Panton, Leslie, and Company Papers, 1741-1800

"William Panton was a merchant and trader in Little Tallassee, near Pensacola, New Florida. He was a partner in the firm, Panton, Leslie, and Company. He was a close friend of Alexander McGillivray, chief of the Creeks in the latter part of the 18th century, who was also a Spanish agent to the Indians for he thought the Creeks were better off under the Spaniards than the English. McGillivray was also a partner in the Panton, Leslie Company which aided the Creeks and the Spanish against Georgian demands. Panton was hated by William Bowles because of this friendship. Panton had estates in Georgia and South Carolina and a house in Pensacola. While his friendship with Alexander McGillivray was especially noted, there are two letters written by Daniel McGillivray, one to William Panton and the other to Benjamin Hawkins.

When McGillivray died (April, 1793), Panton wrote to his father telling him that his son was to be buried in the gardens of the Panton home.

Included in this collection is a plan of a house for M. Jean Bienvenu of New Orleans (1741) with accompanying letter. Other items are letters and documents relating to the business of the trading firm, their losses from Indian raids, a list of debts due the company in 1799 by white traders, half-breeds, and Indian factors. There is a letter from London in 1800 about license for imports.