Checklist of
documents in the Watts Collection at the Historical Society of Western Virginia,
Roanoke, Virginia. To consult these documents, go to http://www.vahistorymuseum.org/
and move the cursor to the “Virtual Museum” tile at the top. Then click “Virtual
Collections” on the menu that appears. The documents can be found by a keyword
search, or by catalog number using “Click and Search”.
This is an extremely coherent set of documents, all of them
dating from June to October 1845 and relating to the law practice of William
Watts, with the one exception of 1998.26.357, a sheriff’s bill dated 1843,
relating to a case concluded in 1844. The first item is a long letter from John
Quarles James, mainly about the Stoner family’s debts, and there are twelve
more similar letters from his father, Fleming James, on the same subject, and
three other items also related to the Stoners.
doc #
date
abstract
1998.26.351
June 24, 1845
Letter from John
Quarles James, in Richmond, Virginia, to William Watts, in Big Lick (Roanoke),
Virginia, sending a receipt from John Thompson and Company for $819.58
collected on a bond of Samuel Stoner, indicating a possible error in the
accounting, mentioning a pending claim against William S. Minor et al.,
reporting on prices of a buggy and bolting cloths, giving news of Temple
Gwathmey and the tobacco market with reference to Edward Watts’s crop, and
sending greetings to the Holcombe and Watts families and friends
Remember me very kindly & gratefully to
your Father & Mother & family and give my very best love to Judge
Willie Holcombe. Say to Mrs H. that I shall always be too happy to execute
those wedding orders concerning which mention was made the evening passed with
her. Accept for yourself the assurance of my very high regard & believe me
very sincerely & faithfully, Yrs Jno. Q. James
John
Quarles James (c. 1821-1850) was in the wholesale dry goods business like his
father and other members of the family. “Judge Willie Holcombe” is probably a
jocular name for William James Holcombe, born c. 1843, the first son of Anne
Selden (Watts) Holcombe (“Mrs. H.”) and James Philemon Holcombe. The “wedding
orders” referred to were probably a plan to marry Willie Holcombe with John
Quarles James’s daughter, Ella St. Clair James, born c. 1842.
1998.26.352
June 22, 1845
Letter from J. B.
Alexander in Newbern, Virginia, to William Watts, in Big Lick (Roanoke),
Virginia, stating that Henry Homer is not at home but that the money to pay his
bond is ready, and requesting Watts to send the bond at the first opportunity
1998.26.353
June 13, 1845
Letter from William
Watts, in Big Lick (Roanoke), Virginia, to S. Simpson, in Milton, North
Carolina, explaining the status of David Fenton Kent’s note to Thomas A.
