  Registered  to  pass  down  the  Mississippi  met  with  con- 
siderable opposition  and  we  were  obliged  to  let  it  ly  on  the  Table 
for  further  discussion,  from  your  Democratic  Bretheren  we  are 
with 

esteem  your  fellow 
Citizens 

Robt-  Johnston         \  Committee  of 
Richd.  Henderson     ^Correspondence 
Bartlett  Collins        )  for  Scott  County 

To  the  Corresponding  Committee  of  Kentucky  for  the  Meeting  of 
Fayette  in  Lexington. 

Washington  (in  Pennsylvania)  April  8th 

1794 
Citizen  Brakinridge 

On  the  24th  ultimo,  a  form  of  a  Remonstrance  drawn  up  by 
the  Democratic  Society  of  Kentucky,  was  laid  before  the  Demo- 
cratic Society  of  this  place,  by  David  Bradford,  our  Vice-President. 
Several  of  the  members  were  opposed  to  the  adoption  of  the  precise 
form,  as  inapplicable  in  all  respects  to  the  Washington  Democratic 
Society,  but  rather  suited  the  people  of  the  Western  Country 
generally,  and  in  one  particular,  to  the  people  of  Kentucky  only; 
however  so  earnest  were  a  majority  to  remonstrate  before  the 
present  session  of  Congress  would  rise,  and  others  in  order  to 
convince  the  people  of  Kentucky  that  we  feel  ourselves  the  same 
people  with  them  in  many  of  the  most  important  political  con- 
siderations, the  form  so  presented,  was  adopted  and  signed  by 
the  President  of  the  society  and  transmitted  under  cover  to  the 
President  of  the  United  States  and  a  duplicate  thereof  to  Genl. 
William  Irvine,  a  member  in  the  House  of  Representatives,  for  this 
State,  in  order  to  be  laid  before  Congress,  in  case  the  President 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY  249 

should  omit  laying  the  one  presented  to  him  before  that  body.  You 
Sir,  may  assure  the  Democratic  Society  of  Kentucky  that  the 
Democratic  Society  of  Washington  will  be  at  all  times  happy  in 
communicating  to  them,  or  receiving  from  them  such  communica- 
tions as  may  tend  to  procure  and  establish  both  our  and  their  na- 
tional and  personal  Rights. 

If  this  Letter  should  happily  reach  you,  we  shall  be  glad  to 
know  in  future,  where  to  address  our  communications  for  your 
Society.  Yours  for  this  may  be  addressed  to  Citizen  James  Mar- 
shel,  President  of  the  Democratic  Society  of  Pennsylvania,  in 
Washington  County. 

The  officers  of  this  Society  are 

James*  Marshal — President 

David  Bradford — Vice-President 

William  McCluney — Secretary 

William  Hoge — Treasurer 

David  Redick 

Absolem  Baird 


Joseph  Penticost 


Corresponding  Committee 


John  Marshal 
Gabriel  Blakeney 

we  are  Citizen  President  with  Respect  & 
Esteem  your  Fellow  Citizens 

David  Redick 

A  Baird 

J  Penticost 

J.  Marshal 

Gabl.  Blakeney 
President 

and  members  of  the 
Democratic  Society  of  Kentucky. 

To  the  Democratic  Society  of  Lexington 

/  9th  May  1794. 
Citizens 

Your  most  pleasing  answer  to  my  fortunate  address  has  been 
handed  to  me  by  Citizen  Campbell.  The  obliging  &  flattering 
things  which  it  contains,  have  filled  me  with  the  most  lively 


250  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

gratitude,  &  would  increase  my  zeal,  &  my  attachment  to  the 
interests  of  your  Country  if  those  sentiments  were  susceptible  of 
an  increase. 

I  have  read  with  the  same  sensibility  the  report  of  your  Com- 
mittee &  can  not  but  applaud  to  the  wisdom  of  the  motives  which 
have  dictated  it.  I  will  communicate  those  two  pretious  pieces 
to  the  Executive  Council.  Although  not  official  papers,  they  will 
not  be  the  less  favorably  received,  being  the  authentic  porofs  of  all 
I  will  advance  upon  the  favorable  dispositions  of  the  inhabitants  of 
Kentucky,  towards  the  French  Republic,  their  sincere  and  continual 
prayers  for  the  success  of  her  arms,  &  the  universal  Joy  which  I 
have  seen  exprest  in  every  quarter  at  the  announce  of  her  different 
victories. 

Citizens,  I  go  with  the  firm  assurance  that  my  Steps  with 
the  Constituted  powers  of  the  Republic  will  be  crowned  with  Suc- 
cess. Was  I  deceived  in  that  hope,  I  have  still  the  resource  of 
making  an  attempt  on  the  minds  of  the  head  men  of  the  Trading 
&  maritime  Towns,  &  their  patriotic  Societies.  Why  should  not 
I  have  the  luck  of  that  fanatic  priest,  whose  name  I  have  forgot, 
who  preached  in  France  &  the  other  States  of  Europe  for  the 
Conquest  of  the  Holy  Land.  Louisiana  &  its  wretched  inhabitants 
are  assuredly  more  interesting  than  that  barren  Country:  The 
Spaniards  who  defend  the  Mississippi  are  more  worthy  of  Contempt 
than  The  Ottoman ;  &  the  French  of  the  eighteenth  Century,  freed 
from  the  yoke  of  Despotism,  Superstition,  &  religious  fanat- 
icism, burn  with  the  Divine  fire  &  sacred  enthusiasm  which  Liberty 
inspires.  Subscriptions  will  be  opened  &  immediately  filled  up,  & 
Thousands  of  brave  patriots  will  present  themselves  for  that  suberb 
&  truly  Holy  Expedition. 

Citizens,  Receive  these  new  assurances  of  my  zeal,  activity, 
perseverance,  &  punctuality  to  inform  you,  as  often  as  possible 
of  every  Circumstance  relative  to  my  Mission. 

Salus  in  Patria 

August  Lachaise8 

sFor  references  to  Lachaise  see  Selections  from  the  Draper  collection 
to  elucidate  the  proposed  French  expedition  under  George  Rogers  Clark 
against  Louisiana  in  1793,  1794.  Amer.  Hist.  Assn.  Report  1896  v.  1, 
p.  930-1107. 


WILLIAM  AND  MABY  QUARTERLY  251 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Democratic  Society  at  the  State  house  on 
Monday  the  12th  of  May  1794. 

Mr.  Bradford  in  the  Chair 
Levi  Todd  Clerk  pro  Tern 

The  Society  adjourned  until  Tomorrow  at  Eleven  o'clock 
to  meet  this  place. 
Teste  Levi  Todd. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  superintend  the  printing  of  Demo- 
cratic Publications,  Report, 

That  they  have  attended  to  that  Business,  and  have  received 
the  Printers  Account  of  Ten  Pounds  Six  Shillings  for  his  Services ; 
and  now  lay  it  before  the  Society. 

£ 

Lexington,  May  13th  1794. 

At  a  numerous  meeting  of  the  Citizens  of  this  State  at  this 
place  Mr-  Campbell  Appointed  to  the  Chair. 

On  Motion ;  Resolved,  that  the  Citizens  this  State  present,  may 
be  invited  to  give  this  [illegible]  and  join  themselves  with  us,  in 
our  deliberations. 

John  Bradford  was  appointed  Clerk  protem. 

On  motion  Resolved  that  whin  this  meeting  adjourn  that  they 
adjourn  until  next  Saturday  week  at  10-Clock  in  the  Morning 
to  meet  at  this  place. 

— That  Rob.  Breckenridge  &  Geo.  Nicholas,  Rob  Johnson  be 
appointed  a  Committee  to  take  such  means  to  make  the  sd.  meet- 
ing known  to  the  Citizens  of  this  State. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Democratic  Republican  Society  of  Prince  Wm.4 
held  at  the  Court  house  of  the  said  County  on  Saturday  the  7th 
day  of  June  1794. 

Present,  Twenty  two  members 

Resolved  unanimously  that  the  System  of  Politicks  pursued  in  the 
present  session  of  Congress  by  Richard  Bland  Lee  the  representa- 

•»Prince  William  Co..  Va. 


252  WILLIAM  AITO  MAEY  QUARTERLY 

tive  for  this  district  is  such  as  in  the  opinion  of  this  Society 
ought  to  meet  the  most  pointed  disapprobation  of  his  constituents 
and  that  the  said  Eichard  Bland  Lee  as  a  public  character  is  alto- 
gether unworthy  of  the  future  confidence  of  Good  Republicans. 
Resolved,  (Eighteen  member  voting  in  the  affirmative)  that  this 
Society  conceives  it  the  duty  of  every  Friend  to  democracy  when 
a  person  shall  come  forward  as  a  Candidate  for  a  post  of  Profit 
or  honor  if  he  has  heard  any  such  person  deliver  sentiments 
Antidemocratical  to  make  the  same  public. 

Resolved  unanimously  as  the  opinion  of  this  Society  that  it  is  in- 
compatible with  the  genuine  principles  of  republicanism  that  offices 
of  high  trust  and  great  emolument  should  be  heaped  on  the  same 
person. 

Resolved  as  the  opinion  of  this  Society  that  it  is  contrary  to  the 
Spirit  of  the  Constitution  that  the  Judges  of  the  Supreme  Court 
should  be  permitted  to  accept  offices  emanating  from  and  at  the 
disposal  of  the  President  as  it  has  a  tendency  to  give  the  Execu- 
tive an  undue  influence  and  to  destroy  the  Independency  of  the 
Judges. 

Resolved  unanimously  that  as  the  chief  Judge  is  by  the  Constitu- 
tion to  preside  on  an  impeachment  of  the  President  the  appoint- 
ment of  him  to  any  additional  office  that  may  be  in  the  gift  of 
the  President  is  peculiarly  improper. 

Resolved  unanimously  that  as  treaties  are  the  Supreme  Law  of 
the  Land  it  is  improper  that  Judges  be  appointed  to  make  such 
treaties  for  it  has  ever  been  held  as  a  true  principle  in  all  republican 
Governments  that  it  is  improper  for  the  same  person  to  make  and 
expound  the  Law- 
Resolved  therefore  unanimously  that  for  these  reasons  this 
Society  disapprove  of  the  appointment  of  John  Jay  chief  Judge 
of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States  as  Envoy  extraordinary 
to  the  Court  of  Great  Britain. 

(Signed)  Geo.  Graham  President 
A  Copy 

Test.  Jno.  Williams  Secy. 


WILLIAM  AND  MAEY  QUARTERLY  253 

Dumfries,  June  9th  1794= 
Citizens, 

We  the  Committee  of  Correspondence  of  the  Democratic  repub- 
lican Society  of  Prince  William  in  Virginia  having  Seen  in  the 
public  prints  your  Constitution  and  part  of  your  subsequent  pro- 
ceedings and  most  heartily  Concurring  with  you  in  your  laudable 
endeavors  to  promote  the  general  good  of  our  Country  do  therefore 
propose  that  a  Correspondence  may  henceforth  be  Carried  on  be- 
tween us  for  the  purposes  directed  by  our  Constitutions.  We  here- 
with, present  you  with  a  Copy  of  our  Constitution  and  Sundry 
resolutions  and  proceedings  which  have  resulted  from  our  institu- 
tion. It  will  at  all  times  afford  us  satisfaction  to  receive  from  you 
any  Communications  wliich  you  may  Deem  expedient  to  make  and 
to  further  as  far  as  we  can  whatever  may  tend  to  the  public  good. 
By  order  of  the  Committee 

George  Brooke  Chairman. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Democratic  Society  for  the  County  of  Fay- 
ette  held  at  the  State  House  in  Lexington  on  Thursday  the  4th  of 
August  1794. 

John  Breckinridge  Chairman 
Present  Members 

A  Letter  from  Augt.  Lachaise  in  Ansr.  to  the  Address  &  re- 
port of  a  Comee.  of  this  Society  was  read. 

A  Letter  from  the  Democratic  Society  of  Washington  County 
Pennsylvania  read- 

A  Letter  from  Demo.  Society  prince  William  Virginia  Read. 
Whereupon — 

Resolve  No.  1  read  &  agd  to  &     jl 
Resolve  No.  2  read  &  agd  to          /Unanimously 
Resolve  No.  3  read  &  agd  to          / 

Society  went  into  Comee  of  the  whole  on  the  subject  of  the 
Navigation  of  the  Mississippi. 

Mr.  Campbell  in  the  Chair — 

Repd  No  4.  agd  to.    Mr.  Campbell,  Mr.  Coburn,  Mr.  Johnson, 
Mr.  Patterson  &  Mr.  Smith 

No.  5  agd.  No.  6  agd  to,  Jno  Coburn,  Js  Stewart,  Alex.  Mc- 
Gregor Jno  Bradford  &  P  Caldwell. 


254  WILLIAM  AND  MABY  QUARTERLY 

Printer  requested  to  publish  the  proceedings. 
Chairman  to  request  the  attendance  of  Members 
adgd  til  Stated  meeting  3  o'Clock. 

Citizen8 

Your  address  to  the  Democratic  Society,  has  been  received,  and 
became  the  subject  of  their  consideration:  In  that  address  you 
were  pleased  to  signify  your  intention  of  visiting  your  fellow  citi- 
zens in  France,  who  are  now  gloriously  engaged  in  the  cause  of 
Freedom,  and  the  happiness  of  the  whole  human  race.  We  regret 
our  separation,  and  lament  the  occasion,  tho  we  applaud  the  motive 
— and  acknowledge  it  consistent  with  those  sentiments  of  ardent 
affection  so  often  intimated  by  you  for  your  countrymen ;  and  while 
we  love  the  man  that  sympathizes  with  bleeding  France,  we  admire 
the  sublime  virtue  which  is  not  checked  by  any  distance,  difficulties, 
or  dangers,  from  joining  the  standard  of  Freedom. 

The  impediments  to  the  Scheme  (in  which  you  had  been  des- 
tined to  act  an  important  part)  for  removing  the  Shackles  created 
by  a  Despot  that  prevent  our  uninterrupted  use  of  the  river  Mis- 
sissippi, our  natural  right,  as  well  as  a  right  obtained  by  cession, 
we  do  not  take  a  retrospective  view  of,  without  receiving  those  im- 
pressions of  concern,  that  naturally  flow  from  a  knowledge  of  Op- 
pression and  injustice,  imposed  on  a  people  who  have  a  right  to  be 
free,  and  altho'  there  have  been  obstructions  to  this  first  design 
contemplated,  we  are  not  yet  without  hopes,  that  the  brave  and  gen- 
erous Republic  of  France,  of  which  you  are  a  Citizen,  will  not  lose 
sight  of  effecting  the  possession  of  it,  and  thereby  extend  from  her 
bountiful  hand,  compleat  happiness  to  us  and  to  Millions  yet  un- 
born. "We  are  the  more  solicitous  for  this  event,  as  they  are  the 
only  people  on  earth  whose  sensations  of  freedom,  vibrate  in  per- 
fect unison  with  our  own,  wherefrom  we  are  flattered,  that  per- 
petual amity  and  affection  will  subject  between  us,  without  a  tran- 
sient cloud  of  dissatisfaction  interrupting  its  reciprocity. 

