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[weemsbotts]

"Lest they should imbibe more exalted notions of their own importance than I could wish": The Incredible Fourteen Page Will

By: Lisa Timmerman, Executive Director

Thomson Mason (1733-1785) was born at Chopawamsic Plantation in Stafford County, VA to the powerful Mason family. Instead of deep delving into his political career, we focused on his fourteen page will, and the impressive amount of control he tried to exert even after his death. Over his lifetime, he accrued property in Stafford, Prince William, Loudoun, Richmond, and other regions and was most eager to dictate every detail. Below are some of the more interesting excerpts with our commentary.

(Aaron Arrowsmith (1750-1823) and Samuel Lewis (1754-1822) 1804 Map of Virginia via The David Rumsey Map Collection)

Thomson Mason married twice. First to Mary King Barnes (before 1758-1771). They had four children: Stevens Thomson Mason (1760-1803), Abram Barnes Thomson Mason (1763-1813), John Thomson Mason (1765-1824), and Ann Thomson Mason (1769-1817). Although originally buried at Gunston Hall, her body was later moved to Raspberry Plain in Loudoun County. Thomson Mason married Elizabeth Westwood (1740-1824) in 1777, previously married to Rev. James Wallace. She also had four children with Thomson Mason, Dorothea Anna Thomson Mason (1778-1822), Westwood Thomson Mason (1780-1826), William Temple Thomson Mason (1782-1862), and George Thomson Mason (d. 1873).

“…my body I wish to have interred upon my Son Stephen’s Plantation in Loudoun so that the foot of my Coffin may touch the head of my Son George’s, and that a Space may be left on each side of me, to receive those of my two Wives, if my present wife should desire that her remains may be beside mine, & I desire that my son Stephen will remove those of his Mother from the family burying Ground, at my brothers for that purpose, As to my worldly Estate I give of it as follows – Imprimis I give to my beloved wife Elizabeth, all the Estate of whatever nature that shall be remaining at my death, of what I gained by marriage with her. Item I give to my said Wife, during her natural life, clear of the Mortgages, and other Incumbrances on it, all my lands on Chappawamsick Run, in County of Stafford, which lye below the lands of the Revered. Mr. Harrison, & bounded by lands of the late Mr. Moncure, Mr. Adie, the Rev’d Mr. Harrison, & Chappawamsick Run, & all my lands on the said Run in the County of Prince William, which lye below the lands of Coll. Burr Harrison, Robert Carter, Esqr., Mr. John Hedges, & the said Chappawamsick Run, containing 1220 acres, in the two Tracts more or less, reserving out of the Lands, to my son John Thomson Mason, & his heirs, his choice of 50 acres, to be laid off in a Square for a Sear on which side the run he pleases, so that it does not include the gardens, Orchard, or any of the Housing, in County of Stafford, or any of the low grounds, in the same County, and after death of my Wife, I give the Reversion of all the said Lands, to my said son John Thomson Mason & Heirs, provided he attains the age of twenty one years; and I hereby declare that I intend this device to my wife, in Barr of her Dower of my other lands in Stafford and Prince William Counties, but not in Barr of her Dower of any other lands she may be entitled to elsewhere.”

Mason referenced participating in William Byrd’s (1728-1777) lottery. Byrd’s ostentatious lifestyle led to a considerable amount of debt, some of which he tried to pay in the form of a lottery. He prized most of his estate at the falls of the James River, hoping to raise 50,000 pounds by selling tickets in both Virginia and England. While his entire life deserves one or more blogs, it is sufficient for now to know he swore allegiance to the King of England during the Revolutionary War, and we can see some of the ramifications in Mason’s will.

“I give my son Stephens Thomson Mason & Heirs, the unimproved  Lotts in the Town of Richmond & Manchester which was drawn in the late Collo. Byrd’s lottery, by Tickets marked with the Initials of his Mother’s or his Brother George’s name. Item, I give to my son Stephens Thomson Mason & Heirs, the Ground in the Town of Richmond, on which the Public Store House lately stood, together with the money due from the public for the valuation of the said Store House, and all the arrearages of Rent…which will appear from my books & all arrerages of Rent due from the public or Turner Southall, who took possession thereof immediately after the Death of Miles Taylor, with my knowledge or consent, and kept possession thereof until it was destroyed by General Arnold; and I think he is intitled to recover Damages of the said Turner Southall, he having converted the said House without my Leave into a public arsenal, by which means it was destroyed by the British under General Arnold…”

When it came to dividing his enormous landholdings, Mason devised that certain land be divided for his sons to do as they pleased after they reached the age of 21, leaving it uncleared for timber until then. He also had a mill set in motion.

