William Pepperrell Correspondence and Deeds

Collection

Identifier: SpC MS 0903-sc

Staff Only

Scope and Content Note

The correspondence and deeds of a merchant, politician and military leader. Included are official copies of two deeds. One of the deeds is from Thomas and Rebecca Goodwill to William Pepperrell in 1740 for land in Biddeford (formerly Saco), Maine. The second deed is from William Pepperrell to Joseph Dyer and Samuel Haly in 1743 for land in Biddeford. Included also are photocopies of letters to William Pepperrell from Christopher Kilby in 1746 and 1748 and from John Bradstreet in 1747, and a letter from William Pepperrell to Christopher Kilby in 1750. Included also is a letter from H. Foxe ordering the disbanding of the regiments commanded by William Pepperrell and William Shirley in Cape Breton dated 25 Nov. 1748.

Dates

Creation: 1741-1759

Creator

Pepperrell, William, Sir, 1696-1759 (Person)

Access Restrictions

No restrictions on access.

Use Restrictions

Information on literary rights available in the repository.

Biographical Note

Sir William Pepperrell (1696-1759) was the son of Col. William Pepperrell (1646-1734). Sir William was taught to do business, to survey land, to sail a ship, to act as clerk, and to manage men. He became very wealthy by trading in fish, lumber and West India goods, by extensive ship-building, and by the purchase and sale of large tracts of land in Saco and Scarborough, Maine. He was a commander of the Maine militia. In 1745 he was appointed to command the expedition against Louisburg in Nova Scotia. For his success there he was knighted in London.

Christopher Kilby was a merchant in Boston and was elected by the General Court as provisional agent for Massachusetts in London. He became acquainted with Sir William Pepperrell in London and became his intermediary and chief informant in matters of official and quasi-official nature.

John Bradstreet, a Nova Scotian, fought with Pepperrell at Louisburg.