To Thomas Jefferson from Alexander McClean, 18 May 1805
From Alexander McClean
Union Town 18th May 1805
Dear Sir,
Some two or three years ago I received through your direction “enclosed” a letter from Lady Sopheona Hartman of the Dutchy of Brunswick—requesting you (as well as my memory serves me) to make enquiry for her Brothers Widow and Children, or himself—if alive, alledging the existance of an estate in their favour, which she was disposed to apply to their Advantage if found—On receipt of the Letter I searched, and found the Widow and offspring—I gave as full an account of them and their connections, as I could asscertain, and transmited the same with the Lady’s letter enclosed to you,—the name of the Brother was George Frederick Charles Hartman a Serjeant in the Brunswick troops “vs” America.—We have reason to believe that the Brother was cast away on his return home—the family yet resides in Fayette County—the Widow is present while I write and is anxious to hear intelligence if any has arived—from the multiplicity of your business We cannot expect much of your time to be spent in business of this nature—If you can steal a moment to communicate (If any arival has taken place) it will oblige a needy Widow and Orphans.
I have the honor to be with unfeigned regard Your Excellencies most Obt. Servant.
Alexander MClean
RC (MHi); at foot of text: “Thomas Jefferson Esquire”; endorsed by TJ as received 1 June and so recorded in SJL.
Alexander McClean (1746-1834), originally of York County, Pennsylvania, was a surveyor by trade. He and his older brothers laid the boundary between Pennsylvania and Delaware in 1761, after which McLean assisted surveyors Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon. Following his service in the American Revolution, McClean continued to serve on several commissions in charge of laying out state roads and county lines. He was also, at various times, a judge of the court of common pleas and a member of the Pennsylvania General Assembly. In 1783, McClean became Fayette County’s first register and recorder, a position he held until his death (James Hadden, A History of Uniontown: The County Seat of Fayette County, Pennsylvania [Akron, Ohio, 1913], 778-85, 788).
Sophia Hartman’s letter to TJ of 18 July 1803 was recorded in SJL, but has not been found. See Vol. 43:112n.
transmited the same: no earlier letter from McClean has been found or is recorded in SJL.