Griffin, which Griffin had signed over to Simpson, who had given it to Colonel
G. Towns to collect for him, and Towns had sent it to Watts
1998.26.354
June 19, 1845
Letter from Michael
Hart, in Lynchburg, Virginia, to William Watts, in Big Lick (Roanoke),
Virginia, stating his intention to bring suit against Samuel Stoner and Daniel
Stoner in Roanoke County for failure to pay their debts, and also against John
Stoner and Albert G. Williams; he urges that there be no delay in filing,
because he suspects of Williams of trying to stall
As Mr Saml Stoner has not come down to
arrange the several debts I have agt him, I have determined to bring suit
forthwith agt him & Danl Stoner in Roanoke Cty, also agt Albert G. Williams
& John Stoner in Bedford, and I beg that you will not loose any time in
bringing the suit agt Williams as I think he is trying to amuse me to gain a
term so don’t let rule day pass. Respectfully your Obedt Sert, Micl Hart
Albert
G. Williams was married to Samuel, Daniel, and John Stoner’s sister Matilda.
1998.26.355
June 20, 1845
Letter from Fleming
James, in Richmond, Virginia, to William Watts, in Big Lick (Roanoke),
Virginia, regarding efforts to collect a debt from William S. Minor, without
forcing Minor to collect his own obligations from the Stoner family, who also
owe money to James; he discusses the possibility of accepting bonds, and the
possible sale of a piece of land acquired from William McDermid, in order to
raise money promptly
1998.26.356
June 26, 1845
Letter from Michael
Hart, in Lynchburg, Virginia, to William Watts, in Salem, Virginia, stating
that Albert G. Williams has confessed judgment in the superior court of
Lynchburg, and asking to have the suit against him in Bedford County, Virginia,
withdrawn
1998.26.357
July 1843
Account statement of
O. A. Strecker of Richmond, Virginia, with the sheriff of Botetourt County,
Virginia, for $1.26 for a capias against Housman and Stair
1998.26.358
July 7, 1845
Letter from Hunn and
Remington, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to William Watts, in Big Lick
(Roanoke), Virginia, responding to his letter of May 20, and protesting about
the delay in receiving payment from David Fenton Kent, asking for information,
and requesting Watts to seek damages
1998.26.359
July 11, 1845
Letter from Fleming
James, in Richmond, Virginia, to William Watts, in Big Lick (Roanoke),
Virginia, regarding efforts to collect debts from the Stoner family, giving his
account of the debts of Samuel Stoner, Daniel Stoner, and John Stoner to his
firm amounting to more than $11,000; asking for William Watts and his father
Edward Watts to provide estimates of the value of Samuel Stoner’s land
holdings; estimating the value of Stoner’s other assets, including negroes,
cattle, furniture, inventory of goods, and accounts receivable; it encloses
certified copies of Stoner’s confessions of judgment; and it gives conditional
consent to leasing a farm to William McDermid
This
is a typical page 4 of a letter from Fleming James to William Watts. On the
first page, he says typically, “I will reply as particularly & as much in
order, as my many pressing engagements will allow” and then writes four pages,
using every available space. He underlines frequently, and finds his ideas as
he writes, so that he discusses pros and cons of various courses of action, and
often adds a post scriptum. At the end of page 3, again in typical style, he
writes, “Be good enough, however, to ascertain all about this matter also,
& inform me without delay.” The case was complicated. The Stoners had
outstanding debts to many creditors, and many members of the family had an
interest in their property, mainly land, which had been pledged as surety.
James eventually prevailed in his suit, and took possession of a large tract of
land east of present Roanoke City, near Bonsack. See the plat in 1998.26.123.
1998.26.360
July 5, 1845
Letter from Thomas
S. Gholson, in Petersburg, Virginia, to William Watts, in Big Lick (Roanoke),
Virginia, concerning payments from bonds of S. P. White, and statements of
charges by William Watts and James Breckinridge Watts, citing possible errors
by the sheriff and instructions for payment; includes a postal receipt signed
by Thomas W. Micou, postmaster of Big Lick, for mailing a check for $2250.92
1998.26.361
July 7, 1845
Letter from Drinker
and Morris, in Richmond, Virginia, to William Watts, in Big Lick (Roanoke),
Virginia, acknowledging receipt of the statement of settlement of part of their
claim of debt with John Stoner, on which they have drawn $144.72
1998.26.362
July 7, 1845
Letter from Fleming
James, in Richmond, Virginia, to William Watts, in Big Lick (Roanoke),
Virginia, replying to a recent letter from Watts, which reported that Samuel
Stoner was near insolvency. James expresses his surprise, and reports what
Stoner had told him about his slave holdings and personal property. He asks for
more information about Stoner’s assets and liabilities, including real estate.
He explains the status of Stoner’s confession of judgment, and says that he
hopes to be paid separately by William S. Minor. He sends copies of documents
relating to a shipment of goods to Stoner, which was apparently delayed because
it was delivered by the boatman, Daniel Howell, in Lynchburg, Virginia, to D.
B. Phelps rather than to McClanahan Crenshaw and Company for reshipment. The
letter was carried by John N. Gordon, whom James recommends to Watts
1998.26.363
no date
same as 1998.26.361;
scanned twice by mistake
1998.26.364
July 2, 1845
Letter from Beers
and Poindexter, merchant tailor in Richmond, Virginia, to William Watts, in Big
Lick (Roanoke), Virginia, regarding the breast and waist measurements needed to
make clothes for him, and inviting him to place an order
