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Bookplate of Samuel Elam

Bookplate of Samuel Elam

Bookplate of Samuel Elam, an English Jew from Leeds who immigrated to Rhode Island. The bookplate includes his printed name, state, and crest, along with his signature. Elam's naturalization is noted in the description, referencing an act passed by the Rhode Island Assembly in 1789 and his later election as a Rhode Island senator. The advertisement for his arrival in New York City is referenced from the Royal Gazette, January 11, 1783.

An Address Delivered Before the Rhode Island Historical Society

An Address Delivered Before the Rhode Island Historical Society

This pamphlet contains the text of an address delivered by William Sheffield before the Rhode Island Historical Society on February 7, 1882. The address focuses on the owners of privateer vessels operating between 1741 and 1783, specifically mentioning Moses Levy, Isaac Hart, and Napthali Hart and their involvement with various ships. Sheffield's address provides valuable insights into the maritime history of Rhode Island and the roles played by Jewish merchants in privateering during that period. Notably, the address highlights the absence of Lopez or Gomez families among the documented privateer ship owners, suggesting further research into their potential involvement.

Shipping Record, Newport, Rhode Island, November 16, 1798

Shipping Record, Newport, Rhode Island, November 16, 1798

Shipping record signed by Nathaniel Phillips, Surveyor, in Newport, Rhode Island on November 16, 1798. The document is partially printed and features a "Brandywine" watermark. Nathaniel Phillips and his father were members of the King David Masons Lodge. Further research is needed on Phillips's background; he may have been a Major in the American Revolution.

Ledger of Naphtali Hart & Company, Newport, Rhode Island, 1757-1763

Ledger of Naphtali Hart & Company, Newport, Rhode Island, 1757-1763

Ledger sheet detailing accounts between Naphtali Hart & Company and Thomas Vernon in Newport, Rhode Island, from January 8, 1757, to May 1763. The ledger includes entries related to the slave trade, maritime commerce, and transactions with various individuals and businesses, offering insights into commercial activities in Newport during this period.

Financial Record: Aaron Lopez and the Vernon Brothers, Newport, Rhode Island, March 24, 1767

Financial Record: Aaron Lopez and the Vernon Brothers, Newport, Rhode Island, March 24, 1767

A ledger sheet detailing 25 commercial transactions between Aaron Lopez and the Vernon brothers (William and Samuel) in Newport, Rhode Island, from June 23, 1766, to March 24, 1767. The transactions involve the purchase and sale of goods such as West Indies rum, tea, linseed oil, and candles, totaling 11,010 pounds sterling in purchases and 8,344 pounds sterling in sales, resulting in a balance owed of 2,665 pounds sterling. This document provides a detailed record of commerce between two prominent colonial merchants.

Receipt from Aaron Lopez to William and Samuel Vernon for Salt, Newport, Rhode Island, April 26, 1771

Receipt from Aaron Lopez to William and Samuel Vernon for Salt, Newport, Rhode Island, April 26, 1771

A signed receipt from Aaron Lopez, a prominent Jewish merchant in Newport, Rhode Island, to William and Samuel Vernon for 250 bushels of salt. Dated April 26, 1771. The Vernons were major slave traders. This receipt provides insight into the commercial activities of Lopez and the interconnectedness of the transatlantic slave trade with other mercantile enterprises in colonial America.

Receipt for Spermaceti Oil Candles, Newport, Rhode Island, February 23, 1764

Receipt for Spermaceti Oil Candles, Newport, Rhode Island, February 23, 1764

Receipt for two boxes of spermaceti oil candles, dated February 23, 1764, from Jacob Rodriguez Rivera to Thomas Vernon in Newport, Rhode Island. The receipt provides details about a transaction for spermaceti candles between two prominent figures in Newport's 18th-century mercantile community. Jacob Rodriguez Rivera (1717-1789), a Sephardic Jew who fled the Inquisition and became a successful entrepreneur in Newport, is known for introducing the manufacture of spermaceti candles to the colonies. Thomas Vernon was part of the Vernon brothers, prominent Newport merchants involved in the transatlantic slave trade. The receipt offers insights into the business dealings of these individuals and provides a glimpse into the economic activities of Newport during the mid-18th century.

