Colonial Shipping Papers

Very scarce items. They come in many different sizes: check size, some fold out, some are very large. All are good clean originals, museum quality.

D1: 1765 Jamaica, March 20th. Cargo of Sundries shipped aboard the Brig. "Sea Horse" from Jamaica. It lists John Calvert, Edward Jones Merch , Simon Traffick and Charles Smart. The bill was to be paid in London in sterling. Early rare shipping document in nice condition with some wear.--$125

D6: 1752 London sales of 2 barrs of gold received from ship �The London� and Capt. William Richards. Gold barrs melted down to 40 oz. long document shows what Michael Bland received for his commission. folds open/ with slit. try and find a document like this anywhere at this price --$178

D7: 1790 Swinburne & Co. 6 days work on the Brig. �Hanna� nice handwriting --$38

D8: 1800 ship �Follensbe� wine, brandy, gin statement with many entries. nice --$70

D9: 1815 Boston Stampless letter written to a Merchant Samual B Morris of Philadelphia. Written May 15, 1815 it speaks of many hundreds chests of Young Hyson tea being delivered for auction/ sale from the Brig Rambler. Easily read and very decent condition. Speaks of the Ship Jacob Jones and a Schooner Tamaah. I found on the Internet "RootsWeb" more information regarding this letter about the time America was in following the War of 1812. Here is what I found in my words: May 8, 1815 a Monday, the Brig Rambler with another ship the Jacob Jones showed up in Boston harbor and is stated, fired rounds to salute the town. The ships were over 100 days leaving Canton, China burdened with cargoes of tea, silk and other items of good value. The Rootsweb article said they were two of the first ships leaving China since the war had ended. The new items they carried made merchants happy. Also stated was the Ship Jacob Jones had exchanged cannon fire with a British warship.The British Ship ran out of Ammo. The Jacob Jones captured two British ships loaded with opium and gold dust. This letter is in very nice condition for its age. It sports a red circular postal stamp that shows "Boston". The signer of the letter is R. Elwell & Co. Should be in a worthy very nice collection!$300

D12: 1767 New Providence, West Indies. lumber salvaged from Brig. �Apollo� (wrecked?) and auctioned. reverse shows sold for by 109 pieces of eight. written by Vendue Master (auctioneer), nice --$99

D13: 1798 New York, An original customs document of Archibald Gracie, famous post-revolution Scottish merchant of New York City for whom "Gracie Mansion" is named (and where most mayors of New York City (NYC) have resided). Archibald Gracie (1755-1829), founder of the great firm of East India merchants, was born in Dumfries. He was a lifelong friend of Robert Lenox and was associated with him in many financial and philanthropic undertakings. Both were presidents of the St. Andrew�s Society of New York. This two page document shows the import of 20 hogsheads of sugar from Cape Francois, Haiti. The bill shows at $510.30. First page is a preprinted, filled including the "master" of the ship, Cheney Higbe. Schooner "Friendship" Dated the 12th of June, 1798. The second page is handwritten and includes details of the imported sugar. The documents are in good shape with edge wear and chipping. They are joined by a wax seal in the upper left corner.--$67

D14: 1802 Bill of lading ship �Follensbe� sugar, indigo, bedwood, etc. sailing for Nantes, France. Capt. Tom Murfey, nice --$55

D15: 1796 ship �Amiable Matilda� brings Geneva gin from Rotterdam to Philadelphia. long and wide top-notch document. all pipes of gin listed/ charges. A+ condition --$105

