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Title Correspondence between Nathaniel Kinsman and his Family, Jan-Oct 1846
Reference MSS-43, Box 6, Folder 9
Library Phillips Library, Peabody Essex Museum
Collection Nathaniel Kinsman Papers, 1784-1882
Collection Series Nathaniel and Rebecca Kinsman Correspondence
Date 1846
Description A collection of letters sent by Nathaniel Kinsman to his family, written whilst he lived and worked in Canton. Recipients include Kinsman's mother, sister and son. There are many references to the health and well-being of Kinsman's child as well as strongly worded letter regarding the engagement of his niece, who travelled to China with the family.
Document Type Correspondence
Theme(s) Social Life; Health and Welfare
Keywords personal correspondence, family, voyage, vessel, health, disease, death
Countries China; Philippines; Indonesia
Places Manila; Jakarta; Macau
Ports Guangzhou, China
Ships Rainbow, Paul Jones, Mermaid, Lady Mary, Houqua
Additional Information Please note that some of the metadata for this document has been drawn from the Peabody Essex Museum catalogue.

Nathaniel Kinsman (1798-1847) was the eldest son of Nathaniel (1775-1808) and Deborah (Webb) Kinsman. He served as a clerk on the Union, advancing to supercargo in two years, after which he continued to sail ships for William Gray and Pickering Dodge. By 1830, Nathaniel was part-owner and master of the Parachute. Between 1834 and 1839 he stayed in Salem, Massachusetts, and married Rebecca Chase (1810-1882) with whom he had four children. In 1839, Nathaniel returned to the sea as master of the Zenobia, owned by Daniel Parker of New York. After a venture to ship tea from Canton to New York failed to make a large profit, Nathaniel accepted the offer of a partnership with Wetmore and Company. He left Salem for China in June 1843 with his wife, two children, a niece and a servant. Once his family were settled in Macao, Nathaniel left for Canton to establish a new house for the firm. His wife remained in Macao, serving as a secretary and as the official business hostess for Wetmore and Company. The family lived in China for three and a half years. Nathaniel died in Macao on 30 April 1847. Rebecca returned to Salem in June 1847. In 1865 she married Joseph Grinnell of New Bedford.

Copyright Phillips Library, Peabody Essex Museum