Newhanover County NcArchives Military Records.....Potts, Joshua Revwar - Letters ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/nc/ncfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Guy Potts http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00017.html#0004214 July 26, 2009, 9:22 am Letters Letter from Jethro Sumner to Joshua Potts Sumner, Jethro, 1733?-1785 April 18, 1781 Volume 15, Page 441 GENERAL SUMNER TO J. POTTS. Warren County, April 18th, 1781. Sir: I am to acquaint you (if I am not mistaken in the department which you fill) that I shall rendezvous the drafts of this State as Continental Troops at Hillsborough, agreeable to order. The district of Hillsborough will rendezvous at Hillsborough the 25th Instant. The East and Southern district will lose no time in joining General Rendezvous by the fifth of May, therefore you are to use your activity in laying in provisions immediately at Hillsborough for fifteen hundred men; the situation of the State requires every exertion for their being provided for untill equipped for the field. You are therefore to give the necessary aid of your department, for the well providing for the said troops by the time and place mentioned. I am Sir, your servant, JETHRO SUMNER. ------------- Letter from Joshua Potts to Jethro Sumner Potts, Joshua April 19, 1781 Volume 15, Pages 441-442 JOSHUA POTTS TO GENERAL SUMNER. Colo. Philemon Hawkins's, Warren County. April 19th, 1781. Sir: Yours by Boy this moment recd. in which you request provisions, &c., to be laid in at Hillsborough for two thousand men, &c. According to your order you may depend, Sir, that every exertion in my power shall be put in execution to perform your Requisition. Perhaps you have understood that General Greene, just before he left Ramsey's Mill, gave directions that stores of every kind should be forwarded from the eastern part of this State, to Hillsborough, there to be subject to farther orders, In consequence of which order I departed Halifax a few days ago, with an intent to make a tour through the respective Counties of this district; have been here several days, put ten waggons into service, eight of which will start from this with Bacon, in a day or two, & shall continue to send forward provisions from each County, with all possible expedition. I am, Sir, your most obedient & humble servant,JOSHUA POTTS, S. C. H. D. ------------ Letter from Joshua Potts to Jethro Sumner Potts, Joshua May 01, 1781 Volume 15, Pages 450-451 JOSHUA POTTS TO GENERAL SUMNER. Harrisburgh, May 1st, 1781. Sir: Mr. Vass this moment shewed me yours to Colo. Burton, & himself; in which I find you have changed the rendezvous of troops, & of consequence the destination of stores. In compliance with your directions, while I was at Col. Hawkins, have sent to Hillsborough upwards of three thousand Wt. of Bacon, from Edgecombe. Have at this place at present twelve thousand Weight from Warren County, three Thousand of which will be deposited in Hillsborough, & the other nine thousand continued on to Salisbury, by order of Col. Carrington, in behalf of Col. Davie at which place the Waggons will receive farther directions to Headquarters. I should have left the three thousand lbs. Bacon at this place, but as I made a contract with the owners of two waggons to convey their loads only to Hillsborough, I still think proper to transport it there, especially as there are already stores of provision already at this place, & near it which may quickly be brought here. I shall have more here by the time you rendezvous the troops. I see you require of Mr. Vass a list of Staff Officers, &c. I hereby communicate the same in Halifax district, Col. Nicholas Long, D. Q. M. G'l. at Halifax. Capt. John Medearis. A. D. Q. M. G'l. in Wake County. Joshua Potts, Superintent. Commis., of Halifax District; & A. D. Q. M. at Halifax. Edward Hill, Commis. of Edgecombe, & A. D. Q. M. G'l. at Tarborough. Thomas Hunter, ditto Martin County at the Courthouse. Josiah Crump, ditto Northampton 6 miles above Halifax Town. Matthew Rabun ditto Halifax County. Arthur Arrington ditto Nash County. William Christmas ditto Warren County. William Hill ditto Franklin County. I am Sir, your most Obedient & humble servantJOSHUA POTTS S. C. Halifax Dist. -------------- Letter from Joshua Potts to Jethro Sumner Potts, Joshua June 09, 1781 Volume 15, Pages 475-476 JOSHUA POTTS TO