The Winterthur Library

The Joseph Downs Collection of Manuscripts and Printed Ephemera

Henry Francis du Pont Winterthur Museum, Winterthur, DE 19735

302-888-4600 or 800-448-3883

OVERVIEW OF THE COLLECTION

Creator: Cushing, Nathaniel, 1762-1827.

Title: Papers

Dates: 1787-1828

Call No.: Col. 19

Acc. No.: 85x137

Quantity: ca. 200 items (2 boxes)

Location: 16 A 2

BIOGRAPHICAL STATEMENT

Nathaniel Cushing ran an iron works, making anchors in particular, in Pembroke, Plymouth County, Massachusetts. For a time, he also had a store, but he closed that business to concentrate on the ironworks. Later, he was involved in the Pembroke Woolen and Cotton Manufactory. Nathaniel was the son of Nathaniel and Lucy Turner Cushing, born June 24, 1762. Nathaniel had brothers named Isaac (a merchant in Spain), Charles, and Ben (a ship captain), and sisters Mehitable and Lucy (married to a Mr. Estabrook). Nathaniel married Mehitable Dodge in 1789, and they had seven children: Ezekiel Dodge (born Jan. 2, 1790), Mehitable (born Feb. 21, 1792), Lucy (born March 18, 1796), George (born Sept. 6, 1799), Elijah (born Sept. 12, 1806), and two sons, both named Nathaniel, who died young. By 1820, the part of Pembroke in which the Cushings lived was renamed Hanson. Nathaniel Cushing died on September 4, 1827.

SCOPE AND CONTENT

Papers consist of business letters, orders, invoices, bills, and receipts, and a very few personal letters. One personal item of particular importance is a copy of a 1799 letter to Nathaniel's brother Isaac, in which he tells about his anchor business and gives a little news about the family. The business papers focus on Cushing's anchor business and his investments in overseas commerce, trading in such commodities as iron, cotton, cotton yarn, flour, and tobacco. Correspondents include: Ebenezer Little Boyd, Joshua Barstow, Charles Scudder, Benjamin Cushing, J.B. Borland, and the firm Lodges & Tooth. As well, the collection contains some photocopies of items about Cushing found in other collections.

Transcripts of the items are part of the collection and are filed with the originals. It is not known who did the transcripts or when. A few transcripts are for items not in the collection; the location of the originals of these is not known. The transcripts have not been checked for accuracy.

ORGANIZATION

In chronological order.

LANGUAGE OF MATERIALS

The materials are in English.

RESTRICTIONS ON ACCESS

Collection is open to the public. Copyright restrictions may apply.

RELATED MATERIAL

Account books of Nathaniel Cushing (MHAQ85-A95) are located at Ms. Div., Baker Library, Harvard Business School, Cambridge, Mass.

Several bills to Nathaniel Cushing from various Boston merchants are located in Col. 70, G.E. Leontine Watermark Collection. The bills are mostly for textile fabrics and reams of paper. It is not certain that this Nathaniel Cushing is the same as the man who ran the iron works.

PROVENANCE

Purchased from Harold R. Nestler.

ACCESS POINTS

People:

Boyd, Ebenezer L.

Barstow, Joshua.

Scudder, Charles.

Cushing, Benjamin, b. 1774.

Borland, J. B.

Topics:

Lodges & Tooth.

Anchors - Massachusetts.

Cotton yarn.

Iron industry and trade - Massachusetts.

Ship chandlers - Massachusetts.

Letters.

Receipts.

Orders.

Accounts.

Ironsmiths.

Exporters.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE COLLECTION

Location: 16 A 2

Note: all accession numbers begin with 85x137, unless otherwise specified

Box 1:

Folder 1: 1787-1789, originals, .1-.6

.1 bill, Cushing owes Daniel Sargent of Boston, July 27, 1787, for rum, sugar, with credit given Cushing for an anchor, signed by Sargent on May 19, 1788

.2 receipted bill, Cushing paid N. Seaver for chintz, counterpane, shawls, Nov. 11, 1787

.3 account of Cushing with Joshua Barstow, 1788, Cushing purchased iron and gave notes for the purchases; on back: account settled April 1, 1788

.4 bill, Cushing bought of S. & S. Salisbury, Boston, April 15, 1788; purchased brass kettle, candlesticks, skillet, shovel and tongs, hand irons, chafing dish, bellows, wool cards, cloths brush, grater, snuffer, knives and forks, warming pan; gave note for the amount

.5 receipted bill, Cushing bought of Mrs. Thankful Baty, Boston, August 15, 1788; purchased glass, wool cards, handkerchiefs, shoe binding, gartering, calico; receipted signed by Gideon Baty

.6 bill, Cushing bought of S. & S. Salisbury, August 4, 1789, broadcloth, napkins, sewing silk, buttons, shoe buckles, Japanned ink pot, shears, plane irons, pen knives, snuff boxes, padlocks; gave his note for amount

Folder 2: 1787-1789, transcripts of .1-.6

Folder 3: 1790-1795, originals, .7-.31

.7 account, Cushing with Capt. Amos Shaw, for notes; endorsed on back: Capt. Shaw’s bill of Consider Merritt’s note, Jan. 26, 1790

.8 receipted bill, Cushing paid Joseph Blake, Boston, June 22, 1790, for pillow beaver and other fabrics, pins, buttons, bandanas, black lace

.9 agreement between Cushing and Joseph Blake, Blake has supplied pig iron and Cushing is to deliver “refined well drawn bar iron made from said pigs” and also anchors, also signed Gideon Baty

.10 bill, Cushing bought of Benj. Sumner, Boston, April 12, 1791, plates, bowls, creams, peppers, cups and saucers, mustards, sugar bowls, quart and pint mugs, teapots

.11 receipted bill, Cushing paid Watson Freeman, Boston, Oct. 25, 1791, for various textile fabrics