Accept  Citizen  our  thanks  for  your  friendly  disposition  to- 
wards our  interests,  and  be  assured,  we  wish  you  a  safe  and  speedy 

sprobably  to  Lachaise,  In  answer  to  hit;  letter  mentioned  in  the 
proceedings  of  the  meeting  of  Aug.  4,  1794. 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY  255 

passage  to  our  friends  and  brethren  in  France,  and  that  you  may 
there  act  a  distinguished  part,  in  healing  the  wounds  of  your  coun- 
try, and  substantiate  the  freedom  thereof,  either  by  your  exertions 
within  its  own  limits,  or  in  any  other  quarter  where  the  wisdom  of 
her  councils  may  direct. 

RESOLVED  that  the  coresponding  Committee  be  requested  to 
open  a  correspondence,  with  such  persons  as  they  may  think  proper, 
residing  within  So.  Western  Territory  respecting  the  navigation  of 
the  Eiver  Mississippi,  in  order  to  obtain  the  joint  cooperation  of 
the  citizens  of  that  Territory  in  our  attempt  to  obtain  the  free  navi- 
gation of  that  river,  and  that  they  communicate  from  time  to  time 
their  correspondence  on  that  subject. 

RESOLVED  that 'the  Second  Article  of  the  Constitution  be 
suspended  for  two  months  &  during  that  time  any  Person  may  be- 
come a  Member  of  the  Society  on  his  Subscribing  the  Constitution 
&  paying  three  shillings. 

RESOLVED  that  our  Members  in  Congress  who  are  now  with- 
in this  State  be  requested  by  the  said  comee  to  give  such  informa- 
tion to  them  as  they  possess  on  the  above  mentioned  subject. 

RESOLVED  that  the  commee.  of  correspondence,  be  directed 
to  address  the  Democratic  Republican  Society  of  Prince  William 
in  Virga-  in  answer  to  their  letter  of  the  9th  of  June  last,  assuring 
them  of  our  perfect  readiness  to  carry  on  a  correspondence  with 
them,  &  assuring  them  also,  that  their  resolutions  inclosed  to  us  in 
their  Sd.  Letter,  meet  our  hearty  concurrence,  &  contain  the  senti- 
ments of  true  &  undefiled  Republicanism And  that  the  said 

commee.  do  communicate  to  them,  such  of  the  proceedings  of  this 
Society,  as  they  may  think  fit. 

No.  1. 

RESOLVED  that  the  commee.  of  correspondence  be  directed  to 
address  the  President  of  the  Democratic  Society  of  Washington 
county  in  Pennsylvania,  in  answer  to  a  letter  from  the  correspond- 
ing commee.  of  said  Society,  dated  the  8th  of  April  last,  assuring 
them  of  our  strong  desire  &  perfect  willingness  to  open  a  corre- 
spondence with  them,  on  the  subject  of  our  unredressed  Griev- 
ances, &  assuring  them  also,  that  being  all  equally  fellow-sufferers 
we  shall  heartily  cooperate  with  them  in  endeavouring  to  attain  & 


256  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

secure  their  &  our  natural  rights.  And  that  the  said  Commee.  do 
communicate  to  them  such  of  the  proceedings  of  this  Society,  as 
they  may  think  proper. 

Kesolved  that  the  Corresponding  Committee  be  directed  to  in- 
form the  Democratic  Society  of  Washington  County  in  the  State 
of  Pennsylvania,  that  this  Society  concurs  with  them  in  their  Reso- 
lutions relative  to  the  Official  Conduct  of  the  President  of  the 
United  States  adopted  at  their  meeting  on  the  23  day  of  June — 
1794—. 

KESOLVED,  That  Jno  Campbell,  Jno  Coburn,  Robt  John- 
son, Robt  Patterson  &  James  Smith 

be  a  Committee  for  the  purpose  of  requesting  our  Members  in 
Congress  now  within  this  State  by  letter  or  otherwise  to  attend  the 
next  States  meeting  of  this  Society  in  Order  that  we  may  obtain 
certain  information  relative  to  the  important  matters  respecting 
this  Country ;  more  especially  regarding  the  Negotiations  that  have 
taken  place  respecting  the  free  use  of  the  Navigation  of  the  River 
Mississippi,  and  in  what  State  those  negotiations  (if  any)  noy 
rest,  as  also  respecting  such  other  public  national  matters  as  may 
be  interesting  to  the  good  people  of  this  Commonwealth. 


WILLIAM  AND  MABY  QUABTEBLY  257 


LETTERS  OF  ROBERT  PLEASANTS,  MERCHANT  AT 
CURLES,  1772. 

» 

Virginia  1th  mo.  11  1772 
Dear  Brother1 

My  last  was  of  the  17th  ult-  p.  Post  since  which  Thy  Favour 
of  the  same  dated  to  our  Co  come  to  hand  as  also  that  dated  the 
23d  11  mo  which  I  before  informed  thee  was  not  come  to  hand.  I 
am  sorry  to  find  by  the  first  that  Capt.  Gilbert  was  not  arived, 
and  being  inform'd  thaj;  he  saild  from  Hampton  Road  the  29th  11 
mo  two  days  before  the  Cold  blustering  weather  we  had  the  begin- 
ning of  last  mo.  set  in.  I  apprehend  he  must  be  enevitably  lost;  I 
observe  however  that  the  Insurance  Order'd  on  that  Vessel  was  ef- 
fected tho  at  a  very  high  premium ;  I  wish  thou  had  mentioned  the 
sum,  for  tho'  I  did  not  perticularly  order  Insurance  on  the  Estates 
of  my  own  Wheat,  Tommy  Pleasants,  tels  me  he  had  advised  thee 
of  the  quantities  in  the  same  letter  ordering  Insurance  for  the 
Comp.  &  am  in  some  expectations  thou  might  (as  hath  heretofore 
been  the  case)  have  the  whole  interest  cover'd  without  such  per- 
ticular  orders.  I  observe  what  thou  says  about  the  Plate,  the  price 
of  which  is  certainly  higher  than  I  Expected ;  but  its  best  that  we 
rightly  understand  each  other  in  time,  for  tho'  I  was  willing  to 
have  bought  it  for  the  reasons  before  mention' d,  yet  I  cannot  think 
Plate  of  15  or  16  old  that  have  gone  through  such  hands  as  that 
has,  can  be  of  equal  value  to  new,  I  dont  remember  much  of  the 
waiter  or  Rim  more  than  that  one  of  the  legs  of  the  latter  was 
broke,  but  the  Coffee  pot  beside  several  bruses,  hath  the  handle 
crack'd,  so  as  probably  it  may  not  hold  long,  and  must  I  appre- 
hend in  that  number  of  years  be  considerably  lighter  &  so  certain 
I  am  that  the  price  I  offer'd  was  the  full  value  that  I  should  not 
agree  to  give  it  for  any  other  of  equal  goodness,  however  as  the 
Coffee  pot  is  here,  the  difference  in  price  between  thee  &  me  I  dont 

iThe  first  instalment  of  the  Letters  of  Robert  Pleasants  was  in  the 
April  number,  1921,  of  the  William  and  Mary  Quarterly,  2d  series. 


258  WILLIAM  AND  MABY  QUARTERLY 

value  and  conclude  to  keep  it.  Thou  mentions  debeting  my  acct  for 
an  error  in  casting  the  Rum  sent  me  p.  Barry  but  having  examind 
that  Invoice  can  find  no  Errors  either  in  the  cast  or  extending  any 
part  of  that  Invoice —  The  Boy,  Bobby,  mention'd  to  his  Aunt  of 
the  name  of  Jamey,  is  the  same  who  went  to  Richmd  for  letters  for 
thee  when  last  in  Virg,  and  is  a  very  handy  sensible  Boy.  If  iny 
sister  should  conclud  to  take  him  and  thou  wilt  agree  to  give  him 
proper  schooling  and  have  him  brought  up  to  some  Business  by 
which  he  may  be  likely  to  get  an  honest  lively  hood,  I  have  at  pres- 
ent 110  objection  to  sending  him  the  first  sutable  opertunity  altho 
he  is  a  very  useful  servant  of  his  Size. 

I  shall  take  care  to  send  the  Hams  &  hominy  by  some  sutable 
Operty  towards  the  Spring  or  the  first  that  offers  after  they  are 
sufficiently  cured. 

With  much  Love  to  thee  &  thine  I  conclude 
Thy  affect-  Bro. 
EP 

Curies  3d  mo.   8,   1772. 
Dear  Mother 

I  wrote  Bror,  Jony  the  17th  12  mo  p.  Post  which  I  doubt  not  he 
would  receive,  but  have  not  the  pleasure  to  acknowledge  the  re- 
ceipt of  a  line  from  any  one  of  my  friends  about  W  R,  since  I  left 
that  place  nor  have  I  heard  a  word  respecting  their  welfair  &c  but 
altho  this  is  a  matter  which  gives  me  pain  as  I  have  so  often  ear- 
nestly requested  it  I  must  endeavor  to  reconcile  my  self  to  it  and 
not  burthen  my  Friends  with  my  uneasiness —  My  Dear  Nancy  is 
well  &  hath  been  so  for  the  most  part  of  the  time  she  hath  been 
here  and  now  goes  to  school  in  one  of  my  Houses  close  by  being  my 
self  now  moved  to  the  place  where  my  Dr.  Deed.  Father  lived — 1 
am  at  present  in  a  very  poor  state  of  Health  and  have  been  so  most 
part  of  the  winter  this  with  the  care  necessary  towards  the  accommo- 
dation of  our  Friends  at  the  Yearly  Meeting,  &  some  other  af- 
fairs, will  (I  expect)  effectually  prevent  my  being  at  W  R  sooner 
than  the  fall.  This  is  intended  by  our  Worthy  Friends  Timothy 
Davis  &  Compn.  whose  services  as  a  minister  of  the  Gospel  hath 
been  very  agreeable  &  acceptable  to  Friends  in  general  this  way.  I 


WILLIAM  AND  MART  QUARTERLY  259 

am  with  much  love  &  affection  to  all  my  Friends  at  W.  E.  The 
Iron  Work  over  South  River,  not  forgeting  Bror.  Joney  &  Henry 
and  am 

Thy  obliged  &  affect  son  in  law 

RP 
To  Ann  Thomas 

Curls  3d  mo.  8.  1772. 
My  Dear  Son 

My  last  was  of  the  llth  1st  month  p.  Post  which  I  hope  thou 
hast  reed.,  since  which  thine  of  the  14th  same  month  is  come  to 
hand,  by  which  I  observe  thy  small  Trunk,  with  the  money  &  other 
Contents  (among  which  were  apr  gold  Buttons  &  divirs  old  Silver 
Buckles,  besides  other  things  of  less  value)  were  missing,  Gilbert 
is  since  arived  in  Virginia  tho'  I  have  not  yet  seen  him,  he  tels 
Tommy  Pleasants  that  he  never  saw  any  thing  of  the  small  Trunk, 
but  as  I  can  prove  the  delivery  &  contenes  of  it,  if  I  have  an  Operty 
of  bringing  a  Suit  against  him  in  this  County  I  intend  to  try 
whether  or  not  he  is  liable  for  it,  for  I  think  It  will  not  be  doing 
Justice  to  the  Public  not  to  endevor  at  least  to  expose  such  viliny. 

This  is  intended  p.  our  Friend  Patience  Brayton  who  expects 
(in  case  she  meets  with  no  hinderance  on  acct.  of  the  loss  of  her 
Horse)  to  be  at  the  half  yr  meeting  in  Phila.  and  desire  thou  wilt 
write  to  me  by  Post  or  some  other  direct  Operty  to  let  me  know, 
what  progress  thou  hast  made  in  the  mathematics,  and  what  time 
thou  would  incline  to  return  home,  I  think  it  may  be  best  for 
thee  to  come  the  first  Operty  after  thou  may  have  learn't  the  most 
useful  Branches,  but  if  no  prospect  of  Compy  should  appear,  I 
suppose  Phil,  would  gladly  take  a  trip  up,  to  see  his  Friends  there 
&  to  come  down  with  thee  in  case  an  Operty  by  water  should  offer, 
however  if  there  should  be  a  prospect  of  any  perticular  service  in 
thy  longer  stay,  I  shall  endevor  to  aquiesce,  altho  I  must  say,  if 
there  is  not  almost  a  Certainty  of  that  being  the  case,  it  would  be 
much  more  agreeable  to  me  that  thou  should  return  sometime  this 
spring,  of  which  I  would  have  thee  consult  thy  unkle.  I  have  been 
very  poorly  most  of  this  winter  &  continue  in  a  bad  state  of  health, 
but  not  so  as  to  be  much  confin'd  to  the  House,  the  rest  of  the 
family  &  our  Frds  this  way  are  generally  pretty  well. 


260  WILLIAM  AND  MABY  QUARTERLY 

When  thou  does  come  down  I  would  not  have  thee  omit  calling 
to  see  thy  Grandmother  &  other  Relations  at  B  K  it  may  be  the 
only  operty  thou  may  ever  have  of  doing  so. 

I  desire  thou  wilt  give  my  very  kind  Love  to  unkle  &  aunt 
Pemberton,  Sammy  &  Sally  Rhoads,  Josey  &  Nancy  Pemberton 
with  any  other  of  my  kind  Friends  &  acquaintances  who  may  en- 
quire after  thy  affect  Father 

RP 

Curies  3  mo  8.  1772'. 
Dear  Brother 

I  wrote  thee  of  the  llth.  1  mo  to  which  refer  and  have  now 
to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  my  acct.  Curt,  dated  the  31st  of 
same  month  as  also  that  against  our  Fathers  Estate  which  I  have 
examined  amd  don't  find  any  material  Error  except  in  My  Cr.  for 
Montgomerys  Cargo,  thou  hast  wholy  omitted  (as  I  suppose) 
alowing  me  anything  for  the  purchase  of  Barl  Flower,  or  the  £ 
alow'd  T  &  R  Pleasants  being  3d  p.  [  ?  ]  I  paid  them  more  than 
was  Charg'd  in  the  Invoice,  or  £  2.12  alow'd  Montgomery  for  the 
screenings  of  a  parcel  of  wheat  purchais'd  without  cleaning  to  fill 
him  up,  it  not  being  to  be  had  on  any  other  terms,  these  I  suppose 
were  overlooked  by  thee,  for  as  I  find  thou  hast  alow'd  me  no  more 
than  2£  p.  b.  for  the  purchase  of  thy  part  of  the  wheat,  I  can't 
suppose  thou  meant  to  give  me  short  Cr.  on  the  Value  of  the 
Cargo  as  well  as  to  reduce  the  Commission  one  half,  however  if 
thou  did  advert  to  these  articles  in  making  out  thy  acct.,  and  on 
second  consideration  thinks  it  is  not  reasionable  to  alow  them,  I 
shall  not  insist  on  it. 

