Robert King Carter's Correspondence and Diary

   A Collection Transcribed
        and Digitized
   by Edmund Berkeley, Jr.

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Electronic Text Center , University of Virginia Library

Summary


February 6, 1707
Letter from Robert Carter to Thomas Corbin, February 6, 1707

     Robert Carter writes to London merchant Thomas Corbin, February 6, 1707, of the news of the war (of the Spanish succession) that has arrived, some through Maryland. He sends Corbin some news from Virginia including a Council meeting to lay an embargo, their hope of learning soon who will be the new governor to succeed Edward Nott, that Ralph Wormeley's sons are due with the next fleet, and that William Churchill's move to the Wormeley's estate (through his marriage to Wormeley's widow) had given most of the responsibility for the management of the Wormeley's affairs over to him.


Letter from Robert Carter to Thomas Corbin, February 6, 1707

-1 -

[Rappahannock, Lancaster County, Virginia]

Feb: 6th. 1706 [07]

Mr: Tho Corbin

     Yours by Mr. Duncklys Ship of September Date came to hand cont [aining a]
short history of the Campaign to that time from others I h [ad learned]
also of the raising the Seige of Turin &c to the 26th. of [July ?]
three days ago a Report is brought to Us out of Maryland [of the]
Wonderful Successes & also of the Safe Arrival of our F [leet]
Said to be brought in thither by a vessel lately Arrived [there]
and to be written into Mr. Bowles of Petuxant from [ . . . ]
Deal but not withstanding all these Circumstances [I fear]
tis to great to be true.

     All the News that I can entertain you with from hence that [your friends]
are all well that I know of Except Your Sister Lee of who [se death]
Suppose you have long Since been acquainted with [I received]
from our President about 2 days ago to Call me to a Cou [ncil for the]
laying on the Embargo what they have done in it dont [know]
our Next intelligences we Expect will go near to bring us an [swers]
who will Succeed to the Governmt . we hope you will all Joyn [the?]
endeavours for the good and Welfare of this poor Country to which
many of You owe your being & most of you your Estates I have
an Accot the Young Wormeleys were well on the first of October last [We]
are all in Expectation of thm. by the next Fleet Its high time they
were here to made acquainted with their own Affairs my removal
& Colonel Churchills Living upon the place together with his relation
[gi] ven him the Oppertunity to fix himself absolutely in the Gov [ernment]
of that Estate the managemt whereof is become very much a [trouble ?]
to all Concerned I believe to me I am Sure it is but I may perh [aps]
find it necessary hereafter to give you perticulars at length therefore W [ill leave]
it here & Conclude at present


Sir Your Affectionate Countryman &
most humble Servant

NOTES



Source copy consulted: Christ Church Parish, Lancaster County, Processioners' Returns, 1711-1783, and Wormeley Estate Papers, 1701-1710, 1716, Acc. 30126, Archives Research Services, Library of Virginia, Richmond, 173.

Robert Carter generally used a return address of "Rappahannock" for the river on which he lived rather than "Corotoman," the name of his home, on his correspondence, especially to merchants abroad. The return address,county and colony have been added for clarity to this unheaded letter.

[1] Robert Dunkley, a London merchant and alderman, was involved both in the Virginia and Russian trades in tobacco. (McIlwaine. Executive Journals of the Council. . . . , 3[1705-1721]: 17; and "Tobacco Trade in Russia, 1705," which includes a petition to the queen signed by a number of merchants including Dunkley. William and Mary Quarterly, 2d ser., 3(Oct., 1923): 250-258 )

[2] Carter refers to campaigns in Europe of the War of the Spanish Succession.

[2] Letitia Corbin (1657-1706) married Richard Lee (1647-1715). ( Burton J. Hendrick. The Lees of Virginia: Biography of a Family. [Boston: Little Brown, 1935]. Genealogical chart. )

[3] Edmund Jenings, president of the council, and acting governor since the death of Edward Nott on August 23, 1706.

[4] Carter refers to the identity of the next governor.

[5] Carter often referred to in their youth as his "Cozns." Ralph Wormeley (ca. 1681-1714), Ralph Wormeley's (d.1701) oldest son; and John Wormeley (1689-1727) because their parents were his brother-and sister-in-law. He was one of the boys' trustees under their father's will.

[6] William Churchill (1649/50-1710) had married Ralph Wormeley's widow and moved to the Wormeley estate, "Rosegill," in Middlesex County.


This text revised July 25, 2008.