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Subject: Transatlantic slave trade

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Ledger Sheet detailing Cargo of Brig Sally, Newport, Rhode Island, October 1, 1767Ledger Sheet detailing Cargo of Brig Sally, Newport, Rhode Island, October 1, 1767

One-page handwritten ledger sheet (14.5 x 12 inches) detailing the cargo of the brig Sally, owned by Aaron Lopez, on a trading voyage. The sheet, likely created in Newport, Rhode Island on October 1, 1767, itemizes the outgoing cargo (oxen, sheep, shingles, turpentine, tallow, and spermaceti candles) and the returning cargo (hogsheads of rum). The accounts balance at 919 pounds sterling, 14 shillings, and ten pence, including Captain Nathaniel Briggs' 10% commission. While not explicitly stated on this ledger, the brig Sally was also involved in the transatlantic slave trade, transporting slaves from Africa to the West Indies. Aaron Lopez (1731-1782) was a wealthy merchant and leader in the Newport Jewish community. Captain Nathaniel Briggs made at least three voyages for Lopez between 1766 and 1772.

Receipt for Spermaceti Candles, Newport, Rhode Island, 1759Receipt for Spermaceti Candles, Newport, Rhode Island, 1759

Receipt dated September 13, 1759, signed by Jacob R. Rivera of Newport, Rhode Island, to William Vernon for the purchase of 252 pounds sterling of spermaceti candles. Jacob Rodriguez Rivera (1717-1789) was a Sephardic Jew who fled the Inquisition and settled in Newport. He was involved in the manufacture of spermaceti candles and was a prominent figure in the Newport Jewish community. The Vernon brothers, William and Samuel, were Newport merchants involved in the transatlantic slave trade, making significant profits through the 'triangle trade' involving rum, slaves, and molasses. This receipt provides insight into the commercial activities and economic interactions within 18th-century Newport, highlighting the involvement of both Jewish and non-Jewish merchants in the colonial economy.

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