George Washington’s papers

The two Passwater references (put on Passwater page) are of interest. And the onlty other one that is of clear interest is the 1758 poll sheet for Winchester. – Houseman, Jacob Gibson, Frost, Madden….

Britton

General Orders Document: Rev04d64 Author: Washington, George Date: 1776-04-19

Head Quarters, New York, April 19th 1776

Parole: Lexington. Countersign: Gardner.

The Colonels, and commanding Officers of Corps, are without delay to make up their Pay Abstracts, agreeable to the Order of the 14th Instant, and present the same for an Order for payment—Necessary Cloathing &c. must be immediately provided, for every Regiment, and Company, and the whole to be in readiness for service here, or elsewhere, as occasion shall require, as no excuses will be admitted to retard, or prevent a march, or embarkation whenever necessary to be commanded. The Muster Rolls must be immediately prepar’d, and the Muster Master General is to muster the whole, as soon as possible.

The Colonels who have received Money for the purchase of Arms, and Blanketts, are to make out their accounts of disbursments, and lodge them with the Abstracts, that a final Settlement may be made.

All Persons serving in the Continental Army without Commissions from Congress, are desired to give in their Names and Employments in writing, that the propriety of their appointments, and the nature of their duty may be judged of.

Major Crane to take command of the Continental Artillery at New York—All Reports, and Returns, of that Corps to be made to him.1

84

One Sub., one Serjt, two Corporals, one Drum, and eighteen Privates from Genl Heath’s Brigade, to be sent as soon as possible to Montresor’s Island, as a Guard for the small

pox Hospital—The Officer, non-commission’d Officers and soldiers, to be men that have had the small-pox. The Qr Mr General to supply a Boat and the Commissary, Provisions, for the above guard.2

James Britton of Capt. Draper’s Company, in Col. Bonds Regiment,3 tried at a late General Court Martial, whereof Col. Baldwin was President, for quitting his post when sentry, is found guilty by the Court, and adjudged to receive twenty Lashes—The General approves the sentence, and orders it to be executed at such time and place as Colonel Bond shall direct.

Varick transcript, DLC:GW.

1

Maj. John Crane commanded the artillery until Col. Henry Knox arrived at New York on 30 April.

2

Montresor’s Island (now called Randall’s Island) is at the mouth of the Harlem River. John Montresor (1736–1799), a veteran of the Braddock campaign who became the British army’s chief engineer in America in March 1774, bought the island in 1772 and lived there with his family throughout the war except for the period from 1775 to 1776 when he was with the army in Boston and Halifax. For objections to establishing a smallpox hospital on Montresor’s Island, see Gouverneur Morris to GW, 20 April 1776. British forces occupied the island on 10 Sept. 1776.

3

Moses Draper became a captain in Col. Thomas Gardner’s Massachusetts regiment in May 1775 and continued in that capacity under Col. William Bond who assumed command of the regiment after Gardner died from wounds suffered in the Battle of Bunker Hill. At this time the regiment was designated the 25th Continental Infantry.

Cite as: The Papers of George Washington Digital Edition, ed. Theodore J. Crackel. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, Rotunda, 2007.

From Brigadier General Hugh Mercer Document: Rev06d65 Author: Mercer, Hugh Recipient: Washington, George

Date: 1776-08-19

New Ark [N.J.] 19 Augt 1776

Sir,

This will be delivered at Head Quarters by Mr Ludwick; whom I sent for to Amboy in consequence of your Excellencys Letter of yesterday1—Inclosd is some Intelligence that may be of Consequence2—I am pushing on Troops to Bergen to the Amount of one Thousand—I hear the 3rd Virga Regt is on the March to join the Army—please to signify your Intentions as to the Disposition of such Virga Troops as may arrive—whether they are to proceed on to N. York or remain in the Flying Camp. I have the honour to be Sir Your excellencys Most obed. Sert

H. Mercer

ALS, DLC:GW.

1

This letter has not been found. Christopher Ludwick (Ludwig; 1720–1801), a native German who had served in the Austrian and Prussian armies before establishing himself as a gingerbread baker at Philadelphia in 1754, was a volunteer in the flying camp. When Ludwick arrived at headquarters later 79 this day, GW engaged him to distribute copies of Congress’s resolution of 14 Aug. offering inducements to German deserters (see GW to Hancock, this date). “Mr. Ludwig the bearer of this,” Joseph Reed wrote William Livingston on this date, “puts his Life in his Hand on this Occasion in order to serve the Interests of America. We cannot doubt your kind Advice & Assistance as to Mode but must beg it may not be communicated farther least a Discovery may be made which must prove fatal to Mr. Ludwig” (Prince, Livingston Papers, 1:119–20). In a brief letter to Livingston of 22 Aug., GW writes: “The Inclosed is left open for your perusal in hopes that you will be able to facilitate the design” (ALS, MHi: Livingston Papers). Although that enclosure has not been identified, it probably concerned Ludwick’s mission. Ludwick crossed to Staten Island on the night of 22 Aug. but “returned disappointed” to Elizabeth the next day (Livingston to Mercer, 23 Aug., ibid., 124). Ludwick may have been more successful a few days later (see GW to Hancock, 26 Aug.).

During the following fall and spring, Ludwick attempted to persuade Hessian prisoners of war to defect to the American cause (see Hancock to GW, 16 Nov. 1776, DLC:GW, and Ludwick to Congress, 8 Mar. 1777, DNA:PCC, item 41). On 3 May 1777 Congress appointed Ludwick superintendent of bakers and director of baking for the Continental army, and he served as such until 1782 (see JCC, 7:323–34; 19:159; Ludwick to Congress, March 1785, DNA:PCC, item 41; and GW’s certificate for Ludwick, 12 April 1787, DLC:GW).

2

Mercer enclosed the 18 Aug. examination of a Captain Britton, whose brig had carried 400 light horsemen from Halifax to Staten Island, and the undated examination of Jonathan Woodman, Isaac Osborne, and Robert Peas, seamen who had been captured by the British warship Cerberus in June and recently had escaped from a transport in New York Harbor (both are in DLC:GW).

Britton says: “From the best intelligence that he could collect, there are about Seven Hundred Light Horse on Staten Island, it is thought there are about twenty five Thousand Effective Men Eleven Thousand of which are Hessians—The General report was that they intended to attact Long Island first and if possible to Storm the Fort opposite the City in Order to prevent their Shippin[g] being Anoy’d when the Attack is made on New York.

“The Hessians were Landing on Staten Island as fast as possible when he left it—and from a conversation he had with several Hessian Officers he has no doubt from Proper encouragement & opportunity they would Join the Americans. That Capt. Talbot of the Niger with two other Frigates had received Orders to go round the East end of Long Island into the Sound in Order to cut off the communication between Long Island & the Main. That it is generally thought They mean to Attack Long Island with their Grenadiers and Light Infantry, and at the same time to send the remainder of their Army up the North River and Land above the Town by which means they expect to secure General Washington & the Army without firing a Shot. That Capt. Britton beleives the Attack is only delay’d untill a favourable Wind and Tide offers as they intended it on Saturday Morning last [17 Aug.], that they are certain of Success as they are of Opinion our Men will not Stand more than one Fire, 80 that the mode of Attack is to give one Fire and then rush on with Fix’d Bayonets. That a number of Boats from Long Island came over with fresh Provisions and intelligence during his confinement, and that a Negro from Statend Island goes over to the Jersey shore every night to receive Letters lodged in some Private Place, and that he beleives they have daily intelligence of all our Movements.

“A Negro escaped from Statend Island this morning who says that all the Troops from this Quarter, were to march on Wednesday next [21 Aug.], and to be replaced by Hessians” (DLC:GW).

The three seamen say in their examination “that the Phenix man of War was grappled by one of Our Fire Ships & Narrowly escaped being burnt—That the Ships in their passage down received some Shots & the Phenix had One Man killed. That on Thursday night last a Boat came from the Phenix down to the Fleet, a Lieutt in which received a Cannon Ball through his thigh from One of Our Batteries—The Accounts as to the Number of the Enemies Troops are Various—That the Army is sickly especially Ld Dunmore’s who brought but 106 Black & White with him—That Genl Clinton’s Conduct at Charles Town is much blamed—he is accused of Cowardice & some say he will be hanged. That before 9 OClock Boats are suffered to pass through the Fleet without Interruption—That they have built about 20 New flat Bottom Boats—Every Ship besides having One. That last Week several Troops were embarked—some Yesterday & the Ships that received them all unmoored. That the Hessian Troops appear old & Indifferent. That the

Highlanders seem very desirous of deserting, Three of whom have been lately taken in the Attempt & hanged & one Shot” (DLC:GW).

Cite as: The Papers of George Washington Digital Edition, ed. Theodore J. Crackel. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, Rotunda, 2007.

To John Hancock Document: Rev06d73 Author: Washington, George Recipient: Hancock, John Date: 1776-08-20

New York Augt 20th 1776

Sir

I was yesterday Morning favoured with yours of the 17th, accompanied by Several Resolutions of Congress, and Commissions for Officers appointed to the late Vacancies in this Army.

I wrote some days ago to Genl Schuyler, to propose to Genls Carleton & Burgoyne an Exchange of prisoners in consequence of a former Resolve of Congress authorizing their Commanders in each Department to negociate One.1 That of Major Meigs for Major French, and Captain Dearborn for any Officer of equal 92 rank, I submitted to Genl How’s consideration by Letter on the 17th, understanding their paroles had been sent him by Genl Carleton, but have not yet received his Answer upon the Subject.

In respect to the Exchange of the prisoners in Canada, If a proposition on that head has not been already made, and I believe It has not, the Inclosed Copy of Genl Carleton’s Orders transmitted me under Seal by Major Bigelow, who was sent with a Flag to Genl Burgoyne from Tyconderoga with the proceedings of Congress on the breach of Capitulation at the Cedars & the Inhuman treatment of our people afterwards, will shew It is unnecessary, as he has determined to send them to their own provinces there to remain as prisoners, Interdicting at the same time All kind of Intercourse between us & his Army, except such as may be for the purpose of Imploring the Kings Mercy. The Assassination he mentions of Brigadr Genl Gordon is a fact entirely new to me, and what I never heard of before. I shall not trouble Congress with my Strictures upon this Indecent, Illiberal and Scurrilous performance so highly unbecoming the Character of a Soldier and a Gentleman, Only observing that Its design is somewhat artfull, and that each Boatman with Major Bigelow was furnished with a Copy.2

I have also transmitted Congress a Copy of the Majors Journal, to which I beg leave to refer them for the Intelligence reported by him on his return from the Truce.3

By a Letter from Genl Greene Yesterday Evening he informed me, he had received an Express from Hog Island Inlet advising that 5 of the Enemy’s Small Vessells had appeared at the Mouth of the Creek with some Troops on board—also That he had heard Two pettiaugers were off Oister Bay, the whole supposed to be after live Stock and to prevent their getting It, he had detached a party of Horse & Two Hundred & Twenty men among them, Twenty Rifle men.4 I have not received further Intelligence upon the Subject.

I am also advised by the Examination of Captn Britton, Master of a Vessel that had been taken, transmitted me by Genl Mercer, that the Genl Report among the Enemy’s Troops was when he came off, that they were to Attack Long Island and to secure Our Works there If possible at the same time that Another part 93 of their Army was to land above this City5—This Information is corroborated by many other Accounts and is probably true—Nor will It be possible to prevent them landing on the Island, As Its great Extent affords a variety of places favourable for that purpose, and the Whole of our Works on It are at the end opposite to the City. However we shall attempt to harrass them as much as possible which will be all that we can do. I have the Honor to be with Sentiments of the greatest esteem Sir Yr Most Obed. Servt

Go: Washington

LS, in Robert Hanson Harrison’s writing, DNA:PCC, item 152; LB, DLC:GW; copy, DNA:PCC, item 169; Varick transcript, DLC:GW. Congress read this letter on 22 Aug. and referred it to the Board of War (JCC, 5:695).

1

See GW to Schuyler, 7 August.

2

For Guy Carleton’s order of 7 Aug., see Schuyler to GW, 16 Aug., n.1. The copy of the order enclosed with this letter is incorrectly dated 4 Aug. (DNA:PCC, item 152). Patrick Gordon, lieutenant colonel of the 29th Regiment, was appointed an acting brigadier general in Canada by Carleton in June 1776. On 25 July Gordon was ambushed and fatally wounded near Chambly by Lt. Benjamin Whitcomb’s scouting party (see Whitcomb’s journal, 14 July—6 Aug. 1776, DLC:GW). Carleton’s order, Matthias Ogden wrote Aaron Burr on 11 Aug., is “truly ridiculous. . . . But there is one part of it in which I think they in some measure accuse us justly: I mean that of assassinating, as they term it with too much truth, Brigadier-General Gordon. He was shot by the Whitcomb I mentioned in my last, who had been sent there as a spy. The act, though villa[i]nous, was brave, and a peculiar kind of bravery that I believe Whitcomb alone is possessed of. He shot Gordon near by their advanced sentinel; and, notwithstanding a most diligent search

was made, he avoided them by mere dint of skulking” (Force, American Archives, 5th ser., 1:901; see also extract of a letter from Albany, 12 Aug. 1776, ibid., 923).

