Rare Book & Manuscript Library
 

Isaac Bell papers, 1787-1940

Summary Information

At a Glance

Call No.: MS#0098
Bib ID 4079828 View CLIO record
Creator(s) Bell, Isaac, 1768-1860
Title Isaac Bell papers, 1787-1940
Physical Description 0.5 linear feet (1 box); 11 items
Language(s) English .
Access You will need to make an appointment in advance to use this collection material in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room. You can schedule an appointment once you've submitted your request through your Special Collections Research Account.

This collection is located on-site.

This collection has no restrictions.

Arrangement

Arrangement

Selected materials cataloged; remainder arranged.

Description

Summary

There is a letter book / account book of 347 p., 1790-1856, containing 466 draft copies of his commercial and social correspondence with shipping agents in Great Britain, France, Spain, Portugal, Holland, Germany, China, Canada, as well as in the United States. The correspondence concerns Bell's business arrangements, the various cargos he shipped and their disposal, political affairs affecting the shipping trade, laws and treaties of various countries to be dealt with, taxes, embargoes, piracy, threats of war, and other pertinent events. A second account book of 84 p. (many are blank), 1787-1852, for the Ship Stephania and others contains ships' records for 1799 to 1828 and miscellaneous accounts up to 1857. There is a one volume carbon typescript (113 p.) of genealogical notes and reminiscences by Gordon Knox Bell (Regent of the University of the State of New York and grandson of Isaac Bell) and others, ca.1940. There is also an essay and lists of the residents of Greenwich Street (including the Bell and Rogers families) by Elizur Yale Smith with related correspondence, 1940.

Using the Collection

Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Restrictions on Access

You will need to make an appointment in advance to use this collection material in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room. You can schedule an appointment once you've submitted your request through your Special Collections Research Account.

This collection is located on-site.

This collection has no restrictions.

Terms Governing Use and Reproduction

Single photocopies may be made for research purposes. The RBML maintains ownership of the physical material only. Copyright remains with the creator and his/her heirs. The responsibility to secure copyright permission rests with the patron.

Preferred Citation

Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Isaac Bell papers; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.

Accruals

Materials may have been added to the collection since this finding aid was prepared. Contact rbml@columbia.edu for more information.

Ownership and Custodial History

Gift of Gordon Knox Bell, Jr., 1957.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Papers: Source of acquisition--Bell, Gordon Knox, Jr. Method of acquisition--Gift; Date of acquisition--11/08/57. Accession number--M-57-11-08.

About the Finding Aid / Processing Information

Columbia University Libraries, Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Processing Information

Papers Processed HR 10/27/93.

Revision Description

2020-07-09 EAD document created by CCR.

Subject Headings

The subject headings listed below are found in this collection. Links below allow searches at Columbia University through the Archival Collections Portal and through CLIO, the catalog for Columbia University Libraries, as well as ArchiveGRID, a catalog that allows users to search the holdings of multiple research libraries and archives.

All links open new windows.

Genre/Form

Heading "CUL Archives:"
"Portal"
"CUL Collections:"
"CLIO"
"Nat'l / Int'l Archives:"
"ArchivedGRID"
Account books Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID
Bills of lading Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID
Drawings (visual works) Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID
Essays Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID
Genealogies (histories) Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID
Invoices Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID
Lists (document genres) Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID
Manifests (shipping records) Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID
Receipts (financial records) Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID
Reminiscences Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID
Shipping records Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID

