January 1777

Congress being informed that a number of Hessian officers, prisoners, are on their way to this town, Resolved, That the Board of War be directed to send the said prisoners to Dumfries, in Virginia, with a request to the committee of the said town, to see them properly provided for, agreeable to the provision made for prisoners.

Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow. JCO

Wednesday 1777

Resolved, That the sum of 533 1/3 dollars be advanced the Board of War, for defraying the expences of sending the Hessian prisoners to Dumfries, and the prisoners in the guard house in Baltimore, to Leesburg, in Virginia, agreeable to the orders of Congress; the said Board to be accountable for the expenditure.

JCO

21st Jan., 1777. Under date of the last named day there appears the following resolution of Congress:

"Resolved that Col. Grayson and Lieut. Col. Innes of Col. Mason's regiment to be raised within the state of Virginia be immediately furnished with cloth for two hundred suits of cloaths. in order to expedite the raising of those regiments."

.........purchase salt.....twelve shillings and six pence

Ordered, that a warrant issue to Thomas Blackburne Esqr for the use of Mr. Thomas Ewell for one hundred and seventy nine pounds four shillings on account for recruiting expenses and bounty of a Captain's Quota for regulars for the service of this state. Bond executed.

On the Recommendation of the Court of Prince William County, it is ordered that a Commission of the Peace issue directed agreeable thereto, and one half and one more be of the quorum also a Commission appointing Foushee Tebbs sherif of the said County, also Commissions appointing William Carr and Henry Peyton Coroners of the said County, also commission appointing William Brent and Thomas Young Gent. inspectors of tobacco, and William Carter assistant inspector opf tobacco at Dumfries warehouse. And also Thomas Attwell & William Tebbs inspectors and Henry dade assistant inspector at Quantico warehouse in the county aforesaid. To William Carr

[(Mar.-Apr.?], 1777. Apparently GM received word from the Virginia deputy commissary general, Col. William Aylett, that flour for the Continental army's use was ready for loading at Dumfries. GM wrote Carr, a Dumfries Merchant, "desiring him to dispatch......the flour" which Aylett had bought from a Farquier Co. planter-miller " or any other which Mr. Carr himself might have purchased." GM's letter has not been found, but see his report to Aylett of 19 Apr. 1777.

From William Carr

[ca. 4-5 Apr. 1777] Carr was a Dumfries merchant charged with procuring provisions for troops. This letter is missing, but was alluded to in GM's report to Col. William Aylett concerning flour for the Continental Commissary on 19 Apr. 1777.

Commissioner-general, Col. William Aylett, that flour for the Continental Army's use was ready for loading at Dumfries. GM wrote Carr "desiring him to dispatch....the flour." which Aylett had bought from a Farquier county planter-miller "or any other which Mr Carr himself might have purchased." GM's letter has not been found, but see his report to Aylett of 19 Apr. 1777.

Apr. 4-5, 1777.
Carr was charged with procuring provisions for the troops. This letter is missing, but was alluded to in GM's report to Col. William Aylett concerning flour for the Continental commissary on 19 Apr. 1777.

Some Tories lately formed a Plan for burning Alexandria & murdering the Inhabitants, & then seizing a Gondalow which lies in the River & going with her to the Enemy; but their Plan was discovered, & they are now in Gaol here.

May, 1777

[May] 23d. Passed through Colchester, (a paltry Village in Fairfax County, situated on a small River called Occaquam) to Dumfries. The Tories who intended to destroy Alexandria are sent off today, in Irons, to Williamsburgh, to be tried. Two of them whose names are Wales & Heburn, are Men of some Property:Ñthere are seven in all;Ñno Americans amongst them. Dumfries is the County Town of Prince William a very small Place, of considerable Trade, situate on a small River or Creek called Quantico. Rode in Company with Mr. Carrol, a Priest who went to Canada last Year with the Commissioners from Congress,Ña polite, sensible Gentleman. Met with Col. Grayson at Dumfries, & was introduced to Col. Mason of Virginia who politely invited me to his House on my Return. There are at present 2000 North Carolina, & some Virginia Troops at Alexandria and George Town, on their Way to Camp. Most of them are under Inoculation. General Nash is with the No. Carolina Troops at Alexandria. The Road between that Place & Dumfries is hilly & Parts of it, at Times, very muddy. The Country along the Post Road is in general very poor, & but thinly settled, which is the Case throughout all the southern States, except in the Towns. The large landed Estates possessed by the wealthy Farmers I believe are the Occasion of it. One Seton keeps Tavern at Dumfries; an ill-furnished, dirty House; very little in or about it for either Man or Beast; I could not get even clean Sheets to sleep In. the dirty ones were very ragged.

