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Various Makers / 1844 - 1847 / [Collection of manuscript documents relating to the Whale Ship Izaak Walton, New London, Captain Daniel Fitch: crew list ("division of cargo"), dozens of slop chest invoices to sailors, Pacific Islander ("Kanaka") crewmembers] (Safe 3, 115742) Approximately 82 loose sheets with manuscript text plus numerous small manuscript slips. Some on blue paper. Overall condition is excellent, the leaves generally crisp and clean. Detailed Manuscript Records of Sailors's Purchases and Cash Advances During 1840s Pacific Whaling Voyage on Pacific Whaler "Izaac Walton" Including Crew List & Division of Cargo "Kanaka" Pacific Islander Crew Members A trove of over 80 manuscript ship documents from the New London whaler Izaak Walton, including the manuscript crew list and division of whale oil cargo, dated June 2, 1847. Several crewmembers were Pacific Islanders, likely Hawaiians, noted by the moniker "Kanaka" or "Canaca". The collection comprises original receipts issued on board the Izaak Walton for sailors' purchases from the ship's store, the so-called "slop chest". These receipts present itemized lists of clothing and sundries bought by common seaman directly from the Captain, including tobacco, whaleman's pumps, duck frocks, canvas trousers, "monkey" jackets, shirts (woolen and calico), various types of shoes (in one instance to a Mr. Edward Low: "1 pare of Women Showes"). Also noted are cash advances, particularly at Manila, undoubtedly requested as spending money for shore visits. The last two crewmembers listed in the "Division of Cargo" sheet are clearly Pacific Islanders (Jim Kanacker and John Kanacker). These two men are the only individuals on the crew list recorded as not entitled to a share of the whale oil cargo. Two other men (Henry N. Spencer and John Maloney) have their names crossed out, perhaps having deserted during the voyage. On mid-19th-century American whaleships there was no dedicated purser like one would find in the Navy. Instead, the slop chest (the shipboard store of clothes, boots, tobacco, sewing needles, etc.) was run by the captain, who shared any profit with the vessel s owners. He kept the chest under lock and key and entered the marked-up prices of every article in a small ledger that whalemen called the slop book or slop-chest account. In the case of the Izaak Walton, Captain Daniel Fitch simply kept loose paper receipts for each transaction. Crew members recoded in the various receipts: Edward Lowe, Harris Fowler, Solomon Perkins, Gilbert Comstock, Joseph Lothrop, William Lyman, Jacob Fowler, William H. Davis, John Dart, B.F. Austin, Henry Fuller, Henry F. Jones, Andrew Braman, Amos P. Lanphees, William Holt, Abner L. Rogers, William Wheeler, C.D. Dolbear, John Dolbear, Charles Merrells, George Brewster, William E. Cutting, George Slate, D.K. Hickok, Andrew Ludkin, George Howard, James McPhee, Charles W. Hillard, William A. Richardson, Jim Kanacker, John Kanacker, and others. Outstanding items: Division of Cargo to Crew of Ship Izaak Walton, June 2, 1847. [2] pages. Bifolium. Blue paper. Crew list, with breakdown of whale and sperm oil division, beginning with Captain Daniel Fitch's 1/16 share. "John Lewis Cornacker." 1845. Itemized receipt for numerous goods: 1 Guansey Frock, 1 Monkey Jacket, 1 Pair of Wolen Trousers, and more, totaling $53.20. With a cash advance of $5 at Manila. John Lewis (Cannacker). 1847. Settlement account, $109.33. New London, June 1847. Signed by John Lewis with an X: "His Mark" Jim Crow Cornaker. Itemized list of cash advances (including $5 at Manila), and purchases from the "slop chest" aboard the Izaac Walton: monkey jacket $6.00; 1 pair of "wolen trouser" 3.50; 2 pounds of tobacco 3.00, etc. Jim .
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