Gilbert Simpson to George Washington, 7 May 1781

From Gilbert Simpson

Washingtons Bottom [Pa.]1 May 7th 1781

honoured Sr

This is to inform you that thrue Gods mercy I and all my family are in Good helth and the negros and stock of Every kind Sems to incres fast I have maid it my indevor to make what meadow and pasture I Could possable from the first of my Settleing and I now begin to find the benefit as our Range are Eat out I Should be Glad to wright more particular to your onnor but opertunity will not permit I beg you would not think hard of my not Setling oftener than I doe as times are very pecarious with ous but Still Shall Give you or yours a just accompt of all I hope I have settled five tennants on the Land according to your instruction2 I Shall have a Considerable parsel of young hosses to Sell in one yeare more your mill has made you Good profet & within this year past Sr I am yours who prays Gods blesing to attend you thu all your undertaking3

Gilbt Simpson

ALS, DLC:GW.

1. Washington’s Bottom, a 1,644-acre tract along the Youghiogheny River in Fayette County, Pa., was GW’s first land acquisition west of the Allegheny Mountains. GW claimed the tract in 1768, when he had it surveyed, but a formal patent was not issued to GW until February 1782. GW entered a partnership in 1772 with Simpson, who agreed to clear the land, develop a plantation, construct a mill, serve as manager, and provide slaves, livestock, and other supplies. GW later became dissatisfied with Simpson’s management, and their partnership ended in 1784. See Diaries description begins Donald Jackson and Dorothy Twohig, eds. The Diaries of George Washington. 6 vols. Charlottesville, Va., 1976–79. description ends , 4:1–2, and GW to William Crawford, 17 Sept. 1767, in Papers, Colonial Series description begins W. W. Abbot et al., eds. The Papers of George Washington, Colonial Series. 10 vols. Charlottesville, Va., 1983–95. description ends 8:26–32.

2. These instructions have not been identified.

3. GW addressed business relations when he wrote Simpson on 13 Feb. 1784 (see Papers, Confederation Series description begins W. W. Abbot et al., eds. The Papers of George Washington, Confederation Series. 6 vols. Charlottesville, Va., 1992–97. description ends 1:117–18).

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Source Project: Washington Papers
Title: Gilbert Simpson to George Washington, 7 May 1781
Author: Simpson, Gilbert
Recipient: Washington, George
Date: 7 May 1781

Reference

Cite as: “Gilbert Simpson to George Washington, 7 May 1781,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-32-02-0025. [Original source: The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series, vol. 32, 6 May–4 July 1781, ed. William M. Ferraro. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2023, p. 32.]

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