Letter from Thomas Dawson to Lady Gooch; 1758

Transcribed by Kathy Merrill for the USGenWeb Archives Special Collections Project

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Thomas Dawson to Lady Gooch
William and Mary College Quarterly Historical Magazine, 2nd. Ser., Vol. 1, No. 1. 
(Jan., 1921), pp. 52-53

Page 52.

                    THOMAS DAWSON TO LADY GOOCH.

           (From Dawson manuscripts, Library of Congress.)

[Draft of a letter]

                     Wm. & Mary Coll: Janry 11th - 1758.

Dear Madam,

   This is my third Letter, since I had the Pleasure of a Line from
Your Ladyship, but I had much rather offend by being Troublesome, than
in the Neglect of my Duty:  In my first I gave you an Account of my
several Visits to the Burying Place, which still remains indeed in the
same Manner it was, but the Door is constantly locked, the Key kept at
Mr. Smiths who always readily favoured me with it, and the House not in
the least abused; and that Gentleman has solemnly promised me again and
again, that the least Indignity shall never be offered to it:  In, my
second, which indeed I know was carried into France, among many other
particulars, I acquainted you with my having a Daughter, baptized by
the Name of Rebecca, Your Ladyship, (by Mrs. Dawson Your Proxy) and the
Governor and his Lady, Sponsors.  As to News, or any Thing else, I can
write at present, I think it would be impertient, because Mrs. Dinwiddie,
for I hope you will have the Pleasure of seeing one another, will be able
to answer you 1000 Questions, and inform you of 1000 things, which might
not occur to me.  And tho' my Lady Gooch there has not, God be thanked,
Happened in their Family, any of those tender & affecting Incidents,
which frequently endear us one to another, and laid indeed the first
Foundation of our sincere & lasting Friendship; yet I assure you I am
sincerely concerned at their Departure, and could have heartily wished,
had it been consistent with the Governor's Health, that they had re-
mained much longer amongst us.  For their courteous and affable Be-
haviour made them easy and agreable to all their Acquaintances, and
particularly endeared them to those, who had the Happiness of their
particular Regard and Friendship.  As to my Wife she has been almost as
much affected upon this Occasion, as a certain Gentleman was, upon
the Departure of Sir W. Gooch and his Family.

Page 53.

And now I have mentioned my Wife, I must give you some Account of my
own Family; Tho' the Bearer, to whom I refer you for News, knows none
better, nor favoured none more with her company.  First then, as to
Mrs. Dawson, she continues a good natured Girl, & endeavours to please
her Husband; Bill a smart promising Boy, goes to School now & then, and
has for some Time been a very great Courtier.  Beck at present a little
big bellied Girl, but will in Time I hope be a buxom Lass.  Tom a very
little Boy, like an Ancient of that Name in Minature, but I hope he will
soon outstrip him, and meet with none of his most terrible misfortunes.
And as to Head of the House he is as heretofore sometimes sick & some-
times well, sometimes chearful, & sometimes sad; but in all States &
Conditions of Life, he and the whole Family have the greatest Esteem
and Veneration for Lady Gooch, and are intirely at her Devotion.  My
Wife joins with me in wishing Your Ladyship at this Season of Life all
the temporal Advantages of Religion to which you are so justly intitled;
and the eternal Reward of it, when Time shall be no more.  As I am much
hurried at this Time, I can only add, that with the greatest Respect,
Duty and Gratitude, I am,
                   Dear Madam,
                     Your most affect: & most obedient Servant,
                                                Thomas Dawson.(1)

________
   (1) Rev. Thomas Dawson was chosen President of the College in 1755
after the death of Rev. Wm. Stith.  He was President until his death
Dec. 5, 1861.