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Burd-Shippen Papers, 1708-1792

Title: Burd-Shippen Papers 1708-1792

James Burd (1726-1793) was well-known in colonial Pennsylvania through his role in the French and Indian War, as well as his connections to many of the colony's leading families (most notably the Shippen family). Initially starting out as a merchant in Philadelphia, Burd became increasingly involved with colonial affairs after moving to Lancaster County with his family in 1752. It would be on the frontier where Burd would make his mark first as a soldier, and later as a magistrate. The Burd-Shippen Papers consist mainly of letters and business documents sent to James Burd, with the bulk of the collection relating to the French and Indian War, 1754-1763, in which Burd served as an officer commanding troops at Fort Augusta and elsewhere. The 2.5 linear feet in the collection reflects all aspects of Burd's life in Pennsylvania as a merchant, soldier, and magistrate; as well as his involvement with the Shippen family professionally and personally. Intermixed with items sent to Burd are receipts to his wife Sarah Shippen Burd, and correspondence between Edward Shippen and James Hamilton regarding land matters and Indian affairs in Lancaster.

ArchivalResource: 2.5 Linear feet; 12 volumes

http://www.amphilsoc.org/mole/view?docId=ead/Mss.B.B892-ead.xml View

Jenkins, William. Miscellaneous manuscripts, 1765.

Title: Miscellaneous manuscripts, 1765.

Official copy of William Jenkins' will, certified on 12 June 1765 by William Plumsted, Registrar General for the Probate of Wills, &c. at Philadelphia. The certification statement is addressed to Morris Morris and Daniel Thomas. The date of the original will is 29 December 1711; it was witnessed by Thomas Canby.

ArchivalResource: 1 item (1 leaf)

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/190846355 View

Plumsted, Robert. Letterbook, 1752 Jun-1756 Jan.

Title: Letterbook, 1752 Jun-1756 Jan.

Letterbook containing retained copies of commercial correspondence between Robert Plumsted, a Quaker ironmonger and merchant in London, and various business associates, including ships captains; merchants and customers in Philadelphia and the West Indies; and Plumsted's own agents. The letterbook opens with a lengthy series in which Plumstead announces the death of his father and his intentions to carry on the business of Thomas Plumsted and Son under his own name. Principal correspondents include William Plumsted of Philadelphia; Elias Bland; Benjamin and William Shoemaker, also of Philadelphia; Abel James of London; and Robert Wilson. Subjects include shipments by Plumsted to the American colonies of ironwork, steel, tools, brass hardware and a variety of consumer goods, including furniture, cloth, books, glass, shoes and, on at least two occasions, birds; prices and quantities of goods received from America, such as wood, ginger, ginsing root, furs, and corn; letters of credit, bills of lading and demands for payment; ships and captains recently arrived in or departed from London; and reports of ship losses. There is at least one mention of a shipment of slaves, as well as more frequent mention of goods destined for trade in West Africa. Plumsted frequently insured cargoes, and the valuations and limitations of the insurance contracts are carefully detailed, as are his replies to American customers who were dissatisfied with prices received for their shipments to London or with the quality or quantity of goods received from England. Also mentioned are sailing and weather conditions; the state of the economy in England; and, in the years 1755 and 1756, rumors of war with the French and of the movement of the British and French fleets. There are occasional references to Plumsted's Quaker faith, his belief in "plain dealing," and his willingness to aid other Quakers in distress. Letters to other Quakers are written in "Quaker language" and use ordinal numbers for the months.

ArchivalResource: 1 v. (460 p.) ; 36 x 25 cm.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/702178005 View

Plumsted family. Papers, 1726-1890.

Title: Papers, 1726-1890.

The miscellaneous papers of the Plumsted family include personal and business correspondence, financial records, land papers for family property in Pennsylvania and Virginia. The major portion of the papers relate to William Plumsted, Pennsylvania merchant. There are a few items of Clement Plumsted and his son William, both of whom served as mayors of colonial Philadelphia, and Mary McCall (Mrs. William) Plumsted's cookbook, 1776. There is some correspondence, 1825-1838, of William Plumsted, U. S. Navy Surgeon, to his sister Clementina Ross Plumsted. Also copies of the by-laws, muster rolls, and papers, 1774-1815, extracted from the archives of the First Troop Philadelphia Cavalry.

ArchivalResource: 250 items.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/122380221 View