.12 receipted bill, Cushing paid William Little, Boston, Nov. 25, 1791, for pig iron, receipt signed by Ebenr. Boyd

.13 receipt, Cushing paid account with Nathl. Sylvester in full, Pembroke, Feb. 27, 1792

.14 receipted bill, Cushing paid Joseph Lee, Jr., Boston, [Oct.] 20, 1792, for raisins

.15 receipted bill, Cushing bought of Salisbury & Higginson, Boston, Oct. 20, 1792, for glass, snuff boxes, knives, solid box rules, cod line

.16 bill, Cushing bought of S. & S. Salisbury, Boston, Feb. 27, 1793, slates, tobacco boxes, Bibles, Testaments, buckles, hinges

.17 letter, Caleb Howard, Bridgewater, April 2, 1793, to Cushing, Pembroke, about the wares which he has sent, especially the quality of the kettles

.18 bill, Cushing bought of Joseph Blake, Boston, June 5, 1793, padlocks, writing paper, textile fabrics (fustian, jane [i.e. jean], printed linen)

.19 letter, Ebenr. L. Boyd, Boston, June 25, 1793, to Cushing, Pembroke, about an order for anchors

.20 bill, Cushing bought of Andrew Leach, Boston, May 2, 1794, textile fabrics, shoes, paper, soap, Websters (1^st and 3d parts), buttons, ribbons, handkerchiefs

.21 receipted bill, Cushing paid William Stackpole, Boston, July 3, 1794, for rum, wine, etc., signed by Moses Wheeler

.22 receipted bill, Cushing paid Jno. Daniels, Boston, Nov. 6, 1794, for coffee, etc.

.23 receipted bill, Cushing paid Jno. Daniels, Boston, Dec. 8(?), 1794, for pepper, spices, coffee, sugar, etc.

.24 receipted freighting bill, Cushing paid Ezekiel Lincoln, Hingham, May 6, 1795, for nails, sundries, anchors, wharfage

.25 receipted bill, Cushing paid John Daniels, Boston, March(?) 6, 1795, for sugar, spices, redwood, alum, l. wood [logwood?], chestnut (?), trucking

.26 receipted bill, Cushing paid John Daniels, Boston, May 21, 1795, for sugar

.27 receipted bill, Cushing paid Samuel Bradlee, Boston, June 17, 1795, for rum

.28 receipted bill, Nathl. & Benj. Cushing paid Freeman & Baty, Boston, June 17, 1795, for molasses

.29 receipt, Cushing paid for hollow ware delivered to Mr. Lincoln, signed D. Scudder, Boston, July 30, 1795

.30 letter, Alden Briggs, Pembroke, Oct. 24, 1795, to Cushing, Pembroke, inquiring whether his brother Daniel’s anchors could be ready sooner

.31 account of Cushing with Enos [variously spelled] Bates, 1795, Bates charged for his labor of painting, plus charged for the colors and boiled oil; Cushing paid with a note and other items

Folder 4: 1790-1795, transcripts, .7-.31

Folder 5: 1796-1799, originals, .32-.53

.32 letter, H. Feuring, Hingham, March 28, 1796, to Cushing, Pembroke, Mr. Heursey called about hups(?), would be good to clear out store as someone wishes to rent it; Capt. Lincoln wishes to sell his house, enclosed account with Ezra Beal

.33 letter, Ebenr. Boyd, Boston, April 9, 1796, to Cushing, Pembroke, about sea coal, mentions anchors

.34 receipt, July 20, 1796, Joshua Adams received rum, molasses, glass, sugar, box of goods, from Cushing, to be delivered to Benj. Cushing in Camden; scribbles on back [paper is watermarked 1793]

.35 letter, Ben. Shackelford for Keith & Tisdale, Norfolk, Dec. 22, 1796, to Cushing, Pembroke, am loading a vessel with corn for Nantucket and will pay him from that; “anchors not so good an article as they have been owing to there being a good many here for sale”

.36 account of Cushing with Nath. West, Boston, Feb. 2, 1796, signed B. & W. Pickman

.37 account of Cushing with Micah Foster, 1797, Cushing bought shoes and paid with a note

.38 “Sales of Anchors by Ebenezer Little Boyd, on account & risque of Mr. Nathaniel Cushing of Pembrook [sic],” 1797, listing purchasers of anchors and sales prices; also a letter, Boyd to Cushing, June 12, 1797, about account [note: item is almost in two pieces]

.39 account of Cushing with Joshua Barstow, 1798-1799, about iron

.40 bill, Cushing bought of Asa Hatch, Boston, Oct. 26, 1798, rum

.41 account of Cushing with William Sherburne, settled Jan. 26, 1799

.42 part of a letter sent to Thomas Wilson in London by an unknown person but probably Nathaniel Cushing, Boston, March 22, 1799, am remitting money at request of brother Isaac in Malaga, also mentions brother Benj.

.43 copy of a letter, Nathaniel Cushing, Pembroke, March 28, 1799, to brother Isaac; has paid Thomas Wilson according to his wishes; talks about yellow fever outbreaks in other places – none in Pembroke; has given up his store and attends to his iron works – doing good business making anchors for U.S. Navy; family news (mentions brothers and sisters)

.44a-b letter, Ebenr. Boyd, Boston, April 11, 1799, to Cushing, Pembroke, please send any anchors which are available, with letter wrapper

.45 receipted bill, Cushing bought of William Bordman, Jr., Boston, May 18, 1799, bars of Russia iron

.46 letter, Thos. Wilson, London, May 11, 1799, to Cushing, Boston, received the notes for Isaac’s accounts; Isaac was well and still in Spain when Wilson lately heard from him

.47 letter, Ebenr. L. Boyd, Boston, May 17, 1799, to Cushing, Pembroke, please let me know if you can furnish some anchors

