Heading: (Hawaii)
Author:
Title: Five manuscript documents on vellum (one partially printed) relating to a case spanning Hawaii and England, with signatures of two prominent Hawaiians
Place Published: Various places
Publisher:
Date Published: 1855-56
Description:

24.5x37.5 cm (9¾x14¾") or smaller.

Includes:

• 
  Partially printed document originating in Britain, authorizing John Thomas Waterhouse, William Waterhouse, Henry M. Whitney, and Benjamin F. Snow, all residents of Honolulu, Sandwich Islands, to take a deposition from Mary Anne Caroline, wife of Henry Dickinson, both residing in Honolulu, relating to the transfer of land in Britain. 1855.


• 
  Document signed by John T. Waterhouse and Henry M. Whitney, attesting that they took a deposition from Mary Anne Caroline, relating to a deed. Undated, c.1855.


• 
  Document signed by John T. Waterhouse and a representative of the British Consul in Hawaii, conveying the deposition by Mary Anne Caroline, in regard to her giving up interest in an estate. 1856.


• 
  Document signed by John T. Waterhouse and Henry M. Whitney, certifying that they took a deposition from Mary Ann Caroline. 1856.


• 
  Document signed by John T. Waterhouse and a representative of the British Consul, further relating the deposition by Mary Anne Caroline, that she "did intend to give up her interest in the said estate," and that "this Deponent has no reason to doubt the truth and verily believes the same to be true...". 1856.

John T. Waterhouse opened an import (mostly dry goods) business in Honolulu , Hawaii in 1851.The firm is still active in several business enterprises today.

The Waterhouse token is struck in white metal - a substance similar to pewter or plumbers putty. It is recognized as the earliest known Hawaiian token; undated but 1855-1860. (The price of the toke vary $3000 -$4500 at auction)



Henry Martyn Whitney was an early journalist in theKingdom of Hawaii. Born of early missionaries, he became the first postmaster ( 1850- 1856) - the first stamps issued by the kingdom in 1851 are now called Hawaiian Missionaries. He grew disenchanted with government service and wanted to go into business for himself. He offered to buy the printing office, but the government was not interested. He also invested in a wheat flour mill briefly but sold that business in 1856. On July 1, 1856 he resigned as postmaster.

Some wear, discoloration, and foxing, very good overall.