Promissory Note from Lopez & Dexter to Jacob Lopez

Promissory Note from Lopez & Dexter to Jacob Lopez

Promissory note for $1000, payable in 60 days, issued by Lopez & Dexter to Jacob Lopez on December 25, 1810 in Newport, Rhode Island. The note mentions Job Sherman and Jacob Richardson. Jacob Lopez (1752-1822) is identified as the son of Abraham Lopez.

Trade Card for Globe Shirts, L. Ginsburg, Newport, Rhode Island

Trade Card for Globe Shirts, L. Ginsburg, Newport, Rhode Island

This trade card advertises Globe Shirts, a business owned by L. Ginsburg, located at the corner of Tuer and Thames Streets in Newport, Rhode Island. The front of the card depicts a globe in a shirt walking side by side with a shirt in the form of a person. The text on the card indicates it is a national card for Globe Shirts. There is no information about what is on the back of the card.

Invoice from Joseph Lopez to John Cooke, Newport, Rhode Island, July 13, 1784

Invoice from Joseph Lopez to John Cooke, Newport, Rhode Island, July 13, 1784

A single-sheet invoice, dated July 13, 1784, from Joseph Lopez to Colonel John Cooke of Newport, Rhode Island. The invoice details a sale of various crockery items, including baking dishes, cups and saucers, chamber pots, mugs, and other tableware, with prices listed for each item. The document is beautifully penned in a typical 18th-century style.

A Plan of the Town of Newport in Rhode Island, 1777: Map by Charles Blaskowitz, Published by William Faden

A Plan of the Town of Newport in Rhode Island, 1777: Map by Charles Blaskowitz, Published by William Faden

Engraved map of Newport, Rhode Island, published in London on September 1, 1777 by William Faden. Based on a survey by Charles Blaskowitz, this is the second edition of a detailed plan depicting the town, its harbor, and key buildings during the Revolutionary War. The map shows streets, dwellings, important buildings (including the Trinity Church and Touro Synagogue), and fortifications.

Letter from J. C. Minor to Gray Carroll, December 16, 1883

Letter from J. C. Minor to Gray Carroll, December 16, 1883

A letter written on the letterhead of Wolff & Goldman, general merchants in Newport, Arkansas, dated December 16, 1883. J. C. Minor, a traveling salesman, writes to his friends Gray Carroll in Little Rock, Arkansas, explaining his inability to visit due to lack of funds. The letter includes commentary on the social scene in Newport.

Manuscript Receipt for Spermaceti Whale Candles: Samuel and William Vernon Account with Aaron Lopez, Newport, Rhode Island, March 24, 1767

Manuscript Receipt for Spermaceti Whale Candles: Samuel and William Vernon Account with Aaron Lopez, Newport, Rhode Island, March 24, 1767

Manuscript invoice documenting the sale of 35 boxes of spermaceti whale candles from Aaron Lopez to Samuel and William Vernon on March 24, 1767, in Newport, Rhode Island. The receipt mentions the ship 'Brig Othello', owned by the Vernon brothers, and includes the GR + Crown symbol of King George. The verso contains additional details of the transaction.

Writ of Attachment for Debt: Gilbert vs. Lopez, Bristol County, Massachusetts, 1774

Writ of Attachment for Debt: Gilbert vs. Lopez, Bristol County, Massachusetts, 1774

A writ of attachment for debt, partially printed and hand-filled, issued in Bristol County, Massachusetts on August 30, 1774. The document commands the attachment of the goods or estate of Thomas Gilbert of Freetown, Massachusetts, to satisfy a debt owed to Aaron Lopez of Newport, Rhode Island. The debt stems from a promissory note dated June 6, 1770, for 344 milled silver dollars. The writ includes the signatures of Deputy Sheriff Hoti Crosman and Leonard, attorney for the defense. The document is written on hand-laid paper with a Massachusetts Bay Colony seal watermark.

