Series Description

I. Shipping Papers

A. March, 1781 Dimensions of masts, yards and bowsprit.

B. May 29, 1781 Master’s Instructions (2 documents, 6 pages)

C. June, 1781 Manifest List of names, station, wage, advances

D. 1781 (month unknown) Manifest List of names, station, share

E. 1781 (month unknown) List of advanced wages (2 seamen marked runaway)

II. Receipts

A. April 30, 1781 Payment to James Chase for rum

B. May 1, 1781 Payment to John Boies for cartridge paper

C. May 11, 1781 Payment to Alexander Baker & Co. for work on ship

D. May 14, 1781 Payment to Wm. Cordwell for musket balls and powder

E. May 22, 1781 Payment to Richard Skillin for rigging blocks and mallets

F. May 29, 1781 Payment to John Burbeck for powder

G. May, 1781 Payment to John Hooton for 12 large sweeps

H. May, 1781 Payment to John Cheeseman for mast hoops

I. Oct. 6, 1781 Payment to John Winthrop for freight and chests of tea

J. Dec. 12, 1781 Payment to David Greenough prize money Brig Conrad

K. 1781 (month unknown) Payment to John Cheeseman for handcuffs and keys

III. Correspondence

A. Nov. 6, 1781 Letter to Stephen Higginson from C. S. Black’s Widow & Co. mentions Capt. Smith’s encounter with an English cutter involving an exchange of shots.

B. Dec. 6, 1781 Letter to Stephen Higginson references an overpayment of King’s Duty and Commission.

IV. Accounts and Invoices

A. Nov. 30, 1781 Invoice of Quantity of Goods shipped on Robin Hood for Boston from Christiansand by John Merchant for owners.

B. Dec. 3, 1781 Invoice of Sundry Goods shipped on Robin Hood for Boston from Christiansand by John Merchant for owners.

C. Dec. 3, 1781 Account by John Merchant to amount of Sundry Goods shipped on Robin Hood and various cash expenditures including a payment, at Copenhagen, to the Court of Admiralty according to a sentence against Capt. Smith.

D. Dec. 3, 1781 Account by John Merchant of sale of 20 casks of rice received out of Robin Hood for owners.

E. Dec. 4, 1781 Invoice for 1 chest of merchandise to be shipped on Robin Hood to Boston for Elias H. Derby, signed by Capt. Smith.

F. 1781 (month unknown) Invoice of Goods shipped from Copenhagen on Robin Hood by Madam Black & Co. and by John Merchant.

V. Expenses

A. Feb 15 – April 6, 1781 Eben Parsons, outfitting for voyage, from nails to fresh meat (2 documents 5 pages.)

B. May 10 – 26, 1781 William Parsons, outfitting for voyage, from rum to muskets.

C. May, 1781 Ebenezer Parsons, work done for ship, from hooks to thimbles.

D. 1781 (month unknown) Sargent Smith, expenses in Christiansand, from pilotage to advances to sailors.

VI. Agreements and Memorandum

A. March 1, 1781 William Capen, agreement to complete joinery work on new ship being built by Joseph Clark for Eben Parsons.

B. May 25, 1781 Thomas Burbeck, wage agreement signed by Thomas Burbeck.

C. May 25, 1781 Eben Parson executed wage agreement with Thomas Burbeck.

D. June 2, 1781 Letter of Agency, officers and seamen appoint William Parsons as their true and lawful attorney to act in their place regarding all captured prizes, prize goods, wares or merchandise.

E. 1781 (month unknown) Memorandum for the ship Robin Hood, check list of items outfitting for voyage.