Series II: Office of the Searcher permits and returns, 1787-1789.

Extent:

Extent: 4 cubic feet (4 oversize boxes)

Scope and content:

Office of the Searcher records include both returns and permits. Returns of vessels with their cargo include date, name of vessel, kind of vessel and number of tons, by whom owned, number of seamen, where from, general description of goods/merchandise, duties (paid, bonded, deposited), where goods to be delivered and to whom goods consigned. Searchers assisted Naval Officers and registered vessels as they arrived in port, examined and described their cargoes, and noted to whom the goods were consigned. Searchers also registered goods being imported overland.

Imports include such items as almonds, books, cider, crockery, furniture, hair powder, herring, linen, medicine, oil, pickles, rice, rigging, sails, salmon, shrubs, silverware, spices, tools, vinegar, wine and wool.

Searchers include: Corbin Braxton (York River / West Point), George Catlett (Port Royal), John Hague (Richmond / Rockets Landing), Mr. Hudson (Portsmouth), John Keesee (Yeocomico), William Lewis (Fredericksburg), James M. McRae (Alexandria), Andrew Nixon (Bermuda Hundred), Mr. Richardson (Suffolk), Christopher Roane (City Point, Petersburg), Richard M. Scott (Dumfries), Charles Smith (Northampton / Cheriton River), and James Warder (Bermuda Hundred).

Access and use

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