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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Diary by William Caswell concerning his trip to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Caswell, William, 1754-1785
September 03, 1774 - November 08, 1774
Volume 09, Pages 1064-1070

[From MS. Records in Office of Secretary of State.]
Richard Caswell's Itinerary from North Carolina to the Continental Congress at Philadelphia.

Miles. £ d s
Set out from the red House Septr the 3rd 1774 in Company with my Father for Philadelphia; came in Company with Uncles Martin Caswell, Saml Caswell, & several other Gentlemen & in the way met with Capt Simon Bright. Lodged this night at Uncle Benjamin Caswell's. (16 miles)
16
Septr 4th—Set out after Breakfast & met with several Gentlemen in the way, who went with us to Worhunty where we parted with them. Dined at Mr Cooper's, Contentnea Bridge; paid 10s.; crossed Toisnot at Godwin's Bridge & lodged this night at Duncan Lamon's Esqr on Tar River, Edgecomb County. (40)
40
10
5th—Crossed Tar River at Mr Lamons, Stony creek at Hunter's (1s.); Breakfasted on Bread & Cheese (for want of Tavern); crossed Fishing Creek at the New Bridge. Dined at Enfield, paid 10s. Lodged this night at Mr Hendie's Halifax County. (45)
45
11
6th—Went to Halifax Town, crossed Roanoke there, from there to Edmonds ∗ ∗ Virginia, Brunswick County, where ∗ ∗ ∗ Lodged at ∗ ∗ Ordinary Virginia, Sussex County. (40)
40
20
6
Septr 7th—Set out early & Breakfasted at Hall's Ordinary; crossed Bolings Bridge; paid at Hall's 9s. 7½d.; from there to Jones's where we had some Sangr and Grogg, paid 4s. 6d.; from there to Petersburg where we Dined, paid 11s.; went thro. Prince George & Dinwidde Countys & Lodged at Ozborns Town on James River
48
25
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8th—Crossed James River at the Falls (Richmond Town); paid at Ozborns 9s. 1½d.; Breakfasted at Richmond; paid 8s. 10½d.; crossed Camunkey at Little Pages Bridge 2 miles from Hanover Court House where we Dined; paid 8s. 1½d.; went through Henrico & Hanover Countys; lodged at Burks Ordinary in Caroline County; paid 8s. 10½d.
45
35
9th—Set out early; Breakfasted at the Bolingreen; paid 7s. 3d.; went through Port Royal Town; crossed Rappahanock River, there paid at the Ferry 3s.; from there to the Hills of Dispair, where we Dined on Bisket & Cheese, in King George County; this Day the Horse (Jolly) failed; left George with him at Seyths plantation. Lodged this Night at Hoves Ferry
40
10
3
10th—The Wind Blew so High we cou'd not cross the Ferry. Bought a Horse of Mr Hove; a Lawyer gave £20 Virga Curcy; crossed at 3 o'clock in the afternoon the River Potomack; 4 miles over Lodged at port Tobacco at Mrs Wackersons; paid for crossing the Ferry and ∗∗∗ Horses &c, £22 11s. 6d
16
22
11
6
Maryland, Spetr 11th 1774—Port Tobacco, paid 18s.; Set out early and Breakfasted at a Town called Piscataway in Prince George County, from there to upper Marlborough in said County where we Dined at Mr Dukards; Lodged at Queen Anns Town; paid at piscataway 6s. 6d., at Marlborough 12s. 6d., at Queen Anns 19s. 4d
41
56
4
12th—Set out early & Breakfasted at the Widow Ramsy's at the Head of Severn, crossed patapsco at the Lower Ferry, Dined at Baltimore Town at Mr Grants, Lodged at the red House on Carmichaels; pd at head Severn 7s. 8d., patapsco Ferry 7s. 6d., Baltimore 11s. 6d., Red House 13s. 6s.
40
40
2
13th—Set out early & Breakfasted at Mr Cheynes, crossed Gunpowder at the long calm, from there to Harford Town where Dady was Taken Sick, Lodged there this Night, paid there 35s. 6d
19
35
6
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14th—Set out after breakfast, crossed Susquehannah at the lower Ferry, went through Charles Town, Dined at the Head of Elk at the Sign of the Elk at Mr Hollingsworths, went through Ogles Town in Pennsylvania, Lodged at a Town at the Head of Christeen Creek, paid the Head of Elk 5s. 6d., Susquehannah Ferry 8s. 6d., at Christeen 16s. 9d
40
30
9
15th Septr 1774—Set out early and Breakfasted at Wilmington at Watkins Crampton, went through Chester, Dined at Darby, crossed Schyl Kill Ferry and arrived at Philadelphia, paid at Wilmington 6s., Derby 7s. 3d., Schylkill 1s. 3d.; took our Board at Mrs Kernys in Market Street opposite the Indian King
40
14
6

16th—Had an Invitation to Dine at the State House, a Public Entertainment; had no company therefore did not go.