I  observe  what  thou  says  about  Insurance  on  the  Effects  onbd. 
the  Industry  Gilbert,  but  if  the  Insurance  order'd  in  London  should 
be  effected,  I  suppose  it  will  be  done  in  thy  own  name,  and  if 
that  is  the  Case  I  don't  see  how  my  property  or  that  of  the  Estates 
can  be  benefitted  by  it,  on  this  consideration  I  have  deferred  send- 
ing either  Bill  of  Lading  or  Invoice  until  I  hear  further  from  thee 
depending  that  if  either  the  Estate  or  myself  are  included  in  the 
policy  or  that  any  part  of  the  Effects  can  be  cover'd  by  the  Insur- 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY  261 

ance  thou  order'd  thou  wilt  give  me  timely  advice  to  forward  to 
thee  what  may  be  necessary. 

This  is  intended  p.  our  Friend  Patience  Brayton  who  expects 
to  be  at  your  half  yr  meeting  &  by  the  same  operty  I  have  wrote 
to  Bobby  to  inform  me  what  progress  he  hath  made  in  his  learning 
&  to  consult  thee  when  it  might  be  sutable  for  him  to  return,  for 
if  the  prospect  of  improvement  by  his  longer  stay  is  not  very 
considerable  I  should  much  desire  his  return  this  spring,  and  in 
case  no  compy  by  land  should  be  likely  to  offer  &  [  ?  ]  should  be 
in  Virg  this  Spring  I  make  no  doubt  Phil  would  gladly  go  up  in 
order  to  accompy  him  down,  in  that  case  Its  likely  I  shall  request 
thee  to  procure  me  a  pair  of  Chaise  Horses  for  them  to  ride  down  on. 

RP 

Virginia  3mo.  23d  1772. 
Dear  Brother 

The  day  after  I  wrote  thee  p.  our  Friend  Patience  Brayton, 
I  reed  thy  acceptable  letter  of  17th  1st  mo.  to  which  this  is  in- 
tended as  a  reply. 

Thou  very  Justly  observes  that  Bannister  has  had  the  use  of 
the  money  due  to  our  Fathers  Estate  long  enough,  but  as  by  the 
bond  he  has  the  priviledge  to  keep  it  jet  longer  on  interest,  there 
is  no  insisting  on  its  being  discharged  before  the  12th  mo  Next, 
nor  can  I  see  at  present  how  the  money  due  to  the  Widdow  Harri- 
son can  be  paid  before  that  time.  The  Debts  due  from  our  Fathers 
Estate  are  not  considerable,  as  far  as  I  know  at  present,  his  debts 
in  this  country  did  not  exceed  £  100,  nor  in  England  much  (if 
any)  above  £  300  Ster.  beside  a  debt  due  to  our  Brothers  Estate 
for  Household  Furniture  &c  which  he  directed  not  to  be  sold  & 
took  on  himself  at  the  appraismt.  In  Order  to  discharge  the  first, 
I  suppose  the  whole  Crop  of  Tob.  will  not  be  more  than  sufficient, 
by  reason  of  the  loss  therein  sustained  by  the  fresh,  and  as  Hunt 
has  for  some  time  had  a  Judgmt  agt.  our  Brors.  Estate  for  a  Debt 
due  from  Pleasants  &  Robinson,  in  order  to  keep  the  Estate  from 
being  sold  by  Exc.  it  is  absolutely  necessary  to  apply  the  first  moneys 
which  can  be  collected  from  the  Debts  in  Cumberland  towards  the 
Discharge  of  that  Debt,  but  as  to  giving  thee  an  estimate  of  the 


262  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

debts  due  to  the  Estate  so  as  to  be  any  ways  exact,  its  altogether 
out  of  my  power  tho'  I  do  suppose  there  may  be  something  like 
£  1000,  exclusive  of  the  Cumbd  debts,  the  amount  of  which  I  can 
at  present  give  no  guess,  for  tho'  I  was  up  in  the  1st  month  and 
had  a  list  of  them  taken,  I  was  taken  sick  &  returned  without  casting 
it  up,  or  making  any  calculation  of  the  amount  of  those  that  there 
may  be  a  probability  of  getting  some  time  or  other,  but  this  is 
beyond  a  doubt,  that  the  greatest  part  are  bad,  however  if  my 
health  permit  I  do  intend  up  again  shortly,  after  which,  its 
probable  I  may  form  some  better  Judgment  of  those  affairs.  I 
have  not  been  unmindful  of  thy  request  respecting  hams  &  hominy, 
but  for  want  of  an  Opertunity  they  could  not  be  sent  but,  as  it 
now  groes  late  &  no  certanty  of  a  better,  I  intend  sending  them 
with  this  to  the  Care  of  John  Greenwood  at  Norfolk,  and  hope 
they  will  get  safe  to  hand  &  prove  acceptable.  I  am  pleas'd  to 
hear  that  Bobby  applies  himself  so  well  to  learning,  and  hope  his 
next  will  inform  me  that  he  is  in  readiness  to  return,  when  (as  I 
mention'd  before  if  no  sutable  Company  should  be  likely  to  offer 
for  him  to  come  down  with,  I  propose  sending  Phill,  who  seems 
very  desirous  to  see  his  Frds  once  more  in  Phila,  when,  if  thou  & 
my  Sister  concludes  to  take  the  Boy,  it  might  be  sutable  time  to 
send  him  up  in  case  any  operty  by  water  should  offer. 

My  children  Join  me  in  love  to  thee,  their  Aunt  Brother  & 
Cousins  &  am  Thy  Affect.  Bror. 

EP 

P  S    I  propose  sending  Sammy 
to  Phila.  the  first  sutable  Opery- 

Curies  3mo  23d.  1772. 
Dear  Bobby 

Since  writing  thee  of  the  8th  Inst.  p.  our  Friend  Patience 
Brayton  I  have  reed  thy  letter  dated  the  28th  1st  month  and  am 
well  pleased  at  the  account  thou  gives  of  thy  application  to  learning, 
&  keeping  out  of  all  loose  &  unprofitable  company,  I  greatly  desire 
thou  may  so  improve  thy  time,  as  that  thou  may  have  to  reflect 
with  sattisfaction  on  the  time  spent  in  thy  youthful  days,  which 
thou  can  never  do  without  due  attention  to  the  dictates  of  the 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY  263 

Divine  Principle  whereby  thy  duty  is  made  manifest  &  as  it  is 
observed,  will  make  thee  happy  in  thyself  &  truly  useful  in  the 
Creation.  I  am  very  desirous  thou  should  return  as  soon  as  thou  & 
thy  unkle  may  think  it  may  be  proper  and  a  sutable  operty  offers, 
however  if  none  such  should  present  I  intend  sending  up  Phil  as  be- 
fore intimated  in  order  to  come  down  with  thee.  Thy  sisters  are  both 
poorly  at  present  with  Colds  &  feavers,  but  as  to  myself  I  seem 
better  than  when  I  last  wrote  thee  and  hope  shall  continue  mending 
having  lost  some  blood  &  Undergone  some  evacuations  which  seem 
to  have  been  of  service  to  me,  and  am  Dr.  Child  Thy  affect. 
Father 

R  P 

• 

Virginia  5  mo  10  1772. 
Respected  Friend 

Thy  letter  dated  the  12th  2  mo.  last  inclosing  a  power  of  att. 
I  reed,  but  lately,  to  which  this  is  intended  as  an  answer ;  and  may 
advise  that  as  thy  Bror.  James's  Effects  were  in  a  wasting  situa- 
tion my  son  in  Law  &  Partner  Thos-  Pleasants  Junr.  took  the  ad- 
ministration thereon  (he  being  the  largest  creditor)  before  the  rect. 
of  thy  letter  in  order  to  Secure  what  little  Estate  there  was  which 
sold  for  £  of  which  I  suppose  the  Debts  may  take  about 

£  he  also  undertook  to  rent  the  plantation  for  the  present 

year  thinking  something  better  than  nothing,  it  is  in  very  bad 
order  and  was  then  late  in  the  season  so  that  he  could  get  but 
40/  for  it.  I  highly  approve  thy  generous  intention  of  giving 
James's  Children  the  residue  of  the  Estate  after  paying  his  Debt  to 
thee,  and  am  very  willg  to  act  for  thee  or  them  in  the  best  manner 
I  am  capable. 

I  believe  if  thou  art  disposed  to  sell  the  land  the  Int.  of  the 
money  it  would  fetch,  would  exceed  the  Rents  of  it,  more  expe- 
cially,  if  thou  should  not  choose  to  give  a  lease  on  it  for  a  term 
of  years,  for  as  it  is  in  very  bad  order,  held  only  for  50  Acres,  & 
but  little  timber  of  any  kind  on  it,  I  suppose  it  would  not  rent 
from  yr  to  yr  for  more  than  about  £  3.  but  if  thou  should  choose 
to  dispose  of  it  &  comes  down  from  the  yearly  meeting  in  Phila.  I 
will  render  thee  any  assistance  in  my  power,  or  if  thou  should 


264  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

conclude  to  do  it  by  a  power  of  Attorney,  I  suppose  thou  might 
get  Capt.  John  Hylton  of  New  York  &  some  of  his  men  to  witness 
it,  who  frequently  trade  up  this  Eiver  from  thence;  there  must 
be  three  witnesses  at  least.  I  believe  from  the  best  information  I 
have  reed  James  Died  of  an  inflamitary  disorder,  but  at  present 
can't  inform  thee  of  the  day  of  the  month ;  the  County's  name  is 
Henrico,  the  Land  lays  about  one  mile  &  half  from  James  River, 
but  some  distance  from  any  Town. 

I  am  Respectfully  Thy  assured  Friend 

RP 

To  John  Hallock  West  Chester  County 
Province  of  N.  York. 


Virginia  5  mo  10  1772. 
Dear  Brother 

I  wrote  thee  a  few  lines  the  5th  Instant  relative  to  and  at  the 
request  of  Roger  Atkinson,  and  had  only  time  then  to  acknowledge 
the  rect  of  thy  acceptable  letter  p.  my  son,  &  just  hint  that  I  in- 
tended sending  up  Sammy  Pleasants  in  Compy  with  my  sister 
Sukey,  as  fare  as  Bush  River;  This  is  now  intended  by  him  as  a 
reply  to  thy  last,  and  may  inform  thee  that  I  have  wrote  my  Bror 
Isaac  &  Jas.  Webster  to  hire  some  person  to  accompany  Sammy  up 
to  Phila-,  which  if  they  have  an  opertunity  of  doing  soon  after  his 
geting  to  that  place,  he  may  ride  up  the  mare  Bobby  left  there,  & 
she  may  be  return'd  by  the  same  messenger  in  time  to  be  sent  down 
to  Virga.  at  sister  Sukeys  return,  but  if  that  can't  be  done  nor  a 
man  &  Horses  can't  be  procured  at  B  River  to  convey  him  from 
thence,  he  must  there  wait  until  thou  can  send  for  him,  or  an 
opertunity  does  offer  of  his  getting  up,  I  have  delivered  him  £ 
for  his  expences  up  &  deliver'd  him — seald  up,  towards  paying 
seald  up,  towards  paying  the  Ball.  I  now  owe  thee,  or  any  emedi- 
ate  expence  thou  may  be  at  for  Sammy,  for  as  I  had  but  short 
notice,  he  is  not  so  well  provided  as  otherwise  he  might  have  been 
for  such  a  journey. 

Thou  may  depend  the  money  due  to  the  Widdow  Harrison  shall 
be  remitted  as  soon  as  I  may  be  inabled  either  by  Collection,  or 
Crops  of  the  Estate  to  do  it  and  hope  her  Circumstances  are  not 


WILLIAM  AND  MABY  QUARTERLY  265 

such  as  to  suffer  any  great  inconvenience  for  the  want  of  it  for  that 
time. 

It  is  with  great  pleasure  I  observe  what  thou  says  respecting 
my  sons  conduct  while  under  thy  care  &  think  my  self  under  great 
obligations  to  thee  &  my  Sister  for  your  care  of  &  kindness  to  him 
as  well  as  thy  kind  wishes  for  his  good  &  my  satisfaction,  and 
if  he  should  be  prudent  enough  to  make  a  right  use  of  the  operty 
he  has  had  of  improvement  in  that  place  you  will  have  the  satis- 
faction to  think  you  were  instrumental  therein  altho'  it  may  not 
be  in  my  power  to  make  aminds  sutable  to  the  favour  received 
therein. 

Bobby  tels  me  that  Gilbert  embaseled  part  of  the  wheat  saved 
from  the  wrack,  if  \t  is  so,  &  any  proof  can  be  made  of  it,  I 
request  thou  would  procure  and  forward  it  p.  first  opertunity; 
for  as  I  believe  him  to  be  a  villain,  I  have  order'd  him  to  be  sued, 
in  hopes  if  I  dont  get  my  money,  I  may  at  least  expose  his  villany 
&  put  it  out  of  his  power  to  act  such  another  part  where  he  is  known. 
I  must  refer  thee  to  T  P  for  an  answer  to  what  thou  says  about 
the  money  reed  of  Mease  &  Caldwell,  as  well  as  the  sales  of  the 
goods  consign'd  to  us  Hoggs  note  Eckarts  order  on  Syme,  for  tho' 
he  told  my  son  he  would  pay  the  corn,  there  is  yet  no  price  fixd 
or  any  agreemt  about  it,  but  suppose  that  will  be  done  at  the 
present  meeting  in  Wmburg,  for  the  Court  is  over. 

The  £3  Bill  sent  by  Bobby  is  Bad  &  is  now  returned  inclos'd 
agreeable  to  thy  request.  I  can't  at  present  inform  thee  the  amt 
of  Hunts  Judgmt  agt  Pleasants  &  Robinson,  but  think  it  may  be 
about  £400  Ster.  but  know  of  no  other  demand  he  has  agt.  any  of 
our  Family.  I  decline  writing  again  to  Jas.  Pemberton  about  the 
insurance,  for  as  he  never  favoured  me  with  an  answer  to  my  former 
on  that  subject,  I  conclude  Hunt  is  a  favourite,  &  the  Business 
disagreeable  so  I  suppose  I  must  rest  sattisfied  without  it,  but 
this  I  must  say  &  believe,  that  if  Hunt  was  so  desirous  to  clear  up 
his  conduct  as  he  has  on  another  ocasion,  that  alone  might  have 
induced  him  to  have  done  it  without  the  promises  he  made  that  it 
should  be  done.  I  thought  I  had  desired  thy  acceptance  of  the 
Hams,  I  never  thought  of  making  a  Charge  of  them,  and  wish  they 


266  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

may  prove  good,  but  am  doubtful  they  are  not  equal  to  what  we 
used  to  have- 

I  am  with  much  love  &  affectn.  to  thee  my  Sister  &  the  Childn. 
Thy  Frd  &  Bror 

EP 

P.  S.    I  am  indebted  to  Anty  Benizet  2'0/ 
for  Books  which  please  to  pay. 

I  am  in  want  of  a  Mehogany  Table  to  suit  the  one  thou  sent  p. 
Montgomery  &  request  it  may  be  sent  p.  first  opertunity  it  is 
square  and  wants  about  aqr  of  an  inch  of  4  feet  in  length  &  when 
the  leaves  are  up  measures  near  3  feet  8  In.  wide  &  is  2  feet  4% 
high  with  Claw  feet,  please  also  to  send  a  Mohany  side  board 
table  &  1  droping  do.  also  one  Easy  chair  coverd  with  leather. 

