WILLIAMSBURG, March 4, 1775.
Last Wednesday, as the rider who carries the mail between Newcastle and Richmond was returning from thence, about ten miles before he had finished his stage, he found, in the road, a young child, carefully placed in a box, with ten pounds cash, and a letter, the purport of which was, that "whoever should pick up the child, and would take care of it, might apply the money to his own use, and moreover, might expect a further Sum at a future day;" upon which, the man put the money in his pocket, carried the child to his own house, and is become its foster father.
Virginia Gazette (Dixon & Hunter) March 4, 1775
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The care of orphans and neglected children was the responsibility of church wardens of local parishes. Local county courts assumed this responsibility if church vestries did not provide for their care and education. The name of the "Good Samaritan" described in this article is not known nor whether the church or the county court subsequently supervised his foster care of the child.
Sources: Virginia Statutes, WMQ
