Beverly Booth, Surry County, Virginia, to Thomas Ustick, Philadelphia, 5 November 1799.

Virginia Surry County November 5th 1799

  Dr Sir, I have receiv’d yours of Feb. the 7th  Feb. the 12th & August 1st 1799. The Contents of which I have notic’d. I thank you for favouring of me with one ^Copy^ of your Minutes[.] I have sent you one Copy of our last Minutes[.]

         I have the pleasure to inform you, that there is some appearance of a revival of Religion in Virginia. There has been great Stories in several places, and very considerable Additions to some Churches. Our Brethren in the Ministry, seem to be more Active than heretofore in traveling to disperse the Gospel – I am exceeding sorry that you have not heard from me before this, which has been owing to obstacles that has [sic] been in my way. I wrote to you the 28th of Feb. last under Cover to Mr Harrison [U. C.?], but the letter lay in the Post Office in Petersburg, until Mr Harrrison was on his Way ^(from Philadelphia) & the letter returned back.

         In your letter of Feb. the 12th you gave me a Statement of the Books you had pack’d up for me, and directed to the care of Mr Henry Flaxall of Petersburg, which is as followeth,

4 of Booth’s glad tidings at                                  75——3—

         4 Do reign of Grace at 87 ½ —               3 ..  50

         1 [?] & 1 Sermon                                          25

                                                                               6 . 75

         4 Volls Of Mosheim (the other two

         to be forwarded when finish’d)            9 ..  0

                                                                               15 .. 75

The above Books I found in the care of Mr Flaxall agreeable to your direction and when I opened the above Package there were only three of Booths glad tidings the rest I found agreeable to the above Statement

         In reading yours of August the 1st I find you therein Charge me with 18 Dolls which if you will only Observe the aforegoing Statement, you will find you have made a Mistake.

         I am very sorry that you have not received your Money from me before this, which had been owing in some measure to the want of a Safe hand to send it by. I hope it will be, but a few Weeks before an Opportunity will Offer, when I can send it Safely – please to let me know by a line something relative to the above mistake.

         Those Proposals you sent me agreeable to your request, I Exhibited at our last Association but did not meet with that encouragement which I expected, only a few Subscribers.

         I conclude, praying that your usefulness may be great that you may be instrumental to do much good that your last days may be your best, is the Prayer of your frd & Bror Beverly Booth.

Address: Rev. Thomas Ustick

Note: 1799 | Virginia Nov | 5 B Booth | Beverly Booth [this added in a different hand]

Text: Thomas Ustick Papers, RG 1189, American Baptist Historical Society Archives, Atlanta.