17th—Nothing particular.

18th—went to christe church in the forenoon, Mr White preached, in the afternoon Mr Desha; Drank Tea in the afternoon at Mr Knights.

19th—Dined with General Lee who Boards in the same House one day.

20th—Nothing particular.

21st—Nothing particular.

22d—Supp'd with a Deanish Major from Santicruse

23d—Dined at Mr George Fullertons with several Gentlemen of the Congress and Mr Read a Lawyer, Mr Fullerton's wife, a Daughter of Mr. Blair. Mr William Paca was there from Maryland.

25th—Went in the forenoon to a Quaker meeting at So. end of the City; Dined at Mr John Howells in comp'y with his mother, wife & Brother in Law & partner; went in the afternoon to Meeting on Market Street.

———
-------------------- page 1067 --------------------

Toasts Drank at the State House on Friday the 16th Septr 1774 containing 32 Toasts

1st, The King, 2d the Queen, 3d the Duke of Gloucester, 4th the Prince of Wales & Royal Family, 5th perpetual union to the Colonies, 6th may the Colonies faithfully execute what the Congress shall wisely resolve, 7th the much Injured Town of Boston and province of Massachusetts Bay, 8th may Great Britain be just and America free, 9th no Unconstitutional Standing Armies, 10th May the Cloud that Hangs over Great Britain & the Colonies burst only on the Heads of the present Ministry, 11th May every American hand Down to posterity, pure & untainted, the Liberty he has Derived from his Ancestors, 12th May no man enjoy freedom that has not the Spirit to defend it, 13th May the persecuted Genius of Liberty find a lasting asylum in America, 14th May British Swords never be Drawn in defence of Tyranny, 15th the arts and manufactures of America, 16th Confusion to the authors of the Canady Bills, 17th the Liberty of the press, 18th the happy reconciliation between Great Britain & her Colonies on a Constitutional Ground, 19th the virtuous few in both Houses of Parliament, 20th the City of London, 21st Lord Chatham, 22d Lord Cambden, 23d Bishop of St Asaph, 24th Duke of Richmond, 25th Sir Geo Sackville, 26th the Marquis of Rockingham, 27th Mr Burke, 28th General Conway, 29th Mr Dunning, 30th Mr Tarobridge, 31st Doctor Franklin, 32d Mr Handcock.

———

27th Septr—Drank Coffee this Evening at Mrs Blairs in Compy with Mr Fullerton & Miss Blair.

A certain Gentleman of this City being ask'd what number of Inhabitants in this Town—made a reply, that there was Thirty or Thirty five Thousand Inhabitants—a large City. A Gaol Building in this city the cost of Building will amt to Twenty Five or Thirty thousand Pounds—so says the same Gentleman above, the length 188 feet—62 yds and 2 feet.

28th—Saw a Gentleman Relation from Maryland Mr William Smith Son to Winstone Smith of Baltimore County now Harford. A Ship in the Suburbs of this Town Building that is one hundred & seventeen feet Keel 37½ feet Beam—39 yards—with a number of others (I suppose 19)

Octr 1st 1774—Crossed the Delaware river in compy with Mr John Lad Howell & Mrs Howell Landed at Coopers Ferry in the Jerseys

-------------------- page 1068 --------------------
where Mr John Starks had a Waggon (alias Jersey coach) to receive us in which we travelled to Woodbury went through Gloster Town a Small Town wherein the Court House for Gloster County stands. Called at Mrs Lads where we met with Mr & Mrs Starks Mrs Starks was a Daughter of Jno Howell (Tanner) who formerly lived in No Carolina. Drank Coffee at Mrs Lads went from there to Woodbury & Lodged at Mr Starks in Woodbury where Dady was Joyfully rec'd by Mr & Mrs Starks.

2d Octr—Went in compy with Mr Starks, Mr J. Howell & Mr Shan to the Presbyterian meeting where there was a sermon Delivd by Mr Chestnut. Dined at Mr Starks in compy with the above Gentlemen. Set out in ye afternoon for Philadelphia, called at Mrs Lads & Drank Coffee, then from there to Cooper's Ferry where we crossed the river & got safe to Town.

