Timothy M. Benson Collection

Manuscripts Collection 201

Overview of the Collection

Repository: G. W. Blunt White Library, Mystic Seaport
Creator: Benson, Timothy M.
Title: Timothy M. Benson Collection
Dates: 1865-1911 g (bulk 1865-1880).
Extent: ca 756 pieces
Abstract: The Benson Collection begins with two boxes of correspondence, primarily between Timothy Benson and Charles Brewer, discussing cargoes, provisions, repairs, and other general business matters involving the MARTHA DAVIS. Included are some letters-relative to Rebecca Benson and her business affairs with Charles Brewer & Co. 1890-1911. Box 3 contains shipping papers for Barks VIKING 1865-1869, and MARTHA DAVIS 1873-1877, while Box 4 has envelopes, stamped and addressed, ca.1876-1911. The six volumes consist of logbooks for Barks VIKING and MARTHA DAVIS, and two crew account books for the MARTHA DAVIS, 1876-1888. Miscellaneous material includes a few domestic bills, etc., land deeds, and several issues of The Friend newspaper from Honolulu. Several issues of foreign newspapers, including the China Mail and Hong Kong Press, collected by Capt. Benson, are available in HFM #191
Identification: Coll.201

Biography of Timothy M. Benson

Timothy Manter Benson (b.1839-d.1890) was a shipmaster from Carver, Massachusetts. He was master of the British Bark VIKING (1866-1867), and the Bark MARTHA DAVIS of Boston for 15 years, from 1873 to 1888. His wife, Rebecca W. Benson, and daughter Clara, were aboard the MARTHA DAVIS during oriental and Trans-Atlantic voyages between 1877 and 1881. Charles Brewer & Co. of Boston owned and managed the MARTHA DAVIS. Brewer and Benson were evidently good friends, as indicated by the fact that the company helped Rebecca with the estate and financial matters for many years after Benson’s death in 1890.

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Restrictions

Restrictions on Access

Available for use in the Manuscripts Division

Restrictions on Use

Various copying restriction apply. Guidelines are available from the Manuscripts Division.

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Index Terms

This collection is indexed under the following headings in the catalog of the G. W. Blunt White Library. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons or places should search the catalog using these headings.

Persons:

Benson, Clara
Benson, Rebecca W.–Correspondence
Brewer, Charles–Correspondence

Corporate Bodies (Including Vessels):

Charles Brewer & Co. (Boston, Mass.)
Martha Davis (Bark)
Viking (Bark)

Subjects:

Real property–Massachusetts
Decedents’ estates–Massachusetts
Merchant mariners
Shipping–England–London
Shipping–Massachusetts–Boston Ships–Cargo
Voyages and travels

Document Types:

Deeds
Envelopes
Journals (accounts)
Logbooks
Ships’ papers

Occupations:

Merchants–Massachusetts–Carver
Ship captains–Massachusetts–Carver
Ship captains–Massachusetts–Carver
Shipowners–Massachusetts–Carver

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Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Coll. 201, Manuscripts Collection, G. W. Blunt White Library, Mystic Seaport Museum, Inc.