Virginia  5  mo  20th  1772. 
Loving  Brother 

1  am  very  much  oblig'd  to  thee  for  accomodating  my  son  with 
a  Nagg  to  ride  down  to  Virga.  on,  and  as  I  purpose  sending  my 
Nephew  Sammy  Pleasants  to  Philada.  I  intend  taking  this  oper- 
tunity in  Company  with  Sister  Susy  as  fare  as  Bush  Kiver,  and 
to  ride  thy  mare ;  this  will  occasion  me  to  ask  another  favour  which 
is,  that  in  case  there  is  no  prospect  of  a  pretty  ready  opertunity 
for  him  to  get  forward,  that  thou  wilt  write  a  line  hy  Post,  or  any 
other  direct  operty  to  my  Brother  in  Philad,  to  send  for  him,  or 
hire  a  man  &  Horses  to  accompany  him  up,  the  expence  of  which 
my  Brother  will  pay  on  Demand,  or  if  a  man  &  one  Horse  could 
be  imediately  provided  so  as  the  messenger  might  return  before 
sister  Susey  sets  out  for  Virga-,  Sammy  might  ride  up  Bobby  mare 
(if  well  of  her  lameness)  and  then  if  it  can  be  contrived  with  any 
degree  of  convenience,  I  should  be  glad  she  could  be  sent  down  to 
Virga.  when  my  Sister  returns. 
James  Webster 

Curies  5mo.  21th.  1772. 
Dear  Brother 

I  wrote  thee  pretty  fully  of  the  10th  Inst.  intended  p.  my 
Nephew  S  P  who  was  to  have  gone  up  as  fare  as  Bush  River  in 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY  267 

Compy  wth.  Sukey  Pleasants,  but  Just  at  the  time  she  was  to 
have  taken  her  departure  Cousin  Robert  was  taken  very  111,  which 
put  a  stop  to  her  Journey;  and  tho'  I  have  some  thoughts  yet  of 
sending  him  as  fare  as  James  Brooks's  in  Compy  with  Thos. 
Pleasants  &  his  famaly  who  propose  seting  out  in  expectation  that 
he  may  have  Compy  to  W  R  Meeting  &  from  thence  quite  up  to 
Phila.  but  as  he  is  young  &  the  way  roundabout  1  am  not  fully 
determined  whither  or  to  send  him  then,  or  to  wait  in  expectation 
of  some  Friends  being  down  at  our  Yearly  meeting,  if  he  goes  I 
propose  sending  that  Letter  yet  by  him,  and  therefore  only  pro- 
pose at  this  time  mentioning  what  may  be  most  material  &  refer 
thee  to  the  other  for  further  particulars. 

Bobby  tels  me  thai  Gilbert  embasiled  part  of  the  cargo  of  wheat 
saved  out  of  the  Schooner  Industry,  if  it  is  so,  and  any  proof  can 
be  made  of  it,  I  request  thou  wilt  furnish  me  with  it  as  soon  as 
pcssible,  for  as  I  apprehend  he  is  a  villain,  I  have  order'd  him  to  be 
sued  in  expectation  that  if  I  don't  recover  my  Effects  out  of  his 
hands,  it  may  be  a  means  of  Exposing  him,  so  as  to  put  it  out  of 
his  power  to  act  the  same  part  in  future  where  he  is  known. 

Curies.   6  mo.   13th  1772- 
Dear  Bror. 

I  wrote  thee  of  the  10th  5  mo.  last  intended  by  my  nephew 
Sammy  Pleasants,  who  was  to  have  accompany'd  Sister  Susey  as 
fare  Bush  River  on  his  way  to  Phila.  but  they  were  prevented  by 
the  Indisposition  of  Robt.  Pleasants,  who  was  taken  111  the  very 
day  they  were  to  have  set  out,  with  a  violent  Pluracy  or  inflami- 
tary  fever,  which  terminated  (as  some  think)  in  a  galloping  con- 
sumption, and  put  a  period  to  his  life  the  7th  Inst.  about  3  o'clock 
in  the  morning  the  27th  day  of  his  Illness,  much  regretted  by  most 
who  knew  him,  but  more  expecially  by  our  Dear  Sister  who  seems 
almost  inconsolable  for  her  loss —  indeed  she  hath  much  need, 
for  he  was  an  uncommon  tender  &  affectionate  Husband  &  Father, 
however  I  believe  our  Friends  at  B  River  may  rely,  that  everything 
will  be  done  in  our  power  to  endever  to  mittigate  her  grief  and 
serve  her  &  the  Children  in  every  needfull  matter,  but  If  thou  with 
one  of  our  Sisters  could  come  down  &  stay  a  while  with  her,  it  might 


268  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

contribute  greatly  to  her  Comf.  &  sattisfaction.  This  intelegence 
I  thought  proper  to  communicate  knowing  by  experience,  that  tho' 
advices  of  this  sort  must  be  afflicting  yet  it  is  a  sattisfaction  to  be 
acquainted  with  every  state  &  situation  of  those  we  Love,  &  in 
whose  welfare  we  are  interested;  and  Dear  Bror.  since  we  find 
that  nothing  (not  even  virtue  itself)  is  a  defence  from  the  Stroke 
of  Death,  and  the  time  of  his  approach  to  each  of  our  tabernacles 
altogether  uncertain,  I  greatly  desire  that  every  day  which  we  may 
in  Mercy  be  continued  on  the  stage  of  life,  may  be  improved  to  the 
glory  of  our  Creator,  &  our  own  eternal  felicity,  which  are  insep- 
erable.  I  reed  thy  acceptable  letter  dated  the  28th  and  observed 
that  thou  hast  been  in  a  poor  state  of  health  for  many  months  past 
but  that  thou  wert  then  Geting  the  better  of  it,  which  I  rejoice 
to  hear,  &  may  advise  that  I  too  have  had  but  few  well  days  to- 
gether since  last  fall,  &  some  part  of  the  time  been  very  111 ;  I  am 
still  poorly,  but  desire  patiently  to  submit  to  the  will  of  Providence 
who  knows  best  what  is  best  &  sometimes  Permits  afflictions  as 
Blessings  in  disguise.  I  am  with  much  love  &  affect,  to  every 
Branch  of  the  family. 

Thy  Frnd.  &  Bror- 

RP 

Curies  8  mo.  3d  1772. 
Dear  Brother 

Having  none  of  thy  Favours  unanswered,  this  is  intended  to 
accompany  206  Bushl.  very  fine  new  wheat,  &  16V4  Bushl.  Old 
p.  our  Schooner  Peggy,  Geo.  Crumbie  Master,  who  I  wish  may 
have  a  safe  &  quick  passage;  for  tho'  we  have  taken  the  precaution 
of  shiping  the  new  wheat  in  sacks,  &  it  appears  to  be  in  uncommon 
fine  Order  for  the  time,  yet  it  may  probably  get  warm  if  it  should 
continue  long  on  board :  It  was  with  inconvenience  we  could  get 
it  ready  so  soon,  but  a  view  of  Employing  our  new  Vessel,  and 
in  hope  of  geting  the  prices  lately  going  for  wheat  in  Phila.  we 
have  exerted  our  selves  in  her  dispatch  and  doubt  not  thy  care  in 
the  disposal  of  it  to  the  best  prices  your  Market  will  afford,  our 
Millers  now  give  5/  this  Currency  but  whether  those  prices  will 
continue  or  not  must  depent  on  the  demand  from  abroad.  If  the 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY  269 

furniture  I  requested  thee  some  time  ago  to  procure  for  me  should 
not  be  ship'd  before  the  rect.  of  this  I  reqt.  thou  wilt  send  it  by 
return  of  Capt.  Crumbie  and  if  it  should  be  convenient  to  procure 
me  apr.  of  good  Chaise  Horses  for  abt.  50,  or  £  60.  price  not  old,  & 
such  as  thou  thinks  would  suit  me,  I  request  thou  would  send 
them  also,  with  the  few  articles —  mentioned  below,  and  in  case 
my  remittance  p-  this  vessel  should  not  be  sufficient  to  pay  the  Ball. 
I  owe  thee,  and  the  Cost  of  the  Articles  now  Order' d,  I  expect  if 
this  vessel  returns  safe  and  the  prospect  of  a  Wheat  market  should 
be  encouraging,  she  will  emediately  load  again  for  Phila.  &  in  that 
case  shall  make  up  all  deficiency,  on  my  Own  Acct.,  &  probably 
make  a  Considerable  remittance  on  acct.  of  the  Estate. 

I  am  waiting  with  impatience  for  a  sutable  opertunity  of  send- 
ing Sammy,  and  have  been  for  some  time  in  Expectation  that 
Joney  Webster  or  some  of  our  Friends  from  B  Kiver  would  be 
down,  in  that  case  I  intended  to  have  sent  him  up  that  way  for  tho 
he  is  not  willing  to  go  with  Capt.  Crumbie  &  the  vessel  being 
new  I  don't  choose  to  force  him  contrary  to  his  inclinations,  least 
some  accident  might  happen;  but  in  case  no  sutable  one  should 
offer  sooner,  I  intend  taking  him  up  with  me  to  West  River  in 
the  9  or  10th  month  in  case  my  own  health  &  that  of  my  Family 
will  admit  my  going  up,  as  at  present  I  intend  with  my  Daughr. 
Nancy,  but  whither  I  may  have  the  pleasure  of  seeing  my  bror. 
sister  and  children  in  Phila.  is  uncertain  tho'  I  much  desire  but  if 
I  find  that  can't  be  conveniently  accomplish'd  would  thou  meet 
me  at  W  River. 

I  have  sent  p.  Capt.  Crumbie  a  large  Bible  which  I  request 
thou  wilt  get  Bound  &  (if  it  can  be  done  in  time)  to  be  returned 
by  him  the  Bad  £  3  Bill  which  I  intended  to  have  sent  p.  Sammy 
is  now  inclos'd  as  also  Thos.  Elsdons  note,  which  thou  sent  inclos'd 
to  me  some  time  ago  for  Richd-  Randolph,  and  which  he  desired  me 
to  return  to  thee  &  inform,  that  he  is  a  man  who  married  a  nurse 
that  Col.  Byrd  had  from  Phila.,  &  now  lives  near  or  in  the  City,  & 
may  be  known  by  applying  to  some  one  of  the  Willing  Family  and 
request  thou  wilt  endever  to  get  the  money.  Roger  Atkinson  writes 
thee  p.  this  Operty.  &  no  doubt  will  inform  thee  that  in  depend- 


270  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

ance  of  thy  geting  Bills  of  Exch.  on  Interest  to  the  ami  of  2000  £ 
Ster.  for  him  he  hath  goth  the  money  here,  &  will  I  dare  say  be  a 
great  disappointment  if  they  cannot  be  had  to  come  by  return  of 
our  Schooner;  his  Bonds  with  sufficient  Security  being  Executed, 
no  doubt  he  has  inclos'd  to  thee.  InclosM  I  send  thee  Capt.  Grum- 
ble's rect.  for  12  half  Jos.  which  pass  to  the  Or.  of  my  acct. 

KP 

Goods  to  be  sent  from  Phila- 

3  doz  Calf  skins  2  doz  of  which  black'd  on  the  Flesh  side  &  1 
doz.  on  the  grain. 
3  doz  pr.  womens  woodden  heals. 
6  Dutch  grass  syths  &  6  whitstones  for  do. 
1  Barl.  good  Muscavado  sugar 

1  do.  good  Jamaica  Spirits.     12  Chocalate 

2  doz  Antony  Benizets  Treateses,  &  request  thou  wilt  pay  him  for 
1  doz  already  received. 

Virga.  8  mo.  4  1772. 
Esteemed  Friends 

I  was  sorry  to  hear  of  Capt-  Montgomery  Miscarriage,  as  well  on 
acct.  of  the  people,  as  those  concerned  in  the  Vessel  &  Cargo,  but 
hope  your  interest  was  fully  Cover' d ;  it  was  a  fine  Cargo  of  wheat, 
&  should  have  been  glad  it  had  got  safe  to  a  sutable  Market, 
however  if  the  first  attempt  hath  not  discouraged  your  Speculation 
in  the  same  way,  we  have  a  Crop  of  Wheat  now  housed,  which  I 
apprehend  it  equal  both  in  quantity  &  quality  to  any  ever  made  in 
this  Colony,  a  sample  of  which  you  may  see  by  applying  to  my 
Brother,  to  whom  my  self  &  Compy.  have  ship'd  a  few  hundred 
Bushls.  as  a  tryal  to  a  forward  Market  in  your  City.  At  present 
the  price  seem  as  if  it  woulcl  break  high  on  acct.  of  the  demand 
for  Flour,  the  millers .  agree  to  give  5/  until  the  1st  of  9th  mo. 
but  whither  that  may  be  the  general  market  is  at  present  uncer- 
tain; If  you  should  at  any  time  incline  to  be  further  adventurers 
in  this  or  any  other  article  of  our  Country  produce  our  Situation 
puts  it  in  our  power  to  serve  you  as  well  on  as  good  terms  as 
any  House  in  the  Province,  and  be  assured  the  utmost  attention 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTER?  271 

will  be  observed  in  the  Execution  of  any  Orders  you  may  intrust 
with  my  self  &  Co  for  whom  I  am 

Your  Assured  &  Eespectful  Frd. 

E  P  &  Co. 
To  James  &  Drinker 

Virga.  8  mo;  4  1772. 
Dear  Sister 

I  have  long  wished,  &  indeed  had  some  expectation  of  being 
favoured  with  a  few  lines  from  thee,  but  as  I  must  confes  I  have 
been  too  deficient  my  self  in  writing  to  thee,  I  have  not  so  much 
room  to  complain,  but  must  say,  whenever  thou  canst  find  leisure 
&  inclination  thy  letters  will  be  perticularly  acceptable,  more  espe- 
cially if  they  convey  an  account  of  thine  my  Bror.  &  the  Dear 
Children's  welfair,  which  I  much  desire,  &  had  I  my  self  a  suf- 
ficient degree  of  health  &  could  accomplish  it  with  any  degree  of 
convenience  I  would  chearfully  undertake  a  Journey  to  Phila.  the 
ensuing  fall  in  order  to  enjoy  the  greater  satisfaction  of  being  an 
eye  witness  thereof,  but  tho  I  find  my  self  lately  ruther  better,  I 
have  long  been  in  a  very  poore  state  of  health  &  part  of  the  time  very 
111  so  as  scarcely  to  expect  a  recovery,  beside  this  I  have  a  large 
family  to  care  for,  &  the  old  woman  who  hath  lived  with  me  for 
some  years  in  quality  of  a  House  Keeper —  proposes  to  leave  me  this 
fall,  but  that  indeed  ought  to  be  inducement  to  exert  my  self  in 
endevering  to  supply  her  place  with  another  and  I  know  no  place 
that  abounds  more  with  good  ones  than  Phila.  were  they  not  so 
attached  to  the  place  as  not  easily  to  be  enduced  to  leave  it. 

