Diary of John Blair; Wm. and Mary Qrtly., Vol. 8, No. 1 Transcribed by Kathy Merrill for the USGenWeb Archives Special Collections Project ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net *********************************************************************** Diary of John Blair John Blair William and Mary College Quarterly Historical Magazine, Vol. 8, No. 1. (Jul., 1899), pp. 1-17. WILLIAM AND MARY COLLEGE QUARTERLY HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. VOL. VIII. JULY, 1899. NO. 1 DIARY OF JOHN BLAIR(1) (Continued from Vol. VII, p. 153) Copied from an Almanac for 1751, Preserved in Virginia Historical Society. JANUARY. 1. Buckland pays 800, supposd to 1200 acres. Col. Burwell says Cole(2) had notice to survey. 2. Mr. King tells me my goods will come to James Town; must send thither. 4. Mr. Travis and Mrs. Mecklin promise yr car. Bot Sandy Reid's cow, and pd 50s for her. 7. Mr. Cary disaptd and hired anor vessell for ye Govr. 8. But much ice in ye river at col. Burwell's. 9. Had a letter from Col. Buckner abt Mr. Pelhm. 10. Mr. Prentis send down his cart, by whom I writt to Col. Hunter. 13. Heard of Wm. Taylor, drown'd in Carolina. 14. Our Spinnet came home lame. 18. Mr. Pelham approved of it, and of the musick sent with it. 19. Pd Mr. Waller for corn, and shewd him a letter. 22. Col. Roscow wth me abt J. Blair - went wth Richards to Govrs house, and had much talk wth Mr. P. Johnson. 23. Mr. Richards gave in proposals in a very loose manner. Spoke wth Mr. Crosby abt J. Bs note. Mr. Warrington signed bond to-day. ____________________________________________________________________________ (1) This is the supplementary portion referred to on page 153, note 2, as written on the blank leaves in the back of the almanac. (2) William Cole, of Buckland, Charles City county. See QUARTERLY V., p. 177-181. Page 2. 24. Writt to Mrs. Prentis abt Creswell. 25. Wheatly shewd me that he had finishd Mr. Skelton's work, but Skelton took no care of it. Settled wth Mrs. Dimond. 26. Sent off my letr to Col. Lewis, a packet. Mr. Johnson inform'd me of what was said by C-r and others abt their subscripns and of yr pressg him. This was told me ye 22nd. 30. Mr. Dawson informd me what Simmonds said relating to Presley's murder(1). Mr. Taswell made an entertainment on his succeedg Mr. Clack. Palmer very rude. 31. Skelton sett off to go up to bury his wife, having got a black coat for it. Recd a letter from Colo. Hunter and Marce Jones abt the tombstone. It is now at the ferry in its way to James Town. I writt to Mr. Travis and Mr. McMacklin to get it out there and into the church-yard on my accot. Settled wth the sheriff of Hanover and pd him for my 915 acres there, but did not pay him Mansfield's note on me, it being mislaid. So that is referd to his coming down. I settled Capt. Keeling's accot wth him and took his hand to it. But am to send up to Hanovr court ye mortge &ca., and the execrs bond. FEBRUARY. 2. Last night the college bell tolled they say abt an hour, very slow and regular, till some went up and stopt it, who saw nobody. Sent up Keeling's bonds and mortgage in a letter to H. Gilvert P Mansfd Blagrave wth a bond for him and Richd. Keeling to execute in lieu thereof and send me from their court. 4. Mr. Macklin tells me the tombstone came to James Town ye 2d, but low tides hinder ye landing it; abt. wch he promises his care. 5. Gave Ralph Crutchfd a note on Mr. Prentis for L8, 5. Spent the eveng (after a visit at Mr. Everard's) at Doctr Gilmer's; and bethot me of the way of coming off even wth----- _____________________________________________________________________________ (1) "On Friday last James McGuire for murder and William Simmons for robbery (suppos'd an accomplice in the murder of Col. Presley) were executed in this city. They both be- haved penitently, and confesed the facts for which they died". - Virginia Gazette, January 24, 1751. Colonel Presley thus mentioned was Colonel Peter Presley, of "Northumberland House", who was murdered by his own servants. He was the last of his name in Northumber- land. His daughter and heiress, Winifred, married Anthony Thornton, of Stafford county, and was mother of Hon. Presley Thornton, of the colonial Council, who died December 8, 1769 - QUARTERLY IV., pp. 93, 163. Page 3. 7. Walk'd with Col. burwell to his plowing and had his accot of raising his hoggs. 9. Took Mr. Crosbie's oblign for L40. Doctr G---- disappointd of his expectan. 11. J. Blair offerd a furthr mortgge and powr of atto. 12. But went up this morng with out wth Jamison. Vestry today agreed to lengthen ye church; and being a full vestry the gate before it was again disputed, but carried by 9 to 4. 