Alexander and Elizabeth Jerdone Macaulay - Correspondence, 1793/1796

Containers:
Box 85, Folder 18
Scope and content:

Letters from Alexander Macaulay to his wife, Elizabeth Jerdone Macaulay. Letters addressed to "My dear Betsey." Most letters are written from Norfolk, Virginia to Mrs. Macaulay in Yorktown. He writes about difficulty acquiring goods, problems with shipping, money problems, damage to ships, storing cargo in warehouses, his plans for trips, items sent to her and his illness. He mentions names of ships and other captains. In a August 19, 1793 letter he states, "...I have spared no pain, but have exposed my self in all weather and in all seasons in order that you and our children might live at home in Peace and plenty. I have had no small share of anxiety on this subject and an ample ...of trouble and misfortune, more than I trust you will ever know, but when you say I never regarded you much at (home?) I am really at a loss to know what part of my conduct towards you has been improper or different in regard for you...I have often wished you had been a little more neighbourly, but I consider that as triffling in comparison of your many other good qualities...and only wish that God may spare my life to keep you and our dear children from want." In a December 26, 1794 letter he states, "I set out for Baltimore tomorrow morning and hope for a quick passage and speedy return." In a April 5, 1795 letter he states, "I have been detained much longer here than I expected from the great difficulty in procuring seamen for the Louisa. We have however got the ship yesterday down to Hampton Road..."

Access and use

Location of collection:
College of William and Mary
Special Collections Research Center
Earl Gregg Swem Library
College of William and Mary
400 Landrum Drive
PO 8795
Williamsburg, VA 23187-8795
Contact for questions and access:
Phone: (757) 221-3090
Fax: (757) 221-5440
Parent restrictions:
Collection is open to all researchers. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, such as the Virginia Public Records Act (Code of Virginia. § 42.1-76-91); and the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Code of Virginia § 2.2-3705.5). Confidential material may include, but is not limited to, educational, medical, and personnel records. If sensitive material is found in this collection, please contact a staff member immediately. The disclosure of personally identifiable information pertaining to a living individual may have legal consequences for which the College of William and Mary assumes no responsibility.
Parent terms of access:
Before reproducing or quoting from any materials, in whole or in part, permission must be obtained from the Special Collections Research Center, and the holder of the copyright, if not Swem Library.