From George Washington to James Hamilton, 4 May 1756
To James Hamilton
[Winchester, 4 May 1756]
To Captain James Hamilton; of the Fairfax Militia.
Sir,
You are hereby ordered to repair with the Detachment under your command, to Job Pearsals and John Kirkindalls;1 with whom you are to consult and advise upon the proper place to make your Head-Quarters.2
You are to take care to provide your Company with necessary provisions, agreeable to the Act of Assembly. And you are to be careful in sending out frequent scouting parties: and to use your utmost endeavours to protect the Inhabitants; and keep them quiet. Given at Winchester, May 4th 1756.
G:W.
LB, DLC:GW.
1. Job Pearsal settled about 1738 on the South Branch at the place where the old road to Wills Creek crossed the branch. His fortified house became a refuge for settlers in the area, and much of the time during the next few years detachments of the Virginia Regiment were stationed there to protect the inhabitants and keep the road open to Patterson Creek and Fort Cumberland. John Kuykendal (Kirkendal) lived on the South Branch below the Trough, probably not far from Pearsal’s fort.
2. Hamilton was to “fix his Company . . . below the Trough.” See Memorandum respecting the Militia, this date.