“Item I direct that the Mill now begun, shall as soon as possible be finished off, a complete Merchant Mill, with two part of Stones, one pair of which at least shall be double Burr and that another set of Mills, with two parts of Stones, shall be built at the expence of my Estate upon the same run near the Mouth thereof as soon as may be & that the said Mills when finished, and all my Lands in Loudon County, between the Main County road, the Limestone Run & Potomach River, & the Cool Spring Run, together with the cleared lands on the Plantation, now rented by Fouchee, below the Mill run be also rented for the benefit of my Estate for twenty years, that four horses, four Mares, six Servant Men & one Servant woman be immediately purchased, & placed together with six Milch cows and twelve breeding sows, & worked thereon, for four years after my death, but that not more than 40 acres of fresh land shall be cleared within the bounds…”

He specified that his son Abraham would have sole management of the mills, but under strict instructions on how to divide the profit, what he could purchase (mainly enslaved persons and stock), and conditions if the mill was not profitable within a short period of time. Not surprisingly, he had similar rules for other mills.

“Item I direct that a Merchant Mill be built on Chappawamsic Run, on the lands given to my son John, where he shall direct, not to exceed the expence of four hundred pounds, which expence is to be repaid out of the profits of the Mill, in part of his Sister’s Nancy fortune…”

Here he specified everything from the names of the enslaved to the names of the prized riding horses, such as Rupert, along with other horses and colts. He also included,

“…that two indented farming white Sevants be purchased for John who have four or five years to serve, provided they do not exceed the price of thirty pounds each…”

For his wife, he left all his household furniture at Errol and Chopawamsic, stock of cattle, sheep, goats, cows, oxen, hogs, ewes, horses, his chariot and harness, and mares. For the enslaved,

“I give to my wife my negro girl Pegg till January 1789 and I direct that one Negro girl between age of sixteen and twenty be purchased by my Executor for my wife, within three years of my death and I direct that another Negro Girl and two Negro lads between age of 16 and 20 be purchased for my wife, by my Executor, within six years of my death and I give said Slaves, in Trust for use of my wife for her life and to uses she shall direct by her last Will and Testament…it being my intention that the four slaves with their increase shall be for the separate use of my Wife without the Interposition of any husband she may marry.”

She also received the promise of “geered Mill” to be constructed and maintained on Pearson’s Run. For his two youngest sons,

“…may be put to learning English, at one of their Guardians Houses till eight years of age, and that then they be kept at Writing, arithmetic, and reading elegant English Authors and modern languages till they are 12 years of age, and then to be kept at learning the Latin Language, Book keeping, Mathematicks, and other Useful branches of literature, till the age of 18, and then to be put out to such Business or profession as their Genius’s are best calculated for. Item I particularly direct that neither of my younger sons shall reside on the South side of James River, or below Williamsburgh, before they respectively attain age of 21 years, lest they should imbibe more exalted notions of their own importance than I could wish any child of mine, to possess.”

His thoroughness continued.

“Item I give the use of my Gold watch, to my wife till a new Gold watch with an embossed case and Equipage suitable for a Lady, of the price of 30 Guineas can be purchased for her out of my Estate, and as soon as such Gold watch and equipage is furnished for her I give my gold watch to my son Westwood. Item I give to my daughter Ann Thomson Mason the equipage that was her mother’s and direct that a gold Watch of twenty Guineas value be purchased for her. Item I give to my sons Abraham, John and Westwood and Temple such a horizontal Silver watch, when they arrive at the age of twenty one years, and I give to my son John Thomson Mason my brass barreled Pistols.”

Two of the enslaved persons received special accommodations.

“Item I direct that my Negro boy Jack be allowed to settle upon any of my land in Loudon Stafford or Prince William, and that my Executors lay off for him, 30 acres of good arable land 10 acres of pasturage, to tend a crop for himself, build him a barn of Loggs, 20 feet square and furnish him with 1 cow, 2 sows, 1 Ewe and a Mare of ten pounds value, one barshare plow, one Dutch plow, 1 broad Hooe, 1 narrow hooe, 1 axe, 1 mattock, 5 barrels of oats, 5 barrels Rye, 5 Bushels Wheat and 10 barrels of Corn, to stock his Plantation and set him forward, and let him have one month’s work of an able negro man and the loan of my ox cart, for the same time, to put his little farm in order with Liberty to get Rails and fire wood off my adjactent lands and I direct thr whole profits of his farm and the Stock given him be at his own Disposal and over and above the bore mentioned provisions. I also give him the annual sum of six pounds specie, the use of the lands I give him for life and the Stock forever; and I hereby direct that my Executors and Heirs all join in protecting of my said slave Jack, in all his just rights, and the he shall be subject to the control of no person whatsoever, and this provision I have made for him as a grateful acknowledgment of the Remarkable fidelity and Integrity, with which he has conducted himself to me for twenty years and upwards. I also give to my said Slave Jack, 300 weight of pork to be paid him in the year I shall dye.

Item I direct that if every my maid Catina should be parted from my Wife, that she also receive 200 weight of Pork, a White shift, and a Callico Gown and petticoat annually…”

Thomson Mason died on 02/26/1785. Interestingly, Elizabeth Mason appeared in front of Stafford County Court on 10/10/1785, to declare she would,

“not accept, receive, or take any Legacy, or Legacies or any part thereof, to me given by last will and Testament of my late Husband Thomson Mason Esquire, and do renounce all benefit and advantage which I might claim under the said Will.”

