To Thomas Jefferson from John Irvin, 17 May 1803
From John Irvin
Lancaster Fairfield County S. Ohio
17th. May 1803
Dear Sir
On perusing a Law of the last session of Congress, I observed that provisions were made for establishing a Land Office at the Town of Zaneville. should a Register not be appointed to that Office, I beg leave to offer myself as a candidate, and should it be concieved proper to confer that office on my self, it shall be my constant care, and greatest Pleasure, to discharge the duties appertaining to the same, with that Assiduity, and Punctuality, which the importance of the institution requires
Except, Sir, the high Esteem of Your Humble Servant
John Irvin
RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); endorsed by TJ as received 7 July and “to be Register at Zaneville” and so recorded in SJL.
John Irvin (d. 1828) was the son of Presbyterian minister William Irvin of Albemarle County, Virginia. He immigrated to the west like several of his brothers, two of whom became successful judges and politicians in Ohio and another in Wisconsin. John, however, returned to Albemarle, where he became a county magistrate (, 232–4; William Irvin to TJ, 2 July 1803).
law of the last session: on 3 Mch. 1803, as part of an act regarding land grants, Congress authorized the establishment of a land office at Zanesville, Ohio, and the appointment of a register and receiver for the same (, 2:236–7).