Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

Collection is open to research.

Use Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Preferred Citation

John Page Letter, Manuscript# MS 1932.8, John D. Rockefeller Jr. Library, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.

Acquisition Information

Purchase, 1932

Biographical Information

John Page (April 17, 1744 – October 11, 1808) was born and lived at Rosewell Plantation in Gloucester County. Page graduated from the College of William and Mary in 1763, where he was a friend and the closest college classmate of Thomas Jefferson, having exchanged a great deal of correspondence. He then served under George Washington in an expedition during the French and Indian War. He was a delegate to the state constitutional convention in 1776. He also served during the American Revolutionary War as an officer in the Virginia state militia, raising a regiment from Gloucester County and supplementing it with personal funds. During that war, he attained the rank of colonel. Page became the Lieutenant Governor of Virginia and served 1776-1779. He also served as a member of the Virginia House of Delegates, was elected to the First United States Congress and reelected to the Second and Third, and to the Fourth as a Republican.

Scope and Content

Concerns an agreement between Virginia and North Carolina to combine resources to build new vessels to help defend the coast. Has heard Ocracoke Inlet is blocked and believes additional vessels would help rout the enemy. Champion Travis is to examine the state of the existing galleys. Mentions the North Carolina militia and states that {George} Washington has received reinforcements. Also, Gen. { William} Howe has retired from Brandywine at Wilmington.

Arrangement

1 item.

Index Terms

Persons:

• Howe, William Howe, Viscount, d. 1729-1814
• Caswell, Richard, d. 1729-1789
• Page, John, 1744-1808
• Travis, Champion, fl. 1768-1800
• Washington, George, d. 1732-1799

Subjects:

• Brandywine, Battle of, Pa., 1777

Geographical Names:

• North Carolina - History - Revolution - 1775-1783
• United States - History - Revolution - 1775-1783 - Campaigns
• United States - History - Revolution - 1775-1783 - Naval operations
• Virginia - History - Revolution - 1775-1783