Why would she contest the will? Given that he had eight children, four with his former wife Mary King Barnes, she could have protested the distribution of inheritance or the rules concerning her dowry if she were to remarry or remain a widow. A will that went so far to specify who would determine the proportion of meat given to enslaved persons, could create chaos if the provisions were not desirable as Thomson Mason clearly tried to control his wife, children, and property from beyond the grave. He often noted the conditions of her dower, a crucial element to her livelihood as a widow. The legal rights of women in the 1780s solely depended upon their marital status. Different rules and rights applied to single, married, and widows, and often widowers experienced the most freedom. Almost immediately, Thomson Mason noted Elizabeth’s dower,

“and after death of my Wife, I give the Reversion of all the said Lands, to my said son John Thomson Mason & Heirs, provided he attains the age of twenty one years; and I hereby declare that I intend this device to my wife, in Barr of her Dower of my other lands in Stafford and Prince William Counties, but not in Barr of her Dower of any other lands she may be entitled to elsewhere.”

On 11/14/1797, a different Elizabeth Mason submitted a similar document to the Fairfax County court protesting her deceased husband, George Mason V’s, will. Scholars believe she renounced his will because of the consequences of remarriage and the inheritance of the two oldest children. Ultimately, she won with a 1799 deed that preserved most of the original document’s language but removed stipulations regarding her widowhood and/or remarriage and granted her more property at the expense of her son’s inheritance.

While the Mason family was extremely powerful, Thomson Mason’s attempts to control the years and decades following his death were remarkable, especially given the country’s emerging and still very fragile independence and identity. From an economic and moralistic perspective, Mason created a will that probably caused a few headaches.

Note: The Prince William Resolves Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) will hold a Wreath Laying Ceremony honoring the 274th Anniversary of the Town of Dumfries and the 249th Anniversary of the signing of the Prince William County Resolves. The event will take place at the Weems-Botts Museum, Dumfries, VA at 11:00a.m. on Saturday, May 6, 2023. HDVI & The Weems-Botts Museum is honored and excited to help commemorate the many historical happenings in our community!

(Sources: Sparacio, Ruth and Sam Sparacio. Stafford County, Virginia. Order Book Abstracts, 1664-1668 & 1689-1690. Millsboro: Colonial Roots, 1987, Note: The enslaved names were often excluded from this transcription; The Mason Web: The Mason Descendants Database, Gunston Hall Library, https://gunstonhall.org/wp-content/uploads/masonweb/index.htm; Mason Family Papers: The Digital Edition: Exhibits: “I Elizabeth Mason … Do Hereby Declare That I Will Not Take or Accept [the] Provision for Me Made”: A Widow Asserts Her Independence, https://research.centerformasonslegacies.com/s/masonfamilypapers/page/elizabethmabmason; Evans, Emory, and Dictionary of Virginia Biography. "William Byrd (1728–1777)" Encyclopedia Virginia. Virginia Humanities, (22 Dec. 2021). Web. 19 Apr. 2023)

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Show closes tomorrow, Sat., Dec 17. Visit 2 to 4pm. Watershed: 2022 Artspace Members' Biennial Exhibition  Photos of the installed exhibition. November 11 - December 17, 2022.  Featured artists include: Judith Anderson, Susanne K. Arnold, Menna Beidjeu, Joy Black, Susan Cary, Alice Anne Ellis, Jo Farris, Steve Ferretti, Elisabeth Flynn-Chapman, Kay Franz, Dana Frostick, Donna Frostick, Sandhi Schimmel Gold, Elaine Harris, Ed Holten, Sue Jachimiec, Richelle Kaufman-Anderson, Jere Kittle, Lisa Lezell Levine, Lew Lott, Martin McFadden LRPS, Carol Meese, Susan Moncure, Dallas Mosman, Annette Norman, S. Nye-Moran, Carl Patow, Michael Pierce, Martha Prideaux, Elaine Rogers, Rob Ryder, Janet Scagnelli, Linda Shields, Ed Tepper, Paul "Buddy" Terrell, Heidi Thacker, and Kathleen Westkaemper.

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The first ever WIM HSC Summer Program:

Yoga Breathing for Health and Happiness (and those times when screaming into a pillow isn’t an option) Yoga teacher Lisa Moncure shows us various breathing techniques to get calm and centered when the stress goes up, and how to use breathing to boost your energy naturally, especially around that mid-afternoon slump. More information on this event closer to…

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[weemsbotts]

Three Pistols, Two "Cowards”, and One Ghost: The Never-Ending Duel

By: Lisa Timmerman, Executive Director

On 09/24/1765, John Baylis died after a duel with John Scott. All the records from numerous sources agree upon this. However, the events have become so mired in folklore that sorting basic details, such as the cause, is complex and still unclear. Baylis died but not at the hands of Scott, instead, at the hands of Scott’s second. From “arrant cowards” to vengeful ghosts, we will descend into the quagmire and rescue as many facts as possible.

