Lloyd, Henry, 1709-1795. Henry Lloyd letter book, 1765-1767 (inclusive). Mss:766 1765-1767 L793, Baker Library Historical Collections, Harvard Business School.

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Biographical Note

Henry Lloyd (1709-1795) was a Loyalist merchant in Boston. He engaged in consignment sales and shipping ventures to Canada, the West Indies, England, and Europe. Among the goods marketed or traded by Lloyd included whalebone, mahogany, lumber, fish, potash, and coffee. After the outbreak of the American Revolution, Henry Lloyd moved to Halifax in 1776. He eventually relocated to London, where he died in 1795 at the age of eighty-six.

Scope and Contents

Copies of correspondence of Boston merchant Henry Lloyd relating to his business ventures and trade in the West Indies and England, dated 1765-1767. Lloyd imported, exported, and sold on commission an assortment of commodities, among them dry goods, oysters, rice, wheat, lumber, potash, whalebone and oil, mahogany, indigo, coffee, cocoa, sugar, molasses, grain, and kettles. Lloyd was also engaged in supplying the British army in Halifax, and there are a number of letters to the agent and victualler, John Freare, as well as Lloyd's nephew, William Smith, employed as agent and paymaster. A letter from Lloyd on April 24, 1765, discusses Smith's accounts with Major John Gorham and other merchants and securing continuance of his appointment. Other correspondents included merchant Charles Ward Apthorp (-1797) and insurance broker Moses M. Hays (1739-1805); shipwright Seth Briggs; Portsmouth, New Hampshire merchants John Wendell (1731-1808), Mark Hunking Wentworth (1709-1785), and Hugh Hall Wentworth (1740?-1774); and New York merchant Lawrence Kortright (-1794). Lloyd maintained correspondence with Rhode Island slave traders Aaron Lopez (1731-1782) and his father-in-law Jacob Rivera, and Nicholas Brown & Co., as well as the firm's New York associate David Vanhorne (-approximately 1775); topics were primarily consignment of spermaceti candles in Boston, sales of pigg iron and anchors, and trade of West Indies goods. He also frequently corresponded with his brother, obstetrician James Lloyd (1728-1810), and nephews regarding both business and family matters. Additional topics of Lloyd's letters were market fluctuations and prices current in Boston, crop failures, protests lodged with the government and court cases related to maritime law, settlement of accounts and debts, purchase and payment of bills and notes, and building and brokering ships, in addition to political news and events, like the repeal of the Stamp Act and the New York City tenant riots in 1766. On March 28, 1765, he writes to Isaac da Costa about the arrival of Jamaica spirits and orange juice Lloyd had ordered through Aaron Lopez and includes prices current for goods like heavy Indian-dressed deer skins, loaf sugar, and South Carolina pork. Letters to Captain Richard Derby and merchant Gideon Sisley dated April 22, 1765, discuss the libel and trial of the sloop Young Moses and hiring defense attorneys. On April 27, 1765, a letter to James Morris about a legal matter to be addressed in a Massachusetts court adds a postscript informing Morris a party of his countrymen who traveled to Hispaniola are "most of them dead" except two who escaped, and the unspecified incident "puts a stop to any more going" the island. On June 17, 1765, Lloyd writes to Joshua Saunders of Newport regarding insurance on the sloop Molly, sailing from the Mosquito Coast to Newport, and North Kingston land Lloyd offered to donate to the Rhode Island government for building a college. A letter to John Nelson, then in the West Indies, on November 2, 1765, relates Lloyd's flagging earnings and family matters. In the fall of 1766, letters to Captain John Hanson concern refitting Lloyd's sloop Little Bob, furnishing items of clothing to a man enslaved by Hanson, and obtaining certificates, in addition to referencing transport of exiled Acadians; a letter to Andrew Campbell, commander of the Little Bob, instructs him to sail to Hispaniola, consign Hanson's cargo to Robert Toulon at Fort Dauphin, and return to Boston with molasses. The volume includes a nineteenth century news clipping with the lyrics to the Ethiopian song "Dearest Mae."

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(seq. 16)

10

Per Post

Boston March 11th 1765

Mr. Moses M. Hays

Sir

Your favr. of 4th Instt. came duty to hand acknowledg rect. of mine of 23rd Utto. Covering £17 New York Curr'y in Bills for the same reasons. I declind acting against Mr. Hart must desire to be excusd from applying to Mr. Fitch to prosecute the note. You had best write Mr. Fitch & furnish him with power of attorney & you may depend on his doing the needfull. I can furnish him a copy of the note after you have wrote him. I am

Your most huml. Servt.

