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The letter and list
are reproduced in full size on separate pages due to the large file size. The
list contains the going rate for most of the trade goods of the
period. The first member of the Rhode Island Browns to settle in America was the Reverend Chad Brown, who arrived in Boston on the ship Martin in July 1638 with his wife Elizabeth and 8 year old son John. However, Chad did not remain long in the Massachusetts Bay Colony; moving to Providence, Rhode Island that same year. Chad Brown's great grandsons, James II and Obadiah Brown were the original founders of the Brown family fortune. They entered the Triangular Trade, (Slaves, Rum & Sugar) in 1736 with their sloop Mary. The Brown family was engaged off an on in the slave trade until around 1819. They were also heavily engaged in the China Tea trade and trade to Europe and the East Indies. Four of James' sons; Nicholas Sr., Joseph, John, and Moses became known as The Four Brothers and further established the family's mercantile wealth and power, (Nicholas Brown & Company). The firm was later joined by George Benson (Brown and Benson). The Brown family was one of the most successful merchant families in the history of Rhode Island and certainly one of the wealthiest. Although the Brown family fortunes began with their shipping empire, by the 1830's the family's shipping interests were minimal and most of their enterprises were centered around the booming Rhode Island and New England textile industry. The Brown family owned textile mills throughout Rhode Island and New England and in addition were owners and operators of several machine and tool companies. Nicholas Brown, Jr. was born on April 4, 2026 in Providence, Rhode island. He was a graduate of Brown University. Nicholas and Thomas Poynton Ives, (his sister's husband) founded the firm of Brown and Ives. For over forty years the firm of Brown and Ives was one of the leading mercantile firms in the country and it's name was known throughout the world. Nicholas died on September 27, 1841 and at the time this letter was sent the firm was being run by his son, John Carter Brown. Notes: John Brown remained in the slave trade into the early 1800s. In 1797 the Providence Abolition Society, of which both Moses and Obadiah Brown were members, brought suit against brother John under the new 1794 Federal anti-slavery law, which prohibited any ships that transported slaves from outfitting in American ports. The vessel in question was condemned, however John escaped unscathed and even received compensation for his loss. He later stated that, "The people in general are against this wicked and abominable combination," (referring to the Abolition Society). Moses Brown became a Quaker and denounced anything to do with the slave trade. He also was instrumental in the early success of the textile industry, having supplied the funding for Samuel Slater's first Water Powered Textile Mill in Pawtucket in 1793. Nicholas Brown Jr. also refused to have anything to do with, or become involved in the slave trade. In 1796 Nicholas and Thomas began construction of a second large ship to use in the Far Eastern Trade, (their first was the John Jay). The ship was named Ann & Hope after the partner's two wives and was one of the fastest vessels of her time. The original Ann & Hope wrecked off Montauk Point in 1806 and the partners built a second ship of the same name launched in 1807. The second Ann & Hope was engaged in the Far Eastern Trade until at least 1838. In 1886 the largest textile mill of it's time was built in Lonsdale, Rhode Island and was also named after the wives of the original Brown & Ives partners. The Ann & Hope Mills was in operation until 1930. In 1953 the first discount department store in the country, Ann & Hope of Rhode Island opened for business.
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This page was updated on January 30, 2026 All rights reserved by Salty's Stamps © |