Dueling in early America was another imported custom from Europe particularly popular in the South where this “judicial combat” supposedly decided men’s personal honor. However, it became more popular in the 19th century with only a handful of duels recorded between 1620-1760. Legislatures increased the severity of the punishments and in 1779, Thomas Jefferson proposed that “Whoever committeth murder by way of duel, shall suffer death by hanging; and if he were the challenger, his body, after death, shall be gibbeted.” In 1810, Virginia passed the Anti-Dueling Act, making actionable "all words which from their usual construction and common acceptation are considered as insults, and lead to violence and breach of the peace”. While Virginia had stringent anti-dueling laws banning duelists from public office and outlawing “fighting words”, dueling continued until after the 1880s.

Rewind back to 1765. Some of the most detailed sources of the famed “Quantico Church Duel” come from Horace Edwin Hayden via Bishop Meade who claimed to have letters between Bullitt and Scott and a newspaper article documenting the duel and subsequent court case. Scott purportedly sent a copy of his challenge to Bullitt in which he noted to Baylis, “But as soon as I heard that you had dared to cast aspersions on the character of my Father (whose sacred function would have protected him from any but a wretch dead to every sentiment of virtue and honor), I no longer hesitate to call you to that account which your repeated insults to the best of men so loudly called for.” Scott’s father, Reverend James Scott, was well known in the area. Both the letters and the newspaper agree that Baylis had “superior strength”, and he wrote to Scott, “I shall forbear to use that low, base scurrility that you do, but tell you at once I shall meet you according to your desire armed with a pair of pistols and a small sword to give that satisfaction you have demanded.” As the second, Bullitt’s role was to try to reconcile the parties before and during (if the men missed the first shots), along with keeping an eye out for anything suspicious or tricky.

(Lee Lansing’s drawing of the entrance to Quantico Church & Dumfries Cemetery)

On the day of the appointed duel, the men and their seconds met outside Quantico Church in the Town of Dumfries. According to these same sources, Bullitt interrupted the duel for last minute reconciliation but instead began arguing with Baylis. “This behavior of Bullitt, however, had not the desired effect, for Baylis, resenting his interposition, proceeded to give him abusive language, asking him if he would take it upon himself, adding he would fight him anyway.” The actual duel was anything but mundane. After wounding Baylis in the groin, Bullitt approached him “…but observing Baylis to be getting up with his second pistol in his hand, stop. Baylis, as soon as he was on his feet, again fired at Bullitt, drew a third pistol which was concealed under his jacket, discharged it and then threw it at Bullitt, who, with a loaded pistol in his hand, generously refused to take the life of a man who had already received a wound of which, in about five hours, he expired.”

While the details of the event come mainly from Bishop Meade’s letters and an uncited newspaper (potentially the Maryland Gazette?), which referenced Bullitt’s testimony at his trial, HDVI does not have the primary sources to analyze. Over time, scholars identified an earlier court case where Sarah Scott, Scott’s mother, killed an enslaved person, Davy, linking the two due to Baylis’ presence and controversy in both. However, we do not have the court records of that case. As the duel certainly sparked interest, people poured through records trying to ascertain if Baylis insulted the Reverend’s ministerial content or if it could be indicative of something more. It seems probable it was the Reverend’s content. Other lore? Some sources suggest Bullitt fled to Kentucky – considering Bullitt held various political and representative positions for PWC, he probably was not leading a life on the run.

So, what can we say for certain? Bullitt shot Baylis and he eventually died. Did Baylis have three pistols on him resorting to throwing one at Bullitt? Was Baylis targeting the Scotts due to the earlier court case? Can you still hear and see figures skirmishing in Dumfries Cemetery as they reenact their deadly dance? We will hopefully be able to answer the first two questions in the future and let you decide the last one.

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(Sources: HDVI Archives: Bullitt & Bullet Files; Hayden, Horace Edwin. Virginia Genealogies. A Genealogy of the Glassell Family of Scotland and Virginia, Also of the Families of Ball, Brown, Bryan, Conway, Daniel, Ewell, Holladay, Lewis, Littlepage, Moncure, Peyton, Robinson, Scott, Taylor, Wallace, and Others, of Virginia and Maryland. Wilkes-Barre: E.B. Yordy, 1891; Drake, Ross. Duel! Defenders of honor or shoot-on-sight vigilantes? Even in 19th- century America, it was hard to tell. Smithsonian Magazine, March 2004, https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/duel-104161025/; The History of Dueling in America, PBS: American Experience: The Duel, https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/duel-history-dueling-america/)

[weemsbotts]

The Botts Family Penpals: Joy & Sorrow in the 1880s

By: Lisa Timmerman, Executive Director

Delving into family letters is always thrilling as little gems of historical knowledge are scattered throughout the correspondence. Unique to The Weems-Botts Museum, our collection contains numerous family files on the Weems and Botts. Both families have maintained their connections and generously donated family objects and records to our museum. Below are three letters from the 1880s spanning every two to three years that demonstrate not only how the family’s social sphere evolved, but also how the family processed grief, reliving and sharing their attempts to save a life.

