1812 Newport Maritime Crew List — Black Cook — West Indies Voyage — Ellery Customs Office
Newport, Rhode Island, February 10, 1812.
Original partially printed customs crew list for the brig Hiram of North Kingstown, commanded by Captain Gilbert Chadwick and bound for the West Indies.
Completed in period manuscript, the document records six crew members with their occupations, ages, heights, complexions, residences, and places of birth. Among them is a 37-year-old Black cook named John, recorded as standing five feet eight inches tall—an engaging surviving record of Black participation in early American merchant shipping.
Captain Chadwick signs twice, affirming the crew information. Two additional signatures appear to read “W. Ellery Jr., Dep. Coll.”, apparently representing the deputy collector serving in Newport’s customs office during the tenure of Declaration signer William Ellery. The document is offered without attribution of these signatures to the Declaration signer, as it liklely is signed by his son of the same name.
The lower certification addresses evidence of American citizenship under legislation for the protection of American seamen, expressly excepting three named crew members. Reverse docketing identifies the voyage and records cancellation of the bond on May 23, 1812.
An attractive embossed customs seal remains at lower right. Period folds, small fold holes and separations, marginal tears and losses, and light age toning; the principal entries and signatures remain readily legible.
A compelling early American maritime document combining West Indies commerce, seamen’s identification, and the recorded presence of a Black crew member in the months preceding the War of 1812.
Newport, Rhode Island, February 10, 1812.
Original partially printed customs crew list for the brig Hiram of North Kingstown, commanded by Captain Gilbert Chadwick and bound for the West Indies.
Completed in period manuscript, the document records six crew members with their occupations, ages, heights, complexions, residences, and places of birth. Among them is a 37-year-old Black cook named John, recorded as standing five feet eight inches tall—an engaging surviving record of Black participation in early American merchant shipping.
Captain Chadwick signs twice, affirming the crew information. Two additional signatures appear to read “W. Ellery Jr., Dep. Coll.”, apparently representing the deputy collector serving in Newport’s customs office during the tenure of Declaration signer William Ellery. The document is offered without attribution of these signatures to the Declaration signer, as it liklely is signed by his son of the same name.
The lower certification addresses evidence of American citizenship under legislation for the protection of American seamen, expressly excepting three named crew members. Reverse docketing identifies the voyage and records cancellation of the bond on May 23, 1812.
An attractive embossed customs seal remains at lower right. Period folds, small fold holes and separations, marginal tears and losses, and light age toning; the principal entries and signatures remain readily legible.
A compelling early American maritime document combining West Indies commerce, seamen’s identification, and the recorded presence of a Black crew member in the months preceding the War of 1812.
