|
|
|
Overview of the Collection
|
|
Repository: |
G. W. Blunt White Library, Mystic Seaport |
|
Creator: |
Smith, Stephen |
|
Title: |
Stephen Smith Papers |
|
Dates: |
1800-1859 |
|
Extent: |
ca. 175 items |
|
Abstract: |
Correspondence, business accounts, genealogical materials, newspaper clippings, and miscellaneous papers. Includes business correspondence and a few accounts relating to Smith’s activities as representative of Minturn & Champlin who traveled, often as a supercargo, to various ports in Europe and the Far East; miscellaneous business and family papers (ca. 1820-1859) including references to shipping salt and china trade porcelain; numerous school reports and essays by children, and family correspondence; and newspaper clippings reflecting family history. Correspondents include father Abraham Smith, brother Obediah (a ship master), and sister Mary O. Smith. |
|
Identification: |
Coll. 237 |
Biography of Stephen Smith
Stephen Smith was born and raised in New Bedford, Massachusetts. His father Abraham (1747-1826), the patriarch of this Quaker family, was a blacksmith and postmaster
Sometime around 1797 young Stephen went to New York city to begin a career in business. Indications are that he may have been in partnership for a brief time under the name Smith & Champlin, but soon after 1800 he joined Minturn & Champlin, a New York merchant and shipping firm. Most of the records in this collection detail Smith’s activities between 1800-1816, a period when he traveled extensively, frequently as supercargo, representing the interest of Minturn & Champlin in ports such as Liverpool, London, Canton, Manila, Lisbon, Cadiz, and Marseilles.
By 1820, Smith had moved to Syracuse, New York with his wife and children. He left the shipping business, and with support from New Bedford investors, he created the Onandaga Solar Salt Co. (1821). The papers offer little insight into this enterprise, but rather provides a look at Stephen Smith’s family. There are many letters between Stephen and several of his 18 brothers and sister; especially brothers Obediah (a ship master), Elihu, Isaac, sister Mary, and his father Abraham.
Top →
Scope and Content
The Stephen Smith Papers contain approximately 150 pieces; i.e. manuscript letters, business accounts, genealogical research and newspaper clippings, all organized chronologically and filed into one document box.
The first 14 folders contain business correspondence and a few accounts relative to Stephen Smith’s activities as a representative of Minturn & Champlin, New York shipping merchants. He often traveled to various ports in Europe, the Mediterranean, and the Far East. Several vessels and cargoes are mentioned, and during the War of 1812, several letters appear to have been written in code.
Miscellaneous business and family papers, ca. 1820-1859, are found in folders 15-23. Included are references to shipping salt and china ware, numerous school reports and essays by children, and letters between Smith family member. Folder 24 contains newspaper clippings, ca. 1850-1900, relative to the history of the Smith family.
All pieces in this collection are considered to be in poor to fair condition, and must be handled with care. Photocopying is prohibited.
Top →
Restrictions
Restrictions on Access
Available for use in the Manuscripts Division
Restrictions on Use
Various copying restriction apply. Guidelines are available from the Manuscripts Division.
Top →
Index Terms
This collection is indexed under the following headings in the catalog of the G. W. Blunt White Library. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons or places should search the catalog using these headings.
Persons:
Smith family
Smith, Abraham, 1747-1826–Correspondence
Smith, Mary O. (Mary Olivia)–Correspondence
Smith, Obediah–Correspondence
Corporate Bodies (Including Vessels):
Minturn & Champlin
Onandaga Solar Salt Co.
Places:
East Asia–Description and travel
Europe–Description and travel
New Bedford (Mass.)–Genealogy
Syracuse (N.Y.)
Subjects:
China trade porcelain
Salt industry and trade
Shipping–New York (State)–New York
Occupations:
Businessmen–New York (State)–New York
Businessmen–New York (State)–Syracuse
Supercargos
Top →
Administrative Information
Preferred Citation
Coll. 237, Manuscripts Collection, G. W. Blunt White Library, Mystic Seaport Museum, Inc.
