Browse Items (63 total)

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  Memoir of a stay at the Iron Works : manuscript copy

  19th-century copy of an American officer's account of convalescing from his leg wound. The account mentions Brigadier General Robert Lawson, who commanded the Virginia militia at the Battle of Guilford Courthouse, and Major General Nathanael Greene. It is possible St. George Tucker is the author of this account. Tucker served in the militia under General Lawson and was wounded in the leg at the Battle of Guilford Courthouse on March 15, 1781. Following the battle, the American army encamped nearby at Speedwell's Iron Works on Troublesome Creek in Rockingham County, North Carolina.
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  Manuscript music book, 1790

  Manuscript music book of 134 works belonging to A. Bell, New York. Contains marches, jigs, some tunes referring to the Duke of York and to soldiers and sailors, and some love songs. One song is attributed to a Mrs. Melmouth, and one was sung by a Mrs. Bannister.

  Includes index-- pages [1-2] at end.

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  Lewis Worrall arithmetic exercise book

  Manuscript book of arithmetic rules, definitions, and problems, covering addition and subtraction of whole numbers, money and weights, multiplication and division, money problems, proportion, profit and loss, interest, and reduction of fractions, with many word problems for each type of problem.

  "Lewis Worrell's Cyphering"--folio 28v.

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  Lecture on Williamsburg delivered by Lilla C. Wheeler to the Olean Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, 1907

  Lecture notes of Miss Lilla C. Wheeler of Portville, New York for a presentation presumably delivered to the Olean, New York Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution in 1907. Wheeler describes the current depressed state of Williamsburg, Virginia, efforts to restore Bruton Parish Church, the College of William and Mary and the town's 18th-century past. While in Williamsburg, Wheeler met the Reverend W.A.R. Goodwin who served as guide during her visit.
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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.
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  Joseph Hooker letter to Chauncey McKeever, 1862 May 10

  General Joseph Hooker letter to Captain Chauncey McKeever, Assistant Adjutant General of the Third Corps, dated from Williamsburg, Virginia, May 10, 1862. Hooker's letter discusses the Battle of Williamsburg and provides a list of his division's losses.
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  John Smith apprenticeship indenture, 1799 August 3

  Indenture by which the orphan John Smith of Norfolk, Virginia was bound an apprentice to John Latham, ship captain of Norfolk, to learn the trade of mariner or seaman.
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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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  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."
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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.
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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.
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  John Harvey apprenticeship indenture, 1799 March 10

  An indenture contract binding John Harvey, orphaned son of John Harvey, as an apprentice to Richard Latimer, a
  shoe and boot maker. Signed on 3 August 1799 by the above parties, and Robert Brough.
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  James Williams apprenticeship indenture, 1793 September 22

  By this document, James Williams, orphan, is indentured to George Suggs of Norfolk to serve an apprenticeship as a tailor. Williams was bound to Suggs by James Boyce, Chamberlain for Norfolk Borough, pursuant to an order of the court.
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  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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  James Craig letter to an unidentified recipient, 1761 May 23

  Letter of Williamsburg, Virginia silversmith James Craig to an unidentified recipient. Craig writes that he is overstocked with certain goods and wishes to sell them on reasonable terms. Craig was not comfortable sending the items on credit so he suggested the recipient of the letter send someone to the meeting of the General Court in Williamsburg to conduct business with him.

  On April 7, 1768, Craig ran an advertisement in the Virginia Gazette announcing the arrival of a shipment from London aboard the Matty. The advertisement listed many of the items subsequently offered in the letter.

  This letter may be Craig's first letter to Edenton, North Carolina silversmith and jeweler Thomas Agnis. In Virginia Silversmiths ... Catherine Hollan writes that Craig sold silver and jewelry to Agnis in July, 1761. Agnis sent his enslaved man, Joe Baker to Williamsburg with payment.