3

John Bigelow (1739–1780) of the Connecticut independent artillery company was at the British outpost on Île aux Noix from 28 July to 8 August. “I observed during my Stay there,” he says in his journal, “that they paraded, at different times, their officers in an ostentatious Manner, and with the manifest Intent to lead me into the Belief of their being very numerous, but I do not think that I saw above forty of them during the whole time, and more than sixteen together. They displayed the very same Pageantry, respecting five or six Batteaus, appearing exceedingly busy in carrying some Timber to the Isle, merely to shew themselves, and give their preparations a formidable Appearance. They have been employed about building a very large Bake House & perhaps for the same Reason. All the new Batteau’s I cou’d see about the Island amounted to no more than Twelve. They talk much of Hessians and Hanoverians, but I saw none” (Bigelow’s Journal, 23 July—10 Aug. 1776, DNA:PCC, item 152; see also the copy in DLC:GW).

94

Bigelow, who was a native of Hartford, Conn., served as a volunteer under Arnold at Ticonderoga in May 1775, and in January 1776 he raised his independent artillery company in Connecticut. During the fall of 1776 Bigelow commanded the artillery on Mount Independence near Ticonderoga (see Gates’s general orders, 15 Oct. 1776, in Force, American Archives, 5th ser., 3:528). Bigelow declined appointment as major of Col. Samuel Wyllys’s 3d Connecticut Regiment in February 1777 (see Hinman, Historical Collection, 408), and during the ensuing months he apparently served in the militia. In March 1778 Governor Trumbull appointed Bigelow to superintend the making of clothing for Continental troops, and the council of safety directed him to procure clothing for the state’s Continental officers (ibid., 527–28, 533).

4

This letter has not been found. Hog Island (now called Centre Island) is at the mouth of Oyster Bay on the north side of Long Island.

5

For Captain Britton’s intelligence of 18 Aug., see Hugh Mercer to GW, 19 Aug., n.2.

Cite as: The Papers of George Washington Digital Edition, ed. Theodore J. Crackel. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, Rotunda, 2007.

From Edmund Richards Document: Con02d212 Author: Richards, Edmund Recipient: Washington, George Date: 1785-02-01

Plymo[uth]. Dock [England] Febry 1st/85

Honoured Sir

I most humbly presume to take on me the freedom of acquainting your Noble Excellency that Richard Richards of Guynepe parish in the County of Cornwall lately posses’d of Severall plantations in Virginia and died there about 37 years Agone and left a Will in the possesion of your Excellency’s hands Concerning the plantations with fourteen thousand pounds in Cash And by proof the will being produced the whole was left to Edmund Richards being my father and I being call’d Edmund after my Father’s own Name but Richard Richards the Younger Brother of my fathers, after My father’s death posses’d the plantations for Severall Years and died about 18 or 19 Years ago and he being Very Intimately acquainted with your Excellency left the Will in Your Hands with all the 316 Cash and Lands belonging to Richard Richards As your Excellency offer’d to be a Trustee for the same and whereas your Excellency was pleas’d to appoint Lawyer Haines of Virginia to draw out a Copy of the will and to Send itt to Lawyer Britton of Collumpton To have the Copy advertiz’d in the public papers So as to find out the Nearest Relation and I Edmund Richards hearing of the Same Can with every circumstance of truth prove that Richard Richards Was my Only Uncle Brother to My father Edmund Richards as no Other person can with fidelity and truth prove any other and now With advice from my Lawyer and Severall Responsible Gentlemen As Every thing being Settled Amicably between Great Brittain and the United States of America took this opportunity of Sending to your Excellency To Enquire into every particular Circumstance So as I might have itt from Under Your hand Whatt is my true and lawfull right as Me and no other Can Claim a Just and proper right to it.

And now Sir your Excellency will I hope be Carefully pleas’d to peruse this and youll find that the Whole properly belongs to me And I hope your Excellency on receiving this or Some Short Time After will be so Kind and Obligeing as to Send me the Whole particulars and in So doing youll Ever oblige Sir Your Excellency’s Most Obedient Humble Servt to Command.1

Edmund Richard’s

LS, DLC:GW; copy, DLC:GW. Both copies of the letter are addressed to “His Excellency General Washington of the United States Congress in America.” The LS sent to GW by Richards is written in what appears to be a clerk’s hand; the copy, which is marked “copy” and was enclosed in a letter to GW from Richard Thomas of 13 Aug.

1785 (see note 1), is either the copy of the letter that Richards sent Thomas or a copy of that made by Thomas.

1

GW wrote Richards on 15 June 1785 that he had “never heard of the man, his Will, or the Estate.” This did not put an end to the matter, however. In late fall 1785 GW received a letter written on 13 Aug. 1785 from Richard Thomas of Charleston, S.C, enclosing a letter from Richards making Thomas his attorney in America to recover for him the estate in Virginia that he claimed to have inherited. GW wrote Thomas on 5 Dec. 1785 with some irritation that Richards was “under a delusion which has not a single reality for support.” Before receiving this letter, Thomas wrote again on 10 Dec. asking for the supposed will and then, on 25 July 1786, wrote GW a letter of apology.

Cite as: The Papers of George Washington Digital Edition, ed. Theodore J. Crackel. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, Rotunda, 2007.

From Richard Thomas Document: Con03d152 Author: Thomas, Richard Recipient: Washington, George Date: 1785-08-13

Charleston So. Carolina 13th Augst 1785

Hond Sir

Having received the enclosed Letter this day from England, have taken the first opportunity of transmitting it to your Excellency.1

As the affair has lain dormant so long, it may be some time before it can be properly adjusted; but it appears by this as well as other letters I have received, that this Edmund Richards (of the County of Cornwall) is the right Heir to the Estate of Richd 182 Richards Esqr. who died in Virginia eighteen years ago. A Copy of the Will I find has been sent by Lawyer Hains to Lawyer Britton of Cullumpton in Devonshire, but he has been dead many years, & the copy cannot be found, so the matter must be left entirely to your Excellency’s directions.

I shall esteem it an unbounded favor to have a copy of the Will, together with other particulars for the information of Mr Richards, who has appointed me to act the same as he could do, was he present.2

The situation of my Affairs in this City will not permit me to wait immediately on your Excellency in Person, but if the least matter will remain unsettled thro’ my non attendance, Your Goodness will be pleased to inform me, & I will repair to Virginia with all speed.

I hope your Excellency will be kind enough to interest yourself in this important affair, & whatever directions may be necessary for Mr Richards, by transmitting them to me at Doctor Neufville’s No. 108 Broad Street will be conveyed to him with all possible dispatch. I have the Honor to be with profound respect Hond Sir Your Excellency’s Obedt Humble Servt

Richd Thomas

ALS, DLC:GW.

1

The enclosed letter, marked “(A True Copy),” from Edmund Richards to GW, 1 Feb. 1785, is in fact not a copy of the letter of that date which was sent to GW and is printed above; it rather is a version of that letter, quite differently worded but conveying the same meaning.

2

For references to GW’s exchanges of letters with Thomas and Richards in which GW makes it entirely clear that he has never heard of Richard Richards or his will, see note 1 in Edmund Richards’s letter of 1 Feb. 1785. GW answered this letter of 13 Aug. on 5 Dec., saying that he had just received it. Before getting GW’s response, Thomas wrote again, for which he apologized on 25 July 1786.

Cite as: The Papers of George Washington Digital Edition, ed. Theodore J. Crackel. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, Rotunda, 2007.

Maiden

Cash Accounts Document: Col09d329 Author: Washington, George Date: 1774-03-01 to 1774-03-31

[March 1774]

Cash Mar. 12— To Cash of John Reiley for Rent [£] 6. 0. 0

To Ditto recd from Colo. Saml [Washington] for Rents recd by him of Alexr Fryer, Anthy Gholson & Saml Scratchfield 14.15. 0 To Ditto recd from Anthy Gholson—Rent 4. 0. 0

20— To Ditto recd of Josh Kerlin—Rent 6. 0. 0

25— To Cash recd of Michl Henry for Rent of Mr Wm Ellzey1 5. 0. 0

26— To Ditto recd of Richd Lee Esqr. of Maryld pr Doctr Craik for 3 Barrls of Flour2 5.11. 2

31— To Ditto Recd from Mr Geo: Johnson on Acct of Captn Kennedy’s Rent3 13.17. 5 504

Contra Mar. 12— By a Clerks Note Berkeley4 0. 7. 3 19— By Cash given away 0.10. 0

By Mr Young’s Exps. to Fincastle &ca5 3. 0. 9 By Charity 4. 6. 0

22— By Cash pd Gilbt Simpson Balle acct 61. 7. 0

By Ditto lodgd with Do to defray the Exps. of buildg a Mill on Yougy6 60. 0. 0

25— By Mr Robt Washington7 30. 0. 0

By Cash paid Levin Fullin for 1125 feet of extra 1¼ Inch Flooring Plank 5.12. 6

By Ditto paid Do for 5838 feet of comn 1½ Inch Do 25.13. 9

28— By Cash pd Mr Thos Price for a Bricklayer named Isaac Web £30 Md Cy8 24. 0. 0 By 5 Horses bought at Frederick Town [Md.]

viz. A Sorrell Horse £23.10.0 Chestnut Ditto Flaxen Mane & Tail 20.     

76.17. 3

Sorrell Mare with a White Main & Tail 18.     

2 White Horses 32.      Expences in gettg & bringg them   2.11.6

96. 1.6 deduct 25 prCt Excha.  19. 4.3

By Mr Vale Crawfords Exps. to Baltimore after Servants £6.6.10 Pena.9 5. 1. 6

By Ditto towards conductg my Business on the Ohio10 30. 0. 0

By Peter Luke & Mabrey Maddin two Wagoners £4 each11 8. 0. 0 By Cash pd William Stevens12 4. 2.10 By Ditto pd Bennet Jenkins 0.12. 0

AD, Ledger B, 105–6.

1

John Reiley leased a 200–acre tract in Berkeley County on the South Fork of Bullskin at the end of 1772 until his death in 1786 (Ledger B, 71; Lists of Tenants, 18 Sept. 1785, n.1). This was the same land leased earlier to William Peterson (see GW to Samuel Washington, 4 Feb. 1773, n.4). For the lands rented by Alexander Fryer and Anthony Gholson, see Cash Accounts, March 1771, n.3, GW to Samuel Washington, 6 Dec. 1771, n.5, and Lists of Tenants, 505 18 Sept. 1785, n.6. Samuel Scratchfield rented 113 acres at the head of Worthington’s Marsh in Berkeley County from 1773 until as late as 1785. This land which rented for £4 per year had formerly been rented by David Rankin (Ledger B, 32). Joseph Kerlin leased a lot “in the Barrens of Bullskin” from 1773 which beginning in 1784 was rented by Thomas Grigg (Ledger B, 101; Lists of Tenants, 18 Sept. 1785, n.4). In the Day Book, 24 Mar.—25 Oct. 1774, GW has “pr Mr Wm Ellzey,” and he has added to the entry: “N.B. Mr Ellzey hath overpd in this countg Dollars at 6/,” a total of eight shillings.

2

Richard Lee (c.1707–1787) of Blenheim, Charles County, Md., usually called Squire Lee, was naval officer of the Potomac district of Maryland and president of the Maryland council. He is often confused with his cousin Richard Lee of Lee Hall, naval officer of the South Potomac district in Virginia, who was also called Squire Lee.

3

For the land leased by David Kennedy, see Cash Accounts, March 1767, n.4, and GW to Samuel Washington, 6 Dec. 1771, n.5. Johnston dined at Mount Vernon on this day (Diaries, 3:241).

4

GW’s Day Book reads “pd a Clerks note in Berkeley.” The Day Book also includes entries for 8 through 16 Mar. which record GW’s expenses incurred while on his trip to Berkeley County. He lists money paid “at [John] Mosss,” “at Goose Creek Ferry,” “at Shannondoah,” “at [Charles] Alexanders,” to “[Lewis] Lemarts Children,” “at Robert Ashbys,” and for servants. On 15 Mar. while staying at Lewis Lemart’s place on the Loudoun-Fauquier county line, GW spent the day “till the Afternoon with my Tenants & making Leases” (ibid., 239). Among the leases given on this day were ones to William Dulin, Isaac Milner, Peter Romaine (Romine), William Thompson, and Edward Wiseley, all for land parcels which were located near Lost Mountain in Fauquier County and part of a 3,112–acre tract called Springfield (Fauquier County Deed Book 6, 73–96). On 16 Mar. while he was on Bullskin, GW gave a deed to William Bartlett for 125 acres in Berkeley County (PWW).