1998.26.365
July 18, 1845
Letter from Fleming
James, in Richmond, Virginia, to William Watts, in Big Lick (Roanoke),
Virginia, discussing legal procedures to be used to recover debts from Samuel
Stoner and others in his family, including his brothers Daniel Stoner and John
Stoner, his brother-in-law Albert G. Williams, and also William S. Minor. James
makes an assessment of Samuel Stoner’s ability to pay, using information
provided by his son, John Quarles James, and evaluating the possibility that
Stoner had conveyed title to some property, including twelve slaves, to avoid
paying his debt, and that he had manufactured debts fraudulently. James also
notes that James Philemon Holcombe’s claim against Stoner has been settled. He
expresses the desire to maintain good relations with the Stoners, and his
preference not to resort to a writ of capias ad satisfaciendem, which would
imprison Stoner until the debt was paid
1998.26.366
August 4, 1845
Letter from Fleming
James, in New York, New York, to William Watts, in Big Lick (Roanoke),
Virginia, hastily replying to a letter from Watts, promising to visit Roanoke
County in the autumn and asking Watts to prevent Samuel Stoner from renting or
leasing his property and asking for information about the projected sale of
Stoner’s personal property, including his negroes
1998.26.367
July 21, 1845
Letter from Beers
and Poindexter, merchant tailor in Richmond, Virginia, to William Watts, in Big
Lick (Roanoke), Virginia, regarding the delivery of a suit of clothes Watts had
ordered; Watts’s letter having arrived too late to send the suit by his
brother, James Breckinridge Watts, it will be sent by packet boat to Crenshaw
& McClanahan & Co, Lynchburg, Virginia, for delivery
The Suit of Clothes which you ordered will be
finished on Thursday next. We will send them by the Packet Boat on that day to
the Care of Messrs Crenshaw & McClanahan & Co, Lynchburg. Hoping they
will reach you safe & in due time, We Remn Mo Respy yr Obt Servts [remain
most respectfully your obedient servants], Beers & Poindexter, Jean Lambert
Beers
& Poindexter was a merchant tailor in Richmond, Virginia, which was in
business from c. 1838 to c. 1860; one of principals was William Beers (1801-1870),
who was born in Connecticut; a house at 1228 E. Broad St, Richmond, VA, known
as William Beers House, is on the National Register of Historic Places. Beers
and his family are in the census in 1850 and 1860, his profession given as
tailor. The reading of the name of the employee who wrote and signed the letter
is not certain, and he has not been identified.
1998.26.368
August 5, 1845
Letter from Fleming
James, in New York, New York, to William Watts, in Big Lick (Roanoke),
Virginia, regarding the next steps to be taken to recover money owed by Samuel
Stoner; complications include Stoner’s wife’s dower, his mother’s interest, and
prior claims by others
1998.26.369
August 6, 1845
Account statement
and receipt from John H. Gibb of White Sulphur Springs, Virginia (now West
Virginia) to William Watts for $32.18 for three weeks and one day of support
and lodging
1998.26.370
September 8, 1845
Letter from Fleming
James, in New York, New York, to William Watts, in Big Lick (Roanoke),
Virginia, reacting to the news of the death of Samuel Stoner and discussing the
consequences for his efforts to recover money owed by Stoner. Samuel’s brother
John Stoner has laid claim to part of the land, apparently 171 acres thought to
have been conveyed to William McDermid. Samuel’s mother and his widow are
presumed to have dower rights in the land. James asks Watts to consult with his
father, Edward Watts, about the effect of these claims on the value of the
property, and to take whatever steps are necessary to prevent the land being
sold or conveyed. He asserts that his claim for a debt of $25000 should have
priority because the confession of judgment was registered first, and that the
value of the property should exceed $35000
New York 8th Sept 1845
Wm Watts Esqr, Big Lick, Roanoke County, Va
Dear Sir, I am somewhat startled by the
contents of your letter of the 1st inst, which has just reached me under cover
of one from my son. Your letter announces the sad intelligence of the death of
Saml Stoner, & the effect which that event is likely to have upon our
interests, as it invests his wife, comparatively a young woman, with right of
dower in all his landed interest.
The Stoner family were part of the
large German migration southward down the Shenandoah Valley. The first to
arrive in the Roanoke area was Daniel Stoner Sr (1770-1838), who was born in
Maryland, where he married in 1792 Mary Dagen (1774-1858). They had ten
children: John, (1793-1887), who married Elizabeth Gish; Anna (1796-1871), who
married William McDermid; Rebecca (1797-1867), who married Jonathan Hardy and
moved to Indiana; Mary “Polly” (1800-1866), who married Benjamin Crumpacker and
moved to Indiana; Susannah (born 1804), who married David S. Nininger; Samuel
(1805-1845), who married Catherine Ammen; Eliza (born 1810), who married
Charles H. Carper; Daniel Jr (1811-1888), who married Matilda Campbell; Matilda
(born 1815), who married Albert G. Williams; Lucinda (1820-after 1880), who
married William S. Minor.
John, Samuel and Daniel Jr were to
some degree partners, but Samuel appears to have been the dominant brother. The
1840 census shows him living in Roanoke and owner of 35 slaves, a number that
tends to confirm Fleming James’ high estimate of his wealth. Besides their land
and farming, they operated a store. Besides the three brothers, three
brothers-in-law – William McDermid, Albert G. Williams, and William S. Minor –
lived and farmed in the same neighborhood, probably on land obtained through
their wives.
