Well, it’s been a while since I posted some documents. And since I have probably close to a thousand in my own little USB archival world besides hundreds of hard copies I thought maybe it’s time I shared. Afterall, how is anybody going to believe my outlandish claims of a hat thief from London doing all the dastardly things I ascribe to him without proof for you, the gentle reader, to ascertain yourselves? And yes, as the title of the subject heading above will eventually show there is a big picture to all of this. I just need to take a few more painting lessons:)
Anyways, before digging in let me preface first by saying a few things to smooth things along. I will initially post some King George County documents and maybe a couple of ledger entries written by William for initial comparison. Later in the spring I will take a trip to the Library of Congress and copy some JPG files from the Edward Dixon Papers to replace my PDF samples from years ago. I still need to contact Library of Virginia and see about the process of transferring Northern Neck Proprietary images to this site and the best way to transfer same. Meanwhile I will just start dropping documents here and get the ball rolling …
The upper section is the final wording of a deed from Lunsford Lomax Gent to Charles Carter Esq 1742. The lower section is a transaction between two men from Baltimore County, Md for land in King George County, Va. Document written by Wm Longmire.Last page of the will of Augustine Washington presented into court May 1743. Main document by Wm Longmire, bottom portion by Col Thomas Turner, and signed into record by Harry Turner, Clerk. William also amalgamated all 3 estate inventories for Augustine and entered them into record later the same year.Upper section of a lease Wm Wharton to Harry Turner sealed and delivered in presence of Thomas Turner, Wm Longmire, and Thomas Apperson May 1741. Document written by Wm Longmire and signed into record by Thomas Turner, Clerk.
Pages 8 and 9 of the estate of Nicholas Smith – Guardian Account of daughter Elizabeth. Thomas Turner was her guardian and his son, Harry, later married Elizabeth in 1743 when she came of age. Document in the hand of Wm Longmire who also continued the account several more pages.This is an unusual inventory of sorts because it is an enumeration of goods belonging to Thomas Apperson who is turning over the contents listed above to satisfy a rent debt to Elizabeth Lomax Gentlewoman. Wm Longmire and James Scurlock swear an oath as witnesses to this effect and it is recorded on March 13, 1737/8 and entered into record. Though it appears that William has not yet begun writing court documents at this point it is interesting that he is on hand, presumably at the court house, to swear this oath. Eliza Lomax was quite a wealthy woman and her husband, John Lomax was already deceased. John Lomax was intimately involved with Thomas Turner, John Tayloe, and the Taliaferro family until his death in 1729. Thomas Apperson later appeared with William in another document (captioned above). This document was said to be the earliest reference to Wm Longmire found in the King George County records until I found a tithable list from 1730 in which he was to be paid for “watching the prison”. Here we have the estate inventory of Wm Longmire appraised by three of his neighbors. Presented into court March 18, 1748/9 it was later entered into record in June 1749. In the original court order for the appraisal Joel Berry was also appointed with the Pecks and Charles Holdsworth. The value of William’s estate and types of implements and housewares put him at the upper end of the middle class – a far cry from his ignominious beginnings. And though this list is quite expansive in scope from owning a looking glass, forks and knives, 4 beds and furniture, a servant boy, books, and several farm and other kitchen implements, it is somewhat curious to this writer what is missing: William’s writing instruments and the large amounts of clothe and associated sewing items routinely purchased on his store account. Could his wife’s possible autonomy and ownership privileges regarding William’s store account be a clue perhaps as to her background before marriage? After William’s death Susannah Longmire not only settled an account with William Parker – Taylor but she also continued to purchase clothe on her husband’s account for a short time. This and the fact that no court record showing her children being adjudicated at the Orphans Court may indicate an undiscovered family network.
The Life and Times of William Longmire of London and Virginia 