GENERAL SUMNER. Halifax, June 9th, 1781. Sir: A few hours ago, I received and perused yours to Col. Long; in which you mention that very little preparation is made by me for the reception of the Troops at Genl. Rendezvous. I shall immediately endeavor to furnish as much provision and other necessaries, as will answer your demand, in the meantime scarcely know at what place you intend Genl. Rendezvous. The only line you ever wrote me directed stores to be deposited in Hillsborough for that purpose. After which I accidentally saw your letter to Col. Burton on the same occasion which signified the place was changed to that of Harrisburgh. Since that I have been informed by Capt. Christmas, that the late drafts were to be rendezvoused in Halifax District. I accordingly wrote you a line by Older Neal, requesting you would inform me of that place at which you would desire provisions, and also the quantity of the same that might be required; but have not yet received such directions. I shall be busy in sending provisions, &c, towards the Westward; to Harrisburgh, if not otherwise directed, and should it be required in Warren, or Hillsborough it will be going towards either of the places. I am Sir, Your humble servant,JOSHUA POTTS, S. C. H. D. P. S. Waggons are and shortly will be, very scarce in this part of the Country, if you have them in Camp not materially employed, should be glad they might go for provisions, of which there are a large quantity in Nash and Franklin Counties. I would have wrote this to your Brigade Quarter-Master but do not know who he is. J. P. ------------ Letter from Joshua Potts to Jethro Sumner Potts, Joshua June 11, 1781 Volume 15, Page 480 JOSHUA POTTS TO GENERAL SUMNER. June 11th, 1781. Sir: I am this day going over into Northampton, in order to have a drove of hogs, & perhaps a few cattle sent on towards Harrisburgh. There are I'm informed about 200 hogs in very good order. They will cross Roanoak at Eaton's Ferry; should they or any of them be required at Bute old Court House, & you will let me know it, I will have them sent accordingly. Otherwise they will all be driven to Harrisburg. I have just now dispatched John Reasoner with two waggons which yesterday arrived here from Murfree's, with Rum, sugar and Coffee. Have directed the same under said Reasoner's Care to your Camp at Bute old Courthouse. The Invoice of Stores here inclosed which is all that was brought, except two barrels of Coffee No. 1, 248 lbs. nett; No.2, 276 lbs. which could not be sent by reason of a heavy load without it. I am Sir, Your humble servant,JOSHUA POTTS, A. D. Q. M. ------------- Letter from Joshua Potts to Jethro Sumner Potts, Joshua June 23, 1781 Volume 15, Page 493 JOSHUA POTTS TO GENERAL SUMNER IN HARRISBURGH. Halifax, June 23rd, 1781. Sir: Yours of the 20th Instant received. We have not the Oznabrig Thread or Twine you require, but have sent off a person in quest of the same. Two Waggons arrived here yesterday with stores from Major Murfree's, which I am about to send on to your Quarters, with a few articles from this place, an invoice of the whole inclosed, except eighty weight of sugar and fifty weight of Coffee, which Col. Ashe this moment ordered out for his use. I hope Sir, you will permit the three Waggons now out to return immediately as I shortly expect to furnish Major Murfree with Waggons, when he may arrive with the Edenton drafts &c. Mr. John Wood the Bearer hereof, hath acted with us, some time, as waggon Master, and is recommended as such by Col. Long, who would be glad you might continue the said appointment if there be a vacancy of that kind. Mr. William Rose hath also acted in like capacity, should you have occasion for another Rose will go on with the Edenton Drafts. About two hundred hogs in good order, were sent on the other Day from Northampton under management of Mr. Wm. Love, and perhaps may arrive at Harrisburgh ere this comes to hand. Enclosed is a Letter perhaps from Major Murfree I sent yours directed to him yesterday by Express. I am Sir, Your most humble sevt.JOSHUA POTTS, A. D. Q. M. P. S. I have directed the Commissioner of Nash County to forward Bacon to your Camp, & shall give the like orders to the Commissioner of Franklin. J. P. -------------- Letter from Joshua Potts to Jethro Sumner Potts, Joshua October 07, 1781 Volume 15, Pages 648-649 CAPT. JOSHUA POTTS TO GENERAL SUMNER. Halifax, Octo. 7th, 1781. Sir: Yours of the 11th September last at Yeotaugh1 Springs came safe to hand. The account you gave concerning the engagement, was very acceptable and satisfactory to the inhabitants here but were sorry to hear of the unfortunate of our Officers, &c., which we quickly had an acc't of. You mention Stores of several kinds are wanting in camp. Sometime past I think about the 14th of September, I sent five wagons, laden with stores, peculiarly for the use of your Brigade, Vizt: Procured by Major Murfree & sent with 3 Waggons to your Brigade. 