| | 1 | Author: | Bohlen, John | Requires cookie* | | | Title: | John Bohlen Collection
| | | | Dates: | 1889-1912 | | | | Abstract: | John Bohlen was a prominent Philadelphia merchant in the nineteenth century, dying a millionaire. Bohlen, a Hollander, established a firm with his brother that specialized in trade with his native country. His greatest success came in the lucrative gin trade. As his business increased, so too did his connections. He served on the Board of the first Bank of the United States and was well-connected with highest the political and business leaders in the nation. Although John Bohlen was a prominent and successful businessman, these documents have little bearing on Bohlen himself. Instead, they are a series of letters (ten total) written by prominent Americans either to Bohlen or to his relatives.
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| | | | Call #: | Mss.B.B63 | | | | Extent: | 0.25 Linear Feet | | | | Topics: | Business and Skilled Trades | International Trade. | Philadelphia History | Religion | Trade | | | | Genre: | General Correspondence | |
| 3 | Author: | Pemberton, Israel, 1715-1779 | Requires cookie* | | | Title: | Israel Pemberton, Letterbook D, 1744-1747
| | | | Dates: | 1744-1747 | | | | Abstract: | The Israel Pemberton Letter book contains a range of data on Philadelphia shipping and trade. Pemberton was a merchant who had connections to Samuel Coates (Mss.B.C632 , Mss.C.632.1d , Mss.B.C632.1). These records precede Coates and pertain to trade in Philadelphia during the 1740s. They show a merchant with strong ties throughout the Atlantic World. His letters discuss a range of business matters, such as prices of commodities, costs of insurance, and general trade environment. Pemberton's letters discuss intercolonial trade with Maryland and Virginia (tobacco in particular), while others with matters in Europe and the Caribbean (sugar, rum, bar iron), reflecting his various trading interests. In addition to the business correspondence, Pemberton's letters occasionally discuss more quotidian matters, describing events in Philadelphia and relaying news he hears from abroad and on very rare occasions his family affairs.
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| | | | Call #: | Mss.380.P36 | | | | Extent: | 1 volume(s) | | | | Topics: | Business and Skilled Trades | International Trade. | Philadelphia History | Social Life and Custom | Trade | | | | Genre: | Business Records and Accounts | General Correspondence | | | | Subjects: | Commerce. | |
| 5 | Author: | Bancker, James A. | Requires cookie* | | | Title: | James A. Bancker papers, 1842-1849
| | | | Dates: | 1842-1849 | | | | Abstract: | This collection of letters (40+) consists primarily of James Bancker writing to his family from Asia in the 1840s. The collection offers a vivid depiction of an American's life abroad in the nineteenth century. The letters convey quotidian information, such as the type of food he is eating, to more remarkable events, such as witnessing a comet. Bancker also witnessed a number of significant political events while in China, including the acquisition of Hong Kong by Great Britain and resistance to this takeover from the Hong Kong residents (1842-1843). These events, the rioting in particular, are recounted in his often long and detailed correspondence to his Philadelphia-based family. Bancker spent much of his time in Canton, but he also described visits to the Philippines and voyage to and from China. Combined, the collection provides a lens in the experiences of a wealthy American traveling abroad in the midst of the nineteenth century.
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| | | | Call #: | Mss.B.B22 | | | | Extent: | 0.25 Linear Feet | | | | Topics: | Americans Abroad | Beyond Early America | Business and Skilled Trades | International Trade. | International Travel | Marriage and Family Life | Trade | Travel | | | | Genre: | Business Records and Accounts | Family Correspondence | General Correspondence | | | | Subjects: | Americans -- China -- Social life and customs. | British -- China -- Social life and customs -- 1644-1912. | Voyages and travels. | |
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