1793 ORIGINAL MARITIME BILL OF SALE — CAPTAIN ELIAS WILLIAMS — SCHOONER INDUSTRY
Exceptional Early American Ship-Ownership Document Signed by Captain Elias Williams of Wethersfield, Connecticut
An original November 30, 1793 maritime bill of sale transferring a one-eighth ownership interest in the schooner Industry from Elias Williams of Wethersfield, Connecticut, to Simeon Williams of Wethersfield, for the consideration of £16 10 shillings.
The document specifically conveys “one equal eighth part” of the schooner Industry, together with her tackle and associated equipment, documenting the fractional ownership system commonly used to finance and operate American merchant vessels in the early Federal period.
The manuscript is signed Elias Williams and is contemporaneously docketed on the reverse “Schooner Industry — Bill of Sale.”
The signer is consistent with Captain Elias Williams (1718–1798) of Wethersfield, Connecticut, a member of the prominent Williams family. Archival records document Captain Elias Williams as a Wethersfield property owner, while a separate 1787 archival record specifically identifies an oath of Elias Williams of Wethersfield concerning a schooner, providing independent evidence of his involvement in maritime affairs.
This document offers an unusually direct glimpse into the financing and ownership of an American merchant vessel only a few years after the adoption of the U.S. Constitution.
Document: Original manuscript bill of sale
Date: November 30, 1793
Seller: Elias Williams, Wethersfield, Connecticut
Buyer: Simeon Williams, Wethersfield, Connecticut
Vessel: Schooner Industry
Interest: One-eighth share
Consideration: £16 10 shillings
Subject: Vessel, tackle and associated equipment
Condition: Original with folds, toning, minor staining and expected age-related wear; contemporary docketing remains on the reverse.
An exceptional document for collectors of Early American maritime history, Connecticut history, ship ownership, merchant shipping, American commerce, and original eighteenth-century manuscripts.
Exceptional Early American Ship-Ownership Document Signed by Captain Elias Williams of Wethersfield, Connecticut
An original November 30, 1793 maritime bill of sale transferring a one-eighth ownership interest in the schooner Industry from Elias Williams of Wethersfield, Connecticut, to Simeon Williams of Wethersfield, for the consideration of £16 10 shillings.
The document specifically conveys “one equal eighth part” of the schooner Industry, together with her tackle and associated equipment, documenting the fractional ownership system commonly used to finance and operate American merchant vessels in the early Federal period.
The manuscript is signed Elias Williams and is contemporaneously docketed on the reverse “Schooner Industry — Bill of Sale.”
The signer is consistent with Captain Elias Williams (1718–1798) of Wethersfield, Connecticut, a member of the prominent Williams family. Archival records document Captain Elias Williams as a Wethersfield property owner, while a separate 1787 archival record specifically identifies an oath of Elias Williams of Wethersfield concerning a schooner, providing independent evidence of his involvement in maritime affairs.
This document offers an unusually direct glimpse into the financing and ownership of an American merchant vessel only a few years after the adoption of the U.S. Constitution.
Document: Original manuscript bill of sale
Date: November 30, 1793
Seller: Elias Williams, Wethersfield, Connecticut
Buyer: Simeon Williams, Wethersfield, Connecticut
Vessel: Schooner Industry
Interest: One-eighth share
Consideration: £16 10 shillings
Subject: Vessel, tackle and associated equipment
Condition: Original with folds, toning, minor staining and expected age-related wear; contemporary docketing remains on the reverse.
An exceptional document for collectors of Early American maritime history, Connecticut history, ship ownership, merchant shipping, American commerce, and original eighteenth-century manuscripts.
