ENPages
Correspondence between Ralph A. Pugh and John R. Barden, 1991, page 1
P.O. Box 1234 New Bern, N.C. 28563 December 13, 1991
Mr. Ralph A. Pugh Chicago Historical Society Clark Street at North Avenue Chicago, IL 60614
Dear Mr. Pugh:
Thanks for the three photocopies of additional Carterrelated documents from Chicago Historical Society collections, also the information on Mr. Gunther, interesting gentlemen, to say the least.
In concur in your theory as to the origin of the Metcalfe Family papers. The Metcalde tract, located on the Nomony River, was purchased by Roberty "King" Carter in 1710. "King" Carter worked the land as a plantation, but in 1760 his grandson Robert Carter III divided it into at least five parcels and leased it to tenants. References to tenants and improvements on these tracts appear frequently in Carter's correspondence between 1760 and 1798, when he conveyed the land to his son-in-law Spencer Ball as part of the division of his Virginia estate.
I refer you to the following sources regarding the early history of the Metcalfe Tract: Gertrude E. Gray, Virginia Northern Neck Land Grants, 1694-1742 (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1988), p.89 entry B-64; a letter from Gilbert Metcalfe to Richard Metcalfe, dated 9/25/1685, Robert Carter Papers, Library of Congress; and a promissory note from Robert Carter to Gilbert Metcalfe, dated 2/10/1709|10, Robert Carter Papers, Swedenborg School of Religion (Newton, Mass.).
Eventually, it may help my analysis of Carter's landholdings to get copies of the Metcalfe Family papers as well, but I don't see an immediate need for them. Thanks for the catalog printout, however.
Best regards during this holiday season.
Sincerely yours, [Signature] John R. Barden
Correspondence between Ralph A. Pugh and John R. Barden, 1991, page 2
Chicago Historical Society
Chicago Historical Society Clark Street at North Avenue Chicago, Illinois 60614 312-642-4600
Archives and Manuscripts Department 10 December 1991
John R. Barden P.O. Box 1234 New Ber, North Carolina 28563
Dear Mr. Barden:
Enclosed are the other photocopies which you requested in your follow-up letter of 25 November, along with a copy of an article on Charles Gunther, the collector whose holdings the CHS purchased in the early 1920s. When the CHS obtained the Gunther material we received some provenance files for varioys objects, but practically nothing on manuscripts. The Carter materials were no doubt part of a larger batch of Virginia colonial material, and the Lord only knows when Gunther picked it up. The Metcalfe Family papers at the CHS (see enclosed description) also came in through Gunther-- maybe these papers had been obtained by the Carters after purchased of Metcalfe property 9my theory)
The enclosed copies are all free-- with our thanks for providing the information on the various persons represented in the Carter material. It will greatly aid our future cataloging of the material.
Sincerely, [Signature] Ralph A. Pugh Associate Curator
Correspondence between Ralph A. Pugh and John R. Barden, 1991, page 3
[Written: Manumission]
P.O. Box 1234 New Bern, N.C. 28563 November 25, 1991
Mr. Ralph A. Pugh Archives and Manuscripts Department Chicago Historical Society Clark Street at North Avenue Chicago, IL 60614
[Written: Nomini Hall]
Dear Mr. Pugh
Many thanks for for the photocopies of the Robert Carter documents that came to hand this morning. I am enclosing a check for $21.50 with this letter.
As to the identities of the African Americans named in these documents, I will tell you what little I know:\
One of your catalog cards lists statements of manumission for "Dinah, Hall, and Judith." I did not find a photocopy of a statement for Dinah. There are three "Dinahs" listed in Carter's general deed of emancipation. If this statement includes plantation and Dinah's age, I should be able to identify her. Please send me a copy if you are able.
"Hall" I believe to be a misreading for "Natt, Cartman at Nomony Hall... forty five years of Age." This refers to Nathaniel Kenardy, born ca. 1746, and always referred to as living in Nomony Hall in Westmoreland County Court on February 28, 1792. He is the only Kenardy listed among the Carter slaves and nothing further is known of his family.
"Judith" is Judith Brutus, a.k.a. "Little Judith," living in 1791 at Scorpio Plantation in Frederick County. She was born in the lower counties ca. 1774 to Sam and Sarah Brutus (a.k.a. Sarah Debo), but moved with her parents and at least two siblings to Frederick County in 1787. Her father was foreman of Scorpio Plantation, one of six Carter plantations on rthe Shenandoah River. Judith's deed of manumission was proven in Westoreland County on May 29, 1792. By 1796, she had at least two childrten, but nothing is known of her husband.
Another statement is listed for "Daniel at Gemini." This is Daniel Wilson, born ca. 1747, and freed from Gemini Plantation in Westmoreland County. His wife was Judith
Correspondence between Ralph A. Pugh and John R. Barden, 1991, page 4
Mr. Ralph A. Pugh-- p. 2
Wilson, born ca. 1745, also of Gemini. Daniel was freed in 1792, his wide a year later. Nothing is known of their children or other kin.
"Primus at the Forest Quarter" in Westmoreland County is Primus Johnson, born ca. 1771 and freed ub 1792. His wife was Sukey Johnson, formerly of Coles Point Plantation in Westmoreland County. By 1796, they had at least three sons. Sukey was not freed until 1801.
"Gabriel at Gemini" in Westmoreland County is cataloged under the year 1781 due to a clerk's copying error. The exerpt from Carter's deed of emancipation should read " this first dat of August in the year of our Lord seventeen hundred & ninety one." gabriel Johnson, born ca. 1750, was living without family at Gemini Plantation. He was freed in 1792. Nothing more is known of his connections.
Finally, I refer you to an indenture of Robert Carter to George Evans, cataloged under the date October 29, 1795. I suggest that the date is actuall "29th day of October seventeen hundred & Ninty six--" Carter always made strange, butterfly-wing "X"s. The indenture concerns Louisa, born ca. 1782 to Lucy Henry of Nomony Hall, Westmoreland County. ( Louisa's siblings appear to have taken a variety of surnames. It is not safe to conclude rthat hers was "Henry.") As early as 1793, Carter was requesting Louisa's prescence at his new home in Baltimore, and by 1796 she was in residence there. Despite this identure, Carter lists Louisa and her infant among the members of his household in September 1797. She was not manumitted among the Virginia slaves in 1800, but may well have been freed in Maryland if she was still living there.
Please let me draw your attention to three Carter-related documents not lisred among your catalog cards. I would like photocopies of these docuements as well:
1. 1772 Apr. 28. Thomas Lord Fairfax to [Robert Carter III], about a mill. 2p. [Endorsement is in Carter's handwriting.] [ Written: Washington Tower]
2. 1776 Mar. Memo. of agreement for milita substitute for John Peck [tutor to Carter's children] 2p. [Document is in Carter's handwrititng] [ Westmoreland Co., VA.]
3. 1782 Fen. 14. General Lee's account at Nomony Hall, signed by George Gordon. 2p. [Lee, [?]]
Let me also remind you of my interest in the Mr. or Ms. "Gunther" whose name appears on many of the Carter-related catalog cards. Any information you can share regarding this
Correspondence between Ralph A. Pugh and John R. Barden, 1991, page 5
Mr. Ralph A. Pugh--p. 3
collector or donor may help me locate other scattered Carter documents.
Thanks again for making the photocopies available.
Sincerely, [Signature] John R. Barden