18th century archival records re port of phila

7/28/2019 18th Century Archival Records Re Port of Phila

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J. Welles Henderson Archives and Library

18th Century archival records of thePort of Philadelphia

Prepared by Nicholas Woznyj, 2011.


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1. Account book of unidentified Philadelphia boatbuilder, 1738-1755a. Account book of an unidentified Philadelphia boatbuilder, listing costs of

materials and labor for building and repairing boats, 1738-1755.

2. Andrew (ship) manifest, 1792a.

Andrew was a 280-ton ship owned by James King, David and Henry Pratt,William Bell, George C. Shroeppel, Joesph Harper, and Isaac Snowden, ofPhiladelphia. Samual Makins was the ships master. In April of 1793

Andrew was seized by a French privateer. She was released later than

month, and a claim for the cargo was settled with the French in 1803.b. Manifest of ship Andrew of Philadelphia from port of Cape Francois,

commanded by Samuel Makins, listing cargo of molasses, cocoa and

cotton. Signed by Sharp Delany, collector of district of Pennsylvania.

3. Andrew Clow & Co. receipts, 1789-1794a. Andrew Clow and David Cay were the principal partners of Andrew Clow

& Co., an importing/exporting firm based in Philadelphia. The firm ownedseveral ships which traded goods in England, France, Spain, the Bahamas,

and ports in the Eastern United States. While the main business of the firm

was in trading textile goods, it also shipped other goods, including sugar

and grain.b. Receipts, 1789-1794, for services and duties related to import/export trade.

4. Ann (sloop) account, 1763a. Account of expenses for the sloop Ann, Captain Thompson, debtor,

including charges for food, spirits, wharfage and pilotage fees, carpentry

and blacksmith work, etc., dated Philadelphia, Sept. 22, 1763.

5. Barry-Hayes papers, 1723-1875a. The BarryHayes Papers are the business, political and personal papers

of John Barry, Captain of the United States Navy, and of his family,especially his nephew Patrick Hayes and grand-nephew, Patrick Barry

Hayes. The collection includes correspondence, letterbooks, diaries,

logbooks, legal and financial papers related to Barrys careerin the Navy,the business ventures of the Hayes, Keen and Somers families, and their

personal lives.

6. Benners Family papers, 1791-1866a. This is a collection of papers of Jacob and James Benners. Materials

include: a master's logbook for the ship Dispatch (from Philadelphia to

Canton) (1804-1806); a logbook for the ship Dispatch (from Philadelphia

to Amsterdam) (1806- 1807); a logbook for the Susquehanna (fromPhiladelphia to Liverpool) (1810-1811); a personal logbook of Jacob

Benners aboard the ship Susquehanna (Philadelphia to Canton) (1809-

1810) and the ship Margaret (1815) (from New York to St. Petersburg,Russia); a reminiscence and journal of a voyage as supercargo aboard the


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ship London Trader, 1807-1812; journals of voyages on the brig Saunders,

the ship Rebecca Sims, the ship Mary, the ship Phillip; and an 1830

synopsis of voyages and thoughts on cargoes. Other materials in thecollection include: an account book for the schooner Young Mechanick,

1824, with personal accounts of John G. Bagge; a bill of lading for the

ship Dispatch, 1799; letters to Margaret Benners (his wife) from JacobBenners, one in fragments, (1791 and undated); a letter to Jacob Bennersfrom William Barber, 1811; and a treasurer's book kept by James Benners

for the Association of the Soldiers and Defenders of the War of 1812

(1858-1866), 12 pages.

7. Canton (ship) records, 1791a. Ship Canton, Thomas Truxton, master.b. Documents related to a shipment of textiles from Calcutta on the ship

Canton, 1791, including a manifest and a certificate for duties on goods

for one consignee, Jared Ingersoll.

8. Charming Betsy (brigantine) oath of ownership, 1750a. 1750 oath by William Morrell that the brigantine Charming Betsey, taken

from the French in 1744, is now his sole property.

9. Charming Molly (ship) logbook, 1772a. Journal kept by William Manson, passenger aboard the Charming Molly

bound from London to Philadelphia, July to September, 1772. Mansonrecords observations of longitude, latitude, course, distance, winds and

weather.

10.Business papers on the China trade, 1790sa. Seven leaves of manuscript instructions and notes concerning the purchase

of tea, nankeens and silks; a list of Hong merchants and recommendations

regarding their credit; descriptions of currency, weights, and types of teas.This is part of larger manuscript, not extant. The author of the documents

is unidentified.

