THE SHAW PAPERS

Colin Shaw emigrated from Jura, Argyllshire to North Carolina before 1764 and was a merchant in Cumberland County. The following is selected from his personal letters, agreements and memorandums found at NCArchives.



23 August 1770 - Letter from DONALD CAMPBELL in Ardmeanish, Jura, Scotland.

Sir,
I received the favor of your letter by *Mr. Campbell of Baliole in which you are so kind as to let me know of your welfare. I am glad you have done so and it gives me pleasure to know that you are in a thriving state and sincerely wish you much joy in your married state, which was a good reason for not seeing your friends here at the time you proposed coming to see us and you may believe they are but few that would see you in a flourish condition than I, and which how soon you may renew and pursue you resolution in letting us see you here.

The bearer, ARCHIBALD CAMPBELL, son to RONALD CAMPBELL, Balsharer, who is married to my oldest daughter, goes together with their small family of bairns to America to try their fortune there. Their luck in this country has been but very indifferent which obliges them to go to your corner of the globe to try what chances they may have there. Tho their luck here be bad, it cannot be said that it's owing to him or her. Both of them are industrious in their way of life. He writes a good hand and I make no doubt he shall be careful and honest in any trust that providence shall think proper to put in his way. They go to a foreign country with a family of small bairns without money or acquaintance, but I have great reliances of your friendship and I earnestly entreat and beg of you as a favor that you may give them your advice and assistance in having them put on some footing of having bread. I make no doubt you shall do what you can for them. I recommend them to all my friends and acquaintances there. As I am in a hurry, JEANETTE writes them all but begs you offer them my sincere and good wishes.

You desired me to let you know what sort of goods from your country would suit best for this country. As I am not very well aquainted with these things I recommend you for intelligence to the bearer and to my nephew, ARCH SIMSON, who also goes to America in the same ship with my son-in-law and brings goods with him to sell there.

Your uncle-in-law, NEILL McCRAINE, is very tender and hard of hearing, but has effects. His daughter was contracted on Saturday last to DON McDOUGALD, Juras Servant. All your old friends in general are pretty well. My wife and I join in compliments to you & Mrs. Shaw and believe me to be your affectionate friend and humble servant. Donald Campbell

*ALEXANDER CAMPBELL of Ballole and Lossit, whose brother James had been one of the 1739 gentlemen-venturers to N.C., left a will in which his Uncle WILLIAM CAMPBELL of Ormsary, was joint executor with FERQUHARD CAMPBELL in North Carolina. He had lived in Jamaica, West Indes where he reared his five children. At the time of his death in 1779 Alexander Campbell occupied 640 acres of land in Cumberland County owned by his brother James, in Scotland. This property was claimed by Ferquhard Campbell for Alexander's children . In his last will and testament Alexander also wrote of a brother, COLIN CAMPBELL, of Cumberland County.
Source: 'SCATTERED SEED - Genealogical Research Data of Southeastern North Carolina' by Bridges