However  I  must  acknowledge  the  great  kindness  of  my  good 
Friends  towards  the  most  near  &  dear  part,  that  of  my  Children, 
and  perticularly  thine  to  my  son  &  Daughter  which  I  shall  ever 
remember  with  gratitude.  Sister  Langly  &  children  are  well  & 
is  now  on  a  Visit  to  us  at  Curies,  &  have  some  expectation  of  seeing 
Sister  Atkinson  here  in  a  few  days,  poor  Sister  Briggs  is  in  much 
affliction  for  the  loss  of  her  Daughter  Nancy  as  is  poor  Sukey  for 
that  of  an  uncommon  kind  &  affect.  Husband  R  P  whose  Death 
I  suppose  thou  some  time  ago  heard  of.  I  desire  my  very  kind 
love  may  be  acceptable  to  unkle  &  aunt  Pemberton  with  whom  I 


272  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

sincerely  sympathise  for  their  late  great  loss  of  a  hopeful  son,  be 
pleas'd  also  to  remember  me  very  affectionately  to  cousin  Jony  & 
Nancy  also  Sammy  &  Sally  Eoads  and  am  thy  very  oblig'd  &  affect. 
Bror. 

RP 

I  have  deliver'd  into  Capt.  Crumbles  care  a  p.  of  Tabby,  which 
being  of  a  pretty  good  Colour,  I  desire  thy  acceptance  of  it  for 
a  Goun. 


Curies  10  mo.  1st  1772. 
Dear  Brother. 

Thy  Favour  of  the  28th  8  mo.  p-  Capt.  Crumbie  I  reed,  together 
with  the  furniture  &  other  articles  ship'd  me  p.  the  schooner,  the 
Horses  only  excepted,  which  it  seems  were  lost  from  of  the  Deck 
in  a  hard  gale  of  wind  he  met  with  soon  after  he  left  the  Capes 
of  Delaware.  This,  beside  the  loss,  is  a  considerable  disappoint- 
ment to  me,  they  being  intended  for  my  northern  Journey,  &  will 
I  apprehend  effectually  deprive  me  of  the  pleasure  I  some  times 
flattered  my  self  with  of  seeing  my  Friends  in  Phila.  this  fall, 
nor  can  I  help  blaiming  the  Capt.  seeing  he  had  room  and  might 
with  so  much  ease  &  safety  have  brought  them  in  the  hold.  The 
furniture  I  find  comes  high  from  Phila.  more  so  than  I  expected, 
and  by  some  means  or  other  the  workman  has  made  a  mistake 
in  the  length  of  the  large  table  being  about  three  inches  shorter 
than  the  directions  which  was  given  exactly  to  fitt  one  I  had  before 
which  purpose  this  will  not  answer  for  that  reason  I  should  have 
inclined  to  have  return'd  it  p.  the  schooner  was  I  certain  the 
Joiner  would  have  changed  it  as  it  is  I  shall  endever  to  fitt  it  & 
then  order  another  of  the  right  size  or  get  one  here.  The  Table 
thou  sent  for  sale  met  with  an  accident  &  got  the  Cross  piece  below 
broke,  and  am  doubtful  it  will  be  a  dul  article  at  a  price  nearly 
what  mine  is  Charg'd  at  not  being  (as  I  think)  a  handsom  piece 
of  Furniture.  Inclosed  is  Bill  of  Lading  for  300  Bush,  wheat 
which  I  wish  safe  &  to  a  good  Market,  the  price  here  continues 
to  be  5/  nor  do  I  expect  it  will  fall,  it  is  however  remarkably 
good  in  quality.  Its  uncertain  at  present  what  further  quantity  I 
may  ship  to  Phila.  this  year.  I  hope  however  this  may  be  fully 


WILLIAM  AND  MAEY  QUARTERLY  273 

sufficient  to  Ballance  my  acct.  with  thee  after  being  Charg'd  with 
the  Coffee  pot  which  by  thy  last  acct.  was  not  done,  but  if  it 
should  be  otherwise,  a  further  remittance  shall  be  made  sufficient 
to  do  it.  I  also  propose  to  make  a  further  remittance  sometime  this 
fall  on  acct.  of  the  Estate  either  in  wheat  or  Bills.  Our  Cousin 
John  Pleasants  intend  going  in  the  Schooner  to  Phila.  and  have 
endeverd  to  prevail  on  Sammy  to  accompany  him,  but  as  he  seems 
very  averse  to  it  and  chooses  to  go  with  me  by  land  I  am  loth 
to  force  him  for  fear  of  some  Accident,  in  that  case  I  should 
both  blame  my  self  &  be  blamed  by  others,  to  which  I  desire  to  give 
no  Just  occasion  for.  however  if  I  should  find  it  impracticable  my 
self  to  go  as  fare  as  Ply  la,  I  intend  to  send  a  Servant  up  with  him, 
for  I  am  very  sencible  he  is  loosing  time,  &  am  as  anxtious  to 
get  him  up  as  thou  canst  be,  being  fully  convinced  it  may  be  more 
to  his  advantage  than  anything  in  my  power  to  do  for  him,  pro- 
vided he  makes  the  proper  use  of  the  opertunity  for  his  improve- 
ment. I  propose  to  send  my  Boy  Jamey,  and  with  him  a  Certifi- 
cate for  it  is  my  intention  to  give  him  his  freedom  at  the  age  of 
twenty  seven  years;  he  is  now  about  14,  and  is  to  serve  thee  on 
the  terms  thou  proposes,  Seven  years,  or  in  case  of  misbehaviour 
to  have  the  liberty  of  returning  him,  or  rather  if  it  can  be  done, 
to  put  him  to  a  Trade  there  until  he  is  21  yrs.  of  age,  but  I  have 
little  doubt  but  he  will  answer  thy  purpose  as  well  as  any  Boy 
of  his  colour  that  I  know.  The  Expressions  of  that  great  good 
Man  S.  Fothergill  whose  removal  I  was  truly  concern'd  to  hear, 
were  not  inclos'd  in  thy  last  as  thou  intended,  &  hope  thou  wilt 
send  them  p.  next  operty.  for  every  thing  that  came  from  him  I 
doubt  not  was  worthy  attention  more  especially  at  such  an  awful 
period  and  will  be  perticularly  acceptable  to  me. 

Our  monthly  meeting  having  appointed  two  Friends  to  Collect 
the  most  material  expresions  of  our  Dr.  Father  in  his  last  Illness 
by  way  of  Testimony  which  I  expect  will  be  soon  accomplished, 
when  it  is  I  propose  sending  a  Copy  thereof-  I  shall  want  a 
few  articles  p.  return  of  the  Schooner  an  acct.  of  which  is  below 
which  please  to  send  me,  if  the  shoes  for  Nancy  are  not  sent  before 
the  rect.  of  this,  its  probable  it  might  be  best  when  an  operty. 
offers  to  send  them  to  W  River,  as  its  probable  she  may  be  gone  up 


274  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

before  this  Vessel  comes  back;  the  shoes  thou  sent  me  were  too 
small  one  size  too  short,  &  too  low  in  the  instep,  shall  therefore 
want  two  other  pare  p.  Capt.  Crumbie. 

I  suppose  E.  S.  is  gone  to  Cumberl.  to  order  Execution  agt. 
my  Bror.  Estate  for  Hunt's  Debt  for  it  seems  he  is  determ'd  to 
wait  no  longer,  and  Jas-  Pleasants  neglect  or  bad  Success  has  dis- 
abled me  from  payt.  more  than  £  175  beside  an  agreement  of  Tommy 
Pleasants  for  £  100  ster.  in  consequence  of  an  order  given  by  Jas. 
Pleasants  on  Jas.  Lyle  to  the  last  court  wch  they  agreed  to  pay  at 
the  Octo.  Court,  beside  these  sums  I  suppose  there  will  be  a  Ball, 
of  upwards  of  £  250  due  on  that  Judgmt  &  at  present  know  not  how 
it  will  be  paid  except  it  be  by  an  order  on  thee  for  part  of  the 
purchase  of  wheat  for  Holden,  or  can  be  got  on  Int.  I  don't  care 
the  Estate  should  be  sold,  and  have  given  directions  in  case  of  an 
Execut.  to  replevy  wch  will  3  months  longer  time. 

1  Ton  Bar  Iron,  sutable  for  Country  work,  such  as  Waggons, 
Hoes,  Axes 

1  womans  Black  Satten  Bonnet  with  a  Hood 

1  Girls  do. 

1  doz.  Setts  fann  Riddles 

2  pr.  Shoes  for  my  own  use. 

I  pr.  good  leather  Breeches  to  measure 

1  Bush-  Flax  Seed.  R  P 

To  all  people  to  whom  these  presents  shall  come. 
I  Robert  Pleasants  of  Henrico  County  in  the  Colony  of  Virg. 
Merch.  Send  Greeting,  Know  ye  that  I  the  said  Robert  Pleasants 
for  divers  good  Causes  and  valuable  Considerations  me  thereunto 
moving  and  more  especially  for  &  in  consideration  of  the  sum  of 
five  shillings  lawful  money  of  the  Said  Colony  to  me  in  hand  pai.'1 
by  my  Negro  Boy  Slave  James,  The  Receipt  whereof  I  do  hereby 
acknowledge  Have  Manumited  remised  and  released,  and  by  these 
presents  Do  manumite  remise  &  release  unto  the  said  Negro  Boy 
James  all  his  servitude  from  hence  forth  to  acrue,  all  my  Estate 
Right  Title  and  Interest  whatsoever  of  in  and  to  the  said  Negro 
Boy ;  And  I  do  declare  that  it  shall  not  be  lawfull  for  either  my  self 
my  Heirs  Exect.  administrs.  or  assigns  or  any  other  person  or 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY  275 

persons  whatsoever  to  deprive  the  Said  Negro  Boy  of  the  full  free 
&  uninterrupted  enjoymt.  of  his  liberty,  but  that  he  shall  possess 
&  enjoy  the  same  as  full  as  any  other  person  who  hath  never  been 
in  Bondage  Witness  my  hand  &  Seal  this  8th  day  of  Octo.  1772. 

Robt.  Pleasants 
Sealed  &  delivered 
in  presence  of 

Curies  10  mo.  1,  1772 
Respd.  Friend2 

I  wrote  thee  of  the  10th  5  mo.  last  acknowledgd  the  rect.  of 
thy  letter  dated  the  12jji  2'd  mo.,  and  advising,  that  my  Son  in  Law 
Thos-  Pleasants  had  administered  on  thy  Bror.  James's  Estate, 
had  rented  out  the  land  for  40  /  the  present  year,  discribing  the 
situation  thereof,  &  giving  a  tender  of  any  service,  which  may  be 
in  my  power  for  thee  or  the  Children ;  since  which  I  have  received 
thine  dated  the  14th  5  mo.  to  which  this  is  intended  as  a  reply. 
I  have  supplied  the  Children  with  some  necessaries,  and  shall  con- 
tinue to  do  so  as  fare  as  the  personal  Estate  &  rents  of  the  land 
will  amot.  or  until  thou  gives  further  directions. 

The  names  &  ages  of  the  Children  I  now  send  thee  below  and 
am  inform'd  that  James  died  on  the  3d  day  of  the  week  and  12th 
of  the  12th  month  1771,  of  an  inflametary  or  pluritic  disorder. 
The  name  of  the  Children's  mother  is  Rachel  Liptrott.  I  am 
pleas'd  to  hear  of  Christion  Fritts,  I  should  be  glad  to  hear  of  his 
being  in  a  way  to  do  well  in  every  respect,  he  conducted  himself 
much  to  his  Masters  satisfaction  while  in  this  Country,  be  pleased 
to  Remember  me  to  him,  &  am  respectfully 

Thy  Friend 

Robi  Pleasants 

Martha  born  the  31st  5  mo.  1768 
Pheby      Do 7..   6  ...   1770. 

zprobably  written  to  John  Hallock. 


276  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

JAMES  MACARTNEY. 
By  A.  J.  MORRISON. 

Bishop  Meade  overlooked  James  Macartney  in  his  statement 
of  the  facts  of  Virginia  Parish  history  before  the  Revolution.  Mr- 
Macartney  was  for  a  short  time  minister  of  St.  Patrick's  Parish, 
Prince  Edward  County,  following  James  Garden.  Bishop  Meade 
seems  not  to  have  examined  the  Vestry  Book  of  St.  Patrick's  Parish 
(now  preserved  in  the  Library  of  the  Episcopal  Seminary  at 
Alexandria),  and  lists  Archibald  McRobert  as  minister  in  charge 
immediately  after  Mr.  Garden.  James  Garden  died  February 
19,  1773.  At  the  August  meeting  of  St.  Patrick's  vestry,  a  minute 
was  entered — "Revd.  Mr.  Oglesby  [or  Ogilvie].  Mr.  Sanders 
[John  Hyde  Saunders,  of  Cumberland  County],  and  Mr.  McCart- 
ney have  offered  themselves  for  the  care  of  the  parish.  On  mature 
consideration,  Mr-  McCartney,  late  of  Granville  Parish  in  North 
Carolina,  was  chosen.  So  Mr.  McCartney  hath  agreed  to  preach 
and  administer  the  Sacrament  at  Sandy  River  Church  the  second 
Sunday  in  October  next;  the  Sunday  following  at  the  Upper 
Church,  and  the  Sunday  following  at  the  Chapel.  He  will  remove 
himself  into  the  parish  and  take  possession  of  the  glebe."  Mr. 
Macartney  is  traceable  on  the  Vestry  Record  through  the  year 
1774.  It  does  not  appear  what  became  of  him  afterwards.  Very 
likely  he  left  the  colony  at  the  outbreak  of  the  Revolution.  His 
"Upper  Church"  in  Prince  Edward  County  was  very  near  the  site 
of  what  is  now  Hampden- Sidney  College.  This  Upper  Church 
was  built  about  1763  near  French's  store  (now  Kingsville).  Mr. 
Macartney  must  have  been  displeased  at  the  rise  of  Hampden- 
Sidney  College.  We  take  it  that  he  was  a  Tory. 

