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


December 20, 1707
Letter from Robert Carter to Francis Lee, December 20, 1707

     Robert Carter writes to London merchant Francis Lee, December 20, 1707, that he has written before of the safe arrival of Ralph Wormeley's sons in the colony, and that he hopes their education proves acceptable to their relations and to the "extravagant" clothing and fittings they have brought in. He hopes their estates will provide a living to support this style which he thinks Ralph's will while John's will be much less. He continues that he has been reviewing the papers relating to his work as one of the Wormeleys' trustees, and requests Lee send him several accounts of sales of tobacco shipped to him for sale as he must be ready to account to the other trustees for his actions.



Letter from Robert Carter to Francis Lee, December 20, 1707


-1 -

Rappa [hannock, Lancaster County, Virginia]

Decr: 20th: 1707

Mr. Fra: Lee

     I have already advised of the safe Arrival of the young
Wormelyes to the excessive Joy of a passionate mother & hope their
Education answerable to their relations desires & their own extra=
=ordinary charge their Equipment in my Esteem was a great deal too
extravagant however if others they are pleased I have little to say
only wish their incomes may keep pace wth their goings out else t'will
prove imprudent prodigality in the end Ralph has a very fine
well setled Virginia Estate with tollerable good husbandry cannot do
amiss John under much narrower circumstances but I'le make no further descants .

     I have been lately overhauling the papers relating to their aff [airs]
as far as they have passed thro my hands I miss an Accot of Sa [les]
of yors of Twenty hogsheads sent you in the Lawrel Jno Rimer M [aster]
in the year 1702 & likewise the Accot Currt for that year wch are
mislaid by what accident I know not pray youl Send me
Fresh Accounts that I may be able to give an Accot of my Stew [ard=]
=ship when thereto required The Tobo sent you per Cap [tain ] [James] Morgan [on]
the Jno & Margate in 1705 I have yet no Account of but expect it [next shipping]
next I have not to add but to wish you prosper [ity]


Yor Countryman & Hum [ble Servt]

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, p.177. Extract printed William and Mary Quarterly , 1st. ser, 17(1909): 263.

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 county and state have been added for clarity.

[1] Descants are carping criticisms.

[2] The John & Margaret was built in England, was of seventy tons, and carried six guns; she sailed from London under Captain James Morgan [Naval officer's return, Rappahannock River, 1705 June 24-Sept. 29, CO5/1441, ff. 458]