11.Thomas Clifford business papers, 1772-1807a. Thomas Clifford and Sons was a firm of Philadelphia merchants.b. Two business letters: one letter is addressed to Thomas Clifford & Sons

from Bewickes, Timerman & Romero in Cadiz; the other letter isaddressed to Thomas Clifford from Fermin de Tastet & Co. in London.

Letters discuss the shipment of goods.

12.Thomas Coattam logbook, 1731-1732a. Logbook kept by Thomas Coattam on voyages of the Trial from Lisbon to

Philadelphia, the Bristoll Hope from Cape Henlopen to Barbados, and the

Wats from Cape Henlopen to Gibraltar, recording courses, wind, weatherand latitude observed. The first 31 pages of the volume list the aphorisms


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of Hippocrates in a different, earlier (possibly late 17th century)

handwriting.

13.Deeds, various peoples and firms all relating to land on Delaware River orislands in river, 1706-1799

14.Dutilh & Wachsmuth records, 1783-1809a. Etienne Dutilh, a French merchant, emigrated to Philadelphia in 1783 and

established several commercial firms including E. Dutilh & Company,

1783-1789; Dutilh & Wachsmuth, with John Godfried Wachsmuth, 1790-1797; and Dutilh, Soullier & Company, with John Soullier, 1793-circa

1797. These firms were largely engaged in the West Indies and northern

European trade, with sugar, coffee, cocoa, and logwood being the major

commodities mentioned. Dutilh died in 1810, Wachsmuth died around1826.

b. The collection consists of two series: the business papers of EtienneDutilh, and papers of the firm Dutilh & Wachsmuth, 1783-1809. Dutilh'spapers include financial and legal papers regarding the brig Hetty, an

address book (written in French and alphabetized by city) entitled "Livre

de la Correspondence Generale," and account books for the years 1783-

1788 (in French), 1792-1795, and 1795-1809. The papers of Dutilh &Wachsmuth, merchants in Philadelphia, consist of correspondence, bills of

lading, invoices, orders, and account statements. These papers also

includes a blank power-of-attorney, a map (circa 1764) entitled "A NewMap or Chart in Mercators Projection of the Western or Atlantic Ocean

with part of Europe Africa and America," a promissory note, and a check

on the Bank of the United States.

15.Fair American (brig) records, 1790-1793a. Documents relating to the sale of the brig Fair American and its cargo,

including accounts, an inventory of items on the ship, freight bills, receiptsfor supplies, labor, pilotage, and wharfage. The sale was held on behalf of

the estate of Andrew Clow & Co.

16.Ann Fitzgerald indenture, 1773a. Indenture, 1773 January 28, Co. Cork, Ireland., Indenture of Anne

Fitzgerald of Youghal, Co. Cork, to Capt. Noel Todd, master of the ship

Loving Union, for a term of four years upon arrival in Philadelphia, datedJanuary 28, 1773. Indenture to be void if payment for passage is made

within 15 days of arrival. Docket on verso indicates Todd discharged

Fitzgerald from service May 13, 1773. Includes illustration captioned

Cork Arms.

17.Friendship (sloop) invoice book, 1784a. The sloop Friendhip sailed out of Philadelphia. William Connell was

Friendship's Master in 1784.


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b. This is an invoice book of the sloop Friendship, probably kept by JosephWalker, listing values for items such as china, glassware, enamelware,

foods and liquors, fabrics, tobacco, etc., shipped from Philadelphia toSavannah, Georgia, by James Belcher, Mordecai Shuftail, Richard Leake,

Joseph Rush, Thomas Gibbons & Co., and others. Also includes several

draft copies of letters, and notes on Savannah and the surrounding country.

18.Benjamin Fuller business papers, 1788-1789a. Letters to Benjamin Fuller from Abraham Tuckniss related to shipments of

goods, including rum, sugar, coffee, cotton, beef, bread, yams, and fish,shipped from Cayenne (French Guiana) and Demarary (Guyana).

19.Aaron Fullerton seamens protection certificate and account book, 1797-1814a. This is a small collection of papers of Aaron Fullerton. Materials include a

seamen's protection certificate for Fullerton; and an account book, which

records days worked and wages paid for Fullerton's work as a carpenter on

various ships, including the schooner Matchless and the ship Asia. Theaccount book also records payments made to Cornelius [Trimbrul] for

construction of a house. Fullerton's certificate of citizenship, dated 1797,

is inserted in the volume.

