[Title Page]

[Family History: Page 1]

To transmit to my Posterity as far as I can, from
this torn & mutilated sheet, I now transcribe as much
as can from it & my own knowledge, where it is
deficient obtain. An exact copy of the sheet in
the handwriting of my Father the late John Greenhow
merchant in Williamsburg.

“John Greenhow Born Nov^r. 12, 1724 at Stenton near
Kendal in Westmoreland Great Britain _ and was
married to Judith Davenport at Williamsburg in Virginia
Nov^r. 29^th 1759 who was born April 26^th 1738 and dyed Janu
=ary 7^th 1765 being Monday at 8 Clock in the morning
after a tedious sickness of 15 months_ the most
worthy of women and the Best of wifes ______________

“Rob^t. Greenhow their Son was born May 11^th 1761
at 7 Clock in the Evening of Whitsun Monday; and
baptized Sunday.” (Here I am at a loss to state on what
month or Day: my Brother Samuel in one of his Youth
full freaks, having thought fit to cut out from [the?]
family register, that respecting himself, thereby oblitera
ting what regarded himself & the conclusive portion
written by my Father on his side of the page) my
own recollection enables me to state, that T’was
therein recorded, I was by Baptism made a member
of Christs Church Here on Earth, by the Rev. [James]
Horrocks Horrocks Minister of Bruton Parish

Ann Greenhow their Daughter was born        29^th
1762 betwixt 8 & 9 Clock in the morning.

Feb^r 1^st 1767 John Greenhow was married to Elizabeth
the daughter of John Tyler. Shee was Born January
[2^d?] 1744.

John Greenhow their Son was born Feb^y. 4^th 1769
Baptized by Mr. Johnson March 10.

[Family History: Page 2]

Judith Greenhow their Daughter was born
May 27^th 1770 about 4 Clock in the Afternoon and
christened June 24^th by M^r. Johnson. June 6^th 1771
Shee Dyed about 9 Clock in the Morning Clear of
actual sin. My own recollection of the Contents
of the cut out as noted by S.G. is this, That Their
Son Samuel Greenhow was born on the 19^th of May
An[no] Dom[ini] 1771.

Eliz. Greenhow their Daughter Born Oct^r. 30^th, 17 [blank]

James Greenhow their Son Born Aug^t. 28^th, 17 [blank]

George Greenhow their Son Born May 26 177 [blank]

Charles Greenhow their Son born Feb^y. 13^th, 1778

[Family History: Page 3]

Patsey their Daughter Born Febuary
18^th, 1780.

July 23, 1781 on this Wofull Day Dyed my
Dear Wife, Eliz. the most Sincere Frind
agreeable Companion ^& Faithfull wife that
man could have To enumerate her Virtues
is to Say She was a true & Sincere
Christian. A Loss to me and my poor
Childern not to be expressed.

She was Inoculated For the Small pox
and had [wished?] it to a high Degree
Bore it with the uttmost patience &
Resignation and left her Unhappy
Family an Example which Worthy
to be Imitated.

October 1782 Dyed Dear Baby Patsy
her Death was occasioned By Swallowing
a Pin—call’d to Eternal happiness
Early in Life.

Thursday March 16, 1786 I was
marryed to My third wife Rebecah
Harman Daughter of Mr. Benskin
Harman Born Aprill 24, 1769.

Mr. John Greenhow died after a short illness of about 30
hours on Thursday the 29^th of August 1787 at about 8 or
9 o’clock in the Evening his Son Robert who writes this
with Truth can say that a better father never existed [torn]
all his children follow the Example he has set them & [torn]
[almost?] been [endurable?].

[Family History: Page 4]

Robert Greenhow was married to Ann the Daughter
of M^r. Elias Wills of Richmond on Saturday about 8
o’clock in the Evening the first of July 1786 in Richmond.
She was born on Wednesday the 4^th of May 1768 in
the County of Fluvanna.

Their first son was born on Tuesday about thirty five
minutes after seven in the morning of the sixteenth
Day of September one thousand seven hundred &
eighty Eight & was baptized by the name of John
on Wednesday the 29^th of October ¹⁷⁸⁸ following by
the Reverend M^r. Bracken. ____ and on Friday the
ninth Day of October at 10 Oclock in the morning it pleased
the Almighty to take him out of this world free from
actual Sin, Disordered bowels & Teething his complaint.

Tuesday June the 9^th 17 & ninety my Dear wife was
delivered of a large fullgrown Boy born dead & supposed
to have been in that Situation about three days before
its Birth She having gone her full time with him.