13. Gave Mr. Palmer Jno. Terry's bond, also two bonds of Lane Cookson's for wch Capt. Terry was security and Jno. Terry assumd also Pemberton's accot in all about L126. 14. Recd 18 Octr Fines from Secys office. Col. Patton's messenger return'd with Mr. Presidts letter and mine writ yesterday. Recd a demand for Mr. Bowden and Partnr from Mr. Ambler for the capital. Mrs. Goosley, I hear now, went up yesterday to be cook at Sandy Point. 15. Paid Cole for 20 hides to be dd L6, 10. Matt and Simon gone off together. 16. Each had cloths making at Hornsby's of goods stolen from Mr. Randolph. 18. Simon surrendd himself, and is in prison. 19. Gave Sam Wallace a note on his mother and sister for Wills' debt to me. Hear sad news of poor Mr. Randolph. 20. This eveng Mr. Muir from Presidt here. I heard to=day that Mr. Eaton recoverd the land last ?? ye 14th in N. Kent court. Heard of grt subscripns in K. Wm. and N---ward towards seat of govnt at New Castle(1). ______________________________________________________________________________________ (1) New Castle was situated in Hanover county, on the Pamunkey river. Above it four or five miles was Hanover Town, anciently called Page's Warehouse. Both places were rivals of Williamsburg for the new capitol at this time. The country around was a beautiful agricultural section, on which the finest kind of tobacco was raised. Gradually the tobacco fields were converted into cornfields, and the channel of the Pamunkey at this point was much filled up, so that the numerous sloops and schooners that visited the section had ceased to come fifty years later. Both places became deserted. The attempt to fix the capital of the colony on the Pamunkey was attributed to John Robinson, the Speaker of the House of Burgesses, who resided in King and Queen county near by. At the meeting of the General Assembly John Blair had to apologize to the House for pointing out their Speaker and saying aloud, "There goes the man who is at the bottom of this hellish plot." Page 4. 21. Advertised Matt. and heard of his being taken. Dr. Gilmer and my sister here; but no -----. Gardiner fought wth Sakie from A. Reids. 22. Stopt the advertisement before printed. Writ to Col. Lewis by Mr. Muir. attended Matt's examination before Mr. Hlt and made discoverys. 24. Mr. Comry prd. agt. fornication and adultery and p.m. on ye sin and destruction of Sodom. 25. Gave the fines, being 18, to J. Cocke. Mrs. Burwell and others at Billiards. Jno. Burwell and Betty Blair Enter'd wth Mrs. Dimond to learn to read this day. 28. Writt to prest and sent an Eng. letter P express, also writt to Sher. Nancemd wth Jacksns ven. facs. MARCH. 1. Mr. King(1) shewd me Symer's protest. 3. Sad news from coast of Africa; a ship burnt, &c., and great mortality amg ye slaves of another. Query What done of judgmt agt Mr. Field. 9. Mr. Warrington wth me abt his mad wench. I sent yesterday a letter to the ferry for Mr. Riddick with a subpa for Pasquo Turner agt Lowe Jackson. 10. Col. Bolling came to be an evidence tomorrow. 11. Recd a lettr fr. Presidt abt a prohibition and writt to Mr. Nelson and sent it to him. I bot at J.C. Court 2000 lb tobo at Hog Neck or at Coll. or Capitol Landg, at 16, and 3000 at Littlepages, at 15 | 8, to be pd at receiving the notes. 12. I writt to Presidt abt a prohibition and shewd it to the Comy, as writ in his name, who approved of it. Helpt Mrs. Stith and spent the eveng at Mr. Cock's, and had cake. 11. Mr. Christian promises to settle and pay me on the 8th of April next. 15. Vestry appd Col. Burwl, Mr. Holt and me to treat with undertakers for an addn to ye church. 16. My mill stne broke, ye hoop bursting, had just writt ye day before to Mr. Lyde for a mill stone and for a spinnet, &c. _______________________________________________________________________________________ (1) Mr. Walter King came to Virginia from Bristol in 1723 as partner with John King, Esq., Lyonel Lide, Esq., John Lewis, Jeremiah Jennings, and Thomas Long, merchants, all of the city of Bristol, to manage the ironworks set up in the parish of Sittenbourn, King George county, Va. (Deed recorded in King George County, August 1723). Page 5. 20. Spoke to Mr. Waller abt judgt agt Mr. Field to ye King, and found exn for L37 ster. stopd by late Presidt. 