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Indexes

Index to Personal Names

NOTE: The fraction(s) indicate the Box and Folder numbers where that particular reference can be found. For example, the researcher will find information about Henry Adams in Box 3, Folder 1 of the collection.
Adams, ? (Capt.) 1/6
Adams, Henry 3/1
Anderson, James 3/6
Andres, Jose 3/5
Arthur, S. 3/3
Authon, James 1/4
Bartlett, Fred 1/3, 1/6
Bartlett, Gid 1/3
Bartlett, William 1/4
Baxter, E. 3/6
Benson, Clara 1/4, 1/6, 2/4
Benson, Clara M. 1/3, 2/5, 2/6, 2/11
Benson, Isaac 3/6, 3/7
Benson, John 3/6
Benson, Rebecca W. 1/3, 1/4, 1/5, 2/4, 2/5, 2/6, 3/12
Bicknell, George 1/6
Billings, George 3/9
Blanchard , ? 1/1
Blanchard, F.E. 1/4
Brewer, Charles 2/8
Brewer, E.M. 2/1
Brewer, Edward M. 2/5, 2/6, 2/7
Brewer, Edward N. 1/7
Brewer, John 1/6
Brewer, Joseph 1/5, 1/7, 2/3
Brown, A.W. 1/7
Brownell, Fred 1/3
Brownell, G.L. 2/9
Burgess, E.T. 3/12
Burrill, Charles D. 2/4
Burrill, Charles D. (Jr.) 2/3
Bush, H. 3/7
Bush, Kermit 3/6
Butler, W.F. 1/4
Carney, James 1/6
Chapman, Norman 3/1
Churchill, Frank N. 3/12
Cobb, Ebenezer 3/12
Cobb, Lavinia 3/12
Cobb, Philander 3/12
Cole, Leander S. 3/12
Cole, Rosa A. 3/12
Coleman, Edward Horne 3/8
Collins, John 1/8
Crapo, ? (Capt.) 1/4
Crespo, Leon 3/5, 3/6
Cruz, Domingo 3/7
Cuatilla, Miguel 3/4
Cusada, Charles 3/4
Cushing, Anna Elizabeth 3/12
Cushing, Clara Benson 3/12
Cushing, Flora M. 3/12
Danforth, William S. 3/12
Davis, Charles S. 2/6
DeBelot, P.F. 3/5
Denis, Julio 3/7
Dennis, Julio 3/6
Dietz, A.F. 2/3
Dietz, R.E. 2/1
Echels, J.E. 3/4
Eldridge, Ellen 1/6
Ellis, Mat 1/6
Englehardt, L.A. 3/3
Findlay, Allan 3/6
Foley, I.D. (Capt.) 1/6
Foley, Mary 1/6, 2/7
Foley, Mary J. 1/7
Franck, Charles 3/5
Gammons, Charles 3/9
Gammons, Susie 1/1
Garcia, C. 3/5
Gardner, Louella 1/5
Gardner, Luella 1/6
Gazelez, Frank 3/6
Godaffroy, A.E. 3/2
Gomly, William J. 3/11
Gonzales, Jose 3/5
Greene, William C. 2/6
Grinnell, Mercy 1/6
Gunzalez, Frank 3/7
Hager, ? 1/4
Haire, Charlie 2/6
Hall, Ruth 1/4
Hallett, ? (Capt.) 1/8
Hanna, Susannah 1/4
Harris, B.W. 3/12
Hedge, Barnabus 3/12
Hibbert, Charles 3/4
Higginson, Robert M. 2/1
Jamison, Alexander 3/6
Jillson, Ella M. 1/6