Subject

Heading "CUL Archives:"
"Portal"
"CUL Collections:"
"CLIO"
"Nat'l / Int'l Archives:"
"ArchivedGRID"
Anderson, Joseph, 1757-1837 Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID
Bell, Gordon Knox, 1871-1955 Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID
Boss, John L. (John Linscom), 1780-1819 Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID
Brown, James, 1766-1835 Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID
Businessmen -- Canada Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID
Businessmen -- United States Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID
Cambreleng, Churchill Caldom, 1786-1862 Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID
Carrington, Edward, 1775-1843 Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID
Clay, Henry, 1777-1852 Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID
Clipper ships Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID
Coffee industry Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID
Commission merchants -- New York Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID
Coster, John G., 1762 or 1763-1844 Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID
Cotton trade Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID
DePeyster, Frederick, 1758-1834 Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID
Export marketing Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID
Exports -- China Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID
Forsyth, John, 1780-1841 Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID
Freight and freightage Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID
Gallatin, Albert, 1761-1849 Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID
Gracie, Archibald, 1755-1829 Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID
Hussey, Josiah, 1768?-1839 Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID
Indiamen Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID
International trade Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID
Jones, Thomas K (Thomas Kilby) Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID
Lenox, Robert, 1759-1839 Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID
Marine insurance Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID
Marketing Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID
Merchant marine Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID
Merchant ships Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID
Merchants -- New York Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID
Merchants -- New York (State) -- New York Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID
Osborn, Gardner Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID
Pirates -- Mediterranean Region Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID
Rogers, Moses Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID
Rogers, Nehemiah Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID
Rope trade Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID
Sailing ships Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID
Sands, Comfort, 1748-1834 Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID
Ship captains Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID
Ship captains -- United States Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID
Shipping Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID
Ships -- Cargo Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID
Ships -- New York (State) Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID
Silk industry Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID
Smith, Elizur Yale Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID
Smith, Nathan, 1770-1835 Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID
Sugar trade Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID
Supercargos Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID
Tea trade Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID
Textile industry Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID
Tudor, William, 1779-1830 Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID
Voght, C, Freiherr von (Caspar), 1752-1839 Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID
Wine trade Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID
Wolcott, Oliver, 1760-1833 Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID
Wright, William Henry DeCourcy, 1795-1864 Portal CLIO ArchiveGRID

History / Biographical Note

Biographical / Historical

Isaac Bell, an East India merchant, was born in Stamford CT in 1768. His Loyalist family brought him to New York City in 1776 and to St John, New Brunswick in Canada for the duration of the Revolutionary War. He entered the shipping business, returned to New York in 1792 and sailed as supercargo in 1798 on the first of three voyages to China which would secure his fortune. He was associated in business with Archibald Gracie and with Moses, Nehemiah, and Fitch Rogers. His fortune later declined due to both the Panic of 1837 and to disastrous fires. He died in 1860.

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Series I: Letter Books and Account Books, 1787-1856

This series includes one letter book / account book, and one additional account book.



Box 1 Letter Book / Account Book, 1790-1856, 347 pages

This item contains 466 draft and copies of letters in bound letterbook, p. 34-347. This contains Bell's commercial and social correspondence with shipping agents in Great Britain, France, Spain, Portugal, Holland, Germany, China, Canada, as well as in the United States. The correspondence concerns Bell's business arrangements, the various cargos he shipped and their disposal, political affairs affecting the shipping trade, laws and treaties of various countries to be dealt with, taxes, embargoes, piracy, threats of war, and other pertinent events.

Letters to various recipients contained in this volume are listed alphabetically in the container list.


Box 1 Amory Callender & Co. (New Orleans)


Box 1 Jonathan Amory & Son


Box 1 Joseph Anderson (1757-1837)


Box 1 Bachman


Box 1 Henry Barclay


Box 1 Abraham Bates


Box 1 Tomas Belden


Box 1 James Bell


Box 1 George Bilden


Box 1 Daniel L. Bishop


Box 1 Richard Black


Box 1 John A. Bleeker


Box 1 William Blodget


Box 1 J.J. Bose & Co. (Bordeaux)


Box 1 John Linscom Boss, Jr. (1780-1819)


Box 1 Bradford Gilbert & Co.