5

GW’s Day Book includes this entry on 20 Mar.: “To Ditto recd from Mr Young after deducting £3.0.9 for his Expences—16.19.<illegible>.” Young had delivered letters and a warrant for survey to Andrew Lewis and William Preston. See Preston to GW, 7 Mar., and Lewis to GW, 9 March.

6

For the mill being built on the Youghiogheny River, see Simpson to GW, 5 Oct. 1772, source note, and 20 Aug. 1774, n.2.

7

On 23 Mar. Lund Washington’s brother Lawrence Washington (1740–1799) of the Chotank area of the Northern Neck signed the following receipt: “Then Receivd from George Washington the Currt Sum of Thirty pounds for the use of Mr Robt Washington—it being on Acct of two Negros sold by him to the said George” (owned in 1980 by Mr. Gilbert Amat, Barbizon, France). This was GW’s last payment for two slaves bought of Robert Washington. See GW to Fielding Lewis, 20 April 1773, n.12, and Cash Accounts, May, November 1773.

8

According to the entry in the Day Book, 24 Mar.—25 Oct. 1774, the money was paid “in presence of Mr Vale Crawford for Isaac Webb an Indented Bricklayer.” The 24–year-old Webb was listed as a “Mason” on his indenture with John Moorfield of Bristol, England.

Moorfield assigned the 506 indenture to GW: “I hereby Assign unto Coll George Washington all my Right & title to the within Named Isaac Webb his time to begin from the Arrival of the Restoration Capt. Thomas into the Province of Maryland it being the 22d Day of March 1774” (Isaac Webb’s indenture, 31 Jan. 1774, DLC:GW).

9

See William McGachen to GW, 13 March.

10

See GW to Valentine Crawford, 30 March.

11

Peter Luke and Mabrey (Mawbrey) Maddin of Frederick County were being paid the first of three installments for “25½ days Waggonage of Goods to Red-stone Stettlement @ 12/ pr day & provisions found you & Horses.” The final payment was on 27 July 1774, making a total of £15.6 paid (Ledger B, 102).

12

In his Day Book, 24 Mar.—25 Oct., GW added, for both Stevens and Jenkins, that the money was “towards his Wages.” In DLC:GW there is this extract from an indenture dated 21 Feb. that GW made with William Stevens: “And, lastly the said William Stevens doth hereby consent and agree, that if by sickness or any other unavoidable means he, or any of the five persons engaged by him shall loose any time, a deduction is to be made from his or their wages for the time so lost in proportion to what they are to receive.” Immediately below the extract is written: “N.B. The Agreement of Bennet Jenkins and Jason Jenkins is the same.”

Cite as: The Papers of George Washington Digital Edition, ed. Theodore J. Crackel. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, Rotunda, 2007.

Gibson

Enclosure V

Frederick County Poll Sheet, 1758

Document: Col05d257

Date: 1758-07-24

Poll taken in Frederick County 24th July 1758 Colo. T. B. Martin Colo. G. Washington Thos Swearingen Hugh West Lord Thos Fairfax Fairfax Revd Wm Meldrum Meldrum

Colo. Jas Wood Wood Colo. Jno. Carlyle Carlyle Adam Hunder Hunder Fielding Lewis Lewis Charles Dick Dick

Alexr Woodroe Woodroe Robt Ashby Ashby James Craik Craik

Isaac Perkins Perkins Tho. Lemon Lemon

Alexr Vance1 Vance Alexr Ogleby Ogleby Peter Woolf Woolf

Char. Smith Smith Philip Glass Glass Paul Frouman Frouman Isaac White White

Edmund Lindsey Lindsey John Smith Smith Tobias Burk Burk Wm Cochran Cochran

Wm McKee2 McKee Peter Stephens Stephens

Saml Isaacs Isaacs Willm Russell Russell

335 Richd Foley Foley

George Hampton Hampton Andw Blackburn Blackburn

Andw Calvin Calvin Abra: Fry Fry Jacob Fry Fry Martin Cryter Cryter

Joseph Lupton Lupton Jams Ballenger Ballenger

George Keller Keller

Josiah Ballenger Ballenger Jno. Anderson Anderson Job Pugh Pugh

Joseph Fry Fry Benja. Fry Fry Geo. Whitzell Whitzell Jno. Snap Jr Snap Jr Jno. Snap Snap Simon Carson Carson Danl Stover Stover Nichl. Painceller Painceller Peter Jordan Jordan Thos Ashby Ashby

Aaron Jenkins Jenkins Henry Stephens Stephens Michl Poker Poker Noah Hampton Hampton Jacob Burner Burner Jacob Strickler Strickler Jno. Hasberger3 Hasberger Jno. Bumgardner Bumgardner Benja. Strickler Strickler Christr Clack4 Clack

Willm Patterson Patterson Davd Snodgrass Snodgrass Jno. Glenn Glenn Geo. Paul Paul Char. Perkins Perkins Davd Miller Miller Isaac Evans Evans

David Chester Chester Henry Funk Funk

Jams Wright Wright Lawe Pence Pence Saml Blackburn Blackburn

336 Thos Babb Babb

Jacob Cochener Cochener Simeon Hiet5 Hiet

David Glass Glass John Road Road Charles Baker Baker

Jos. Thompson Thompson Lawe Stephens Stephens Robt Wilson Wilson Robt Allan Allan

Wm Pickering Pickering Henry Easton Easton

Jacob Moon Moon Saml Beam Beam

Jno. Snodgrass Snodgrass Revd Jno. Hoge Hoge Martin Funk Funk Reginald Baldin6 Baldin Jos: Fossett Fossett Geo. Wright Wright Jacob Wright Wright Richd Barber Barber

Jesse Pugh Pugh Step: Hotzenbella Hotzenbella Robt Rutherford Rutherford Wm Evans Evans Saml Fry Fry James Vance Vance Jno. Blair Blair Thos Chester Chester Geo. Hardin Hardin John Cook Cook Lews Smallsolfer Smallsolfer

Thos Louden Louden David Vance Vance David Wright Wright Saml Vance Vance Robt Marney Marney

Nichs Schrack Schrack Andw Vance Vance Jno. Bentley Bentley Christr Windle Windle Augusts Windle Windle Jacob Bowman Bowman

Jos: Horner Horner Geo: Bower Bower Jno. Allan Allan Taylor7

337

Jams Wilson Wilson Ulrich Stoner Stoner Robt Wilson Jr Wilson Jr Wm Wilson Wilson

Willm Lupton Lupton Thos Ellis Ellis

Evan Thomas Thomas John Dyer Dyer Henry Biber Biber Martin Black Black

Danl Johnston Johnston Robt Steward8 Steward

Saml Pearson Pearson Henry Cloud Cloud

George Pemberton Pemberton John Vanmetre Vanmetre Edwd Dodd Dodd

Jams Lindsey Lindsey Thos Wilson Wilson Robt Halfpenny Halfpenny

Philip Babb Babb Nathl Carr Carr Jams Burne Burne

Jacob Sower Sower Dennis Bow Bow

Jona. Seamon Seamon Jno. Houseman Houseman Davd Dedrick Dedrick Vale Windle Windle Matthw Calman Calman Joseph Funk Funk

Jams Hoge Jr Hoge Jr Abra. Vanmetre Vanmetre

John Thomas Thomas Godfrey Humbert Humbert

Jonas Hedge Hedge Jno. Stickley Stickley Thos Postgate Postgate Jos: McDowell McDowell Edwd Corder Corder

Morgan Morgan Jr Morgan Jr John House House

Henry Heath Heath Thos Reece Reece

Magnes Tate Tate Thos Hampton Hampton Jams Grinnen Grinnen

338 Willm Cromley Cromley Thos Doster Doster

Thos Waters Waters Edwd Griffith Griffith

Jos. Wilkenson Wilkenson Wm Glover Glover

Jno. Sewell Sewell Robt Cuningham Cuningham

Josh: Edwards Jr Edwards Jr Jams Carter Carter

Willm Gaddis Gaddis Jacob Reece Reece Edwd Lucas Lucas

Robt Buckles Buckles Joseph Glass Glass

John Taylor Taylor Jno. Burden Burden

Henry Rinker Rinker Jno. Stroud Stroud

Jacob Sebert Sebert Jno. Funkhouser Funkhouser George Henry Henry

Nichls Hanshaw Hanshaw Robt Glass Glass

Owen Thomas Thomas Jno. Keywood Keywood

Robt Haines Haines Saml Odle Odle Zebuln Tharp Tharp

Davd Morgan Morgan Jacob Gibson Gibson Geo. Bowman Bowman Robt Johnston9 Johnston Joseph Strickler Strickler

Christr Bealer Bealer George Ross Ross

Thos Sharp Sharp Patk Rice Rice Edwd Rice Rice Geo. Rice Rice Wm McMachen10 McMachen John Cromley Cromley Joseph Calvin Calvin

Jno. Painter Painter Jno. Hite Hite

Saml Littler Littler 339

Willm Baldwin Baldwin Willm Chaplin Chaplin

Saml Taylor Taylor Richd Fosset Fosset

Jos. Burden Burden Josiah Pemberton Pemberton Jams Loyd Loyd David Shepherd Shepherd

Saml Baldwin Baldwin Richd McMachen11 McMachen Jno. Milburn Milburn Jno. Vestal Vestal Thos Hart Hart Jacob Vanmetre Vanmetre

Jacob Cooper Cooper Robt Worthington Worthington Thomas Carney Carney Jno. Arnold Arnold

Jno. Vance Vance Jno. Lemon Lemon

Robt Harper Harper Jeremh Smith Smith Andw Longacres Longacres Benja. Blackburn Blackburn

Jams Magill Magill James Blare Blare Wm Renalds Renalds Jno. Small Small

Henry Brinker Brinker Isaac Riddle Riddle Jos. Langden Langden

Thomas Caton Caton Jno. Dow Dow Wm Cocks Cocks Wm Ewings Ewings Jams Knight Knight

Geo: Ml Louwinger Louwinger Vale Crawford (Sworn)12 Crawford

Robt McCoy McCoy Jacob Morgan Morgan Fras Lilburn Lilburn

Jno. Armstrong Armstrong Thos Shepherd Shepherd

Richd Mercer Mercer Mayberry Madden Madden Charles Barnes Barnes

340 Thomas Colson13 Colson

Stepn Johnston14 Johnston John Colson Colson

Patk Duncan Duncan Laughlin Madden Madden

Colo. Morgn Morgan Morgan Lewis Stephens Stephens Jams Hoge Hoge Richd Morgan Morgan

Jno. Mendenall Mendenall Thos Cordery Cordery

Jos: McCarmesh McCarmesh Jos: Jones Jones

Jams Cromley Cromley Jno. Beckett Beckett Thos Cooper Cooper Ralph Withers Withers

Jno. Chinoweth Chinoweth Jno. Madden Madden

Jams McCarmack McCarmack Saml Vance Vance

Henry Reece Reece Jacob Miller Miller Peter Stover Stover Jacob Stover Stover

Willm Coil Coil

Willm Frost Frost Jams Barrat Barrat Jno. Jones Jones Dennis Springer Springer

Thos Helms Helms Willm Helms Helms

Jos: Parrell Parrell Rd Stevenson Stevenson Jno. McCarmack McCarmack Jno. Leith Leith

John Wilson Wilson Willm Barrat Barrat

Jno. Briscoe Briscoe Jno. Wright Wright Matthias Funk Funk Geo: Huddle Huddle Geo. Lochmiller Lochmiller Jno. Ashby Ashby Willm Roberts Roberts Wm Roberts Jr Roberts Jr

Thomas Babb son of Philip Babb 341

Henry Moore Moore Edwd Sniggers Sniggers15 Jos: Roberts Roberts

Geo. Bruce Bruce Jos: Vance Vance Geo: Farrar Farrar Stephen Ashby Ashby

Henry Vanmetre Vanmetre Robt Pearis Pearis

Henry Bowen Bowen Wm Jolliffe Jr Jolliffe Jr Thomas Babb Jr Babb Jr Peter Babb Babb

