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1835 letter of introduction written by Anthony Morris at Bolton Farm, Bucks County, Pennsylvania to George Washington Lafayette in Paris, France. The letter of introduction was for Edward Grubb of Pennsylvania who presented the note to Lafayette. Letter is addressed to "George Washington Lafayette, Paris - honor'd by Mr. Edw'd Grubb" and reads, George Washington Lafayette Member of the Chamber of Representatives &c &c My dear Sir The highly valued privilege of a correspondence as well as a personal friendship with your honor'd Father, and the pure source of enjoyment which a visit to La Grange afforded me, make my wish irresistible, that my young friend Mr. Edward Grubb of Pennsylvania, (who will have the honor of presenting this note) may enjoy all the pleasures in his visit to France which flow as nearly as possible from the same source - Should your numerous high duties and engagements suggest, what my own feelings dictate, that some apology is necessary for my claim to privileges which were personal with your honor'd Parent. I can only present as my excuse the anxiety I feel for the gratification of my young friend, to which his virtues, his distinguished family connections, and his great estimation in Society here particularly entitle him. I have the honor to be, Dear Sir with every respectful Sentiment your most ob Serv Anthony Morris Bolton Farm, Bucks County, Penna May 19th 1835 Included with the letter is a later cover from the Grubb estate at Woodside, Burlington, New Jersey which incorrectly describes the letter recipient being the Marquis de Lafayette, rather than his son, George Washington Lafayette. Anthony Morris (1766-1860) was a prominent Philadelphia Quaker. He was the son of Captain Samuel Morris (1734-1812), a Revolutionary war veteran and member of the Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly and Rebecca Wistar Morris. Anthony Morris was a State Senator and in 1793 was Speaker of the House. He was also a lawyer and merchant and close friends with Dolley Madison. President James Madison made Morris his secret enjoy to Spain to negotiate the purchase of Florida. Bearing special orders signed by Secretary of State James Monroe, Anthony Morris set sail for Spain on July 31, 1813 during the War of 1812. He inherited Bolton Farm and lived there. At his death, when 95 years old, he was buried with his wife at Bolton Farm. Georges Washington de Lafayette (1779–1849) was the only son of Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette and Adrienne de Noailles. He was named in honor of George Washington, reflecting the close friendship between his father and the American leader. Born in Paris, Georges Washington de Lafayette grew up during the turbulent years of the French Revolution. During the Reign of Terror, his mother and other family members were imprisoned, and he was sent to the United States for safety. There, he lived for several years under the care of George Washington at Mount Vernon, forming a personal connection with his namesake. After returning to France as a young man, he pursued a military career, serving in Napoleon’s army and later in the French military during the Bourbon Restoration. Although not as famous as his father, he remained active in public and military life and was known for his loyalty to liberal ideals. Georges Washington de Lafayette spent much of his later life managing family estates and preserving his father’s legacy. He died in 1849, remembered as a symbolic link between the American and French revolutions. Edward Burd Grubb, Sr. (1810-1867) was a prominent fourth-generation member of Pennsylvania's Grubb Family Iron Dynasty, the son of ironmaster Henry Bates Grubb of Mount Hope, near Lancaster. Edward was descended from other Revolutionary stock, as his grandmother (Col. Peter Grubb's wife) was Mary Shippen Burd, daughter of Col. James Burd, one of the officers on Gen. Washington's staff. Edward was educated at York, PA, and with his father dying when he was twelve years old, he was called on, when he came of age, to take the management of a large industrial estate, which he did with great energy and ability, in partnership with his younger brother Clement. In 1830 he visited Europe and spent some time in the iron districts of England to learn new technologies. Returning to this country the brothers introduced and were the first to successfully use the heating of blast for iron furnaces. The brothers built the Manada and Codorus Furnaces and improved the other properties that had been owned by their father, to become the largest iron manufacturers in Pennsylvania in the mid-1800s. I've attached images of the 3 gentlemen (for reference only).
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