The full content of this document is only available to subscribing institutions. More information can be found via www.amdigital.co.uk

Title Correspondence between David Cobb and others, and land certificates
Archival Reference Ms. N-1000
Sub-collection David Cobb Papers  
Author Cobb, David  Richards, John  Bingham, William  Codman, John  
Date 6-28 Jun 1800
Document Type Correspondence; Land transaction document; Business and financial document
Contents Includes:
Letter from John Codman (Boston) to David Cobb informing him that Stephen Codman will act as Codman's agent while he is in Europe, 6 June 1800
Account of David Cobb with William Bingham for agent's services and fees for 1 May 1799-1 May 1800, 9 June 1800
Letter from David Cobb (Gouldsboro, Me.) to William Bingham about the slow development of Bingham's Maine land and personal matters, 9 June 1800
Certificate from Joseph Tabbut concerning a lot in Columbia, Me., claimed by William Callaghan, 15 June 1800. Enclosed with certificate from Elisha Coffin and David Wass, 16 June 1800.
Certificate from Elisha Coffin and David Wass concerning the ownership of the "Reynolds lot" in Columbia, Me., 16 June 1800. Enclosed with other certificates.
Letter from John Richards (Boston) to David Cobb about the purchase of a trading vessel, 19 June 1800
Order from Samuel Beal (Steuben, Me.) on Cobb and Richards to pay Joseph Wilson $20.00 on Beal's account, 23 June 1800
Letter from William Bingham (Philadelphia) to David Cobb about the development of Bingham's Maine lands, the difficulty in attracting emigrants, the advice of John Richards, the appointment of Daniel Cony and John Merrick, and the speculations of Sir William Pultney, 26 June 1800
Promissory note from [Cobb and Richards] to Nathan Jones for $400.00, 26 June 1800 [signatures removed to cancel note]
Promissory note from [Cobb and Richards] to Nathan Jones for $465.00, 26 June 1800 [signatures removed to cancel note]
Letter from Daniel Spofford (Bluehill, Me.) to David Cobb informing him that Spofford wishes to have his contract with John Fabrique underwritten by Cobb, 28 June 1800
Sub-collection Information This collection consists of the papers of David Cobb primarily documenting his position as land agent for William Bingham in Maine, including papers related to the settlement of Maine, logging and the lumber trade, roads, and other subjects. Also included are papers related to his service during the American Revolution and his career as a politician and judge.

David Cobb was a Revolutionary War soldier and aide-de-camp to General George Washington, speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives and president of the Senate, physician, judge, member of Congress, lieutenant governor of Massachusetts, and a founder of the Society of the Cincinnati and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

The collection contains letters to Charles W. Hare, Bingham's Philadelphia agent, and Alexander Baring, the future Lord Ashburton and representative of London's House of Baring. Also included are legal actions, financial accounts, maps, and inventories related to land development, fishing, lumbering, census reports, lotteries, the laying out of streets, and the construction of wharves, warehouses, and sawmills in Gouldsboro, Maine, which Cobb tried to develop as a major commercial port.

The collection also contains eight fragmentary diaries kept by Cobb, 1781-1818; a manuscript notebook with sketches; lists of British ships of the line; instructions for naval officers; letters to various members of the Cobb family; and letters from William Eustis, Henry Knox, Timothy Pickering, and Israel Thorndike concerning foreign relations, state politics, and miscellaneous financial matters related to the firm of Cobb and Richards, in which Cobb was partner.
Region American East  
Subjects Land Transaction and Property  Commerce and Trade  Labour and Employment  Banking and Finance  
Places Gouldsboro; Maine; Boston; Massachusetts; Philadelphia; New York; Steuben; Bluehill
People Cobb, David (1748-1830)  Bingham, William (1752-1804)  
Themes Land & Property
Library Massachusetts Historical Society  
Copyright Massachusetts Historical Society