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Mary Andrews, Richmond, Virginia to Mrs. Eliza Whiting, "Enfield", Prince William County, Virginia, 1813 August 2

 Item — Box: 1, Folder: 6
Identifier: id114958

Scope and Contents

Scope and Contents Her letter to Charlotte Balfour reached them as they were leaving; hastens to relieve her "anxiety"; suffered in the general panic of Williamsburg when the British landed within four or five miles of them as there was only 50 militia in the place; the students [of the College of William and Mary] all went out and any boy that c[oul]d held a musquet [sic]; feared less for her own safety than for "the precious live that might be lost"; dear Thomas H[enderson] was not inactive tho[ugh] only fifteen, he was sent with a cart for bacon for the troops that were expected; dreaded his being taken with his cargo by the enemy; he arrived safe but had to walk eight miles back and since his shoes did not fit him he took them off; he met so many people flying he feared the Town Williamsburg was taken but continued on determined to share the fate of his friends; that even[in]g a large reinforcement of troops arrrived who had marched 36 miles in hot, dry weather; they [the reinforcements] expected to have the enemy to dislodge but thanks God the enemy left with no bloodshed except if the animals [?]; generally now believed they [the enemy] meant only to forage; if the reinforcements had been sent sooner they may have arrived more comfortably and been able to save Hampton, Virginia where the troops fought nobly but were sacrificed by not having reinforcements in time; their friend Major Corbin is still suffering with wounds he rec[eive]d; he [Major Corbin] led their troops and 40 men were seen to level their muskets at him; they [the enemy] shot his horse in the head and him in the thigh and arm; his [Major Corbin] wife knew when the attack began and heard enemy cannon and knew her husband was exposed; she [Mrs. Corbin] had a son in the Chesapeake whom she concluded was killed and another son with Commander Dieuter who wrote he was expecting to engage two British battleships; her [Mrs. Corbin] sons are spared and her husband recovering; asks "how many hearts are wrung by the missings occasien'd [sic] by this war"; wishes they [MA and CB] could accept her invitation to visit but as John and her horses are infirm she cannot attempt such a journey; she could not have come that far except Mr. Randolph aided her with a serv[an]t and horses; the Randolphs went on to Powhatan Virginia; the Randolphs are to send down their carriage and horses for Daugh[te]r Eliza [Randolph], her son John, Charlotte and herself to go up next week; she shall stay with them some weeks and then come back to her friends here [Richmond, Virginia] "[un]til the sickly season is over below"; only God knows whether she has a habitation to return to; left her property and friends there Williamsburg with great reluctance; Cousin Peachy for her health's sake ought to have gone up the country but was afraid to leave her property; her [counsin Polly Peachy] daugh[te]r Betsey went up with Polly Tabb; her [MA] daugh[te]r Randolph begged her [MA] to assure her and Mary Little of her kind regards; Mrs. Cringan who is in very bad health asks to be remembered to her and her daughter [ML]; hears Dr. Blair, his wife andsons are rejuvinated by her "upper air - from the mts. [?] they bring you"; she (EW) must have Cousin F with her and also Dr. Banister and his family; asks her to remember her and Charlotte to them all; assure Doctor Little and Mary [Little] of their esteem for them and their family; wishes she could see them all again; happy that Captain "Mc" and his Lady are well; asks her to tell Mrs. "Mc" they were delighted with her nephews "they are both fine fellows"; hopes the youngest [nephew] who remained [in Williamsburg] during their troubles has gotten safely to friends and "feels no bad effects from the Exposures he had"; asks to be remebered to her neighbors and acquaintances and Miss Elizabeth and Mary and Nancy Banny and all the little ones for her; Charlotte intends writing when they get to Mr. Randolph's. 3pp. ALS.

Dates

  • Creation: 1813 August 2

Creator

Language of Materials

From the Collection:

English

Conditions Governing Access:

Collection is open to all researchers. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, such as the Virginia Public Records Act (Code of Virginia. § 42.1-76-91); and the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Code of Virginia § 2.2-3705.5). Confidential material may include, but is not limited to, educational, medical, and personnel records. If sensitive material is found in this collection, please contact a staff member immediately. The disclosure of personally identifiable information pertaining to a living individual may have legal consequences for which the College of William and Mary assumes no responsibility.

Extent

From the Collection: 1 Linear Feet

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections Research Center Repository

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