| Description | There are six letter books of the outgoing correspondence of James Watt of Greenock. covering the years 1737 to 1758. None are indexed.
Finding No. MS 3219/3/84. The first is titled on the front cover 'Orders to build the Ronak 1740', A letter book of Mr James Watt's. Sept. 27th 1737'. The Ronak or Roanoak was the name of a ship, in use from 1740. The volume contains copy letters by James Watt of Greenock, and some in another hand, 27 September 1737 to 17 January 1741, mostly to Neil Buchanan, James Watson,William Hamilton, Hugh Vaus, Alexander McFarland. Many are about cargoes of linen etc. for Carolina. A letter of 25 April 1740 to Hugh Vaus mentions a scheme for trying whale fishing. A letter of 22 November 1740 to Matthew Houghton mentions the 'Diligence', wrecked at sea on 8 August.
Finding No. MS 3219/3/85. On the front cover of the volume is : 'Letter Book of James Watt' and inside the front cover 'James Watt his letter book . 1740 1741.' It contains copy letters by James Watt of Greenock and another hand, 12 February 1741 to 20 May 1743, mostly to Neil Buchanan, James Watson, Alexander McFarland, about cargoes, insurance, ships etc.
Finding No. MS 3219/3/86. On the front cover of the volume is: 'Letter Book of James Watt June 02 the 1743' and 'James Watt his letter book'. There are copy letters by James Watt of Greenock and another hand, 02 June 1743 to 14 May 1746, mostly to Neil Buchanan and William Gregory, about cargoes, ships etc. A letter of 23 June 1743 to Mrs McAdam of Carolina sends condolences to her on the loss of her husband who was drowned when the Thomas was wrecked. Included is a loose sheet of accounts for sundry tools, 3 January 1743.
Finding No. MS 3219/3/87. On the front cover of the volume is: 'Letter Book 1748 &1749' and 'Coppy of Letters 1746 to 1749.' 'James Watt his letter book'. These are copy letters by James Watt of Greenock, 18 July 1746 to 7 October 1749, though most letters after 12 May 1748 are in another hand, to Carolina and Antigua and merchants in London and Liverpool about cargoes, ships etc. Many letters concern the building of a ship in Virginia with Ninian Stewart as master. A letter of 26 August 1749 mentions forming a partnership with Messrs. Finlay and Cation in Glasgow and the merchant Aeneas Mackay, in Boston for whale fishing.
Finding No. MS 3219/3/88. On the front cover of the volume is: 'Letter Book for 1749' and 'Coppy of Letters 1749 to 1751'. Inside the back cover is 'The Coppy Book belonging to James Watt October 7th 1749'. There are copy letters of James Watt of Greenock, from 12 October 1749 to 26 September 1751, most in another hand, to Aeneas Mackay and merchants in Antigua, London etc.about cargoes, tools, ships. A letter of 26 September 1751 details an agreement for whale fishing and arrangements for pay and shares in the whale for harpooners to be recruited from Nantucket.
Finding No. MS 3219/3/89. The last volume has on the back cover: 'Coppy Book 1753 & 3.' It contains copy letters of James Watt of Greenock, 10 November 1751 to 14 June 1759, most in another hand, most ordering tools and cargoes from merchants in Glasgow, England, Boston, Carolina etc. |