P.S. Should Mr. Hart happen to come here before I hear from you again, I will give Mr. Fitch a copy of the note.

___________________________________

Boston March 11th 1765

Mr. Hugh Hall Wentworth

Sir

The following is extract from a letter I recd from South Carolina from Thomas Hulme dated 14th February 1765 vizt.

"The Currtt. Freights here to the markets is 55/ @ 60/ Sterling per ton, to London from 42/6 @ 45/ Sterling per ton, scarce any freights to be got at that. I am apt to think freights this year will not exceed £3 to the markets, if six sail of top sail vessells should come in soon freights will fall, they have been trying for 4 days past to raise the price of rice which is now at 40/ this Curry per neat hundred, Rum 12/6 per gallon, hay 25/ per [C?], spermaceti candles 12/ per [U]/ Iron Hollow ware wont fetch its first cost, if the crops should fall short in the West Indies they expect the ships here, which will certainly make the latter freights very low. P.S. If I had a ship in Boston I had accott. there was great crops in the West Indies I should send her here as it is quite likely she'l get a living freight."

Capt. Benny writes his owners about the fame time that freights to the markets had been at 60/ but were then at a stand as the planters were endeavouring to raise the price of rice. I am

Your most humble servant.

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Boston March 11th 176-

Mr. William Gilliland

Sir

Since my last I have applyd to Mr. Fitch to undertake for you against Major Robert Rogers. He would willingly do it, but being engagd for others put it out of his power to at present. I have therefore egagd Mr. Robert Autchmuty to act for you should there be opportunity w. I very much doubt as the Major I am told aptempted going off last week in a vessell bound for Liverpool, but was prevented by the owner. He then took boat & is suppos'd to be gone to Piscataqua from whence he will have frequent opportunitys to embark for England.

Col. Ingersol has not paid anything since I wrote you. Beleive (as I hinted to you once before) it will not be amiss for you to give him a spur by way of letter. I am

Your most huml. servt.

___________________________________

Boston March 11th 1765

Mr. Robert Murray

I duly recd your favr of 4th Currtt. per post inclosing copy W'm Deans & Tho's English's Bond for £311.2.5 New York Curr.y & your acc- ing in the law. You must furnish me with your power the original bond & your accott. compard article by article with the original entrys in your books attested before the Mayor under the Seal of Mayoralty, or by some justice of the peace who must be certified as such under the seal afores-.

I shall apply to Mr. Dean as soon as he arrives & make no doubt he will answer your demands without a suit in which case also it will be necessary to have the bond & power, as it is not to be suppos'd he will pay without. I shall be ready at all times to receive & execute your commands in the best manner I am able. mean time I am

Your huml. Servt.

Flour £5.10/ Wheat 35/ Corn 24/@25/ Rye 28/ Beef £15@£16 Pork £20.5/

B. Sugar £10@£16 Powder d. y 14 @ y 20 Cotton 14/@15/ Coffee 5/6@6/3 Molasses 9/ N.E. Rum 12/

W.I. Rum 17/ Jamaica Fish £5 Exchange at par

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Boston March 11th 1765

Mr. William Butler

I recd. your favr. of 18th Utt. per Wimble. Note what you say of the mackrell I have prevaild with the person I purchasd them of to take up with 24/3 lmo. per bbl for them which is only the price of the most common sort. The blame lyes cheifly with the packers who markt them for pickle fish. Could they been come at when I purchasd them I should have seen to the quality myself. Also note your recd. of my bill for £68.11.3 New York Curr.y on Capt. John Hanson & his acceptance of it doubt not its being duly paid when Mrs. Isemongers money is applyd for by virtue of letter of administration Mr. Wells will doubtless pay her demand. At least he gave me his word to do it. I am sorry to in you that Tho's Hopping has stopd payment & confines himself to his house. He offers to pay /3 down on having the liberty of his creditors to appear & follow his business & says he will endeavour to discharge the remainder as soon as it is in his power. Please therefore per return of this post th signyfy your mind on this head. It gives me real concern that I have been repeatedly so unsuccessful in the business I have transacted for you. I have not be so unfortunate in more then two instances since I have transacted business. Tucherman has not yet paid anything nor disposd of his estate, but proposes doing something soon. I am

Your most huml. servt.

