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In 1774, Petersburg Hemp, which was imported from St. Petersburg, Russia was primarily used by British and colonial America for manufacturing sailcloth and maritime rigging lines.
Offering a single page, 5 x 9, being a bill of lading, part print and part manuscript, designating a shipment of clean Petersburg Hemp to prominent colonial merchants Francis and Evan Malbone, who were active in the slave trade. Francis Malbone was a wealthy property owner on Thames Street in Newport, Rhode Island and held multiple enslaved people at his residence. His elegant mansion later served as a British garrison storehouse during the Revolutionary War, making him a British loyalist. His son, Francis Jr. later served as a U.S. Senator.
The document, in part, states, “Shipp’d by the Grace of God, in good Order, and well Condition’d by Peter Hodso for John Fletcher Esq in and upon the good Ship called the Charlotte whereof is Master, under God for this present Voyage, John Rogers and now riding at Anchor in the River Thames and by God’s Grace bound for Rhode Island to say, Eleven Bundles containing Ten Tons, thirteen hundred weight and ninety pounds of clean Petersburg Hemp...delivered in the like and good Order...at the aforesaid Port of Rhode Island...unto Messrs. Evan & Francis Malbone there...Dated in London 12th August 1774...John Rogers...”
A very nice bill of lading illustrating a transcontinental shipment to the American colonies.
Folds. Light chipping at the top and right margins.
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