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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from William Orr to Philip Bearcroft
Orr, William
March 30, 1743
Volume 04, Page 622

[From North Carolina Letter Book of S. P. G.]

St. Pauls Parish So: Carolina Mar. 30. 1743.

Revd Sir, [to the Secretary]

In this Parish there is only one nation of Indians called Cusoes about 65 Men, Women & Children in all. tho' formerly they consisted of about 1000 as they say; they seem sober and thoughtful and pretty good notions of a deity, who made them, but they appear not at all concerned to serve him. I have not had so good an opportunity to be acquainted with them, as of late I have had, by often seeing them and conversing with them. I intend as I have opportunity, to use my best endeavours to see how far I can be useful to them, by communicating to them the true knowledge of God.

As yet there is nothing done by the Parish or the assembly of this Province, towards the settlement of the Church or Glebe, or the repairs of the Parsonage house nor does it appear to me that any thing will be done soon. The disputes in the Parish about the one and the other still subsisting: which has been and yet is of very great disadvantage to me, and will be also to my successor, if any clergyman should be so unhappy, as to be sent here, till these disputes are ended. For considering the inconveniences I labor under and the ill state of health I am in, I believe I shall soon be obliged to pray the Honble Society, to remove me to any Parish to the Northward of Carolina.

I am Revd Sir yours & the Societys, most humble and obliged servt
W. ORR.