Lot 36D email save

DICKINSON, Jonathan; and Samuel PRESTON. Small ar

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Kingston or Black River, Jamaica; Philadelphia: v.d. [between 8 March 1706/1707 and 27 April 1707/1708]. Together 8 letters, lengths vary (307 x 190 mm and smaller). With blanks, address panels and docketing. Condition: occasional small tears to old folds, occasional browning. rare group of letters between philadelphia and jamaica, between two of the most successful and powerful quaker businessmen at the beginning of the 18th century. Samuel Preston was born in 1665 in Patuxent, Calvert County, Maryland and died 10 September 1743 in Philadelphia. He was a jurist, merchant, and served as mayor of Philadelphia from 1711-1712. He and Jonathan Dickinson were close friends as well as business partners (two of Dickinson's children lodged with Samuel and his wife Rachel whilst Dickinson and his wife were absent in Jamaica). They were also political allies, serving on many of the same councils and committees. Dickinson (1663-1722) was born in Jamaica, and with his brother Caleb, and Ezekiel Gomersall, their brother-in-law, built up a substantial business with two plantations on Jamaica. "Dickinson had come to the Quaker colony from Jamaica at the end of the seventeenth century, but he maintained property in the West Indies and frequently returned to the island on trading voyages of particular importance" (Nash, Quakers and Politics, p. 324). The letters, all dated within a year of each other, are as follows (in chronological order): 1) Kingston: 8 March 1706/07. From Dickinson, concerns a missed opportunity to ship molasses, asking for news of his son Jonathan, news of the safe arrival of Isaac Norris in Ireland (Preston's brother-in-law), fears about the massing of French ships, who will be opposed by "Sir Jno. Jennings with his fleet" and "Commodore Kirr with one fire ship", wonders why "so few Vessels from your province comes to this island. N York trades considerably." 2) Philadelphia:20 May 1707. From Preston, confirms that Dickinson's son has recovered, giving a report on the state of Dickinson's land, news that Norris was in London, asking for help for William Trent over some business in Jamaica. 3) Black River: 23 April 1707. From Dickinson, concerning various items to be shipped, or that are on their way to Philadelphia, asking for news of his son (Dickinson did not receive the second letter until July), no more news of Norris, war news: the Eral of Galloway "having defeated a body of French & Spaniards . Sir Clou[d]sl[e]y Shovell with his Fleet & Transports were gone up the Straights", the progress of the Act of Union (the creation of what became Great Britain), and concerning the demand for flour and staves. 4) Kingston: 17 July 1707. From Dickinson to Richard Hill and Preston, a cover note concerning business with James Spencer "tomorrow I go with him to Bla[ck] River where I expect he will near have his load to Sail thence under Convoy of Commodore Kirr with our outward bound London Fleet who have put up to Sail the first of next month." 5) Black River: 27 August 1707. From Dickinson, concerning business, a request to help Jeremiah Allen a "kinsman" and the bearer of the letter, the loss of Dickinson's sloop "on the Spanish Coast being taken by to Martineco privateers with two more of our trading Sloops and Capt Gandys Sloop" valued at "one hundred thousand pounds on the Traders of this Island", war news "our Army in Spain hath Suffered a Defeat", 16 "store Ships & Some privateers . all taken ... the Duke of Marlborough hath forced the French lines in Flanders." 6) Philadelphia: 8 September 1707. From Preston and forwarded by Rip Van Dam of New York, letting Dickinson know that his sons are in good health, commenting on the potential loss "of all our vessels ... Should Spencer Boyden Raymond and Richmond all miscarry - Twould be hard Lines to the Traders here", news from Barbados that a large new sloop called the Philadelphia owned by "Brother Hill" and Preston had been "taken within sight of that island", news of two Irish Quakers who were arrested for "speaking preaching and teaching" on the east end of Long Island, but subsequently bailed, local news: sudden death of Judge Guest, hasty re-marriage of Capt. Finney to the widow Troganey. 7) Philadelphia: 27 November 1707. From Preston, concerning problems with a cargo of molasses: sold at a loss, not selling the sugar as the prices very low, some details of Thomas Storeys house in Philadelphia which Preston is thinking of renting for Dickinson, Norris and wife to stay in England until the following spring, message for Jonathan Gale regarding his sugar. 8) Philadelphia: 27 April 1707/8. From Preston, a copy of the seventh letter with a latter added passage: Dickinson's sons in good health and "in expectation of seeing thee Early this Spring", that he has agreed to rent the house. [With:] Fragment of an autograph letter signed from Rachel Preston to Jonathan Dickinson. Philadelphia: 24 April 1713.

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