Colonial Philadelphia Merchant’s Letter, circa 1740 — Severe Winter, Privateers & Barbados Marine Insurance
An evocative colonial manuscript addressed to Lawrence Williams, combining the practical business of maritime insurance with a striking account of severe winter conditions disrupting Philadelphia’s commerce.
The writer describes his quarter ownership of the brigantine Vernon, commanded by Arthur Burrows, and requests £160 sterling insurance for its voyage to Barbados and return. He discusses bills of exchange and expresses hope that insurance premiums will remain reasonable, noting the absence of reported privateers near the local coast or Barbados.
The concluding passage provides an unusually vivid weather report. The writer describes a “very hard winter,” a river frozen from approximately December 20 or 22, navigation obstructed until the 13th of the current month, and snow covering level ground “a yard Deep for a Considerable time.”
The reference to navigation resuming on the 13th is consistent with the documented reopening of the Delaware on March 13, 1740, suggesting a possible connection with the severe winter of 1739–40. No dateline is visible, and this dating remains provisional.
A compelling manuscript for collectors of colonial commerce, maritime insurance, Philadelphia history, and early American weather observations. Writer unidentified; no full signature visible.
Condition: Age toning, intersecting folds, scattered stains and spotting, edge wear, and splits along portions of the folds. Most text remains readable.
An evocative colonial manuscript addressed to Lawrence Williams, combining the practical business of maritime insurance with a striking account of severe winter conditions disrupting Philadelphia’s commerce.
The writer describes his quarter ownership of the brigantine Vernon, commanded by Arthur Burrows, and requests £160 sterling insurance for its voyage to Barbados and return. He discusses bills of exchange and expresses hope that insurance premiums will remain reasonable, noting the absence of reported privateers near the local coast or Barbados.
The concluding passage provides an unusually vivid weather report. The writer describes a “very hard winter,” a river frozen from approximately December 20 or 22, navigation obstructed until the 13th of the current month, and snow covering level ground “a yard Deep for a Considerable time.”
The reference to navigation resuming on the 13th is consistent with the documented reopening of the Delaware on March 13, 1740, suggesting a possible connection with the severe winter of 1739–40. No dateline is visible, and this dating remains provisional.
A compelling manuscript for collectors of colonial commerce, maritime insurance, Philadelphia history, and early American weather observations. Writer unidentified; no full signature visible.
Condition: Age toning, intersecting folds, scattered stains and spotting, edge wear, and splits along portions of the folds. Most text remains readable.
