1741 Philadelphia Merchant’s Manuscript — Deadly Epidemic, Atlantic Trade, Silver Watches & Schoolbooks
Original manuscript merchant’s letter draft, Philadelphia, dated “11 of 9th mo 1741” [November 11, 1741, Old Style], addressed to Lawrence Williams and initialed apparently “JP.”
A detailed colonial American commercial manuscript combining transatlantic trade with a vivid contemporary account of a deadly Philadelphia epidemic. The writer describes “such a Sickly time here the Like not known this Thirty years,” reports numerous deaths, and explains that people became afraid to visit one another. He records the contemporary belief that the disease had arrived aboard vessels from Ireland and notes its disruption of shipping.
Business matters include a £125 sterling bill of exchange, calfskins shipped aboard the Constantine, complaints concerning damaged merchandise, and orders for two silver watches and schoolbooks for the writer’s nephews. The closing also mentions herrings received too spoiled to eat.
Two written pages are shown, with numerous revisions and an alternative opening characteristic of a retained draft. An additional photographed page bears calligraphic writing, arithmetic, and a small drawing resembling a folding knife.
Condition: Fold creases, scattered spotting and discoloration, small edge tears, and marginal losses visible in the photographs. The principal text remains substantially legible. Dimensions not supplied.
An engaging early Philadelphia manuscript with particular appeal for collectors of colonial commerce, epidemic history, education, and everyday life.
Original manuscript merchant’s letter draft, Philadelphia, dated “11 of 9th mo 1741” [November 11, 1741, Old Style], addressed to Lawrence Williams and initialed apparently “JP.”
A detailed colonial American commercial manuscript combining transatlantic trade with a vivid contemporary account of a deadly Philadelphia epidemic. The writer describes “such a Sickly time here the Like not known this Thirty years,” reports numerous deaths, and explains that people became afraid to visit one another. He records the contemporary belief that the disease had arrived aboard vessels from Ireland and notes its disruption of shipping.
Business matters include a £125 sterling bill of exchange, calfskins shipped aboard the Constantine, complaints concerning damaged merchandise, and orders for two silver watches and schoolbooks for the writer’s nephews. The closing also mentions herrings received too spoiled to eat.
Two written pages are shown, with numerous revisions and an alternative opening characteristic of a retained draft. An additional photographed page bears calligraphic writing, arithmetic, and a small drawing resembling a folding knife.
Condition: Fold creases, scattered spotting and discoloration, small edge tears, and marginal losses visible in the photographs. The principal text remains substantially legible. Dimensions not supplied.
An engaging early Philadelphia manuscript with particular appeal for collectors of colonial commerce, epidemic history, education, and everyday life.