8th April 1780 in Savannah, Ga.
Articles of Agreement betwixt Neill McArthur, DUGALD McNIGHT, COLIN SHAW and ALEXANDER CAMPBELL. Said NEILL McARTHUE, Dugald McNight and Colin Shaw has put into the hands of Alexander Campbell, late of North Carolina, sixty *guineas, viz. twenty guineas each, said Alexander Campbell to carry on trade with the said sixty guineas for three months. He, the said Alexander Campbell, is to have the fourth part of the next profit that is to be made on the above sum of sixty guineas. Said Alex. Campbell is to have a reasonable allowance for his boarding and washing exclusive of the fourth part of the next profit that is to be made on the said sum of sixty guineas and any of the partners that pleases to take up his share of the stock and profit are at liberty to do it at the end of three months or in case that the partners will agree to continue in trade longer said Alexander Campbell is to continue to do business for the above partners at the above terms and we bind and oblige ourselves to stand to the above articles of agreement and on the penalty of fifty pounds sterling. Neill McArthur, Dugald McNight, Colin Shaw & Alexander Campbell.
*Guinea - an English gold coin issued from 1663 to 1813 and fixed in 1717 at 21 shillings. A unit of value equal to 1 pound and 1 shilling. Webster.
12 August 1781 - State of North Carolina Cumberland County.
Memorandum of Agreement entered into this twelfth day of August one thousand seven hundred and eighty one between *MRS. SHAW and HUGH OCHILTREE of the one part and GILBERT ECKLES on the other part to wit: said Eckels has this day rented a certain piece of land from said Mrs. Shaw and Hugh Ochiltree for the space of five years from this date at the rate of ten pounds per each year till the time is out. Said land is known by the name of "the bigg meadow" situated and lying in the Beaver Dam Creek called Carver's Creek. That is to say all the meadow land supposed to be fifty acres more or less except three acres of said meadow to be reserved for the use of Mrs. Shaw and Hugh Ochiltree to be laid off at the place where the hay used to be mowed every year and the said Mr. Eckles obliges himself to put a good fence all round said meadow at his own expense and the rent is to be paid yearly as mentioned per notes given by Mr. Eckles to which we have hereunto set our hands the day above written.
March 29, 1826 issue Fayetteville Observer: Mrs. Shaw, widow of the late Colin Shaw, Esquire, died this morning in the vicinity of Fayetteville.
12 August 1782
We your petitioners in behalf of the ... Mr. Colin Shaw ... ledge and acquaintance .... of him preceding ... are urged to solicit your Excellency claiming ... such the privilege as you in your wisdom ... with the good of the State and Society that ... the man clearly be made a guardian ... and wants ... We your petitioners know him to be a very conciencous man who chose rather to leave the country than submit to taking the oath of allegiance which was tendered to him agreeable to an Act of Assembly made only for Trading ( ? ) people. He was thereupon ordered to depart the State to which he complied to do. Left his wife and small children behind. Never ... he never carried arms during the whole time of his ... which was until Lord Cornwallis marched through this place having taken the oath of neutrality from your Excellency ever since has considered it in the most sacred nature which principals shall remain as soon he made his appearance Col. Armstrong from his character being represented friendly to persons ... granted him a parole which he has ... ever since and behaved in such a manner that we your petitioners petition your Excellency would be pleased to permit him to remain on the terms that those who are subject to a three-fold tax otherwise to grant him permission to continue a few months longer on pardon ...
Note: The above document is badly torn. Names of petitioners not legible.
Source: Private Collections 20.0 - NCA - Abstracted from original by Myrtle Bridges

17 February 1785 By Virtue of agreement between Colin Shaw of the one part and Peter SINKLER [SINCLAIR?] on the other part whereas the said Sinkler hath agreed and hired himself to Colin Shaw to clear three acres of land at or near the said town of Fayetteville when the said Shaw is to lay it off. The said three acres is to be well grubbed and cleared fit for the plow and he the said Peter Sinkler is to keep constantly at work and to do his endeavor to have them done fit for plow soon and said Peter Sinkler is to cut all the oak wood on these three acres in load form and load it up and in consideration thereof, the said Shaw is to pay said Sinkler at the rate of twenty shillings for every acre and to pay for his board in town. In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands this 17th day of February 1785 and said Peter Sinkler is to begin to work on Monday next which will be on 21st day of said month. Signed by Colin Shaw and Peter Shinkler [X his mark] Test: ARCHIBALD McLEAN and JOHN COLEMAN

3 January 1786 Memorandum of an agreement made this 3rd day of January 1786 between Colin Shaw and JOHN TONEY, a free Negro fellow, to wit: Said Shaw hath rented a piece of land containing two acres near Cross Creek for the space of five years on the following conditions. The said John Toney is to pay for said rent, one patch of corn first year, and to make improvements on said two acres, and likewise obliges himself to get as many frame lumbers as Colin Shaw wants and then to be divided equal share alike. The said Toney is to get the frames at his own expenses and Shaw is to find trees near said Toney's two acres and said Toney obliges himself to keep all people off from cutting any timber what so ever during the time of said five years to which both parties have signed their names to stand to the above agreement on penalty of five pounds lawful money. Bonds to be drawn soon. COLIN SHAW & John Toney [X his mark] Wits. JAMES McKEITHAN.

31st January 1795    *NEIL SHAW, You will oblige me if you will fix my cart wheeler to the axle tree tongue and long body you made, and make me another new axletree. Put a new piece to the hind end of the old cart body and cut the old tongue a little shorter. I will pay you cash for doing it as soon as it is done and you send me your account. In doing which you will particularly oblige your humble servant, JOHN SIBLEY
According to the May 17, 1837 issue of The Fayetteville Observer, Dr. John Sibley died on the 8th, in Natchitoxhex, Louisiana. He was in his 85th year. Had he previously lived in Cumberland County, N.C.?
November 14, 1838 issue: Mr. Neill Shaw, a native of Cumberland County, died on the 24th, October.

Back to Cumberland County Home Page