21. Heard of L. Jackdon's coing and imrpisonmt at Phila. Mr. Holt promised to secure Mrs. Bennet's rent to me, L12, the 25th of Octr. next, or till she leave it. 22. Recd letter fr. Jas. Blair; gave some copys to Mr. With. 28. Attended the President in a council at his house. Mr. Nelson, Mr. Comissy, Mr. Grymes and myself only attendg, Assembly prorogd. Had an order for rights, and advised the granting Dou---'s petition. Spoke to ye Presidt abt the late Presidt Lee's havg staid executn of a judgmt to ye king abt L38 st., and had his order for his rent corn at 10. 30. Writt again to Jas. Blair and Abt Mrs. Cole's corn. APRIL. 1. Writt to Col. Bolling abt do. and Mrs. Blair. 2. Writ to her and Mr. Fleming, and stopt water at lower mill this morning. 3. Heard Mrs. Blair left Westor to go to Cobbs yesterday. 6. Finishd invo and lettrs to Lyde and Hanby, datd 30 ult., was examd as an evidence in wt I knew nothing, recd lettr, P Boson of Blagrave's death, who, he tells me, died on Thursday lats, ye 4th. 9. I promised Mrs. Hendriken to try to build a house for them by the fall. 10. Skelton wants a meeting of comitty. 11. Recd a letr fr. Mrs. Blair at Cobbs, ye 6th. Recd fr. Presidt Mr. Muir's computn handd by Mr. Corbin. 18. Open'd a lettr to Prest for a sher. for Frederick before some of ye counl, as they had no sheriff. 20. Enclosed a coronrs comn to Col. Bolling, and gave it to Mr. Stark. The court rejectd the motion for a prohibn to ye Court of Admiralty, after I had prepared their answr for granting it. 23. Had a genl meeting of the Cape Company at Wetherbns. 15 or 27 being present, when the proceeedgs of ye comitty were approved of. Memd Nealand, Wm. Taylor and Mrs. Cole, also Saml Dunn, Brown's esta, &c. 30. I writ in the name of the council to Govr. Johnston wth 2 pirates. Page 6. MAY. 3. Heard our 1st whale brot in and 3 more struck, but lost(1). Mr. Davis had L150 for loss of his eyes. 4. Writ to Col. Bolling abt corn at Coles. Gave to Mr. Robert Jones in court to recover for me in ye best manner he could, Wm. Taylor, his bror. Taylor security, their bond to pay L35 at Xms, 1749, also another little bond for L5, due in 1742, and some corn, which he said the security was very sufficient for vizt. John Tharp, Edmd Howel borrowd ye money. 6. Had letters P Mr. Burwell. 7. Some fines for Champarty, the statute being on a solemn argumt unanly adjd in force here. Theops Field's fine referd to a council. 9. Mr. Hunter wantd to print my speech. 10. Travel'd to Col. Custis's in ye coach. 17. Saw a lettr to Lowe Jackson. Lenox had a pamphlt on ye nature of evidence sent me by Mr. Preston. 18. Recd a lr fr. Sr. Wm. Gooch of Feb. 25, wch in a P.St. says Col. Ludwell is of ye council. 22. Thr Prince, alas! died, we hear now, on ??, the 20th of March, in his 45 year, and Mrs. Stanton four days after him. Col. Fairfax, we hear, is arrived in ye Hatly. 27. Mr. Richards now with me abt the Govrs house, and said if he did it he must have 4 years to finish it. Qr. what to be done. 28. Col. Fairfax gives hopes of Mr. Dinwiddie and urges some repair to the Govrs house. Mr. Waller from Spotsa had no news of govt if they can have circuits held in proper places. 30. Gave my mada ordr to Mr. Webb for 2 pipes, and writ agn for Mr. Prentis, who sent cash. ____________________________________________________________________________________________ (1) "Some principal gentleman of the colony having, by voluntary subscription, agreed to fit out vessels to be employed in the whale fishery on our coast, a small sloop called the Experiment was some time ago sent on a cruize, and we have the pleasure to acquaint the public that she is now returned with a valuable whale. Tho' she is the first vessel sent from Virginia in htis employ, yet her success, we hope, will give encouragement to the further prosecution of the design, which, we doubt not, will tend very much to the advantage of the colony, as well as excite us to other profitable undertakings hitherto too much neglected". - Virginia Gazette, May 24, 1751. Page 7. JUNE. 1. Recd a letter fr. Mr. Nelson at Sandy Pt returng my report wth a high charactr of it. 3. Wormly's lad said to have drowned himself, but found wth his head split open. Incredible. 4. Col. Wm. Randolph and his lady in town. He visited the works at the capitol. Sent my report of the prisoners to the President P express; and writt again today abt the assembly, caveats, &c., and pressed his attendance. 6. After advising wth Mr. Nelson and Mr. Comissary, ordd a proclamn in the President's name to prorogue the assembly to ?? ye 31st Octobr, and this only to prevent a dissolution. 7. Seal accuses Bird of sundry felonys. 8. Carried Taylor to James Town, and gave directns. Carried Col. Ludwell's lettr to be of the council. Natt acquittd. Josa. taken and escaped again. 