.48 Micah Foster’s receipt for taxes collected by Cushing from various people, May 25, 1799

.49 “Sales of Anchors on Acct. Mr. Nathaniel Cushing,” 1799-1800, account with John Hancock and John H. Bowes; lists purchasers of anchors and amount paid

.50 letter, Ebenr. L. Boyd, Boston, Nov. 12, 1799, to Cushing, Pembroke, am sending some sea coal and has received an order for an anchor

.51 note, Ebenr. L. Boyd, Boston, Nov. 16, 1799, to Cushing, Pembroke, about coal

.52 note, Ebenr. L. Boyd, Boston, Nov. 21, 1799, to Cushing, Pembroke, about an order for an anchor

.53 letter, Ebenr. L. Boyd, Boston, Dec. 26, 1799, to Cushing, Pembroke, about anchor sales; would like to get some anchors on hand before the harbors freeze

Folder 6: 1790-1795, transcripts, .32-.53

Folder 7: 1800-1802, originals, .54-.79

[.174a letter, Eben. L. Boyd, Boston, April 11, 1800, to Cushing, Pembroke, sales of anchors, payments, textile fabric – transcript only, in folder 17]

.54 letter, Ebenr. L. Boyd, Boston, May 10, 1800, to Cushing, Pembroke, about orders for anchors and a payment

[note: paper is watermarked J. Whatman, 1794]

[.174b letter, Eben. L. Boyd, Boston, May 14, 1800, to Cushing, Pembroke, possible sales of anchors - – transcript only, in folder 17]

.55 letter (duplicate), Ebenr. L. Boyd, Boston, June 3, 1800, to Cushing, Pembroke, has sold 2 anchors; details about a note due them [letter is almost in two pieces]

.56a-b letter, Ebenr. L. Boyd, Boston, June 16, 1800, to Cushing, Pembroke, needs anchors delivered immediately [note: letter in two pieces]

[.174c letter, Eben. L. Boyd, Boston, July 14, 1800, to Cushing, Pembroke, obtained money from sales of anchors – transcript only, in folder 17]

.57 receipted bill, Cushing paid John Wyer, Boston, Aug. 16, 1800, for leather, yards of something, and trackage

.58 list of cargo taken on board the ship Daphne at Hancocks warehouse, Boston, 1800, includes hay, rum, brandy, potatoes, soap, candles, provisions, water, with note from Cushing to E. L. Boyd, Dec. 13, 1800

[.174d letter, Eben. L. Boyd, Boston, Jan. 2, 1801, to Cushing, Pembroke, please send anchors, sales of anchors – transcript only, in folder 17]

.59 letter, Ebenr. L. Boyd, Boston, Feb. 2, 1801, to Cushing, Pembroke, about payments for anchors, packets should be up tomorrow

.60 letter, Ebenr. L. Boyd, Boston, Feb. 3, 1801, to Cushing, about anchor sales and payments

.61 “Sales of 3 anchors per acco. Nath. Cushing,” Boston, Feb. 23, 1801, signed C. [Charles] Bradbury

.62 bill, Cushing bought from Zadock French, Boston, Feb. 25, 1801, gin, molasses, brandy, etc., signed Elijah Clark, Jr.

.63 letter, Ebenr. L. Boyd, Boston, March 3, 1801, to Cushing, Pembroke, about insurance on Daphne’s freight

.64 letter, Ebenr. L. Boyd, Boston, March 24, 1801, to Cushing, Pembroke, asking Cushing’s opinion about some pig iron

.65 letter, Ebenr. L. Boyd, Boston, April 6, 1801, to Cushing, Pembroke, sales of anchors, Cushing’s account with Boyd

[.174e letter, Eben. L. Boyd, Boston, May 8, 1801, to Cushing, Pembroke, sales of anchors (lists purchasers and sizes) – transcript only, in folder 17]

[.174f letter, Benj. Cushing, Gasport [so transcribed, but Gosport is meant], May 9, 1801, to Cushing, Pembroke, has entered the Daphne and completed her lading clear out at the custom house; plans to go to Amsterdam, Marsted in Sweden, and London; am getting insurance; have an order so that in case of blockade, the ship cannot be stopped – transcript only, in folder 17]

.66 letter, Ebenr. L. Boyd, Boston, May 19, 1801, to Cushing, Pembroke, anchors have been landed, is sending coal and looking for more, insurance and accounts

.67 letter, Ebenr. L. Boyd, Boston, May 22, 1801, to Cushing, Pembroke, coal is being delivered to Hingham, some Spanish iron is available

.68 letter, Mehitable Cushing, Newton, June [1801], to mother Mrs. M. Cushing, envelope addressed to Cushing, Pembroke, Mehitable had a vacation from school and went to Mr. Leaches’ house, sends respects to family

[.174g letter, Eben. L. Boyd, Boston, June 8, 1801, to Cushing, Pembroke, need certain sizes of anchors – transcript only, in folder 17]

.69 “Sale of Anchors on Acct. of Mr. Nathl. Cushing,” 1800-1801, from John Hancock, Boston, June 26, 1801

.70 letter, Ebenr. L. Boyd, Boston, July 6, 1801, to Cushing, Pembroke, sales of anchors, needs an 800 pound anchor

.71 letter (duplicate), [Ebenr. L. Boyd], Boston, Aug. 8, 1801, to Cushing, Pembroke, sales of anchors, with names of purchasers, possibility of selling anchors in Portland [transcript .174e is the same as this, but the transcriber recorded the date as May 8]

.72 letter, Ebenr. L. Boyd, Boston, Aug. 8, 1801, to Cushing, Pembroke, almost identical to .71; endorsed as being dated May 8, but letter is postmarked Aug. 10, so the endorsement is incorrect

.73 letter, Ebenr. L. Boyd, Boston, Sept. 21, 1801, to Cushing, Pembroke, lists stock on hand, and sales in Aug. and Sept. (purchasers named)

.74 letter (duplicate), Jno. Tucker for Eben L. Boyd, Boston, Oct. 3, 1801, to Cushing, Pembroke, orders for anchors, shall I pay bill for iron?

