Aitken family letter and will, 1775, 1793
Navigate the Collection
Summary
- Creator:
- Aitken family
- Abstract:
- The Aitken family was of Scottish descent. John Aitken, senior, lived in Rashiehill, Scotland. One of his sons, James Aitken, was eventually ordained as a Presbyterian minister in Elizabeth town (Elizabeth City), North Carolina. Collection comprises a letter written by James Aitken to his parents from Wilmingtown (Wilmington), North Carolina, on 1775 June 5, as well as a last will and testament for John Aitken, Senior, as recorded in 1793. In his letter, James describes local people as "genteel" and respected for their "education and good behaviour," and goes on to describe local planters and their various crops, long distances ridden, the situation for Presbyterians and his upcoming ordination and resettlement, his plans to obtain a plantation and purchase or hire slaves, preparations for war with Great Britain, and payment of his debts. In his will, John Aitken, Senior, names his son, John, as his successor, and outlines the distribution of his money, land, and property. The will is witnessed by Charles Lang and William Muirhead.
- Extent:
- 1.8 Linear Feet (2 items)
- Language:
- Materials in English
- Collection ID:
- RL.11611
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Collection comprises a letter written by James Aitken to his parents from Wilmingtown (Wilmington), North Carolina, on 1775 June 5, as well as a last will and testament for John Aitken, Senior, as recorded in 1793. In his letter, James describes local people as "genteel" and respected for their "education and good behaviour," and goes on to describe local planters and their various crops, long distances ridden, the situation for Presbyterians and his upcoming ordination and resettlement, his plans to obtain a plantation and purchase or hire slaves, preparations for war with Great Britain, and payment of his debts. In his will, John Aitken, Senior, names his son, John, as his successor, and outlines the distribution of his money, land, and property. The will is witnessed by Charles Lang and William Muirhead.
- Biographical / historical:
-
The Aitken family was of Scottish descent. John Aitken, senior, lived in Rashiehill, Scotland. One of his sons, James Aitken, was eventually ordained as a Presbyterian minister in Elizabeth town (Elizabeth City), North Carolina.
- Acquisition information:
- The Aitken Family Letter and Will were received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book Manuscript Library as a gift in 2017.
- Processing information:
-
Processed by Alice Poffinberger, April, 2018
Accessions described in this collection guide: 2017-0219
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Subjects
Click on terms below to find related finding aids on this site. For other related materials in the Duke University Libraries, search for these terms in the Catalog.
- Subjects:
- Decedents' estates -- Scotland
Wills -- Scotland
Inheritance and succession -- Scotland - Format:
- Wills
- Names:
- Aitken, John
Aitken, James
Lang, Charles
Muirhead, William - Places:
- United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783
Wilmington (N.C.) -- History -- 18th Century
Wilmington (N.C.) -- Economic conditions
Contents
Using These Materials
- Using These Materials Links:
-
Using These Materials
- Restrictions:
-
Collection is open for research.
- Terms of access:
-
The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the copyright section of the Regulations and Procedures of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library.
- Before you visit:
- Please consult our up-to-date information for visitors page, as our services and guidelines periodically change.
- Preferred citation:
-
[Identification of item], Aitken Family Letter and Will, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.