Benjamin Waller Letter1780 February 21

Access and use

Location of collection:
Colonial Williamsburg
John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Library
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
P.O. Box 1776
Williamsburg, VA 23187
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Douglas Mayo
Phone: (757) 565-8521
Phone: (757) 565-8520
Fax: (757) 565-8528
Restrictions:

Collection is open to research.

Terms of access:

There are no restrictions.

Preferred citation:

Benjamin Waller Letter, Manuscript #MS 1932.7, John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Library, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.

Summary

Creator:
Waller, Benjamin.
Abstract:
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Benjamin Waller Letter, Manuscript #MS 1932.7, John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Library, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.

Background

Scope and content:

Benjamin Waller, Williamsburg {Va.}, to Meriwether Skelton, Spring Garden {Va.}. Concer ns interest due on a loan to Skelton. Waller will accept paper money for the interest. C omplains of being paid back N8,000 in "paper trash" of the N10,000 he lent out in gold and silver. Responds to Skelton's suggestion th at he be repaid in commodities. Note on addr ess leaf states receipts for interest on N500 are enclosed.

Biographical / historical:

Benjamin Waller (1 October 1716 - 1 May 1786) was born in King William County and was trained as a lawyer utilizing the legal library of Sir John Randolph. He was a clerk of the general court for a number of years and, in 1777, he was named presiding judge of the court of admiralty in Williamsburg, Virginia. Consequently, he was a judge on the first Court of Appeals where he remained until 1785 when the court moved to Richmond, Virginia. As clerk of courts, it fell to Benjamin Waller to read the United States Declaration of Independence from the Williamsburg courthouse steps on July 25, 1776

Acquisition information:
Purchase, 1932
Arrangement:

1 letter.

Physical location:
On site.
Physical description:
1 item.