The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-04-26
GENERAL WASHINGTON
WILMINGTON GAVE HIM A DEMON
STRATI0N 40 YEATS AGO TODAY.
Interesting Letter Written April 25th.
1871, by q Lady who has Prominent
Descendants now Residing Here-A
Glimpse Into the Past.

1t has been a mooted question wheth-
er General Washington ever visited
Wilmington but that matter can be
set at rest now for Miss Sophia Camp
bell. Of u city, permits the Messenger
to copy a family letter which mentions
the fact in quite an interesting way.
He not only visited Wilmington but to-
day, one hundred and ten years ago,
the day on which the letter was writ
ten. the people of Wilmington gave a
great demonstration in honor of the
distinguished visitor. The letter was
written to Mrs. Christian Fleming, of
this city, who was then at Brown
Marsh. now Clarkton, Bladen county,
where her husband, James Fleming,
Esq. mad a plantation. The follow
ing is a copy Of the letter:
Wilmington. y. c.. 25th April, 1871.
Many thanks. my dear sister. for
yOur kind invitation. Poor Mary is, in
deed. in a very bad way; she has not
been out OF bed but to have il made
Tor eight days past. though / hope. as
her ague has left her and the fever
less. that she will soon get strength TO
1870 49," - NS~ IL dAAA Id SIEh
is too weak. / shall let you know by
the next opportunity when to send.
Great doings this day. General
Washington arrived yesterday. The
Light Horse went to meet him. The
artillery were ready to receive him with
a round from the batteries. four guns.
This day he dimes with the Gent I men
of the town; in the evening a Grand
Ball and i~llumination: tomorrow, takes
his leave / believe the Light Horse
are to escort him a days journey on
his way to Chas ton.
Half past fOur-just going to dinner
-cannons firing, Chrissy and the nil
dren all gone 10 see the procession. 1
don't go to the ball this evening, as
Mary cannot accompany me. She de-
Sires me to ask if you have many
beaux at the Marsh. Adieu, must
get the candles ready for the indow
My mother, Chrissy and the rest of the
family beg to be remembered to you,
A1r. F1eeming and the children. Believe
me to be your
Affectionate Sister,
ANNA JEAN SIMPSON"
II. S.-MrS. Ounce has given up her
house to the general. She stays at our
uncle'S . 3
The letter which we copy is in a re-
markedly good state of preservation.
The writing is distinct and the ink is
Ac~A-A DNN NAAO H ~ Will as
The Mrs. F1eeming to whom the letter
was addressed was the great grand
mother OF our townspeople. Mrs. Gabe
Holmes. Miss Sophia Campbell and Mr..
Clayton Giles. and the great-great
grand mother of Mrs. Ancrum Lord, of
our city.
Mrs. F1eeming, andMrs. Simpson who
wrote the letter. were the daughters of
Mr.. William Mackenzie, a wealthy
man and who was a member of the
Kings council for the colony of Geor-
gia under Sir James Wright.
Mrs. Ounce referred to in the post
script as having given up her house TO
General Washington was the wife of
Mr.. John Ounce. a wealthy citizen
who has descendants now residing
here. They had a very p~retentious
what is now Front and Dock streets,
story frame house occupied for so many
years by the wholesale grocery house
of Adrian & VOllers and now occupied
by the Adrian Company. Little do we
hin daily in passing that now unpre-
tentious corner that the immortal
Washington tarried there!
General Washington while in Will
mington was the guest of Mr.. William
Campbell who was the great grand
uncle Of Miss Sophia Campbell.
Miss Campbell read the letter which
We copy. at n recent meeting Of the
Colonial Danes, of this city. and by
their request to have it published IN
n Messenger she kindly furnished us
a copy.