Northampton North Carolina

Ap. 24th 1755.

My Lord

As long as there is a want of a Sufficient Number of Clergymen to Supply this Province; where the Harvest is great but the Labourers few; So long I must apply to yr. Lordship to Recommend Gentlemen qualifyd to be put into Holy Ordrs., or of proper Characters to obtain a License. I lately Recommended to yr. Lordship Mr Rutherford Bror. to our Receiver Genl. of this Province, and acquainted you with the new Law made here relative to the Church to which I beg leave to referr.

This is to Recomend to yr. Lordship Mr Samuel Laird who has resided four years in Virginia Tutor to a Gentlemans Children, who with his Parish Minister and many other Gentlemen have given me a good account of his Life and Conversation. He was Educated in Glascow College where he took his masters degree as appears by his diploma, and Carries to yr. Lordship a Letter from yr. Commissary in Virginia. He proposes Entring into Holy ordrs. and take out yr Lordships License for this Province and Expect will be Elected by the vestry of this County of Northampton which is vacant by the removal of Mr Moir.

As by this new Law I cant present but upon a Lapse, I can only take Care that none are Settled without your Lordships Lycense, but Since Clergymen are much wanted, I hope it will be no Objection to your licensing Such as your Lordships find Capable and properly Recommended, as they may be Sure of a proper Settlement; and when all the County Parishes are filled, assistant Curates will be necessary for the Chappels, until they are populous and Rich Enough to be erected into Separate Parishes.

I Beg yr. Lordships Blessing to my Endeavours here and am with due Respect

My Lord

yr. Lordships Most Obedient & most

Humble Servt.

Arthur Dobbs