Governor  Tryon,  writing  from  Newbern  in  North  Carolina,  Feb. 
12,  1768,  commended  James  Macartney  to  the  Bishop  of  London 
— "The  bearer  hereof,  Mr-  James  Macartney  a  native  of  Ireland, 
waits  on  your  Lordship  for  orders  of  ordination.  I  am  induced 
to  be  an  advocate  for  him  with  your  Lordship  in  consequence  of 
the  warm  recommendations  I  received  in  his  behalf  from  the 
Speaker  of  the  House  of  Assembly  of  this  province  [John  Harvey] 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY  277 

under  whose  roof  he  lived  some  time  in  the  character  of  tutor  to 
his  children.  Mr.  Macartney  was  during  his  residence  in  Newbern 
employed  as  an  assistant  to  Mr.  Thomlinson,*  who  speaks  hand- 
somely of  his  diligence  in  the  school  and  regularity  of  life  out  of 
it.  I  am  therefore  to  wish  your  Lordship  may  find  Mr.  Macartney 
qualified  for  the  sacred  function  into  which  he  very  ardently  wishes 
to  be  admitted,  as  it  is  in  the  expectation  of  such  happiness  singly 
that  he  is  soon  going  home/' 

Writing  the  next  year  from  Bath  in  North  Carolina,  May  27, 
1769,  Governor  Tryon  said  in  his  letter  to  the  Bishop  of  London: 
"I  purpose  on  my  journey  through  the  Province  to  induct  Mr. 
McCartney  into  Granville  County.  If  your  Lordship  has  the  least 
objection  to  my  inducting  clergymen  coming  into  this  Province 
with  a  license  from  your  Lordship  for  a  different  colony  only,  if 
you  will  signify  such  your  objection,  I  shall  observe  it  in  future, 
tho'  the  vestries  in  the  colony  of  Virginia  make  no  scruple  to  get 
what  clergymen  they  can  from  this  Province." 

That  was  an  interesting  statement  of  Governor  Tryon's.  The 
very  active  Society  for  the  Propagation  of  the  Gospel  let  Virginia 
alone,  deeming  that  colony  and  no  other  practically  if  not  perfectly 
able  to  take  care  of  itself  in  the  cure  of  souls.  The  Society  main- 
tained in  North  Carolina  excellent  men  like  James  Reed,  School- 
masters like  Thomlinson  and  Macartney;  and  when  a  parish  in 
Virginia  needed  a  minister  they  sometimes  enticed  away  a  mis- 
sionary in  North  Carolina  who  was  being  carried  on  the  venerable 
Society's  books.  Governor  Tryon  was  particularly  attentive  to  the 


"Thomas  Thomlinson  deserves  a  memoir.  He  came  to  Newbern 
during  the  year  1763.  He  was  a  native  of  Thursby,  Cumberland 
(North  of  England),  and  had  been  a  schoolmaster  either  at  Thursby 
or  at  Wigton.  Making  friends  at  Newbern  at  once,  Mr.  Thomlinson 
set  up  a  school  there  early  in  1764 — the  excellent  Newbern  Academy, 
an  endowed  school  that  was  long  active.  During  1771  certain  of  the 
Trustees  fell  out  with  Thomlinson  on  very  slender  grounds.  Governor 
Tryon  (a  Just  man)  was  leaving  for  New  York  and  the  business  was 
not  properly  handled.  Thomlinson  gave  up  the  Academy  the  spring 
of  1772.  Applying  his  talents  to  affairs  not  academic,  he  accumulated 
a  pretty  good  estate,  and  at  his  death  in  1805  bequeathed  funds  to 
endow  four  schools  in  his  native  Cumberland,  among  them  the  cele- 
brated Wigton  Grammar  School  and  the  school  at  Thursby. 


278  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

Society's  business  in  North  Carolina  and  furthered  its  affairs. 

James  Macartney  writing  under  date  October  28,  1769  to  the 
Society's  Secretary  described  himself  as  already  settled,  by  the 
advice  of  Governor  Tryon,  in  Granville  County  and  Parish-  "There 
are  many  Presbyterians  in  this  Parish  and  they  have  a  minister 
settled  amongst  them  [Henry  Pattillo  was  the  minister  who  could 
argue  church  history  with  Macartney].  There  are  likewise  many 
Baptists  here  who  are  great  Bigots,  but  be  well  assured,  reverend 
sir,  that  I  will  (from  a  sense  of  my  duty  and  just  gratitude  to  the 
Society)  take  every  prudent  method  I  am  capable  of  to  abolish 
Dissention  and  make  converts  to  the  church." 

Governor  Tryon  thought  so  well  of  Mr.  Macartney  as  to  make 
him  chaplain  to  his  celebrated  Kegulating  Army,  the  spring  of 
1771.  Mr.  Macartney  was  not  thoroughly  satisfied  in  Granville 
County  (parishes  now  and  then  rather  starved  "the  inducted 
parson"),  and  would  have  been  glad  to  go  with  Colonel  Tryon 
to  New  York.  The  principal  men  of  Newbern — among  them  Abner 
Nash  of  Prince  Edward  County,  in  Virginia — tried  to  help  Mr. 
Macartney  away  to  New  York,  but  not  to  get  rid  of  him.  They 
were  careful  to  say  in  their  letter  that  they  regarded  him  as  "a 
credit  to  his  holy  profession,"  and  were  persuaded  he  would 
''continue  to  exercise  his  abilities  for  the  benefit  of  mankind  " 

[See  North  Carolina  Eecords,  vols  viii  and  ix]. 


WILLIAM  AND  MABY  QUARTERLY  279 

QUERIES. 
HUNTER  FAMILY. 

Wanted — Information  about  the  following  Hunter  marriages: 
1,  Andrew  Hunter  and  Jane  Pleasants  (about  1740) ;  2,  Stephen 
Hunter  and  Mary  Statham  (about  1765) ;  3,  George  Hunter  and 
and  his  two  wives,  Mildred  Miller  and  Mildred  Austin.  I  should 
especially  like  the  exact  dates  and  the  names  and  marriages  of 
their  children.  Please  communicate  with  M-  E.  Weeks,  602  Madi- 
son Avenue,  New  York  City. 

TALBOT  AND  WALKER  FAMILIES. 

Would  like  to  know  from  whence  Matthew  Talbot  came,  whether 
England  or  Maryland,  and  when  he  settled  in  Bedford  County, 
Virginia,  or,  then,  Lunenburg  County.  The  first  court  held  in 
Bedford  County  being  convened  at  the  home  of  Matthew  Talbot 
on  May  27th,  1754. 

This  Matthew  Talbot  was  the  father  of  John  Talbot,  for  many 
sessions  a  member  of  the  House  of  Burgesses. 

Did  any  Talbot  locate  in  Virginia  prior  to  the  above  named 
Matthew  Talbot? 

Would  like  to  know  of  the  Walker  family  in  Virginia  of  whom 
Freeman  Walker  and  Wyatt  Walker  were  members.  Freeman 
Walker  was  the  husband  of  Sarah  Minge,  daughter  of  George 
Minge,  whose  will  was  dated  September  19th,  1781,  Wyatt  Walker 
being  one  of  the  Executors. 

W.  H.  H.  SCHLEY. 

230  Orleans  Square,  Savannah,  Ga. 

MONTGOMERY  AND  STEELE  FAMILIES. 

John  Montgomery  m.  Esther  Houston.  Has  he  Revolutionary 
Record?  His  daughter  Esther  married  Rev.  Samuel  Doak,  of 


280  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUABTEJ&LY 

Augusta  Co.,  Oct.  1,  1775,  Rockbridge  Co.,  Va.,  New  Providence 
Church. 

Query  two:  Jane  Steele  daughter  of  Samuel  Steel  of  Rock- 
bridge  Co.,  Va.,  married  Eichard  Eankin  and  moved  to  Tennessee. 
Did  Samuel  Steele  have  Revolutionary  Record? 

MARY  B.  RANKIN. 
1234  Delaware  Ave.,  Buffalo,  K  Y. 

* 
SMITH,  BAILEY,  MAXEY  FAMILIES. 

1 

Smith-Bailey.    Wanted,  information  about  George  Smith  who 

died  about  1744,  and  his  wife,  Ann  Bailey  (1694-1768),  daughter 
of  Henry  Bailey.  They  lived  in  or  near  the  Huguenot  settlement 
at  Manakintown,  on  the  James  River,  Virginia.  The  parentage 
of  each  is  desired  as  well  as  the  names  of  their  children  other 
than  Thomas  Smith  (1719-1786),  of  Powhatan  Co.,  Virginia. 
Correspondence  desired  on  the  subject  of  this  Smith  family. 

Maxey.  Information  requested  as  to  the  very  early  history  of 
the  Maxey  family  of  Virginia,  members  of  which  intermarried 
with  the  Porter,  Sallee,  Smith  and  Moseley  families,  both  in  Vir- 
ginia and  later  in  Kentucky.  Who  was  the  Immigrant  ancestor  of 
this  family? 

E.  W.  SMITH. 

501  East  Colfax  Ave-,  Denver,  Colorado. 

July  18,  1922'. 

JOHNSON,  ROWLEY  FAMILIES. 

Wanted:  Information  relative  to  the  family  of  Marmaduke 
Johnson,  said  to  have  been  born  in  Ireland  about  1716.  Came 
to  Virginia  (probably  Brunswick  County,  see  Tyler's  Quarterly, 
Vol.  2  pg.  358)  and  was  surely  the  ancestor  of  Marmaduke  John- 
son, captain  of  artillery  in  Longstreet's  Brigade,  C.  S.  A.,  who 
is  said  to  have  been  complimented  for  bravery  by  General  Lee  on 
the  field  of  battle.  Data  is  desired  on  the  ancestry  as  well  as  on 
the  descendants  of  Marmaduke  Johnson  of  1716. 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY  281 

Information  is  also  desired  relative  to  Colonel  William  Rowley, 
of  Spottsylvania  or  King  George  County,  Va.,  mentioned  in  Hay- 
den's  Virginia  Genealogies,  page  704,  etc.,  who  seems  to  have  been 
the  ancestor  of  several  prominent  Virginia  families.  Who  were 
his  parents?  Was  he  born  in  Virginia?  A  Captain  William 
Rowley  is  mentioned  in  Va.  County  Records  Vol.  2,  as  participating 
in  Lord  Dunmore's  War.  Colonel  William  Rowley  may  have 
been  a  descendant  of  the  Rowley's  of  Rowley,  Co.  Salop,  Eng- 
land, one  of  the  oldest  and  most  distinguished  families  of  Great 
Britain,  as  the  name  William  appears  in  every  generation  for  more 
than  five  centuries. 

EMERSON  MILLER. 

1022  South  Second  Street, 

Louisville,  Kentucky. 

MORGAN  AND  Cox  FAMILIES. 

Ancestry  desired  of  James  Morgan,  and  his  wife,  Hannan  Cox. 
James  Morgan  b.  April  5,  1748,  in  Frederick  Co.,  Va.,  d  Mar.  1st, 
1840,  near  Valparaiso,  Ind.  Served  in  Rev.  War  with  Cap- 
tain William  Haymond's  Company  of  Monongolia  Co.,  Militia. 
Copy  of  Pay  Roll,  containing  names  of  five  Morgans,  in  possession 
of  writer;  Hannah  Cox  b.,  probably  near  Morgantown,  West  Vir- 
ginia, d.  in  1839,  near  Valparaiso,  Ind.  They  had  nine  children. 
A  daughter  Sarah,  m.  Jonathan  Butler,  Feb.  4,  1805,  Rev.  Manly 
officiating,  perhaps  a  Baptist  clergyman.  Marriage  recorded  in 
Morgantown,  W.  Va.,  as  well  as  various  Morgan  land  conveyances. 

Family  tradition  says  that  the  father  of  James  Morgan  was  a 
Rev.  soldier.  Proof  wanted.  The  family  of  James  Mor- 
gan, including  Sarah  Morgan  Butler,  husband  and  small  son, 
moved  to  Ohio  before  1806,  later  to  Indiana.  Interesting  data, 
especially  concerning  Sarah  Morgan  Butler's  journey  over  the 
plains  to  Oregon  in  1852,  available. 

Any  information  concerning  the  parents  of  James  Morgan  and 
his  wife,  Hannah  Cox,  greatly  appreciated.  Correspondence  with 
descendants  desired. 

MRS.  H.  W.  STONE. 

Wilder,  Idaho,  Route  1. 


282  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUAETEBLY 


KEVTEWS  OF  NEW  BOOKS. 

Wroth,  Lawrence  C.  A  history  of  printing  in  Colonial  Mary- 
land, 1686-1776.  By  Lawrence  C.  Wroth,  First  Assistant  Li- 
brarian of  the  Enoch  Pratt  Free  Library,  Baltimore.  Published 
by  the  Typothetae  of  Baltimore.  1922'.  275  pages. 

This  is  a  most  exhaustive  study  of  the  printing  press  and  litera- 
ture of  Colonial  Maryland.  There  seems  to  have  been  no  source 
that  was  not  carefully  investigated.  Mr.  Wroth  has  not  only 
assembled  all  the  information  that  could  be  obtained  about  his 
subject,  but  he  has  presented  it  in  a  most  attractive  manner.  The 
arrangement,  editing  and  style  of  the  book  are  hardly  to  be  ex- 
celled. This  work  will  rank  as  one  of  the  great  contributions  to  the 
history  of  Colonial  American  literature.  It  is  of  special  interest 
to  Virginians  on  account  of  the  fact  that  William  Nuthead,  first 
printer  of  Maryland,  was  undoubtedly  the  same  as  the  William 
Nulhead  or  Nuthead  who  was  employed  by  Buckner  when  he 
established  the  short-lived  press  at  Jamestown.  William  Parks,  who 
settled  at  Williamsburg  in  1730,  and  operated  a  press  there  until 
his  death  in  1751,  had  a  press  also  at  Annapolis,  which  had  been 
established  before  the  one  in  Virginia.  All  of  these  questions  are 
most  thoroughly  discussed.  Mr.  Wroth  has  added  a  most  elaborate 
bibliography  of  Maryland  imprints,  1689-1776,  a  fine  example  of 
what  work  of  this  nature  should  be.  Throughout  the  text  are 
many  fac  similes  of  title  pages.  The  typography  of  the  work  is 
as  excellent  as  its  editing.  The  Typothetae  of  Baltimore  seem 
to  have  hesitated  at  no  cost  in  order  to  provide  a  monumental 
work  of  typographical  excellence.  The  Committee  in  charge  of 
its  publication  was  Nathan  Billstein,  E.  B.  Passano,  G.  K.  Horn. 
The  author  and  publishers  were  fortunate  in  having  as  printer  Mr. 
Norman  T.  A.  Munder,  who  has  exercised  his  skill  to  the  utmost 
to  produce  a  book  worthy  of  the  highest  traditions  of  the  craft. 

Calvin  Morgan  McClung  historical  collection  of  books,  pamph- 
lets, manuscripts,  pictures  and  maps  relating  to  early  western  travel 
and  the  history  and  genealogy  of  Tennessee  and  other  Southern 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 


283 


States,  presented  to  the  Lawson  McGhee  library  by  Calvin  M.  Mc- 
Clung.     Knoxville,  Knoxville  Lithographing  Co.,  1921. 

