A Derelict Family Treasure

This issue of the Richmond Compiler, published in Richmond, Virginia, on July 20, 1818 and folded many times, is among the family documents that I inherited.  

On the bottom of the front page is an ad for a grain mill on the James River, "capable of manufacturing from 450 to 500 barrels of flour per week," as well as an ad offering a $5 reward for the return of a slave woman named Polly, who "had on when she went off a blue calico dress." You can see those ads here.

My great-great-great grandfather, John Jacob Werth, bought that mill. He was born in 1770 in the Rhine Valley of Germany, had a university education, spoke several languages fluently, and traveled throughout Europe, "making valuable acquaintances," according to an old family letter,  prior to coming to New York City, where he had many Dutch friends, in about 1804. "His English wife was not pleased," said the letter, and persuaded him to move to Richmond, Virginia, where he opened the first broker's office in that city, dealing in foreign exchange.

Wanting to increase his business prospects, Werth bought -- or possibly rented, as stated in the family letter -- the Ampthill Mill advertised in this newspaper, and "manufactured flour for export, for there was great promise of profit owing to the Napoleonic War, but his revenues were cut short by a disastrous drought." 

Worse was yet to come: "On a visit to New York to consult with his friends and to make financial arrangements to start afresh, he fell a victim to Asiatic Cholera, then raging in New York, and was buried, but with no identification of his grave being made." 

John Jacob Werth died 1820 at age 50, and his wife, Elizabeth Sparkle Werth, died in 1823 at age 44. They were preceded in death by their son Henry (1809-1818); their three surviving children all reached adulthood, married, and had children.

(Many thanks to SarumStroller, who began the Derelict Thursday challenge and hosted it for months, and to Freespiral and Himself for capably covering for him recently. Freespiral is hosting this DT before a summer break begins.)