Tillinghast family business records , 1747-1880

(bulk 1796-1840)

John Carter Brown Library
Box 1894
Brown University
Providence, RI 02912

Published in 2023

Collection Overview

Title:	Tillinghast Family Business Records
Date range:	1747-1880, (1796-1840)
Creator:	Tillinghast family
Extent:	5.5 Linear Feet
Abstract:	The Tillinghast family business records consist of correspondence, accounting records, ships' papers and business books documenting the maritime trade and other commercial activities of Providence sea captain and merchant, Joseph Tillinghast (1734 – 1816) and his son, William E. Tillinghast (1777-1817). The records also include documentation for the firm Gorton & Tillinghast, founded by Joseph Tillinghast and William E. Tillinghast with Benjamin E. Gorton (1765-1822). Other business ventures include real estate investments and involvement with the Potowomut Mill.
Language of materials:	English
Repository:	John Carter Brown Library
Collection number:	Ms. Tillinghast

Scope & content

Joseph Tillinghast (1734-1816) was a sea captain and merchant born in East Greenwich, R.I. He was based in Providence, R.I. for his entire career, and was engaged principally in trade with St. Croix in the present U.S. Virgin Islands, shipping food and supplies to the island and bringing rum and molasses back to Rhode Island. In 1795, he began a formal partnership with his son, William Earle Tillinghast (1777-1817), and Benjamin E. Gorton (1765-1822). The records encompass the maritime career of Joseph Tillinghast, but the bulk of the collection concerns the accounts of William E. Tillinghast. Materials extend beyond the death of William E. Tillinghast to include scattered records of his descendants and related families—including the Mawneys, Davises, and Potters—into the late 19th century.

Access Points

Subject Topics

• TIllinghast Family--Geneaology
• Potowomut Mill
• Nicholas Brown & Co.

Geographical Names

• St. Croix

Occupations

• Gorton & TIllinghast

Arrangement

The collection has been arranged in the following series:

Correspondence, Accounts, Ships' papers, and Business books

Material is organized chronologically within each series. The Business books series includes account book volumes.

Access & Use

Access to the collection:
Use of the materials:	The John Carter Brown Library welcomes all researchers through its doors for fruitful use of our collections. We are open to all for research and welcome all. Researchers must register in Aeon at least 24 hours prior to their visit, make an appointment on the calendar, and bring one form of photo identification on their first day.
Preferred citation:
Contact information:	John Carter Brown Library Box 1894 Brown University Providence, RI 02912

Administrative Information

ABOUT THE COLLECTION
Custodial history:	Custodial HistoryThe collection was given to the library by William Davis Miller in 1938 [with an additional acquisition in 1953].[from note on calendar card]
ABOUT THE FINDING AID
Encoding:	This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2023-08-14.
Revisions:	Summer 2023 Collection material rehoused and subsequently described in ArchivesSpace by M.J. Cunniff
Descriptive rules:	Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Additional Information

Related material:

A card file exists for this collection. The JCB holds Codex Eng 43, a two volume diary kept by Samuel Tillinghast containing "Remarkable Events, Winds & Weather", and noting the deaths of Richard Ward and two Newport members of the Franklin family. Warwick, RI Jan 1761-Dec 1766.

Inventory

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