3 Hhd. Rum. 1 Tierce ditto. 2 Barrels Brown Sugar, Amt. 588 lbs. gross. 2 Baggs Coffee do 192 ditto 500 Pair Soldiers Shoes. 3 Reams Writing Paper. 128 Canteens well fixed. To be left at Salisbury. 2789 lbs Barr & Sheat Lead, & 109 lbs Cartridge Paper. The above I expect you'll receive ere this arrives. However I am desired by Col. Long to inform you, that Clothing shall be sent on as soon as a Quantity sufficient can be prepared, which will be accompanied with as many other necessaries, as possibly can be procured, agreeable to your request. I have this day sent off four Waggons bearing stores of Rum, Sugar and Coffee for the use of the General Hospital in the Southern Department. I have wrote to Col. Armstrong, who is now at Tarborough, with upwards of 100 Men; to whom I made mention your not hearing from him, &c. & am Sir, your most Obt. Hum. Servt.,JOSHUA POTTS, A. D. Q. M. ---------- Letter from Joshua Potts to Thomas Burke Potts, Joshua March 09, 1782 Volume 16, Pages 225-228 TO GOV. BURKE FROM JOSHUA POTTS. [From Executive Letter Book.] Halifax, March 9th, 1782. Sir: With the assistance of Mr. Tillery, I have undertaken the management of Col. Long’s business with respect to Quarter Master’s Department. I find sundry plans and instructions of Congress, the Quarter Master General and others, relative to the mode or manner in which accounts are to be kept and Returns made which if I continue shall strictly be adhered to. But the reason of my giving your Excellency this trouble, is to beg the favor of your advice on sundry matters wherein I am somewhat at a loss how with propriety to proceed. It is not my duty to concern with business which hath been heretofore transacted, but I can not pass over the subject without impartially spending my opinion which is grounded on experience and perhaps may convey an idea more satisfactory than what you have yet been able to obtain. With honor to Col. Long his conduct with respect to the executive part of the business during the War, hath been unprecedented. No pains have been spared to forward and effect everything that tended to the support of our independence, remarkable assiduity in personal and other services, frugality in all affairs where expenses were incidental, freely and voluntarily continuing in service eight waggons and teams, two Blacksmiths with a set of tools, a Collier, Currier, &c., and a considerable term without prompt payment. The unavoidable incommoding his family with a number of persons to assist him in the execution, &c., of business during the Times, with the almost continual company of officers and others, freely expending his private property whenever necessity required it, and to my knowledge hath frequently advanced considerable sums to comply with Contracts made in behalf of the public. These and many other laudable and worthy Acts are characteristics which are to immortalize his fame. On the other hand, with respect to his knowledge of accounts and regular entries of the negotiation of business, it is very superficial. I conceive Nature hath not been deficient there, but opportunity perhaps was wanting by which he might have attained education. I find, he in a great degree, disregards the Clerk’s duty, thinks it trifling and some time expects him to perform impossibilities, hath never complied with the plans and directions of Congress or those of the Quarter Master General, hath not kept proper accounts of Artificers, Waggoners, or others employed, nor of their services performed, nor have there been Regular entries or Returns made of Stores or of any kind; all which you will observe, by the plans ought to have been done once every three months. Moreover, in addition if possible to all this confusion, finding others less attentive as he supposed to the immediate furnishing articles required for many