Robt Warth Warth Revd Jno. Alderson Alderson

Jno. Reed Reed Robt Milburn Milburn

Edwd Mercer Jr Mercer Jr Edwd Rogers Rogers

Anthony Turner Turner

Ellis Thomas Thomas Jos: Babb Babb

Willm Stevenson Stevenson Bryan Bruan Bruin

Anthy Turner Jr Turner Jr Thos Pugh Pugh

James Carter Junr Carter Jr Darby McCarty McCarty Edwd Cartmell Cartmell

Isaac Foster Foster Cornelius Ruddle Ruddle John Fife Fife

John Parrell Parrell Harison Taylor Taylor John Buckley Buckley

Willm Mungar Mungar Ulrich Rubble Rubble Murty Handly Handly

Willm Miller Miller Willm Carrel Carrel

Jams Catlet Catlet Jacob Barrat Barrat

Lawe Snapp Snapp Edwd Thomas Thomas Thos Mason Mason

Frederick Conrad Conrad Nichs Lemon Lemon

342 Geo: Nevill Nevill

John Harrom Harrom Willm Calmes Calmes

Nathl Cartmell Cartmell John Young Young

Robt Steward Steward William Vance Vance Martin Funk Funk Jno. Fredk Vanfagen Vanfagen Peter Perry Perry Colo. Wm Fairfax Fairfax Isaac Larew Larew Jno. Hope Hope

Joshua Baker Baker

Jno. Grinner16 Grinner Robt Lemon Lemon Danl Stephens Stephens

Philip Poker Poker Geo: Shade Shade Richd Highland Highland Christian Grable Grable Jno. Nisewanger Nisewanger Henry Loyd Loyd Thomas Perry Perry Josh Combs Combs Wm Duckworth Duckworth Jno. Sceene Sceene Jno. Fossett Fossett Wm Chambers Chambers

Thos Speake Speake Azariah Pugh Pugh

Gabl Jones Jones John Bailes17 Darby Murphy Murphy Charles Buck Buck Saml Pritchard Pritchard Patk McDaniel McDaniel

Jacob Hite Hite John Funk Funk John Lindsey Lindsey

Willm White White Simon Taylor Taylor

Isaac Hite 343

Jonathn Perkins Perkins Lewis Moore Moore

240 Total 310 45 199

D, DLC:GW. At some point GW used this poll sheet to make his own alphabetical listing of the votes given for each of the four candidates (DLC:GW). In the few instances that GW spelled the name of a voter in a significantly different way from how it appears in the poll sheet, GW’s spelling has been supplied in footnotes. In order to fit the poll sheet on a page, the first name of each voter is given only once not twice as in the manuscript.

1

Heading the list of the first thirteen voters, all of whom voted for GW, were the proprietor of the Northern Neck (Lord Fairfax), the rector of Frederick Parish (William Meldrum), and the founder and leading citizen of Winchester (James Wood) who was sitting in for GW at the table where the freeholders came to announce their choices for the two men to represent the county in Williamsburg. The next five men to vote were merchants, from Alexandria (John Carlyle), from Falmouth on the Rappahannock (Adam Hunter and Alexander Wodrow), and from Fredericksburg (Fielding Lewis and Charles Dick), all of whom were in Winchester to lend their support in the election to GW and, except for Wodrow, to Martin as well. Four of the next five freeholders to vote, all from Frederick County, included a former Burgess (Isaac Perkins), two men from large and prominent frontier families (Robert Ashby and Alexander Vance) whom GW had known at least since his days as a surveyor in the county in 1750–51, and a former lieutenant of a ranging company under GW (Thomas Lemen). The other man among the first thirteen voters was GW’s regimental surgeon (James Craik), who had come down from Fort Cumberland to give his support. Of the other prominent men who came to Frederick County to promote GW’s candidacy, two (George William Fairfax and Gabriel Jones) voted later in the day.

2

GW wrote “McGee.”

3

GW wrote “Harbinger.”

4

GW wrote “Clark.”

5

GW wrote “Hyatt.”

6

GW wrote “Baldwin.”

7

GW lists John Allan Taylor with the A’s, which perhaps indicates that the man’s name was Allan and that he was a tailor by trade.

8

The names of Martin Funk, Samuel Vance, and Robert Steward appear twice.

9

GW wrote “Jno.ston.”

10

GW wrote “McMahan.”

11

See note 10.

12

Valentine Crawford’s right to vote must have been challenged. See 4 Hening 475–78 for the oath to be taken in such circumstances.

13

GW wrote “Colston.”

344 14

See note 9.

15

GW wrote “Snickers.”

16

GW wrote “Grinnan.”

17

GW wrote “Baylis.”

Cite as: The Papers of George Washington Digital Edition, ed. Theodore J. Crackel. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, Rotunda, 2007.

Cash Accounts Document: Col07d156

Author: Washington, George Date: 1764-04-01 to 1764-04-30

[April 1764]

Cash Apl 26— To Cash for March Acct £ 5. 0. 0

To Interest of Mrs [Joanna] McKenzies Bond 10.16. 0 27— To Collo. Fieldg Lewis pr Acct 12. 0. 01

To Interest of Mr Phil. Claiborne 14. 0. 0 30— To Cash of Mr Valentine 200. 0. 02

To Ditto of Collo. Lewis for a Bill of Excha. drawn in favour of J. P. Custis £100 Sterl. 160. 0. 0

To Ditto of Mr Jas Gibson for Bills drawn in behalf of Ditto £200 Sterlg3 320. 0. 0

To Ditto of Collo. Lewis Dismal Adventure4 20. 0. 0 To Cash of Jno. Ward5 2.11.11 To Mr Robt Adam Balle acct6 2.17. 0

To Cash of Collo. Byrd for Rent7 40. 0. 0 Contra

Apl  1— By Mr Wm Digges pr Rect for Mr R. Rutherford8 17.10. 0 8— By Cards &ca 5. 0. 0

10— 1 lock 2/6—Exps. at Colchester 22/9 1. 5. 3

12— By Servants 3/1½—Exps. at Port Royal 5/4 0. 8. 5 1/2

13— By Exps. at Hobs hole 5/—Servants 2/6 0. 7. 6

14— By Ferriage at Brick house9 7/. Exps. there 1/3 0. 8. 3

16— By Trebell for Wmsburg Octr Purse 1763 1.10. 0 By Ditto Club 2/6—Searchg Records 2/6 0. 5. 0 By Carter & Camms Pamphlets10 0. 5. 0

By 1 Lock 1/3—Club at Trebells 10/ 0.11. 3 By Club at Trebells 8/3 0. 8. 3

25— By Raffling 30/—Sadler [Alexander] Craik 2/ 1.12. 0

26— By Subscription to Wmsburg Purse Apl 1764 paid Mr William Brent11 1. 0. 0

27— By Servants 3/9—Preceptor &ca 28/612 1.12. 3

28— By 4 pr Hinges & Screws 7/. B[ryan] Allison 10/ 0.17. 0 By Mr Hubbard for Miss Fairfax13 2.18. 9

By Mr Calvert for freight of a Pipe of Wine14 1.17. 6 Ditto Duty of Do 1.13. 4

By Collo. [Robert] Tucker for 1 Box of Citron 1.15. 0 By Mr Robt Miller Store Acct15 1.15. 6

29— By Cash given 1/3—Mrs Devenport 13/616 0.14. 9 299

By Watchmaker mendg Mr [Charles] Greens Watch 1. 0. 0

30— By 1/2 ps. of Persian £2.17.6—Sundries 11/ 3. 6. 6

By Mr Jno. Washington pr Collo. Richd Lee to pay Exrs of Tibbs for Negroes17 131. 0. 0

By Mr Cunninghams rect for Iron of Messrs Snowdens18 26.13. 4

By Mr Wm Dangerfield for hire of Bricklr 10. 0. 0

AD, Ledger A, 176.

1

See Cash Accounts, January 1764, n.5.

2

This was Joseph Valentine’s annual payment of his receipts as manager of the dower plantations. See Cash Accounts, October 1763, n.4.

3

On 30 April GW drew three bills of exchange on John Parke Custis’s account with Robert Cary & Co., one for £100 sterling and another for £500 sterling, in favor of Fielding Lewis, and a bill of exchange for £200 sterling in favor of James Gibson, a merchant in Suffolk, Nansemond County. See GW to Cary, 1 May 1764.

4

See Dismal Swamp Land Company: Articles of Agreement, 3 Nov. 1763.

5

John Ward, whose wife had done weaving for GW, was settling his account for the “Steel plate Whipsaw” and “2 Plows” that GW’s smith had made for him (Ledger A, 174).

6

In his account with Robert Adam, GW indicates that Adam paid him £2.17.11¼ to settle the account on 1 June (Ledger A, 133). The next entry in the April Cash Accounts, the Byrd entry, GW has marked April, but it is immediately followed by an entry marked 6 June, and so perhaps this Adam entry should follow, not precede, the Byrd entry and be dated 1 June. See Ledger A, 178.

7

The rent for the Custis house and lots in Williamsburg was due on 1 Oct. 1763, and William Byrd did not pay it until April 1764.

8

See Cash Accounts, March 1764, n.1.

9

The Brick House ferry crossed the Pamunkey River at its mouth, about halfway between Williamsburg and Yorktown in York County.

10

Landon Carter’s 39–page The Rector Detected: Being a Just Defence of the Twopenny Act, against the Artful Misrepresentations of the Reverend John Camm (Williamsburg, 1764) and the Rev. John Camm’s A Review of the Rector Detected: or the Colonel Reconnoitred (Williamsburg, 1764) were the most recent salvos in a war of pamphlets that had been raging for years, largely between Camm on the one side and Carter and Richard Bland on the other, over the passage and subsequent royal disallowance of the Two-Penny Act of 1758. The act effectively reduced the stipend of the Virginia clergy, and on 10 April 1764 the General Court decided 5 to 4 against Camm in his suit for restitution. GW’s copies of both the Carter and Camm pamphlets are in the Boston Athenaeum. The Virginia Gazette daybook for 1764–66 (ViU) shows charges against GW in April 1764 for “Books ordered in January last” of £2 for “Duhamel’s Husbandry” 300 and 6s. 3d. for “New Week’s Preparation.” A later entry in the daybook indicates that GW paid on his Gazette account £6.13.7½ on 23 April (35, 45).

11

This may be William Brent (1733–1782) of Richland, in Stafford County.

12

GW has this charge, dated April 1764, in his guardian account for John Parke Custis: “To Books vizt the Preceptor 2/6. Erasmus 3/9 —Londn Vocabularry 2/6” (Guardian Accounts, 30 April 1764).

13

GW also bought “Toys of Mr Hubbard” in April 1764 for his ward John Parke Custis (Guardian Accounts, 30 April 1764). Miss Fairfax may have been Sally Cary Fairfax (b. 1760), the daughter of Bryan Fairfax.

14

This was probably Benedict Calvert (c.1724–1788) who had moved from Annapolis to his place called Mount Airy in Prince George’s County, Md., at about this time.

15

Robert Miller’s store was in Williamsburg.

16

“Mrs Devenport” may be the widow of the former Williamsburg town clerk Joseph Davenport, who died in 1761.

17

In 1763 GW gave his bond for £131 to the executors of the estate of Daniel Tebbs’ (died c.1762; of Westmoreland County) estate, “payable last of June 1764 . . . for the followg Negroes—to wit”: Harry, £45; Topsom, £43; Nan, £25.5; and Toney, £17.5 (Ledger A, 173). In the same account, GW indicates that in May 1764 he gave his brother John Augustine Washington £131 in cash to pay off his bond to the Tebbs estate. GW bought these slaves to send to the Dismal Swamp (see Appraisement of Dismal Swamp Slaves, 4 July 1764).

18

The “Messrs Snowdens” are probably Samuel and Thomas Snowden of Prince George’s County, Maryland.

Cite as: The Papers of George Washington Digital Edition, ed. Theodore J. Crackel. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, Rotunda, 2007.