10. Drew up proposals and querys for ye council. 11. Offer'd them to their previous considn. Endeavd a meeting abt the capitol. 12. Council approved of my proposal for repairing the Govrs house. 13. Writ to Mr. Bernard and Col. Willis, to Mr. Walthoe. Signd, &ca., 3 registrs and freedom, one of wch occasiond a long work and difficulty. Took memds from Col. Paton, Mr. Curry and Col. Fry, who propose our ordering Mr. Leheup to solicit the royal assent to the land law, and left some amendments to his report. Col. Custis left L22, 1, 9, wth me to pay to 5 difft sheriffs for Qt rents. 14. Spoke this morn to Bird to prepare for a long journey to the President, which he readily promised. 15. This eveng Bird told me he could not go for the ordiny allowce, and tho all wd be ready wth me to-night, he could not sett off till morn, and proposd at first to stay a day longer, but I prevd for ?. 16. And I find this eveng he carrys a led horse. 17. He sett off this afternoon wth one horse only. 18. Ordr the gardnr to go, for I couldn't bear him. 21. Consultd Mr. Atto and Mr. Waller abt a doubt startd by the sher. of Surry if he cod act as sher. Page 8. 23. Went into mourning for the Prince. 24. Paid Saml Allen for fodder by note on P. 26. Endorsd a genl court writt agt a sailor. 27. Bird expects the Presidt is in Gloster. But his boy did not find him there. 30. Mr. Holt gave Jackson his affidt in writing much fuller than Mr. Nelson and I remembd it. JULY. 1. I delivd to Mr. Richd Baker, of Isle of Wt, in a seal'd letter directd to Mr. Saml Blow, of So. Hampton, a patent for 300 acres he sold for me to Mr. Parsons, L30, 10. 0. I hear Mr. Dinwiddie's baggage was bjying when Capt. Edwd Randolph came away the beging of April. I hear the Presidt is ont yet got home; but expected there to-morrow. Col. Ludwell dined here to-day. Ishm Nichoss accot of Ld Alb in France. 2. Col. Ludwell from York tells me yt the Presidt is sick at Hobshole, and has sent for the papers t hither. The rain this eveng forced him and others into prentis's, where stay'd till abt 2 in morng. 3. Very rainy while at mrs. Wetherburn's funerl. He has found her hoard they say. I heard there that the speaker ahd a letter from Col. Beverly confirming our hopes of Mr. Dinwiddie's coming. 4. I hear Mr. R. Carter intends to build and live at Wmsburgh and to persuade all the gents he can do so too. 5. The Presidt will not sign the death warrants till he has a council. Mr. Grymes here, and tells me he saw the Presidt ? the 3 at Urba, and that he intendd home in 4 or 5 days, and aftwds to have a council at Wmsburgh. 7. Mrs. Blair much disordd by a cold and lax, coughs much, hoarse and feverish. 9. Drew a note on Mr. Wetherburn to James Taylor for L10, lent him till October. Mr. Mossom shewd me a false dollar, and yet pleaded for Jackn, wm yet he wd had executed if done soon; but thot ye delay an excuse. 10. My mill I hear was robd on ye 7th. Began to lay bricks in mortr at Bs house. 12. Sad news of Presidts death; I hope not so. Sad news Page 9. of poor wretchd Bob Carter(1). I hope he won't come to live in Wmsburgh. 13. Recd express fr. Col. Patton abt an Indian embassy from the Cherokees, wch after communicatg to Mr. Comry, I resolvd to send to York to be by Mr. Nelson sent on. 14. Writt to Mr. Nelsons, and had their answer. 15. Consultd the Comissy (and Col. Ludl ye 14) upon it. 16. I gave Mr. Bacon 5 guins towds buildg his school and 2 more as my first year's subscripn to the 14th inst., when the first subscripns were due. 18. Recd the Presidts lettr to Col. Patton wth a lettr from the Nelsons abt it, both wch I shewd to the Comissy. I then dispatchd ye messengr to Col. Patton, and answerd the lettr fr. the Nelsons. 22. Mr. Waller shewd me the Presidts letter orderg a pardon for Sharpr, wm he wd ha hangd as a great runaway and rogue; but to avoid some difficulty as to regularity, he chose to pardon him. 23. Mr. Hughs told me of Jackson's behavior in prison. 24. Writ to the presidt about sundrys, and particularly about Jackson. 25. Mr. Walthoe shewd me the Presidts letter of the 23d orderg a council ye 31st, and desiring Col. Fry's map and report, wch I sent to Mr. Walthoe that night. 26. Capt. Tate arrivd last night, we hear, with near 300 slaves. Mr. Preston, on my enquirg, tells me he was there when the Presidt writ on ? 24th, and Mr. Atto says he heard ye council was to be next Thursday, ye 1st of Aug. 27. Mr. Dawson tells me the Presidt desires I will have the Indians accomodated if they come before he comes over; and says he will consider my letter abot Jackson. I have spoke to Finnie, who offers to accomodate them with the Apollo. 