Disputing the satisfactory completion of a contract to supply timber carried on Ross's ship, Adamson master.

Date: 19 March 1772

Reference: Easson-Hoyt Nova Scotia Archives MG 1 vol. 2166 H/27

Transcript available

Criticizing his brother David's handling of the timber business; news regarding financial affairs of his own and others in London; and more discussion of the silver chocolate pot.

Date: 13 July 1772

Reference: Easson-Hoyt Nova Scotia Archives MG 1 vol. 2166 H/28

Transcript available

For £18 received from John Esome [Easson] for Henry Bass.

Date: 14 October 1772

Reference: Easson family Nova Scotia Archives MG 1 vol. 3478 B/44

Transcript available

Saunders, apparently a military friend, writes, "it would be the greatest cruelty to think of ordering you to this place. I have Mr. Pringle Wilson to be here to mark out a Battery. You may depend I shall speak to him about you." At the end, "I have sent you a quintal of our Best fish to the care of my Mother at Boston to find you the first opportunity."

Date: 11 September 1773

Reference: Easson family Nova Scotia Archives MG 1 vol. 3478 A/87

Transcript available

Asking Easson to help his brother find a good farm for £100 and wondering if "Mr. Butler at Halifax would be a safe place to lodge the money."

Date: 21 September 1773

Reference: Easson family Nova Scotia Archives MG 1 vol. 3478 A/88

Transcript available

Saunders arrived on 2 May after only 18 days and a fine passage. Letter sent to "John Easson at Boston" by way of the David, going to New York for a cargo of bread flour. Saunders suggests Easson get a doctor's certificate that he is not well and send it to Mr. Grossard, so Easson can get his leave.

Date: June 1774

Reference: Easson family Nova Scotia Archives MG 1 vol. 3478 A/90

Transcript available

Regarding the purchase of a horse.

Date: 23 July 1775

Reference: Easson family Nova Scotia Archives MG 1 vol. 3478 A/96

Transcript available

Letter signed by Gage, Captain-General and Governor-in-Chief over His Majesty's Province of Massachusetts Bay, and Vice Admiral of the same, authorizing the sloop Jenny, George Mitchell, master, to take on barrels, rum, and sugar for Annapolis Royal and St. Mary's Bay, and to return with stock and fuel for the use of the garrison at Boston.

Date: 27 September 1775

Reference: Easson family Nova Scotia Archives MG 1 vol. 3478 A/97

Transcript available

Further instructions regarding shipping of furs. On reverse is list of various quantities of grains, likely written by Easson and produced at the grist mill.

Date: 2 July 1776

Reference: Easson family Nova Scotia Archives MG 1 vol. 3478 A/99

Transcript available

"Let the bearer, David Easson, pass Fort Sackville with dispatches to General Massey"; signed by John Collet, Captain Commanding the Garrison, Fort Edward [Windsor]. Also "Let Mr. Easson pass 30 November 1776," signed by Richard Bulkeley. Fort Sackville was located at the head of Bedford Basin, on the road between Windsor and Halifax.

Date: 26 November 1776

Reference: Easson family Nova Scotia Archives MG 1 vol. 3478 B/58

Transcript available

Letter from MacDonald, Captain in the Royal Navy and commanding officer at Annapolis Royal, ordering Easson to take a party of soldiers and proceed to Cape Breton or where necessary, looking for deserters and "a rebel spy who has decoyed away two soldiers.".

Date: 27 October 1778

Reference: Easson family Nova Scotia Archives MG 1 vol. 3478 A/111

Transcript available

Instructing Easson in distribution of provisions "for the use of the Indians, not exceeding three hundred rations," between 1 December 1778 and 15 April 1779. Francklin was acting under orders from Brigadier General McLean: "I am to request the utmost frugality be observed in the Disposal of these Provisions…The Aged, the Infirm, the Widow, the Orphan are particular objects and an attention paid to them will naturally Strike the generality of Indians, with Reverance and affection for the British government…." A register was to be kept listing those receiving rations.

Date: 4 December 1778

Reference: Easson family Nova Scotia Archives MG 1 vol. 3478 A/112

Transcript available

Long and detailed letter instructing Easson to proceed to Tatamagouche, and once there, have Mark Delesdernier send for "Louis Bask [Basque], a Micmack Indian and such other Indians that complain of Ill Treatment by the Master of the Vessell Froze Up at Margomishe [Merigomish]." Easson then to take them to Pictou, and with assistance from "Mr. Patterson," investigate the status of the vessel (thought to be a prize taken "by the rebels") and the alleged mistreatment of the Mi'kmaq. Francklin concluded: "I have had advice that John Allen has twice this winter sent dispaches from Machias by Micmack couriers to Mirimichy and the sea coast of the Gulph. Enquire of the Indians at Tatamagushe if they know anythink of it and Endeavour to get the Originals or Copys of the papers if possible."

Date: 25 March 1779

Reference: Easson family Nova Scotia Archives MG 1 vol. 3478 A/113

Transcript available

As executor of will of John Parsons he is collecting payment money owed the estate of £25 sterling.

Date: 6 July 1779

Reference: Easson family Nova Scotia Archives MG 1 vol. 3478 B/37

Transcript available

David Easson, millwright, to supply Francklin with up to 20,000 board feet of hemlock, pine and spruce boards and planks, delivered to the King's Wharf at Annapolis Royal by 30 June 1781. Witnessed by James Kavanagh.

Date: 27 November 1780

Reference: Easson family Nova Scotia Archives MG 1 vol. 3478 A/119

Transcript available