SD308. Samuel Hilton to Samuel Moulton-barrett (uncle)
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 1, 321 (in part).
Cinnamon hill
22 March 1819
Saml M Barrett Esqre
Dear Sir,
I have drawn upon you on the 20 Feby in favour of P A Scarlett for the balance of his Acct Currt with you up to 7th Septr herewith 3 bills Amt. 847.7.2 and for 1 span Mules for Cornwall Estate 250 one thousand and ninety seven pounds 7s / 2d £1097.7.2[.]
Herewith I send you a copy of Messrs Montague Gordon. Heath & Gordon Gray’s report on the condition of your Estates the Retreat Penn not being so material I will send it some other opportunity—— I am sorry to say Cornwall pastures near home are clean but entirely eat out not a Guinea Grass root in them and shall have to go at least a mile for plants to replant them a deal of labour will be required to reestablish them and must be done by a jobber as soon as the wet Seasons commence of course no manure has been made and you mus suppose the stock are very thin and not capable of taking off even the small crop they are likely to make I have put on twenty four steers & spey’d Heifers from Retreat Penn and purchased 88 Mules in order to enable them to carry the canes down to Cinnm hill when I have commenced taking off the crop the saving of labour is great as it gives 25 more Negroes in Cornwall Field 4 days a week– Cornwall of late has employed jobbers to the Amount of £292 a year which expence after the pastures are put in order I hope will be done away with– On my arrival I was sorry to find Cornwall has a number of Negroes afflicted with that dreadful disease the Caco Bay and which still appears increasing they were allowed to be with the other Negroes in their Houses; it is generally considered infectious I allways conceived it so and ordered a house to be built in the mountain for them and have had them detached from the others it reduces their effectual strength very much–
In regard to Little River Wharf I find the present one filled up by the rubbish brought down by the River, and a new one is absolutely necessary, and to make it in the part your Father & Mr Scarlett have before mentioned to you; this we can do within ourselves and shall commence upon it immediately after crop. The undivided moiety is by no means any part of Spot Valley Estate, being at least two miles from it, & not mentioned in W B’s Will I have agreed with Mr Scarlet for £100 for it—when the Wharf is built it will be a great acquisition as several Estates will ship there—— I will be much obliged to you to send out a power to manumize the following Slaves. Sam Reid who is hired upon the property & still obliged to be kept in the list, Milly McFalter and her daughter, Margarett whom I paid 200£ for in 1812 they are obliged to be given in for in consequence of the Registry Act. I was much surprized to find they had not it—but find it was a neglect of D R Scarlett’s[.] Maria Sylvester purchased by Jas Charman[,] Nanny a favourite of Mr Scarlett who he wishes to manumize he offers £100 for her but as the other have been sold for £140 I could not consent to take less without your authority but Mr S wishes to take her and leaves it to you whether £100 or £140 shall be the price[.] Mr Bramwell wishes to manumize his Son Charles alias Charles Bramwell belonging to Retreat Penn—— As the valuation of Slaves are so bulky I shall keep them till the Augustus Cæsar sails when they shall be forwarded by her– I find all the Negroes will require assistance as soon as crop is over indeed I am now obliged to do it partially[.] I conceive Rice or split & dressed horse beans are the best food, the latter are cheaper & will keep longer if required—— Cinnamon hill & Cornwall have made 69Hhds 10Trs 12puns I am sorry to say Mr Wiggan still continues very poorly[.] You have herewith your A/c Currt with PAS.—Cinm hill Cornwall & Retreat A/c Currt Contingencies & Crop Accounts[.]
I remain respectfully dear Sir
Your most obt Servt
Saml Hilton.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Eton College Library.
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