On Sunday July Eighteenth 17 hundred & ninety
Ann Greenhow & Elizabeth Greenhow were married
about 10 o’clock in the morning. Ann to M^r. Armistead
Long of Culpepper County & Elizabeth to M^r. Samuel
McGraw Attorney at Law in the City of Richmond.
My poor Sister Nancy enjoyed but little health after
her union & on the twenty fifth Day of February 17 hundred
& ninety one She Expired in the City of Richmond at ab^t
three Clock in the morning having been first delivered
of a Dead Child. Disordered bowels & an incurable
[torn]ptha her chief Complaints.

[Family History: Page 5]

On Friday beween twelve & one ^{Past morning} of the thirty first of August
one thousand seven hundred & ninety two was born their
Third Child being a fine girl & on Sunday the seventh
day of October was baptized by the Rev^d. Jn^o. Bracken
her Sponsors Robert Saunders, William Davenport &
D^r. James Greenhow, Ann Davenport, Margaret Davenport
& Sally Parsons. ____ by the Name of Judith Ann —

On Friday the 4^th of March 1796 it pleased the Almighty in his Wisdom
to deprive us of our Dear Child. On the Preceeding Friday morning the
26^th February we found her Covered with a Scarlet Irruption
attended with a Smart Fever. On Monday following her throat
appeared much ulcerated & the Glands intensely swelled, her
Swallowing was of course stopped a Deadly Stupor & Sleep came
on from which she will not be roused until the Trumpet
shall sound & raise her to Life Immortal.

On Sunday the fourth of June 1797 my Dear wife in the
Seventh month of her pregnancy miscarried with a Boy,
a large Child, and from every appearance might have
been a healthy one, had she have been favoured by Heaven
with her full time, and safe Delivery. The Cause of her
miscarriage supposed to have originated from sitting too
long in her Neighbours Room, newly painted.

On Monday the sixteenth of June An[no] Dom[ini] 1800 it pleased
the Almighty once more to Favour us with a pledge of our
mutual Affection—their Son Robert was born at half past
five O Clock in the morning and was baptized on the first
of July following being Tuesday by the Rev^d. John Bracken
his Sponsors being Judge Joseph Prentis, Samuel McGraw
& George Greenhow. M^rs. Prentis, M^rs. Jane Cary & Polly Cole.

On Wednesday Morning between 12 & one oClock of
the 13^th February 1805 one more dear solace was
afforded them in the birth of their Son George William
who was by that name introduced into Christs C[hurch?]
by the Rev^d. Jn^o. Bracken on the 17^th March following
his Sponsors M^rs. Peachy Wills, Lucy Cole [torn]
[torn] Greenhow, Mrs. [G?] Harris & Roscoe C[ole] [torn]

[Family History: Page 6]

On the 31^st of August 1806, at three o clock in the morning;
our ever dear, once plump & healthfull George William,
disdaining to hold long or converse, with us his earthly
Parents, fled from their Embrace to Abrahams Bosom.
Thrice happy Soul from lisping forth in broken accents
thy little wants below; thou art now chaunting,in
heavenly strains, thy Makers praises.

On the 19^th of July, previous to this sad Event, my Dear
Wife, lost in the 4^th month of her pregnancy, a male
infant.

And now I am to record the truly tragical Death of my once dear & dearly
Beloved Wife! who from Realms of ineffable Bliss looks down with Eyes of
Pity & Compassion on me her husband, and only remaining part of Herself,
our Son Robert!! If a Life of true Christian Piety; submission to the Divine Will;
Love, peace & Good Will to All (for I do firmly believe she had not one inimical
Sentiment to any Soul breathing when called to Eternity). If her fullfilling to
the very best of her Skill & Abilities all the relative Duties of Obedient & affecti
onate Wife; Anxious, Tender Mother; Sister & friend; can induce the Belief that
She is now reaping in full extent, the promises of the Gospel; Oh dear departed
Friend of my Heart, of Twenty five & near one half Standing, you are now in
Abraham’s Bosom, singing Hallelujahs to your Creators Praise. On Thursday
Evening the Twenty sixth of December Eighteen Hundred & Eleven to gratify more
the Solicitations of her Friends & her son Robert, She was Induced to go to the
Theatre to see a New play performed, called The Father of a Family. It was the
first she had been at during the Season; which was with the Week to Close.
About half past Eleven; [flames?] of fire were seen descending from the Roof behind
the Stage; when Instantly, a numerous Audience of about 700 persons, had to seek
their Safety, through a dark narrow passage, down a Stair Case: “Save my Child,” were
the last Words I recollect to have heard from her Dear Lips. I instantly caught our
only Child Robert in my Arms and with him pressed almost to suffocation by the
propelling Crowd; thrown prostrate to the floor; pushed, kicked and to struggle
with a blast of thick heated inflammable Air, which being inhaled pro=
duced from my Son, a Convulsive Throe, that wrested him entirely from my Grasp,
and caused him to say, Oh Father I am Dying, when my hand, directed by the pene=
trative Eye of a Superintending Power, seized the Skirt of his Coat and gave him
again to my Close Embrace; thus we were, still prostrate, with the Current brought
to the head of the Steps; and there finding myself, without rising hurled myself
with precipitation and over a pile of Dead Bodies and blazing pieces of wood, reached
its foot. Reanimated by a Sudden breeze, issuing from the lower Doors, I placed my Dear
Child & self unhurt in Safety!! But Oh my Dear Wife, you, preferring an heavenly
[to?] an Earthly Abode refused to comply with my Good Brother D^r. Ja^s. Greenhows ^wishes Carried
[torn] [?] ^{progressing in a direction different from the one I was in} to a Window, you hesitated to avail yourself of the then
favourable moment! And you were Torn forever Torn from my Earthly
[torn] from the Grave, the fatal Spot where you breathed you last; and
[torn] [?]terred; Your heavenly Soul I trust will meet me at a period that
[torn] distant; and witness for me that we have mutually Strove,
[torn] Times, Often & always at Morn & Eve, to make ourselves
[torn] the merits of our all Atoning Saviour.
[torn] Thee Our God.