Top →
Indexes
|
|
|
Index to Personal Names
|
|
NOTE: The fraction(s) indicate the Box and Folder numbers where that particular reference can be found. For example, the researcher will find information about John Alsop in Box 1, Folder 15 of the collection. |
|
|
|
|
Alsop, John |
1/15 |
|
Alsop, Robert |
1/12 |
|
Barclay, George |
1/11 |
|
Barstow, Gideon |
1/13 |
|
Bears, Moses (Jr.) |
1/8 |
|
Bennet, Robert |
1/15 |
|
Bogert, John G. |
1/8 |
|
Brown, Robert |
1/2 |
|
Brown, William S. (Capt.) |
1/7 |
|
Bunker, Timothy (Capt.) |
1/12 |
|
Carrington, E. |
1/6 |
|
Carrington, Edward |
1/5 |
|
Champlin, John |
1/12 |
|
Champlin, John T. |
1/3 |
|
Champlin, Uriah |
1/1 |
|
Congdon, ? (Capt.) |
1/2 |
|
Congdon, Olivia |
1/19 |
|
Eldredge, Jonathan (Capt.) |
1/4, 1/5 |
|
Hackley, Richard J. |
1/9 |
|
Halter, ? (Capt.) |
1/16 |
|
Hathaway, Gideon |
1/13 |
|
Haviland, Catherine |
1/15 |
|
Hazard, Thomas |
1/4 |
|
Henry, Malcolm |
1/12 |
|
Howland, Catherine |
1/15 |
|
Howland, Daniel George |
1/15 |
|
Howland, Gideon |
1/4 |
|
Howland, John |
1/15, 1/21 |
|
Howland, Matthew |
1/8 |
|
Howland, Peleg |
1/12 |
|
Jenkins, ? (Capt.) |
1/12 |
|
Jenkins, William |
1/15 |
|
Jennings, ? (Capt.) |
1/15 |
|
Kemp, John |
1/1 |
|
Kent, Samuel |
1/1 |
|
Lasher, John B. (Capt.) |
1/2, 1/3 |
|
Mayhew, Thaddeus |
1/2, 1/3 |
|
Minturn, Benjamin C. |
1/3 |
|
Moulton, Helen N. |
1/19 |
|
Mulcasto, Fernandez |
1/11, 1/18 |
|
Mumford, ? (Capt.) |
1/6 |
|
Post, Jonathan |
1/10 |
|
Potter, Deborah |
1/21 |
|
Potter, Samuel |
1/21 |
|
Red Jacket (Chief) |
1/22 |
|
Ricketson, Abraham |
1/24 |
|
Ricketson, Rebecca |
1/21, 1/24 |
|
Ricketson, Zirviah |
1/21 |
|
Rinelander, Philip |
1/14 |
|
Robinson, William |
1/9 |
|
Rogers, Henry (Capt.) |
1/7 |
|
Rotch, William |
1/16 |
|
Russell, Gilbert |
1/15 |
|
Russell, John |
1/21 |
|
Russell, William W. |
1/10 |
|
Russell, Wing |
1/19 |
|
Sargent, N. |
1/19 |
|
Shearman, Timothy |
1/7 |
|
Shepherd, Allen |
1/9 |
|
Smith, Abraham |
1/2, 1/4, 1/7, 1/8, 1/10, 1/11, 1/12, 1/13, 1/15, 1/21, 1/24 |
|
Smith, Amelia |
1/19 |
|
Smith, Arthur |
1/21 |
|
Smith, Asa |
1/4, 1/6, 1/12, 1/13, 1/15 |
|
Smith, Benjamin |
1/21 |
|
Smith, Christopher |
1/21 |
|
Smith, Daniel |
1/21 |
|
Smith, Deborah |
1/8 |
|
Smith, Elihu |
1/1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/9, 1/10, 1/11, 1/12, 1/13, 1/14, 1/15 |
|
Smith, Eliza |
1/10 |
|
Smith, Elizabeth M. |
1/15 |
|
Smith, Francis |
1/21 |
|
Smith, George |
1/21 |
|
Smith, Isaac |
1/6, 1/7, 1/8, 1/9, 1/10, 1/11, 1/12, 1/13, 1/14, 1/15, 1/18, 1/19 |
|
Smith, Lydia |
1/10, 1/19 |
|
Smith, Mary E. |
1/1, 1/8, 1/9 |
|
Smith, Mary Olivia |
1/19, 1/20 |
|
Smith, Obediah (Capt.) |
1/1, 1/4, 1/8, 1/9, 1/11, 1/12 |
|
Smith, Rebecca Ricketson |
1/24 |
|
Smith, Rosa |
1/19 |
|
Smith, Sarah |
1/13, 1/14 |
|
Smith, Stephen |
1/1, 1/2, 1/3, 1/4, 1/5, 1/6, 1/7, 1/8, 1/9, 1/10, 1/11, 1/12, 1/13, 1/14, 1/15, 1/16, 1/17, 1/19 |
|
Smith, Thomas |
1/19 |
|
Smith, Zerviah |
1/10, 1/14 |
|
Taber, Daniel (Capt.) |
1/10, 1/11, 1/13 |
|
Taber, Deborah |
1/15 |
|
Tabor, Philip |
1/21 |
|
Tucker, Daniel Robert |
1/3 |
|
Tucker, Thomas R. |
1/3 |
|
Van Den Heavel, J.C. |
1/4 |
|
Vaughn, ? (Capt) |
1/9 |
|
Wasson, ? (Capt.) |
1/8 |
|
Wing, Joan |
1/21 |
|
Wright, ? (Capt.) |
1/7 |
Top →
|
|
|
Index to Corporate Names
|
|
NOTE: The fraction(s) indicate the Box and Folder numbers where that particular reference can be found. For example, the researcher will find information about Baring Brothers & Co. in Box 1, Folder 7 of the collection. |
|
|
|
