George Pottie letter to John Norton, 1772 April 26

George Pottie letter to John Norton, 1772 April 26

George Pottie, merchant of Louisa County, Virginia, letter to John Norton, merchant of London, England. Pottie writes to request that Norton take Francis Jerdone, son of Pottie's deceased business partner, as an apprentice in his counting house. Jerdone, aged sixteen at the time, was currently studying in Glasgow. Pottie also requested some goods be sent for his friend and enclosed an order for goods for himself and Mrs. Jerdone.

MS1936.3.642
Folder 57

John Norton and Sons Papers, MS 1936.3

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

Ink on paper

Page 1

Louisa County 26 ^th April 1772

M^r John Norton

Sir

My last to you was 30^th Sept^r since I have
not been favoured with any of yours, the purpose of this
is in the name of M^rs. Jerdone as well as myself to entreat
the favour you would take Her son into your Counting
House for a year or Two. He is at present in Glasgow
and his inclination entirely leads to the Mercantile way
having the greatest Aversion for what his father intended
him for a (Doctor), his mother is not willing to force
him to any thing Contrary to what his inclination is
at the same time not desirous of his coming in here
till he is somewhat older, being only 16 last Feb^ry
you are very Sensiable how easily youths of his age
are lead into vices (too many of them Common to this Country
where there are so many Idlers) especially when they
have any Dependence and numbers spend the little
that is left them, before they arrive at proper age
to have a sense what they are doing, all which makes
M^rs. Jerdone very desirous that he should stay some
time longer at Home - & M^r. Simson writes us (a
Gentleman that had the care of his Education) that
he is now fit for puting into a Counting House
and gives him a great Character for diligence &^c
as his [illegible] is to be a Merchant it will be of the utmost
service for him to live with you sometime before
he comes to Virginia, & if it should be agreeable
for you to take him I make no doubt in time
it will be to your mutual Advantage. I say

Page 2

if agreeable please on Recep^t. of this Write to M^r Simson
Merch^t in Glasgow or your old friend Cap^t Arch^d Cronofurd
to send him up to you as soon as possible. I shall
write to them Gentlemen to the same purpose
to have him in readness as his doing of nothing
now in Glasgow I shall perhaps be obliged at
the same time to desire M^r Simson to draw upon
you for what may be due him upon Frank's
Acco^t. which will not Exceed £100 which please
Honor. As I expect to hear from you every Day
after which shall write you more fully. In the
mean time M^r Jerdone joins me with our best respects
to M^rs Norton & yourself and family     I am

NB a Friend wants Harvies Works all in one Book likewise
½ doz Bot^l British Oil, & 2 Black Callimanco Quilted petticoats
if you can conveniently get them Articles please send
them into me by the first Opp^ty
George Pottie

Sir very respecfully y^r hble Ser^t
George Pottie

Address leaf

To
M^r John Norton
Mercht
London

Virg: 26^th April 1772
Geo: Pottie
Rec^d: 25^th June
Goods Ent^d: pa: 109
Ans^d the   July Ex'd
p White