In the early 1840s, signs of the Stoners’
financial distress begin to appear the Watts papers. One online family tree
speculates that business worries and the threat of bankruptcy hastened Samuel’s
early death in August 1845; it is equally plausible that failing health
contributed to the decline of his business. In this letter, James puts Stoner’s
debt to his firm at $28,000; an equivalent figure in 2010 would lie somewhere
between $833,000 and $14,000,000.
It took two years for the case to be
decided, because there were other creditors, whose claims also had to be
adjudicated, and because the Stoners argued that the interests of certain heirs
and wives were not legally pledged as security for the debts. Samuel Stoner
left a widow and eight living children, including a daughter born posthumously;
and the widow of Daniel Stoner Sr was still alive. In the end, Fleming James
won the title to most, if not all, the Stoners’ land. The last of many letters
on the subject will be 1998.26.448, dated 6 September 1847, in which James
praises William Watts for defeating John Stoner’s claim to 171 acres of the
land, thanks him for his services, and asks him to send a bill for everything
he is owed.
1998.26.371
September 9, 1845
Letter from Fleming
James, in New York, New York, to William Watts, in Big Lick (Roanoke),
Virginia, discussing arguments against John Stoner’s claim to a property deeded
by Samuel Stoner, deceased, to James’s firm, relying mainly on the fact that
John had not contested Samuel’s ownership for more than twenty years. He also
inquires about the views of Samuel Stoner’s widow, who he thinks might like to
own some property in fee simple. He asks what Stoner’s mother’s opinion is. He
suggests that an additional lawyer be employed, because of Watts’s uncertain
health, and mentions Alexander P. Eskridge and James Foote Johnson
1998.26.372
September 17, 1845
Letter from Fleming
James, in Richmond, Virginia, to William Watts, in Big Lick (Roanoke),
Virginia, including a copy of a subpoena from the Roanoke County Court, dated
August 30, 1845, signed by the clerk of the court, Frederick Johnston, to
answer a charge brought by James Howel, David Gish, and Hiram Haden. James
states that he does not know these men, except for Gish, and therefore does not
know what the charges relate to, but concludes that it must concern the tract
of land bought by James’s firm from William McDermid, but held in Fleming
James’s name. James also reports the opinion of Peachy Ridgway Grattan that
John Stoner’s claim to a tract of land sold by Samuel Stoner to James’s firm is
worthless, but the advice that Watts should nonetheless gather supporting
evidence. James further discusses plans for this land, suggesting that the
widow of Samuel Stoner should be encouraged to plant a crop of wheat, which
will enhance the value of the property
1998.26.373
September 22, 1845
Letter from Fleming
James, in Richmond, Virginia, to William Watts, in Big Lick (Roanoke),
Virginia, outlining his proposal to have Catherine Ammen Stoner, widow of Samuel
Stoner, continue to farm her late husband’s land, pending a determination of
her dower rights, or else to buy the rights from her for cash, and suggesting a
method for determining the value. He also discusses further efforts to prevent
John Stoner from disposing of any property of Samuel Stoner, deceased, until
James’s rights can be legally established; James reports that his Richmond
lawyers, Peachy Ridgway Grattan and Conway Robinson, think John Stoner’s
recordation is valid, but James continues to think it could be challenged. He
authorizes Watts to engage Alexander P. Eskridge and Gustavus A. Wingfield to
assist in presenting the case in Botetourt and Roanoke Counties, Virginia. He
discusses the pros and cons of letting William McDermid rent the land he sold
to James. Finally he asks a number of questions about the value of land sold to
Hannah, and of other land belonging to Samuel Stoner, and about the sale of his
personal property
1998.26.374
October 8, 1845
Letter from Fleming
James, in Richmond, Virginia, to William Watts, in Big Lick (Roanoke),
Virginia, complaining about the slowness of communications and suggesting that
Watts ask his post office about it, announcing plans to be in Roanoke County
for Samuel Stoner’s estate sale unless Watts has obtained a postponement, and
asking for news of the intentions of the two Mrs Stoners, widow and mother,
regarding their dower rights
1998.26.375
October 10, 1845
Letter from Fleming
James, in Richmond, Virginia, to William Watts, in Big Lick (Roanoke), Virginia,
enclosing an injunction signed by Judge Philip Norborne Nicholas to stop the
sale of Samuel Stoner’s estate; discussing the bond needed for the injunction
to be issued which has been provided by John N. Gordon but James asks Watts to
provide it if need be; outlining a plan suggested by a friend to administrate
on Stoner’s estate; commenting on relations with the widow of Samuel Stoner and
with William McDermid (Stoner’s brother-in-law); and commenting on James’s
eventual trip to Roanoke to be present at the Stoner’s estate sale
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