Anderson, James, 1745-1807

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D.S. 1 page. Account with Patrick Callahan as miller for G.W. Includes herring, flour, beef, etc. supplied by G.W. and cash paid him as part of his hire as miller - £52.8.0 balances out.

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Receipt signed "Daniel Lecock" for payment received by the hands of James Anderson on behalf of Martha Washington for 790 bushels of corn on 2 May 1800.

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A list of clothing purchased by Martha Washington from William Jones of Alexandria. Includes suits purchased for enslaved workers Daniel, Marcus, Christopher, and Frank. According to notes on the verso, payments were received from James Anderson on 12 April 1800 and 15 May 1800.

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Accounts dated 23 April-23 September 1800 for weaving yards of cotton, wool, and other fabrics. The payments are marked as having been paid "By balance due the Estate of General Washington," by cash, by 41 gallons of whiskey, and barrells of herring. The final payment is marked as received from James Anderson on 10 November 1801.

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Bill. A.D.S. 3 pages. Addressed to James Anderson. Bill for mourning suits made for family and servants to wear when around the Mansion. Noted with monies received. Misnumbered on the top right corner as 'MS-2350,' corrected in the catalog book to MS-3050.

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A.D.S. 1 page. Alexandria. Account with Vowells for 22 1/2 bushels flaxseed delivered to them and received in exchange 26 3/4 bushels salt. Autograph document signed, laminated, endorsed on back "No. 48."

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A.D.S. 1 page. Alexandria. Autograph document signed, fragment, endorsed on back, marked "No. 47", laminated. A bill for one hogshead. Receipted by Thos. Vowell.

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A list of accounts between the Estate of George Washington and Alexandria apothecary Edward Stabler, including purchases for Turlington's Balsam, castor oil, arsenic, balsam copaiva, British oil, salts, purified Salt Petre, cantharides, ipecacuanha, laudanum, tumeric, and opodildo. Payments are marked as received by James Anderson.

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In the handwriting of Tobias Lear (1762-1816), Washington's private secretary, and James Anderson, Mount Vernon's farm and subsequent distillery manager from 1797 to the time of Washington's death in 1799. Washington endorsed the ledger twice and approved accounts for fisheries, whiskey, shad, and herring.

Scope and Contents Anderson writes that his failure to answer Washington’s earlier queries was not caused by deceit--he then relates his background and experience in farming north of Edinburgh, Scotland, in the English border lands, and in America--he came to U.S. in 1791--has seen Mt. Vernon estate--mentions the distillery he runs on Salvington plantation and that he thinks a properly conducted distillery of much gain to owner--mentions crop rotation and the use of manure as necessary components in improving...

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Washington acknowledges receipt of Andersons reports & letter -- Andersons opinion of the overseers is no doubt correct, and "if the Negroes will not do their duty by fair means, they must be compelled to do it" -- despite Washingtons policy of feeding, clothing, and caring for the slaves, they will try to shirk their work with feigned sickness especially after night walking, and must be examined promptly when claiming sickness.

Scope and Contents Washington writes that since Anderson didn't answer many of his queries, nothing can be decided about his employment until Washington can see him, which will be at Mt. Vernon at end of month--Washington expected him to speak with candor about his qualifications, although he is “sensible it is not a pleasant thing for any man to speak of himself”--as Washington will reside on the estate from now on, much work will be taken off superintendant's shoulders--Washington describes the writing of...

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A.D.S. 1 page. Receipt for two pounds for knitting seine twine into a centre for a Seine. Autograph document signed, in hand of Anderson, fragment, laminated, docketed "No. 381", Rect. 7 April 1797 [L?] Caywood for Kniting a Siene £2."

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Receipt for $25 paid by Thomas Carwood to James Anderson for 100 barrels of fish from Mount Vernon.

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Receipt. A.D.S. 1 page. Receipt for $30. on account of "my hire" [as miller for G.W.] Autograph document signed, in hand of Anderson, fragment, laminated, docketed "No. 379, 1797 Feby. 17th Patrick Callahan for £9. to acc. of his hire."

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A.D.S. 1 page. Receipt for $17.06. Autograph document signed, laminated, No. 387 endorsed receipt, badly faded.

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"Recd. of Mr. James Anderson Twenty two pounds four shillings & 7 1/2 d, being the Balce. pr. acct. recd. by him of P[hilip] Marsteller for rent of my House & Lot in Alexandria."

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Five receipts for goods and services paid for by James Anderson in 1800, including repairs to old shoes, paper lampblack, freight for one box from Philadelphia, 93 yards of cloth, and leather.

Abstract

Plantation manager James Anderson places an advertisement in the Philadelphia Gazette and Universal Daily Advertiser, 30 May 1800, found on page 4. At the bottom of column 2 is a notice for Marcus, a runaway slave and household servant at Mount Vernon including a physical description. Marcus belonged to Martha Washington.