[May] 24th. At Dumfries. This Town contains about I00 Houses and 600 Inhabitants. The Court House is small, but a neat tasty Brick Building rusticated with Stone. Col. Grayson has lately purchased a Hill at the[p.403]

Dumfries, on which he intends to build; it commands a fine Prospect of the Town, Quantico & its Shores, Part of Patowmack, adjacent Fields, woods, etc. There are a Number of Hessian Officers (taken at Trenton) prisoners at Dumfries. The Alexandria Tories went from hence to Williamsburgh.

[May] 25th. Left Dumfries, & went to Fredericksburgh. In my Way passed Aquia & several other Creeks; these are low now & appear small, yet I am informed a heavy Rain very suddenly raises them so much as to render them Impassable, & that the Post is frequently obstructed by them. Fredericksburgh is the Capital of Spotsylvania County, a neat small Town,..

[May] 27th. Dined with Charles Dick Esqr. He has near his House about half an Acre of Lucerne [alfalfa], which he informs me feeds 4 Horses &four cows. It is sown in Drills at 3 Feet Distance from each other, & is cut nine times in a Season. It was sown 20 Years ago. Mr. Dick has a small vinyard. After Dinner went to view a Manufactory belonging to James Mercer Esqr. It is something similar to Mr. Wests but not quite so expensive. Saw the Machine (with 27 Spindles) for spinning Cotton at.......

On the recommendation of Prince William County Court: it is Ordered that the Commission issue appointing Henry Dade Hooe Inspector of Tobacco in room of William Tebbs who hath resigned and Simon Lutterll assistant Inspector in room of said Hooe at Quantico Warehouse.

Fredericksburgh to Wilmington, July 2-7, 1777.

July 2d. Left Fredericksburgh, after having seen the Hill upon which Genl. Washington was born: it is pleasantly situated on the north Bank of the River, a little below Fredericksburgh . . . Lodged at Dumfries, where I saw Mr. Carrol (the Priest) who kindly invited me to his House, he lives near George Town... [The Rev. John Carroll (1735-1815) future Roman Catholic Archbishop of Baltimore] a Priest who went to Canada last Year Canada last Year with the Commissioners from Congress,Ña polite, sensible Gentleman..
26 Aug. 1777 Exec. Jour.

The Governor, on the Recommendation of Prince William County Court, issued Commissions appointing Daniel Tebbs & William Carter jr Inspectors & Charles Adams assistant at Dumfries: Also Commission appointing Henry Dade Hooe & Simon Lutterell jr inspectors & Robert Howson Hooe Assistant inspector at Quantico.

.....Benjamin Bucktrout for four hundred pounds upon account as Purveyor to the Hospitals of this state.....

July 3d. Went to Alexandria where my Companions staid, I pro- ceeded to George Town on Patowmack, a small Town in Maryland, built on a Hill..............

The captured officers were entertained by the Continental officers at dinner, as was the custom of that period. They were then marched under guard, commanded by Captain Farmer of the Pennsylvania Riflemen, to Baltimore and delivered to the Continental Congress which was in session there. Congress ordered them Quartered at Dumfries, Va.......They were given Parole and enjoyed the society of the neighborhood..... ..hired out to country people......receits given for them....

In August 1777 the British fleet with transports of the British Army entered the Chesapeake Bay. Washington considered that possibly one of their objects might be to rescue the captured troops.....

........I have also wrote to Dumfries for a qty shoes that are there, there is also a large qty Phila. Leather there that might be got. I find we cannot get too many of this Article, this being post Night or I would not trouble the Committee, My letters are wrote and I shall venture to send them if not forbid, I have 1200 pr stockings and plenty hatts.........

Ordered, That a warrant issue on the treasurer in favour of Colonel Jesse Ewell, of a regiment of militia from the State of Virginia, for 1,097... 30/90 dollars, for which he is to be accountable:

On the Recommendation of the Prince William County Court Commissions were issued appointing Robert Luttrell & John Kinchelow Inspectors and Robert Overhall asistant Inspector at Dumfries Warehouses.

Virginia Fairfax County Sct.
[3 December 1778]