D16: 1798 Santo Domingo(Haiti)-Cape Francois-Two original documents, the seals on each shown below. First the one written in English is by Jacob Mayer then the Counsul of the USA based in Cape Francois. Mr. Mayer was appointed to this position by Mr. George Washington the first President of the USA. This document shows the understanding about Mayer and what he represents. "I Jacob Mayer, Counsul of the United States of America, resident at Cape Francois, do hereby certify that Terreblanque, figured to the annexed condemnation is Chief Clerk to the Tribunal of Commerce, established in this city and full faith, credit and authority are due to all his proceedings as such. Given under my hand and at Cape Francois, this seventh day of November, one thousand seven hundred and ninety eight". Jacob Mayer. The second document 4 pages dated Oct. 18, 1798 which goes together with the first one. This second written in French are several areas that can be understood about a capture by the French of an American Ship named Harwich. The Master was named Capt. Driggs from Middletown, Connecticut. This document is signed by Mr. Terreblanque the person mentioned in Consul Mayer's earlier document. I do have some more information on Capt. Driggs if interested when purchasing this very historic lot. This two document lot wouild fit well in the most advanced collection. Very scarce to rare early history of American/Haiti relations--$360

D17: 1796 ship Nuestra Senora del Carmen Spanish Schooner brings olives and wine to Newport, RI with the rest of this cargo. I had been looking around the net about this ship from Spain and do believe I found out what it was with this name. On 25 March 1815, HMS Comus 22 gun British warship ported at Duke Town/ Calabar now southern Nigeria, Africa( where she captured the Spanish schooner Nuestra Senora del Carmen with 120 slaves aboard.Took some time but this Schooner I do believe was the slave ship that dropped off olives back in Newport in 1796. Document in decent condition $285

D18: 1789 Nov. 14 - Import manifest showing a shipment of sugar from Haiti to the port of New York. For John Smith from Schooner "Hope" Capt. Clark from Cape Francis 15 hogsheads of sugar, 19 barrels and a bag, written by John Bancken weight Master. Shows the totals. Then shows a total for Capt. Clark, 3 hogsheads of sugar, 6 barrels, bag of coffee. Document had been in some scrap book at one time. Shows to strips of cloth tape mounted on reverse in the high corners. They do not affect the document much. Also two strips of tape on reverse on the folds. Nice neatly done. Partial water mark middle left of document. Nice trade document--$62

D18a: 1790 Jan. 17- Schooner Hardy, James McKeven Master now riding at anchor in- Port au Prince -bound for, Philadelphia. The cargo states in this 5 1/2" x 9" bill of lading of Hogsheads of sugar and Coffee being shipped for the merchants in Philadelphia by the name of Dutilh & Wachsmuth. There is more information on these merchants in items D19 and D20 below. --$62

D19: 1791 June 23- Philadelphia, E. Dutilh & Wachsmuth Reciept 3 3/4" x 7 1/4" to John Mackinzie-Ship Journal for 2 1/2 days work on the Sloop Charming Sally, Capt. (Master) Robert Lillibrige. These two prominent merchants in Philadelphia in post-Revolutionary generation were Etienne, later Stephen Dutilh and John Godfried Wachsmuth. Dutilh came from a family of merchants branching through England, Holland, the West Indies, and around southern Europe. Dutilh travelled to keep the European parts of their trading empire together, E. Wachsmuch firmly planted ties in America. They had correspondence to merchants in many countries throughout the Atlantic side of the world who traded in coffee, indigo, flour, cotton wool, silk, logwood, butter, lard, glassware, china, drugs, and implements; There are historic records invoices to and from Bordeaux, Hamburg, Nantes, Rotterdam, Lisbon, London, Port-au-Prince, and other ports regarding trade in cheese, coffee, wine, glassware, hides, earthenware, and other dry goods, plus sugar, indigo, and rice from southern and Caribbean ports. This document is loaded with history of old Philly!--$48

D20: 1793 May 23-25-Dutilh & Wachsmuth reciept 7 1/4" x 8" to William Hall to the rent of a store on Mifflin's Wharf May 25 to April 1 1794. Looks like payment was over 35 pounds Sterling.--$39

D21: 1813 Jan. 6 -size -4x8" -Schooner "Republican"- J. Lockhart -seven gallons of Spirrets $14 dollars, pound of candles 181/2 coins, received the amount in full $14-181/2. The reverse shows -paid $14-181/2. Just think when this transaction was made the American mint was minting the 1/2 cent coppers, so we know the receiver got in hand at least one 1/2 cent, right?--$38

