Colonial America
1750-Dated Ship's Bill of Lading from Newport, Rhode Island Triangular Slave Shipping Trader Samuel Vernon
October 2, 1750-Dated Colonial Newport, Rhode Island to Boston, Partially-Printed Bill of Lading With Nautical Engraving, Form Printed for Joseph Lopez, Merchant. Shipment by Samuel & William Vernon, well known African Slave "Triangular Trade" Shippers. Fine.
This Partially-Printed Document is Signed, "Eben'r Taylor" (Ebenezer Taylor), at Newport, Rhode Island, October 2, 1750, 1 page, measuring 6.5" x 8-3/8". The first letter of the printed text is an elaborate gigantic engraved "S" that incorporates a Galleon under full sail in the lower loop and waves and whimsical designs in the upper loop. This Document records the receipt of "Twenty Hogsheads of Molasses" belonging to American Patriot Samuel Vernon of Newport, that were to be shipped to Henry Darrall of Boston on board the Sloop "Success." The cost for shipping the 20 hogsheads was 40 Shillings. Nice and bright but we note some ghosts of old tape glue inside the corners and some light spotting on the right edge. On the plus side, the fancy "S" is truly visually striking. A Colonial Slave Trading related document by the African Slave "Triangular Trade" shippers Samuel & William Vernon on a form Printed for Merchant and Slave trading family of Joseph Lopez.
Samuel Vernon and his brother William were among Newport's most enterprising citizens during the 18th century. Born to a local silversmith, much of their fortune was derived from importing African Slaves at a time when Rhode Island businessmen were the dominant force behind the "Triangular Trade."
The brothers became ardent American patriots when tensions with Great Britain led to the American Revolution, making their dual legacy of promoting both Slavery and Freedom one for future generations to ponder.