(HDVI Botts Family Files: Although not transcribed below, this letter indicates how the family preserved it over time with different handwriting and notes recording family data)

01/27/1883

“Dear Cousin Lizzie,

Doubtless you think I am very remiss in not answering your letter sooner. I have wanted to do so for sometime, but do you know I did not know until last week that you were married, so didn’t know how to direct your letter, but as I have found out you were Madam Moncure I will put off writing no longer. I am truly sorry to hear there is so much sickness in your neighborhood. I noticed in the papers that there were several cases of small pox in S. Did any one whom I know have it? I thought often of you the day of your marriage and wished I could step in & be with you all, for I should have enjoyed it oh! so much. Am so glad you received so many handsome presents. Have been hoping you would write & give one an account of it as you promised. Your letters formerly were few and far between & I am afraid you are so taken up with Mr. Moncure, Cousin George I should have said, that you will cease to remember that you ever had a Cousin living in Rappahannock. I trust thought such will not be the case.

I attended a reception at Dr. Millans, given Cousin Annie the night before her marriage. Oh yes! There I met with a Mr. Wallace. He is pastor of the Episcopal church in Fairfax. After engaging in conversation with him for some time I found out that he had lived in Stafford & knew you all very well, so you may know I was glad to meet him. I liked him very much. Cousin Walker Moffett will be married the 22nd of February to a Miss Dudley of this County. I am invited to wait on them so you must think of us that day. I hear from Miss Edna very often. In one of her letters she sent love and good wishes to you. All the relations are well & often enquire after you. I rather expect to go up to Cousin Rannie [Hite’s] next week to spend several days. Cannot you & Mr. M. come up to see us this spring? We would be so delight to see you both.

Give my love to Bettie & tell her I would be delighted to have her pay me a visit in my mountain home. Mother & Father join me in love to you & Mrs. M. & they say they shall certainly expect you both to pay us a visit this spring.

Give my love to all at Woodstock. Please write me a long long letter very soon. 

Yours Lovingly,

Fordie Botts”

04/15/1885

“My dear Cousin,

Your sweet letter of love & sympathy was received & appreciated by us both, for the sympathy of friends in this the darkest & dreariest hour of our lives is to be prized. I know you can enter into my feelings for you too have given up a loving & loved father, oh! it is so hard to realize that my precious, my darling Father is never to be with us again – it was all so sudden & so unexpected, that the shock was almost crushing. He had been so well up to the evening before he died, when he ate his dinner as usual, then went in the garden to sow some seed, but in a short time came in suffering most violently with pain his breast, & Mother sent at once for Dr. Millan – who came, & gave an emetic which relieved him to a great extent – the Dr. left that evening saying he was much better, but he would come back next morning to see him – left some medicine for him to take which Mother gave him, & was as much himself as he ever was in his life.

Next morning, I went in to see him, & when I kissed him & inquired how he was said in his same loving tone that he ever used when speaking to one. “Well Baby I feel better but still have this pain in my breast” – after that he sat up a short time by the fire walked back to bed & after Mother put the cover over him he remarked to her, “You have fixed me so comfortably, I am not sick enough to stay in bed today, but think I will for I feel restless,” then asked for some water, she went to the mantlepiece to get it when he breathed in a peculiar manner & by the time she could get to him he had breathed his last, yet we thought then he had fainted – we did everything for him & Mother had strengthen given her to stay & do everything until the Dr. got here – she even raised him in bed & held him up whilst I put his feet in a hot mustard bath – then mustard plasters for his feet & wrists, but oh! nothing could do him any good, but we felt it could not be so, it was such a shock, also sudden. He was talking to Mother only a moment before he breathed his last, telling her to be careful & not take cold for he was afraid she would get sick too, if the Drs. say his death was caused from Apoplexy.

Mother has not been well since – she is so crushed with sorrow & so hard for her to bear. Ours is such a sad home, he was so much to us both, such a loving, thoughtful, devoted husband & no daughter ever was more blessed in a Father than I was in mine. He was everything to us both, & we were so happy together – in the last two weeks it seems to me as if I have lived a life time of sorrow. We feel assured that he is at rest for he was a devoted Christian & with him it was but a step from earth to heaven. Now that he is with the precious Saviour in whom he trusted & loved it is wrong to wish him back, but our hearts so yearn for his loved presence & tis so hard to bow submissively to the will of God. Yet tis sweet to know ‘He doth not willingly afflict his children, & whom the Lord’…” [rest of letter not available]

 04/25/1888

“My dear Cousin,

Your long looked for letter was received sometime ago, & you cant imagine how delighted I was to hear from you once more. I had come to the conclusion that you had ceased to care for me since your marriage. Am glad to see that such is not the case. Mother & I are alone tonight, Father having gone to Culpeper, and I will spend a while in writing to you. Mother has been so much complaining all the spring, suffers so much with Neuralgia. She has it badly tonight. I suppose you are busy with your housekeeping & chickens. I hope the chickens will soon be so that you can leave them, & you can pay us that long promised visit. I am looking forward with much pleasure to it.

