Eric,

I want to caution you about the assertion that Charles Wills was "probably
the biggest if not the only in Richmond prior to 1820."

There were numerous merchants in Richmond prior to 1820, including William
Galt, James Brown, William Brown, John McCredie, Charles Ellis, John Allan,
and numerous others (these are just ones that I am researching or have
researched).

This is not to diminish Capt. Wills' significance, but he needs to be put
into context with what was happening in Richmond at the time.

By the way, you can see a listing of mercantile firms who registered to do
business in a locality in any given year during that period by looking in
the microfilmed personal property tax records...merchants were usually
listed in the back of each tax district book.


-- 
W. Scott Smith, Principal
HistoryTech, LLC
Historic Preservation Consulting

Office: The Piedmont Center, 311 Rivermont Avenue
Mailing: P.O. Box 75, Lynchburg, VA 24505
Mobile 434-401-3995
www.historytech.com

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