.75 letter, Ebenr. L. Boyd, Boston, Oct. 6, 1801, to Cushing, Pembroke, anchor sizes needed, am holding letter from Philadelphia until Cushing comes

.76 letter, Traynor & Holbrook, Boston, Nov. 21, 1801, to Cushing, Hanover, Anchor Maker, please send anchors to Elisha Foster’s shipyard

.77 letter, Bigelow & Beale, Boston, Nov. 21, 1801, to Cushing, Pembroke, hopes to get Kingman’s money on Monday

.78 letter, Jno. Tucker for E. L. Boyd, Boston, Dec. 7, 1801, to Cushing, Pembroke, just sold an anchor, may sell another, so need more for stock

.79 receipted bill, Cushing paid John B. Bates for work, including plating, mending, cutting, putting in gambrel to the bellows, etc., 1801-1802

Folder 8: 1800-1802, transcripts, .54-.79

Folder 9: 1803-1805, originals, .80-.109

.80 letter, Ezekiel G. Dodge, Thomaston, Dec. 7, 1803, to his brother[-in-law] Cushing, Pembroke, about the mortgage on Dodge’s farm and assistance from Cushing in paying off part of it

.81 account of Cushing with Alexander Arnold, Boston, Nov. 29, 1803

.82a-b account of Cushing with Freeman Baty & Co. (two pages), Boston, Jan. 1, 1805, with accounts covering 1803-1804, Cushing purchased velvet, cambric, linen, and unspecified goods [paper watermarked D & C Blauw]

.83 letter, Ebenr. L. Boyd, Boston, Feb. 8, 1804, to Cushing, Pembroke, about shipments of salt and coffee; Mrs. Boyd gave birth to a daughter

.84 letter, Ebenr. L. Boyd, Boston, Feb. 11, 1804, to Cushing, Pembroke, Sargent bought the ship Thomas, of Duxbury; possible sales of other ships; when can expect the small anchor

.85 letter, Ebenr. L. Boyd, Boston, April 2, 1804, to Cushing, Pembroke, anchor sales

.86 letter, Ebenr. L. Boyd, Boston, May 23, 1804, to Cushing, Pembroke, anchors received, order for another anchor, Capt. Arnold’s note

.87 letter, Ebenr. L. Boyd, Boston, June 27, 1804, to Cushing, Pembroke, anchors received, needs more sizes for stock

.88 receipted bill, Cushing paid Hobard Smith, Hingham, June 30, 1804, for coal, labor, etc.

.89 letter, Ebenr. L. Boyd, Boston, July 27, 1804, to Cushing, Pembroke, business, Spanish iron available, possible customer for anchors

.90 letter, Nathl. B. Borland for Ebenr. L. Boyd, Boston, Aug. 1, 1804, to Cushing, Pembroke, needs certain size anchors

.91 letter, Ebenr. L. Boyd, Boston, Aug. 23, 1804, to Cushing, Pembroke,

Need additional sizes of anchors

.92 letter, signed Joseph Thaxton, but endorsed as being from Joseph Sprague, Portland, Sept. 22, 1804, to Cushing, Pembroke, about sales of anchors (includes names of purchasers)

.93 receipted bill, Cushing paid Zadock French, Boston, Dec. 23, 1804, for rum, sugar, etc., signed Elijah Clark, Jr.

.94 duplicate of letter, Ebenr. L. Boyd, Boston, Jan. 7, 1805, to Cushing, Pembroke, Higginson & Co. need a certain size anchor – please send it so can keep their custom; with addition dated Jan. 9, about notes and need for anchors

.95 letter, Ebenr. L. Boyd, Boston, Jan. 18, 1805, to Cushing, Pembroke, about payment of a note, hopes thaw will allow packets to get out of the cove

.96 letter, Noah Brooks, Boston, March 4, [1805], to Cushing, Pembroke, about employment for Zekeus Tilden Hall

.97 note, Ebenr. L. Boyd, Boston, March 15, 1805, to Joseph Thaxton, Portland, received his message about covering Cushing for $132

.98 letter, Ebenr. L. Boyd, Boston, March 29, 1805, to Cushing, Pembroke, old iron for sale, still awaiting an anchor

[.174h letter, Eben. L. Boyd, Boston, April 22, 1805, to Cushing, Pembroke, Capt. Trott on the ship Boston reached Liverpool and sold timber but not staves – transcript only, in folder 17]

[.174i letter, Trott & Blake, Boston, May 1, 1805, to Cushing, Pembroke, the Boston is sailing well since lumber port was caulked – transcript only, in folder 17]

.99 letter, Ebenr. L. Boyd, Boston, May 1, 1805, to Cushing, Pembroke, sales of anchors to a stranger; worried about ice damaging ships

.100 letter, Ebenr. L. Boyd, Boston, May 20, 1805, to Cushing, Pembroke, sales of anchors – needs to replace those sizes; on back: list of livestock and other goods

.101 letter, Ebenr. L. Boyd, Boston, July 8, 1805, to Cushing, Pembroke, needs a certain size anchor; have very little water; brandy

.102 letter, Ebenr. L. Boyd, Boston, Aug. 27, 1805, to Cushing, Pembroke, accounts, need rain

.103 letter, Samuel Howard, Savannah, Sept. 21, 1805, to Messrs. Trott & Blake, Boston, bad debts; expect good cotton crop as caterpillars have not ravaged the crop as in past years; don’t need to worry about sea worms damaging ships as the water at Savannah is fresh; have a market for Liverpool salt

.104 letter, Ebenr. L. Boyd, Boston, Oct. 17, 1805, to Cushing, Pembroke, anchor sales, account

.105 letter, Ebenr. L. Boyd, Boston, Oct. 21, 1805, to Cushing, Pembroke, anchor sales, gives description of anchors wanted (with stout palms, shanks to gradually taper), sends list of anchors on hand

.106 letter, Ebenr. L. Boyd, Boston, Oct. 25, 1805, to Cushing, Pembroke, certain size anchor needed within 35 days

.107a-b letter, John & Adam Lodge, Liverpool, Nov. 2, 1805, to Messrs. Nath. & Benj. Cushing, Pembroke, transmitting accounts of the ship Boston, also include a price current for American exports, ashes and cotton being especially high [enclosures not with letter]

.108 letter, Ebenr. L. Boyd, Boston, Nov. 18, 1805, to Cushing, Pembroke, anchor sales; information about his account; etc.

