Adam Cuningham letter to William Cuningham, 1730 May 24

Adam Cuningham letter to William Cuningham, 1730 May 24

Blair, John, 1687-1771

Cuningham, Adam, b. ca. 1705 -- Correspondence

Cuningham, William, Sir -- Correspondence

McKenzie, Alexander

Bristol Iron Works (King George County (Va.)

Merchants -- Virginia

Physicians -- Virginia

Scots -- Virginia -- King George County

Letter of Adam Cuningham, Bristol mines, to his father William, in Edinburgh, May 24, 1730. Cuningham wrote to his father detailing his struggles in Virginia. He ascribed his difficulties to his charitable nature, the expense of medicines and the good health of the wealthier gentlemen. Cuningham explained that physicians in Virginia attain wealth by becoming merchants not by practing medicine. In the letter, Cuningham mentioned Blair and the merchant Alexander McKenzie. His father had recommended McKenzie to him and Cuningham noted that he wrote to McKenzie to let him know of his situation.

Cuninghame, William, b. ca. 1705

Special Collections, John D. Rockefeller Jr. Library, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation

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D^r. S^ir

Having heard nothing from you for above a twelv-
month, I was overjoy’d to receive about ten days ago 2 Letters, on dated
the 5th the other the 22d January; Nothing could please me more, than
to hear you were all in good health, which I pray God to continue
with all my heart. I Received then also a Letter subscribed by the
Gentlemen of the name of Oswald at Glascow, to whom I am much
oblidg’d; Please if you have any oportunity of writing to them to
present my humble service to them for their great kindness & Civility.
In your Letters which I have Received, you make particular mention
of one Colonel Alex^r M^ckenzie at Hamptown, a Gentleman I never
saw yet have heard much mention of him, I doubt not but he is of
sufficient ability to do me service but at the same time very cau-
tious how he trusts (as you mentioned) his countrymen, having alrea-
dy received much damage on that Account, but according to your
desire I writ about 4 days ago a letter to him, acquainting him with
the true state of my Affairs, as lickeways kindly asking his advice to-
wards my settlement in this part of Virginia. I lickeways took
care to have M^r John Blairs letter transmitted to him.

As to my affairs in relation to Physick I cannot much complaine,
for I could have works enough of Charity to perform that way al-
most evry day in the Year, and indeed I cannot see a poor planter
asking my advice, or begging my medicines, without being touch’t
with pity and freely give him away the Druggs have cost me above
150 p cent in this country. I must own indeed I do my endeavour
to make it up with the richer sort, but these gentlemen are so very
carefull not to fall sick, as I almost despaire of making any thing
of them. This is indeed S^ir the truth of the matter, and in my hum-
ble opinion there is no way of making mony in this country so
please turn over

Page 2

so easy as by merchandizing, this being the occupation they all aime
at, for after they have purchas’d a little stock by there Practice they pre-
sently commence Merchants, and so make their Fortune. So that if
Doctor Blair, Colonel M^ckenzie, and many others whom I could name have
made their fortunes in this Country it is not to be atributed to their practice
in Phisick but to Traffick. This S^r is all I can say at present concer-
ning my Business, as to what relates to my setling or moving from
this place I must wait till such time as I hear from the above nam’d
Colonel. My Health I thank God has continued pretty well since
you heard from me last, only had a severe cold about last Cristmas
at which time I should have sent Letters by M^r Richard Murray, but
he being at a great distance and ^ye Rods deep & full of Snow I durst not
venture to ride so farr. Please give my humble Duty to my Mother
who was so very good as to write to me with her own hand, as also to all my
Brothers and Sisters whose letters I shall answer very shoon. This comes
by Cap^t. Boutcher bound for Leith to the care of M^r. Douglas, which
I hope will come safe to hand; for I have reason to think some Letters
I have sent home have either been neglected or Miscarried; about three
weeks hence I shall have another oportunity of writing at which time
you may expect more news from, D^r S^r.
Your most affectionate son & Serv^t.
Adam Cuninghame

Bristol mines May 24^th
1730

Address leaf

From my son Adam in Virginia
24 May 1730

To
S^r William Cuninghame of
Caprington
att Edinburgh