D22: 1812 Dec. 17 -size 4x8" To arrange passage to the W. Indies 1 1/2 bt $2.62 to arng Sch. "Republican" 22ts 5.75 (ditto) dv 2-75 total 9.12 1/2 . Received payment in full Wm. Duane Signed by J. Mulligan. Just think this was a time we were at war with England so you know this had to be a very unsafe trip to the West Indies--$38

D23: 1786 Dec. 19 Capt. Aron Sheffield to T. Hayward to seven days work at Corking on the Brigg "Queen of France" shows numbers listed -possible times? Newport December 19 1786. The reverse shows to the left -Haywood bill paid and charged, in the middle written-Receivd the with in full Hayward-the spelling of this man's name is shown both ways, also on the right edge , again Hayward.This ship is known for tobacco cargos from the Richmond Virginia tobacco fields, nice paper 31/2 x 71/4"--$28

D24:1806 June 10 Liverpool-Owners of Brig. Hamilton to Richard Bawks. This paper shows a listing of materials and thimbles and gives the number of the type material to repair the sails, it mentions N6, 65 3/4 yards, N3, 22 yards, N4, 31/2 yards more N6, 131/4 yards, N7, 10 yards and others of 57 and 43 yards. The totals for these are listed in Pounds signed by Capt. Sam Harding. He was from the state of Maine and this is his ship trading in England. The paper has some bends and it has a small tear around 2/3 down on the lower right. I bought several of these papers on this Captain and his ship most are damaged in some way from improper storage. This paper is watermarked with a Crown over an oval with a lady seated with a trident in the center. It could possibly represent Britannia- 7 3/4X 8" ---$26

D25: 1801 April 18 New York . This paper is a printed form with the information provided in written hand. Shipped in good order and well conditioned by Issac Nicks on board the good Schooner called the "Nautilas" master of the present voyage, Josiah Lane, it goes on to state from New York bound for Boston -Cargo is seven bundles of nail rods a bundle of spike, seventy two bundles of hoop iron. Gives the weight total and signed by Josiah Lane. This paper is nice a Vignette of Neptune riding two horses in the water while he sets on a chariot made of sea shell, he also has his Trident in hand. Below him Embossed is a circle with an eagle over a shield that says "Four Cents". Below this is another emboss that shows 13 stars in a tombstone shape circled. The words around the 13 circled stars read "Com Revos" "IV Cents" On the reverse shows Schooner "Nautilas" Lane 1801--$42

D26: 1819 June 15 Newport(Rhode Island) This is a printed form with written entries. Up in the left area of the document it shows a scene with Lady Commerce seated on merchandise- barrels and boxes of goods ready to be loaded to the old sailing ship in waiting. Nice scene of bygone times. The document says -Shipped in good order and well conditioned by Aaron & Dyre on board the Sloop called the "Halcyon" Master for the present voyage Bliss- now lying in the port of Newport and bound for New York-To say Fifteen Hogsheads New Rum-the document goes on to say that Burrell Calhoune & Co. pay for the freight, one dollar per hogshead 4 3/4" X 8 1/2" nice looking---$43

D28: 1803 April 5 Bill of Sale: Sloop "Swift" this is a three page bill of sale handwritten in very nice shape for it's age. This sells to Peleg Wilbur, owner of Washington Company that was first cotton mill in village of Washington in the town of Coventry, R. I., one eighth of the hull of the Swift together with 1/8 of all tackle apparel and furniture. Vessel was at Warwick. Person selling was Johnathon Bowry of Somerset, Massachusetts. Transaction was for $200.00. Cranston Evans is Master and vessel built at Freetown, Mass. Specks are 1 Deck, 1 Mast, 54' 4" length 18' 2" breadth 6' 1" depth and weighs 57 tons.---$70

