Robert Carter writes to Captain Thomas Hooper in Stafford County, June 22, 1721, concerning the affairs of Nathaniel Hedgeman, his chief overseer who had recently been killed. He informs Hooper that he has appointed John Johnson to succeed Hedgeman, and asks Hooper to assist him, and also to assist in settling Hedgeman's accounts. He reminds Hooper that he must make progress in collecting quit rents, and get them to Carter as soon as possible or there will not be time to prize the tobacco, in which most rents are paid, prior to shipping it.

     You may believe the news of Natt Hedgeman's Death was
very Surprizeing to me & the manner of It very Lamentable I wish the poor fellow
had mett with a more natural End but God's will must be Submitted to I have
heard of late he hath bin a very great delinquent from my business, & liv'd a
loose rebelling Life, which hath brot. him to his untimely catastrophey
As for Entertaining his Son, a wild Young Lad that hath had no Experience
in the world I can by no means think proper, You did very well to Send him
to take an Accot. at the Several Qrs. I hope he hath follow'd my direcs. in relation
to my Tobo. & dispatching away the Sloop,

     I have agreed with one John Johnson to Succeed him for the present
Year who hath liv'd undr. me for several Years and I hope will prove a diligent
honest man with Yor. Assistance believe he may do well Enough altho
he is unletter'd. If You could be with him at the taking of an Accot. of things
at the falls & Poplar Qrs. where there is the most It would be very well,
John Hurst hath promist me to Assist him all he can & particularly
now at first in taking an Accot. of my Stocks &c at the Several Qrs., I
Desire You to do wt. You can in Settling Natt Hedgeman's Accots. Relate=
=ing to my Affairs, I Expect to Allow him pro rato to the last time
he was at Poplar Qr., which ought to have bin the place of his residence
further than that can't be desired of me I have his bond for a large
Sum of money, which I would have You give his Son notice of, to whom
I write an Answer to his Lettr.

     I am Sorry You are so backward in Yor. Collecs. I believe most of the
rents are paid in Tobo. & if I cannot have an Accot. where It lyes in a
Short time, what must I do with It? our Ships are now all in & I'm
Affraid I must gett It home and prize It before It will be fitt for
Shipping these Considerations which You are as Sensible of as I, will make
You dispatch as soon as possible You can, that I may gett Yor. Tobo. time
Enough to be Shipp'd off otherways twill be very detrimental to