Letter from Sarah Test to her Brother
Setting Forth Conditons
for the Operation of a Tavern
Banks of Schuylkill December 10, 1798Dear Brother. Having this day received from his Excellency Thomas Mifflin, Esquire, Governor of this State, a license for opening a House of Public Entertainment under the sign and name of the City of Hamburg, In the house which I have on a Lease of Mr. Henry Andrew Heins. And Whereas I prefer for the present time to live in the city and therefore cannot live with you continually, I do hereby hand unto you the key of the House and charge you by these presents with the whole management of the House and the conducting of said Tavern in my name in fact with all and everything what concerns me during my absences.
As it afords me a particular pleasure and as it is in my Power to establish you, I do it herewith by promising you one fourth part of the neat profits made in said house by Tavern Keeping. Subject nevertheless to the conditions and restrictions under which I hold the same of Mr. Henry Andrews Heins in the lease and agreement expressed which will be one half of my half concern in the said House on Lease and which is to be settled at the Expiration of every Twelve Months from and after the date hereof. This I intend to continue with you from year to year untill the expiration of the lease and the promise shall be binding upon my heirs, Executors, Administrators and assigns.
Nevertheless under express condition that if any complaint [against my expectation] should be brought forward by whomsoever against you and if such complaint be found just that I then possitively will withdrew my promise to Share my concern with you and shall such my promise be considered as null and void.
You are further to take notice that you are hereby Authorized to buy and sell and to transact all the necessary business for me under this express and revocable condition that you do nothing without consulting our sister Bekey or our Brother-in-Law Henry Andrew Heins. In what they concur I approve of but of nothing else. You are also to give a Strict Account to Mr. Charles Ch. Ludwig my present Book Keeper or whomsoever I may afterwards appoint in his place so that the books can be kept in proper order.
You will take the necessary steps to open the house as soon as ever it can be done and although it is my wishes to see none but decent people yet you will have to treat everyone politely and if cases should happen that Require advice or assistance you have to call on your sister or Brother Heins and whatsoever they say you must conform to. Do Justice to everyone but see also that everyone do Justice to you. This Letter shall be your Warrant and as it may not be improper to have it Recorded I wish it may be done. I am you affectionate Sister. Witness at signing Charles Ch. Ludwig, Fr. Gallren. Signed Sarah Test.
Source: Philadelphia Historical Manuscript Commission. Phila. Deed Book D74, pp. 18-19.
Notes This Letter is from Sarah Test, to her brother, and mentions a sister who is now married. The letter has historical significance due to its early date, but I have not been able to connect them to a Test family line. Sounds strange, doesn't it? -- three Tests living in Philadelphia who do not connect. -- GAT
Transcribed by Glenn A. Test 7/31/1999