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Slave Trader William Vernon Letters and Inventory Lists (11) 1700s [172237]

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:1,250.00 USD Estimated At:2,500.00 - 5,000.00 USD
Slave Trader William Vernon Letters and Inventory Lists (11)  1700s  [172237]

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This group consists of letters and inventory lists of items received or shipped by merchants William and Samuel Vernon.
William Vernon Esq.(1719-1806) of Newport Rhode Island authored letters and inventory lists from pre, during and post Revolutionary War.
Vernon was along with his brother Samuel were merchants in Newport and also added slaving and smuggling to their resumes. They would trade slaves for hogsheads of molasses in the West Indies. It was during this illicit occupation (Forty slave voyages in total) that one of the Vernon leased vessels, the Royal Charlotte experienced an uprising by the slaves they were transporting. This was in 1762.
During the Revolution, this same ship was captured by the British in 1776. William became a member and president in charge of Continental Congress Naval Maritime Activities. This technically made him the very first Secretary of the Navy. Before the Revolution, Vernon helped lead the Stamp Act Riots of 1765. It as also during the war that his home in Newport was at one time occupied by British command. It later served as a headquarters for Conte de Rochambeau general of the French forces. George Washington and The Marquis de Lafayette also stayed at his home during this time.
Invoices , inventories and letters in very nice, readable condition. These are one of a kind. There is a letter written TO Vernon from Sam Brown in the New York Historical Society Museum and Library.
Please see photos for more details. Newport Rhode Island Gary Bracken Collection