This collection contains a daybook kept by Ferdanandus Vanderveer, a New York City importer and merchant. The daybook is housed in one volume, and covers the years 1771 to 1785. The daybook indicates that Vanderveer purchased and sold a wide variety of products, including rum, linens, molasses, tea, and various other sundries. Most of Vanderveer's goods were imported through the ports of Amsterdam, Bristol, London, as well as South America and the West Indies. Vanderveer's entries show that in earlier years, he was successful in his ventures. However, his business activity was virtually halted by the onset of the American Revolution. Another event that affected his business dramatically was the loss of his shipment aboard the sloop, William, in July 1776; he recorded that his initial loss was valued at 2,259 British pounds. Nevertheless, by February 1777, he recovered most of his losses and settled his accounts in relation to the incident aboard the William. After the Revolutionary War, Vanderveer's business activity resumed. His business did not prosper as it did before the American Revolution, but he continued making entries into his daybook until November 15, 1785.
