William Vans letters, 1792-1794 Digital
Scope and Contents
Draft letters from William Vans, dated from 1792 to 1794, primarily addressing collection of taxes and related activities and accounts, debts, and other business and property transactions. The copies may have been removed from a letter book. Other topics are trade of goods like sugar and starch, lawsuits, and insurance on ships including the snow Grand Sachem, on a return voyage from India. Recipients included Mr. Bulfinch, possibly architect Charles Bulfinch (1763-1844; Harvard AB 1781), Joseph Grafton, Samuel Phillips, Nathaniel Russell, Phineas Bruce, attorney Theophilus Parsons (1750-1813; Harvard AB 1769), the town selectmen of Beverly, Massachusetts, Thomas Davis (1756-1805), Massachusetts treasurer and receiver-general, and insurance broker Peter Chardon Brooks (1767-1849). There are additionally letters to Vans’ son and Jonathan Freeman, his partner in the firm of Freeman & Vans, as well as a letter to Alexander Hamilton regarding his report to Congress on a proposed tax on wheel carriage. Also copies of accounts from 1765-1775, including one against Peter Frye, enclosed with letters, related to settling a debt to Vans.
Dates
- Creation: 1792-1794
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research. Materials stored onsite. Please contact specialcollectionsref@hbs.edu for more information regarding access procedures.
Extent
.25 linear feetPhysical Location
MANU
Repository Details
Part of the Baker Library Special Collections and Archives, Harvard Business School Repository
Baker Library Special Collections and Archives holds unique resources that focus on the evolution of business and industry, as well as the records of the Harvard Business School, documenting the institution's development over the last century. These rich and varied collections support research in a diverse range of fields such as business, economic, social and cultural history as well as the history of science and technology.
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