1770.03.30 — Bill of sale for Cesar, March 30, 1770
In this short bill of sale, William Williams of Massachusetts Bay sells an 18-year-old enslaved Black man named Cesar to Charles Phelps Jr. of Hadley. Williams charges Sixty-Five Pounds Thirteen Shillings & four pence for the sale. He specifies that the terms of the sale continue “forever” and include all of Cesar’s “heirs.” He sealed the letter on March 30, 1770, while the colonies were still under British rule.
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 4, Folder 15)
University of Massachusetts Special Collections and University Archives
1770
Public domain
Bill of sale
1777 — Account of Charles Phelps’ Estate for the year 1777
Charles listed all of his livestock and crops along with how much they are worth in the year 1777. He also wrote the amount of land and houses he owns. At the end he tallied up the amounts and noted this inventory would be taxed that year.
Charles Phelps
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 4, Folder 16)
University of Massachusetts Special Collections and University Archives
1777
Public domain
Inventory
1789.06.01 — Charles Phelps to Moses Charles Porter Phelps, June 1, 1789
Charles Phelps is writing to his son Moses while he is in college, informing Moses he hopes he is doing well and learning as well as behaving. Charles also suggests Moses write in his free time and not play cards. Charles goes on to inform Moses that he has not been able to send shoes yet due to his inability to obtain leather, but if this becomes an immediate concern, Moses should get some at Cambridge.
Charles Phelps
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 4, Folder 5)
University of Massachusetts Special Collections and University Archives
1789
Public domain
Letter
1766 — Promissory notes from Aug. Bostwick to Charles Phelps, February 25, 1766 and November 25, 1766
Two promissory notes, both signed in Albany and made out from Aug. Bostwick to Charles Phelps, witnessed by Sam Thompson and Solomon Phelps. The first, signed on February 25th, 1766 is for five Pounds ten Shillings New York Currency in beaver hats, at the market price on February 25th, 1767. The second, signed on November 25th, 1766 is for five pound ten shillings New York Currency in beaver hats at market price on May 25th, 1767.
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 4, Folder 14)
University of Massachusetts Special Collections and University Archives
1766
Public domain
Promissory note
1789.08.28 — Charles Phelps to Moses Charles Porter Phelps, August 28, 1789
A letter from Charles Phelps to his son Moses Phelps, which begins with Charles gently chastising Moses for failing to write and leaving the family to learn he had arrived at school safely from Mr. Houses who brought Moses a horse. The letter then details how and when Moses will receive the items he requested from the family. Next Charles briefly touches on how Moses should handle school finances and related administrative matters, before launching into advice and expectations for Moses’s four years at college. After warning Moses of potential pitfalls and reminding Moses of his standards, Charles closes the letter warmly. Under the signature, Charles adds a post script, informing Moses of the recent sudden death of Aaron Gorgrich, and the uncertainty around his cause of death.
Charles Phelps
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 4, Folder 5)
University of Massachusetts Special Collections and University Archives
1789
Public domain
Letter
1807.01.12 — Indenture document for Henry Fraser, January 12, 1807
Henry Frasier is signing off his son Robert Frasier to work as a servant to Charles Phelps Junior. Henry hopes Robert will be mentored and taught how to run a successful farmstead while also being compensated for the agreed amount of $100 and two suits at the end of his 7 and a half year servitude. Henry promises Charles that his son will behave in a respectful manner as apprentices are expected to be. Charles also promises to keep Robert fed, housed, and healthy during the duration of Robert’s apprenticeship.
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 4, Folder 32)
University of Massachusetts Special Collections and University Archives
1807
Public domain
Indenture document
1789.09.26 — Charles Phelps to Moses Charles Porter Phelps, September 26, 1789
In his September 26, 1789 letter, Charles Phelps Jr. writes to his son, (Moses) Charles Porter Phelps, beginning with an update on the family's wellbeing. He imparts advice on communication and personal growth. Charles mentions Mr. Withers' generous offer of his horse for Moses' return during the vacation and the potential of his own trip to Boston. He also shares progress reports on the shop's completion and the ongoing fence construction. Concluding his letter, Charles briefly comments on the present weather condition and a recent burglary in the local area.
Charles Phelps
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 4, Folder 5)
University of Massachusetts Special Collections and University Archives
1789
Public domain
Letter
1766.11.25 — Receipt from Augustine Bostwick for Charles Phelps, November 25, 1766
Augustine Bostwick wrote two receipts for the purchase of beaver hats. In both receipts, he specifies that the payment is intended for Charles Phelps and that each amounts to five pounds and ten shillings in New York currency. The first receipt indicates a payment due by August 25th, 1768, while the second receipt states a payment due by November 25th, 1768. At the bottom of each receipt, Bostwick adds the location as Albany, the date as November 25th, 1766, and mentions the names of two other individuals: Sol Phelps and Sam Thomson. On the reverse side of the receipt, Augustine Bostwick has signed his name, wrote Albany to specify the location, and noted that it was a receipt for the purchase of beaver hats.
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 4, Folder 14)
University of Massachusetts Special Collections and University Archives
1766
Public domain
Receipt
1788.03.14 — Charles Phelps to Moses Charles Porter Phelps, March 14, 1788
Charles Phelps writes to his son, Moses Porter Phelps, who is away at Harvard University to remind him that his primary focus is to his studies and to act with dignity. He reminds Moses that the family misses him and that he may have the opportunity to see Elisha Dickinson and Nodiah Warner at Cambridge.
Charles Phelps
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 4, Folder 5)
University of Massachusetts Special Collections and University Archives
1788
Public domain
Letter
1744.08.15 — Indenture document for Timothy Buggy, August 15, 1744
The first part of the document has Oliver, Warham, and Eliakim Smith assert their legal legitimacy as the “select men and overseers” representatives of the “poor” people who sign themselves into indentured servitude in Hadley, Massachusetts. The next part introduces Timothy Buggy, who the Smiths are representing. It explains how Timothy is an able-bodied worker but chooses not to work, elaborating on Timothy’s lack of assets, productivity, and employment. The Smiths found Timothy to fall into the category of beggars (Un-willing to work) and assigned him to Charles Phelps as an indentured worker. This assignment would last for three months, and Charles would be at full discretion to assign Timothy any work he finds suitable. In return, at the end of the term, Charles would pay back the amount equivalent to the labor he received for Timothy to be parceled out by these Hadley figures of authority (the Smiths) in accordance with the law.
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 4, Folder 32)
University of Massachusetts Special Collections and University Archives
1744
Public domain
Indenture document