.109 letter, Ebenr. L. Boyd, Boston, Dec. 12, 1805, to Cushing, Pembroke, anchors received, sizes needed; an old anchor sold

Folder 10: 1803-1805, transcripts, .80-.109

Folder 11: 1806-1809, originals, .110-.128

.110 letter, Ebenr. L. Boyd, Boston, Jan. 20, 1806, to Cushing, Pembroke, about possible anchor sales and taking care of notes

.111 letter, Ebenr. L. Boyd, Boston, Feb. 1, 1806, to Cushing, Pembroke, send all anchors possible while Hingham cove is open

.112 letter, Ebenr. L. Boyd, Boston, Feb. 5, 1806, to Cushing, Pembroke, anchors not yet received; shall I purchase some Spanish iron?

.113 letter, Ebenr. L. Boyd, Boston, March 21, 1806, to Cushing, Pembroke, sales of anchors, ship Boston has cleared for Liverpool

.114 letter, Ebenr. L. Boyd, Boston, June 5, 1806, to Cushing, Pembroke, order for anchors

[.174j account of John & Adam Lodge with Cushing, Liverpool, Sept. 8, 1806, mentions ship Boston and rice, freight from Savannah – transcript only, in folder 17]

[.174k duplicate letter, J. & A. Lodge, Liverpool, Sept. 12, 1806, to Nath. & Benj. Cushing, , care of Trott & Blake, Pembroke, his credit has been sent to Freeman, Baty & Cushing of Boston; not as much as expected since ship Boston was in port longer than anticipated; encloses prices current – cotton, tar, timber, and lumber are good – transcript only, in folder 17]

.115 letter, Ebenr. L. Boyd, Boston, Sept. 19, 1806, to Cushing, Pembroke, about paying of notes; order for anchor

.116 bill, Cushing bought of Joseph Field, 1806, flour, credit given for an anchor and cash, endorsed on back: settled De. 18, 1806

.117 letter, Samuel Dow, Jr., no place, no date (but paper is watermarked 1807), to Cushing, Pembroke, order for small kedge and fisherman anchors

.118 receipt, Nath. Seaver received a payment from Nath. and Benj. Cushing, Boston Oct. 15, 1807

.119 letter, Bossenger(?) Foster, Cambridge, Dec. 16, 1807, to Cushing, Pembroke, offers to sell Cushing his estate in Bolton, poor health is forcing Foster to move to a milder climate

.120 duplicate of letter, Lodges & Tooth, Liverpool, March 14, 1807, to Messrs. N. & B. Cushing, am shipping them salt aboard the ship Boston, also crates for Trott & Blake and casks of wares for other houses, will send statement of account current [note: paper watermarked J. Whatman 1805]

.121 letter, Trott & Blake, Boston, Feb. 22, 1808, to Cushing, Pembroke, about accounts, needs value of Fleetwood’s anchor so can settle with insurance company

.122 Mr. Nathaniel Cushing in account current with Freeman & Cushing, per Charles Scudder, Boston, Dec. 28, 1809 [paper bears a watermark]

.123 accounts, Lodges & Tooth, Liverpool, May 24, 1808, to Messrs. Trott & Blake & Messrs. N. & B. Cushing, Pembroke, expenses for the ship Adeline, standed [sic, i.e stranded?] near the Isle of Wight on a voyage to Charleston;

also a letter, June 2, 1808, from same to N. & b. Cushing, about the accounts above;

also, prices as of June 11, 1808, for staves, timber, naval stores, quercitron bark

.124 Mr. Nath. Cushing in a/c with David Whiton & Co., to freighting, etc., Feb. 27, 1809, mentioning anchors, iron, coal, corn, anvil, flour, wharfage

.125 letter, J. B. Borland, Boston, Feb. 28, 1809, to Cushing, Pembroke, about anchor sales, extending bills, and paying Mr. Gibson

.126 letter, Trott & Blake, Boston, Aug. 24, 1809, to Cushing, Pembroke, the Olympus is expected from Baltimore next week, flour on board; can he come to town to discuss what to do next with Olympus

[.174L letter, Russell Glover, Liverpool, Sept. 3, 1809, to Cushing, Pembroke, plans to sail immediately for Philadelphia; left money with Capt. Joe Trott; stop the pay of Ridout’s wife as is he ill; did not buy canvas as it is high – transcript only – in folder 17]

[see .127 for letter written by Glover upon his arrival in Philadelphia]

[.174m cover sheet for letter from Lodges & Tooth to N. & B. Cushing, Pembroke, Oct. 14, 1809 – transcript only, in folder 17]

.127 letter, Russell Glover, Philadelphia, Oct. 25, 1809, to Cushing, Pembroke, has arrived in this port after 50 days passage and wants to hear from Cushing or Trott & Blake, would like to exchange post aboard Adeline for Cushing’s new ship;

With added note from Thos. Cushing, Boston, Oct. 30, 1809, to brother Nat., about arrival of Adeline

[see transcript .174L, written from Liverpool as Glover is leaving for Philadelphia]

