Adam Cuningham letter to William Cuningham, 1729 August 2

Letter of Adam Cuningham, King George County, Virginia, to his father William, in Scotland, August 2, 1729. Concerning his decision to leave Williamsburg Adam writes: "please to know that Williamsburgh is but a small Village containing not 60 families at most; and in and about this City are no less than 25 or 30 phisishians and of that number not above 2 capaple of living handsomly." Cuningham goes on to describe the expense of living in Williamsburg, his failed attempt to become a ship's surgeon and his indebtedness to Mr. John Blair. John Blair was the son of Alexander Blair who emigrated to Virginia from Scotland about 1690 and was the largest shareholder in a Williamsburg business referred to as "Dr. Blair's Store." John Blair managed the business for his father and the partners.

Cuningham asked his father to send his letters Richard Tutt. Richard Tutt signed a deed conveying a lease for the grist mill known as Foxhall's Mill and its land to John King and his partners. The mill and land on the Rappahannock River became the site of the Bristol Iron Works.

Recto

King George county August 2, 1729

S^r

I have since I came into this Country receiv'd 2 Letters from
you; on dated Dec^r 28, 1728, the other Jan^ry 20 1729. In which I
was sory to hear of my Grandfathers Death but not surprised, rec-
kning never to see him any more befor I came away. I was very
Glad tho to hear you were all in Good health, and am very much
beholden to my Sister Keith who was so kind as to oblidge me with
a Letter to America, as lickeways To Mr Alex^r Symmers.

By your last letter you seem'd doubtfull if I did well in removing
from Williamsburgh up the Country. I shall show you my resons which were
these. 1 please to know that Williamsburgh is but a small Village
containing not 60 families at most; and in and about this City are no
less than 25 or 30 phisishians and of that number not above 2 ca-
paple of living handsomly. So that I did not think it proper to stay in
a place where so many of my own Proffession were lickely to Starve.
2. Secondly my next reason was the expence of Living, for it is im-
possible for a single person, that has not a house of his own, to live
here, under 10 shillings Ster: p diem, and that moderately too, which
I thought would shoon undoe me. Nor will what I say be thought
improbable If you consider at what dear prisses they rate theire Liquours
as a Bottle of Claret or White Wine 6 Shillings, one English quart
of small Beere 15 pence &. For these reasons I travelled up
the country a considerable way to see what I could make out. I
stay'd some time in evry county I pass'd in expectation of settling
myself to y^e best advantage, but either found the parts provided
with phisitions, or so poor as not able to maintain one. Therefore
I ventur'd to Mariland in hop's of better success, where indeed I found
a litle better incouragement, but not sufficient to make that the
place of my abode. For finding the 36 pounds which you impowrd
M^r John Blair to advance me grow short and my incomes so litle
I went again to Virginia, and so down to Williamsburgh. Where I
Consulted with Doctor Blair what best measures I should take
please turn over

Verso

Take, so I having told him that there was a Ship in Rappahanike
River bound for London that wanted a Surgeon; he thought it as good
a way as I could take, rather than loose both time & mony to enter Sur
geon aboard; Accordingly I resolv'd upon it, but before I left Williams-
burgh I made Bold to draw a small Bill of 20 pound Ster^l. more, for
which I hope you wont be concern'd; since it was absolutly necessary,
I having lost 2 horses, and oblidged to by a third besides medicines I
bought att Williamsburgh and all the other necessary expences I have
been at. So that the whole Bill amounts to fifty pound Ster: which youl
please pay to M^r Blairs order. I immediately went up the country
and aggreed with the Cap^t: who was to saile the last of June; But about
3 days before sailing, I was taken with a fever and ague which con
tinued 15 days. But I thank God has now quite left me the heat
and inconstancy of the weather being the occasion of it. So being disap-
pointed in my expectations I went further up the River, and am
now in a place where I have pretty good incouragement, this month
and the next being the most sickly time of y^e year. So this S^r is a
short scheme of what I have been doing. I having all along endeavourd
the best. And now D^r S^r wishing you all happiness with my humble re-
spects to My Mother and all my Brothers and Sisters, I remaine

Your most Affectionate son
and Humble Serv^t
Adam Cuninghame

When you please to write
Direct to me att M^r Richard
Tutts living 2 miles above
the Bristoll mines Rhappahanike river.
This place is not above 20 miles from
the place where the Gentlemen of Dunbars
Store is kept; from which I had second mournings