The Testimonies for John Ewer the Elder, Walter Ewer, and John Ewer the Younger - Page 7 - Transcript
Being asked in what manner the £5000 paid him for his 4th
Share of the Iron Works was disposed of—Says abt £4000—
of it was sunk in Debts to the Company—the other £1000
he received—He adds that having a very bad Manager their
Outgoings very much exceeded their Receipts, and he had not
wherewith to discharge the proportion of the Advances—
he therefore in a manner Petitioned the other Partners to
take his share of his Hands—
Mr Ewer—again—
Says Mr Lawson was in his Debt for the Expences of his
Education having been under his Care—when he returned
to America he offered the Compy his Share at such a Prize
as they thought it worth their while to purchase it.
They thought it a low valuation—
Robt Alexander Esqr Sworn.
Says he lived in Baltimore County where the
Nottingham Iron Works lay and was well acquainted
with them.
They consisted of Lands—a Furnace, Forge, Mills, Negroes
and other Articles usually upon Works of this Nature—The
Forge he believes to have been the most extensive in
America and the best.—
Says the Iron Works were in great Repute, but were
badly managed by Mr Lee the Agent who was a dissipated
Man. He understood that in 1775 the Management was
better as the Manager was changed.—
Says he thinks it probable there was the Quantity of
Land stated in the Schedule as well as the other Particulars
therein stated, but he cannot speak to the particulars
of his own knowledge—and upon the presumption
there were all those Particulars he thinks the Valn
is moderate—
There were two Farms one attached to the Forge, the
other to the Furnace— one of them very extensive—and
the Works were the best of their kind in America.
Says Lee during his Management had involved
the Company very considerably but he understood after
the Affairs were taken out of his Lands, the Incumbces
were paid off and the Concern well managed.—
[Transcribed by Elizabeth Lilly]
