John E Simpson Letter 23 August 1842
Norfolk August 23 / 42
Sir
I have just received your communication and hasten to comply with its request - as per the enclosed plot. I shall feel excused for not attending to it earlier, when you are informed that I have been outside of Norfolk on business and have just returned.
Yours Respectfully
John E Simpson
Col. DeRossy
per
S H Campbell
August 26th 1842 The above plot exhibits the lines run by me, with the view of ascertaining the correct line of the public land at Fort Norfolk. To prevent which two difficulties arise, to whit: 1st whether a be the first stone from the river at H, or the second from the river at O - If A be the end of the first, course the I Se, course the lines are clearly proved from the Deed to be as designated by ABCDEFGH. - If A be the end of the second course the lines are eventually shown in the figure AIRLMNO.
The second difficulty arises because the course of the line from C or I is not determined in the Deed, and which precludes the possibility of overcoming the first difficult. - was the course West, A would be the end of the 1 W. corner and the lines would be as per the first named figure otherwise the lines running west from I would be intercepted in its course by the wall of the Fort. - was the course designated by the deed to the east the lines would seem to be as per the last named figure, otherwise the line remaining east from C would take in more land then called for by the deed
Fort Norfolk Documents
1790, 1791, 1792, 1793, 1794, 1795, 1796, 1797, 1798, 1799,
1800, 1801, 1802, 1803, 1804, 1805, 1806, 1807, 1808, 1809,
1810, 1811, 1812, 1813, 1814, 1815, 1816, 1817, 1818, 1819
1820,
1840, 1841, 1842, 1843, 1844, 1845, 1846, 1847, 1848, 1849,
1850, 1851, 1852, 1853, 1854, 1855, 1856, 1857, 1858, 1859
1860, 1861, 1862, 1863, 1864, 1865, 1866, 1867, 1868, 1869
1870, 1871, 1872, 1873, 1874, 1875, 1876, 1877, 1878, 1879
1880,
Source of Information
National Archives, Record Group 77 (Office, Chief of Engineers)
Land Papers
Virginia (Craney Island, Mill Creek Bridge, Ferry Point, Ft. Norfolk, Yorktown Monument, Arlingtron Estate, Willoughby Spit);
Washington (General)
Box No. 61, NM-19, Entry 171