|
Baring Brothers & Co. |
1/7 |
|
Buchanan & Birkham |
1/6 |
|
Champlin & Smith |
1/1, 1/2 |
|
Cropper Benson & Co. |
1/7 |
|
H. Meech & Co. |
1/19 |
|
Hall & Co. |
1/16 |
|
Hall & Russell |
1/9 |
|
John Lewis Brown & Co. |
1/11 |
|
John McVicker & Co. |
1/1 |
|
John W. Vicar & Co. |
1/1 |
|
Minturn & Champlin |
1/3, 1/4, 1/7, 1/8, 1/9, 1/10, 1/11, 1/12 |
|
Post & Minturn |
1/10 |
|
Thomas Mallett, J.J. Evans & Co. |
1/9 |
|
W.H. Page & Bement |
1/13 |
Top →
|
|
|
Index to Vessel Names
|
|
NOTE: The fraction(s) indicate the Box and Folder numbers where that particular reference can be found. For example, the researcher will find information about the sloop ABRAHAM in Box 1, Folder 14 of the collection. |
|
|
|
|
ABRAHAM (Sloop) |
1/14 |
|
AEOLUS (Ship) |
1/2 |
|
AGIONARA (Brig) |
1/13 |
|
ALBION |
1/15 |
|
ALEXANDER MANSFIELD |
1/9 |
|
AMERICA |
1/9, 1/10 |
|
BUSY (Sloop) |
1/3 |
|
CENTAUR |
1/12 |
|
CHARLOTTE |
1/16 |
|
ELIZA (Ship) |
1/1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/13, 1/24 |
|
ENTERPRISE (Ship) |
1/6 |
|
EXPERIMENT |
1/9 |
|
FAME |
1/6 |
|
GOLCONDA |
1/15 |
|
HAMILTON (Schooner) |
1/7, 1/8, 1/10 |
|
HENRY (Brig) |
1/13 |
|
HUNTER |
1/13 |
|
INDIAN CHIEF |
1/7 |
|
LEVANT |
1/10 |
|
LION (Ship) |
1/9 |
|
LOUISA CECELIA (Ship) |
1/9 |
|
LYDIA |
1/9 |
|
LYDIA (Sloop) |
1/2 |
|
MANHATTAN (Ship) |
1/2, 1/3, 1/13, 1/14, 1/24 |
|
MANLIUS (Ship) |
1/8, 1/24 |
|
MARTHA (Ship) |
1/10 |
|
MILLER (Sloop) |
1/12 |
|
MILLWOOD (Ship) |
1/7, 1/9, 1/10 |
|
MONTGOMERY (Sloop) |
1/12 |
|
MOUNTAINEER |
1/16 |
|
NIMROD (Ship) |
1/10 |
|
OCEAN (Ship) |
1/6, 1/9 |
|
ONTARIO (Ship) |
1/9 |
|
ORION (Brig) |
1/8 |
|
PROJECTOR (Ship) |
1/6 |
|
PROSECUTOR (Ship) |
1/24 |
|
PRUDENCE |
1/13 |
|
RICHMOND (Steamer) |
1/12 |
|
RUSSELL |
1/12 |
|
SALLY (Schooner) |
1/1, 1/12 |
|
SPHINX |
1/12 |
|
SWIFT (Ship) |
1/4, 1/5, 1/24 |
|
TYBER (Brig) |
1/12 |
|
VIPER (Schooner) |
1/11 |
|
WILLIAM & ELIZABETH |
1/7 |
|
WILLIAM (Sloop) |
1/12 |
Top →
Detailed Description of the Collection
The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.
|
|
|
| Correspondence, Accounts, and Related Papers; 1800-1859 |
| Box |
Folder |
| 1 |
1 |
|
Business correspondence and papers; 1800-1803 |
|
2 |
|
Business correspondence and papers; 1804 |
|
3 |
|
Business correspondence and papers; 1805 |
|
4 |
|
Business correspondence and papers; 1806 |
|
5 |
|
Business correspondence and papers; 1807 |
|
6 |
|
Business correspondence and papers; 1808 |
|
7 |
|
Business correspondence and papers; 1809-1810 |
|
8 |
|
Business correspondence and papers; 1811 |
|
9 |
|
Business correspondence and papers; 1812 |
|
10 |
|
Business correspondence and papers; 1813 |
|
11 |
|
Business correspondence and papers; 1814 |
|
12 |
|
Business correspondence and papers; 1815 |
|
13 |
|
Business correspondence and papers; 1816-1817 |
|
14 |
|
Business correspondence and papers; 1818-1819 |
|
15 |
|
Business correspondence and papers; 1820-1822 |
|
16 |
|
Business correspondence and papers; 1828-1829 |
|
17 |
|
Advice for a voyage to Batavia; ca. 1810 |
|
18 |
|
Business letters, coded; ca. 1812 |
|
19 |
|
Family letters re. Caroline and Mary Olivia Smith; ca. 1836-1859 |
|
20 |
|
School essay assignment, local histories and reports, Mary O. Smith; ca. 1850 |
|
21 |
|
Genealogical information and research; ca. 1850 |
|
22 |
|
Research notes and related information re. Indian Red Jacket; ca. 1823-1834 |
|
23 |
|
Miscellaneous manuscript items; undated |
|
24 |
|
Miscellaneous newspapers clippings; ca. 1850-1900 |
Top →