Jillson, Eugene 1/6
Johnson, ? (Capt.) 1/2, 1/5
Johnson, C.A. (Capt.) 3/9
Josselyn, ? (Capt.) 1/2, 1/7, 2/1
Keith, S. 3/11
Kellogg, David 1/7, 2/1
Kempton, Eben 1/4
Kendall, Hugh F. 2/1
Knoll, Victor 3/7
Lague, Edward 3/6
Landberg, P. 3/1
Lange, Edward 3/6
Loewenberg, A. 2/1
Lombard, E.P. 1/4
Loos, Richard 3/2
Lopes, Manuel 3/5
Loud, Bagnall 2/3
Lovering, J.P. 1/6
Lovering, John P. 1/6
Lovering, Judith A. 1/6, 1/7
Lucas, Abijah (Capt.) 3/12
Lucas, Abijah (Jr.) 3/12
Lucas, Bela 3/12
Lucas, Benjamin 3/12
Lucas, James 3/12
Lunt, ? 1/3
Lunt, Charles H. 1/7
MacGregor, John 3/6
Mahlman, John 3/7
Manchester, ? 1/4
Maxfield, Caleb 3/11
McCall, John 3/6
McClure, Charles E. 1/8
McGlashan, Chet 3/4
McLauchlan, Dennis 3/6
McLean, Peter 3/6
McLeod, Malcolm 3/4
McMillan, William B. 3/6
Mills, Robert 3/6
Milne, Mattie 1/4
Mitchell, Maggie 1/6
Moffat, P.D. 3/6
Murphy, Michael 3/7
Murphy, Thomas 3/6
Neill, William 3/6
Newell, ? (Capt.) 1/1, 1/2, 1/5, 2/4
Olsen, Charlotte 1/4
Olsen, Gustav 1/4
Paine, Richard H. 3/12
Parker, David J. 1/7, 1/8
Parker, Maggie 1/7, 1/8
Patis, Manovara 3/4
Pedro, Manuel 3/7
Pekins, William H. 3/12
Pendleton, Philip B. 2/5
Pratt, Effie 1/4
Pratt, Mat 1/4
Pratt, P. Maria 3/12
Pratt, Stillman 1/4
Robbins, E.P. 3/12
Robbins, Joseph (Jr.) 3/12
Robbins, Rebecca 3/12
Rodger, John 3/6
Russell, C.T. 3/9
Scott, James 3/6
Sears, Edmund L. 3/12
Sears, Harold B. 3/12
Sears, Martha M. 3/12
Shaw, J. Holbrook 2/6
Shaw, Samuel 3/12
Shields, William 3/7
Shurtleff, Albert T. 3/12
Shurtleff, Ernest L. 3/12
Shurtleff, Hannah 3/12
Silvra, Jose D. 3/7
Simmons, Emma 1/3
Sims, Harriet 1/4, 1/6, 1/7
Sims, Stephen 1/4, 1/6
Snelling, J.P. 2/9
Stone, Henry N. 3/9
Sturtevant, David 1/4
Sturtevant, Katie 1/4
Swasey, Charles L. 3/11
Swett, Samuel W. 1/7
Tapiedra, F. 3/5
Taylor, F.B. 2/1
Thomas, Susie F. 3/12
Thompkins, Isaac 1/4
Thompson, Andrew 1/8
Tobey, Sarah 1/4
Topham, Will 1/6
Trenor, M. 3/4
Tripp, Tillie 1/6
Van Der Voodt-Cornet, L. 3/3
Veazie, L.R. 3/9
Vernon, George 2/1
Vorin, Joseph 3/5
Ward, C.P. 1/4
White, B.H. 3/11
White, Catherine L. 2/6
Whitmore, Charles 3/7
Whitney, ?(Capt.) 1/2
Wilde, George F. 1/7, 2/1
Wilson, James 3/5, 3/7
Wing, John 1/6

