Documenting the American South Logo
Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter to David Humphreys
No Author
May 26, 1721
Volume 02, Page 431

-------------------- page 431 --------------------
[From N. C. Letter Book of S. P. G.]
A LETTER WITHOUT NAME TO THE SECRETARY ABOUT MR. URMSTONE DATED MAY 26th 1721.

Sir,

I have given you the trouble of these few lines that the Honorable Society might be somewhat acquainted of the character of Mr. Urmstone that is lately gone for England and intends he says to return again to North Carolina if the Society thinks fit to send him but indeed he is a very unfit Missionary for that or any other place—his life is so wicked and scandalous notorious drunkard and swearing and lewdness is also what he is occupied of for these and others of his vices he was so much disliked of the people he was among that scarce any of them come to hear him and it is what one shall hear from almost every ones mouth that knows him that it is pity that he should ever come into these parts any more except he reforms his life and bad example doing more hurt than ever his preaching did good there are many Quakers in Carolina and to be without a minister gives them great advantage what I have writ I do assure the honorable Society it is not out of any prejudice to Mr Urmstone or self interest but purely that their Christian Charity and pious intent might be better answered with respect to that place and those poor ignorant people better provided for by a person sent capable of doing good amongst them which is the hearty wish of

Sir &c &c.