Scope and arrangement
The Simeon Baker papers, 1796-1848, comprise his loose letters received and documents, 1796-1821 (one folder), and an account and letter book, 1810-1812, 1832-1848 (1 volume). Sailing destinations in Europe, the West Indies, South America, and along the eastern U.S. coast are mentioned, with cargoes including flour, coffee, sugar, onions, and hides. Baker used the volume to record accounts for the ship Charles and as a copy book for letters sent regarding the Charles, 1810-1812. The later accounts, 1832-1848, were kept by an unidentified farmer in the township of Oyster Bay, most likely his wife Jemima. Among the many names encountered are members of the Allen, Cock, Frost, Silleck, Smith, Townsend, Valentine, Weeks, and Youngs families.
Letters received, 1802-1818, are from merchants and shipping agents in New York; Charleston, South Carolina; and London. These pertain to Simeon Baker's mercantile voyages on various ships in the transatlantic trade, beginning with the schooner Good Intent, New York to Madeira and Tenerife, 1802, to the schooner William & Mary, New York to Port au Prince, 1818. Destinations in Europe, the West Indies, and South America are mentioned, with cargoes including flour, coffee, sugar, and hides. Documents, 1796-1821, include bills of lading, mercantile and personal invoices, receipts, and agreements for voyages. There are also two ship rolls for the ship Jupiter of Philadelphia, master Simeon Baker, for voyages out of London in 1808 (to La Coruña, Spain) and 1810 (to Philadelphia), and a ledger sheet for the account of James Allen Jr., mate of the Jupiter, with Baker, 1808-1809. An 1803 receipt for payment signed by Isaac Coles lists charges for the board, nursing and burial of Henry Cock, presumably Jemima Baker's uncle who died that year. Some items are addressed to Baker via the agent N. Allen & Son, New York. An 1820 invoice is addressed to Mrs. Baker.
The volume was first used by Simeon Baker as an account book for the ship Charles, 1810 October 20-1812 January 11, with his copied letters sent, 1810 November 11-1812 March 13, found at end. Disbursements are entered chronologically and by location within, for New York, Virginia, and points in Great Britain, Sweden and Russia. Letters are written from Virginia, the Isles of Scilly, and New York, to Watkinson, Hall & Barton and another firm, concerning a delayed and difficult voyage of the ship Charles from Virginia to Europe.
The bulk of the volume was used as an account book, 1832-1848, by an unidentified farmer in the township of Oyster Bay, probably his wife Jemima. Among the many names encountered are members of the Allen, Cock, Frost, Silleck, Smith, Townsend, Valentine, Weeks, and Youngs families. Accounts, in very rough chronological order beginning in 1836, are chiefly payments for labor relating to the farming of corn, potatoes, wheat, rye, oats and other crops; maintenance of livestock; and clearing and cutting wood from a swamp; as well as payments for foodstuffs, goods and services. Credits are interspersed. There are also debits and credits for room and board, and serving tea and meals to named visitors and locals, especially in the mid-to late 1840s. The accounts notably include wages for named agricultural and household workers, with details of their tasks. Randomly grouped entries include accounts with Dr. Kellogg for medical needs, an annual account of Jemima Smith with Jemima Baker for the years 1832-1847, expenses for George Allen (Jemima Baker's nephew), and expenses for Mary Allen in 1834. In the last few pages of the accounts are found instructions for planting cranberries, a recipe for pickled tomatoes, and a medicinal recipe.