Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

Collection is open to research.

Use Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Preferred Citation

Benjamin Waller Letter, Manuscript #MS 1932.7, John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Library, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.

Acquisition Information

Purchase, 1932

Biographical Information

Benjamin Waller (1 October 1716 - 1 May 1786) was born in King William County and was trained as a lawyer utilizing the legal library of Sir John Randolph. He was a clerk of the general court for a number of years and, in 1777, he was named presiding judge of the court of admiralty in Williamsburg, Virginia. Consequently, he was a judge on the first Court of Appeals where he remained until 1785 when the court moved to Richmond, Virginia. As clerk of courts, it fell to Benjamin Waller to read the United States Declaration of Independence from the Williamsburg courthouse steps on July 25, 1776

Scope and Content

Benjamin Waller, Williamsburg {Va.}, to Meriwether Skelton, Spring Garden {Va.}. Concer ns interest due on a loan to Skelton. Waller will accept paper money for the interest. C omplains of being paid back N8,000 in "paper trash" of the N10,000 he lent out in gold and silver. Responds to Skelton's suggestion th at he be repaid in commodities. Note on addr ess leaf states receipts for interest on N500 are enclosed.

Arrangement

1 letter.

Index Terms

Persons:

• Skelton, Meriwether
• Waller, Benjamin, 1716-1786

Subjects:

• Loans, Personal, History, 18th century
• Collecting of accounts, Virginia, History, 18th century
• Currency convertibility, Virginia, History, 18th century
• Devaluation of currency, Virginia, History, 18th century

Geographical Names:

• Virginia, History, Revolution, 1775-1783