Cameron Family Papers - Series 1.1

[Bennehan] S.DRAYTON TO RICHARD BENNINHAM Nutbush 26th October 1781

Various have been the reports from Virginia since my coming to Nutbush, nothing certain, all hoping and very anxious, for so singnal an Event, as must lead to a happy termination of our troubles in the southern states or on a reverse of fortune create new and encrease present troubles.--- thus situated, I have delayed writing to you for I would wish, what, I wrote, should be depended on---this happened not before last night;--- when we were acquainted of the certainty of prevailing reports by the arrival of a trooper, from York, who left that place on Saturday last--he brings, the glorious news of the surrender of Ld. Cornwallis of his while Army to General Washington--the Capitulation was signed on Wednesday the 17th Instant at 11 at night, and on friday the Garrison grounded their Arms and were marched for Winchester; his Lordship is to be sent to England---the man says, further, that Genls. Wayne, Guest, and Mulhenburg are coming on with 6000 Troops, that the French troops are gone by sea to Charles Town, and that Genl. Washington marches the rest northwardly---permit me my good Sir to Congratulate you and Mrs.Benninham on this happy occasion. My servant brings several other letters---some for Mr.Johnston others for Hillsborough--the latter I suppose Mr.Johnston will forward; as I suppose thegood folks of that Town will not be a little elated at the prospects that must now appear by which they may enjoy peace in their city, without a dread of Mr.Fanning or his adherents. If you have any news respecting the operations of the X Creek Army, or Craigs situation be pleased to communicate to me,- I shall be happy to hear you, with Mrs.Benninham and the Children are well, however

[Oct. 26, 1781] so great a specific as I now send, will enliven you all so much as to bid defiance to future sickness at least for this year. God bless you I am dear Sir Yours most obliged S.Drayton P.S. If it is possible that the Express who may go up to Hillsborough-and return on tomorrow so as that my servant can be here on Sunday, he may stay perhaps we may hear from thence perhaps something of the Tories.[S.W. marked out]dc

Address: Richard Benninham Esquire near Drayton. Flat River

March 11th 1782

Dear Sir

Capt. Woodson Daniel & Mr. Richd. Banks of Wake County are Informed Mr Mallet is inclined to sell a tract of land on Neuse River in said County which was purchased of one people nown by the name of Ritchy Place. If you are acquainted with Mr. Mallets intentions about this matter I shall be much obliged to you to give the Bearer Mr. John Daniel, son of Capt. Daniel Information about the same, where Mr. Mallet may be found or whether

Dear Sir Edenton March 24th 1782

By Gentl Benbury I am happy to acquaint you, that by the influence and request of Mr [Littleiohn?], I am in the employ of Mr Nath Allen from the character I have had of him, and from the small trial I have made, I flatter myself I shall be able to acquit myself with pleasure and satisfaction to my employer, the Gentlemen in Edenton of your acquaintance have treated me with every mark of hospitality and respect immaginable, I am under singular obligations to Gentl Benbury Who has taken care of my mare ever since my arival should an opportunity offer I should be [glald?] you would return the favour and you will much oblige me, please to give my most respectfull compliments to my sister- I am dear sir Your Most Obt Servt Thos Amis

Dear Sir

Edenton 14th April, 1782

Yours of the 9th Ulto. I recieved by Mr Blount, and afforded me much happi-ness to hear of yours and your familys prosper -ity, I was but too sensible of the obligations I had received from you are this, but so striking an instance of your friendship and esteem, in affoding me your kind advice ( to which I give you my Word I am resolved to pay the most strict adherence) has aded one more obligation to the many, I considered myself under to you before, and let me assure you it will add much to my happiness should fortune ever put it in my power to make you a suitable return, you request I should inform you upon what terms I have engaged with Mr Allen, as I did not immagine myself capable of earning much wages, I acquainted Mr Littlejohn that I was willing to leave that, to the gentlemans own generosity, and I have no doubt from his repeated assurances of his doing every thing in his power for my intrest, that I shall have not the least reason to complain, at the expiration of the year, for which I should have engaged

Mr Richard Bennehan Favd. by Mr Blount Orange

Dear Sir I have sent my Boy down for my Mare Capt. Thomas & Mr. Campbell. I expect we shall break up Tomorrow some time of the day or night tho' am in hopes we may get off time enough to reach your neighborhood tomorrow night, if you have any horse that could spare to send up that would do for my Boy to carry my portmanteau as far as your House, perhaps it would be be best to let my mare remain until I come down, however I leave that to you & wish you not to put yourself to any inconvenience with best respect to you Mr Bennehan & family I remain yours respectfully [B MCulloch?] May 16th 1783

Mr Richard Bennehan

Halifax 28th June 1782 D,, Sir Here with you will be handed a a packet, deliverd [one?] by Mr [Amis?] which he requests me to have forwar =ded you as soon as I should have it in my power. I am sorry I had not arived in Halifax a little earlier, than I did, which had it been the case. woud have been a favourable Opportunity for me to have had [illegible] a [fly?] & speedly convey'd to you by the hands of Mr Bond who left Halifax the mor =ning before I got here; Mr [Riw?] hath promiss'd me that you shoud get it safe & imediate by Or at least

as soon as he could send it & as my Stay at Halifax is uncertain I thought better to commit it into his hands than retain it my Own not knowing that I should hae it in my [power?] tp [illegible] during my being a bout home Mr [Amis?] intended to have wrote you himself but my leaving Edenton un =expectedly to him prevented it tho wishes me to inform you of his good health, which he at present very happily enjoys. I leave to present my [illegible] Mrs Benehan whilst I am D Sir with the greatest esteem your most [illegible] Nicholas Long [illegible]

Dear Sir Edenton 14th August 1782 I wrote you in my Last that I was in but a bad state of Health, am now happy to acquaint you it proved to be short duration, your letter of 14th July came safe to hand, I am glad to hear you have received the medicine, I sent you by [Capt?] Long, inclosed is List of the articles Which [illegible] Williamson gave me a few days before he set out for Philadelphia, I am sory to inform you after trying every Store in Town I have not been able to gett your Nails, but as I expect Mr Allen will have several [illegible] inn, the latter end of Next Month, or the first of the following when I can supply you with any number or [size?] you may want in case you think that will be in time, you'll let me know by the first opportunity, you have my sincere thanks for your kind help in offering to Supply me with any Cloth & I may want, I believe With those I have at present, and what I expect to receive from Mr Allen will be a great suffieciency, I am sory to heare you have a bad prsopect, for a [illegible] seems to be generally the ease in most parts of the State, the Merchants of this town have suffered great Losses by privateers, who [so?] infest this [illegible] that there is no possibility for a [illegible] unless armed, to [pass?] in or out, there has been four Gallies in this bay [fited?] out from Newyork one of which is taken the other three were glad to get away as soon as possible, You