George Frost, Sr., ledger, 1736-1753 Digital

Ledger and letter book of George Frost, Sr., dated 1736-1753, primarily related to voyages carrying goods traded by William Pepperrell. Included is a list of expenses of Frost incurred while in London and Topsham in 1742. There are accounts of Frost's wages on the brig Andrew and Elizabeth, of which Robert Oram was master, for 10 months in the West Indies. Frost also journeyed to Maryland and Virginia, where he traded iron pots and cheese for rum with Captain Jonas Rowlandson of London, as well as paying for Rowlandson to rent the storehouse of Elizabeth Smith and Joseph Smith for Rowlandson's washing and "making yr negro's shirts." There is an account against Captain Luke Savery of Topsham in Virginia, for cash discounted and distributed to Richard Royall and others, and an account of Aron Haskins of Virginia for trade of tobacco for dry goods. Other Virginia accounts with John Beaven, John West, Thomas Leatgane, George Beaven, John Worsham, Jr., Captain John Worsham, and William Worsham show trade of Pepperrell's dry goods and wares, powder, paper, and brandy. There is additionally a memorandum of oil Frost left for his mother Mary to sell in 1740 at the end of the volume. The second half contains copies of letters from Frost mostly while he was at sea, dated 1745-1753. To Nathaniel Allen and Joseph Frost, he writes from Casco Harbor regarding action by Pepperrell's cruisers to force him and several of Thomas Hancock's ships into the port, ostensibly to protect them from French privateers. Frost reports on a "dangerous passage" to Antigua with cargo of fish that sustained some weather-related damage, the market there for fish and lumber, a good crop of sugar, prices of rum. In 1746 he arrived in Newfoundland and sold the schooner and cargo brought from Antigua. In September 1748, Frost writes Captain Robert Miller about the store he opened in New London, and the impact on prices since the cessation of King George's War. Frost also writes letters about his brig Postilion and difficulties finding a carpenter and keeping a crew, and generally about shipbuilding and vessels he has for sale. Letters to one of his brothers discuss consignment of goods shipped on Frost's schooner Miriam, renting his farm, and upkeep and hiring riggers for his ships. There are also a number of letters referring to the bankruptcy of an associate, Robert Miller of New London, and related lawsuits.