I am sorry to hear you all were not successful at your festival. The Episcopalian had a festival in Woodville Easter Monday & cleared fifty five dollars, which I think was doing splendidly for our village. They are going to paint their church. I went out to Woodville this morning to hear Bishop [Peterkin], & I was charmed with his sermon. There were two confirmed.

This is Cousin Willie Yancey’s wedding day. He married a Miss Stevenson of Georgetown. He will go to Norfolk on a bridal tour, & will bring his bride home Saturday. All are right well at Uncle Daniel’s & often inquire after you. Aunt Hittie told me that I must giver her love to you and Mrs. Moncure. I hear from Miss Enda very often. She will make me a visit some time during her vacation.

Miss Fannie Edrington sent me word she was certainly going to pay me a visit this summer. I sincerely hope she will not take it out in talking. Give my love to her. I must stop for tonight as my head is aching so badly; will try & finish this in the morning.

Thursday night.

I intended finishing my letter this morning, but was kept so busy all day that I did not have time to write.

Cousin Fick Moffett has not been up to see us for a long time. She expects to come up with Cousin Johnnie the 2nd Sunday as he preaches for Mr. Noland, our minister, then, Mr. Noland having to be out of the state for a few weeks. Mother & Father join me in love to you & Mr. M. & we hope to have [written on side of first page]: promised visit this summer. Remember me to Bettie & Mrs. Moncure. Now Cousin Lizzie please turn over a new leaf & write to me oftener. Tell Mr. M. please to remember you of me occasionally & perhaps you will write.

Lovingly,

Annie F. Botts

[written on side of fourth page]: Remember me to any of my friends who may inquire for me. Tell Mr. Moncure we will certainly expect him to bring you up to see us this summer.”

In the late 1700s and early 1800s, mustard plaster was seen as a counter irritant to alleviate inflammation and pain. By causing a blister to form away from the source of ailment, the blood would be drawn to the artificial inflammation and away from the afflicted parts of the body. Manufactures directed consumers to leave the plaster on for twenty minutes, one to three times a day, and recommended it for everything from diarrhea to paralysis. The use of the mustard plant has a ridiculously long history ranging back to ancient civilizations such as the Sumerians, Chinese, and Egyptians. By the 19th and 20th centuries, doctors considered mustard plaster as one of the first lines of defense in treating various ailments and encouraged it as a home remedy. Towards the end of the 20th century, manufacturers moved away from advocating burns as a treatment method. Bath mustards were different in their use as the treatments supposedly calmed “female hysteria” and led to rejuvenation. Although ultimately in vain, the Botts family clearly showed ingenuity and resourcefulness by using both treatments showing how people adapted products for their everyday and emergency uses.

Presumably addressed to the same cousin, these letters from Mountain View provide snapshots of life in 1883, 1885, and 1888, as our writer shared family news that both contracted and expanded her family. People often hold the misperception that social spheres were smaller in the 1800s, when we know that families and friends engaged in social connections across the state and country. Whether guilting her cousin for not writing enough or sharing the details of a loved one’s passing, these letters help us watch an American family evolve.

Special thanks to the Botts family, Barbara Kirby, and the staff of Historic Prince William for their wonderful and generous sharing of resources.

Note: Our Bibliophiles program feature everything from antiheroes to monsters in August and September! It is not too late to sign up and receive this month’s selection of tea from the local Occoquan tea shop, Leaf & Petal, as we send both the fresh leaves and story links. Why not join us from the comfort of your home to enjoy tea, literature, history, and great discussions. Sit back, relax, and make your Saturday morning epic. Program events page here.

(Sources: HDVI Archives, Botts Family Files; UVA: Historical Collections at the Claude Moore Health Sciences Library: Patients’ View in Early 19th Century Virginia: Letters to Dr. James Carmichael & Son – Introducing the Doctors – Pharmacy – Tools of the Trade, http://carmichael.lib.virginia.edu/story/tools.html; World History: American History: Brief History of Mustard Plasters, https://worldhistory.us/american-history/brief-history-of-mustard-plasters.php; Sunderland, Helen. Unintended Research Finds: The Mustard Bath. Doing History in Public, https://doinghistoryinpublic.org/2018/08/07/unintended-research-finds-the-mustard-bath/)

[aaronandpartner]

Leading law firm strengthens position in top industry guide

Leading legal firm Aaron & Partners is celebrating another year of impressive rankings in The Legal 500 – a comprehensive guide to the top professionals working in the UK’s legal market.

