Martha Goosley letter to John Norton, 1768 August 25

Martha Goosley letter to John Norton, 1768 August 25

Martha Goosley letter to John Norton, merchant in London, England. Goosley writes to Norton to thank him for his many favours and to let him know that his son, John Hatley Norton, is pleased with her husband and that he is busy and well. She informs Norton that any negative sentiments that have reached him concerning her husband are the result of malice. Goosley writes that Mr. Ambler, Nicholas, Cary, Jones and Travis have started a subscription for her husband but he plans to rely upon the friendship of Mr. Norton and his son. She provides Norton with news of local residents including the death of Mrs. Gibbons and impending death of Mr. Edward Ambler. Goosley also writes concerning her "left-handed friend" Clark whom she wishes Norton to pay for the goods Clark left with her and hopes never to see or hear from Clark again. Goosley also requests Norton purchase a Book of Common Prayer which she intends to give as a gift to her godson, John Ambler.

MS 1936.3.132
Folder 12 (Oversize)

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

Ink on paper

Recto

York Town Virginia Augt 25
1768

Dear Sir

After congratulateing you upon the Speedy
Dispach of your Ship am to acknowledge the receipt
of your last Kind letter and to thank you for your
friendship to my Son. I have long been your Debter
For favours conferd upon Me and Mine and Still must
remain so as it is not in My Power to make a
Suitable return my goood wishes you have always had
and let these My Dear M^r. Norton be your reward
May you ever enjoy the comfort you have afforded me
if you should stand in need of it your Son is much
Pleasd with George he has left nothing undone in his
Power towards Dispaching the Ship and some of his
freinds here had Set a Subscription on foot for him
Namely M^r. Amblers Nicholas Carys Joneses Traviss
and many others but he told them as there was a
Probability that you would Send two Ships next year
he would Depend upon yours & Sons friendship I Shall
try My interest with M^r Ralph Wormley M^r Will
Allen and a few others that are great Shipers and
believe Me Sir whatever you May have heard to his
Disadvantage is Mere Malice as I can answer for his
Sobriety and Diligence My Son Billy and self has
Sent a Bill out of which Please to Pay My left handed
friend Clark Seven Pounds for the Sale of Some goods
he left with Me the remainder of his things have
Sent him by Cap Robertson and the only favour I have
to ask of him is that I may never See him or hear his
name the rest of the Bill Please to Dispose of as
Billy Desires for the little Ballance in your hands upon
the old account be so Kind as to send a common Prayer
Book Black or blue leather Gilt with John Ambler 1768 upon the
lid as I intend it a Present to My little God Son

Verso

your Son thank God is very well although so
Much hurried and fatigued that he Scarcely takes
time to eat or Sleep we live very frugal and
clever commonly Dineing upon two Dishes but if
you will favour us with your company with what
Pleasure would I add to the repast Poor old M^rs.
Gibbons Payed the Debt of nature last Saturday aged
ninety eight. My good friend M^r. Ed Ambler is too
Ill to write I greatly fear he is going into a consump
tion My children will loose a father if that Should
be the case and My Self more than a Brother Pray
Make my compliments to M^r George Norton and thank
him for his kind remembrance of me in his letter to
Billy Shall always love him for his goodness of heart
May every Blessing attend you and yours is the Sincere
Wish of

your affc^t & oblig^d &c
Martha Goosley

am greatly obligd
to you for the tea which
is very fine

Virg^a. August 25^th 1768
Martha Goosley
Ans^d the March 1769
p Briliant