Seeing today's note from Caldwell on the Randolph board about Wellborns, Yorks, and others, I'm reminded of some petitions in my file that may be of interest to some, so here they come: (Harold Hopkins) Vol. X 1771-1775 - Colonial Records by Wm. L. Saunders Colonial Records [pages 25-27] [From MS records in Office of Secretary of State] Orange and Guilford Countys North Carolina August 25th 1771 To all persons whom this may Concern Know yet, that whereas Thomas Welborn has lived in the neighborhood of Sandy Creek near hand about fifteen years in the Countys and province aforesaid it tis requested of his friends and Acquaintance, A Letter of his Recommendation, which we the subscribers hereof, Do hereby Certify, the above sd. Thomas Welborn to be, A man of Justice and Honest Integrity in his Dealing and Conversation neither Known nor Suspected to be Guilty of Fraudulent Practices, But Contrary wise, Upright in his Generation, and A true Loyal Tenant to his Majesty, Excepting the Late Insurrection and Rebellion, as did arise in the Countys aforesaid & Given Under our hands the Day and Year first above written. Semore York Joseph Hinds John Alread Jeremiah York John Hinds Denis Hobkins John Duncan Frane Jenkins Saml Walker Tidence Lane Wm. Welborn Junior Jacob Hinshaw James Billingslee Levi McCullom William Hinche John Lance John McGee J\O Simbel Stearnes ----- North Carolina--- To his Excellency Josiah Martain Esqur his majestys Capt Generall & Govrnour in Chief in and over the said Province The Petition of the Inhabitants of Guilford and Orange Countys Humbly Showeth that Whereas the Leat Insurrections and Rebellions that did Prevaill in this Provance to Such a degree that it did desturb the Pease & tranquility of Provance & also to the Gret Prejdues of many Indeviduals & to the Publick in Generall Whereas By this means of Leading and designing Persons in this unhappy Confederasy intending appearatly to Subvert Govrement many honest & Well minded men Were drawn in and over Presweaded to Joyn in this unnaturell Combination Whereof the Person that We Begg Leave to Petition your Excellency for is one to-Witt thomas Welborn Who now stands outlawed But no Reward advertised for taking him We your Excelencys Petitioners Being Well aquanted With the said Wellborns former Life & Conversasion it Being honest and agreeabel. Which Incorag us your Excellencys humbel petitioners To Erenestly plead & Begg that your Excellency Would Grant to him amost grasies Parden as we have no merit to Plead yet moved With pitey When We See a pooer morning Wife With a Learg family of Small Childeren and very Littel to Suport them & Soon Will be Exposed to the outmost Extremity & Now as your Escelency is now.... [line unreadable]..... charity & marcy Extended as to Restor this said Wellborn to his former Libarty and Intitel him to his majestys Protection & we your Humbel Petitioners as in duty Bound Shall Ever Pray John Butler Semore York John Wood John McGee John Marsh Denis Hobkins James Barre Jeremiah York James Maxwell David Barnhill Tidence Lane Alexander Russel Thomas Willson James Billingslee Nathaniel Lyon Frank Jenkins Phillip Sitton Samuel Allen Simbal Stearns John Lance