William Paca letter

Collection

Identifier: MS-0039

Staff Only

William Paca letter

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Scope and Content Note

This collection contains a letter from Governor William Paca to General Joseph Reed dated September 12, 1783. Paca has concerns about the Episcopal Church now that the United States is separated from England. Since there were no dioceses or bishops in any of the colonies all decision had to come from England which took a long time and the journey was still treacherous. In 1782 William White had begun making a case for the establishment of governing body for the Episcopal Church in the United States. This letter expresses William Paca’s views and concerns on the mater. A transcript of the letter is included.

Dates

Creation: 1783 September 12

Access restrictions

Collection is open for research.

Publication rights

Copyright has not been assigned to Washington College. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Archives and Special Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of Washington College as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the researcher.

Biographical Information Note

William Paca (1740-1799) was born October 31 in Abingdon, Maryland to John Paca and Elizabeth Smith Paca. He graduated from the College of Philadelphia, now the University of Pennsylvania, in 1759 and received his Master’s from the same institution in 1762. In 1761 he attended the Inner Temple in London England where he read law with Stephen Bordley, he was admitted to the bar that year. Paca began his law practice in Annapolis, MD in 1763. That same year he married Mary Chew, together they had three children but only their son, John Philemon, survived into adulthood. William also entered into politics serving in the lower house of the Maryland Proprietary Assembly from 1767-1774 and the Maryland Senate from 1776-1780. He served as a delegate for Maryland in both Continental Congresses and signed the Declaration of Independence. William Paca served as Governor of Maryland from 1782-1785. Paca was a wealthy individual and also a slave owner. Along with George Washington, William Paca was fundamental in raising money for Washington College, he served on the Board of Visitors and Governors, and was present at the laying of the cornerstone. William died October 13, 1799 at Wye Plantation in Queen Anne’s County, MD. He is also buried there.

Extent

.05 Cubic Feet (1 folder)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Physical and Technical Access Restrictions

None.

Custodial history

Letter was in the possession of descendants of Joseph Reed and then gifted to William S. Paca in 1925. At an unkown date the letter was conserved with Japanese paper.