William Cary letter to John Norton & Sons, 1769 September 19

Creator

Title

William Cary letter to John Norton & Sons, 1769 September 19

Date

Description

William Cary letter to John Norton & Son describing the destruction wrought, in Yorktown, by the hurricane of September 7-8, 1769. Cary remarks on the destruction to shipping in Yorktown, the destruction of buildings and the loss of tobacco, corn and fodder. He hopes this destruction will improve the price to be received for tobacco already shipped.

Identifier

MS 1936.3.254
Folder 23

Source

John Norton and Sons Papers, MS 1936.3

Publisher

Special Collections, John D. Rockefeller Jr. Library, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation

Original Format

Ink on paper

Text

[Page 1]

York Virginia 19th September. 1769

Messrs. John Norton & Son

Gentlemen.

Your favours of 8th & 28th July came to hand, we have just heard by
Captain Fox of the misfortune the Brilliant met with in losing some of her
Mastes. I hope before now She is safely arrived at London without damaging.
her Cargoe. Captain. Outram sails from our Capes about the 21st August
so that he mistd that Gayle, but we have had the most dreadfull hurricane
ever known with us the 8th this month which has done the Shiping great
damage & the Country more than can be well expressd, the Ships at York were
all drove on Shore except Hamblen who cut away his masts, Lilly, Hubbard.
Martin, Waterman & Banks were all driven on shore, they have all got off since but
Lilly & Banks. Lilly expects to get off in a few days, Banks's Ship is Bilged
and full of water all his Cargo to a triffle will be lost, all the Tobacco that
was standing is torn to peices & what was in the House is mostly lost by the House
blowing Down. Mr. Savage had nine Houses blown down at his Plantation
at Wormleys Creek the Corn is laid flat on the Ground & consequently must
Rott the fodder is all blown off the Stalks that we shall have none for the Cattle
the fair prospects the People had a few weeks ago of geting clear of most of their
Debts by frugallity & Industry are blasted for this Year & nothing but perseverance
can retrieve the loss they have met with. I think your Son wont advise you
to send out two Ships next year, the Tobacco sent Home this year I hope will
sell the better for this accident. This goes by Captain Hubbard Inclosed you
have Thomas Smiths Bill on Jordan & Maxwell which if paid please to
add to the Credit of my Accoount. Captain Clark brought out a Cargo of Goods for
Bowdoin Eyre & Smith on the Eastern Shore he was then landing Goods when
the Storm came on. I am told his Brigant,em>ine Aldborough is drove on Shore but
will be got off again. I remain Gentlemen

Your most obedient Servant.
William Cary

[Pages 2 and 3, blank]

[Page 4]

DEAL
SHIP LRE

To
Messrs. John Norton & Son
Merchants in
London

per the Thomas
Captain George Hubbard

Virginia 19 September 1769
William Cary
Received 7th April 1770

Answered the 21st April. 1770
per Captain Goosley

Citation

Cary, William, “William Cary letter to John Norton & Sons, 1769 September 19,” John Norton & Sons Papers, John D. Rockefeller Jr. Library, accessed March 28, 2024, https://rocklibnorton.omeka.net/items/show/254.