Stobo from 1754 to 1760

One of the demands in the Articles of Capitulation for Washington to sign when he surrendered at Fort Necessity on a rainy night of 3 July 1754 was to give up two officers to the French to hold as hostage.

One of them was Van Braam. Jacob Van Braam. His story is discussed in this link. He's the one who didn't catch the word "Assassin", where the document accussed Washington of assassination.

The other person Washington gave up to the French was Stobo. Robert Stobo. His wild story of escape and trying to help Wolfe with information on Quebec is discussed in these 2 links.

This difference between these 2 men at Quebec, is that Van Braam did not try to escape, but Stobo did, and has a wild story to tell on those failed attempts and then his final successful attempt.

Fast forward from 1754 to 1760.

Below the House of Burgess Journals considers rewarding Stobo's service and sacrifice.

The lower House of Burgesses approved giving Stobo £1000 on Thurs 21 Nov 1759.

The Upper House, the Executive Council, and Governor approve this on Fri 7 March 1760.

An illustration made by an artist with no proof this is a true likeness. Touch or click to see source at National Park Service. which has a interesting story on Stobo.

#138 (p. 112)

31 March 1759

...Upon a Motion made, Ordered, That the Speaker do transmit to Colonel Peter Schuyler, of the Jerseys, the Thanks of this House, for his unparalleled Tenderness and Humanity to Captain Robert Stobo; and several other Inhabitants of this Colony, who have been, and still are unfortunate Prisoners in Canada ; and that the Treasurer of this Colony do, by the first convenient Opportunity, remit to him the full Amount of his Account, now laid before this House, with Interest from the Time the Money was advanced....

#176 (p. 150 )

Monday 19 Nov 1759

...Mr Speaker, The Governor has commanded me to lay before this House a Letter his Honor has just received from his Excellency General Amherst, in Favor of Capt. Stobo;, by whom it was sent, which, with that Gentleman's singular Sufferings, he recommends to the immediate Conslderation of this House.

The House immediately proceeded to the Conslderation of the said Letter, and the same being read. Upon a Motion made, it was Resolved, That the Sum of £1000 be paid by the Treasurer of this Colony to Captain Robert Stobo;, over and above the Pay that is due to him from the Time of his rendering himfelf A Hostage to this Day, as a Reward for his Zeal to his Country and a Recompense for the great Hardships he has suffered during his Confinement in the Enemy's Country.

Ordered, That the faid Resolve be engrossed ; and that Mr Bland do carry it up to the Council for their Concurrence.

Upon a Motion made, Resolved, That an humble Address be made to his Honor the Governor, to desire that he will be pleased to take Capt. Stobo; into his special Care and Favor, and promote him in the Service of this Colony ; and that Mr Richard Henry Lee do wait on his Honor with the said Address.

Upon a Motion made, Resolved, That the Thanks of this House be given to Mr Robert Stobo; for his steady and inviolable Attachment to the Interest of this Country ; for his singular bravery and Courage exerted on all Occasions during this present War, and for the Magnanimity with which he has supportcd himself during his Confinement in Canada: And that he be congratulated in the Name of this House on his safe and happy Return to this Colony : And that Mr Nicholas, W Bland, and Mr Wafhington, do wait on him for that Purposc....

#177 (p. 151)

Continuation of Monday 19 Nov 1759

... Also to the Resolve for allowing Captain Robert Stobo; the Sum of £1000, for the Services therein mentioned.

#178 (p. 152)

Wednesday 20 Nov 1759

Letter of Thanks from Stobo

...Mr Nicholas reported, That the Committee appointed had, according to Order, waited on Capt. Stobo; with the Resolution of this House, to return him their Thanks for his late Services to this Colony, to which he [Stobo] had returned the following Answer :

Mr Speaker, and Gentlemen of the House of Burgesses, The distinguishing Tokens of Favor and Benevolence which you have vouchsafed voluntarily to confer on me, and that unanimoufly and immediately upon my happy Return to this Country, have adminiftered to my Heart the greateft Confolation it was fufceptible of, gratified every Wifh it was capable of entertaining, and imprinted upon it the moft indelible Senfe of Gratitude it could poffibly be affeded with. To be informed by the Voice of the Publick, that I have difcharged my Duty to their Satiffadion, and merited their Thanks for my Cofidud, is the higheft Glory my Ambition could afpire at, and will determine me, upon any future Occafion, to exert my f elf with all the Vigor and Alacrity which the united Ardor of Gratitude and Duty can infpire.

ROBERT STOBO;.

page 178 continued

Thursday 21 Nov 1759

And then the House adjourned till To-morrow Morning Eleven "'Clock. >il?e6ne56ttY. l^e 2Ut of !5tovember. 33 <5eo. IL 1759. MR. Read reported, That the Committee appointed had, accordmg to Order, examined the inrolled Bills and redlified fuch Miftakes as were found therein, and that they were truly inrolled....

1. A Resolve for paying the Sum of £1000 to Capt. Robert Stobo;, for the Services therein mentioned 2. A Refolve for paying Alexander Finnic the Sum of £100, for the Services therein mentioned. 3- A ♦Hening VII, 331 fT. 26...

#188 (p. 162)

Friday 7 March 1760

...Accordingly M'' Speaker, with the House, went up [to the upper house, the Executive Council and Governor]; and being returned, reported, That he, with the House, had attended the Governor in the Council Chamber, and presented the Address of this House to him, to which he was pleased to return the following Answer:

Mr Speaker, and Gentlemen of the House of Burgesses, The just Sense you entertain of his Majesty's great Wisdom and Goodness; the Steadiness with which you have persevered to support his Rights and protect this Colony; the Alacrity with which you have undertaken, and the Progress you have already made in, the Measures recommended to you, together with the Affection and Regard shewn to me in this Address, demand a Return of my most sincere Thanks, which I give you with the greateft Cordiality,*

Mr Speaker informed the House, that the Governor had delivered to him feveral Letters from Sir John St. Clair, Colonel Byrd, Major Stobo;, and Mr Van Braam, which he had defired him to lay before the House. And the faid Letters were read, and ordered to lye on the Table.

A Memorial of the Officers of the Virginia Regiment was prefented to the House and read, setting forth..

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Compiled by Jim Moyer 3/21/2024, 3/22/2024

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