Browse Items (63 total)
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Benjamin Waller letter to Meriwether Skelton, 1780 February 21
Benjamin Waller writes to Meriwether Skelton concerning interest on the debt owed Waller by Skelton. Waller laments that many men have repaid his loans made to them in hard currency with devalued paper money by which he has lost a considerable fortune. -
Daniel Parke Custis militia commission, 1754 December 13
Commission appointing Daniel Parke Custis Lieutenant and commander of milita for New Kent County, Virginia. The commission is signed by Lieutenant Governor Robert Dinwiddie, dated December 13, 1754.
Custis was a wealthy planter and politician who owned several properties including one in Williamsburg, Virginia. He was the first husband of Martha Dandridge who married George Washington after Custis's death.
The commission was displayed in the Clash of Empires exhibit, an NEH supported exhibition at the Senator John Heinz Regional History Center, from May, 2005 to July, 2007.
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John Harvey apprenticeship order, 1799 January 28
A copy of the Norfolk, VA district court order to bind the orphan John Harvey as an apprentice to Richard Latimer, a shoe and boot maker, in 1799. -
Norfolk, Virginia Hustings Court order to bind William Cutrell, Joseph Richardson, and Philip Murphy, 1799 May 28
A copy of the Norfolk, VA district court order to bind the orphans William Cutrell, Joseph Richardson, and Philip Murphy as apprentices to John Abbot, a boot and shoe maker, in 1799. -
Surveyor's commission of Richard P. Clements, 1800 November 22
Surveyor's commission of Richard P. Clements appointing him surveyor of Southampton County, Virginia. Clements was certified to be qualified for the post by the College of William and Mary and his commission bears the signatures of its President, James Madison, and Professors Robert Andrews, St. George Tucker, John Bracken and James Henderson. It is also signed by Virginia Governor James Monroe.
Printed document completed in manuscript.
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The Petition to His Majesty; The Memorial to the House of Lords; The Remonstrance to the House of Commons
The Petition Memorial and Remonstrance is actually three separate addresses intended for the King, the Lords and the Commons in response to the Townshend Acts passed by Parliament in the summer of 1767. This copy bears the signature of George William Fairfax. -
George Givens militia commission, 1776 May 14
George Givens was born in Orange County, Virginia in 1740. At some point, he moved his family to Botetourt County. He had served as a lieutenant in Lord Dunmore's War and was at the Battle of Point Pleasant. For his service in the Revolution, Givens was awarded 400 hundred acres of land in Lincoln County. He died in Kentucky in 1825. -
George Weedon commission, 1776 February 13.
Military commission signed by John Hancock appointing George Weedon Lieutenant Colonel in the 3rd Virginia Regiment. George Weedon (1734-1793) was a businessman, landholder and tavern keeper of Fredericksburg, Virginia. He served in George Washington’s Virginia Regiment during the French and Indian War. By the end of the war, Weedon had risen to the rank of Captain Lieutenant and had eight years of military experience under his belt. Following the war, Weedon ran his mother-in-law’s tavern and sold meat in partnership with Washington’s brother Charles. While not taking a leading political role in the controversy with Great Britain, Weedon was active in the patriot cause. In December, 1774, he was made a captain in the Spotsylvania Independent Company under Colonels Hugh Mercer and Alexander Spotswood. With the outbreak of war in 1775, Weedon put his tavern up for lease in anticipation of active service. The Virginia Convention which met in Richmond in July, 1775 created two regiments under Patrick Henry and William Woodford but decided against a third which was to be commanded by Hugh Mercer with Weedon as his second in command. The Virginia Convention of December, 1775 added several more regiments including the Third which was designated for Continental service. George Weedon was in Williamsburg, Virginia when he received this commission on March 5th, 1776. With Mercer’s promotion to brigadier general, Congress promoted Weedon to colonel. Weedon was involved in the Virginia campaign against Governor Dunmore including the action at Gwynn’s Island. Following Dunmore’s exit from Virginia, Weedon went north to serve in the Continental Army under Washington. In February, 1777, Congress elected Weedon to the rank of brigadier general. While in Fredericksburg on furlough from the American encampment at Valley Forge, Weedon learned that a board of officers had decided to reinstate William Woodford’s seniority over Weedon. Though both brigadier generals, Weedon originally was granted seniority over Woodford because the latter had resigned his colonelcy for a time. With this reversal in seniority, Weedon sought his release from active service. Weedon remained on the sidelines until British forces under Arnold and Phillips brought the threat of invasion home to Virginia in 1780. He was active in raising, equipping and leading militia against British forces. At the siege of Yorktown, Weedon commanded American forces at Gloucester Point opposite the main British force under Cornwallis. -
