James Madison Papers

To James Madison from William House, 11 November 1813

From William House

Philadelphia, Novr. 11th. 1813

Sir

Honoured with your attention And presuming that our family is not entirely erased from your breast, I humbly Solicit for a removal from my present Station to one more congenial to my wishes, and where I can more effectually Serve my Country. Pardon my intrusion, and Should my request be granted the obligation will be Ever remembered with gratitude by your humble Servant &c

William House, etc.1

RC (DLC).

1House was probably a relative of Mary House, in whose Philadelphia boardinghouse JM had lived with other legislators while serving in the Continental Congress; the denizens of the establishment referred to their circle as “our family” (Brant, Madison, description begins Irving Brant, James Madison (6 vols.; Indianapolis, 1941–61). description ends 2:16). House’s “present Station” may have been as an enlisted man in the U.S. Army (DNA: RG 94, Registers of Enlistments, 1798–1815, 7:297). By 1817 he was established as a carpenter at 193 Cherry and 37 N. Eighth Street in Philadelphia (James Robinson, Robinson’s Original Annual Directory for 1817 … of Philadelphia and Suburbs [Philadelphia, 1817?; Shaw and Shoemaker description begins R. R. Shaw and R. H. Shoemaker, comps., American Bibliography: A Preliminary Checklist for 1801–1819 (22 vols.; New York, 1958–66). description ends 42001], 226).

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