purposes, undertook to dispose of Clothier’s Stores and sundry other articles entirely inconsistent with the duties of a Quarter Master. At the same time without a proper Store keeper, endeavoured to act personally in the duties of a Waggon Master and Superintendent of Artificers, and with a few illiterate attendants attempted to act in the character of Quarter Master, and in fact Commissary for the State as well as the Continent for a considerable time. How these different branches of business were managed at distant posts I can not say, having not yet overlooked the various Returns. I doubt they will be found very imperfect. In consequence of the aforesaid irregular and confused mode of proceeding, although I am convinced all Stores were well appropriated, Your Excellency will naturally from an idea of the confused, imperfect and unintelligible manner in which Col. Long’s accounts and vouchers are. Nor is this all. Imperfect as the vouchers and receipts are, yet had such been taken for every article dispensed with, I am apprehensive the amount would have been considerably larger. Forage being an article that was plenty, by the utmost I can learn, hath been issued promiscuously for many purposes without any accounts thereof. I mean it has been the case frequently. Perhaps there may be an account of Forage at particular times but nothing to the purpose. Public work of many kinds hath been done here since the erection of the factory, and I believe has been done to a good purpose, and but little or no account kept of it. In accounts kept, there is no perfect distinction made with respect to titles. Undeniably, therefore, hath very considerable sums been sunk or laid in oblivion at this and other posts, lost by the State and chiefly gained by the Continent. The advice, I would humbly thank you for, is this. It often happens that Troops of the United States pass through this State and are furnished with Forage, Provisions and other articles. It seems to occur to me that a Quarter Master and Commissary of purchases ought to attend such troops during their continuance in the State, whose business should be to see that quarters and provisions were provided, to take an accurate account thereof and make a Return of the same, properly signed to the principal officer of the respective Departments, in order that, speaking of the Quarter Master’s Department, a proper return thereof might be transmitted to the Assistant Quarter Master General, whereby the Continent would stand charged to this State, which would of course get credit in a Regular manner. When Major General St. Clair was on his march, I proposed the above method, but it was rejected by Colonel Long saying they gave receipts to Commissioners and others for articles received, therefore it did not concern him. Nevertheless, an Assistant Deputy Quarter Master was ordered to attend them, who accordingly made provision in an ample manner, but made no returns thereof. Perhaps the Staff Officers of the detachment gave Receipts, which may be settled in a future day by Auditors, then transmitted to the General Assembly, and then to God knows whom. The other subject on which I need instruction is concerning the prices of articles and of work performed by the Factory. Prices of commodities, of many kinds, are exceedingly high. Perhaps, were such charges made against the United States they would not accept our accounts. I would wish to know whether or not the various articles of manufacture shall be charged or only the materials of which they are made and the workmanship thereof included as the pay of as many soldiers, Artificers, with which the Continent may stand charged as with that of Soldiers of the Line. Was it not for fear of intruding on your patience, I could ask sundry other questions concerning the different tours and conditions of Artificers, How and in what manner it should be accounted for, but shall pass to the last subject that I purpose to mention which is, concerning stores on hand and tho’ but few, I find it impossible to take an inventory, by which proper accounts can be raised, by reason I can not be informed of the nature of the purchase of said Stores, to what State they belong or if to the Continent, or whether there has ever been any charge made or credit given by any person concerning them. In this I am certain it is out of your power to instruct me. Upon the