To George Washington from William Byrd, 12 December 1755
From William Byrd
Williamsburgh. Decr 12. 1755
Dear Sir,
The bearer Mr Duncanson1 was recommended to me by Capt. Stewart, to suceed a Lieutenant in his Light Horse who is desirous to resign. I applied to the Govr and he said he would write to you on the subject. Should you approve of preferring the young gentleman, I shall be much obliged to you. I wish I could entertain you with news, but we have none here. I am Dr Sir, Your affe & obd. Sert
W. Byrd
Sprague transcript, DLC:GW.
1. James Duncanson (1735–1791), a Scot, came to Virginia in 1752 and settled in Fredericksburg. He joined the Virginia Regiment in late 1755 and served as a volunteer until the summer of 1756 when he was made an ensign in Joshua Lewis’s company. He was promoted to lieutenant in 1758 and served in that capacity until 1762. Duncanson then returned to Fredericksburg where he became one of the town’s leading merchants. From Dec. 1776 until June 1777 he was colonel of the 2d Regiment in the Virginia Line.