Charles Smith to John Chamberlayne (Secretary)
Dublin Core
Title
Charles Smith to John Chamberlayne (Secretary)
Description
Society rejected him for Indian Mission because he is married, but proposed to send him to Roanoke, N.C. He is unwilling to go there because it is too unhealthy, but will accept an appointment to South Carolina.
Date
19 March 1703
Contributor
Identifier
Lambeth SPG 7 100-1
Letter Item Type Metadata
Sender
Recipient
Origin
Destination
Letter Type
MS Letter
EMLO Catalogue
Diplomatic Transcription
Mr Smith. Ashelworth
13 March 1703/4 To
The Worshipfull John Chamberlayne Esq[uire]
In Petty France
In Westminster
London These Present
13 March 1703/4 To
The Worshipfull John Chamberlayne Esq[uire]
In Petty France
In Westminster
London These Present
Honoured Sir
The honourable Society at th[ei]r general meeting, concluded th[a]t a mission to the five Nations, about which I had bin waiting upon them, was not proper for me, as I was a married man. And therefore they proposed some other Place to me, & particularly Roanoak in North Carolina. I was to consider of it, & returne my answer by the next monthly Meeting. Now I having considered of this matter, am not willing to take my Wife to th[a]t unhealthfull Country. If my service may be accepted for South Carolina, for which (as I take it) I was at first enrolled, I would willingly goe thither, & my Wife likewise. Several creditable persons of th[a]t Country, particularly Mr Massly the Deputy Secretary, & Mr Franklin of London a Proprietor thereof, who came but very lately from those Parts, assure me th[a]t a Minister is much wanting there; especially such a one as will apply himself to the instruction of youth: Which I would gladly do if there should be occasion. My designes I hope, are real to do good to souls, if by any means I may. Indeed th[a]t which put me upon the designe at first, were some unhappy debts for w[hi]ch I am engaged. And this I acknowledge to the honourable Society, th[a]t I may not make a shew of a more pure & perfect zeal, th[a]n indeed I have. However so far as I know my owne h[ear]t, my predominant motive is to do good. For I am perswaded th[a]t by the grace of God, I shal be much more useful in th[o]s[e] Parts, than I
am here like to be under my unhappy & prejudicial circumstances. As for my debts, in case of my removal, I have already taken care for the discharge of th[e]m. Soe with my respects to the honourable Society, & my humble thanks to th[e]m for th[ei]r late bounty to me, desiring th[a]t y[ou] would be pleased to accept of my poor Service, I rest
worthy Sir
Y[ou]r much oblidged & humble Servant
Charles Smith Ashellworth H. Sh.
March 13. 1703/4 \I would desire the favour of you, to send me the answer, as soon as you can./
Y[ou]r much oblidged & humble Servant
Charles Smith Ashellworth H. Sh.
March 13. 1703/4 \I would desire the favour of you, to send me the answer, as soon as you can./
Transcription and MS
Mr Smith. Ashelworth
13 March 1703/4 To
The Worshipfull John Chamberlayne Esq[uire]
In Petty France
In Westminster
London These Present
13 March 1703/4 To
The Worshipfull John Chamberlayne Esq[uire]
In Petty France
In Westminster
London These Present
Honoured Sir
The honourable Society at th[ei]r general meeting, concluded th[a]t a mission to the five Nations, about which I had bin waiting upon them, was not proper for me, as I was a married man. And therefore they proposed some other Place to me, & particularly Roanoak in North Carolina. I was to consider of it, & returne my answer by the next monthly Meeting. Now I having considered of this matter, am not willing to take my Wife to th[a]t unhealthfull Country. If my service may be accepted for South Carolina, for which (as I take it) I was at first enrolled, I would willingly goe thither, & my Wife likewise. Several creditable persons of th[a]t Country, particularly Mr Massly the Deputy Secretary, & Mr Franklin of London a Proprietor thereof, who came but very lately from those Parts, assure me th[a]t a Minister is much wanting there; especially such a one as will apply himself to the instruction of youth: Which I would gladly do if there should be occasion. My designes I hope, are real to do good to souls, if by any means I may. Indeed th[a]t which put me upon the designe at first, were some unhappy debts for w[hi]ch I am engaged. And this I acknowledge to the honourable Society, th[a]t I may not make a shew of a more pure & perfect zeal, th[a]n indeed I have. However so far as I know my owne h[ear]t, my predominant motive is to do good. For I am perswaded th[a]t by the grace of God, I shal be much more useful in th[o]s[e] Parts, than I
am here like to be under my unhappy & prejudicial circumstances. As for my debts, in case of my removal, I have already taken care for the discharge of th[e]m. Soe with my respects to the honourable Society, & my humble thanks to th[e]m for th[ei]r late bounty to me, desiring th[a]t y[ou] would be pleased to accept of my poor Service, I rest
worthy Sir
Y[ou]r much oblidged & humble Servant
Charles Smith Ashellworth H. Sh.
March 13. 1703/4 \I would desire the favour of you, to send me the answer, as soon as you can./
Y[ou]r much oblidged & humble Servant
Charles Smith Ashellworth H. Sh.
March 13. 1703/4 \I would desire the favour of you, to send me the answer, as soon as you can./
Part of Collection
Citation
“Charles Smith to John Chamberlayne (Secretary),” USPG Online Exhibition , accessed April 19, 2024, http://emlo-portal.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/exhibition/uspg/items/show/21.