Scarce and unusually candid early American manuscript letter dated July 28, 1806, written by George Wilkerson, addressing accusations, gossip, and alleged slander connected with a school community. The letter presents a remarkable glimpse into personal honor, reputation, and social tensions in the early republic period. Writing in a forceful and emotional tone, Wilkerson complains of being mistreated by a man with whom he had “contracted so good an opinion,” referring to “infamous false storys” circulating among school scholars and others “both large and small.” He insists that rumors involving himself and his child are false and asks that the matter be brought before “Mr. Eber Hyde Mr. Daniel Lahiot [possibly Lahue/Lahot] or any other judicious learned men belonging to the school; or elsewhere.” The writer frames the issue as one affecting morality and social order, declaring himself “duty bound as a parent & friend to good order in society.” An evocative survival from the early nineteenth century documenting the seriousness with which reputation, rumor, and public morality were regarded in post-colonial America. Condition: Fair to good. Fold separations, edge losses, scattered staining, and wear consistent with age. Portions of text obscured by paper loss and fading, but the manuscript remains substantially legible and historically compelling.
| Translation: |
Sir, I would wish to have as favourable an opinion of the Un happy Business between you and my Self as possible, it hurts my feelings to hear my Child that I put under your tuition, has been so- treated, by a person that I had contracted so good- an opinion of; as I had of you; & you must be sensible on Reflection that you have abused me and my Child beyond Reason; and as for the infamous false Storys you have stated in your letter (?) from me is no more than I have heard from your Schol- -lars & others both large and small and some that does not belong to the school; it is far from my Intentions, to be Instrumental in Making discord in any Society; but this is of Such a nature that I can not omit noticing it as I think I am in duty bound as a parent & friend to- good order in Society I am wishing to refer the business to Mr. Eber Hyde Mr Daniel Lahiot or any other judicious candid men belonging to the school; or Else Where. Please state the time and place you will attend. & I Will Wait on you this from one that once had a good opinion of the person that this is addressed to George Wilkerson
