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

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.

Richard St. George Mansergh St. George military commission, 1776 December 23

William Howe signed military commission dated December 23, 1776 appointing Richard St. George Mansergh St. George lieutenant in the 52nd Regiment of Foot. The British Army under Howe was at that time stationed in New York City.

Mansergh was horribly wounded at the Battle of Germantown on October 4, 1777. A surgeon removed a portion of his skull which was then covered with a silver plate. Mansergh retired from the military in 1785. We was killed in Ireland during the uprising in 1798.

The commission was on display at the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia as part of the exhibit: Cost of Revolution: The Life and Death of an Irish Soldier from September 28, 2019 through March 17, 2020.

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.

The Case of Norborne Berkeley, Esq. in relation to the Barony of Botetourt

The petition of Norborne Berkeley for the barony of Botetourt which had been in abeyance since the 15th-century. Berkeley, who had been elected to the House of Commons in 1741, became a member of the House of Lords when his petition was granted in 1764. The petition includes a genealogical chart demonstrating Berkeley's descent from John the First Lord Botetourt who was summoned to Parliament during the thirty third year of the reign of Edward I. A manuscript addition on the final page reads "Die Lunae 0/9 Aprilis 1764. Resolved that it appears to the Committee that the Barony of Bottetourt is in Abeysence and that the petitioner is one of the Coheirs of the said John Lord Bottetourt." Four years after becoming Lord Botetourt, Berkeley was appointed Governor of Virginia. He served there until his death on October, 15, 1770.

Thomas Callahan apprenticeship indenture with William Webber, 1793 June 6

Apprenticeship indenture of Thomas Callahan with William Webber of Campbell County, Va. dated 1793. Callahan apprentices himself to Webber for a term of 8 years and 10 months to learn the trade of blacksmithing.

Thomas Clayton apprenticeship indenture with James Griffin, 1746 March 2

Apprenticeship indenture of Thomas Clayton of Richmond County, Virginia. Clayton, with his remarried mother's consent, apprenticed himself to James Griffin to learn the trades of joiner and house carpenter.

Polley Marten apprenticeship indenture with Francis Perdue, 1805 February 1

By this indenture John Franklin and William Roper, overseers of the poor for Campbell County, Virginia, apprentice Polley Marten, bastard of Molley Marten, to Francis Perdue. Polley Marten, three years of age at the time of her apprenticeship was to serve Francis Perdue until the age of eighteen. Polley was to be taught "spinning weaveing sewing and niting."

Alley Anthony apprenticeship indenture with Thomas McDorman, 1799 April 2.

Apprenticeship indenture for Alley Anthony a free African American woman of Norfolk, Virginia. The indenture was arranged by Robert Brough at the request of the court. Anthony, who was 18 at the time, was indentured to Thomas McDorman for a term of 3 years to learn the trade of a seamstress. Robert Brough as Chamberlain of Norfolk was responsible for binding out orphans in accordance with an ordinance of 1791. Chamberlain was the term Norfolk used for its treasurer.

William Cutrell apprenticeship indenture with James Abbot, 1800 January 6.

An indenture contract binding William Cutrell, orphaned son of William Cutrell, as an apprentice to James Abbot, a boot and shoe maker. Signed on 6 January 1800 by the above parties, and Robert Brough, Chamberlain of Norfolk.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Weaver's draft notebook

Probably a British weaver's notebook signed by Benjamin Daves (1774) and mentions Birmingham, England. Includes weaver's drafts, names of patterns, directions, some descriptions of patterns, details of pricings, and how much thread needed to be used. Also includes an account of fabrics purchased with cost and recipes to cure Kings Evil, shortness of breath, ague, collick, fever, and rheumatism.

Bound in a wallet style vellum binding with metal catch and clasp.

Also includes five pieces of cloth.

Marquis de Lafayette letter to M. Le Noir, 1786 August 1

Marquis de Lafayette letter to M. Le Noir concerning trade and the actions of the committee concerned with it.

Marshal de Castries letter to Vicomte d'Arrot, 1786 June 16

Marshal de Castries writes from Versailles that he has received d'Arrot's letter and the copy of the oath of fidelity which had been administered to the inhabitants of Tobago.

Vicomte de Damas letter to Vicomte d'Arrot, 1786 April 26

Damas writes to d'Arrot from Port Royal that he has arrived from Guadeloupe where he had received d'Arrot's letter from Mr. de Ribert which described an accident involving the Perdrix. Damas also writes that the transport vessel Loire has arrived with the Comte de Bouille.

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