Receipt for Payment on Sloop Molly, Newport, Rhode Island, November 18, 1746

Receipt for Payment on Sloop Molly, Newport, Rhode Island, November 18, 1746

A page from the receipt book of Samuel Vernon. This receipt, dated November 18, 1746, is signed by Naphtali Hart and acknowledges receipt of 100 pounds as partial payment for the use of the sloop Molly, captained by James Cahoone. The sloop Molly was a privateer and slaver owned by the Vernons. The receipt may be entirely in Hart's handwriting.

Maritime Insurance Policy, Newport Insurance Company, Newport, Rhode Island, June 10, 1806

Maritime Insurance Policy, Newport Insurance Company, Newport, Rhode Island, June 10, 1806

Insurance policy No. 1486 issued by the Newport Insurance Company of Providence, Rhode Island on June 10, 1806. This hand-laid paper document (approximately 14 1/2 x 19 inches) insures a vessel under construction in Georgia, destined for New York, owned by Augustus Chace and others from Freetown, Massachusetts. The policy covers the vessel and cargo for fifteen thousand dollars. The policy is signed by Samuel Elam, president.

Lopez & Dexter Promissory Note

Lopez & Dexter Promissory Note

Promissory note for $700, issued by Lopez & Dexter on February 1, 1811, payable to Thomas Dennis in 60 days. The note references the Newport Bank and is inscribed 'Son of Abraham'.

Letter from Hays & Polock to the Captain of the Rising Sun, Newport, Rhode Island, December 25, 1770

Letter from Hays & Polock to the Captain of the Rising Sun, Newport, Rhode Island, December 25, 1770

A one-page letter, approximately 6-1/2" x 8", dated December 25, 1770, in Newport, Rhode Island. Written by Moses Michael Hays and Myer Polock, it notifies the Captain of the ship *The Rising Sun* of the execution of a bill of sale for the ship to Mr. Livingston, involving Michael Gratz and Mr. Hart. The letter instructs the captain to follow Mr. Gratz's instructions. This letter is part of Myer Polock's scheme to defraud creditors and Hays.

Letter from Jacob Rodriguez Rivera to Nathaniel Briggs, Newport, Rhode Island, September 13 and October 14, 1785

Letter from Jacob Rodriguez Rivera to Nathaniel Briggs, Newport, Rhode Island, September 13 and October 14, 1785

Two-page letter from Jacob Rodriguez Rivera, a Sephardic Jewish merchant and slave trader in Newport, Rhode Island, to Captain Nathaniel Briggs. The letter, dated September 13 and October 14, 1785, discusses the slave trade, including details about recent slave voyages, pricing, and the sale of slaves in South Carolina. The letter was sent via Captain DeWolf of the brig Enterprise, and is a copy of an earlier letter sent via Captain Duncan of the brig Peggy. The letter reveals details about the operations and profitability of the transatlantic slave trade.

Maritime Insurance Policy: Sloop Rover, Stonington to Wilmington, NC, 1809

Maritime Insurance Policy: Sloop Rover, Stonington to Wilmington, NC, 1809

Insurance policy No. 1788 issued by the Newport Insurance Company in Providence, Rhode Island, on October 26, 1809. This policy insures the sloop *Rover* of Norwich, sailing from Stonington, Connecticut to Wilmington, North Carolina, for a cargo valued at one thousand dollars. The document is printed on hand-laid paper and measures approximately 14 1/2 x 19 inches.

Copy of Instructions to Capt. Thomas Folger of the Brig Lydia on a Whaling Voyage, 1775

Copy of Instructions to Capt. Thomas Folger of the Brig Lydia on a Whaling Voyage, 1775

A four-page letter, dated 1775, detailing instructions for a whaling voyage to the Falkland Islands and off the coast of Brazil. Written by Aaron Lopez to Captain Thomas Folger, the letter provides navigational advice, warnings about encountering other ships, and hints at the abundance of whales in the targeted areas. The letter also reveals the extensive network of contacts Aaron Lopez maintained across various locations such as the Falkland Islands, the West Indies, Madeira, Lisbon, Gibraltar, Cadiz, and Barbados. This document originates from Newport, Rhode Island.