This  catalog  of  200  pages  of  a  carefully  selected  collection  has 
been  prepared  according  to  the  best  bibliographical  standards.  The 
work  has  been  faithfully  and  skillfully  done  by  Miss  Louise  Luttrell, 
and  Miss  Mary  U.  Rothrock.  The  typographical  work  is  as  excel- 
lent as  the  editing.  It  is  encouraging  to  see  such  a  notable  collec- 
tion as  this  find  its  home  in  the  Lawson  McGhee  library.  It  was 
a  passion  of  Mr.  McOlung  to  collect  whatever  pertained  to  East 
Tennessee  and  the  adjoining  parts  of  North  Carolina,  Kentucky 
and  Virginia.  The  dispersion  of  such  a  library,  as  often  happens 
to  private  collections,  would  have  been  a  calamity.  The  State  of 
Tennessee,  and  in  fafct,  the  whole  South,  may  well  be  congratulated 
upon  the  far-seeing  generosity  of  Mrs.  McClung,  who  presented 
this  collection  to  the  Lawson  McGhee  Library.  This  carefully 
prepared  catalog  is  good  evidence  that  the  collection  has  been 
placed  in  good  hands. 


COL.   EDMUND   SCARBURG'S   "HEDRIC  COTTAGE." 


Hedric  Cottage,  the  residence  of  Col.  Edmund  Scarburg,  Sur- 
yeyor  General  of  Virginia  (1630  &c.)  is  located  at  the  bottom  of 


284  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

Seal-burg's  Neck  in  lower  Accomac  County,  (on  the  Eastern  Shore 
of)  Virginia.  Scarburg  had  extensive  business  interests  with  resi- 
dents of  Plymouth  and  vicinity  and  it  has  been  said  that  he  made 
use  of  parts  of  the  Mayflower  in  the  construction  of  Hedric  Cot- 
tage. The  Colonial  Eecords  show  that  Scarburg  once  owned  a 
vessel  by  the  name  of  Mayflower,  in  his  dealing  with  the  residents 
of  Plymouth  and  vicinity — the  question  is  was  this  Mayflower  the 
Mayflower  of  the  Pilgrims  of  1620? 

GRIFFIN  C.  CALLAHAN. 
No.  30  K  Morris  Ave.,  Chelsea,  Atlantic  City,  N.  J. 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY  285 

REV.  JOHN  LYON  TRIED  BY  A  COURT  MARTIAL  IN 
ACCOMACK  COUNTY,  AUGUST  8, 1781. 

Prom  Va.  State  Archives. 

Contributed  by  ROBT.  B.  MUNFORD,  JR., 
Member  Va.  Historical  Society. 

"At  a  Court  Martial  held  in  Accomack  August  8  1781  for  the 
trial  of  The  Revd  John  Lyon  on  a  charge  Exhibited  against  him 
by  Coll  John  Mapp  setting  forth  that  the  said  John  Lyon  on  the 
fifteenth  day  July  Anno  Domini  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and 
eighty  one  while  this  .state  was  invaded  both  by  land  &  water  by 
the  forces  of  the  King  &  Parliament  of  Great  Britain  did  furnish 
the  Enemy  aforsd  with  provisions  or  other  necessaries  and  did 
further  from  his  wicked  inclination  against  the  Independence  of 
the  United  States  of  America  diswade  &  discourage  the  militia  of 
the  County  aforsd  from  opposing  the  enemy  giving  the  said 
Enemy  intelligence  aid  &  comfort  by  voluntarily  going  on  board 
a  British  Barge  commanded  by  a  certain  Robertson  then  an  Enemy 
and  carrying  war  against  this  Common  Wealth  and  also  by  fur- 
ishing  the  said  Enemy  with  three  hundred  bushels  of  Oats  at  or 
near  Watt's  Island  in  the  County  aforsd: 

George  Corbin  Esqr  Judge  Advocate  being  present  and  the 
following  Commissioned  Officers  duly  sworn  as  a  Court  Martial 
(to  wit) 

Coll :  John  Cropper  President,  Coll :  William  Parramore,  Majr 
Henry  Custis,  Captains  William  Polk,  John  Custis,  Robert  Cole- 
burn,  William  Snead,  Elijah  Garret,  Zorobable  Rodgers",  &  Alex- 
ander Stokely ;  John  Dix  Lieut. ;  Thomas  Lillaston,  Thomas  Bur- 
ton, &  Benjamin  Peck  Ensigns. 

The  said  Prisoner  being  set  to  the  Bar  &  the  above  charge 
read  to  him,  he  said  that  he  was  not  of  any  part  thereof  guilty, 
whereupon  sundry  witnesses  being  sworn  &  examined  &  the  pris- 
oner heard  in  his  defence,  It  is  the  opinion  of  the  Court  that  he  is 
guilty  of  diswading  the  Militia  from  turning  out,  doing  their 
duty,  &  opposing  the  Enemy,  and  that  for  such  his  offence,  it  is 


286  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

the  sentence  of  the  Court  aforsd  that  lie  be  imprisoned  for  the 
.space  of  five  years  in  such  safe  place  as  his  Excellency  the  Gov- 
ernour  shall  direct  and  ordered  that  Cap1  Thomas  Parker  take  him 
into  custody  &  him  safely  keep  until  orders  are  received  from  his 
Excellency  concerning  him. 

The  Depositions  ta.ken  before  the  court  aforsd  in  this  matter 
are  as  follows  (To  wit) 

The  Deposition  of  William  Gibb  who  being  duly  sworn  here 
before  the  Court  deposeth  &  saith  that  on  the  thirteenth  day  of 
May  1781  near  the  upper  church  in  Sl  George's  Parish  in  the 
county  of  Accomack,  the  congregation  being  gathered  previous  to 
the  celebration  of  divine  service,  and  a  number  of  them  present 
discoursing  concerning  the  Enemy's  having  plundered  &  burnt  the 
dwelling  house  of  a  certain  John  Derby  a  captain  of  the  Militia 
he  the  Deponent  heard  the  said  John  Lvon  tell  the  people  that  it 
was  very  imprudent  for  the  Militia  to  fire  upon  the  enemy  coming 
up  in  their  Barges  to  plunder  that  they  (the  enemy)  had  no  orders 
to  burn  houses  provided  they  were  not  attacked  &  upon  this  depo- 
nent's asking  the  said  John  whether  they  had  or  had  not  orders  or 
permission  to  plunder  he  acknowledged  they  had  but  insisted  upon 
it  before  the  company  present  that  it  was  very  imprudent  to  oppose 
them  and  further  saith  not. 

William  Gibb 

Thomas  Teackle  deposed  that  the  said  John  Lyon  on  meeting 
him  some  time  in  the  month  of  April  last  ask'd  the  said  Deponent 
the  reason  why  he  so  strenously  endeavored  to  injure  him  by  re- 
porting that  his  vessel  carried  on  an  illicit  trade  &  why  he  tJireatned 
to  seize  her  on  her  return  and  then  told  this  Deponent  that  he  had 
better  be  peaceable  for  that  his  property  (to  wit  the  Deponents) 
lay  at  his  mercy  and  that  he  the  said  John  had  a  friend  at  Ports- 
mouth that  would  do  anything  for  him,  whereupon  the  Deponent 
told  him  he  would  do  his  duty  and  he  further  declared  that  in  the 
space  of  twelve  days  after  this  conversation  his  dwelling  house  was 
plundered  &  burnt  to  the  ground  by  the  enemys  barges.  And  fur- 
ther saith  not 

Thomas  Teackle 


WILLIAM  AND  MAEY  QUARTERLY  287 

William  Parramore  Deposes  that  the  said  John  Lyon  applied 
to  him  sometime  last  spring  to  purchase  a  vessel  together  in  com- 
pany that  he  the  said  John  would  take  half  of  her,  that  he  would 
go  in  her  himself,  but  desired  it  might  not  be  known  that  he  had 
any  share,  upon  this  deponents  telling  him  that  he  thought  it  too 
great  a  risk  at  that  time  said  John  Lyon  told  him  that  there  was 
no  danger  that  he  had  that  from  his  friend  which  would  render 
it  safe  for  the  vessel  to  pass  &  repass  and  further  saith  not 

William  Parramore 

The  Minutes  of  the  above  Court  Martial  were  signed 

John  Cropper 
Junr  Lieut  &  Presid1." 


"A  true  copy  test  William  Gibb  Clke." 


A  Letter  addressed  to  His  Excellency 

Thomas  Nelson  Junr  Esq.1    Endorsed  on  back  as  follows. 

"Augt  18  1781  From  Levin  Joynes  &  others  to  the  governor 
respecting  the  Revd  John  Lyon's  case." 

"Accomack  August  18  1781 
Sir 

We  are  induced  to  apply  to  your  Excellency  for  a  Eemission 
or  Mitigation  of  a  Sentence  passed  on  the  Reverend  John  Lyon 
(by  a  Court  Martial  held  in  this  County  the  8*  Instant)  to  five 
years  imprisonment.  From  a  review  of  the  Testimony  we  are  led 
to  think  the  sentence  severe,  but  are  far  from  meaning  to  cast  the 
Slightest  reflexion  on  the  Courte. 

As  the  people  here  are  just  now  very  much  irritated  as  well  as 
alarmed  by  the  plunderings  and  -Burnings  of  the  Barges  as  well  as 
the  more  aggravating  circumstances  of  murder  and  Robberies 
comitted  among  us  by  some  of  our  most  unworthy  countrymen,  but 
to  do  justice  to  him  we  petition  for  we  must  say  that  as  far  as  we 
have  heard  him  speak  of  such  conduct  it  has  been  with  the  greatest- 
abhorrence.  Such  an  act  of  Clemency  would  be  a  means  of  re-* 


iPile  Exec.  Papers  Thomas  Nelson  August  1-19,  1781.    Va.  State 
Archives. 


288  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

lieving  a  Most  Worthy  Woman  and  Three  children  from  real  dis- 
tress, their  only  dependence  being  on  the  Emoluments  arising 
from  his  office  as  rector  of  Saint  Georges  Parish,  and  we  trust 
would  not  injure  the  common  cause  as  he  might  be  put  under 
sufficient  restrictions  in  respect  to  his  future  behaviour;  which 
we  believe  he  fully  means  shall  be  friendly  and  inoffensive  so  as 
not  to  give  the  least  cause  of  suspicion;  or  he  would  engage  to 
leave  the  State  and  go  to  New  England  the  place  of  his  Nativity. 

Tho  we  could  wish  his  case  would  allow  him  to  continue  in  his 
parish  as  nine  tenths  of  the  people  in  it  are  of  the  Church  of  Eng- 
land and  we  believe  a  large  majority  would  wish  him  to  continue 
their  minister. 

We  are  with  due  respect 

Your  Excellency's 

Most  obedient  Servants 

Geo  Parker 
Levin  Joynes 
James  Arbuckle. 

— Parker, 

Edmd  Custis." 
His  Excellency  Thomas  Nelson  Junr.  Esqr. 


INSPECTION  OF  WHEAT. 

To  the  Honorable  Speaker  of  the  House  of  Delegates  and  the 
rest  of  the  members  of  the  Honorable  House — 

The  Petition  of  several  Merchants  and  other  Inhabitants  of 
the  Town  of  Alexandria  and  County  of  Fairfax  Humbly  sheweth 

That  the  Manufacturing  Wheat  has  been  for  some  years  past 
carried  to  such  an  extent  by  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Western  Coun- 
ties as  to  render  Flour  and  Broad  Staple  Commodities  of  the  State 
and  which  like  our  other  Staple  Tobacco  can  never  be  carried  on 
with  a  proper  Character  and  prospect  of  Success  to  Foreign  Mark- 
ets unless  every  precaution  and  care  is  taken  to  render  the  Quality 
of  them  equal  to  the  quality  of  the  Flour  and  Bread  shipped  from 
the  neighbouring  Sta.tes  That  the  Wheat  raised  upon  our  Lands 
is  in  quality  equal  to  the  wheat  raised  in  neighboring  States  is  a 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY  289 

point  not  denied  and  it  is  a  point  equally  certain  and  acknowl- 
edged that  in  all  Foreign  Markets  our  Flour  in  point  of  Char- 
acter and  we  greatly  fear  in  point  of  Quality  is  far  inferior  to  the 
Flour  of  the  neighbouring  States  and  this  your  Petitioners  can 
ascribe  to  no  other  cause  than  a  stricter  attention  being  paid  by 
them  to  the  Quality  of  the  Flour  which  they  intend  for  exporta- 
tion and  a  greater  exactness  in  examining  into  the  Flour  actually 
shipped  than  is  met  with  in  this  State — 

That  the  City  of  Philadelphia  has  for  a  number  of  years  carried 
on  a  very  extensive  Flour  Trade  and  the  Flour  shipped  from  that 
Port  has  been  generally  held  in  higher  estimation  in  all  Foreign 
Markets  than  the  Flour  Chipped  from  any  other  part  of  the  Con- 
tinent: This  your  Petitioners  conceive  must  arise  altogether  from 
the  different  modes  established  by  them  for  the  inspection  of  their 
Flour  founded  on  a  long  course  of  experience — 

That  the  Town  of  Baltimore  Tho'  young  in  that  Business  com- 
paratively speaking  yet  having  of  late  having  adopted  all  the  es- 
sentials of  the  Philadelphia  Inspection  begin  this  day  to  rival 
Philadelphia  in  that  Branch  of  Business  at  Foreign  Markets :  It 
is  unnecessary  for  your  Petitioners  to  point  out  to  the  honorable 
House  the  benefits  a  Country  will  enjoy  or  the  evils  it  will  sustain 
from  the  good  or  evil  reports  respecting  the  Quality  of  the  Staple — 

That  the  City  of  Philadelphia  from  long  experience  in  that 
Branch  of  Business  has  discovered  that  the  appointing  of  a  single 
Inspector  for  the  examination  of  all  Flour  brought  to  that  Port 
is  one  of  the  most  beneficial  regulations  they  have  ever  made  in 
that  Business  and  one  person  only  is  appointed  Inspector  with 
power  from  time  to  time  to  appoint  as  many  Deputies  under  him 
as  the  Throng  of  Business  will  require,  for  whose  abilities  and 
integrity  he  alone  is  responsible  This  Regulation  has  been  found 
upon  long  Trial  &  repeated  experiments  to  answer  every  end  better 
than  any  other  they  ha.ve  heretofore  adopted  and  these  your  Peti- 
tioners conceive  to  be  the  obvious  Causes  of  the  advantages  result- 
ing from  that  regulation  When  there  is  a  number  of  Inspectors  or 
more  than  a  single  one,  in  all  Cases  where  there  has  been  any  rc- 
missness  or  Inattention  in  passing  Flour  not  strictly  merchantable 
the  Censufe  has  fallen  indiscriminately  upon  the  Inspectors  by 


290  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

which  the  person  guilty  has  in  a  great  measure  escaped  the  Stigma 
by  bearing  only  a  divided  part  which  is  generally  considered  as 
none  at  all  and  this  motive  or  spur  to  a  proper  discharge  of  Duty 
being  in  a  great  measure  destroyed  the  Officer  becomes  remiss  and 
is  sometimes  tempted  to  become  criminal  Whereas  when  there  is 
but  a  single  person  to  perform  the  Duties  and  become  responsible 
for  the  Inadvertencies  or  Frauds  that  may  be  committed,  the  dread 
and  apprehension  of  a  detection  will  keep  up  an  attention  which 
will  rarely  be  procured  by  any  other  means  Besides  a  very  strong 
temptation  is  thrown  in  the  way  when  there  is  more  than  one  In- 
spector (and  the  odium  of  misconduct  through  that  means  divided 
&  in  a  great  measure  lost)  arising  from  the  Pecuniary  emoluments 
of  the  Business  for  as  each  Inspector  is  paid  for  the  services  re- 
spectively performed  by  him,  the  more  of  the  Business  he  can  draw 
to  himself  the  greater  will  be  his  emolument ;  this  will  lead  him  to 
be  less  rigid  in  the  Business  in  order  to  draw  the  bulk  of  it  to  him- 
self ;  for  the  Farmer  and  Miller  being  in  no  way  interested  in  the 
sale  at  Foreign  markets,  have  no  further  object  than  to  get  their 
Flour  passed  by  the  Inspector,  and  the  less  he  is  in  respect  to  the 
Quality,  the  more  they  can  make  of  it,  and  the  meanness  of  the 
Quality  will  induce  them  to  take  it  where  it  will  be  passed  with 
the  least  difficulty,  and  this  conduct  alone  would  in  a  short  time 
quite  reduce  the  quality  of  the  Staple  Your  Petitioners  therefore 
humbly  pray  the  Honorable  House  to  take  the  same  into  considera- 
tion and  adopt  those  measures  which  in  the  neighbouring  States 
has  discovered  to  be  so  highly  beneficial  in  appointing  only  one 
Inspector  of  Flour  at  the  different  places  where  Flour  is  received 
for  exportation  with  power  in  cases  of  emergency  to  nominate  and 
appoint  under  him  as  many  Deputies  as  may  be  necessary  for  his 
good  conduct  he  to  be  accountable  and  also  to  appoint  one  Inspector 
of  Bread  at  all  such  places  And  your  Petitioners  as  in  duty  bound 
shall  ever  pray  Etc. 