D32: 1781 July 19- Salem-Sale by Auction of the Brig "Expedition" by owner of the Agents. Two pages written on front and back makes four total. Everything of this ship is listed that has been sold. Here is a rundown on a few items...remember this is just a sample. There is too much to list. The Hull of the Expedition with her masts, boat & oars, Anchor, cable, water casks, the whole rigging below, sounding lines, top mast, iron pot & frying pans, lot of blocks, pump gear, 2 compasses, lot of rigging, tools, barrel of pork and one of beef, top gallant sail, many lots of different sail, 5 small arms, lampblack boxes, all listed in Pounds Sterling. Then it goes on to say: deduct cash for advertisement. On the last page of this old thing it lists the agents names, then money figures by each name-totals out to 62,900 Pounds+...then at very bottom of this last page it says...the iron heath sold for hard money not included. This is the only document I have had with total listing of the assets of a Brig going up on the Auction block. Very scarce-rare item. Needs to be in a museum! The paper has some tears in the folds. Looks as if it has been apart but lightly taped back together. Tape is not in the way anywhere. Only very small amount to hold this together. It can easily be taken off. Not cheap but who would you know that had an item like this one?--$275

D36: 1797 -10 October, Printed page of Import /Export items from the Port of Hamburg, Germany. Held up to a light it shows a watermark. The heading of the page printed on front and back says articles imported from America in our currency & English Sterling Money. All kinds of imports, I will list a few. Tobacco, Maryland, young common, Virginia, Carolina & Georgia-Tar Barrels, Coffee, Pimento, cocoa, Pepper, Rum, Saltpetre, Whale Oil, Havana Ox hides, Turpentine, Oak staves, Whale Bones, Bees-wax, Furrs(lists different animals like Bears, Racoons, Otters etc.), Sugar, Indigo, Rice, Ginger, Nutmegs, India white goods(materials) and also Tea. Listed some exports are Linens, Hemp, Iron, Steel, Tin Plates, Brandy, German lead, Genever in casks, Cordage, Saxon blue, White soap, colored Liquor, Window Glass, Sugar refined, Blue powder.. Very bottom of page shows Hamburg with 10 Oct. 1797 written in by hand, then printed= Tonnies & Hammann. Very nice item of history on prices of goods being shipped in and out of the port of Hamburg.--$55

D37: 1799- 15 October, Here is a good one. Its a protest of 1000 Spanish milled dollars(Pieces of 8) dated in Anguilla. Early American Financial document. Anguilla is a British overseas territory in the Caribbean. It is one of the most northerly of the Leeward Islands in the Lesser Antilles. At 30 days sight of this my first exchange (second and third of same tenure and date unpaid) pay unto Francis Sage and Joseph P. Kirkland. L. M. Oliver Smith was a merchant that had dealings with this area in the West Indies in the Caribbean. There is quite a bit written on the inside of the document. This handwritten Exchange note is cool looking. Showing the old wax seals on the documents. The notary is Lyman Law.--$187

D38: 1802 -15 April, 7" x 8" folded in half, 4 Hogsheads of Rum shipped by William Cutler and on his risk on board the Schooner "Sally" bound to Philadelphia and there consigned to Sam Coats from Newburyport. Document has a watermark of a flower with leaves.--$47

For Grog is our starboard, our larboard
Our mainmast, our mizzen
our Log ...
At sea or ashore, or when arbour'd
The Mariner's compass is Grog

PLEASE NOTE: I have other papers like these so keep on the lookout for more to come in the future. I purchased some French ship papers that are from the late 1700s to early 1800s they are written in French and have the Master's name, ships name and their destination most have an old vignette of a sailing ship on them, most are cargos of Bordeaux wine. These are very handsome bills of lading-just need the time to list some.

D40: 1792 Bill of lading from France, ship's name La Nymphe De Bordeaux. Cargo of sugar from the port of La Basse Terre, the Caribbean Island of Guadeloupe(French Antilles) to Bordeaux France. It is all written in French on old light blue paper. Marks and numbers are in left ara of the Bill of lading. This would frame nice. Endorsed on reverse with the year 1792 written. Size 7 1/2" x 9 3/4". The item is scanned below, price--$50