I just ran across a fascinating reference about a Dr. A Caperton dated Feb. 8, 1812.
It seems to reference Adam Caperton - C 11, who is believed to be the first son of Hugh by either a first (unknown)wife or other union. Very little is known about him, it appears that he died early. It is known that he married a woman named Catherine Davis,and that is why this letter "attached"
is so interesting. The transcription below is the note attached to a longer document. It was sent by Dr. A. Caperton to the editor of a newspaper - Mr. Pleasants - called the Virginia Argus. The longer article references the great earthquakes - in particular the December 1811 earthquake along the New Madrid fault on following the Mississippi River.
Transcription:
From the Virginia Argus, March 2
_
Sweet Springs, 18th Feb 1812
Mr. Pleasants,
The following letter I received to day from Capt. John Davis, of this place (meaning Monroe County - Sweet Springs area) , and have sent you a rough draught, whichif you have had no previous account, please to publish it in your paper.
Respectfully
A. Caperton
- There are so many clues in this small article. The next document - the description of the earthquake - is addressed to Doctor A. Caperton. In 1812, the only A. Caperton that is know to be old enough to become a doctor would be Adam, son of New River Hugh, born in 1885. Hugh's brother Adam, was already dead and the only other living A. Caperton was Hugh Elmwood's son, Allen - who would have been 2 years old at the time.
- Possibly someone reading this can help me answer a few questions.
What would have been the most likely school to offer a medical degree in relation to the Augusta/Monroe County area?
Could this Captain John Davis somehow be related to Adam's wife Catherine Davis? It seems to be a formal address (writing to Dr. Caperton) if he was an in-law.
I welcome any responses or ideas - my email is la.stone@md.metrocast.net!