Box 1 James Brown (1766-1835)


Box 1 Noah Brown


Box 1 Miles R. Burke


Box 1 Jonah Burr


Box 1 Charles Cadogan


Box 1 Churchill Caldom Cambreleng (1786-1862)


Box 1 John A. Camp


Box 1 John G. Camp


Box 1 John G. Camp, Jr.


Box 1 John Campbell


Box 1 The Hoppoa of Canton, China


Box 1 Capron & Cornwall


Box 1 A. Capron Lille


Box 1 Thomas Carberry


Box 1 Edward Carrington


Box 1 Chew


Box 1 Chunqua


Box 1 Lewis Clapier & Cp.


Box 1 Francis Clappier & Co. (Marseilles)


Box 1 Henry Clay (1777-1852)


Box 1 Charles H. Coffin


Box 1 Conway & Davidson


Box 1 Costello Brothers & Co. (Cadiz)


Box 1 Henry A. & John G. Coster


Box 1 H. & J. Coster & Co. (New York)


Box 1 Henry Coster & Co.


Box 1 Couderc, D(?). P. Brants


Box 1 Peter Couderc, Jr.


Box 1 Charles Sidney Coxe


Box 1 Cromelein Davis & Co.


Box 1 Crookshank


Box 1 Crump & Hart


Box 1 Abraham Davenport


Box 1 Wendell David


Box 1 Thomas Davidson


Box 1 Dawes Stephenson & Co. (London)


Box 1 Elizabeth De Hart


Box 1 Delaroche, Armand Delessert & Co. (Nantes)


Box 1 Delarrard & Co. (Barcelona)


Box 1 Lewis Delesdernier


Box 1 Depaw Deas & Co. (Charleston, S.C.)


Box 1 Frederick DePeyster (1758-1834)


Box 1 Noah Disbrow


Box 1 Samuel H. Drake


Box 1 Drake Mitchell & Co.


Box 1 Anthony Dugan


Box 1 John Duncan


Box 1 John Duncan & Co.


Box 1 DuRiveray & D'lvernois (Le Havre)


Box 1 P. & C. Van Eeghen (Amsterdam)


Box 1 John Ellis


Box 1 Henry Farnum


Box 1 Fenno & Cox


Box 1 Duncan Ferguson


Box 1 David Finlayson


Box 1 John Forsyth (1780-1841)


Box 1 Nathan Frink


Box 1 Curwen Gale


Box 1 Albert Gallatin (1761-1849)


Box 1 Gans


Box 1 Edward Gernou


Box 1 John Gernou


Box 1 Colin Gillespie


Box 1 A. Gower


Box 1 Archibald Gracie (1755-1829)


Box 1 John Graham & Co.


Box 1 William Graham


Box 1 William Graham & Bros. (Glasgow)


Box 1 Grant Hepburn & Co.


Box 1 Grant Webb & Co.


Box 1 Gray & Pankey


Box 1 T. Greene


Box 1 Grevignie & Co. (Malaga, Spain)


Box 1 Hagarty & Jerdein


Box 1 James Hagerty


Box 1 Peter Halc


Box 1 Thomas Hanford


Box 1 J. Harmony


Box 1 Harrison & Sherrill


Box 1 James Hepburn


Box 1 R.B. Hilliard


Box 1 Charles Holland


Box 1 Thomas Hunloke


Box 1 Josiah Hussey


Box 1 Charles Hyber


Box 1 Jacobs & Co. (Rheims)


Box 1 Samuel Jeffries


Box 1 Paul Jenkins


Box 1 Abraham G. Jennings


Box 1 Jonathan Jones


Box 1 Thomas K. Jones & Co. (Boston)


Box 1 Elisha King


Box 1 Kirkpatrick & Grevignie


Box 1 Henry Kustner


Box 1 Labouchere & Co. (Rotterdam)


Box 1 John H. Ladd & Co.


