An Interesting and Uncommon Piece of Personal and Financial History Signed by William Paca in the Midst of the Revolutionary War
An unusual document for involving two Signers of the Declaration of Independence.
The British captured Philadelphia in 1777, and occupied the city that winter, while Washington and the Continental Army were encamped at Valley Forge. In February 1778, the Americans achieved an alliance with the French, the long time deadly foe of the British. This placed the large and experienced French Navy at the...
The British captured Philadelphia in 1777, and occupied the city that winter, while Washington and the Continental Army were encamped at Valley Forge. In February 1778, the Americans achieved an alliance with the French, the long time deadly foe of the British. This placed the large and experienced French Navy at the disposal of the American cause, and changed the British viewpoint about its strategy. When word reached the British in America of the pact in the spring, the British became concerned about a blockade against their essential position in New York. And for fear the French Navy might trap them from behind in Delaware Bay, the British began to see their continued occupation of Philadelphia as untenable.
William Paca was educated in Philadelphia, graduating from the University of Pennsylvania in 1759 with a Bachelor of Arts degree, and then settled in Annapolis. In 1763 he purchased two lots in Annapolis and soon began building the five-part mansion and extensive pleasure garden that survive today. Paca was a leader of the patriot cause in Maryland from the initial opposition to the Stamp Act in 1764 through his service in the Congress. He voted for adoption of the Declaration of Independence in July 1776 and was one of Maryland's four signers on August 2nd. In early 1777 he moved with his second wife, Ann, to Wye Island, the estate left to William by his first wife. Ann was apparently unhappy with her new life at Wye Island, which was isolated and dull compared to the festive social seasons in Philadelphia. She found herself alone much of the time, since William frequently traveled to York, Pennsylvania as a member of Congress. Her friends wrote to her begging her to visit and regaling her with the latest news of the best parties being given. Likely to accommodate his wife's desires, Paca decided to move back to Philadelphia in August 1777, but the couple was foiled by the British Army which cut off the route. However, by May 1778 it began to look like the British might leave the city, and the Pacas were ready to move back to Philadelphia. This they did that summer, and on October 28, 1778, their son Henry Paca was there. The Pacas remained in Philadelphia for the next two years, although William returned to Maryland to fulfill his duties as a state Senator, and a judge of the General Court.
It appears that Paca needed funds to make the move to Philadelphia, and borrowed the sum of 10,000 pounds "current money" to do so. The person from whom he borrowed the money was an attorney named James Wilson, almost certainly his fellow signer, friend and member of the Continental Congress. Document Signed, May 17, 1778, being the original bond executed by Paca to complete the transaction. In it, Paca states that he is "held and firmly bound unto James Wilson Attorney at Law," and pledged to repay 4,500 pounds in cash and then convey some real estate, with not meerly the buildings but with the "gardens and improvements" specifically mentioned.
This is an interesting and scarce piece of personal and financial history in the middle of the Revolutionary War, involving two signers of the Declaration of Independence.
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