John Norton letter to John Hatley Norton, 1772 January 29

John Norton letter to John Hatley Norton, 1772 January 29

John Norton, merchant of London, England, letter to his son, John Hatley Norton, in Yorktown, Virginia. Norton writes concerning his son's marriage to Sarah Ann Nicholas, daughter of Virginia's treasurer, Robert Carter Nicholas. He also writes to inform John Hatley of his mother's health and disappointment that he won't be returning to England as soon as he had promised.

MS1936.3.583
Folder 52

John Norton and Sons Papers, MS 1936.3

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

Ink on paper

Page 1

Lond^o. the 29. Jan^y. 1772. -

Dear Hatley

I have wrote you p this Convey^ce. concern^g Partnership Affairs, am now to
acknowledge the Rec^t. of y^rs of 18 Nov^r., w^ch. must confess wou'd have surpriz^d me greatly
had I not have been made acquainted with the Contents, by letter I rec^d 3 weeks ago
by same Ship yours was intended to have come by, namely Cap^t. Stevens. As you
complain of your Unsettled State of mind, & desire I wou'd excuse your frailty; and
not Echo back the meaning of your words, notwithstanding your repeated assurances
of leaving the Colony next year, I shall not do it, all I blame you for is y^r. deception
in promising what 'tis evident you never intended to perform, why shou'd y^o not plainly
say your Affections were unalterably fixed on the young Lady, & that y^o had promis^d
her Marryage? I think you made her no great Compliment, tho she is worthy of y^r
Affections in every respect, I have already assur^d you that y^o. had my free consent, &
only desired you wou'd not decieve the young Lady by promise of residing alltogether
in Virg^a. w^ch. I cou'd not consent to for y^r reasons mention^d in a former letter, Far be
it from me My Dear Son to Bias you in a matter of the greatest concern to your
future happyness, it never was nor ever shall be my intention, if the young Lady
& her Parents approve of a Union between our Failys, & you think you can live
happy & content with the small provision I am able to make for you agreeable
to my former promise in my letter of 14^th Oct^r. 1769 & the Ladys Friends consent she
shall return to England with you in a reasonable Time, I am perfectly satisified
& shall have equally the same regard for her as if she was my own Daughter.
Your Bro^r. George is near of Age & is in Justice entitled to a share of y^e Business
some time hence w^ch. must lessen my Income, however I hope I shall always
be contented with my Lott in Life & thankful for the blessings I enjoy. -
Your Mother has rec^d. y^r. leter but cant answer it p this Opport^y I told y^o she has
been far from well some time past, it was fear^d her disorder had a tendency
towards a dropsy by her increase of size, but thank God I hope she is getting
the better of it, She is at preseent much disapointed in y^e Expectation of seeing
you at the Time you promised her to return, she says she must submit on
the sake of your haayness. I have wrote My worthy Friend M^r. Nicholas
by the bearer Cap^t. Woodford on the above Subject therefore shall not say more
than that you have my daily Prayers for your helath & happiness and that I
am unalterably . - My Dear Hatleys Affectionate
John Norton

The Auditors Place was given to
M^r. John Blair Jun^r. near Two months
ago by the Pattentee. -
Coppy of this Sent P ap^t Fox

Address leaf

To
M^r John Hatley Norton
(copy)         Merch^t
York Town
Virginia

P Cap^t. Woodford