whole I must confess that instructions of this nature ought to be received from the Quarter Master General. But since matters are thus situated and application made to you, instead of him, I have intruded so far as to trouble you with this memoir being the only person to whom we can apply for redress at present, nor in my humble opinion, need we ever expect relief from the Quarter Master General until proper returns of our transactions are made quarterly agreeable to the plans sent for that purpose. Hoping you will lay none other construction on this information that what is meant or intended by the Writer, which is all possible honor to Colonel Long consistent with his Education. And having the highest opinion of your Excellency’s wisdom and virtue, I hope you will do me the justice to believe that I am happy in having the Honor to be, Sir, Your mo. ob. Servt., JOSHUA POTTS. ----------- Letter from Joshua Potts to Jethro Sumner Potts, Joshua February 09, 1782 Volume 16, Page 507 CAPT. J. POTTS TO BRIG. GEN. SUMNER. Halifax, February 9th, 1782. Dear Sir: Enclosed Certificates of Robert Hightower, I return you, not having money to satisfy the same, & if had all such claims ought to come before the Board of Auditors for the District. I herewith send your Waggons by Len Thomas, also your Red Cloth & one pair Shoes. I have this Day sent off the following Stores for the use of your Brigade in the Southern Army, vizt: 616 pair Soldiers Shoes. 24 ditto Officers ditto. 26 pair white Frize Overalls. Some Cloathing found by classes of this County for your 12 months men. 2 Barrels Alum Salt, amount 7 Bushels, for the use of the Southern Army. J. POTTS. -------------- Letter from Joshua Potts to Jethro Sumner Potts, Joshua July 30, 1782 Volume 16, Page 632 CAPT. JOSHUA POTTS TO BRIG. GEN. SUMNER. 30th July, 1782. Major Hogg being absent, I apply’d, in Behalf of Nicholas Long, D. Q. M., to Lieut. John Ford with enclosed Forms of Receipts, in order that, as Lieut. Commandant, who was going on Command, he might Syn them, which would remain as Vouchers for the D. Quarter Master. I knew not any other whom to apply to in that Respect, & imagined he was the most Proper, especially as the Baggage of himself and Mess were put in said Waggon, & himself was going out. First, refusing to sign those for your Private use, & I requested he would others for Stores common for the Brigade. He refused that also. In Behalf of N. Long, D. Q. M., I think proper to acquaint you of this, in order that you may transmit Receipts, agreeable to the Quantity & Quality of Stores sent. As Col. Long is surely liable for Stores of every Kind, Receipts are indisputably necessary. I am, Sir, Your hble servt., JOSHUA POTTS. ----------- Memorial from the Commissioners of Wilmington concerning the exportation of provisions Potts, Joshua; Maclaine, Thomas; Evans, William; Huske, John, d. 1792 Volume 22, Pages 891-892 FROM COMMISSIONERS OF TOWN OF WILMINGTON. To His Excellency Richard Caswell, Esq., Governor, Captain-General and Commander in Chief in and over the State of North Carolina: The memorial of the Commissioners of the town of Wilmington humbly sheweth: That from the general failure of the crops and the destruction occasioned last season by freshes of the River Cape Fear there prevails a very grievous scarcity of all kinds of provisions in the said town and the neighborhood thereof, with the alarming prospects of a dearth heretofore unexperienced in this country. That a ship bound for Jamaica hath lately taken on board a quantity of corn for exportation, and another large ship is about to load with cattle for a British port, and many others may well be expected to follow the same practice unless they are prevented by the interposition of your Excellency’s authority. Wherefore, your memorialists, on behalf of their constituents, the inhabitants of the said town of Wilmington, do earnestly pray that your Excellency will be pleased to grant an embargo or embargoes on all provisions from the port of Cape Fear, electing such time as you shall deem expedient. And your memorialists will pray, etc. JOSHUA POTTS, THOMAS MACLAINE, WILLIAM EVANS, JOHN HUSKE. By order, WM. HULL, Clerk. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/nc/newhanover/military/revwar/letters/potts218mt.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.poppet.org/ncfiles/ File size: 22.4 Kb