[Family History: Page 7]

My Habitation, till this most dolefull occurrence,
The seat of Domestic Bliss, & Harmony; was now become that
of cheerless Solitude! My Son at School, and taking his
necessary recreations, left me alone, Silently to brood
over my Misfortunes. To that overruling Providence,
who had through Life been my Aid & support; I had fre
=quent recourse; I sought not his Assistance in vain.
He directed my Steps to W^msburg; and at the House of
M^rs. Powell and her amiable Daughter M^rs. M^cGill, I was
by the Rev^d. Jn^o. Bracken, Rector of Bruton Parish, united
in Marriage, on Saturday Evening at about 8 Oclock
the 13^th of June 1812, to Mary Lorraine Charlton
second Daughter of Francis & Mary Charlton [late?]
of that City; who was born in the town of York 12
miles from W^msburg on [blank] the [blank]
of [blank] AD.

On Friday Morning at half past 5 OClock of June
17^th 1814; My Dear Mary presented me with a fine,
Lovely, Healthfull Boy; dear pledge of our mutual
Affection; On Sunday Afternoon we took him publicly
to the Altar of the newly erected Monumental Church
in this City; where by Bishop Moore in the presence
of the then Assembled Congregation; previous to Divine
Service; he was by Baptism, under the Name of
Francis, John, Seymour, made a member of Christ’s
Church. We his Parents, His Affectionate Aunt Jane Charlton,
his Uncle Seymour, together with Miss Maria
Davis, & Miss Peggy Briggs pledging ourselves as Sponsors
for his education & bringing up in the Christian Faith
which that we may be enabled to do; God of his
Infinite Mercy Grant: ____, ____, ____

[Family History: Page 8]

At a quarter past twelve of the night of Tuesday the 14^th of
February AD. 1815 my Brother Samuel Greenhow resigned
his Soul into the hands of his Creator. He was attacked about
15 or 16 Days before his Decease, with a Chill, succeeded by fever,
and a distressing Cough; he rapidly became more & more
debilitated, and with little or no bodily pain, expired without
a groan.

Again have I to record the Chastisement inflicted by
the Hand of the Almighty; and while, like frail, Human
Creatures, we deplore the Stroke; and lament sorely
the Loss sustained! We, with due Submission will Strive
in Honest Integrity of Heart to say, Thy Will O Blessed
Lord be done. On Easter Sunday March 26^th, 1815 at
[erased] In the evening, our much beloved
Infant Francis John Seymour winged his Cherub Way
to the Seat prepared for him by the Death & Sufferings
of our Dear Redeemer! The foundation of his Diseased
State was laid we are inclined to think in an attack
of 20 progressive ^{& successive} Days Continuance of the Ague, & Fever,
when between 3 & 4 months old. When Freed from this
Complaint, a Dropisical Habit ensued; his Sprightly
Volatile Spirits forsook him; his Dear face, Hands and feet
prodigiously swoln; with more or less of fever, particularly
in the night; during which period, he had also to contend
with the maladies incident teething, shewing 2 below
& 4 above, when the water floating his dear little
system suffused itself upwards & attacking his Brain
terminated in dissolution!! But his Inheritance for ever
durable, & most transcendently Glorious, duly reflected on
by us his Parents, & his much Afflicted Aunt, & Godmother
Jane, to whom he was dear, as if he had been her own Child
will we most sincerely supplicate the Throne of Mercy
Stimulate us, so to Act, that when we are about to quit this our
sublunary ^abode he may be commissioned to waft our disembodied
Spirits to those happy Realms, he is now an Habitant of and
that to a never ending Eternity.

