The Wilmingtonian., 1885-04-25
SATURDAY, APRIL e5, 1855.
AN ANTIQUE CLOCK.
Interesting Historical Documents
Discovered.

nail OF STAIR CLOCK. IL is undoubtedly two |
hundred years old, and was made in Lon
don, England. 1t is an exceedingly hand
some structure, the face is of metal and the
hands of curiously wrought brass. 1t is in
very fine order, and Mr. Dawson says the
works are as good as any he ever saw, and
are at present in splendid running order. 1t
has a very sweet silver toned bell. Some
time ago, while cleaning up the clock, Mr..
Dawson discovered bundle of papers in
side of it,
They were found to be very old, and on
closer examination showed dates ranging
from 1746 to 1920. They are mainly the
business receipts of Thomas Ennalls, a to-
bacco factor of the Chop.ank or Blackwatcr
rivers.
Among the papers were found receipt
from Lord Baltimore's land agent for quit
rents, dated August 0, 1746, for one year
upon 1884 acres of land at Point Searbor
ough, Hatton, Long Delay and Lady Point.
The rental for that term was e1 Is and I'd.
This rental would not indicate the value of
land at that locality at that date as Lord
Baltmore's tax was of the nature of head
rent, or that levied by the lord of the
manor.
The receipt was signed by 7. H. Bowman
and given to "Laly Day last, /" as is the Gus
tomary usage in England to-day. Another
curious document was an execution receipt
of Hampshire county, Virginia. Another
was sherih's warrant and bond Of the
same county, with the endorsement "execu-
ted on n deer skins and one saddlen and
signed by William Fen, deputy. Another
curious document reads as follows: ''Roceiv-
ed April Both, 1881, of Mr.. Thomas Ennalls
B. W. two certificates for beef and Pork.
as,aa.A,aIi,.4-tn- ,siYA siYA-------------.-
lings and one haltS penny in pay arhis assess
ment due for this present year
1t is possible that in connection with the
facts of the date and the large sum, which
itself is only part of the assessment that
this tax was no local state or provincial
levy, but probable assessment upon Enn-
alls' property, as his share, for the expenses
incident upan the close Of the revolutionary
war in paying off the soldiers and redeem
ing the standing debts of the general gov
ernment. This theory is confirmed by the
fact that Eunalls was quite an extensive
merchant and tobacco factor. Amo. the
papers is a blacksmith's bill, with items in
detail, amounting to one pound two shil-
lings, which is dated March, 1890.
There is very beautifully written bill
of lading, dated April, 1864, from Capel and
Osgood Handbury, merchants of London,
detailing items of hogsheads of tobacco re.
ceived by them from Thomas Eunalls by
the ships Polly, Eagle and America, the
three ships arriving in London about the
same time, from the Choptank river.
This would indicate, how at that obscure
date and place brisk trade was carried on
with Europe. From the same London mer-
chants, there is a letter written in a beauti-
fully clear hand, as follows:
LoFDoN, July 9Th, 1853.
Esteemed Frend;-It is with great con.
cefn that have to inform thee of the death
of our dear Relation and Partner |. Han.
bury, on the 22nd ult. We continne the
Business and shall be very much Obliged to
thee for thy ConsignmentS and Recommen,
daton and do assure thee that we shall en-,
deavor to conduct BUSINESS in snch a man.
ner as to obtain tile appreciation of all ou
friends, aud are VII Esteem-Thy Assurel
Friends Capcl IIaubury, Osgood Han
bury To Thomas Ennals, Choptauk river
This letter was addressed to Mr.. Ennalls
in the care OF Captain Downcs, of the Sill
Virginia
These papers are extremely valuable in
historical sense, as indicating the CONNER
cial status Of this locality at that far off date
and as exhibiting also what individuals hclC
land aud under what title