Dublin Core
Title
1766 — Promissory notes for Charles Phelps
Description
This document from 1766 originates from Albany and represents two promissory notes. Both notes, while distinct, have a shared commitment: the promise to pay Charles Phelps a sum of five pounds and ten shillings in New York Currency. This sum is specifically designated to be paid in the form of good, merchantable beaver hats.
The first note mandates the payment by the 25th of August, and is signed by Augustus Bostwick, with Sam Thomson and Sol. Phelps served as witnesses. The second note (written below the first note), dated November 25th, 1766, seems to renew or reiterate this commitment, setting the new due date for payment—or the next day of the payment plan—as the 25th of November. Again, Sam Thomson and Sol. Phelps acts as a witness, with the note being linked to the name "Aug 25th Bostwick."
The document provides insights into the financial and trade practices of the period, notably the use of commodities such as beaver hats in lieu of cash transactions. Furthermore, given the historical context of the 1760s-1780s, which encompassed the lead-up to the American Revolution and a period wherein enslavement was present on the property, this document can shed light on the economic and social dynamics of that era.
The first note mandates the payment by the 25th of August, and is signed by Augustus Bostwick, with Sam Thomson and Sol. Phelps served as witnesses. The second note (written below the first note), dated November 25th, 1766, seems to renew or reiterate this commitment, setting the new due date for payment—or the next day of the payment plan—as the 25th of November. Again, Sam Thomson and Sol. Phelps acts as a witness, with the note being linked to the name "Aug 25th Bostwick."
The document provides insights into the financial and trade practices of the period, notably the use of commodities such as beaver hats in lieu of cash transactions. Furthermore, given the historical context of the 1760s-1780s, which encompassed the lead-up to the American Revolution and a period wherein enslavement was present on the property, this document can shed light on the economic and social dynamics of that era.
Source
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 4, Folder 14)
University of Massachusetts Special Collections and University Archives
University of Massachusetts Special Collections and University Archives
Date
1776
Rights
Public domain
Type
Promissory note
Scripto
Transcription
For Value received Promise to pay
to Charles Phelps or his Order Five
Pounds ten Shillings (New York Currency)
worth in good Merchantable Beaver
Hats on the twenty fifth Day of
August Next – Witness my hand–
Augustus Bostwick [signatory]
Sam Thomson [Samuel Thomson] [witness]
Sol. Phelps [Solomon Phelps] [witness]
Aug 25th Bostwick
Albany November 25th 1766
For Value received, I promise to pay to
Charles Phelps or his Order the
Sum of five Pounds ten Shill-
ings worth for beaver hats–
on the twenty fifth Day
of November next – Witness my
Hand–
Sam Thomson [Samuel Thomson] [witness]
Sol. Phelps [Solomon Phelps] [witness]
Aug 25th Bostwick
to Charles Phelps or his Order Five
Pounds ten Shillings (New York Currency)
worth in good Merchantable Beaver
Hats on the twenty fifth Day of
August Next – Witness my hand–
Augustus Bostwick [signatory]
Sam Thomson [Samuel Thomson] [witness]
Sol. Phelps [Solomon Phelps] [witness]
Aug 25th Bostwick
Albany November 25th 1766
For Value received, I promise to pay to
Charles Phelps or his Order the
Sum of five Pounds ten Shill-
ings worth for beaver hats–
on the twenty fifth Day
of November next – Witness my
Hand–
Sam Thomson [Samuel Thomson] [witness]
Sol. Phelps [Solomon Phelps] [witness]
Aug 25th Bostwick