From Valentine Crawford Document: Rev01d13 Author: Crawford, Valentine Recipient: Washington, George Date: 1775-06-24

Jacobs Creek [Pa.] June 24th 1775

Dear Sir

I [am] verey Sorrey to Enform you I Recved a Letter from Mr Cleaveland of the 7th of June wherein he Seems to be in a good dale of destress[.] five of the Sarvents has Run a way and plagued him a good dale[.] the[y] got to the Indens towns Butt by the Esesten [assistance] of one Mr duncan a trador he has got them again and he has Sent three of them up By a Man he had hired with a Letter to My Brother willim or My Selfe to Sell them for you but the man Sold them him Selfe Som where about wheeling on his way up and Never brought them to us for £20 pen. Currency and give one years Credit which wase verey Low and he did Not Recve one Shilling which wase Contraray to Cleavelands orders to him as he wase to Rais Som Cash by the Sails for to purches provesins and I think it would be advisable if the Men they are Sold tow is Nott good to take them from them and Sell them again but the Man Shant be Stopt for want of Money for I will furnish him and will Esest Mr Simson in geting Started as quick as posable with his Canew and previsons[.] Mr Cleaveland Left Som Corn att Mr Simsons when he went down and I will get him Som Flower to Load his Canew[.] Mr Cleaveland Sank a Canew a going down and Lost five or Six Caske of Corn and Severell other things and James Mccarmick and Charls Morgen found a bag of <Clo>ths and Severell other things a few day after as <they> wase a going [down] the River deliverd them to Mr Cleaveland again as the[y] New they belong to His Company By Som papers they found in the Bundle[.] 29 Cleaveland dose Not Mention of geting Eney but the three Sarvent he Sent to be Sold but Mr duncan told Me yesterday att fort don More that he had got the hole five that Run a way[.]1 docter Crakes Manager has had very Bad Luck for in the Canew that wase Sunk he Los<t> all his papers and wase Much att a Loss to find his Land or att Least to find the Corner trees but I have Sent him all the plats and Instructions I had from the docter[.] Least a Letter I have wrote to him Should Miscarey you Can Enform him I hope to be down in Fairfax as Soon as Ever I Reap My harvest and will Setle all My acoumpt with you.2

we had Chose Cometees out here and are a Raiseng Independent Company and Regu[l]a<te> Maters the best we Can but an unhappy Confusio<n> hapend the other day[.] the pencelvanans Came to fort pitt and tuck Major Coneley a bout Mid Night with

the Sheriff and a bout 20 men and Cared him as far <as> Legenier the verey Night Before we wase to have the [meeting] with the Indens and Severell of the pencelvania tradors by the Indens Story wase Indevering to put Ill in the Minds of the Indens But on Majr Coneley being taken the people of Shirtee Came in in a Companey and Sceised three of the pencla. Magestrats who where Concernd in taking of Coneley—George Willson Joseph Speer and dedreck Smith and Snt them in an old Leakey Boat down to Fort fincastle under a gard Butt our Court had Now hand in this Butt it wase done by a Mob or Sett of Coneleys frends that Lives on Shirtees Creek.

But there wase all the Members of our Cometee wrote a verey Sperited Litter to the Gentlmen of pen. Cometee to demand Coneley Back and all Signd it and Sent it with an axpress on the Recpt of which they amedently Sent Majr Coneley Back and things Seemes to be a Little Modreited and I bleve the Indens wonts Nothing but peace but it Seemd to Elarm verey Much to here our grate Man wase Stole and Indeed it Elarmed us all verey Much as Majr Coneley wase the Man that had done and transacted all the besness with them before Now other parson wase So able to Setle besness with them as him3 So I hope you will Escuse the Lenth of My Letter and I am dr Sir your Most Hble Savet

Vale: Crawford

30

N.B. pleas to give my Complements to Mr Lund Washington and tell him his people is well and in a verey good wey to Make a good Crop of Corn.4

V.C.

ALS, DLC:GW.

Valentine Crawford (d. 1777) lived on Jacobs Creek in western Pennsylvania, several miles north of Stewart’s Crossing on the Youghiogheny River (now the site of Connellsville, Pa.), where his brother William Crawford (1732–1782) had settled. Both men were deeply involved in GW’s efforts to acquire large holdings of land west of the Allegheny Mountains. During the late 1760s and early 1770s, William Crawford surveyed a number of tracts for GW, including one on the Youghiogheny, one near Chartiers Creek, and several along the Kanawha and Ohio rivers. To preserve his titles to those Kanawha and Ohio lands, GW engaged Valentine Crawford in the spring of 1774 to take a party of workers down the Ohio and seat his tracts by building houses and cultivating fields as required by Virginia law (3 Hening 312–13). That expedition was canceled before it started because of the outbreak of Dunmore’s War.

1

On 10 Jan. 1775 GW hired James Cleveland of Loudoun County, Va., to do what Valentine Crawford had been prevented from doing the previous year: lead an expedition

down the Ohio to improve his Ohio and Kanawha lands. Cleveland reached GW’s tract near the mouth of the Kanawha in late April, but his work went slowly. He described his difficulties, in particular the problem of the runaway indentured servants, to GW in letters of 12 and 21 May and 7 June 1775. The five runaways who tried to escape to the Shawnee town on the Muskingum River were caught, but one man ran off again before he could be brought back to Cleveland’s camp. Cleveland did not think it worth the time to try to recapture him. Of the four servants who were returned, Cleveland considered three to be poor workers, and apparently they were the ones sold. The Indian trader who assisted Cleveland in recovering the runaways was David Duncan of Shippensburg, Pennsylvania. During the latter part of the Revolution, Duncan moved his home to western Pennsylvania and served as deputy quartermaster general at Fort Pitt. Fort Pitt was called Fort Dunmore by Virginians during 1774 and 1775 in honor of their royal governor, John Murray, fourth earl of Dunmore. Gilbert Simpson, Jr., with whom Cleveland left three barrels of corn, was GW’s manager at Washington’s Bottom, the tract of land that GW owned on the Youghiogheny River at the site of present-day Perryopolis, Pennsylvania. For Cleveland’s account of the canoe that sank on the way down the Ohio, see Cleveland to GW, 12 May 1775. James McCormick (died c.1789) of Berkeley County, Va. (now W.Va.), served as a soldier under GW during the Fort Necessity campaign in 1754. Charles Morgan became GW’s rent collector in western Pennsylvania in 1794.

2

Dr. James Craik (1730–1814) of Port Tobacco, Md., a close friend of GW, was granted several thousand acres of land on the Ohio and Kanawha rivers for his service as a surgeon during the Fort Necessity campaign. He was 31 appointed one of the Continental army’s chief hospital physicians in October 1780 and became chief physician and surgeon of the army in March 1781.

3

Jurisdiction over the area around the Forks of the Ohio had long been contested between Virginia and Pennsylvania, and by 1775 the two colonies had established rival local governments in the region. Virginia included the disputed territory within the boundaries of its District of West Augusta, and in February 1775 a court for West Augusta was convened at Pittsburgh. Pennsylvania considered the area to be part of its Westmoreland County, whose court sat at Hannastown, about thirty miles east of Pittsburgh. Dr. John Connolly (c.1743–1813), a physician and land speculator, was Governor Dunmore’s chief representative at Pittsburgh despite the fact that Connolly was a native Pennsylvanian. Appointed commandant of militia at Pittsburgh by Dunmore, Connolly took possession of the abandoned Fort Pitt in January 1774, renamed it Fort Dunmore, and summoned the local inhabitants to form a militia under his command. His actions greatly angered Pennsylvania’s adherents in the area, and there ensued a series of arrests and counterarrests by Virginia and Pennsylvania officials, of which the ones mentioned in this letter were only the latest. On 22 June 1775 the sheriff of Westmoreland County, John Carnaghan, arrived at Pittsburgh with a force of men, including Westmoreland

justice George Wilson (d. 1777) of Georges Creek, and freed James Cavet and Robert Hanna, two Westmoreland justices whom Connolly had held under arrest since February. At the same time Carnaghan arrested Connolly and took him to the house of Arthur St. Clair, a Westmoreland justice and future Continental general, who lived at Fort Ligonier, about forty-five miles east of Pittsburgh. In reprisal for Carnaghan’s actions, a group of Connolly’s supporters from Chartiers Creek southwest of Pittsburgh, led by Capt. George Gibson, seized George Wilson and two other Westmoreland justices, Joseph Spear and Devereaux Smith, both Indian traders residing at Pittsburgh. Those three prisoners were sent to Fort Fincastle at Wheeling, which a Virginia force commanded by William Crawford had built the year before.

The problems caused by these arrests were settled by the committees of safety for the two rival governments, both of which were chosen on 16 May 1775. The West Augusta committee included not only Virginia justices, such as William Crawford, but also two of the Pennsylvania justices who were seized in June, George Wilson and Devereaux Smith. John Connolly was not a member of the West Augusta committee, however. Because of his close ties to Governor Dunmore, he became a staunch Loyalist, and he was attempting at this time to organize support for the royal government on the western frontier. The West Augusta committee was particularly fearful that Connolly would use his considerable skills as an Indian negotiator to persuade the Indians living north of the Ohio to ally themselves with the king against his rebelling subjects, but they also found themselves in the embarrassing position of having to depend on Connolly to conduct a previously scheduled peace council with those Indians. At the conclusion of Dunmore’s War in October 1774, Governor Dunmore promised the defeated Indians that their hostages would be returned and a final peace made at Pittsburgh the next spring. Connolly was preparing to negotiate this peace under the watchful eyes of the members 32 of the West Augusta committee when he was suddenly carried off by the Pennsylvanians, leaving the assembled chiefs puzzled and the committee members frustrated in their desire to placate the Indians. To remedy the unfortunate turn of events, the West Augusta committee not only persuaded the Westmoreland committee to return Connolly but also secured the release of the three Pennsylvania justices, whose seizure it condemned as illegal. Connolly conferred with the Indian chiefs at Pittsburgh on 29 June, and between 3 and 6 July he concluded a peace that satisfied the West Augusta committee, even though the Shawnee were absent. During the next several months Connolly vigorously pursued a scheme for raising a Loyalist force west of the Alleghenies. In November 1775 American authorities arrested Connolly and eventually imprisoned him at Philadelphia. See William Cowley to GW, 30 Sept.- 12 Oct. 1775 , and Lund Washington to GW, 3 Dec. 1775. The border dispute between Virginia and Pennsylvania was not settled until 1780.

4

William Crawford procured a tract of land near the Youghiogheny River for Lund Washington sometime before the fall of 1770 (Diaries, 2:290, 323).

Cite as: The Papers of George Washington Digital Edition, ed. Theodore J. Crackel. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, Rotunda, 2007.

From James Cleveland Document: Rev02d327 Author: Cleveland, James Recipient: Washington, George Date: 1775-11-16

November 16th 1775

Sir

I Tack This oppertunity to Let you know how I have proseded In your bisness on the ohio1 First I proseded To the Tract Directed on the kanhawa 10990 acres2 as Directed I Sarchet That Extenceve Tract Fore Dayes To Find the best place To be gin my Impruve ments at lingth I Fixt in the great Bend Not be Cause it tis the best Land For it is all So Rich that I Saw no Choss but Thought I had reson To Beleave that you would Continue To keep hands out In that part of the Cuntry & a Cording to my judgment That is the properest place for a plantasion & Stock be Cause it lies Near a bout the midel of the Tract First As Directed I planted Near a bout 2000 peach Stone Cearls [kernels] Next I planted my petatoes & then proceded To put In a Crop of Corn by this Time I Found I Should Not Save So much land 382 as I Could wish to Do by Clearin of land & thought it best To Try what I Could Save by bulding in the Same Time & a pon macken The Expearament I found that To be the way which I pushet with all my Deligence havin my buldings or other worcks vued Day by Day be Cause the Indans was Continuely Do roberys but Not being Disturbed Tell I had buldings a nuf To a mount To a £1100.15.7½ & 28 acres of land Cleard & well Tild And on it a large Crop of Corn Turnups petatoes I have a proper bill Dron & the buldings Distinctly mened a Cording to law the Said praisers First S[w]orn & a Stevemt Tacken. Col. Crawford Saw the bill & many other good judges all a lowes the bill To be good August the 4th 17793 I tuck a bill in full & left this Tract With all my hands onely one of the Negroes To Tacke Chear of the Crop & to thin the turnups Wheare thay ware to thick but when I got To The Next Tract Which Lies a bout three or Fore miles a bove the raped at the Grat bend4 But Seon after I got to that Tract ther Came Wourd to warn in all the Inhabatance of the ohio But I kept at worck but Every inhabant of this River left it for 200 miles Some in to forts & Som In to Companes we worcket on for Some time & saw No Danger but ware Sent for a SeCont Time by The offesor which Commands the Garroson at which This made me begin to Thinck ther was Danger5—I Sent Down to the first Tract to See if the Negro Was not Tacken a way he was brought to me in a Short Time but Not haven buldings a Nuf To Save this Tract of 4395 acres and Loth to lead up before it was Saved I Cheard up the