28. Mr. Dawson preachd on ye repentance of the Ninivites and obstinacy of the Jews. ________________________________________________________________________________________ (1) This was the eccentric Robert Carter, called "Councillor Carter", son of Robert, of Nomony (and Priscilla Churchill), who was son of Robert (King) Carter (and his second wife, Betty Landon), who was son of John Carter and Sarah Ludlow. He married Frances Ann Tasker, of Maryland. He changed his religion several times, freed his slaves, etc. Page 10. 29. Sent express to ye residt, and had kind answr. 30. Dr. Gilmer betwn 9 and 10 at night informd me of Jackson's threatg me and Mrs. Lane's accot of his ill behavr. 31. Attendd the Presidt in council, who was agt purchasg a house for the Govr of M'Kenzie, and agt Mr. Leheups accot of L22, 10, 0, and desired Mr. Fields' fine to be postpd awhile, and that I wd draw a letter for him to the treasury on ye additionl salary to ye council, and on my motion abt Jackson, stopt me wth a desire to hear nothing of it, &ca. Mr, King's dutys refer'd to the law, but I believe will be thought due. AUGUST. 3. Col. Ludwell proposed that the council should join in a representn of Jackson's case. 4. Mr. Dn, So run that you may obtain. A pa offendg in one point is guilty of all. Corn come. 5. Doctr Gilmer had 10 barls, Mr. Dawson 5 ye 6th. Sundry fines to ye king in court husts ys day. 6. Gave Thos. Holt a note on Prentis for pt L45. 9. Consultd wth Mr. Nelson, Mr. Grymes and Mr. Ludwl abt Jackson, and gave Mr. Nelson my [6] papers to form a representation by ye assistance of the secretary. 10. Recd a letter from the President about him, and sent an answer, and at the same time sent my letter to him, wch I began at Col. Lewis's, wch I had delay'd on accot of the embassy. The Presidt by himself gave them their audience of farewell, for he never spoke with them in council. Had Ler fr. Jackson. This eveng recd a lettr from the Nelsons, wth a representatn to his Majy abt Jackson. 11. Writt a letter to Col. Grymes, Col. Corbin and Col. Ludwell, and sent express with it, for their hands to the representation. 13. Recd it back wth Col. Grymes and Col. Ludwell's hands to it, but not Col. Corbin's, and sent it wth fair copy of report to ye Nelsons to send away. Sent also ye Presidts letter of ye 10th, with my answer and my letter to Grs Cor. and Lud., and copy to Col. Randolph to be return'd, and gave some information; then writ to ye Presidt P Danl Carrel. Had an answer from the secretary. Order'd powder and ball to the Indians. 14. The Indians march'd in good order with beat of drum Page 11. through the town, and made an handsome appearance in their new cloths. Recd the Presidts letter in the afternoon, P Danl Carrel, and presently gave the proclamn to Mr. Hunter to be printed, and gave order for the arms to be delivd acquaintg Col. Patton. 15. The Nottoways came, and had a friendly interview wth the Cherokees, in the markt place, and a conference in ye court house wch renewd friendship. Of this I writ to the Presidt, advising a present to ye Nottows, as also of the guns to the Cherokees. 16. Had the Presits answer, and shewd it ye comissy. The Cherokees took their leave of me here, much delighted with ye musick of Spinnet. 17. Col. Patton deisres his commission and instructions may be sent up after him. The Indns, and he set off now. 19. Gave David Geddy a lettr of credt for L10, on wch he had of Mr. Ambler, L6, 0, 5. 23. Shewd Col. L. Burwell Jacksons lettr, and my answr. raised the house for Peter Hendriken. 27. Shewd do and my report to C. Cr Burwell, who shewd me his modest letter to ye Presidt in Jackson's favour, wh did not ask anything. I made a proposal to him. 29. Capt. Whitwell is excused going to Nova Scotia, he and Esqr Jenings dined wth the council, also Mr. Randolph. Mr. Presdit dined at Mr. Attorneys, not very well. Settled a new modell of ye seats for ye Burgesses. 30. Mr. Jno. Watson dined here, and gave me a long accot of his many voiages among the islands in quest of the Spanish money pirated by Loyd, &c., from Carolina, which required his going off for London very soon. Considering how diligent he had been here about Jack- son, I gave him copys of my report, his sentence, and my reasons for executing it, that he might ye better to it at London. He surprised me with a report he met with in Nancemond, that the evidene was not so clear at last agt Jackson, and that I was the only man of ye council that advised the President to reprieve him. O! Strange. I should rather think his friends had given it out that I was the only man of them that opposed the reprievg him: both very false. 