3d—Went to Mrs Blairs who Inquired greatly after friends in Carolina. Dined at Home in company with Mr & Mrs McDonald, Mrs Loyd, Mr Lillington & General Lee. Saw Mr McCauslin of Newbern No Carolina. Drank coffee at Home.

4th—Breakfasted at Home, Dined at Mr Fullerton's in compy with several Gentlemen of the Congress & Mr John Lillington. Drank coffee there.

5th—Breakfasted at Home. Dined at Mr Josiah Hewes in compy with Gentlemen from Carolina & Mrs Drake. Coffee at Home.

6th—Breakfasted at Home. Dined at Mr John Howell's (a family Dining), Took leave of them; in the afternoon took leave of Mrs Blair & Family and Mr Fullerton.

7th—Set out for Maryland in compy with Cozn William Smith. Dined at Chester, paid 4s 9d Paid at Schuylkill ferry 6d Lodged at Wilmington, pd 13s 4d

8th—Set out after Breakfast. Dined at the Head of Elk paid 6s. Crossed Susquehannah lower Ferry and lodged at Mr Smith's; paid at the Ferry.

9th—Went to Mr Jacob Giles's and dined. Saw Mr Jonas Dallam.

10th—Went to see Mr Smith's mill.

11th—Went from Mr Smith's to Jonas Dallam's where I saw my Grandmother.

From the 10th of Octr to the 2d of Novr I stay'd among My Relations.

2d Novr—Set out from Jonas Wm Dallam's in compy with Frank Dallam; Dined at Mr Cheynes, paid 6s; Lodged at Baltimore, paid

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23s 6d to Mr Grant the Tavern keeper, paid to the Servts 10d; crossed Patapsco Ferry, paid 3s 6d; Dined at Mrs Ramsey's at the Head of Severn River; Lodged at upper Malborough, paid 18s 6d. Miles 58.

4th—Set out early; Breakfasted at Piscataway Town paid 6s; dind at Port Tobacco paid 11s 7d; crossed Potomac paid 23s 9d; lodged at Mr Hoves on the Virga shore paid 15s 8d Virga currency.

5th—Set out & breakfasted on Bisket & Cheese; crossed Rappahannock river paid—at port royal; Dined at Bowling Green; Lodged at Burke's Ordinary paid—.48 miles.

6th—Set out, breakfasted at Hanover Court House, paid; Dined at Rocky Ridge on Jas river Falls, lodged at Osborn's Town.

Set out from Osborn's on the 7th Novr breakfasted at Petersburg, Dined on bisket and cheese, Lodged at Stewart's Ordinary, paid—.Miles 48.

8th—Set out, breakfasted at Mr Rowalls, crossed Fishing Creek at Kerr's ford, dined on bisket & cheese, Lodged at Halifax North Carolina.

———

Expenses in Philadelphia.
Septr 16th, 1774.
£ s d
For a pair of Gloves for R. C. 7s 6d
7
6
Sept 17th
For 2 pair of Stockings (for Isaac) @ 3s 9d
7
6
For 1 pair of Shoes (for W. C.) @ 10s
10
0
For 2 pr Stockings for R. C. @ 28s each
2
16
0
Sept 19th
At the play 5s 8d R. C.
5
8
Sept 20th
½ yard ribbon @ 1s W. C.
6
1 pair Shoe Buckles (for Winstone) 20s
1
0
0
2 Rings at 27s 6d each
2
15
0
1 pair of Gloves for W. C. @ 3s
3
0
To paid the Barber 2s
2
0
To do to the Boot Maker 15s
15
0
To 2 pair Silk Stockings for R. C. @ 24s
2
8
0
To 1 pair of Boot Garters 3s 9d
3
9
To a Cane 2s 6d Money lost out of my pockt 15s
17
6
To 18d paid at Schylkill ferry for punch
1
6
To 1s paid for paper
1
0
To 15s I lost out of my pocket
15
0
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To 2 Tooth Brushes @ 16d
2
8
To the Barber one Dollar 7s 6d
7
6
To 2 purges of salts @ 1s
2
0
To Oil Baze 1s
1
0
To 7d paid for a letter
7



Additional Notes for Electronic Version: Although the document was believed to have been written by Richard Caswell, recent scholars have demonstrated that it was actually the work of his son, William. See William Caswell's entry in the Dictionary of North Carolina Biography for more information.