Danl.  Mc.Pherson  Jonah  Watson 

Isaac  Mc.Pherson  Dennis  Ramsay 

T  Marsteller  Francis  Peyton 

Jas.  Keith  Wm.  H.  Powell  &  Co. 

Thos.  Porter  Th.  Love 

Robert  Donaldson  Robinson  Sanderson    &  Rumney 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 


291 


John  Mc.Clanahan 
Win.  Hartshorne 
James  Lawrason 
John  Murray 
Andrew  Jamieson 
Win.  Hickman,  Jr. 
John  Dunlap 
Wm.  Hunter 
George  Hunter 
Wm.  Paton 
Jona.  Swift 
John  Brent 
Josiah  Thompson 
Thos.  Barclay 
Benj.  Shreve  ,• 

John  Saunders 
Eobt.  Coupar 
James  Kennedy 
Gurdon  Chapin 
John  Mc.Iver 
John  Hickman 
John  Allison 
James  McKinnay 
James  Hendricks 
Alex.  Smith 
Jesse  Taylor 
Robert  Allison 
Wm.  Hepburn 
Wm.  Mc.Knight 
Alex,.  Gordon 
Robert  Mc.Crea 
Robert  Mean 
Wm.  Newton 
John  Reynolds 
Ja,  Wood— W.  R.  D. 


W.  Woodson 

Saml.  Montgomery  Brown 

John  Muir 

Wm.  Halley 

John  Fitzgerald 

John  Harper 

Saml.  Davis 

Gabriel  Slacom 

William  Shreve 

Daniel  Douglass 

Wm.  Baker 

Wm.  Loury  &  Co. 

R.  W.  Ashton 

Wm.  Herbert 

John  Potts  Jr. 

Oliver  Price 

Wm.  Lyles 

John  Wise 

Jos.  &  Wm.  Busby 

Wm.  Summers 

Colin  Mc.Iver 

W.  Brown  ( ?) 

Gray  Douglass 

Thos.  Triplett 

Daniel  Roberdeau 

Will  Hunter 

Edw.  K.  Thompson  &  Co. 

Lund  Washington 

Rich.  Ratcliffe 

Benjamin  Gwinn 

John  Ratcliffe 

Joseph  Powell  Jr. 

R.  Peyton 

Geo.  H.  Lee 


Endorsed 


Merchants  of  Alexandria 

Their  Petition 
October  19,  1787 
Referred  to  Trade 


Reasonable  — reported 


292  WILLIAM  AND  MABY  QUARTERLY 


NAVAL  OFFICE  ON  THE  POTOMAC. 

To  the  Honourable  Mr.  Speaker  and  Gentlemen,  Delegates  for 
the  Commonwealth  of  Virginia.  Remonstrance  and  Petition  of 
the  Merchants  &  Adventurers  to  Sea,  in  the  town  of  Alexandria, 
Humbly  Sheweth  to  your  Honours, 

The  inconveniences  and  hardships  that  a  great  part  of  the 
traveling  People  in  Virginia  labour  under,  from  the  establishment 
of  the  Naval  Office  at  the  mouth  of  the  Potomac  or  near  it.  For 
a  considerable  distance  up  the  Eiver,  it  is  many  miles  wide.  In 
the  Spring,  Fall,  &  Winter  the  winds  hang  much  from  the  North- 
ward, are  generally  so  violent,  and  the  Virginia  shore  so  open  to 
them,  that  no  vessell  can  with  safety  ride  at  anchor  near  it,  but  in 
general  are  obliged  to  make  a  harbour  on  the  Maryland  side.  Be- 
sides every  day's  experience  proves  to  us  the  extreme  danger  Ves- 
sells  that  come  to  anchor  near  the  mouth  of  the  River,  either  to 
clear  out  or  to  enter,  whilst  the  enemy  so  commonly  watch  &  take 
those  under  sail  thereabouts.  How  much  more  dangerous  must 
the  situation  of  those  be,  that  are  obliged  to  come  to  anchorage  on 
the  Maryland  Side,  the  Captain,  and  at  least  four  of  his  crew,  go 
from  the  vessell,  several  miles  to  enter  or  clear  at  the  Virginia  Of- 
fice, in  which  time  the  Enemy  appears,  those  left  on  board  the  Ves- 
sell too  weak  to  get  her  under  way  to  make  their  escapes,  and  the 
Master  perhaps  looking  on,  unable  to  return  to  the  assistance  and 
care  of  his  Vessell.  This  is  a  matter  of  Consequence  to  those  to 
whom  the  present  Office  is  usefull,  we  wish  it  may  be  kept  open, 
and  to  those  whose  interest  it  is  to  have  another  established,  we 
pray  your  attention. 

Alexandria,  Dumfries  &  Colchester,  own  almost  all  the  Ves- 
sells  on  this  River,  and  their  is  scarcely  a  foreign  Vessell  but  what 
comes  addressed  to  some  Merchant  in  one  part  of  these  towns.  For 
these  reasons,  &  just  ones  we  think  they  are,  you  must  permit  us 
to  request  that  you  take  this  our  remonstrance  and  petition  under 
your  serious  consideration  &  that  you  pass  an  Act  for  a  separate 
Office  to  be  erected  and  established  in  the  Town  of  Alexandria,  and 
the  Officer  to  be  appointed,  to  be  obliged  to  reside  in  the  said  Town 


WILLIAM  AND  MABY  QUABTEBLT 


293 


and  the  Office  not  to  be  executed  by  a  Deputy.  In  this  case,  those 
whom  it  may  suit,  can  clear  out  at  the  present  Office,  and  the  Mer- 
chants and  Trading  People  at  Potomac  River  and  Foreigners  bound 
to  the  Towns  aforesaid,  can  with  safety  and  convenience  enter  and 
clear.  We  hope  your  Honours  will  think  our  request  highly  rea- 
sonable and  grant  us  relief  in  the  premises. 


William  Mc.Farland 

Richard  Arell 

Jacob  Cox 

Washer  Blount 

Benj.  Chapin 

John  Muir  0 

Thos.  Fitzpatrick 

George  Ross 

Meyler  E.  Lungmann  (?) 

John  Carlyle 

Wm.  Ramsay 

John  Mills 

Michael  Thorn 

James  Lannaman 

Robert  Harper 

Wm.  Pandy 

Wm.  Paton 

James  Stewart 

Allison  Ramsay 

Samuel  Arell 


Alexander  Lory 

Edward  Owens 

Wm.  Hunter 

Wm.  Herbert 

R  A.  Carter 

James  Adam 

Richard   Conway 

Robert  Adam 

Joseph  Harper 

Hooe  &  Harrisons 

Josiah  Watson 

Wm.  Hartshorne 

Mc.Crea  &  Mease 

Fitzgerald  &  Peers 

John  Harper 

Dow  &  Mc.Tror 

Reverse  Alexandria  Petition 
Oct.  25,  1779 
Refd.  to  propositions 
Reasonable 


Fairfax  County,  Oct.  19,  1779 

The  deposition  of  Capt.  John  Sandford  taken  before  me,  one 
of  the  Magistrates  for  the  County  aforesaid  &  in  the  Common- 
wealth of  Virginia. 

The  deponent  being  sworn  deposeth  and  saith  that  he  hath 
saild  from  the  town  of  Alexandria  to  Sea  these  eight  years  past,  in 
the  course  of  which  time  the  Vessells  to  which  he  belonged  &  com- 
manded have  frequently  been  detained  by  calling  at  the  Naval 
Office  so  as  to  loose  a  fair  wind  that  would  have  carried  them  to 
Sea  immediately,  &  that  therefore  they  have  been  obliged  to  wait 
till  a  shift  of  wind  which  has  taken  up  many  days  that  the  case 


294  WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY 

has  been  the  same  oftentimes  on  their  return  from  Sea  with  a  fair 
wind  that  would  have  brought  them  quite  to  Alexandria,  they  have, 
by  being  obliged  to  stop  to  enter,  been  detained  so  as  to  loose  their 
wind  and  taken  up  several  days  afterwards  in  getting  to  the  afore- 
said Town  against  head  winds — That  in  the  Winter,  Fall  and 
Spring  the  winds  frequently  blow  so  violently  upon  the  Virginia 
shore  as  to  oblige  Vessells  to  anchor  on  the  Maryland  Side,  that 
then  they  have  about  12  or  15  Miles  to  go  in  their  boats  to  the  Vir- 
ginia Side,  &  that  during  the  continuance  of  the  winds  no  row 
boat  can  return  or  board  the  Vessells  on  the  Maryland  Shore.  That 
he  on  his  return  from  Cape  Francois  last  December  12  months 
Came  too  in  the  schooner  Sidney  opposite  the  Virginia  Office  to 
enter,  that  the  wind  came  on  so  violently  as  to  part  both  his  cables, 
that  he  was  obliged,  and  it  was  with  difficulty  he  got  the  Vessell 
under  way,  that  he  stood  back  and  forward  in  the  Eiver  during  a 
whole  night,  and  next  morning  run  his  Vessell  ashore  in  Smith 
Creek  on  the  Maryland  shore  &  there  lay  till  he  could  draw  anchors 
— that  he  had  almost  his  whole  cargo  to  unlode  on  the  beach  before 
he  could  get  his  Vessell  off  again,  that  one  of  his  anchors  he  found 
again  &  that  the  other  was  totally  lost.  That  the  Office  lyes  ex- 
tremely open  to  the  Enemy  and  that  he  has  known  them  to  be  as 
high  up  the  River  many  times  and  has  frequently  heard  of  their 
taking  Vessells  thereabouts  and  further  saith  not. 
Sworn  before — 

Robert  Adam 

Capt.  R.  Sandford's  deposition 

A-459 

Fairfax  County,  Oct  19,  1779 

The  deposition  of  Capt.  Lawrence  Sandford  taken  before  me, 
one  of  the  Magistrates  for  the  County  in  the  Commonwealth  of 
Virginia. — 

The  deponent  being  sworn,  deposeth  and  saith  that  he  hath 
sailed  from  the  Town  of  Alexandria  to  Sea  these  fifteen  years  past, 
in  the  course  of  which  time  the  Vessells  to  which  he  belonged  and 
Commanded  have  frequently  been  detained  many  days  by  calling  at 
the  South  Potomack  Naval  Office  to  clear  and  enter ;  particularly 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY  QUARTERLY  295 

in  the  Winter  season,  he  has  been  obliged  to  stop  at  said  Office 
with  a  fine  Southerly  Wind,  that  would  have  carried  him  to  his 
destined  port  of  Alexandria,  that  while  he  was  entering,  the  wind 
has  chopped  about  to  the  Northwa  rd,  turned  intensely  cold,  blocked 
the  River  up  with  ice,  endangered  Vessell  and  Cargo  &  prevented 
his  getting  to  Alexandria  for  many  weeks. — That  the  Harbour  at 
said  Office  lies  so  exceedingly  bleak  &  open  to  Northerly  and  East- 
erly Winds,,  which  makes  the  Harbour  in  the  Winter  Season  very 
dangerous  for  Vessells  to  ride  in.  that  he  has  often  went  ashore  in 
his  Boat  and  before  he  could  get  his  business  done,  the  Wind  has 
spruhg  up  so  Violently  as  to  render  it  impossible  for  him  to  return 
to  his  Vessell  for  Twenty  Four  hours — the  Vessell  at  the  same 
time  bing  in  great  cfanger  of  being  driven  ashore. 

Sworn  before 

Robert  Adam 
Endorsement — 

Capt.  L.  Sandford's  Deposition 
A— 459 

Fairfax  County,  Oct.  19,  1779 

The  deposition  of  Capt.  Robt.  Conway  taken  before  me,  one  of 
the  Magistrates  of  the  County  in  the  Commonwealth  of  Virginia — 

The  deponent  being  Sworn,  deposeth  and  saith  that  he  has  saild 
from  the  Town  of  Alexandria  for  several  years  past,  in  the  course 
of  which  time  he  has  been  detained  at  the  South  pctomack  Naval 
Office — that  in  his  opinion  the  Harbour  at  said  office  is  extremely 
dangerous,  at  many  times  for  Vessells  to  lye  at,  it  being  so  much 
exposed  and  open  to  Northerly  and  Easterly  Winds  as  often  to  en- 
danger Vessells  driving  ashore — in  short  the  inconvenience  &  dan- 
ger are  so  obvious  that  they  are  not  worth  enumerating,  but  upon 
the  whole  he  thinks  it  is  a  very  improper  place  for  Vessells  to  call  at 
either  Inward  or  Outward  bound. 

Sworn  to  before 

Robt.  Adam 

Captain  Robt.  Conway's  Dep. 


COATS  OF  ARMS  beautifully  illuminated 
in  correct  colors,  etched  in  pen  and  ink,  or 
painted   in   black  and   white  water  color 
wash. 
Address 

MISS  JANE  C.  SLAUGHTER 

William  and  Mary  College 

Williamsburg,  Va. 


County  Court  Note  Book 

An  every-other  monthly  devoted  to  abstracts  from  the  County 
Court  and  other  records,  prior  to  1800,  and  with  a  department 
of  notes  and  queries. 

MILNOR  LJUNGSTEDT 

Editor  and  Publisher 

Bethesda,  Route  1,  Maryland 

ONE  DOLLAR  A  YEAR  IN  ADVANCE 

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RECORD  SEARCHER  AND  GENEALOGIST 
Wellington  Ave.,  Fleet,  Hants,  England 


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