15 May 1792

Whitaker, William, 1761-1814

Autograph manuscript

Title: [Deed conveying a church pew in the Plaistow Meeting House to William Sawyer]

William Whitaker certifies that he received a sum of money from William Sawyer for a pew in the Plaistow Meeting House, formerly belonging "to Isaac Snow Late Deceased the pew being the Back Side of the meeting House at the left hand of the pulpit," between the pews of Nathaniel Kimball and Joseph Smith. Also signed by Theodore Cushing and John Brickett. This deed was contained within (but not bound in) GLC01626.01.

GLC01626.02

6 December 1781

Dundas, David, Sir, Bart, 1749-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Dundas

Discusses a short visit from their brother George who was in good health but had to return to his ship after one day. Also mentions another brother named Ralph, whose "fate you have learnt four days ago" (Ralph, captain of the Bonetta, was captured by the French at the Battle of Yorktown, see GLC03676.05). Notes that "no official accounts from Cornwallis" had arrived. Claims that the French did not expect this victory, citing as evidence "a Merchant who signed a Contract w. the Fermiers Generaux 6 weeks ago for...half a Million of Tobacco annually. upon the presumption that the Southern…

GLC02549.19

8 January 1781

Dundas, David, Sir, Bart, 1749-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Dundas

Notes that he has not informed their mother and father about their brother Ralph, captain of the Bonetta, who had been captured by the French at the Battle of Yorktown (see GLC03676.05). Discusses a possibly scandal involving Ralph and his effort to clear his name. Comments on investigating information in a newspaper article (and getting it retracted) and asking one of George Germain's clerks for information, who told him that they had received a complaint about Ralph and were investigating. He also wrote Commodore Symmond who expressed sympathy with David's effort, but could not help…

GLC02549.20

January 26, 1782

Dundas, David, Sir, Bart, 1749-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Dundas

Writes at length about his feelings, memories, gratitude, and regret regarding their recently deceased mother.

GLC02549.21

19 April 1782

Dundas, David, Sir, Bart, 1749-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Dundas

Discusses their brother Ralph's difficulty getting an advancement in the Navy and his plans to move. On events in America, he writes: "When a General abides the consequence of a Storm, He should resolve either to beat off his Enemies or die in the attempt. but when the success is desperate, it is more prudent to treat in time. had that been done when the News of Ld. Cornwallis's defeat arrived, He would have been in a different Situation now." Also notes the unlikelihood of peace with the Dutch. Gives a message for their father.

GLC02549.22

22 July 1782

Dundas, David, Sir, Bart, 1749-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Dundas

Writes in detail about his father's arrival and their activities. Indicates that "We are in hourly expectation of hearing something of Importance from Lord Howe." Explains that six ships have been sent to Howe to make a fleet of thirty and discusses related naval matters. Comments on their brother Ralph's difficulty getting a naval post. Comments on correspondence (and the lack of it) from their brother George and James Robertson. Notes that he can give no news of politics because it is difficulty to come by, quipping that "Self Interest is the secret spring to modern patriotism." Asks…

GLC02549.23

21 September 1782

Dundas, David, Sir, Bart, 1749-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Dundas

Indicates that their father has left and discusses his visit and health. Comments on their brother George and related matrimonial issues. Discusses their brother Ralph's problems finding a naval position, noting that "I am afraid He has no chance of being employed." Seal intact.

GLC02549.24

February 1783

Dundas, Isabella, 1747-1823

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Dundas

Informs James of their father's (her father-in-law) health, which is not good: "he endures his Situation as Life well spent enable A true Christian!" Notes that she is writing because her husband David is too busy to keep up his correspondence. Docketed twice.

GLC02549.25

January 16, 1783

Dundas, David, Sir, Bart, 1749-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Dundas

Discusses correspondence and family matters. Explains that their brother George is planning to go to the West Indies. Discusses their brother Ralph's difficulty getting naval work, especially because of the prospect of peace. Comments on a visit from Charles Dundas, whom he had not seen in nine years.

GLC02549.26

29 April 1783

Dundas, David, Sir, Bart, 1749-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Dundas [fragment]

Laments their brother George's plan to marry an American woman and move there forever. It will also force him to work outside the navy, for want of subsistence for a family. There are some contemporary notes on the address leaf.