  A total of 32 lawyers across the firm’s Chester and Shrewsbury offices have been recognised in this year’s independent guide, including four new entries, reinforcing Aaron & Partners’ position as one of the top legal practices.

  They include John Devoy, a Dispute Resolution Partner in the firm’s Dispute Resolution team, who has been awarded the prestigious ‘leading individual’ status by the guide.

He joins Aaron & Partners’ Corporate and Commercial Partner, Stuart Scott-Goldstone and David Harries who heads up the firm’s Planning, Energy, Environmental and Regulatory team, on the list, as both retained their places after being included in 2018.

  Corporate & Commercial Partner Jamie Hawley was also listed as a leading ‘Next Generation Partner’, joining Dispute Resolution Partner David Mann who received the prestigious ranking in last year’s guide.

Seventeen practice areas from Aaron & Partners feature in this year’s guide with the Corporate and Commercial, Dispute Resolution, and Agriculture and Estates teams all maintaining top tier status.

Partner Keith McKinney was mentioned on the Rising Stars List and has been noted as being ‘experienced in energy work and environmental crime’, alongside Senior Associates Simon Mawdsley and Lisa Moncur.

  Nick Clarke, Senior Partner, said: “As one of the most renowned directories in the UK legal industry, it’s incredibly gratifying to have so many members of the firm recognised in this year’s Legal 500.

“To see so many individuals maintaining their rankings, as well as several new recommendations and the listings in practice and sector areas improving year-on-year, is something we’re really proud of.

“It’s a testament to the quality of our team to see us ranked alongside much larger Manchester and Liverpool firms.

“Our focus has always been on achieving our clients’ objectives and delivering excellent outcomes for them, and the latest Legal 500 listings reflect that ongoing commitment.”

  Aaron & Partners’ Corporate and Commercial team were commended for their expertise in commercial and corporate transactions, acquisitions and commercial sales contracts helping them to retain top tier status.

The Dispute Resolution team was described as being “adept at handling disputes” relating to shareholders, partnerships, corporate transactions, contracts restrictive covenants, property and professional negligence. The increasing amount of international work handled by the team was also noted.

Stephen Taylor, a Dispute Resolution Partner, was highlighted on the list for his work within Commercial Litigation, achieving a ranking during his first year working at the firm.

Energy specialist David Harries and his team, Planning, Environment, Energy and Regulatory, has attracted praise for its ‘‘deep understanding of environmental work’’ and its “excellent client relationships”.

The “precise and proactive” Clive Pointon heads up the Wills, Trust and Tax team and was described as “a delight to work with”. And his colleague Lynda Richards, within the same team, came highly recommended.

  Partners Helen Watson and Claire Brook from the Employment team were praised for providing “sound advice” and for discussing “issues from all angles”. Whilst Ben Mason retained his spot on the list and was highlighted for his employment contract work with the Professional Footballers’ Association.

The Family team was highlighted as having a “depth of knowledge” and being “very proactive” with Head of Department Richard Barge described as ‘‘excellent’’ and Partner Lorraine Saunders noted as “very reliable” specialising in high-net-worth cases.

  Across Aaron & Partners’ Shrewsbury, Chester and Manchester offices, 32 individuals received a total of 49 recommendations.

The post Leading law firm strengthens position in top industry guide appeared first on Aaron & Partners.

from Aaron & Partners https://www.aaronandpartners.com/leading-law-firm-strengthens-position-in-top-industry-guide/

[aaronandpartner]

Chester and Shrewsbury law firm strengthens leading industry guide rankings

Overall, 31 individuals from Aaron & Partners were named in the listing, including a ‘leading individual’ ranking for Partner Stuart Scott-Goldstone

A partner at Chester legal practice Aaron & Partners LLP has been awarded the elite ‘leading individual’ status reserved for the country’s top lawyers in an annual report by the industry’s leading guide, The Legal 500.

Stuart Scott-Goldstone, who leads the “exceptional” Corporate and Commercial team, heads a list of 31 individuals at the firm to be recognised by the independent guide, an increase from the already-significant individual recommendations received in the 2016 rankings.

Corporate and Commercial Senior Associate Jamie Hawley, as well as newly appointed Partner David Mann, from the Dispute Resolution and Insolvency team, were also listed as leading ‘Next Generation Lawyers.’

The list includes solicitor Katie Dyson, from the Employment team, who, was singled out for her quality of service and at just 25 years old, is the youngest Aaron & Partners employee ever to be recognised by Legal 500.

Aaron & Partners received 16 team rankings in total – an increase from 2016 – and was given coveted ‘top tier’ status in three areas: Corporate and Commercial, Dispute Resolution and Private Client – Agriculture and Estates.

Senior Partner Simon Edwards said: “The Legal 500 is a hugely respected guide in the legal industry and so to increase both the number of individual recommendations and the listings in practice and sector areas is very pleasing and something we’re very proud of. The work we have been doing to attract and retain the best solicitors to provide outstanding advice to our clients is paying off.”

