From George Washington to Philip Richard Francis Lee, 26 April 1774
To Philip Richard Francis Lee
Fairfax CtY 26th of April [1774]
Sir
I will pay you at the next Meeting of Merchants in Williamsburg (this or next Month) or on my return from thence, on Acct of Mr Alexr Cleveland, the Sum of Fifty pounds Virginia Curry.1 I am Sir Yr Most Obedt Servt
Go: Washington
ALS, owned (1990) by Mr. Leigh Lewis, Jr., Fairfax, Virginia.
Philip Richard Francis Lee (died c.1834) was a son of Squire Richard Lee of Blenheim, Charles County, Maryland. Usually called Richard Lee, he was a merchant in Dumfries and in 1774 became a member of the Prince William Independent Company.
1. In December 1773 Cleveland hired out to GW “two Negro’s a Man & Woman” for £18, and in 1774 renewed the agreement for a sum of £14. He also delivered to GW’s mill 156 bushels of wheat (, 108). This promissory note for £50 to Lee was in partial payment of these obligations.
Below GW’s letter is a signed note from Lee to GW dated 2 May: “Please pay the above assumpset for Fifty Pounds Current Money to John Gibson or order.” Under Lee’s note John Gibson has written instructions to “pay the above order to Mr Hector Ross.” A receipt signed by Ross and dated 20 June 1774 reads: “Received from Colo. Fielding Lewis the Sum of Fifty Pounds Current Money, in full for the above.” GW’s cash accounts for June 1774 record the payment of the money on 30 June.