Lawrence Sandford Mariner, of full Age, deposeth & sayeth, that some time in the Year 1776 he this Depot. was called upon to appraise & value upon Oath sundry Sails which were taken & seized for the Use of the Potomack Navy, from a Brigantine of Doctor William Savage's then lying at the Mouth of Quantico Creek in Potomack River, that all the said Sails were in very bad Condition, & so mildewed & rotten that they were unnt for Use, or carrying a Vessel to Sea, except one, a small forestay-sail, that this Depot. Capt. Richd. Conway (who is now down the Country) Mr. Thomas Flemming & Mr. Thomas Crafts were sworn to appraise and value the said sails, which they minutely examined, & appraised at the price they were then worth; but what the exact amount was this Depot. doth not now remember, but thinks it was twenty odd pounds; that this Depot. does not think any of the said Sails, except the before mentioned small forestay-sail, was worth the charge of refitting or altering; that this Depot. at the time commanded the Brigantine Adventure in the Commonwealth's Service, loading with Tobacco at Alexandria, & was frequently on board the different vessels of the Potomack Navy, as they were fitting up for public Service; & knows that the said sails were not, nor cou'd not be made use of for the said Vessels, otherwise than as Oakum Bags, to stuff the Nettings; to which use most of them were applyed; that this Depot. knows that the Managers of the Potomack Navy were under great Difficultys in procuring Sails & other Necessaries for fitting up the armed Vessels, and were very anxious to get them equipped for Defence, in Case any of the Enemie's Vessels shou'd come up the River, before they were complcated; which this Depot. believes was the Reason why the abovementioned Sails (as well as some others of much better Quality from other Vessels) were seized; and this Depot. further sayeth that one of the Mariners who had belonged to Doctor Savages Brig, & said he had been her Boatswain, told this Depot. that the said Brig had other & better Sails than those which had been seized but they had been secreted & kept out of the WayÑthat this Depot. was on board the said Brig of Doctor Savage's early in the Year 1775, that she was then in very bad Condition, & this Depot. thinks cou'd not have been ventured to Sea with any tollerable Safety, that he himself wou'd not have taken the Command of such a Vesselt or have gone to Sea in her; that she was an old Shattered Vessel, & as this Depot. understood had been purchased as a Wreck, or condemned Vessel by Doctor Savage at Norfolk: who after being at considerable expence sent her on a voyage to Ireland, from whence she has returned, & been laid up a long time at Quantico, when the sails were seized, and her hands were discharged, except one, the beforementioned Boatswain, who this Depot. understood was left to care of the rigging & apparrel of the said vessel, which this Depot. understood & believes was unfit to go to sea again- and further this Depot. sayeth not.

Laer. Sanford
Alexandria April 22nd 1778
S&S in presence of Wm. Ramsey J.P.
[454-5]
Virginia Fairfax County Sct.

Thomas Flemming of the said County Ship-Carpenter; being of full age, deposeth & sayeth, that some time in the Summer of the Year 1776 he this Depot. was called upon to appraise & value upon Oath sundry Sails which he understood were taken & seized by George Mason & John Dalton Esqrs. for the Use of the Potomack Navy, from a Brigantine of Doctor William Savage's then Iying in the Mouth of Quantico Creek in Potomack River; that all the said Sails were in very bad Condition & so mildewed, & rotten that they were unfit for Use, or carrying a Vessel to Sea; except one, a small Sail commonly a fore-Stay-Sail; that this Depot. Capt. Richd. Conway (who is now down the Country) Capt. Lawrence Sandford, & Mr. Thomas Crafts were sworn to appraise & value the said Sails, which after due Examination, they accordingly did at about twenty three or twenty four pounds (this Depot. can't now recollect the exact Sum) which at the then [prevailing] prices, were the full value of them; that this Depot. does not know what use were afterwards made of the said Sails; but does not think that any of them, except the before mentioned small fore-Stav-Sail, cou'd have been made Seaworthy; or were worth the charge of fitting on or altering; that the abovementioned Brigantine lay some time in the Harbour of Alexandria, & this Depot. understood was a Wreck which Doctor Savage had purchased at Norfolk, & been at considerable charge in fitting out for Sea, & had made a voyage to Ireland before she came to Alexandria; that she went from Alexandria to the mouth of Quantico, where she had been laid up a long time, when the said Sails were taken from her, & this Depot. understood was intended to sold or condemned as unfit for Sea, and further this Depot. sayeth not.

Thomas Flemming

[Ramsay's endorsement also appears here.]

Virginia Fairfax County Sct.

Thomas Crafts Sail-maker of the said County, being of full Age, deposeth & saith, that some time in the Summer of the Year 1776 he this Depot. was called upon to appraise & value upon Oath Sundry Sails which he understood were seized & taken by George Mason & John Dalton Esqrs. for the Use of the Potomack Navy, from a Vessel belonging to Doctor William Savage, then lying at the Mouth of Quantico in potomack River, that the said Sails were of different kinds, & eight in Number; that all the said Sails were in very bad Condition, & rotten, except one, a small Sail, commonly called a fore-Stay-Sail, & that no Vessel could have used or gone to Sea with them; that this Depot. Capt. Richard Conway (who is now down the Country) Capt. Lawrence Sandford, & Mr. Thomas Flemming were sworn to appraise & value the said Sails that they accordingly after a minute Examination, valued & appraised the said Sails at twenty three pounds some odd Shillings, this Depot. can't now recollect the precise sum, but it did not amount to twenty-four pounds; which according to the then prices, were the full value of the said sails; that this depot. made up all the sails that were used fitting up the Potomack Navy; but he did not make up or fit any of the aforesaid sails, for that purpose; all the others being unfit for.......

On the recommendation of Prince William County Court Commission were appointing William Brent & Simon Lutrell jr Inspectors & Robert Howeson Hooe Assistant at Quantico Warehouse; & John Chancillor and Matthew Harrison Inspectors & Robert Averall Assistant at Dumfries warehouse.