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Index to Corporate Names

NOTE: The fraction(s) indicate the Box and Folder numbers where that particular reference can be found. For example, the researcher will find information about A. Cabarga & Co. in Box 3, Folder 4 of the collection.
A. Cabarga & Co. 3/4
A.R. McHenry & Co. 3/2
Aaron D. Welds Sons 2/1
Adams Express Co. 3/11
Almy & Hitch 3/11
American Loan & Trust Co. 2/6
American Telephone & Telegraph Co. 2/7
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad 2/4, 2/5
Bachman Bros. 2/1
Baring Bros. & Co. 1/5, 1/6
Baring Bros. Co. 2/9
Behn Meyer & Co. 1/6
Bliss & Drake 2/1
Bliss & Nye 3/11
Bond & Son 2/5
Boustead & Co. 1/6, 1/7, 2/9
Brown & Co. 2/3
Brown Bros. & Co. 2/2
Brown, Shipley & Co. 1/2, 1/3, 1/4, 1/6, 1/7, 1/8, 2/2, 2/3, 2/4
Charles Brewer & Co. 1/1, 1/2, 1/3, 1/4, 1/5, 1/6, 1/7, 1/8, 2/1, 2/2, 2/3, 2/4, 2/9, 3/9
Charles T. Russell & Co. 1/2
Chicago & East Illinois Railroad 2/5
Cleveland City Cable Co. 2/5
Cleveland City Cable Railway Co. 2/6
Coleman & Co. 1/2
Collier Lead Co. 3/9
Daendels & Co. 1/6
Dexter & Haskins 3/11
Dick & McFarlane 3/6
Dummler & Co. 1/6
Estabrook & Co. 2/7
F. Probst & Co. 2/3
Fraser, Eaton Co. 3/1
Freeman, Smith & Co. 1/1, 1/2, 3/9
Georgia Railway & Electric Co. 2/5, 2/6, 2/7
Goodwin & Hogarth 3/6
H.L. Gregg & Co. 1/1, 3/9
H.M. Bearns & Son 1/7
Hall & Son 2/4
Hathaway & Co. 3/9
Haynes Bros. 2/1
Hyman Bros. 2/3
J. Lloyd & Co. 3/1
J.A. & W. Bird & Co. 3/9
J.F. Whitney & Co. 1/6
J.R. Rogers & Co. 1/3
John Black & Co. 3/6
John Clapperton & Co. 3/6
John Walker & Co. 3/5
Juluis & Anderson 1/1
Kansas City, Clinton & Springfield R. R. 2/5, 2/6, 2/7
Ker & Co. 2/1
Kidder, Peabody & Co. 1/5, 1/6
L. Lippert & Co. 1/2
L. McGregor & Co. 3/6
Lippert & Deutzelman 1/2
Lletty Shenkin Co., Cardiff 3/3
Lloyds Register of British & Foreign Shipping 3/1
Lombard, Ayres & Co. 2/3
MacLeod & Co. 2/3
Marsaly & Co. 3/3
Martin, Dyce & Co. 1/6
N.J. Cummins & Bros. 3/6
Negus & Co. 2/5
New Bedford Cordage Co. 2/9, 3/9
New York Herald Agency 1/2
Norcross Patent Block Co. 2/8
Old Colony National Bank 3/12
Old Colony Trust Co. 2/6
Peele, Hubbell & Co. 1/5
Perkins & Paine 3/12
Peter Barclay & Son 3/6
Peter Wright & Son 3/2
Phillps & Co. 2/1
Pierce & Hall 2/1
Plymouth Savings Bank 3/12
R.&S. Neill 3/6
Rio Grande & Western Railroad 2/5
Robert Colgate & Co. 2/3
Rose, Innes & Co. 1/3, 1/4
Russell & Co. 1/5, 1/8, 2/1, 2/2, 2/3, 2/4, 2/9
Russell & Fullarton 3/6
Savage & Hill 1/6
Savannah Electric Co. 2/5, 2/6, 2/7
Smith & Townsend 1/7
Smith, Bell & Co. 1/6, 1/7, 2/2, 2/3, 2/4
Stickney & Conyngham & Bradbury 2/3
Talbot & DeRham 2/1
Talbot & Phillips 2/3
Union Classical Institute 2/5
Vernon H. Brown & Co. 1/6, 1/7, 1/8, 2/1, 2/3, 2/4, 2/8
Vogel & Co. 1/6
W. Van Someren Greve & Co. 3/1
W.F. Schmidts Son, Philadelphia 3/2
W.K. Lewis & Brothers 3/9
W.T. Coleman & Co. 1/1
Walter Durbrow & Co. 2/1
Watts, Parker & Co. 2/1
Western Union Telegraph Co. 2/6
Whitcher, Dyer &Dyer 1/6
Whitney Bros. & Co. 1/7, 1/8
Whiton Bros. 2/4
Whiton, Brother & Co. 3/9
William A. Lippert & Co. 1/2
William Bond & Son 3/9
Wills, Edmonds & Co. 1/2, 1/3
Wood, Brightman & Co. 3/11

