Catherine Rathell letter to John Norton, 1772 January 31

Catherine Rathell letter to John Norton, 1772 January 31

Catherine Rathell, milliner of Williamsburg, Virginia, letter to John Norton, merchant of London, England. Rathell writes to order shoes; mentions she is punctual in her payments and that John Hatley Norton had married Sarah Ann Nicholas, daughter of Robert Carter Nicholas, treasurer of Virginia. Rathell inclosed an invoice for goods she desired with this letter.

MS1936.3.584
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

Williamsburg Virginia 31 of January 1772

M^r. Norton

Sir,

I wrote to you the 17^th. Ins^t which I purposed Sending
by a ship then at the Office for Liverpool, but an hour before My
letters got to the ferry She had sailed, and as My distress for Gentlemens
Shoes was very great I Sent it directly of by post,
in it I requested you would Send me by the very first Opportunity
some Shoes, which are Mentioned with some other things in the Inclos'd
Invoice, I must observe that the gentlemen now Call frequently
for Shoes with long hind Quarters, and that Buckle Low on the
foot, so beg youll give Orders to Send me some of them, if not
the Most part, as I suppose by the time the Arive, there will
be no Other Called for, Meeting with a disapointment in geting
Shoes I Expected from Dublin, is the Occasion of My present Necessity
No Ships Would venture to bring them in, as our Men of War
are so strict, perhaps Sir you May Scruple sending so Much
Goods to a person who you know so little off, but you May
depend on My being very Exact in My payments, and for a
further Satisfaction to your Self, I refer you for Particulars to
your friend Coll. Geo: Mercer in Hollis Street, Who is Not unaquainted
With My Method of Dailing, And Who Can Inform you I Sold for Nothing
but redy Cash, So by giveing no Credit, I Can at all times Either
Command Goods or Cash, I now have got a store Exactly opposite
the Raleigh Tavern, Which I look on as the best Situation in
Williamsburg, Where I hope to do three times the Business I
ever did, So that my orders will be the More Considerable, &
the very great Character I have had from Many of My Aquaintance

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of M^rs. Nortons great Carefullness in buying & Sending the Neatest
And Cheapest goods in, thats sent to Virginia, Makes Me so very
desirous of geting goods from your House; As you Must know I
Peique my self much on have^g, the very best & Most fashionable goods
in Williamsburg, I left London My self but last July with a very large
Cargo, a few days ago I Seen M^r. Norton from York, he was
Married Sunday the 26^th. Ins^t. to Miss Nicholas
your sending me all my goods with all the speed in your Power

Will very Much Serve and Oblige
Sir your Hum Serv^t
Cath^r. Rathell

Address leaf

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

Virg^a. 31^st. Jan^ry 1772
Cath^r Rathell

Rec^d. the 16^th May

Goods Ent^d. pa. 91 Ex'd
Ans^d. the July
P White