“It’s fantastic to see Stuart Scott-Goldstone awarded ‘leading individual’ status and to have retained our top tier status in three areas that are very important to the growth of the business. As a firm, we are continuing to build on our success year-on-year and these latest rankings are testament to the quality of work being carried out across all of our teams.”

Aaron & Partners’ Corporate and Commercial team was given high praise in the guide, being described as ‘exceptional’ for its work with investment mandates, corporate finance transactions, restructurings and sales and acquisitions. Partner and specialist in Professional Practices Mark Briegal was also given a recommendation for his work.

Partner Hugh Strickland, who leads the Banking and Finance team, was hailed for his work in the area of corporate finance and described as ‘pragmatic and commercial.’

Partner David Harries, who leads the Planning, Environment and Energy team, was described as an energy specialist who ‘leads with great style, and has the experience to match.’’

Headed by the ‘vastly knowledgeable and experienced’ Helen Watson, Aaron & Partners’ Employment team was praised for its ‘no-nonsense approach’, while Claire Brook attracted praise for providing advice that was ‘tailored to clients’ needs.’ The guide said Aaron & Partners’ Shrewsbury-based Employment team was ‘a lot more personable than other providers’ and rated its ‘invaluable support’ highly.

Partner Paul Bennett, who leads the team, was lauded for his work on TUPE matters with a multinational client and Ben Mason – a new entrant on the list – was praised for his work with a large amusement arcade supplier.

And the Wills, Trusts & Tax team was recognised for its ‘excellent service with very quick turnaround times and clear advice.’ Partner Clive Pointon, who leads the team, was hailed as ‘clear, incisive, realistic, good-humoured and patient’ while Partner James Wallace was recommended for his work on probate disputes involving wills, trusts and estates. The team also appeared on the guide’s West Midlands ranking list for the first time in 2017, joining its already-listed Banking and Finance and Employment teams. Senior associate Lynda Richards, who heads the Wills Trust and Tax team in the Shrewsbury office, was rated for her ‘outstanding knowledge’ and hailed for being ‘both punctual in correspondence and appointments’.

Sandy Edwards, who leads the Family team in the Shrewsbury office, was also praised for being a pragmatist who searches for and achieves resolution for her clients. Lorraine Saunders from the same team was also recommended.

  Legal 500 Individual Rankings

Aaron & Partners has received 49 recommendations for 31 individuals in the latest edition compared to the 28 rankings for 22 individuals in the 2016 edition.

1 lawyer is listed in elite “Leading lawyers” list. The Legal 500 United Kingdom 2017’s guide to outstanding lawyers nationwide – Stuart Scott-Goldstone

NORTH WEST

Corporate and commercial – Corporate and commercial – Elsewhere in the North West – Leading individuals

– Stuart Scott-Goldstone

Corporate and commercial – Corporate and commercial – Elsewhere in the North West – Next generation lawyers

– Jamie Hawley

Dispute resolution – Commercial litigation – Elsewhere in the North West – Next generation lawyers

– David Mann

31 lawyers are recommended in The Legal 500 United Kingdom 2017 editorial (listed below)

NORTH WEST

Corporate and commercial – Corporate and commercial – Elsewhere in the North West

– Jamie Hawley

– Mark Briegal

– Stuart Scott-Goldstone

Dispute resolution – Commercial litigation – Elsewhere in the North West

– David Harries

– David Mann

– David Potts

– John Devoy

– Nick Clarke

Finance – Insolvency and corporate recovery

– Jan Chillery

– John Devoy

– Mark Davies

– Nick Clarke

– Simon Edwards

Human resources – Employment

– Claire Brook

– Helen Watson

Private client – Agriculture and estates

– David Harries

– Richard Forrester

– Simon Ellis

Private client – Contentious trusts and probate

– Clive Pointon

– James Wallace

Private client – Family

– Lorraine Saunders

– Richard Barge

Private client – Personal tax, trusts and probate

– Clive Pointon

– James Wallace

Projects, energy and natural resources – Energy

– David Harries

Real estate – Commercial property – Elsewhere in the North West

– Lisa Moncur

– Simon Ellis

– Trish Randles

Real estate – Planning and environment

– David Delaney

– David Harries

– Keith McKinney

– Richard Forrester

Transport

– Nick Clarke

– Simon Edwards

– Tim Culpin

WEST MIDLANDS

Finance – Banking and finance

– Hugh Strickland

Human resources – Employment

– Ben Mason

– Claire Brook

– Helen Watson

– Katie Dyson

– Paul Bennett

Private client – Family – Elsewhere in the West Midlands

– Lorraine Saunders

– Sandy Edwards

Private client – Personal tax, trusts and probate

– Jo Heath

– Lynda Richards

The post Chester and Shrewsbury law firm strengthens leading industry guide rankings appeared first on Aaron & Partners.

from Aaron & Partners https://www.aaronandpartners.com/chester-shrewsbury-law-firm-strengthens-leading-industry-guide-rankings/