Letter to William Hunter(ca. 1760/1)

• MS 1990.4
• 1 vol. (36 pp.)

Anonymous manuscript of satirical essays written by “Tim Pastime” (ca. 1760–1761) to printer William Hunter relating to Williamsburg citizens, the College of William and Mary, the clergy of Virginia, and other matters.

The first portion of the essay concerns Williamsburg citizens and clergy, with a listing of several alleged misdeeds including financial, moral, and political improprieties. The essay also includes several offhand references to liquor, mythology, the House of Burgesses, and education.

The second portion of the essay entitled “Mr Cam[m]’s Oration” concerns the effects of the Two-penny Act and the Parson’s Cause as well as an apparent student uprising at the College of William and Mary.

Over forty names are mentioned including Mr. [John] Stretch, Robert Carter Nicholas, John Randolph, James Cocke, Benjamin Waller, George Wythe, Mr. Southall, William Prentis, [Alexander] Purdie, Thomas Knox, Dr. [Peter] Hay, Bernard Moore, and others.

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