hand<s> & And to worck we went with a Reselusion not To leave the land Tell it was Saved at october 14th 1775. I found that Tract to besaved in The Same maner as the other is[.] the some praised for This Tract is £468.3 know [now] I have Finishet what I was Directed to Do at this time I met an Expre<ss> Coming Down a gain as Si[g]ned by Thomas walker Col. lewis Cap. James wood & the Commander at fo<rt> pit.6 This Expres was to go Down to Fort blar7 & From thence Down to Cantuck [Kentucky] & as the Ind[i]ans has Told the peopel That war Treting at fort pitt that thay had burnt The Garrowson and a number of houses up the Ohio But this I was Told by Cap. William Linn who Saw the a bove in fior as he Came up From Cantuc So he Tucket for Granted that it was ware and So traveled up by land8 but as 383 there is a Company Sent Down to the kanhawa I have Sent Stevens & Skilling to Se Cure the Corn & the other truck all your Twles [tools] powder lead & 40000 Nailes the[y] is at Whelen Fort the Nailes is in Cags heded up The other are all in a Chist that Can be put in And locket & Naild all round & in the Cear of Cap. zeanes & I be leave will besafe & Deliverd When Cald For9 I have saved yours a Cordeng to Law So Far if the bills must be re turnd to Cort & recorded as the law Directs it must be Don in the County whear it lies but does not Say in what Time as it is So Far right I or Some other purson Aught to know Whether know [now] or hear after is the time10 k[n]ow I prosed [proceed] to Lit you know what is be Come of your sarvents one of Them at last got a way Two of them Drownded one of them behaved him Selef so bad that I Could Not keep him & in Such a place that I Could Not Git a price For him So I was a Forst to Tack a rifel gun & forty shillings11 bringing in your Gun has Forst me to leave my one on the ohio whear I have know [no] Chance to Git hur a Gain which is £4.2.6 lose to me and wors then that ware hear And I [have] know Gun to Fight as Mr washington Tackes hur a way12 I should have been Glad to have kept the Gun Tell Your Excellence returnd & been more fuller a[s] I wanted with Every thing at which Time if you faltd My Conduct in Selling this sarvent I would a low you The Same price For him & tack the Gun the other Six Sold From £24 To £28 five Shillings virginia money ther Buck Skin britches & blankets I have kept For your own Negroes Which I have left with Col. william Crawford & has Given From under his hand to a low you or any Purson left in Chear of your bisness wha<t> Ever you Shall thinck resonabel & Deliverd when Cald fore you may thinck I ought to a left them at Sympsons but he would not a low any thing For them If you Dont blame me for the provesion I have bought Which is mor then I Expected I rote to you that I lost best Cannue and all the load of Corn13 tho a pon The hole you would have less money to pay by a Great Deal then you Expect so No more at prese<nt> But remain yours to Command

James Cleveland

ALS, DLC:GW.

1

For a discussion of Cleveland’s efforts to seat GW’s lands on the Ohio and Kanawha rivers, see Valentine Crawford to GW, 24 June 1775, n.1.

384

2

This tract, which was granted to GW on 15 Dec. 1772, lay on the west side of the Kanawha River between present-day Point Pleasant and Pliny, West Virginia.

3

The certificate of 4 Aug. 1775 signed by George Aubry, John Clemonds, and William Stevens is printed in Cook, Washington’s Western Lands, 52. Cleveland erected fourteen buildings of various sizes including three dwelling houses and a barn. The other ten structures were small cabins. For the Virginia law regarding the seating of lands, see 3 Hening 312–13.

4

This tract of 4,395 acres, which was also granted to GW on 15 Dec. 1772, lay on the east side of the Ohio River, about seven miles downstream from present-day Ravenswood, West Virginia.

5

There was fear of an Indian uprising before a treaty was concluded at Fort Pitt on 23 October. See Lund Washington to GW, 5 Nov. 1775.

6

Dr. Thomas Walker (1715–1794), Andrew Lewis (1720–1781), and James Wood (1741–1813) were three of the Indian commissioners who negotiated the treaty at Fort Pitt in October. The commander at Fort Pitt was Capt. John Nevill (1731–1803), who occupied the fort with 100 men on 11 Sept. by order of the third Virginia convention.

7

Fort Blair was at Point Pleasant.

8

William Linn (1734–1781), a veteran of the Forbes campaign in 1758, was first lieutenant of a rifle company that George Gibson raised at Fort Pitt earlier this year. In 1776 Linn accompanied Gibson to New Orleans to obtain gunpowder, and in 1778 he served under George Rogers Clark in the Kaskaskia campaign. Appointed a militia colonel in 1780, Linn participated in the Indian campaign of that year, and on 5 March 1781 he was killed by Indians near his home in Kentucky.

9

Three Zane brothers settled at Wheeling in 1769: Ebenezer, Jonathan, and Silas Zane.

10

Cleveland recorded the certificate of valuation for the Kanawha tract in the Fincastle County court on 2 April 1776 and the certificate for the tract near the great bend of the Ohio in the Botetourt County court on 9 April 1776.

11

For Cleveland’s problems with the indentured servants, see also Valentine Crawford to GW, 24 June, and Lund Washington to GW, 5 Nov. 1775.

12

Cleveland is apparently referring to Lund Washington.

13

For the loss of the canoe while traveling down the Ohio, see Cleveland to GW, 12 May, and Valentine Crawford to GW, 24 June 1775.

Cite as: The Papers of George Washington Digital Edition, ed. Theodore J. Crackel. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, Rotunda, 2007.

General Orders Document: Rev08d597 Author: Washington, George Date: 1777-03-22

Head-Quarters, Morristown, March 22nd 1777.

Parole: Georgia. Countersign: Hallifax

The Commander in Chief is pleased to make the following promotions. viz:

Major John Green of the 1st Virginia Battalion to be Lieutenant Colonel of the same, vacant by the death of Lt Col. Eppes. Capt: Robert Ballard of the same to be the Major of the same, vacant by the promotion of Lt Col. Green.

Lieut. Col. Alexander Spotswood of the 2nd Virginia Battn to be Colonel of the same, vacant by the resignation of Col. Woodford—Major Richard Parker of the 6th to be

Lieut: Colonel, vacant by the promotion of Col. Spotswood. Capt: Morgan Alexander of the 2nd to be the Major; vacant by the promotion of Lt Col. Markham to the 8th.1

Lt Col. Thomas Marshall of the 3rd Virginia Battalion to command the same, vacant by the promotion of Brigadier Weedon.

Capt: George Gibson of the 1st Virginia Battalion to be Major of the 4th, vacant by the promotion of Lt Col. Sayres to the 9th.2

Lt Col. Alexander McClenachan of the 7th Virginia Battalion, to be Colonel of that Battalion; vacant by the removal of Col. Crawford: Major William Neilson of the same to be Lieutenant Colonel, vacant by the promotion of Col. McClenachan: Capt: William Davies of the 1st to be Major, vacant by the promotion of Lt Col. Neilson.3

Lt Col. Bowman of the 8th Virginia Battalion to be Colonel of the same, by promotion of Brigadier Muhlenberg, & Major John Markham of the 2nd to be Lieutenant Colonel, vacant by promotion of Col. Bowman.4

Lt Col. George Matthews of the 9th Virginia Battalion to be Colonel of the same, vacant by the death of Col. Fleming and Major John Sayres of the 4th to be Lieut. Colonel, vacant by the promotion of Col. Mathews.5

As it is not possible, from the present dispersed State of the Virginia 615 Officers, many of whom are necessarily absent from the Army, and may have a claim for promotion, but are not taken notice of in the foregoing arrangement, it is to be observed that no Conclusion must be drawn from this order in prejudice of such Gentlemen. When circumstances will permit the residue of the vacancies will be filled up, and the rank of all the officers in that Line settled on just and reasonable principles; regard being had to their seniority, and the good of the service.

Varick transcript, DLC:GW.

1

Richard Parker (1758–1780) of Westmoreland County, Va., was commissioned a captain in the 2d Virginia Regiment in late September 1775 and promoted to major of the 6th Virginia Regiment in October 1776. Parker served as lieutenant colonel of the 2d Virginia Regiment until March 1778, when he became colonel of the 1st Virginia Regiment, and he was killed during the defense of Charleston, S.C., in the spring of 1780. Morgan Alexander (1746–1783) of Frederick County, Va., who served as a captain in the 2d Virginia Regiment beginning in late 1775, apparently transferred to the 8th Virginia Regiment later this year. Alexander resigned from the Continental army in May 1778 and later served as a colonel in the Virginia militia. John Markham (d. 1801) of Chesterfield County, Va., became a captain in the 1st Virginia Regiment in September 1775 and was promoted to major of the 2d Virginia Regiment in August 1776. He served as lieutenant colonel of the 8th Virginia Regiment from this date to October 1777, when he was

cashiered for leaving his regiment and failing to obey orders during the Battle of Germantown on 4 Oct. 1777 (see General Orders, 26 Oct. 1777, in DLC:GW).

2

George Gibson (1747–1791) of western Augusta County, Va., who was appointed a captain in the 1st Virginia Regiment in December 1775, resigned his commission as major of the 4th Virginia Regiment in early June 1777 and afterwards served as a colonel in the Virginia militia. Gibson was wounded during the Indian victory over Maj. Gen. Arthur St. Clair’s forces near Fort Recovery, Ohio, on 4 Nov. 1791 and died a month later. John Seayres (Sayres; d. 1777), a French and Indian War veteran from Gloucester County, Va., was appointed a captain in the 1st Virginia Regiment in the fall of 1775 and promoted to major of the 4th Virginia Regiment in August 1776. Seayres was killed at the Battle of Germantown on 4 Oct. 1777.

3

Alexander McClanachan (1734–1797) of Augusta County, Va., commanded an independent company of Virginia militia in 1774 and 1775 before becoming lieutenant colonel of the 7th Virginia Regiment in February 1776. McClanachan resigned his colonel’s commission in the spring of 1778. William Davies (b. 1749) of Princess Anne County, Va., served as a captain in the 1st Virginia Regiment from September 1775 to his appointment as major on this date. Davies had been captured at the fall of Fort Washington on 16 Nov. 1776, and he apparently was promoted to lieutenant colonel later this year and to colonel in 1778. Davies was serving as colonel of the 1st Virginia Regiment at the time of his retirement from the army on 1 Jan. 1783.

4

Abraham Bowman (1749–1837) of Shenandoah County, Va., was commisssioned lieutenant colonel of the 8th Virginia Regiment on 1 Mar. 1776. Bowman apparently left the army in late 1780 and moved to Kentucky.

5

George Mathews (Matthews; 1739–1812) of Augusta County, Va., a captain of an independent company of Virginia militia in 1774 and 1775, had been appointed lieutenant colonel of the 9th Virginia Regiment in March 1776. He was wounded 616 and captured at the Battle of Germantown on 4 Oct. 1777 and not exchanged until December 1781. On 30 Sept. 1783 Mathews was brevetted brigadier general and in 1785 he moved to Georgia, where he became a brigadier general in the militia, two-term governor of the state, and representative to the U.S. House of Representatives.

Cite as: The Papers of George Washington Digital Edition, ed. Theodore J. Crackel. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, Rotunda, 2007.

To Colonel George Gibson Document: Rev11d284 Author: Washington, George Recipient: Gibson, George Date: 1777-09-22

Camp on the Reading Road 28 Miles from Philada—22d Sepr 1777

Sir

I wrote to you about ten days ago, directing you to join this Army with the utmost expedition.1 But our Situation has been so much changed by a variety of circumstances since that time that I think it proper to inform you that we are at present here and are moving up the Country towards Reading as the Enemy are moving that way upon the West Side of Schuylkill.2 I would recommend it to you to march across the Country from Lancaster to Reading, and if you find the way 291 clear cross Schuylkill at that place and form a junction with me as speedily as possible. Lest you should be deceived by Reports of the Situation of the Enemy I would advise you always to keep an intelligent officer a head not only to find out where they are, but also where our Army is. You may by these means save much needless marching. Let me know as soon as possible where you are. I have only to press you to delay no time in coming on, and to assure you I am Yr most obt Servt.

Df, in Tench Tilghman’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.

1

This letter has not been found.

2

A British officer wrote in his journal on this date: “Mr. Washington instead of opposing our passage over the Schuylkill, as was reported he intended, is now said to be on his march towards Reading” (Seybolt, “Howe’s Military Operations in 1777,” 82).

Cite as: The Papers of George Washington Digital Edition, ed. Theodore J. Crackel. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, Rotunda, 2007.

From Colonel John Gibson Document: Rev12d482 Author: Gibson, John Recipient: Washington, George Date: 1777-12-05

Fort Pitt [Pa.] Decr 5th 1777.