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Index to Vessel Names

NOTE: The fraction(s) indicate the Box and Folder numbers where that particular reference can be found. For example, the researcher will find information about the bark AMY TURNER in Box 1, Folder 3 of the collection.
AMY TURNER (Bark) 1/3, 1/4, 1/5, 1/6, 2/1
ARCTIC (Bark) 1/2
CEYLON (Bark) 1/5, 1/7, 1/8
CORRIGA (Bark) 1/2, 1/4, 1/6, 1/7
EDWARD MAY (Bark) 1/1, 1/2, 1/5, 1/6, 2/1
ELLA (Bark) 1/6
FURNESS ABBEY (Ship) 1/7
HENRY JAMES (Ship) 2/1
HERCULES 2/1
ISAAC L. SKOLFIELD (Ship) 1/8
JENNY PITTS (Bark) 1/4
JOHN D. BREWER 2/1
JOLANI (Bark) 1/3
KONGS-VERRE (Bark) 3/8
LYNN 1/1
MARTHA DAVIS (Bark) 1/1, 1/2, 1/3, 1/4, 1/5, 1/6, 1/7, 2/1, 2/3, 2/4, 2/5, 2/8
MARY L. STONE (Ship) 1/7
MYSTIC BELLE (Ship) 1/3
PEKING (Ship) 3/1
RAMBLER (Bark) 1/5
SOUTHERN CROSS (Bark) 1/6
SPARTAN 2/1
SYREN 1/1, 1/2
TIMOUR 2/4
VALIANT 1/8
VENUS (Bark) 3/3
VIKING (Bark) 3/1, 3/2, 3/3
WILLIAM SPRAGUE (Tug) 2/4

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Detailed Description of the Collection

The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.

Papers carried by vessels; 19th century.

0 Correspondence. Images
Box Folder
1 1 Correspondence. Images
2 Correspondence. Images
3 Correspondence. Images
4 Correspondence. Images
5 Correspondence. Images
6 Correspondence. Images
7 Correspondence. Images
8 Correspondence. Images
Box Folder
2 1 Correspondence. Images
2 Correspondence. Images
3 Correspondence. Images
4 Correspondence. Images
5 Correspondence to and from Rebecca Benson. Images
6 Correspondence to and from Rebecca Benson:. Images
7 Correspondence to and from Rebecca Benson. Images
8 Telegrams (undated). Images
9 Correspondence. Images
10 Letterpress copies of letters found in previous folders. Images
11 Clara M. Benson; college writing assignments. Images
12 Clara M. Benson: diary aboard Bark MARTHA DAVIS (photocopy). Images

Items of special significance; 19th century.

Box Folder
3 1 Bark VIKING; port papers, survey, etc.. Images
2 Bark VIKING; cargo manifests, bills of lading, etc.. Images
3 Bark VIKING; bills receipts, etc.. Images
4 Bark VIKING; bills receipts, etc.. Images
5 Bark VIKING; bills receipts, etc.. Images
6 Bark VIKING; bills receipts, etc.. Images
7 Bark VIKING; crews wages forms. Images
8 Bark VIKING; letters. Images
9 Bark MARTHA DAVIS; bills, accounts, etc.. Images
10 Bark MARTHA DAVIS; ship’s stores accounts. Images
10 Accounts: T. M. Benson w/Chas. Brewer & Co.. Images
11 Mrs. T.M. Benson; bills, accounts, receipts, etc.. Images
12 Copies of land deeds & transactions re. Benson & Sears families, & T. M Benson’s will and estate documents. Images
13 Newspapers, The Friend, Honolulu, Hawaii (various issues). Images
14 Miscellaneous materials; newspapers, cards, notes, etc.. Images
15 Master’s Certificate, Timothy Manter Benson. Images
16 ASFS: Manual, & Pamphlet “Shipwreck & Rescue at Sea”. Images

Letters regarding the opium trade and China trade; ca. 1840-1850.

Box Folder
4 1 Envelopes. Images
2 Envelopes. Images
3 Envelopes. Images
4 Envelopes. Images
5 Envelopes. Images
6 Envelopes. Images
7 Envelopes. Images

20th century covers; 1880-1950.

Volume
1 Crew Account Book; Bark MARTHA DAVIS;; 1876-1879.
2 Crew Account Book; Bark MARTHA DAVIS;; 1887-1888. Images
3 Log, kept by Timothy M. Benson, master on board; 1878-1881. Images
4 Logbook, Bark VIKING; June 17-October 3, 1867. Images
5 Journal, Bark MARTHA DAVIS; Oct. 29, 1874-Nov. 1, 1875. Images
6 Journal, Bark MARTHA DAVIS; Dec. 12, 1875-Oct.7, 1876. Images

 

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