John Banister of Newport - The Life and Accounts of a Colonial Merchant

Merchant John Banister (1707-1767) of Newport, Rhode Island, wore many hats: exporter, importer, wholesaler, retailer, money-lender, extender of credit and insurer, owner and outfitter of sailing vessels, and ship builder for the slave trade. His recently discovered accounting records reveal his role in transforming colonial trade in mid-18th century America.
He combined business acumen and a strong work ethic with knowledge of the law and new technologies. Through his maritime activities and real estate development, he was a rain-maker for artisans, workers and producers, contributing to income opportunities for businesswomen, freemen and slaves.
Drawing on Banister's meticulous daybooks, ledgers, letters and receipts, the author analyzes his contribution to the economic history of colonial America, highlighting the complexity of the commerce of the era.

List of contents

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments

Introduction: Methodology, Materials, Dating

1.¿Historical Context: Newport and John Banister

2.¿Outward Bound from Newport: The Export of Colonial Staples

3.¿Imported Textiles and Luxury Items from Europe and Asia

4.¿Imports of ­Semi-Manufactured Goods, Raw Foods and Raw Materials

5.¿Sugar, Molasses, Rum, Wine and Slaves

6.¿Ship Building and Outfitting of Privateers and Merchant Ships

7.¿The Business of Global Shipping

8.¿The Banister Family as Consumers

9.¿The Legacy of John Banister

Conclusion

Appendix A. Twenty Vessels Outfitted, Built or Owned by Banister, 1739-1746

Appendix B. Eighteen Vessels Outfitted, Built or Owned by Banister, 1747-1749

Chapter Notes

Bibliography

Index

About the author

Marian Mathison Desrosiers, a two-time Fulbright scholar, teaches history at Salve Regina University in Newport, Rhode Island. Publications include historical biographies on Colonel Mary Agnes Brown of the Women's Army Corps and Justice Florence Kerins Murray of the Rhode Island Supreme Court.

Product details

• Authors: Marian Mathison Desrosiers
• Publisher: Ingram Publishers Services
• Languages: English
• Age Recommendation: from age 18
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 21.07.2017
• EAN: 9781476669328
• ISBN: 978-1-4766-6932-8
• No. of pages: 248
• Dimensions: 178 mm x 254 mm x 13 mm
• Weight: 426 g
• Illustrations: Raster,schwarz-weiss
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > History > Regional and national histories; Biography: general, BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / General, Business and Management, BUSINESS & ECONOMICS / International / General, HISTORY / United States / General, TRANSPORTATION / Ships & Shipbuilding / General, United States of America, USA, History of the Americas, Ships and boats: general interest, Shipbuilding technology, engineering and trades