St. George Tucker letter to John Page, 1797 June 23
St. George Tucker letter to John Page, 1797 June 23 concerning American relations with France. Tucker mentions Napoleion, the Directory, and John Marshall's involvement in diplomatic negotiations with the French. Tucker also extends an invitiation to Page to visit him on the Fourth of July. -
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Alexander Spotswood letter to Edmund Pendleton, 1775 November 16
Alexander Spotswood writes from Surry County to Edmund Pendleton concerning the dispatch of William Woodford's troops to the defense of Southside Virginia. Spotswood also discusses John Murray, Earl of Dunmore, and loyalist sentiment in Norfolk and Portsmouth, Va. Spotswood expresses his belief that more is to be feared from the loyalists of those places than from Lord Dunmore writing "... I woud Rather burn the Towns of Norfolk, Gosport,& portsmouth, than hurt a hair of his Lordsh-ip's head ..." -
William Spencer diaries 1790 April 24-August 1
William Spencer was born in 1764 in Buckingham County, Virginia, but moved to Prince Edward County while young. He served as a Methodist circuit rider, 1789-1797, in Virginia and North Carolina and taught school in Prince Edward County. He moved to Lunenburg County in 1804. Spencer was married to Mary Newbill.
Diaries of William Spencer, a Methodist circuit rider on the Williamsburg Circuit, extending from Richmond (Henrico Co.) to Hampton; and the Surry Circuit, including Surry and Sussex counties. Spencer records the locations where he preached, his reception by congregations, and accounts of his personal spiritual life. The diaries were written as a homily for future generations. Prominent early Methodist circuit riders mentioned include Stephen Davis, Ira Ellis, James O'Kelly and John Robinson. Spencer lists many of the homes and churches where he preached, including Clayton's Meetinghouse; Ellis Chapel, Sussex County; Lane's Chapel, Sussex County; and Watkins' Meetinghouse, Henrico County.
A portion of the diaries was published in Virginia United Methodist Heritage, Vol. III, no. 2 (Fall, 1975).
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Andrew Shepherd account book, 1773-1790
Ledger of accounts for a store, possibly kept by Andrew Shepherd of Orange County, Virginia. A great variety of goods were sold to people in Orange, Culpeper, Albemarle, and Augusta counties, and the communities of Fredericksburg and Staunton. Customers included Isaac Allen, Captain William Daingerfield, Ambrose Madison, James Madison Jr., Hugh Mercer, Barnet Moore, John Strather, Mrs. William Taliaferro and George Weedon.
Andrew Shepherd's name appears on a page of calculations near the end of the volume.
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John Robertson account book, 1781-1811
John Robertson was Deputy Commissary General of Issues during the American Revolution and later a schoolmaster in Albemarle County and Lynchburg, Virginia.
Robertson's account book includes receipts for supplies received from him at the magazine in Williamsburg (October-November, 1781); indexed accounts of his school in Lynchburg (1801-1802); house expenses (1807-1810); and, a register of his children with Sarah Rogers Robertson. The entries for 1781 include some for British prisoners of war.
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Last will and testament of Richard Randolph, 1742 February 6
The last will and testament of Richard Randolph of Curles Neck Plantation in Henrico County, Virginia. -
William Plume letter to Joseph North, 1780 November 4
William Plume, Williamsburg, Virginia, letter to Joseph North, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, November 4, 1780. Plume writes briefly about the war including mentions of Cornwallis and the Leslie raid of Virginia. Plume notes that Leslie has failed in his primary goal and is opposed by a large number of American regular and militia forces commanded by Brigadier General Muhlenberg. The rest of Plume's letter concerns business and personal matters. Plume requests North procure some knives for him and discusses the high price of horses in Virginia. He also urges North to come to Virginia where he will find plentiful oysters, rum, cider, beer etc.
