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Letters from Matthew Bartlett and John F. Brooks to Aaron W. Berry. These letters are equally divided between Matthew Bartlett and John F. Brooks, Bartlett's clerk, and are general instructions to Berry. Both discuss business matters, and vessels he should be expecting to arrive in Africa. Brooks usually includes some local news and gossip from Salem., 1859

 File — Box: 1, Folder: 1
Identifier: I.

Scope and Contents

From the Series:

Series I. Business Correspondence and Receipts contains material largely associated with Berry’s service as agent on the West Coast of Africa for Matthew Bartlett and Charles H. Miller. The Bartlett collection is extensive and includes letters from Bartlett and his clerk, John F. Brooks, covering the years 1859 to early 1864. The Miller correspondence covers the remainder of 1864. This material contains information largely related to trade matters such as prices, business conditions, etc. Of interest is a nearly constant reiteration of his business philosophy by Matthew Bartlett. There is some discussion of the Civil War and its impact on business and trade conditions as well as a smattering of local (Salem) news and gossip. Few letters from Berry exist in this series. Bills and receipts for the period 1860-1864 are for goods and services on the West Coast of Africa, which include gold and palm oil, hospital and medical care, board and lodging, provisions, water, hardware and services rendered.

Dates

  • Creation: 1859

Creator

Restrictions on Access

This collection is open for research use.

Extent

From the Collection: 0.5 linear feet (1 box)

Language of Materials

From the Series: English

Repository Details

Part of the Phillips Library Repository

Contact:
Peabody Essex Museum
306 Newburyport Turnpike
Rowley MA 01969 USA