.128 letter, Lodges & Tooth, Liverpool, Dec. 15, 1809, to Cushing, Boston, about insurance for the Olympus; insurance is very high because of French privateers; am sending a list of prices current [not included];

With addendum dated Dec. 26: no news yet about Olympus; because negotiations between Smith and Jackson have broken off, prices of cotton and ashes have advanced;

With statement of cost of insurance for the Olympus

Folder 12: 1806-1809, transcripts, .110-.128

Folder 13: 1810-1819, originals, .129-.162

.129 letter, Lodges & Tooth, Liverpool, Jan. 24, 1810, to unnamed recipient, received news that a bill was brought into U.S. Congress for repeal of non-intercourse laws; don’t know how this will affect prices, but expect cotton, ashes, timber, lumber, and staves to maintain good prices, while naval stores, rice, tobacco, and flaxseed will go lower; includes some prices for Jan. 26

.130 letter, Moses Sprague, Hingham, March 17, 1810, to Cushing, Pembroke, has sent all the scrap that was here, expects more iron in April

.131 “Sales of Anchors p. order and on account and risk of Mr. Nathaniel Cushing of Pembroke, County of Plymouth,” a statement from J. B. Borland, Boston, Dec. 31, 1810, lists purchasers of anchors

.132 “Sales of a quantity of Salt received of pr. the Brig Olympus, Capt. Mann(?), from Le Matt(?), sold on account of the owners of the said Brig,” from John L. Trott, per D. Swift, Boston, Aug. 20, 1811

[paper watermarked C. Wilmott]

.133 receipted bill, Cushing paid Parker & Tarbell, Nov. 7, 1811, sole leather, payment by order on Freeman & Cushing

.134 bill, from unknown person to Cushing for work on the sawmill and the grist mill, tallow for the mills, padlock for the grist mill

[.174n letter, Mayhew & Fletcher [but endorsed on back as being from Mayo & Fletcher], New Orleans, July 20, 1812, to Cushing, Pembroke, sending a draft for the anchors they have sold (mostly have sold the small ones) – transcript only – in folder 17]

.135 receipt, John Nicholson & Co., Boston, Nov. 4, 1812, received money from Cushing, for part of ship Ganges

.136 letter, J. B. Borland, Boston, April 12, 1813, to Cushing, can Cushing make anchors for Capt. Wood?

.137 letter, Russell Glover, Boston, Jun 21, 1813, to Cushing, Pembroke, has arrived after 40 days passage from Lisbon; glad salt is selling well; needs to see Cushing soon

.138 receipted bill, Cushing paid Cummings & Hilliard, Boston, March 17, 1814, for drawing paper and pieces of India rubber

.139 bill, Cushing bought of Joseph Field, Boston, accounted settled April 20, 1814, for flour purchased 1812-1814

.140 simple plat map for lots along Avery Street, signed Wm. Sparrell [or Sparrett], delt., no date, name Delia Cushing is on back

[paper watermarked J. Whatman W. Balston & Co. 1814]

.141 letter (draft?), Sept. 12, 1815, Hanover, to worthy friend, received your letter and was glad that you were concerned about me; signed with a number of names: Joshua(?), Lemuel, Elijah, Rufus, Bates;

On back: accounts of weights of bars, listed under the names of S. Hill, J. Silvester, R. Salmand, C. Josselyn, B. Bowker, N. Cushing, T. Sapen(?)

.142 “Sales of Anchors p. order and on account and risk of Mr. Nathaniel Cushing of Pembroke,” signed J. B. Borland, Boston, Aug. 10, 1815, lists purchasers, weight, price, and other information

.143 from back: N. Cushing’s cash acct., Mr. Cobb’s cash acct., Jan. 1815, list of names and amounts

.144 from back: Mr. Cobb’s cash account, Aug. 26, 1815, , list of names and amounts

.145 letter, Thomas Loving & Son, Hingham, May 22, 1815, to Cushing, Pembroke, about purchasing iron

.146 letter, J. B. Borland, Boston, May 25, 1815, to Cushing, Pembroke, where are the anchors I requested? Paid one draft and Mr. Blackburn called about his; received the kedges, need more anchors, etc.

.147 letter, J. B. Borland, Boston, July 14, 1815, to Cushing, Pembroke, needs some anchors; encloses sample of priest’s cloth, which is nicer than that made by Cushing

.148 letter, J. B. Borland, Boston, Oct. 9, 1815, to Cushing, Pembroke, Newman not able to buy any iron, but Borland will do so and forward it

.149 order, Benj. Cushing, Camden, Oct. 14, 1815, requests Nath. Cushing to pay Galen Gardner for work done on the new ship at Camden; endorsed on back as being paid, Oct. 23, 1815

.150 letter, J. B. Borland, Boston, Dec. 8, 1815, to Cushing, Pembroke, if Cushing can come on Monday, they can go over accounts before Borland leaves town on Tuesday

.151 receipted bill, Cushing paid Rufus Bates for work, plating palms, etc., 1815-1816

.152 letter, Russell Glover, Charleston, Jan. 15, 1816, to Cushing, Pembroke, have also written to Cushing’s brother, about shipping cotton and rice to Liverpool

.153 account of Christopher Phillips with 5 ½ mo.(?) Factoring Co., for tobacco, soap, sugar, tea, crackers, balance of wife’s account, 1814-1816

[.174o letter, Jno. Holland, Boston, May 21, 1816, to Cushing, Hanover, needs to have the note paid when due – transcript only, in folder 17]

.154 letter, Nath. Goddard, Boston, June 29, 1816, to Cushing, anchor-smith, Scituate [with added note: mis-sent, supposed for N. Cushing of Pembroke], state prices for an anchor and iron

.155 receipted bill, Cushing paid Nath. Brewer for lead pipes, sheet lead, sink pipe, 1816, signed Thomas Brewer