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  James Carter invoice book, 1752-1783

  Invoice book of Dr. James Carter (d. 1794), apothecary of Williamsburg, Virginia, including record of drugs, medical supplies, clothing, yard goods, household goods, and food received from the following merchants: James Bland; Butcher & Barrett; Cary & Co.; Dobson, Daltera & Walker of Liverpool; Joseph Etherington; James Gildart of Liverpool; Graham Frank & Co.; Messrs. Popplewith & Co.; Thomas Knox of Bristol; John Norton; Charles Osborne; Welling & Slater; Messrs. Welling & Butcher; and Wellings & Jacobs. Also lists drugs bought from the estates of Dr. George Gilmer and Dr. Kenneth McKenzie of Williamsburg.
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  Indenture between Thomas Craig and the Feoffees and Directors of Williamsburg for lot 12 in Williamsburg, Virginia, 1771 July 9

  Indenture between Thomas Craig, tailor of Williamsburg, Va. and the Feoffees and Directors of Williamsburg for the lease of lot 12 in Williamsburg. The lot is located on the south side of Market Square. This property was previously leased by John Dixon. Craig acquired the lease after purchasing Dixon's estate. The indenture is signed by Peyton Randolph, John Blair, William Pierce, Severinus Durfey, James Minzies, Benjamin Harrison, William Rose and James Douglas.
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  George Weedon letter to William Phillips, 1781 April 12 : manuscript copy

  Retained copy of a letter of American Brigadier General George Weedon to British Major General William Phillips concerning prisoners of war. Weedon expresses his desire "to render the Circumstances of war as little afflicting as possible ..." He notes he is willing to exchange prisoners or grant paroles when exchanges aren't "Subject to my will."

  
  

  Phillips himself had been a prisoner of war. Captured at the Battle of Saratoga in 1777, he was exchanged for the American general, Benjamin Lincoln, who was captured at Charleston in 1780. Shortly after rejoining the army, Phillips was sent to Virginia where he operated with the traitor, Benedict Arnold. He achieved a number of successes in the field before dying at Petersburg on May 13, 1781.

  
  

  Weedon was present at the Siege of Yorktown where he commanded American militia at Gloucester Point. He survived the war returning to Fredericksburg where he died in 1793.

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  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.
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  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.
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  Francis Jerdone Cargo Waste Book, 1748-1749

  Waste book record of cargo imported and tobacco shipped by Francis Jerdone at Yorktown, Virginia. The book documents the variety and volume of goods sold by Jerdone and the many customers he had in Virginia. Customers included Colonel Carter Burwell, the Reverend John Camm, Alexander Craig, Colonel Dudley Diggs, James Dixon, Robert Donald, Thomas Everard, Alexander Finnie, the Reverend Mr. Fontaine, William Jerdone, Warner Lewis, John Lightfoot, William Lightfoot, Thomas Nelson, William Nelson, John Norton, John Palmer, James Shield, Captain John Tabb, and Bennitt Tomkins.
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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.

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  Elizabeth McPherson Whitehead Diary, 1853-1855

  Diary of Elizabeth McPherson Whitehead, daughter of Dr. Nathan Colgate Whitehead and Lillian Blair McPherson, of Norfolk, Virginia. The item is inscribed as a journal of her life meant to make her watchful of her thoughts and of her actions towards others. She describes daily activities including visits with her neighbors, including noted sculptor Alexander Galt and his family. Whitehead also mentions a trip to Boston, Massachusetts, and the Athenaeum there, where she viewed sculptures by Greenough and Canova.
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  Edmund Bagge account book, 1726-1733

  Bound journal of accounts including household accounts and the settlements of the estates of his uncle and aunt, John and Mary Bagge on surviving pages 33-198. Names appearing in the accounts include Katherine Bagge, Robert Brooke, James Curtiss, William Fosset, John Greene, Robert Gresham, Dr. Alexander Parker, Robert Rose, Alexander Spotswood, William Taliaferro, Thomas Waring, and Benjamin Winslow.

  The second half of the volume is the diary of the Reverend Robert Rose.

  Edmund Bagge (d. 1734) was an Anglican minister serving St. Anne's Parish, Essex County, at the time of his death.

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  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.