GLC02549.27

2 June 1784

Dundas, David, Sir, Bart, 1749-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Dundas

Hopes that James will visit "Now that the convulsion of Politicks is over." Mentions "contested elections" and commends "Mr. Pitt, for his Wisdom & discretion in dissolving the last Parliament." Discusses British politics, mentioning Charles Fox and Scotland. Discusses a play he saw and a concert featuring Handel's music performed by an orchestra of 513 musicians. He notes that "nothing is now more talked of but Musick, & indeed I am afraid there is too much reason to believe that we shall like the present Itallians degenerate into a race of catgut scrapers." Mentions the "…

GLC02549.28

January 28, 1785

Dundas, David, Sir, Bart, 1749-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Dundas

Discusses their correspondence and news of family and friends.

GLC02549.29

16 May 1785

Dundas, David, Sir, Bart, 1749-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Dundas

Offers possible excuses for why James has not written and asks him to respond: "you are to set out for Scotland...perhaps you are not well. perhaps you are in Love..." Some contemporary notes on the address leaf.

GLC02549.30

21 April 1787

Dundas, David, Sir, Bart, 1749-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Dundas

Asks for correspondence and news about their father's health. Makes a very cryptic comment: "I think the Young Ladies should erect a Pillar in honor of Dr Willis...He has at last out generalled the London Doctors. but as it is a delicate subject to touch upon. I should say no more of it at present only that I am at this moment from some fortuitous circumstances placed in one of the most singular situations ever Man was. & which some Thirty or Forty years hence you & I may talk over." Comments on a letter from George and an exhibition he did not care for.

GLC02549.31

17 May 1787

Dundas, David, Sir, Bart, 1749-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Dundas

Discusses their correspondence, his expectation of the birth of a new baby, and their father's health.

GLC02549.32

January 16, 1787

Dundas, David, Sir, Bart, 1749-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Dundas

Announces the birth of his daughter. Comments on problems he has riding horses. Seal intact.

GLC02549.33

January 25, 1788

Dundas, David, Sir, Bart, 1749-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Dundas

Mentions "pouring out Libations to Bacchus" and extends an open invitation to have a bottle of champagne with James whenever he decides to visit. Asks him to come to the capital and if he might be of "use to Mr Hastings on the approaching Trial?" Seeks James's support for Archibald Cullen, "who is now at the Bar," noting that he could use the help and commenting: "it is not every Barrister who like Erskin has a base or treacherous Commander, whom the Infatuation of the Mob demands should be skreened from Justice." Notes a visit from George and "disappointment in Mr Bolden taking to…

GLC02549.34

8 February 1788

Dundas, Isabella, 1747-1823

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Dundas

Describes in detail a fire that injured three of their friends. Notes that the newspaper exaggerated the story, "tho' dreadful as it is." Written from Lombard Street in London.

GLC02549.35

10 February 1788

Dundas, David, Sir, Bart, 1749-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Dundas

Updates James on the medical condition of their friends who were the victims of a fire (see GLC02546.35).

GLC02549.36

February 12, 1788

Dundas, David, Sir, Bart, 1749-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Dundas

Updates James on the medical condition of their friends who were the victims of a fire, noting the likelihood of at least one death (see GLC02546.35). Seal intact.

GLC02549.37

February 14, 1788

Dundas, David, Sir, Bart, 1749-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Dundas

Updates James again on the medical condition of their friends who were the victims of a fire, writing in particular of the grim prospect of recovery for Mrs. Gardiner (see GLC02546.35). Seal partially intact.

GLC02549.38

February 15, 1788

Dundas, Isabella, 1747-1823

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Dundas

Updates James again on the medical condition of their friends who were the victims of a fire, writing about the grim prospects of several people, particularly Bessy (see GLC02546.35). Explains that she is writing on behalf of her husband who could "say nothing but what adds pain to his mind." The scenes she describes "numb the Soul by the accumulation of misery."

GLC02549.39

18 February 1788

Dundas, Isabella, 1747-1823

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Dundas

Updates James again on the medical condition of their friends who were the victims of a fire, informing him of and lamenting the death of Bessy due to her injuries (see GLC02546.35). Seal partially intact.

GLC02549.41

February 21, 1788

Dundas, David, Sir, Bart, 1749-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Dundas

Offers additional updates on the medical condition of their friends who were the victims of a fire (see GLC02546.35). Discusses their treatment and the difficulty of administering care on his wife Isabella, who was already in a weakened state. Comments on their father, who was also sick.

GLC02549.42

2 March 1788

Dundas, Isabella, 1747-1823

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Dundas

Discusses her activities and recovery of their friends in the aftermath of a fire (see GLC02546.35). Offers other local news and thanks James for the kind sentiments in his last letter.

GLC02549.43