.156 letter, Wm. Gray per S. Dow, Jr., Boston, Feb. 27, 1817, to Cushing, Pembroke, most of anchors have been received so please call and close your account when next in town

.157 receipt, six dollars received of Capt. W. Stanward, sign. E. [illegible], James Rockleff(?), Portland, June 24, 1817

[.174p letter, Talcott & Bowers, New Orleans, Oct. 21, 1817, to Cushing, Pembroke, about sales of anchors sent to them, am sending tobacco, will see if can get quality cotton – transcript only, in folder 17]

[.174q letter, Talcott & Bowers, New Orleans, Nov. 25, 1817, to Cushing, Pembroke, encloses bill of lading for tobacco sent aboard brig Louisiana, awaiting more cotton to come up for sale, sold more anchors – transcript only, in folder 17]

.158 “Sales of Cotton Yarn on account of Nath. Cushing,” from Charles Scudder, Boston, Dec. 30, 1817, includes names of purchasers; also sales of anchors, with names of purchasers

[.174r letter, Benj. Cushing, Camden, April 13, 1818, to Cushing, Pembroke, sending him some goods, might want some yarn, family news, ships ran into bad weather – transcript only, in folder 17]

.159 letter, Robert Salmond, Boston, June 10, 1818, to Cushing, Pembroke, anchors were on board the Fanny which appears to be lost, thinks loss could be settled if Cushing came to town

.160 “Nathaniel Cushing in account current with Charles Scudder,” Boston, June 15, 1818, for drafts, writing desk, coal, tobacco, cotton, anchor, settled July 15, 1818

.161 “Sales of Cotton Yarn on Account & risk of Mr. Nath. Cushing,” submitted by Geo. Hall & Co., Boston, Dept. 15 and Dec. 23, 1818, lists purchasers

.162 letter, Wm. Stackpole, Boston, Feb. 24, 1819, to Cushing, Pembroke, Mr. Shaw notified Stackpole that he must pay the note which Cushing holds

[.174s letter, John Blackburns, Walpole, Dec. 9, 1819, to Cushing, Pembroke, about note that is due – transcript only, in folder 17]

Folder 14: 1810-1819, transcripts, .129-.162

Folder 15: 1820-1828, originals, .163-.173

.163 letter, Alden Briggs, Pembroke, March 28, 1820, to Cushing Hanson, can you make anchors for 9 cents per pound?, expects Sophia to die soon

.164 receipted bill, Cushing paid Charles Mitchell, endorsed settled Dec. 8, 1820

[.174t letter, Sinas [i.e. Silas or Jonas?] Binney, by Wm. Pav, Boston, Feb. 2, 1821, to Cushing, Pembroke, Col. Binney reports that there is no reason to come to wherever he is at present as there is no money yet – transcript only, in folder 17]

[.174u letter, Benj. Cushing, Camden, April 7, 1822, to Cushing, Hanson, hopes Cushing continues to improve, family news, etc. – transcript only, in folder 17]

.165a-b letter, Rufus Ellis, Boston, Aug. 20, 1822, to Cushing, Hanson, sorry the plates did not please Cushing, will make more when have a supply of water [in two pieces]

.166 letter, Thomas Loving & Son, Hingham, Nov. 22, 1822, Cushing & Co., Hanson, please pick up his iron as soon as possible, and ask Major Hobart to do the same;

On back: a statement about how those who love gold as a servant often end up by becoming a slave to it

.167 letter, Elihu Hobart, agent, Abington, March 3, 1823, to Cushing & Co., at Mr. Scudder’s, Boston, about prices

[.174v letter, Isaiah Smalley, Dartmouth, Feb. 23, 1824, to Cushing, Hanson, about purchase of workers – Smalley needs to hear from Cushing about the matter, direct letters to New Bedford – transcript only, in folder 17]

.168 letter, Standfast Smith, Boston, May 25, 1824, Cushing, Hanson, Jos. E. Smith plans to go to Wiscasset soon to see about the land assigned to the creditors of John Leach [Cushing is one of the creditors]

[.174w letter, Thomas Loving [&] Sons, Hingham, June 10, 1824, to Cushing & Co., Hanson, have added to lot of scrap iron – transcript only, in folder 17]

.169 letter, David Wilkinson & Co, by G. Wardwell(?), Pawtucket, Aug. 17, 1824, to Cushing & Co., Hanson, still have his tacks as there is no market for them

.170 note, Thos. Cordis, for Charles Scudder, Boston, Oct. 4, 1824, to N. Cushing & Co., Hanson, please send brads

.171 note, Thos. Cordis, for Charles Scudder, Boston, Oct. 13, 1824, to N. Cushing & Co., Hanson, please send brads [note: paper watermarked D Butler, NH]

.172 letter, Benj. Rich & Sons, Boston, Feb. 13, 1826, to Cushing & Co., Hanson, about payment for old Sable iron

.173 “Amount of Articles sold at Auction belonging to the estate of Nath. Cushing, Esqr., on Monday, 9 June 1828”, includes items sold, name of purchaser, and price, items include furniture, washing machine, whiffletrees, steam jack, carpet, books (short titles given), organ, horse and wagon, map, fleeces, plow, sleigh, livestock, etc.