31. I gave him a copy of my letter to Jackson, which, having heard, he desired to have. Page 12. SEPTEMBER. 7. Communicatd Jackson's affair to Col. Cary. 9. And in part to Col. Hunter. 11. Mrs. Curle went hom in our coach; at handg her in I spoke of payg pasturage when I knew what it came to; but she replyed she desired no pay. While at Hampton got letters from Hanbury, a trunk of goods, P the Beckie Capt. Buchanan, also a Guinea man arrivd to Col. Randolph. treated wth Proby, Allen, &c., to get the wine, &c., from Potomack. 14. Found the capitol as I left it the 3d, and as it had been for some time before, not at all advanced. 16 and 18. The grt door cases put up. 19. Had a letr from Col. Patton abt ye Indians. 20. The grt gate the Burgesses went in at stopt, and begun to be brick'd up. The foundation frame of the cupulo fitted into its place in framing. 21. Spoke wth Mr. Power in favr of Col. Custis. 24. Layg bricks for the grand steps; but fear. 26. Steps brot in place, but no fasteng prepard. 27. Mr. Taliafo here; viewd Wheatley's sash work. 28. Made invo, and recd of W. P. ye 1st L50. Seth Watkins inform'd me he had bought a large canoe for me in Gloucester, and had her at his home at the Gleve, but that the 26s I had sent by him was not sufficient, and that he had added 4s more. I bid him use her some time as his own, to make him amends for his trouble. The first stone of the grand stairs of the portico was set to=day, on wch I stood when but 2 more were laid, wth out cramps. 30. Gave my watch to Mr. Davenport, then going, and had done well til yesterday. OCTOBER. 1. Speedy justice in J.C. court, a felony comitd last nt, the felon tried, sentenced and executd this afternoon. 3. Advisd Mr. Hunter to delay publg an accot of the Cherokees from So Carola till ye Presidt, &c., saw it. 7. Col. Fairfax expectd to meet Mr. Dinwiddie here as Govr and seemd surprisd when I told him the Presidt did not intend to be here ys court. 8. Mr. Nichos tells me the Presidt will be here. Page 13. 10. Mr. Presidt swore the court, nine being present, then two of ye nine swore the president, who retird. Then in an hour aftr 12, 6 went upon the cause of Brewer & Smith (3 withdrawg), but left it at 4 unfinished till to-morrow. 12. Tab's case seem'd hard to me, as also the case of Mr. Farish, who was adjudgd to restore slaves wth their increase, for which he had paid the devisses (of 4 out of 6 at least), as they came of age, and had their discharges, and it was impossible to divide them among 6, as there were but 2 or 3 slaves devised to them, but by reducing them to their value, and their share of that value had been pd to some of 'em 15 and 16 ys agoe. 14. Court sat all day (till near 5) on King's Cause. This eveng Mr. Prentis recd a lettr from Sr. Wm. Gooch datd July 16, wch says Mr. Dinwiddie is appointd our Govr, and intended to be here by ye last of Octr, or begg of Novr. 15. Govr Ogle, Mr. Secy Jennings and Mr. Tasker dined here wth the council, and after dinner waitd on the President at the Govrs house, where in presence of the council his Excely took the oaths before the Presidt, and gave bond wth 2 surety. Mr. Plater and sevl othr gentn dined wth them. 16. Mr. Carlisle and Mr Fairfx here. 19. Mr. Nelson returned to court after a feaver on the eveng of the first day, wch occasioned him to be absent 7 days of ye court. 21. A magistrt discharged a runaway who showd his coing tools and contract wth his master for that business; as all justice he thought was then stopt. 22. Carried down Walker's exrs bond, but Mr. Nelson (and 3 more) was not at dinner and Skelton not come to town. 24. Govr Glen's lettr to the Presidt abt our late treaty wth the Cherokees, highly blamg it, was read in council to-day. 25. A. made his will in 1732, and left his lands and all his personl estte within and wth out to his two nat. daughtrs with out particularly mentiong is 10 negroes, and in case of their deaths witht issue, to his heir at law. his bror (who was not call'd to contest) 15 ye after sued and recovd the negroes contrary to ye plain meang of the will, I think. 26. An answer to Govr Glen drawn by a comity, was approvd of in council this day. Our ordr for 100,000 acres and Mr. Calmies for 60,000, were renewd this day, in preference to the Ohio grant, as prior in date. Page 14. 