May it please your Excellency

By the inclosed Return Your Excellency will be made Acquainted with the strength of the Garrison at this place.1 Genl Hand ordered me to send the Deserters from the Different Corps at Camp down by Capt. Saml Miller of the 8th Pensl. Regt, which I Accordingly have done, Excepting those of the 13th Virga Regt and some who were sick. I shoud have sent the whole of them But at the time of Capt. Millers March, from the number of men who were on Commands, at the Small pox Hospital, & Employed as Artificers, we cou’d hardly mount a Serjts Guard. I make no doubt Genl Hand has already Acquainted your Excellency of the Situation of Affairs in this Country and of his having gone down to Regulate the Garrisons on the Ohio.2 since he left this place nothing Material has happened. Simon Girty a Messenger dispatched by General Hand to the Seneca towns on the Heads of the Allegeney, Returned here a few days a goe, he in forms us Guashota a Chief of them had Returned from War, that he had killed four people near Legonier,3 that another party Returned and Brought in a white Woman and three Scalps whilst he was in the towns, that they told him all the Nations Excepting White Eyes and a few Delawares woud strike us in the Spring. that they told him he must goe with them to Niagara, that he made his Escape; By going to hunt for his horse. he says the News of Burgoynes Surrender had not Reached there.4

Lt Cane was ordered down the Country to Bring up the Cloathing for the Remainder of the 13th Virga Regt now here, But as the Cloathing is not Yet Arrived, and the men Being in the most distressed Condition, I have now sent Capt. Sullivan for that purpose, and hope your Excellency will Give such directions as will Enable him to Return as soon as possible.5 I am with the Utmost Respect your Excellency’s most Obedient humble Servt

Jno. Gibson

ALS, DLC:GW.

John Gibson (1740–1822) was a French and Indian War veteran and Indian trader who had settled near Fort Pitt. He took part in Lord Dunmore’s war against the Shawnee and Ottawa villages in 1774, receiving that November the speech 563 made by the famous

Mingo chief Logan, who was said to be the brother of Gibson’s Indian wife. Gibson served as lieutenant colonel of the 13th Virginia Regiment from November 1776 to October 1777, when he became colonel of the 6th Virginia. GW ordered Gibson to take command of his former regiment, the 13th Virginia, in the spring of 1778 (see GW to William Russell, Sr., 28 May 1778), and before he retired from the army in January 1783 Gibson also commanded the 9th and 7th Virginia regiments. In September 1778 Gibson attended a conference at which the first U.S. treaty of alliance was signed, with the Delaware Indians. After the war Gibson served as a judge of the court of common pleas and a general in the Pennsylvania militia, and in 1800 Jefferson appointed him secretary of the Indiana Territory, an office he held until 1816.

1

Gibson enclosed a general return, dated 3 Dec., of the troops at Fort Pitt, where he was serving as colonel commandant (DLC:GW). The return includes three companies of the 13th Virginia Regiment and two companies of independent Virginia troops, a total of 256 men, including 15 commissioned officers, 28 noncommissioned officers, and 213 rank and file. Gibson made an error when adding the figures of one row of the return, resulting in an incorrect total of 258.

2

See Edward Hand to GW, 9 November.

3

Simon Girty (1741–1818), an Indian trader born near Harrisburg, Pa., and raised partly among Seneca Indians, had been employed as an interpreter for the Americans around Fort Pitt as early as 1759 and as a scout during Dunmore’s War in 1774. Girty deserted the American cause in March 1778, and thereafter he served as an interpreter for the British at Detroit, taking part in Indian raids on western settlers. Girty was present at the torturing and killing of William Crawford by the Wyandots in Upper Sandusky in 1782. Kiashuta, also known as Guyasuta and The Hunter (c.1722–1794), was a prominent Seneca chief who took part in many councils between the Iroquois and the British before the Revolutionary War. He sided with the French after Braddock’s defeat in 1755, taking part in the September 1758 victory over British and provincial troops under the command of Maj. James Grant. During the Revolutionary War, Kiashuta promised neutrality, but in 1782 he led an expedition that burned the settlement at Hannastown, Pennsylvania. GW had known Kiashuta since 1753, when Kiashuta had acted as a guide on GW’s mission to warn off the French troops on the Ohio. GW visited Kiashuta’s camp in the fall of 1770 while on his journey to find bounty lands in the Ohio country, and in October 1774 Kiashuta visited GW at Philadelphia (Diaries, 1:143–44, 2:304, 310, 3:286). Ligonier, a town and township about thirty miles southeast of Fort Pitt in Westmoreland County, Pa., was the site of a British fort between 1758 and 1765.

4

White Eyes, or Koquetakeghton (c.1730–1778), a leader of the Turkey clan of Delaware Indians, was elected principal chief of the tribe in 1776. He is most noted for signing a treaty of alliance with the United States in September 1778. Koquetakeghton was killed while serving as a guide for an American expedition against the British post at Fort Sandusky in November of the same year.

5

James Sullivan (c.1748–1815) served as a captain in the 13th Virginia Regiment from December 1776 to September 1778 and in the state regiment raised by George Rogers Clark, the so-called Illinois Regiment, that carried on a campaign against the Shawnee tribes from 1780 to 1782. Sullivan settled out west after the war.

Cite as: The Papers of George Washington Digital Edition, ed. Theodore J. Crackel. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, Rotunda, 2007.

To the Board of War Document: Rev13d36 Author: Washington, George Recipient: Board of War Date: 1777-12-29

Head Quarters [Valley Forge] 29th December 1777.

Gentlemen—

Capt. Sullivan who will deliver this was bearer of a Letter to me from Col. Gibson Commanding Officer at Fort Pitt, in which the Garrison is represented as exceedingly distressed for want of Cloathing and I am sollicited to give such directions as may facilitate the procuring a Supply1—I have in consequence written to you on the subject, and have no doubt that every thing on your part will be done as far as circumstances allow to administer the speediest Relief to the unhappy Sufferers. I am Gentlemen &c.

Df, in John Laurens’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.

1

See John Gibson to GW, 5 December .

Cite as: The Papers of George Washington Digital Edition, ed. Theodore J. Crackel. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, Rotunda, 2007.

To Colonel John Gibson Document: Rev13d38 Author: Washington, George Recipient: Gibson, John Date: 1777-12-29

Head Quarters [Valley Forge] 29th Decem. 1777.

Sir

Capt. Sullivan has deliverd me your Letter of the 5th Instant inclosing a Return of the Garrison at Fort pitt—and desiring me to give such directions to Capt. Sullivan as may facilitate the procuring a Supply of Cloathing for that part of the 13th Virginia Regimt which is with you—I am sorry that I can do no more in this business than represent 42 the distress of the Garrison to the Board of War and press them to apply the speediest Relief possible—I have for this purpose written them a Letter to be deliver’d by Capt. Sullivan.1 I am Sir Yours &ca.

Df, in John Laurens’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.

1

See GW to the Board of War, this date.

Cite as: The Papers of George Washington Digital Edition, ed. Theodore J. Crackel. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, Rotunda, 2007.

To Lieutenant Colonel William Brent Document: Rev13d90 Author: Washington, George Recipient: Brent, William Date: 1778-01-02

[Valley Forge, 2 January 1778]

Sir

You are to proceed to Wms Burg as expeditiously as you possibly can. You will apply to His Excelly the Governor & the Honorable The Council & take their advice on the most speedy mode for apprehending the 114 Deserters from the Regt to which you belong—A return of which You have with you. You will also apply for the residue of the men to Complete the Regt previous to It’s March from Willms Burg—Regulate the Instructions you may give to the Officers of Your Corps in Virginia by the Directions You may receive from His Excelly the Governor.

Visit the Sick left by the Regt at Geo: Town, York & Lancaster, & send such of them as are fit for duty to the Regt. You will make frequent reports to Colo. Gibson, or the Commanding Officer of your Regiment of what you have done & what there is a probability of your being able to effect.1 Given at Head Quarters Jany 2d 1778.

G.W.

Df, in John Fitzgerald’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.

1

For the background to this letter, see Nathanael Greene to GW, 29 Dec. 1777.

Cite as: The Papers of George Washington Digital Edition, ed. Theodore J. Crackel. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, Rotunda, 2007.

From Colonel George Gibson Document: Rev13d393 Author: Gibson, George Recipient: Washington, George Date: 1778-02-10

Lancaster [Pa.]10th Febry 1778.

May It please Your Excelly

A Gang of Villians employed by Mr Howe for the purpose of Stealing & otherways procuring horses, made their appearance in the vicinity of this Town, Apart of the Gang

were apprehended by order of the Civil Majestrate, as I conceived they came within the Cognizance of Martial Law. I waited on the Marquis de la fayette Majr Genl, who was of the same oppinion. He immediately Issued the Inclosed order for a General Court Martial which met & proceeded to the Trial of Sundry prisoners. The proceedings are transmitted to Your Excelly by this conveyance.1 I flatter myself they will meet Your Excellys approbation, I am exerting myself to bring to Justice all those concerned with them, who I apprehend are pretty numerous as scarce a days passes without producing Some new discovery’s—The well affected in this part of the Country pray fervently that Yr Excelly wou’d prevent that intercourse that has been Kept up with the Enemy by making Examples of the offenders.

I have the Pleasure to inform you the Hospitals are now in excellent 498 order the Sick properly attended to, from which I hope a good reinforcemt will be derived in the Spring. I have the Honor to be with truth Your Excellys Obedt Servt

Geo: Gibson

ALS, PHi: Gratz Collection; copy, DLC:GW.

1

On 9 Feb., Lt. Col. Adam Hubley, Jr., also sent GW a copy of the court-martial proceedings, which have not been identified; for the later trial and ultimate fate of the prisoners, see note 1 of that letter. The order to convene the court-martial, written by Hubley and signed by Lafayette, is dated 4 February. It reads: “A General Court-martial, is to sit to Morrow Morning, at ten oClock, By order of the Marquiss de-Lefayette, for the tryal of the several Prissoners, taken up as spies, from Genl Howes Army, and now Confin’d in the Goal, of this County. Adjutant Irwine, will warn, three Field officers, (one thereof to be President) and Ten Captains, who are to compose the Court. The Prissoners, to be immediately acquainted with and prepare for Tryal, all evidences, to attend the Tryal. . . . Colo: Gibbson will order a Judge Advocate, to attend, this Tryal” (DLC:GW).

Cite as: The Papers of George Washington Digital Edition, ed. Theodore J. Crackel. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, Rotunda, 2007.

Is this the Doan gang???

Many more not done….. 140 Gibson results!

From George Gibson

Document: Pre07d105 Author: Gibson, George Recipient: Washington, George Date: 1791-01-08

8th January 1791.

May it please Your Excellency

In the month of January 1779, Your Excellency in conference with a committee of Congress was pleased to order me to reinlist for the War the men of the first State Regiment of Virginia under my command on the same terms that the Continental troops were enlisted with an assurance if the State of Virginia wou’d not take them, Congress wou’d—I have searched the Office & find the committee have reported generally. I am constrained to apply to Your Excellency humbly praying Your Excellency will please to direct that a certificate may be given me that such order hath existed. I have the Honor to be with the most profound respect Your Excellency’s most Obedient Humble Servant

Geo. Gibson

202

ALS, DNA:PCC, RG 360, Miscellaneous Letters.

George Gibson (1747–1791) was born in Lancaster County, Pa., and apprenticed to a merchant. He subsequently joined his brother as an Indian trader at Fort Pitt. In 1775 he organized a company of frontiersmen for service in the West. His company was attached to Hugh Mercer’s brigade and participated in minor actions in Virginia in 1775–76. In 1776 he commanded a mission to New Orleans to purchase gunpowder from the Spanish. During 1777–78 he served with GW’s army as a colonel. From 1779 until the close of the war he was in charge of the prison camp at York, Pennsylvania. After the war he settled on a farm near Carlisle. Gibson was mortally wounded later in 1791 while serving as a lieutenant colonel in St. Clair’s ill-fated campaign. On 23 Jan. 1779 Gibson wrote to GW explaining that “The Assembly of Virginia in their late Act passed for the reinlistment of their Troops have not taken any notice of the Two state regiments anex’d to the Continental Army. from what cause I know not unless it may be that they conceived the regiments to have been Continental Troops from the time they were taken into the Service, Indeed His Excelly the Governor & many Gentn of the House of Assembly told me we were considerd as continental troops from the time we were taken into Continentl Pay.” Gibson explained that the enlistments were expiring but that many men were prepared to reenlist on the same terms as Continental troops (Gibson to GW, 23 Jan. 1779, DNA:PCC, item 78). GW responded on 8 Feb. 1779 directing him to reenlist his men as Continental troops (Df, DLC:GW). No reply from GW to Gibson’s request has been found.

Cite as: The Papers of George Washington Digital Edition, ed. Theodore J. Crackel. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, Rotunda, 2007.

From the Seneca Chiefs Document: Pre07d115 Author: Seneca Chiefs Recipient: Washington, George Date: 1791-01-10

Philadelphia, 10th January, 1791.

Father,

Your speech written on the great paper, is to us, like the first light of the morning to a sick man, whose pulse beats too strongly in his temples, and prevents him from sleep: He sees it and rejoices, but he is not cured.1

You say, that you have spoken plainly on the great point: That you will protect us in the lands secured to us at Fort Stanwix, and that we have the right to sell, or to refuse to sell it. This is very good. But our nation complains, that you compelled us, at that treaty, to give up too much of our lands: We confess that our nation is bound by what was there done, and, acknowledging your power, we have now appealed to yourselves, against that treaty, as made while you were too angry at us, and therefore, unreasonable and unjust: To this you have given us no answer.

