The papers of this Salem, Mass., man include business correspondence and receipts, largely associated with his service as a ship captain and an agent on the West Coast of Africa for commission merchants Matthew Bartlett and Charles H. Miller. Letters in this series are primarily from Bartlett, his clerk John F. Brooks, and Miller, discussing trade matters, cargoes such as palm oil, and some discussion of the Civil War and its impact on business. Also included is a letter from a relative discussing the conditions and situation on Folly Island, South Carolina. Ship's papers include papers for 13 ships; see collection register for complete list. Personal papers include bills and receipts of a personal nature, and a small collection of a West African newspaper, The West African Herald. Miscellaneous materials contain seaman's protection certificates, including Berry's and one of John Stout, a black man, and other bills, receipts, accounts, and some material unrelated to Berry.
