Catherine Rathell letter to John Norton, 1771 November 16

Catherine Rathell letter to John Norton, 1771 November 16

Catherine Rathell, milliner of Williamsburg, Virginia, letter to John Norton, merchant of London, England. Rathell writes to inform Norton that his son, John Hatley Norton, has said he would not mind sending goods to her. Rathell states that she will be punctual in payment but needs the goods before the meeting of the next General Assembly in the spring. Rathell was very particular in her choice of goods and requested they be purchased from particular suppliers.

MS1936.3.557
Folder 50

John Norton and Sons Papers, MS 1936.3

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

Ink on paper

Page 1

Sir

I sent to M^r. Norton in York Town to know
Would it be convenient for you to supply me with Goods, he
Called himself, and told me he believed you would have no Objection
provided I would be sure to be punctual in My payments, which
you May depend I shall, and Allways be proud to have M^r. Norton
on the Spot to receive the Cash as it comes in.

As I have been so lately in England, I at present want but
a few goods. and them chiefly from Mess^rs. Wooley & Hemings
N^o 137 in Cheapside. I have sent them My directions, and
Must beg you'll be so Obliging as to Send & Hurry them,
As Our Assembly Meets in March, therefore Must request
of All things on Earth, you will by the very first Ship that
Sails out of London Send Me those Goods, or I Shall at that time
totaly Loose the Seal of them, & have them on hand for 12 Months Longer.
I likewise want 3 Dozⁿ Sword Canes from M^r Masden in
fleet Street Near Temple Bar, Such as I had from him at 7 / a ps

Page 2

And 24 Spring Brass Candlesticks Such as the Use in Offices with half a
Pound of Taper Green Wax Candle on 12 of them & a pound of
D^o on Each of the other twelve, with 12 pound of White Wax
D^o. in paper for a Supply, you cant misunderstand me, as
what I Mean is those usaly used by Merchants to Seal Letters
And 2 Dozⁿ. pair of very Neat best Doe or Buck skin Gloves
these are all the things I at this time want
but My greatest distress is for fear I Should not have them
in in March, but this I Must depend on you for a quick
dispatch, or it will be a very great loss to me.

I am Sir your Most Hum Serv^t
Cathⁿ Rathell

Williamsburg 16^th. of Nov^m
1771

Address leaf

M^r. John Norton Merch^t. in
Queens Square
Crutchet Friers
London

Virg^a: 16 Nov^r: 1771
Cath^e: Rathell
Rec^d; 27 Jan^ry. 1772
Goods Ent^d: pa: 445

Ans^d the Feb^y 1772
p Goosley