Back to Joseph Orchard | American Loyalist Claim

This will certify the honorable Commissioners appointed by Parliament for Setling the claims of the American Loyalists, that Mr. Joseph Orchard was my very near neighbor, & was known to me from the first of his arrival in America & to the final & disgraceful Loss of it. That both before & after Commencement of the Rebellion his principles of Loyalty were uniform, & unequivocal, exerting him himself with the most forward & zealous, in support of the Constitution & Laws of his Country, by which he exposed himself to dangers & death. For during the late General Tryons residence on board the Duchess of Gordon he supplied him & many others with him, with intelligence & Communications, of such Importance as their safety made necessary, & [-] their Lives at the almost certain Risk of his own with provisions of every kind. Exposed in Several Boats on extended waters, in darkest & most terifying storms of the night and in the most inclement Seasons of the Year his apprehensions were not more excited by these, than the danger that arose from a discovery of his practices by which the rebels [-] their Vigilance & apprehended him in supplying (going, or returning) their Enemies with that Support they had made criminal for which he would have suffered death, but for private Friendship.

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I am
Hon'ble Gentleman,
Your most obliged,
& most humble Servant,
John Milner

Ightham near Seven Oakes, Kent
11th May 1789