Folder 16: 1820-1828, transcripts, .163-.173

Folder 17: Transcripts for which Downs Collection does not have originals

.174a letter, Eben. L. Boyd, Boston, April 11, 1800, to Cushing, Pembroke, sales of anchors, payments, textile fabric

.174b letter, Eben. L. Boyd, Boston, May 14, 1800, to Cushing, Pembroke, possible sales of anchors

.174c letter, Eben. L. Boyd, Boston, July 14, 1800, to Cushing, Pembroke, obtained money from sales of anchors

.174d letter, Eben. L. Boyd, Boston, Jan. 2, 1801, to Cushing, Pembroke, please send anchors, sales of anchors

.174e letter, Eben. L. Boyd, Boston, May 8, 1801, to Cushing, Pembroke, sales of anchors (lists purchasers and sizes)

.174f letter, Benj. Cushing, Gasport [so transcribed, but Gosport is meant], May 9, 1801, to Cushing, Pembroke, has entered the Daphne and completed her lading clear out at the custom house; plans to go to Amsterdam, then Marsted, Sweden, then London; am getting insurance; have an order so that in case of blockade, the ship cannot be stopped

.174g letter, Eben. L. Boyd, Boston, June 8, 1801, to Cushing, Pembroke, need certain sizes of anchors

.174h letter, Eben. L. Boyd, Boston, April 22, 1805, to Cushing, Pembroke, Capt. Trott on the ship Boston reached Liverpool and sold timber but not staves

.174i letter, Trott & Blake, Boston, May 1, 1805, to Cushing, Pembroke, the Boston is sailing well since lumber port was caulked

.174j account of John & Adam Lodge with Cushing, Liverpool, Sept. 8, 1806, mentions ship Boston and rice, freight from Savannah

.174k duplicate letter, J. & A. Lodge, Liverpool, Sept. 12, 1806, to Nath. & Benj. Cushing, , care of Trott & Blake, Pembroke, his credit has been sent to Freeman, Baty & Cushing of Boston; not as much as expected since ship Boston was in port longer than anticipated; encloses prices current – cotton, tar, timber, and lumber are good

.174L letter, Russell Glover, Liverpool, Sept. 3, 1809, to Cushing, Pembroke, plans to sail immediately for Philadelphia; left money with Capt. Joe Trott; stop the pay of Ridout’s wife as is he ill; did not buy canvas as it is high

[see .127 for letter written by Glover upon his arrival in Philadelphia]

.174m cover sheet for letter from Lodges & Tooth to N. & B. Cushing, Pembroke, Oct. 14, 1809

.174n letter, Mayhew & Fletcher, New Orleans, July 20, 1812, to Cushing, Pembroke, sending a draft for the anchors they have sold (mostly have sold the small ones)

[endorsed on back as being from Mayo & Fletcher]

.174o letter, Jno. Holland, Boston, May 21, 1816, to Cushing, Hanover, needs to have the note paid when due

.174p letter, Talcott & Bowers, New Orleans, Oct. 21, 1817, to Cushing, Pembroke, about sales of anchors sent to them, am sending tobacco, will see if can get quality cotton

.174q letter, Talcott & Bowers, New Orleans, Nov. 25, 1817, to Cushing, Pembroke, encloses bill of lading for tobacco sent aboard brig Louisiana, awaiting more cotton to come up for sale, sold more anchors

.174r letter, Benj. Cushing, Camden, April 13, 1818, to Cushing, Pembroke, sending him some goods, might want some yarn, family news, ships ran into bad weather

.174s letter, John Blackburns, Walpole, Dec. 9, 1819, to Cushing, Pembroke, about note that is due

.174t letter, Sinas [i.e. Silas or Jonas?] Binney, by Wm. Pav, Boston, Feb. 2, 1821, to Cushing, Pembroke, Col. Binney reports that there is no reason to come to wherever he is at present as there is no money yet

.174u letter, Benj. Cushing, Camden, April 7, 1822, to Cushing, Hanson, hopes Cushing continues to improve, family news, etc.

.174v letter, Isaiah Smalley, Dartmouth, Feb. 23, 1824, to Cushing, Hanson, about purchase of workers – Smalley needs to hear from Cushing about the matter, direct letters to New Bedford

.174w letter, Thomas Loving [&] Sons, Hingham, June 10, 1824, to Cushing & Co., Hanson, have added to lot of scrap iron

Box 2:

Folders 1-2: Transcripts, 1787-1804, 1805-1828 (.1-.174)

[do not know who did the transcripts, nor when, nor where the originals of these documents are; all transcripts are on stationery from Lincoln Library, Shippensburg, Pa.]

Folder 3: photocopies of Nathaniel Cushing items in Col. 70

[Note: Col. 70 is a collection of papers with watermarks. It is not known where the collector found all his material. Several items bear the name Nathaniel Cushing, and some are undoubtedly addressed to the same Nathaniel Cushing as the anchor maker, but it is impossible to know if all the items relate to him.]

79x169.122 account of Cushing with George Turner and Simeon Mayo, Boston, Sept. 18, 1784, for buttons

79x169.338 bill, Cushing bought of Tim. Mayo, Boston, Dec. 23, 1784, for textile fabrics and paper

79x169.204 bill, Cushing bought of Simeon Mayo, Boston, April 12, 1785, for textiles, hose, buttons

79x169.10 bill, Cushing bought of S. & S. Salisbury, Boston, Aug. 15, 1788, hardware, nankeen, etc. [other bills from S. & S. Salisbury are in Col. 19]

79x169.30 bill, Cushing bought of Jos. Blake, Boston, Oct. 19, 1792, textiles, buckles, buttons, etc. [other bills of Blake are in Col. 19]

79x169.95 letter, Gardner & Olden, Philadelphia, June 22, 1793, to Cushing, Boston, about washing mills [two pages]

79x169.123 bill, Cushing bought of Leach & Watson, Boston, Jan. 7, 1796, textiles, candlesticks, etc. [a bill from Andrew Leach is in Col. 19; also daughter Mehitable stayed with a family named Leach in 1801]

Folder 4: items pertaining to the estate of Nathaniel Cushing from Plymouth County Probate Records, vol. 64-69 (1827-1830) [printed from microfilm]; earlier and later volumes were not examined for records pertaining to Cushing, so this folder is not necessarily comprehensive; the executors of the estate were Mehitable Cushing (the widow) and Elijah Cushing

Folder 5: notes about collection; records of Cushing holdings at Harvard University