Conditions Governing Use:

Before reproducing or quoting from any materials, in whole or in part, permission must be obtained from the Special Collections Research Center, and the holder of the copyright, if not Swem Library.

Conditions Governing Access:

Collection is open to all researchers.

Preferred Citation:

Ambrose H. White Letter Book, Special Collections Research Center, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.

Acquisition Information:

Acc. 2013.252 was received by Special Collections via U.S.P.S. on 10/15/2013.

Processing Information:

Accessioned and minimally described by Steven Bookman, University Archives Specialist, in October 2013.

Biographical Information:

Captain Ambrose H. White was born in Marblehead, Massachusets, 1800 December 17, and began his career at sea when he was 13. At the age of 23, White achieved the rank of master and continued to sail for 30 years, 12 years of which was in the China and Batavia, later Indonesia, trade. In 1824, he resided in Newburyport, Massachusetts and became a Calcutta merchant until his death. White married Harriet Spalding on 1834 April 20, and joined the Marine Society of Newburyport in 1838. Captain White commanded the ships Virginia, Potomac, Ashtabula, Argonaut, Ashburton, Alciope, Franchise, and Moses Brown . He died in Boston, Massachusetts on 1881 June 3 at the age of 80.

Scope and Contents

Letter copy book, 1828-1834, consisting of letters to the owners of the ship Alciop written by Captain Ambrose H. Smith. The letters pertain to freight (fish, salt, cotton, tobacco, etc.), finances, weather, conditions on board the ship, receipts, and other information. The letters were written while Captain White was at sea or at ports such as Liverpool, England, Cadiz, Spain, New Orleans, Louisiana, Richmond, Virginia, and Hampton Roads, Virginia. The book also includes three copies of instructions to Captain White, three memorandums of agreements, eight invoices, two accounts of sale, and one freight list.

Arrangement of Materials:

This collection is not yet fully arranged and described. Researchers may wish to consult with a staff member for further information in advance of using the collection.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Letter books
• Massachusetts--Social life and customs--19th century
• Merchant mariners--United States--History--19th century
• Merchants--Massachusetts
• United States--Commerce--Europe