Mr. Ashton Letter July 1855
Official Business
Portsmouth Virginia
Commodore C. Morris
Sir
I received notice this week from the commandant of this place, Commodore McKeever, that the powder from the Magazine on this side of the river will be removed to the Magazine at Fort Norfolk in a few days hence, and that notice will then be given me as Magazine Keeper to receive it at Fort Norfolk, at which place my daily attention will be required until arrangements are made at Fort Norfolk for the keeper more permanently, & as I shall be put to the necessity of crossing the River at the Hospital, & attending there, & changes in the weather may be such to prevent my crossing daily, & any present salary as keeper so in a regret to the support of myself & family, will you give me the necessary means of attending to my duties as far as I may be able to do so, I was with Commodore McKeever this morning who was willing to aid me as far as his authority will allow him, & refer me to your sympathy, I have never shrunk from my official duties when called on at any time, but at my present time of life, & from my former official duties performed to the government so faithfully, as I have reason to believe I have, I really think I shall have a very arduous duty to execute, & my indignant condition in life compels me to submit to the duties at this time.
Yours with high respect &c.
Jno N. Ashton
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 74 Records of the Bureau of Ordnance
Letters Recieved from Navy Yards and Stations, 1842 -1884.
Norfolk
Jan 1855 - Sept 1857
Box No. 91, Entry 19