William Appleton and Company.

The firm William Appleton and Company of Boston was organized in 1841, when Samuel Hooper and James A. Appleton became partners of William Appleton. This was a company of shipping merchants who were exporting the coarser textile manufactures along with some raw cotton, grains and lumber to China and the East Indies in return for tea, silk, mattings, and rice from China; hemp, sugar indigo, and coffee from Manila; Malacca tin, pepper, and coffee from Batavia. They bought coffee in Rio de Janeiro which they exchanged in New Orleans for cotton to be shipped to Liverpool, sometimes taking cargoes of iron and steel products in exchange to be shipped to the American market, but more often taking credit to be drawn upon in China in payment for goods purchased there. They shipped cargoes of well-assorted merchandise to California and brought back hides and gold. William Appleton withdrew from the company in 1859. The business was carried on under the name of Samuel Hooper and Company. Shipping continued to be the dominant interest for some time; but changes characteristic of the history of American shipping occurred until, by the 1870's, the chief investments of the company seem to have been in railroads and manufacturing.

From the description of Records, 1840-1889 (inclusive). (Harvard Business School). WorldCat record id: 269590761