Box 1 LaRue & Palmer (Le Havre)


Box 1 Jessel Lawrence


Box 1 A. Le Lieivre


Box 1 Robert Lenox (1759-1839)


Box 1 Stephen Jefferson Lewis


Box 1 Lewis & Douglass


Box 1 John Lightbourne


Box 1 Lindblad & Co.


Box 1 William McGillivray


Box 1 Alexander McGregor & Co.


Box 1 J. & Peter Mclver & Co. (London)


Box 1 James McKinlay


Box 1 Charles Mackinnon


Box 1 Arthur McLellan


Box 1 R.I. Macy


Box 1 Mayer & Lohman


Box 1 Thomas March Millbridge


Box 1 Mills & Disbrow


Box 1 N. Moran


Box 1 William Hodgkinson Morewood


Box 1 Morewood & Co. (Hamburg)


Box 1 F.W. Morse


Box 1 Mumford


Box 1 Thomas Murdock


Box 1 John Murray & Sons (New York)


Box 1 Murray, Sansom & Co. (London)


Box 1 William Nott & Co.


Box 1 J. & I.H. Perkins


Box 1 George Philips


Box 1 George Phillips


Box 1 John C. Phillips


Box 1 Sarah Powell


Box 1 John Rae


Box 1 Andrew Rainsford


Box 1 J.O. Rees


Box 1 Reis & Beale


Box 1 Aquila Rich


Box 1 John Richards


Box 1 Richard Richards


Box 1 Benjamin Rogers


Box 1 Moses Rogers


Box 1 Moses Rogers & Co. (New York)


Box 1 Nehemiah Rogers


Box 1 Rogers & Aspinwall (New York)


Box 1 D. Saint


Box 1 H.T. Sampayo (Lisbon)


Box 1 Comfort Sands (1748-1834)


Box 1 William Scott


Box 1 Nathaniel Searle, Jr.


Box 1 Aaron Seaman


Box 1 Edmund Seaman


Box 1 Angus Shaw


Box 1 Robert Shedden


Box 1 Robert Shedden & Sons


Box 1 Elias Shipman


Box 1 Simson


Box 1 Henry Smith


Box 1 Nathan Smith (1770-1835)


Box 1 Henry Staples


Box 1 James Stewart


Box 1 John Sykes


Box 1 Talcott & Bowen


Box 1 Talcott & Bowers (New Orleans)


Box 1 Isaac Tomlinson


Box 1 William Tudor (1779-1830)


Box 1 Alexander Turnbull


Box 1 Jacob Van Uypen & Co.


Box 1 Caspar, Freiherr von Voght (1752-1839)


Box 1 R.R. Voris


Box 1 Walker & Kennedy


Box 1 Robert Watts


Box 1 John G. Weafer


Box 1 Thomas Welsh, Jr.


Box 1 Benjamin C. Wilcocks


Box 1 John Williams


Box 1 William & Francis (Philadelphia)


Box 1 Winslow & Huske


Box 1 Oliver Wolcott & Co. (New York)


Box 1 Joseph Wood


Box 1 Woodberry


Box 1 William Henry DeCourcy Wright (1795-1864)


Box 1 Zimmerman & Frazier & Co.


Box 1 Account Book, 1787-1852, 84 pages

Account book, 84 pages (many are blank). For the Ship Stephania and others contains ships' records for 1799 to 1828 and miscellaneous accounts up to 1857.

Series II: Genealogical and Research Materials, circa 1940

This series includes genealogical notes, reminiscences, essays, research, and related correspondence.


Box 1 Genealogical Notes and Reminiscences, circa 1940, 113 pages

One volume carbon typescript (113 pages) of genealogical notes and reminiscences by Gordon Knox Bell (Regent of the University of the State of New York and grandson of Isaac Bell) and others, circa 1940.


Box 1 Essay and Lists of Residents of Greenwich Street, circa 1940

Includes an essay and lists of the residents of Greenwich Street (including the Bell and Rogers families) by Elizur Yale Smith with related correspondence, 1940.