New Bedford Whaling Ship owner Wm R. Rotch--Sailing Agreement, Brig Sarah, 1833

Description

This listing is for a framed sailing agreement by famous New Bedford, MA  whaling ship owner and abolitionist William R. Rotch (1759-181850) and the crew of the "Brig Sarah"--"William Sturdevant, Master," for wages earned while "bound from the Port of New Bedford for Europe and elsewhere and back to a port of discharge in the United States" from October 13, 1832 to April 13, 1833." This partly printed document contains the signatures (or marks) of all 9 crew who served, and in columns adjacent to their names notations for "Monthly Wage," "Advance Before Sailing," "Advanced Abroad," "Hospital Money," and a final tally wages owed after advances, etc. The list leads off with "Mate" Fred McLumbert" who earned a monthly wage of , received an advance of , an additional advance of .20 while "abroad," and .20 "Hospital Money"--being paid at the end of the voyage 9.60, and continues with Charles Spooner, 2nd Mate (monthly wage of ), and Seamen Gilbert H. Phillips, Carls [?], John Carr, and George Nelson, who each earned a month. The crew was complete with Charles Lee, "Cook & Steward" who earned monthly, and two seamen who joined the crew mid-journey on February 2, 1833: Manuel Silva and Jon Bell.  At the bottom of the document each crewman acknowledges "Rec'd of William R. Roatch" the specific sum paid for their rating and time of service, with their signature or witnessed mark at the end.
This document is matted under glass with a wood frame measuring 20.5" H x 24" W.
William R. Rotch, born in Nantucket to a prominent Quaker ship owning family, ultimately became the wealthiest man and most prominent whaling merchant in New Bedford during his lifetime. He was a prominent abolitionist, becoming the first President of the New Bedford Anti-Slavery Society in 1834. His home, now called the "Rotch-Jones-Duff House" in New Bedford is now a museum.