Special Collections, John D. Rockefeller Jr. Library, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation

Browse Items (60 total)

  • MS2000-66-001.jpg

    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.
  • MS1991-16-001.jpg

    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.
  • D2020-COPY-0818-0002c.jpg

    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.

  • D2020-SC-1104-001.jpg

    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).

  • D2020-SC-0902-0001.jpg

    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.
  • MS1996-26-R.jpg

    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.
  • MS1946-01-02-R.jpg

    Deed of release for property in Williamsburg, Virginia, known as "Custis Square," which Blaikley had purchased from John Tullitt in 1716. Witnessed by Robert C. Turner, Joseph Davenport, Samuel Cobbs, and James Frazer.

    Endorsed by Catherine Blaikley and signed by William Robertson, Clerk of the Court.

  • D2020-JBC-0825-0011.jpg

    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.
  • MS1989-12-01-P1.jpg
  • MS1989-12-02-P1.jpg
  • MS2000-52-001.jpg
  • D2020-JBC-1009-0006.jpg

    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.

  • MS1981-5-001.jpg

    Anonymous manuscript journal, by a member of the Light Infantry, chronicling the events of the Yorktown campaign from the arrival of George Washington in Williamsburg on September 14th and culminating with the British surrender on October 19th. The author describes the digging of parallels, artillery fire, the burning of the British warship Charon, a lackluster sortie by the British and their surrender. Also mentioned are Admiral de Grasse, Generals Lafayette, Muhlenberg, and Steuben as well as Colonel Alexander Scammell who died of his wounds in Williamsburg.
  • MS2012-12-001.jpg

    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."
  • MS1932-08-001.jpg

    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.
  • MS2013-08-001.jpg

    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.

  • MS1999-10-001.jpg

    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 ..."
  • MS1984-01-001.jpg

    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.
  • Recto

    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.
  • D2020-JBC-1118-0146.jpg

    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.

  • D2020-JBC-1118-0146.jpg
  • MS1938-09-001.jpg

    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.

  • D2010-COPY-0809-1012.jpg

    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.

  • D2010-COPY-0809-1022.jpg

    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.

  • MS1996-11_001.jpg

    Medical record book prepared by a Barwick Bruce, a plantation doctor of Barbados.  A contemporary title added to the front cover reads: "Barwick Bruce's Day Book Commencing March 17, 1791." Most entries are signed by either John Austin or William Tull. Each entry lists a date, the name of the person examined, and the treatment prescribed. Plantations mentioned include Edge Hill, Grome Hall, and Bay Plantation. A majority of the entries concern treatments prescribed for illnesses or injuries suffered by enslaved persons. James Bruce is listed as the master of many of the slaves treated. In addition, some entries concern prescriptions given to treat planters and their family members. The entries provide insight into care provided by plantation owners for their enslaved laborers and family members and into different remedies prescribed for ailments, such as bleeding, purging, pills, and ointments.

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