by James Bell of Staunton
A single page letter with loss affecting a small amount of the writing. From James Bell of Staunton to Robert M. Kyle of Harrisonburgh (sic) and dated June 22, 1843. The letter is with regard to shares in the Warm Springs and Harrisonburg Turnpike Company, of which Mr. Kyle was a director. The first sentence encourages Mr. Kyle to apply to Mr. Herring; John A. Herring was also a director. It references Mr. Gray, perhaps Algernon Sidney Gray, an attorney in Rockingham County, who represented that county in the Virginia Secession Convention. It also references A. H. H. Stuart, who was Alexander Hugh Holmes Stuart, prominent Staunton lawyer and political figure who also served as Rector of the University of Virginia. James Bell was probably one of the children of Joseph and Elizabeth Bell of Staunton. If so he was long the senior Justice of the Peace in Augusta County (see Waddell, Annals). Interesting letter referencing a number of prominent citizens of the Valley at mid-19th century. (Inventory #: 291436)
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