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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from Giles Rainsford to Francis Nicholson
Rainsford, Giles, b. 1679
December 01, 1713
Volume 02, Pages 75-76

[From N. C. Letter Book. S. P. G.]
MR. RAINSFORD TO GENERAL NICHOLSON.

Chowan, North Carolina Dec. 1 1713.

I had the honor of a Letter (which you were pleased to convey) from the Society delivered me by the hands of our most worthy President, Col. Pollock. I understand my duty in part is to inform your Excellency what Libraries there are of the Society's in general, and of my own in particular in this Government. As to my own particular share of books, I received none except a parcel of small tracts with some prayer books which I dispose of where I see most occasion, and where the necessitys of the people require, and where I find they are ready to put them to the use intended by the Society. I had an order of the Society's for the books of my Predecessor, the Revd Mr. Adams who died in Curatack, amounting to the value of Ten pounds, and now in the hands of Mr. Richard Sanderson, but never received one, tho' I often applied for them. The place where I at present officiate is on the west shore of Chowan River, where there are a considerable number of Inhabitants well disposed to the Interests of our Church as truly zealous in the defence of the country from the common enemy. Thanks be to God we have no disturbance among ourselves, but all people hearts unite and every Member of the Government is as happy as the times will admit of under the wise and prudent administration of our good President. I heartily thank your Excellency that you were pleased to condescend to take notice of me in your Letter to the President, and shall readily shew my gratitude by a cheerful and submissive obedience to your commands. There

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is a great want of school masters in this Government for the instruction of children, which I hope you will be pleased to lay before the Society as you in your wisdom shall think fit. Please to pardon this presumption, and look upon it only as a branch of my duty which engaged me to let you know I received your commands, and how much I am (but with all due regard to the disturbance between us)

Your Excellency's &c
GILES RAINSFORD—Missionary.