James Craig letter to John Norton, 1768 April 21

James Craig, silversmith and jeweler of Williamsburg, letter to John Norton, merchant in London. Craig asks Norton to purchase a lottery ticket for him and procure items needed for his trade. Craig sends silver which he desires Norton will sell the Robert Cruikshank, goldsmith in the Old Jewry. The latter Craig may need to be purchased on credit which he asks Norton to extend to him.

The valuation for silver sent with this letter may be found here: Valuation of silver to be sold to Robert Cruikshank, 1768 April 21.

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W^msburg April 21, 1768

Sir

I have ship'd on Board Cap^t.
James Mitchell a small Box of silver & 3 Guineas
which y^oll please purchace for me a Ticket in the
Lottery for this present year. I should be glad how
soon after the Recept of the silver as I should Rather
have a small N^o. than a large       have it Registered in
the Name of John Craig & please send me the N^o
Sir I have inclosed a small order for a few things
in my way. I am affraid my money will not purchace
after the purchace of the Ticket. Sir I hope y^oll
be so good as advance about £20 ster^g for me, you
may Depend on my paying the money to your son
or Remitting it to you   if yo send out my goods
please to send them as soon as possible that I may
have them before our Oct^r Court, send them by a ship
that comes to York or James River unless Capⁿ
Mitchell should Come out at that time, he perhaps could contrive
my Box to York, you will please to get what things
I wrote for from M^r Robert Cruickshank Goldsmith
in the Old Jewry, he is acquanted w^t my manner of
Describing what things I want as I have had things from
him, he will give you the highest price for the
silver

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The Box Contains

I dare say M^r Cruikshank will give that price at least & I hope more
please desire him to get y^e Jewelers mark, asays, & Cutlery from
one M^r William Webb, the silver work M^r Cruikshank
will make. I had some things was B^ot from M^r Webb latly
I think was the best things I ever had since I came to Virg^a,
if do not Chuse to Trust me send in things for what
is over paying for the Ticket. tho: I should take it
kind of you to advance about 15 or £20 for me as I am
in great want of a few things for sale if my order
exceeds more than 20£ over the Remains of the silver
after paying for My Ticket dont send any more I wold
not Chuse more Credot than 20 ster^g. send fuer of every
artickle I have been settled in this place many years I dare
say you Remember me when you lived at York

I came in to this Country in the ship with Doc^r George
Riddell who settled in York Town at that time.
I have the pleasure of being a little acquainted w^t your son
whom I think you most have a great deal of pleasure in
him, as he seems to be a prudent young Man, & much
of a Gentleman.

D^r Sir by Complying w^t my small
Comisson you will much oblige y^r Freind &
hum: Ser^t
James Craig

p. s. Direct for me Goldsmith in Williamsburg

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Virg^a. 21^st April 1768
James Craig
Rec'd y^e: 17^th June

Goods ent^d. pa. 450
Ans^d in part y^e June
p Cap^t. Young
Ans^d the Aug^st 1768
p Woodford
Wrote to again
the March 1769
p Briliant