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Philip III, King of Spain, letter to the Duke of Medina Sidonia, 1609 June 11
Philip III, King of Spain, letter to Alonso Pérez de Guzmán, Duke of Medina Sidonia, dated June 11, 1609. The King writes that he has received the Duke's letter concerning the attack on Spanish vessels by pirates and requests more information. He also wishes to know more about English plans to populate Virginia. The Duke, as Captain General of the Ocean Sea was expected to obtain this information from his subordinates in the treasure fleets.
The letter was accomplished in manuscript by Antonio de Arostequi , and signed by the King. A hole in the paper shows where the King's seal was attached.
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Philip III, King of Spain, letter to the Duke of Medina Sidonia, 1608 July 29.
Philip III, King of Spain, letter to Alonso Pérez de Guzmán, Duke of Medina Sidonia, dated July 29, 1608. The King writes to request information concerning the English settlements in Virginia. Specifically, he wishes to learn the locations, ports and sailing conditions which prevail there. The Duke, as Captain General of the Ocean Sea was expected to obtain this information from his subordinates in the treasure fleets.
The letter was accomplished in manuscript by Andres de Prada, and signed by the King. A hole in the paper shows where the King's seal was attached.
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John Page letter to Richard Caswell, 1777 September 26
Virginia Lt. Governor John Page writes to North Carolina Governor Richard Caswell concerning British naval operations in the region. The British had blocked Ocracoke Inlet and Page urges Caswell to send one of the galleys constructed at the joint expense of the two states to dislodge the British vessels blockading the inlet. Page notes he will have Champion Travis, a member of Virginia's Naval Board, work to get some of Virginia's galley fleet into action. Page also thanks Caswell for making part of the N.C. militia available during the British Army and Navy's move up the Chesapeake as they advanced to Philadelphia and discusses the outcome of the action between Washington and Howe at Brandywine on September 11, 1777. -
John Peter Gabriel Muhlenberg letter to George Weedon, 1781 July 29
Letter of Brigadier General Muhlenberg to Brigadier General Weedon in which Muhlenberg discusses the Battle of Green Spring fought July 6, 1781. The American forces were led by Lafayette and Anthony Wayne. Muhlenberg was critical of Wayne noting that "Green Springs ... might have proved fatal to this Army & the State, owing to the impetuosity of our Brother Brigadier." Muhlenberg describes for Weedon the course and outcome of the battle but advises Weedon that "... it will not do to make it public." -
James McHenry letter to General George Weedon, 1781 July 10
Letter of James McHenry, aide-de-camp to Lafayette, to General George Weedon dated July 10, 1781. McHenry gives a brief and optimistic description of the Battle at Green Spring fought between American forces under Lafayette and the British under Cornwallis. -
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Francis Jerdone account book, 1751-1752
Contains various kinds of accounts including accounts with individuals (many individuals in Hanover Co., Va.), for goods purchased from Jerdone; with merchants in Great Britain, and with the ships' captains who carried goods between Virginia and England; lists of supplies of staples such as salt and rum; invoices for tobacco shipped to England; and a summary of Jerdone's finances. Goods include sugar, molasses, chocolates, cheese, tea, beer, raisins, hats, hosiery and snuff. Also concerns buying and selling of slaves; and shows tobacco marks of various planters. Accounts incl ude those of Robert Anderson, John Backhouse, John Baylor, John Chiswell, Henry Cooke, John Cooper, Archibald Crawford, Robert Donald, John Goldsmith, Dr. Alexander Jameson, Bennitt Kirby, Edward Lankford, Thomas Nelson, John Norton, Mann Page, the proprietors of the Raleigh Tavern, William Stevenson, John Thomson, John Winn and George Wythe.