Tatham, William (1752-1819) to Henry Knox
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.05093.01 Author/Creator: Tatham, William (1752-1819) Place Written: Richmond, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 31 July 1791 Pagination: 2 p. : address : docket ; 23.7 x 19.7 cm. Order a Copy
References Knox's letter of 22 July. Wanted to write by a return post but could not perform the analysis with Colonel Carrington's papers in time. This analysis is enclosed (see GLC02437.05093.02). This refers to "A Topographical Analysis of the United States of America." Says if there are any inaccuracies it was because of the haste with which he wrote. Will furnish his office with a fair copy once it is printed. States "in the mean while this will be found more correct than the first Copy which I gave the President: The Title of which I found it necessary to alter." Notes he entered the copyright as required. Says he wants to market it as useful and wants Knox to inform him about prospects of having it published in Philadelphia. Would like Knox or Thomas Jefferson to find the proper person in Philadelphia to print it in English and German. Comments that the printer can get his payments "from the first productions or a proportionate share of the annual continuance."
William Tatham, engineer, born in Hutton, England, in 1752; died in Richmond, Virginia, 22 February, 1819. He emigrated to this country in 1769, entered a mercantile establishment on James river, Virginia, and served as adjutant of militia against the Indians. During the Revolutionary war he served as a colonel in the Virginia cavalry under General Thomas Nelson, and was a volunteer in the party that stormed the redoubt at Yorktown. In 1780 with Colonel John Todd, he compiled the first exact and comprehensive account of the western country. After the Revolution he studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1784. He was removed to North Carolina and in 1786 founded the settlement of Lumberton. He was a member of the North Carolina legislature in 1787. Tatham went back to England in 1796, and in 1801 became superintendent of the London docks. He returned to the United States in 1805. He was given the office of military store-keeper in the Richmond arsenal in 1817, and while there committed suicide by throwing himself before a cannon at the moment of discharge.
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