Sailing Orders for Captain Nathaniel Briggs: A Letter from Aaron Lopez, August 20, 1766

Sailing Orders for Captain Nathaniel Briggs: A Letter from Aaron Lopez, August 20, 1766

Autograph document (unsigned) from Aaron Lopez, spanning two pages (7 1/2 x 12 inches). Written in Newport, Rhode Island on August 20, 1766, this letter provides sailing orders to Captain Nathaniel Briggs of the brig Sally. The orders detail the sale of the ship's cargo, instructions for managing the proceeds, and explicit directions to acquire and sell slaves in Africa, the West Indies, and Jamaica. The letter also alludes to Lopez's extensive network of contacts across various locations, including the Falkland Islands, the West Indies, Madeira, Lisbon, Gibraltar, Cadiz, and Barbados.

Letter from Aaron Lopez, Jacob Rodrigues Rivera, Haye Z. Polock, and Nathaniel Hathaway to Captain Nathaniel Hathaway Regarding Cargo and Bills of Exchange, Newport, Rhode Island, June 13, 1768

Letter from Aaron Lopez, Jacob Rodrigues Rivera, Haye Z. Polock, and Nathaniel Hathaway to Captain Nathaniel Hathaway Regarding Cargo and Bills of Exchange, Newport, Rhode Island, June 13, 1768

A two-page letter dated June 13, 1768, from Aaron Lopez, Jacob Rodrigues Rivera, Haye Z. Polock, and Nathaniel Hathaway in Newport, Rhode Island, to Captain Nathaniel Hathaway, master of the brigantine The Hope. The letter provides instructions for the delivery of cargo to Captain Joseph Dean in Surinam and outlines alternative procedures if sufficient molasses cannot be procured. The letter also hints at the far-reaching commercial network of Aaron Lopez.

Autograph Letter Signed from Moses Michael Hays to Myer Polock on behalf of Michael Gratz, December 18, 1770

Autograph Letter Signed from Moses Michael Hays to Myer Polock on behalf of Michael Gratz, December 18, 1770

Autograph letter signed by Moses Michael Hays written to Myer Polock on behalf of Michael Gratz. Dated December 18, 1770. Hays urges Polock to fulfill a promise to Gratz, offering incentives and suggesting assistance in "any matter Honorable & Just." The letter includes an autograph address panel on the verso. Written in New York and concerns matters related to Newport, Rhode Island.

Shipping Record: Aaron Lopez to Richard Ellis, November 30, 1769

Shipping Record: Aaron Lopez to Richard Ellis, November 30, 1769

Partially printed shipping document dated November 30, 1769, detailing goods shipped by Aaron Lopez of Newport, Rhode Island to Richard Ellis, a merchant in New Bern, North Carolina. The document lists a variety of goods including rum, candles, molasses, onions, potatoes, cider, apples, and cloth, illustrating the scope of Lopez's commercial activities.

Shipping Record for the Voyage of the Sloop Charlotte to Tenerife, 1769

Shipping Record for the Voyage of the Sloop Charlotte to Tenerife, 1769

Shipping document detailing the shipment of goods from Newport, Rhode Island to Tenerife, Canary Islands aboard the sloop Charlotte on July 7, 1769. The document notes the fractional ownership of the voyage among John Andrews, Aaron Lopez, and Solomon Townsend. The cargo included spermaceti candles, flour, corn, stoves, and beeswax. Zebediah Story served as the ship's master. The document's left corner is missing, and it shows slight browning at the edges.

Letter from Daniel Cornell to Aaron Lopez, September 3, 1770

Letter from Daniel Cornell to Aaron Lopez, September 3, 1770

A one-page letter dated September 3, 1770, from Captain Daniel Cornell to Aaron Lopez in Newport, Rhode Island. Cornell describes the progress of his mercantile voyage to Quebec, Canada, mentioning difficulties with bad weather and necessary repairs to his ship's sails. The letter contains an indirect comment possibly alluding to a slave shipment ('will strive as fast as possible considering our Interest'). A postscript requests updates on his wife's and Mr. Gardner's son's well-being.

Promissory Note of Isaac Tobias

Promissory Note of Isaac Tobias

Promissory note issued by Captain Isaac Tobias for $250 in New York City on July 25, 1809. The note also mentions Benjamin Bailey, Charles Denison, and George Randall. While the note itself originates from Newport, Rhode Island, it's associated with Isaac Tobias, a New York City resident (1782-1832).