[Family History: Page 9]

My brother Samuel Greenhow was
born in W^msburg the 10^th of May 1771 &
Died in the City of Richmond on the night of
Tuesday the 14^th of February An Dom 1815

My brother D^r. James Greenhow was born
in W^msburg Aug^t. 28, 1774 and died in the
City of Philadelphia in the Afternoon
of Christmas Day 1815.

On Tuesday the 12^th of August An Dom 1817 at
½ past six in the Afternoon, my Dear Wife pre=
sented me with a fine, healthy, lovely Boy, perfect
in all its parts; She went her full time,
& during the whole of her pregnancy, enjoyed (Thanks be
to God) an unusual State of good Health. And
on the 5^th of October following, he was made a
member of Christs Church by Baptism. The
Right Rev^d. D^r. Moore, Bishop of the State, & Rector
of the Monumental Church, baptizing him by
the name of James Washington; His mother,
His Aunt Jane Charlton, & myself as Proxy for
my Absent Son Robert, who I trust will to the
best of his Ability execute the Trust, standing
as his Sponsors.

Heavenly Father, Thou supreme dispenser of
Good to me, Thy very frail Servant; Oh that the
candid & impartial review of my Conduct since
the last record, would enable me, with Sincerity of
Heart to offer up to Thee, any Other than the
Publicans Petition; Lord Be merciful to me
a Sinner; A great Sinner, sinning not as He
did for want of Light But in the midst of it!!

[Family History: Page 10]

[Thou] hast not dealt with me, as deep Conviction,
an irresistible Language tells me I have deserved;
But on the contrary, hast continued to smile on, &
propitiate my Worldly Views; And on Thursday
at 40 minutes past 8 in the Evening of the 9^th of
September 1819 gave to my Dear Mary & myself
a third pledge of mutual Affection, in a perfect
& well formed Daughter; who on Wednesday the
27^th of October 1819 was baptized by Bishop Moore
at three PM, by the name of Mary Jane
Charlton; My Niece Lucy Greenhow; My Dear
Mary, & myself Sponsors.

In the Year of our Lord 1821, my Dear Wife was again
pregnant; during the whole of which period, she enjoy
=ed a more uninterrupted share of Good Health, than she
ever before experienced; Encreasing in flesh, size and
excellent spirits, the Hour of ¾ after 5 O.^clock on Thursday
Evening the 23^d of November 1821 arrived, which was by
making her the 4^th Time a Mother, to have realised
our most sanguine expectations; D^r. Foushee Sen^r. (havg
always attended her on those occasions) in an hour
after his arrival, brought into the World, a fine, per
fectly well formed, large (22 Inches in length) Still
born Daughter!! To thy divine decrees Gracious God,
without a murmur, it behooves us submissively to bow.
Accompanied by M^rs. Avery, Miss Polly Bush, our dear
little Washington & myself, I had its precious remains
deposited in the Corner of my Yellow house farm Garden
in the Country, situated near Cloptons; Beside it,
Friends, when it shall please my God to call me hence
let my mortal remains be interred.

June 20, 1826 My Dear Wife, for some previous weeks laboring under
debility and great depression of Spirits, was about 8 o clock in the
Evening delivered by M^rs. Morgan of a Stillborn infant, large e
nough to ascertain its Sex which proved to be male.

[Family History: Page 11]

[These are probably John Greenhow’s original torn pages.]

John Greenhow Born Nov^r. 12, 1724 at
Stenton Near Kendal in Westmoreland
Great Britain — and was Married to
Judith Davenport at Williamsburg in
Virginia Nov^r. 29 1759 who was Born
Aprill 26, 1736 and Dyed January [7?]
1765 being Monday at 8 Clock in the
Morning after a tedious sickness of
[15?] Months — the Most Worthy of [women?]
[torn] the best of wifes.

[Rob^t] Greenhow their Son was born [torn]
[torn] 11, 1761 at 7 Clock in the evening [torn]
[torn] Whitsun Monday and Baptized

[page split]

[torn] Greenhow their Daughter was born
[torn]^r 29, 1762 betwixt 8 & 9 Clock in the
morning

Oct^r. 1, 1767 John Greenhow was married
to Elizabeth the Daughter of John Tyler.
Shee was born January 30, 1744.

John Greenhow their Son was born
Feb^y. 4, 1769 Baptized [by?] M^r. Johnson Mar. 10.

Judith Greenhow their Daughter was
Born May 27 ¹⁷⁷⁰ about 4 Clock in the afternoon
and Christened June 24 [by?] M^r. Johnson.

June 6, 1771 Shee Dyed about 9 Clock in
the Morning Clear of actual Sin.

[Family History: Page 12]

[These are probably John Greenhow’s original torn pages.]

Eliz Greenhow their Daug^r. Born Octo^r. 30, 17[torn]

James Greenhow their Son Born Aug^st. 28, 17[torn]

George Greenhow their Son Born May 26, 177[torn]

Charles Greenhow their Son Born Feb^y. 13, 1778