20.General Greene (ship) and Industry (schooner) maritime documents, 1779a. General Greene was a State ship commissioned to overtake Tory privateer

vessels, patrolling the waters near Philadelphia. It launched in 1779.b. This collection consists of two documents related to the ship General

Green and the schooner Industry. The first item is a letter to Captain

Robert Caldwell, dated April 26, 1779, from the Philadelphia Council,

naming him captain of Marines on board the ship General Greene. Thesecond itsm is an October 18, 1787 court decision by Francis Hopkinson,

Esq., judge of the Court of Admiralty of the Commonwealth of

Pennsylvania, instructing John Gifford, the owner of the schooner Industryto sell the ship, including tackle apparel and furniture, at public sale to pay

the wages owed to the hired mariners who brought the suit to court. Hired

mariners were listed as John Milligan, James Young, Samuel Allen,William Hogdon, and William Shepherdlake.

21.Stephen Girard business papers, 1792-1800a. Stephen Girard (1750-1831) was a Philadelphia businessman, shipbuilder,

banker, and philanthropist. Girard was born in France, but after nine years

as a sailor, he found his way to America. By the beginning of the

Revolutionary War, he was established in Philadelphia. Philadelphias

shipbuilding industry was expanding and Girard, a former sea captain whounderstood sailing and ships, was placing orders for the construction of an

advanced fleet of ships. As a tribute to his homelands philosophers he

named his ships Rousseau, Voltaire, Montesquieu, and Helvetius. By


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1793 Girards business was international and he had become one of the

few millionaires in America.

b. Freight books and disbursements for the ship Good Friends, the brig Sally,the brig Liberty, the Voltaire, and other vessels, 1795-1800. Also included

are miscellaneous invoices, customs permit (1792-1794), and an 1800

letter to John Ashmead in Hamburg, relating to the ship Voltaire.

22.Captain John Green papers, 1781-1801a. Capt. John Green (1736-1796), was commissioned in the Pennsylvania

State Navy in October of 1776 and commanded the ship Nesbitt. He waslater commissioned into the Continental Navy and was captured by the

British and imprisoned in the Mill Prison near Plymouth, England in 1779.

The last naval engagement of the American Revolution took place in 1783

between Captains John Green of New York on the ship Duc De Lauzonand John Barry of Philadelphia on the Alliance and the British frigates

Alarm and Sybil. In 1784, Green was the captain of Empress of China, the

first American ship to sail to Canton, China for trade purposes.b. This is a collection of papers of John Green. Materials include: aletterbook of John Green, 1781-1783 and letters from 1782. Most of the

letters were written during Green's imprisonment at Mill Prison in

Plymouth, England. There are also several incoming letters; a log book ofthe Empress of China, 1784-1785 and ledger of the China voyage, 1784.

The log book notes daily position, weather, and shipboard activities from

the beginning of the voyage until the ship reached the lower end of theMalayan peninsula (last entry is January 12, 1785). The ledger records

sales and purchases of merchandise in Canton, listed by merchant. Other

items in the collection include: a copy of the manifest of the Empress of

China; certificates of permission to depart and of safe conduct for theEmpress of China, 1784; a patent granting John Green land in Luzerne

County, Pennsylvania; 1801 passport for John Green, signed by Rufus

King; a manuscript document of Proceedings and Court Decision of April1, 1799 in the matter of American ship, Pegou, Captain John Green,

Master, with a typescript of this document in French and an English

translation. The collection also has typed transcriptions of papers of JohnGreen, including the letterbook and letters from this collection and letters

and other documents held by the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, the

American Philosophical Society, and other repositories.

23.Hannibal (ship) manifest and report, 1793a. Hannibal was sailing from Canton to Philadelphia.

24.Robert Hardie account and waste book, 1758-1796a. Account and letterbook (1758-1761) and account book (1774-1800) of

Robert Hardie, recording expenses relating to shipping interests in

Philadelphia, Canada and the West Indies. The earlier volume alsoincludes letters to his wife, Elizabeth, written from the West Indies (1758)


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and Quebec (1761) regarding sales and insurance of cargoes. The latter

volume includes accounts with the Committee of Safety, Dr. Benjamin

Rush, the United States of America Loan Office, and Hardie's businesspartner, Margaret Duncan, owner of a half share of the ship "Patty and

Peggy."

25.Hetty (ship) document, 1773a. Hetty was owned by Joshua Fisher and Sons and Thomas Penrose. The

ship was traveling to Coruna in Spain and back to Philadelphia.

26.Humphreys Shipyard records, 1772-1840a. Records relating to the Humphreys shipyard on the Delaware River.

Collection is unprocessed and no inventory is given.

27.Isabella (ship) bills of health, 177(?)a. Bills of health for the ship Isabella. Collection is unprocessed and no

inventory is given.

