- Created by
- DeWolf, James, American, 1764 - 1837
- Date
- 1757-1947
- Dimensions
- Archives (Cubic feet): 1.8 ft
- Caption
- See more about this collection in the Smithsonian Online Virtual Archive (SOVA) here: https://sova.si.edu/record/NMAAHC.A2018.17.2 or contact NMAAHC Archives at nmaahc-archivalcollection@si.edu.
- Description
- The Papers of the DeWolf Family shed light on one of the wealthiest New England families in the 18th-19th centuries who made their fortune by engaging in each part of the transatlantic slave trade. This collection is comprised of photographs, correspondence, publications, and business records including daily logs and ship manifests. Included in the collection are ship business records and documents from multiple countries including Cuba, the Netherlands, China, and India.
- Series 1: Photographs: Materials include photographs of men, women, and children from the DeWolf family. The series is separated into 3 subseries, Studio Portraits and Photographs in Havana, Cuba. Subseries 2 are miscellaneous photographs of the DeWolf family outdoors, unknown buildings, and special events. Most of the photographs are not labeled, and the subjects are unknown.
- Series 2: Correspondence: Materials include letters from the DeWolf family, business correspondence, and life event announcements
- Series 3: Business Records: Materials in this series are separated into two subseries. Subseries 1, Ship Manifests, logbooks, and Journals. This includes accounts of ship captain's journeys and manifests of ship stops, trade goods, and locations. Subseries 2, Receipts and Business Documents include trade receipts and invoices for goods delivered, discharge and health records.
- Series 4: Publications: Materials include a booklet on Robert the Hermit, The Singapore Daily Times Newspaper, and booklets on trade in foreign countries.
- Series 5: Certificates: Materials include a certificate of graduation from Massachusetts Nautical Training School and a Certificate of American citizenship.
- Place depicted
- Cuba, Caribbean, Latin America, North and Central America
- Bristol, Rhode Island, United States, North and Central America
- West Indies, Caribbean, North and Central America
- Collection title
- Historical Records of the DeWolf Family
- Classification
- Slavery and Freedom Objects
- Archival Collections
- Topic
- Business
- Commerce
- Domestic slave trade
- Finance
- Illegal slave trade
- Middle Passage
- Photography
- Slavery
- Sugarcane
- Trans Atlantic slave trade
- U.S. History, 1783-1815
- U.S. History, 1815-1861
- U.S. History, 1865-1921
- U.S. History, Colonial period, 1600-1775
- U.S. History, Revolution, 1775-1783
- Credit Line
- Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
- Object number
- A2018.17.2
- Restrictions & Rights
- The NMAAHC Archives can provide reproductions of some materials for research and educational use. Copyright and right to publicity restrictions may apply and limit reproduction for other purposes.
- Rights assessment and proper usage is the responsibility of the user.