29. Black, &c., agt Mr. Jams Blair and me, went off without contest, as the depositions of the party before my ld mayr, were adjudgd insufficient evidence wth out othr proof (wch they might have had) in the case of Bradly & Griffn agt Harrison's execrs, argued the day before. 30. The Presidt kept the birthday in an extray manner by adding to his elegant entertain- ment for the ladies and genta a purce of 50 pistoles to be distributed amongst the poor by Mr. Dawson. NOVEMBER. 1. the council desired me to contract for the rent of a house for the Governr on the terms spoken to in council, wch amounted to L70 P annl, wth leave to hire Col. Ludwell's house for half a year at a venture, L40. This eveng I assigned to Skelton at Mr. Waller's the bond of Walker's exrs to repay the L500 advanced to him towards his rebuildg ye capitol. 2. I gave Mr. Johnston Neiland's bond for L16, due near 8 yers, wch he said he could recover for me tho. by mistake he is called Ninian. James Blair is, I hear, arrested for L200. In wch I cannot assist him. 5. Colo. Custis's decree in his favor obtaind this court, is now reversed in favr of Stanup, upon a nil dicit. One Poythres, of Pri. Geo., is admitted to bring ejectmts agt Col. Bland, and 5 more, in forma pauperis. Mr. Johnson has 9 months given him to consider if he will prosecute his appeals agt Judy Bray Ingles, and agt Col. Bray's execrs for the 2 moitys of Nances Neck and Tutty's Neck, but this by consent of partys. 6. Mr. Johnson's bill in equity against Bray's execrs was recd by the court. 7. Writ to the Presidt wth the accounts. 8. Writ to him wth Col. Patton's letters. 9. Had a line ordering pay to ye express. 11. Mr. Wyth spent the eveng here. 14. Plancy began to underpin the house. 16. Mat Harfield pd me 16 |, and promd more before Xmas, and to settle then. Mr. King sent his qt rent money for wch I made a rect yesterday, L23, 1, 7. Doctr Gilmer gave me a rect for L30, for Symmer to be pd in bills as desired, for wch I agreed to take his bills for L25, and Page 15. to keep till May next; he promises in his lettr to Dr. Gilmer to send them soon. This evening Mr. Pr[est]on to prevent the young gentlemen at ye college from playing at a rehearsal in ye dormity, how they could act Cato privately among themselves, did himself, they say, act the Drun[ke]n Peasant; but his tearing down the curtains is to me very surprising. 19. We had a report of the Duke's death, as from Carolina; but very uncertain. 20. This day abt noon we had ye news of Govr Dinwiddie's safe arrival at York wth his lady and 2 daughters, and in the evening I writ to Mrs. Nelson P his express. 21. Mr. Comissr, Col. Ludwell and myself went out to meet the Governor, and with Col. Fairfax, Mr. Nelson and the secretary (who came up with him from York) attended him to his house. At the entrace of the town he was complimented by the mayor and aldermen, who (wth the gentn) were got together to welcome him, and invited him and the council to a dinner they had prepared at Wetherburn's, where we all dined. At the Govrs house he produced his commission wth a handsome speech, declaring his purpose of studdying the welfare of the country, relying on the assistance of the council, as his Majesty had vouch-safed to appoint him to this care. Col. Fairfax, Mr. Nelson and my administer'd the oaths to the Govr, after wch pursuant to his instruction, the council present took the oaths anew, and Mr. Walthoe the oath of office. A proclamation to continue all officers was ordered; but the consideration of the assembly was refer'd to a fuller board at the Oyer and Ter. McKenzie's house was ordd to be bought. All other business was I thought to be postponed; but Mr. Commissary moved the Govr for his letter of recomendn of Mr. Jones to Southwark Parish, wch the Govr was ready to give in to. But as I had in my pocket a letter to the Govr from Mr. Menzies for that prish I thought myself obliged to deliver the letter imediately, lest it might be quite too late. 22. The Govr went back to York yesterday, and returnd this evening wth his lady and daughters to ye attorney's. 23. Mrs. Blair and I dined wth them there by invitan and many laides and gentn visited them in the afternoon, and were highly pleasd wth them. Last night I had a letter from Col. Page 16. Cary at York informing me of the small-pox at Hampton, and Mrs. Cary's resolution not to remove. 25. The Govr, his lady and Miss Dinwiddie, Mr. Attorney and his lady, the Councilr and his lady dined and supped with us this ? day. Writt to Col. Cary by Mr. Pelham. 