28.John Lenthall collection, 1790-1874a. Collection of measured drawings and ship plans drawn and designed by

John Lenthall in Philadelphia.b. See finding aid online.

29.London (ship) logbook, 1793-1794a. Logbook of the British ship London, captained by James Ludovic Grant,

on a voyage from London to Bombay and back. The unidentified log

keeper records preparations for the voyage during the ship's fitting out in

Blackwall. During the voyage, he notes winds, weather, courses,observations of latitude, activities and punishments of crew, and unusual

occurrences. Volume also includes a list of passengers and "His

Majesty's Troops" traveling to Bombay. The volume was later (1825) usedas an account book by an unidentified person in Trenton, New Jersey.

30.Mary (sloop) bill of lading, 1715-1931a. 1715 bill of lading for 16 casks of flour shipped by Jonathan Dickenson

aboard the sloop Mary, Joseph Hammerton master. The collection also

includes a letter written by Ben Tilghman in 1931 referring to the bill of

lading.

31.Mason Family papers, 1791-1934a. Captain Thomas Mason Sr. (1737-1796) was a Revolutionary War

mariner. In 1766 he married Priscilla Sisom. They had several children,including John Mason (1768-1849) and Thomas Mason Jr. (1774-1810).

Mathias Keeley worked with Thomas Mason Sr., but the two had a falling

out regarding the ownership of the brig Diana. In 1799, after Mason Sr.'sdeath, Keeley filed suit against the Mason estate.


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b. This is a collection of the papers of Thomas Mason Sr., and of JohnMason and Thomas Mason Jr. Many of the papers relate to Mason Sr.'s

business transactions with Mathias Keeley, who was co-owner withMason of the brig Diana. Materials include invoices for good shipped on

Diana, correspondence between Mathias Keeley and James Barry (a

merchant in Tenerife), statements, and correspondence of John Masonwith James Barry and others familiar with the Keeley accounts. Otherpapers relate to the estate of Thomas Mason Sr., including accounts, tax

receipts, and an agreement for a sale of land. Other papers in the collection

include: a manuscript page of Mason family genealogy, possibly from thefamily bible; a letter about the death of Thomas Mason Jr. in 1810; notes

by Richard Bache on the trial Kingston v. Fisher, 1813; and legal opinion

from a suit about a property on Arch street, 1791. The collection also

contains proofs of Henry Pleasants Jr.'s Thomas Mason Adventurer, apublished copy of the book, and several other published volumes.

32.Samuel Massey business papers, 1755-1763a. Philadelphia merchant Samuel Massey (1734-1793) began his business

career in the store of Jonathan Mifflin in Philadelphia in 1751. From

approximately 1756 to 1760, Massey was in business with his father,

Wight Massey (1703-1761). In 1760, Samuel Massey formed apartnership with Benjamin Mifflin (1718-1787), also a Philadelphia

merchant. This firm operated under the name of Mifflin & Massey, and

dealt primarily in teas, coffee, sugar, and flour.b. This collection consists of account and waste books of the Philadelphia

merchant Samuel Massey. Mifflin and Massey waste book (1761-1763)

and Wight and Samuel Massey waste book (1759-1760), document daily

transactions in sugar, coffee, wine, tea, oranges, spirits, and othermerchandise. Two notebooks of accounts (1755-1756) of Samuel Massey

document transactions in corn, chocolate, limes, boards, rum, pork, and

other merchandise; one volume includes several copies of business letters.

33.Letters to Robert Gilmore and Alexander Donald from Robert Morris, 1786-1789

a. This collection consists of two letters written by Robert Morris. The firstletter is dated Sept. 3, 1786, Philadelphia, and addressed to Robert

Gilmore & Co., Baltimore. Morris writes about prices and sales of

tobacco, and the arrangements for chartering ships to transport it. Thesecond letter is dated April 9, 1789, New York and addressed to

Alexander Donald, Esq. Morris writes about the loss of the ship

Clementine and her cargo, and about other shipments of tobacco.

34.Nancy (brig) records, 1774a. Records of the brig Nancy. Collection is unprocessed and no inventory is

given.


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35.Newton & Gordon records, 1763-1775a. Collection of 43 letters received by merchants Newton and Gordon in

Madeira from their business associates in Philadelphia, regarding shipping

and sale of wines and other products. Includes several personal lettersfrom David Young to his uncle Thomas Gordon regarding loans of moneyand his inability to procure employment in Philadelphia.

36.Charles and Samuel Norris letterbook, 1739-1744a. Letterbook of Charles and Samuel Norris, Philadelphia dry goods

merchants. Letters are addressed to Lawrence Williams, Lewis Williams,

Samuel Carpenter, Samuel Storke, William Leybourne & Co., Thomas

Jackson & Co. and others.

