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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from Giles Rainsford to John Chamberlain
Rainsford, Giles, b. 1679
July 18, 1713
Volume 02, Pages 53-55

[From N. C. Letter Book S. P. G.]
MR. RAINSFORD TO MR. CHAMBERLAYNE.

Chowan Carolina July the 18th 1713

Worthy Sir

Tho' this be my third to you I have not been honored with a line from you since my arrival in these parts—I cannot help concluding you

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have writ to me in Mr. Urmstones packet which he received by Captn Harvey of the Royal notwithstanding his silence in the matter I need not use repetition in describing the miseries of the Government was lately exposed to I need only say that we seem not to enjoy peace, tho' some mischiefs are done by scattered Indians in the remote parts of the colony, all due care is taken by Coll Pollock our president to suppress them, and wherever they are taken they are destroyed. So that I presume in a little time the country may be cleared of these savages. King Blount (as they term him) has obliged himself to clear the West Shore of Chowan River which he seems to be indefatigable in the Country is miserably poor and there is nothing to be expected from the inhabitants, since the Ashley River Indians destroyed their stocks for my part I never received the value of a Bushel of Corn since I was concerned here, but what I gott by weddings—I did not continue in Virginia near two months and even that time my want of health obliged me to it. I am now at Squire Duckenfields on the west shore of the Sound, pressed on by Captn Maul our present Surveyor to stay there some time by reason of the great want there is of me—I have had several invitations to Virginia with great allowances would I accept them as appears by Coll Duke's letter to me who is one of the councillors of that colony, but I chose rather to slight them for the service I am engaged in I have obeyed the Society's Orders to a punctilio in giving you an account of my proceedings half yearly and shall endeavour to do, so during my continuance I am melancholy enough that I can have no answer to my Bills drawn on Mr Hodges which I can't but think is very hard, considering I am left destitute in this remote part of the world, you ever appeared my good friend in London and dare I presume should entreat you to solicit him to dispatch this drawn on him now as well as the former—I can't imagine how he thinks I can subsist, the country allows nothing and of consequence the Society must be my support and I hope for the future more punctual payments will be made I design (God willing) to continue here till I receive an answer to this, and could then wish for a place of settled residence. The difficulties I have gone through are almost inexpressible and one distemper or another like the Thunder & Lightning continually disturbing me. Thank God, I am extremely beloved by the Inhabitants which is notorious enough and where they in any condition I should have their assistance I shall never get Mr Adams' Books from Old Sanders and therefore hope you'll consider me by remitting me a parcel in the next Ships that come to Virginia please to direct them to meet me at Hampton and care will be taken there to
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send them me up. The choice I leave to your better Judgment though I could wish for some of Physick, with Dr Cave's 2 Vol: of the lives of the fathers, and all Colliers Essays and Norris's works, Dr Leaks single Vol: would be of use I take all imaginable care to discharge the great trust that's reposed in me according to conscience I am ashamed to tell you of my fare: for the whole year is one continued Lent fish being the constant attendant on the Table I have writ to my good Lord of London as I am in duty bound and also to Mr Hodges I beg of you Sir to send those Books and remind Mr Hodges if you please to pay Shop Bills, for when I want money I send to Virginia to Mr Edmond Kerney Merchant there and he supplys me I shall take no other way of payment during my stay here it being the readiest and best.

I am Sir &c
GILES RAINSFORD
Missionary