Boston March 11th 1765

Mr. Moses Lopez

I wrote you a few days agoe by Capt. Freeman & inclosd his bill lading for the bbt. potash you orderd some time agoe. Last Saturday I recd. a letter from our mutual freind Mr. Isaac De Costa of Charlestown So. Carolina, inclosing bill lading for a [furce?] of shrub per Capt. Badger amounting to £77.2.6 that curr.y which I cr. your accdt. he has charg'd you with it. I cant yet learn the difference between the price of pot ash & dry salts when I have inform'd myself will advise you. Mean time I am Your huml. servt.

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(seq. 19)

13 Boston March 11th, 176[5]

Messrs Thomas & Benja. Forsey

Since my last to you Mr. Wheelright ha[s] attachd in my hands what I am indebted to you (exclusive of costs of cour[t] as bail to Mr. Rowland De [Paiba] of which suppose he will advise you via this post, have only further to add that I am

Your most humble servan[t]

____ Boston March 12th 176[5] Mr Aaron Lopez

Sir

I have wrote you already V this conveyan[ce] to which please to refer. This serves to inclose Simeon Freemans bill [of?] lading for a box of hosiery for your acco[unts] amount as below to £45.17.2 1/5 L.M. whci have debited you with. There was none of the two other numbers you wrote for in the package I opend when [I] open the other will send them to you if you desire it you wrote for N[o. 2?] & mentioned the price of No. 3 so have sent the latter. I am

Your hum[ble] servant,

A No. 1 a box 9 to 5 doz black 3 thread fine Breeches peices No. 32 ... @ 66/ £ 16.10 [?] 3 doz Mens White thread knit rub[bed] Hose ... 31 ... 52/ £ 7.16 [?] 3 doz Boys Grey Hose ... 3 ... 14/ £ 2.2[?] @ 73/3 per Ct. advance.... £ 19.7.2[?] Box & porterage... £ --- 2 --to pay in 12 months £45.17.2[?]

____ Boston March 14th 176[5]

Sir

Agreeable to your request I wrote Mr. Comfort Sage of Middletown to inform him that by virtue of a power from your executor to the estate of the late Mr. Frederick Dansey deceased he has to accounts with me for his note due to that estate at foot you have a copy of Sages answer after perusal thereof you'l please to fav'r me with your sentiments how I shall proceed with him he desiring to be inform'd in plain terms what he is to depend on. If you choose to leave the settlement to a Gent at Middletown I know of no better person then M. Talcot Esq'r & him only by the charactor I had of him wrom a gentleman of varacity here of whom I procur'd a letter for Mr. Demont when he went after Lucas but

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but first falling in with Mr. Sage I suppose prevented his applying to Mr. Talcot, almost the only person I have any acquaintance with in Middletown is Timothy Bigiloe Esqr. Attorney at Law who bears a good charactor & if finally recourse must be had to the law shall improve him. The favr. of your further directions will oblige. Your most huml. Servant Doctr. Charles White

Boston March 15th 1765 Mr. John Fillis Sir I duly recd. your favr. of 24th January last per Mr. John Willians. Your information of Mc. Phillimy being froze up here was premature. He saild for Halifax soon after he got full with as fine wind as could be wishd for & continued so till he might have arrivd with you had he not met with the misfortune of being cast away, by which fear you & the contractors are great sufferers as I hear but little of the cargo was sav'd. Inclosd is copy of my letter to you by him with copy invoice 10 Hhd. [hogshead][ molasses. Agreeable to your request I have purchas'd a Hhd. of best green coffee for your accott. & inclosd you have invoice & Capt. Hector McNeils bill lading for the same, & the remaining of the 2 Hhds. sugar you ord'd some time agoe. Not having been able to procure a second Hhd. that would answer till now & as sugars go I think it cheap. Hope both that & the coffee will be to your mind. The amount thereof is £56.12.5 lawful mo. to you debit. Hope the articles per Attwood got safe to hand. Surriname molasses 9/ @ 9/6. Common sorts dull at 9/. I am Your most huml. servt. P.S. Capt. Attwood is this minute arriv'd, cant as yet find that I have any of your favours by him.

Boston March 15th 1765 Mr. John Demount Capt. Somes is arrived at South Carolina in ballast & proposes to take in a freight there for Boston. This being a deviation from his voyage wil render the insurance void I made on her by your & his orders. I am Your huml. servant

P.S. Capt. Somes met w'th bad weather was 40 days in his passage to the mole, put to short allowance, broke his boom lost his boat & was otherwis damag'd.

Last edit almost 4 years ago by vant
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