37.Ogden & Cuthbert family papers, 1750-1906a.

Joseph Ogden (d. 1805) worked at various times as a merchant, a tavernkeeper, and a ferryman in Philadelphia. In the 1750s-1760s he had a shop

on Chestnut Street, between Strawberry Alley and Second Street, and

imported dry goods from Great Britain and the West Indies. From 1767-

1771 he managed the One Tun Tavern at Third and Chestnut Streets(account books for this time period are held at The Historical Society of

Pennsylvania). He later owned the Middle Ferry on the Schuylkill River.

His daughter Mary married Anthony Cuthbert, mast and spar maker.b. The Ogden and Cuthbert family papers consist largely of financial records

(receipt, invoice, and account books) of Joseph Ogden, his son George,

and his son-in-law Anthony Cuthbert. Also included in the collection are

account books of Anthonys father Thomas, brother Samuel, and sonsJoseph and Allen Cuthbert; letters, insurance policies, and property maps

pertaining to descendants of Anthony Cuthbert, a diary kept by Joseph

Cuthberts son, Henry C. Cuthbert, and several bills and receipts fromthe early 1900s.

38.Henry W. Peterson collection of Reed and Forde manuscripts, 1785-1801a. John Reed and Standish Forde were Philadelphia merchants. The firm

helped to open up trade between the United States and Spanish America,

specifically in New Orleans.

b. This is a small collection of manuscripts, dating from 1785 to 1801,apparently related to the mercantile firm Reed and Forde. Materials

include an index to an account book (only one page of which is present);

notes about accounts; and a list of balances due. The list of balances due

notes ships owned by Reed and Forde that were captured by the French(the brig Molly and the schooner Ulalia).


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39.Philadelphia Health Officers register of vessels, 1797-1801a. The Health Officer was an official of Philadelphia's Board of Health who

had responsibility for tracking ships arriving in the port from U.S. andforeign ports, examining the accounts of inspectors of incoming vessels,

enforcing quarantines, recording diseases of an infectious nature, and

reporting regularly to the Board of Health. The Health Officer workedwith other Board of Health officials, including the Port Physician, theLazaretto (or quarantine) Physician, and the Quarantine Master.

b. Philadelphia Health Office register of vessels, 1797-1801, kept by WilliamAllen, Health Officer of the Port of Philadelphia and William Nesbitt,Clerk of the Health Office. Information provided is date of arrival, name

of vessel, name of commander, name of port from which last sailed,

consignees, fees collected, and the number of passengers and seamen on

each vessel. Some entries also include the name of the pilot. Of note is arecord of the arrival on August 21, 1800 of schooner Prudence, a prize of

U.S. ship of war Ganges, which carried 16 black slaves.

40.Proclamation of Joseph Reed, 1779a. Proclamation for revoking embargo on outward bound vessels from

Philadephia.

41.Receipt book of unidentified Philadelphia merchant, 1765-1766a. Receipt book for business related to shipping, mainly on the brigantine

Harrietta.

42.Rebecca (ship) customs receipt, 1765a. Customs receipt of the ship Rebecca. Collection is unprocessed and no

inventory is given.

43.Manifest of Sampson (ship) from Canton, 1792a. Manifest of the ship Sampson from Canton, China. Collection is

unprocessed and no inventory is given.

44.Benjamin Shoemaker receipts, 1744-1748a. Collection is unprocessed and no inventory is given.

45.Stewart & Nesbitt Co. records, 1788a. Collection is unprocessed and no inventory is given.

46.Benjamin Stoddart papers, 1798-1800a. Benjamin Stoddart was the nations first Secretary of the Navy, serving

from 1798 to 1801.

47.Cornelius Van Buskirk exercise and logbook, 1799a. Exercise book with rules and equations to solve geometry and

trigonometry problems and to find latitude and longitude. Includes


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watercolor drawings of sailors using sextants, and of ships such as the

Canton, the United States, and the Constitution. The end of the volume is

used for a journal of a voyage from London to Madeira, April 1799.

48.Richard Vaux insurance policy and bill of lading, 1781a.

Collection is unprocessed and no inventory is given.

49.Wastebook of unidentified Philadelphia merchant, 1763-1764a. Waste/day book of unidentified Philadelphia merchant dealing in

groceries, liquors, dry-goods and slaves, May 13, 1763 - July 2, 1764.Includes references to payments for French lessons for the merchant's

daughter and for relief of the poor. The brigantine Margery, ship Tyger

and sloop Peggy are frequently mentioned.