{"product_id":"colonial-philadelphia-merchant-s-letter-circa-1740-severe-winter-privateers-barbados-marine-insurance","title":"Colonial Philadelphia Merchant’s Letter, circa 1740 — Severe Winter, Privateers \u0026 Barbados Marine Insurance","description":"\u003cp data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAn 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe writer describes his quarter ownership of the brigantine \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVernon\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe 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.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA compelling manuscript for collectors of colonial commerce, maritime insurance, Philadelphia history, and early American weather observations. Writer unidentified; no full signature visible.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCondition:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Age toning, intersecting folds, scattered stains and spotting, edge wear, and splits along portions of the folds. Most text remains readable. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Signature Documents LLC","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53017636667674,"sku":null,"price":1650.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2221\/0931\/files\/IMG_3493.jpg?v=1791323108","url":"https:\/\/www.thearchiveauthority.com\/products\/colonial-philadelphia-merchant-s-letter-circa-1740-severe-winter-privateers-barbados-marine-insurance","provider":"TheArchiveAuthority.com","version":"1.0","type":"link"}