Description:

18th/Early 19th Century Pittsburgh, PA
Pittsburgh, PA, ca. 1790-1823
Dangers from Native Americans In Early Pittsburgh Archive
Archive
[PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA.] Archive of four documents by or to Pittsburgh pioneers James Ross and William Alexander, 1790-1823. 7 pp. total.

This eclectic archive highlights the surveying activities of Revolutionary War veteran officer William Alexander and the law practice of U.S. Senator James Ross.

Contents and Excerpts
[McKinley?], Autograph Letter Signed to William Alexander, April 18, 1790, Pittsburgh, PA. 2 pp., 6.5" x 8.25". Edge tears to integral leaf, not affecting text.
"Mr. Samuel Duncan arrived here a few days ago from Muskingum. he informs me that he had been up the Muskingum river shortly before he left Fort Harmar. That the Indians told him they were coming to settle on the Muskingum this sumer. he told them he Expected the surveyors would be out this sumer to survey in that Country. They told him that would not do, that if any surveyors would go there to survey they would be killed. from that you may guess what your fate would be. & you need not expect any guard of soldiers, there being but few men at Fort Harmar. About ten days ago the Indians killed one man, & took five person prisoners, near Holidays Cove, (that is forty or fifty miles below this place) They have been very Troublesome to the Inhabitants in Different parts of Kentuckee. They have taken one Boat & fired on several Others on their passage down the river. They have cut off a small settlement about fourteen miles on this side Lewistown; The news from that country has prevented me from going down as soon as I would have done Had the times been good.
"I am clearly of opinion you need not make any arrangements for surveying this season, perhaps this may reach you in time, & if you think you cannot proceed to business it may prevent you from Expences, which must otherwise accrue."

A Kirkpatrick, Autograph Letter Signed to William Alexander, December 15, 1799, Pittsburgh, PA. 2 pp., 6.75" x 8.25". Tear on original opening, affecting one word of closing.
"I delivd you two or three land warrants some years ago belonging to some of my friends; when they put them into my hands they wished me to do with them as I would with my own. if the[y] have not applied to you for them, tis probable that the[y] wish me to have them laid agreeable to their first expectations; if so, please deliver them to Mr J Mathius who is to lay mine. I do not (perhaps) recollect all their names but two of them I am positive of Viz Jno Overton Capt Virge line William O. Callis Lt. Ditto I do not know whether I took your recept for them or not. I can't at this time lay my hands on any recpt of yours, but if I have it shall be delvd you again. these warrants I recd in the War Office by Virtue of their power of Atto to me."


James Ross, Autograph Letter Signed, to William Thompson, July 11, 1804, Pittsburgh, PA. 2 pp., 8" x 10". Some paper loss to integral leaf, partially from original opening with small effect on address.
"In consequence of the measures taken for selling the lands in Bedford County last Autumn, my Client Richmond sent his son here last week for his money, and his vexation at the disappointment was extreme. Indeed Justice requires that his expences ought to be repaid."
"I do not wish to have any agency in doing an act that would hurt the title of any of your lands, but what am I to do when my client thus points out my duty & the means of getting his money for him."
"There is still property of the estate unsold, which would bring more than the money due if the titles were disembarrassed, but as they are, no person will purchase either at public or private sale."

James Ross, Autograph Letter Signed, to Mrs. Frances Lewis, August 8, 1823, Pittsburgh, PA. 1 p., 8" x 9.5". Tear to integral leaf on original opening.
"I had the honour to receive your letter of the 29th Ulto inquiring what progress has been made in the prosecution of your suit for the recovery of your lands in the Nippenose Vally of Centre County; and in reply have to state, that in February last, immediately after the receipt of Mr Rawle's letter on that subject, I ordered an Ejectment against James Shrank, the intruder upon your lands; But the deputy Marshal did not serve it before our Court in May last; I have renewed the process & engaged the Marshal to urge his Deputy most earnestly to give early & efficient attention to the business. The process will be returned to October sessions & be then set down for trial at May sessions 1824."

James Ross (1762-1847) was born in York County, Pennsylvania, received a classical education, taught at what became Washington and Jefferson College, and gained admission to the bar in 1784. He focused on land law and served as a Federalist member of the convention that drafted a new constitution for Pennsylvania in 1789-1790. President George Washington appointed Ross to negotiate with the rebels of the Whiskey Rebellion, and in 1794, the legislature elected him to the U.S. Senate to replace Albert Gallatin, whom they had removed. He was elected to a second term in 1797 and served until March 1803. Ross ran unsuccessfully for governor in 1799, 1802, and 1808. He served as President of the Pittsburgh City Council from 1816 to 1833.

William Alexander (1753-1804) was born in Pennsylvania and was a merchant and district surveyor in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. He served in the Pennsylvania line during the Revolutionary War. He married Jane Byers about 1777 in Carlisle, and they had at least ten children. He was promoted from captain in the 7th Pennsylvania to major in the 3rd Pennsylvania in 1780. After the war, he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel in the Pennsylvania militia by 1793 and colonel by 1798.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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