26. Sent the coach to Moody's for Col. Lewis, Mr. Page, Mr. Willis and Mr. Carter to wait on ye Govr. I hear now that Mrs. Symmer died last ? the 21st, ye day ye Govr swore in. this eveng I saw the grt steps at the capitol all up in their places. 27. The Govr, &c., dind at Dr. Gilmer's his birth day. 28. The widw Watkins came to me about the canoe, and suspected Bryan. 29. Dick told me that Bryan's overseer said she sold it to an Eastn Shore man. The 20th Mr. Bryan was with me abt it. 30. I went to ye landg to enquire. DECEMBER. 1. Jupiter found her at Hulets. 7. Anderson's pasture for sale Dec. ye 10th. 12. Col. Patton proposes fine land on the waters of Potomack, Delaware and Susquehanna, as in Virginia, if the western boundary of Maryland and Pennsylvania were run out and settled. This afternoon I laid the last top brick on the capitol wall, and so it is now ready to receive the roof, and some of the wall plates were raisd and laid on this day. I had laid a foundation brick at the first buildg of the capitol above 50 year ago, and another foundation brick in April last, the first in mortar towards the rebuilding, and now the last as above. 15. My sister delivd of a daughter, who died presently. 17. A considerable snow and 23 snowed all day. 18. Mr. King took his leave of us. Doctr McKenzie brought a deed prepared for his wife to join in(1). The Govr called here as a friend. This eveng Lewis was thought to have the throat distemper. _______________________________________________________________________________________ (1) Dr. Kenneth McKenzie married Joanna Tyler, great aunt of President John Tyler. His will was proved March 17, 1755, and her will on January 19, 1767. They had issue: 1, Anne, born April 10, 1737; 2, (Dr.) William McKenzie, bor April 10, 1746; 3, Mary, born April 14, 1748. Dr. Kenneth McKenzie required that "his son should be kept at the College till he is qualified for being put to some genteel business"; he left his "skeleton and infected child" to Dr. James Carter, and ap- Page 17. 19. Mrs. Waller here to see him. Assured Mr. Bell of McKenzie's money in a little time after compleating the conveyance wch Mr. Waller has corrected. 20. Geo. Kerr and Hen. Stanworth were hanged; each for murder. Peter Camp was found dead, and one or two more, I hear. 22. Negro Peter killd, I hear. 26. I told the Govr of Majr Washns death(1). Mr. Walpole had given my computan to the Govr, Mr. Dinwiddie, to examine (as he now tells me), and that he found them right. 27. Col. Ludwell and his lady, &c., came to town, and dined wth ye Govr. 29. Doctr Gilmer promised the Govr the perusal of Dr. Walker's journal of his travels beyond ye mountns(2). 31. I invited the Govr and his family to begin the year with us to-morrow. ________________________________________________________________________________________ pointed Mr. Thomas Everard, Doctor James Carter, Doctor George Riddell, and his cousin, Dr. Kenneth McKenzie, executors. His inventory was valued at L438 13. 7, and included an interesting list of books. Mr. R.A. Brock says he has frequently met with Dr. McKenzie's books, containing his book-plate, representing the family of McKenzie of County Cromarty, Ireland. His son, Dr. William McKenzie, appears to have studied with Dr. David Black, of Blandford, near Petersburg, who married his sister, Ann McKenzie. He had Joanna McKenzie, who was ward of Judge John Tyler. She married Judge James Semple (his second wife). In 1808, the General Assembly vested in James Semple and Joanna, his wife, lots in Blandford, whereof David Black, son of Dr. David Black, died seised - "said Joanna being nearest of kin to David Black, the younger, in the United States at the time of his death". Judge Semple had by this marriage Major Henry Churchill Semple, Dr. George W. Semple, and others. The deed referred to in the text is on record at Yorktown, and conveys for the Governor's use lots 333, 334, 335, 336, on the Palace Green, being the lots occupied by what is known as the Saunders House. This effectually disposes of Dr. E.D. Neill's rather belittling reference to the Palace, quoting Dinwiddie, who was only speaking of Dr. McKenzie's house. Quarterly, II., 198; VOO., 145, note 2. (1) The reference here is to Major Lawrence Washington, half-brother of General George Washington. (2) This journal has been printed. Dr. Thomas Walker was brother-in-law of Dr. George Gilmer, who married his sister Susan (his second wife). He was distinguished as a patriot and explorer, and was the common ancestor of Thomas Walker Gilmer, Secretary of the Navy, of William C. Rives, Senator of the United States, Hon. R.T.W. Duke, M.C., Matthew F. Maury, the scientist, etc.