Father,

That treaty was not made with a single State; it was with the thirteen States: We never would have given all that land to one State. We know it was before you had the great authority and as you have more wisdom than the Commissioners who forced us into that treaty, we expect, that you have also more regard to justice, and will now, at our request, reconsider that treaty, and restore to us a part of that land.

Father,

The land which lies between the line running South from Lake Erie to the boundary of Pennsylvania, as mentioned at the treaty at Fort Stanwix, and the Eastern boundary of the land which you sold and the Senekas, confirmed to Pennsylvania, is the land on which Half Town, and all his people live, with other chiefs who always have been, and still are disatisfied with the treaty at Fort Stanwix: They grew out of this land, and their fathers

fathers grew out of it, and they cannot be persuaded to part with it: We therefore intreat you to restore to us this little piece.2

Father,

Look at the land which we gave to you, at that treaty, and then turn your eyes upon what we now ask you to restore to us, and you will see that what we ask you to return, is a very little piece. By giving it back again, you will satisfy the whole of our nation: 219 the chiefs who signed that treaty, will be in safety; and peace between your children and our children, will continue so long as your land shall join to ours. Every man of our nation will then turn his eyes away from all the other lands which we then gave up to you, and forget that our fathers ever said that they belonged to them.

Father,

We see, that you ought to have the path at the carrying place from Lake Erie to Niagara, as it was marked down at Fort Stanwix, and are all willing it should remain to be yours. And if you desire to reserve a passage through the Conewango, and through the Chetaughque lake, and land for a path from that lake to lake Erie, take it where you best like. Our nation will rejoice to see it an open path for you, and your children, while the land and water remain: But let us also, pass along the same way, and continue to take the fish of those waters, in common with you.

Father,

You say that you will appoint an agent to take care of us. Let him come, and take care of our trade, but we desire he may not have any thing to do with our lands; for the agents which have come among us, and pretended to take care of us, have always deceived us whenever we sold lands; both when the king of England, and when the States have bargained with us. They have, by this means, occasioned many wars, and we are, therefore, unwilling to trust them again.

Father,

When we return home, we will call a great council, and consider well how lands may be hereafter sold by our nation, and when we have agreed upon it, we will send you notice of it. But we desire, that you will not depend on your agent for information concerning land: For after the abuses which we have suffered by such men, we will not trust them with any thing which relates to land.

Father,

We will not hear lies concerning you, and we desire that you will not hear lies concerning us; and then we shall certainly live at peace with you.

Father,

There are men who go from town to town, and beget children, and leave them to perish, or, except better men take care of 220 them, to grow up without instruction. Our Nation has looked round for a father, but they found none that would own them for children, until you now tell us, that your courts are open to us, as to your own people!

the joy which we feel at this great news, so mixes with the Sorrows that are passed, that we cannot express our gladness, nor conceal the remembrance of our afflictions: We will speak of them at another time.

Father,

We are ashamed that we have listened to the lies of Livingston, or been influenced by threats of war by Phelps, and would hide that whole transaction from the world, and from ourselves, by quietly receiving what Phelps promised to give us for the lands they cheated us of: But as Phelps will not pay us, even according to that fraudulent bargain, we will lay the whole proceedings before your court. When the Evidence which we can produce, is heard, we think it will appear, that the whole bargain was founded on lies, which he placed one upon another; that the goods which he charges to us, as part payment, were plundered from us: that if Phelps was not directly concerned in the theft, he knew of it at the time, and concealed it from us; and that the persons we confided in, were bribed by him to deceive us in the bargain: And if those facts appear, that your court will not say that such bargains are just, but will set the whole aside.

Father,

We apprehend that our evidence might be called for, as Phelps was here, and knew what we have said concerning him, and as Ebenezer Allen knew something of the matter, we desired him to continue here. Nicholson, the interpreter, is very sick, and we request that Allen may remain a few days longer, as he speaks our language.3

Father,

The blood which was spilled near Pine Creek, is covered, and we shall never look where it lies. We know that Pennsylvania will satisfy us for that which we spoke of to them, before we spoke to you. The chain of friendship will now, we hope, be made strong as you desire it to be: We will hold it fast, and our end of it shall never rust in our hands.

Father,

We told you what advice we gave the people you are now at 221 war with; and we now tell you, that they have promised to come again to our towns next spring: We shall not wait for their coming, but set out very early, and shew to them what you have done for us, which must convince them that you will do for them, every thing which they ought to ask. We think they will hear, and follow our advice.

Father,

You gave us leave to speak our minds concerning tilling the ground. We ask you to teach us to plow and grind corn: to assist us in building saw-mills, and supply us with broad axes, saws, augers, and other tools, so as that we may make our houses more comfortable and more durable; that you will send smiths among us, and above all, that you will teach our children to read and write, and our women to spin and to weave. The manner of your doing these things for us, we leave to you, who understand them; but we assure you, that we will follow your advice, as far as we are able.

Present at signing, Joseph Nicholson, interpreter.

his

Ty Matlack. Corn X Planter.

mark his his

John X Dechart, Half X Town.

mark. mark. his his

Jem. X Hudson, Great X Tree.

mark. mark.

Copy, DNA: RG 233, First Congress, 1789–1791, Records of the Office of the Clerk, Records of Reports from Executive Departments; copy, DNA: RG 233, Third Congress, 1793–1795, Records of Legislative Proceedings, Reports and Communications Submitted to the House; copy, MHi: Timothy Pickering Papers; copy, PHi: Gratz Collection. There are minor differences in wording and punctuation among the copies.

1

For the background to this document, see Seneca Chiefs to GW, 1 Dec. 1790, and GW to the Seneca Chiefs, 29 Dec. 1790.

2

This area, commonly referred to as the Erie Triangle, consisted of more than two hundred thousand acres bounded on the east by New York, on the south by Pennsylvania, and on the west by a wide and potentially valuable frontage on Lake Erie. In January 1789 John Gibson and Richard Butler completed an agreement with representatives of the Six Nations to purchase the Indian rights to the area in the future for $2,000. On 3 Feb. 1791 Pennsylvania agreed to pay Cornplanter, Half Town, and Big Tree $800 to quitclaim on the 222 area (Rossman, Thomas Mifflin, 233). Pennsylvania negotiations to purchase the

area from the United States were not completed until March 1792, when the state agreed to pay $151,640.25 for the land (Munger, Pennsylvania Land Records, 129).

3

Oliver Phelps had recently left Philadelphia, where he had been negotiating with Robert Morris about the sale of the remaining portion of the Phelps-Gorham purchase. On 28 Nov. 1790 Morris had received a deed from Phelps for that portion of the Phelps-Gorham purchase to which the Indian title had been extinguished by the agreement between Phelps and the Seneca chiefs concluded in July 1788, and Phelps had remained in Philadelphia during December to negotiate with Morris for the sale of the remaining portion of the Phelps-Gorham purchase, some four million acres. After concluding the first agreement, Morris had dispatched William Temple Franklin to England to sell this land, but he was concerned that the complaints lodged against Phelps by the Seneca might cast doubt on the validity of his title. Phelps left Philadelphia without concluding an agreement with Morris. The “whole affair,” Morris wrote to Phelps and Gorham on 20 Jan. 1791, “has made disagreeable impressions. The Indians will be indisposed to sell the remainder of the Lands. The British are encouraging and will encourage them not to part with them, and probably the Government of the United States may refuse to authorize the holding of a Treaty for further purchase until the Indians shall be satisfied as to their Complaints respecting Mr. Livingston and Mr. Phelps.” Under the circumstances, Morris concluded, “no body can surmount the obstacles which will occur in this business, so well as we can. . . . I deem my own assistance as essentially necessary” (Jefferson Papers, 20:126). Morris subsequently concluded an agreement with the Massachusetts legislature, through the agency of Samuel Ogden, ratified by a resolution of 5 Mar. 1791, to buy the preemption rights to the remaining four million acres of the Phelps-Gorham purchase, for which no payment had yet been received by the state. Shortly thereafter word reached Philadelphia that William Temple Franklin had signed preliminary articles of agreement with Patrick Colquhoun on 15 Feb. 1791 for the sale of the initial one-million-acre tract to William Pulteney, earl of Bath, for £75,000 sterling, almost three times what Morris had paid for the land. The news made a sensation in Philadelphia and encouraged the speculative fever that brought down so many wealthy Philadelphians, including Morris, later in the decade.

Cite as: The Papers of George Washington Digital Edition, ed. Theodore J. Crackel. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, Rotunda, 2007.

Alexander Gibson mentioned too. No Robert Gibson found….

No “major Andrews” found

Two Andrus – not too relevant

No Jehiel

No Nehemiah Gregory

From Michael Madden Document: Pre05d9 Author: Madden, Michael Recipient: Washington, George Date: 1790-01-18

Alexandria [Va.] 18th Janry 1790

Sir,

My present Situation is so distressing that I Begg leave to Trouble your Excelency to Inform me if there is any probability of the Bankrupt laws being Extended by Congress to all the States in union so as I with maney others in this State who are in like difficultys may have the benefite of it.1

I have langushied in prison bounds for upwards of three years, altho I have tendred to my Creditors all the propperty that I am posessed of in the worald for a release from Confinement to no purpose—and indeed the Insolvant law in this State is at best but a Temporary releiffe as the Creditor at the end of six months may Distress the Dr as often as he may Imagain him to have aquired aney propperty worth his nottice.2

I have a wife3 and three Children Suffring with me in my present Distresed Situation allmost ready to perish if I do not obtain Some Speedy releiffe from Confinement.

Your answer to the above speedily will be a great favour done to Your very Oobedient Hume Servt4

M Madden

ALS, DNA: RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters.

Michael Madden left Ireland and settled in Virginia before the American Revolution. During the war he served as a private in Col. Nathaniel Gist’s Additional Continental Virginia Regiment in 1777 and later in Capt. John Lucas’s Montgomery County militia company. He removed to Alexandria before 1784 and set up a mercantile business in a shop on Wolfe Street. In 1785 he and GW both held pews in Christ Church (Saffell, Records of the Revolutionary War, 285; Miller, Artisans and Merchants of Alexandria, 1:313; Slaughter, Truro Parish, 97–99).

16

Madden controlled property in Alexandria, including lots his wife inherited from her father and a parcel granted her by the town in 1765. His financial difficulties probably originated with a £245 note he negotiated with William Sydebotham of Bladensburg, Md., in November 1785, which became due with interest in September 1788. In December 1786 the Maddens mortgaged their new house and lot on Prince Street to Sydebotham to secure the debt. After their default Sydebotham brought suit against Madden in Alexandria Hustings Court and won judgment for the sale of the property, payment of the note, and court costs. Sydebotham died before the decree was executed, and his executors successfully revived the suit against Madden, who again defaulted, and in August 1795 the court sold the property at auction (Munson, Alexandria Hustings Court Deeds, 1783–1797, 7, 17, 18, 47, 53, 77, 83, 110, 111, 138–39. 193, 206).

1

On 1 June 1789 a House committee was appointed to prepare a bill “to establish an uniform system on the subject of bankruptcies throughout the United States.” Not until 5 May 1792, however, did Congress pass “An Act for the relief of persons imprisoned for Debt” (DHFC 3:78; 1 Stat. 265–66).

2

The Virginia act for the relief of insolvent debtors passed 13 Dec. 1792 eliminated such actions (13 Hening 357, 374–77).

3

Madden married Hannah Ramsay, one of five daughters of GW’s cousin Ann McCarty Ball Ramsay (c.1730–1785) and William Ramsay (1716–1785), a founder and prominent citizen of Alexandria and GW’s lifelong friend. Hannah’s sisters were frequent guests at Mount Vernon, and GW contributed financially to the education of their eldest brother, William, Jr. (Papers, Colonial Series, 3:413; Diaries, 2:46, 52, 108, 119, 235, 3:81, 227, 238, 312, 4:164, 206, 257, 272, 274, 5:14, 131, 273, 318, 319, 327, 364; Munson, Alexandria Hustings Court Deeds, 1783–1797, 193).

4

On 27 Jan. Tobias Lear wrote Madden: “The President of the United States has received your letter of the 18th inst.—and directs me to inform you, that it is not in his power to give a decided Answer to your quaere, viz. ‘if there is a probability of the Bankrupt laws being extended by Congress to all the States in the Union’? as this is a subject which depends upon the Legislative body of the United States to decide upon, and therefore an opinion relating to the matter cannot be expected from the Executive” (DNA: RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters).

Cite as: The Papers of George Washington Digital Edition, ed. Theodore J. Crackel. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, Rotunda, 2007.

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