Table of Contents

Historical Note

Scope and Content Note

Information for Researchers

Separations List

Administrative Information

Description

Subject Headings

Inventory of the Andrew Hicks Papers

In the New Bedford Whaling Museum Research Library

Historical Note

Andrew Hicks, the eldest son of Barney and Sarah (Cook) Hicks, was born in Westport, Massachusetts on 17 June 1799, and resided on the home farm until he was 13 years of age. In 1812, Hicks moved to Adamsville, Rhode Island and took a job as a clerk in a store, where he remained for 8 years, until he opened a store of his own, which he operated for 3 years, then returned to the home farm. In 1836, he fitted out a vessel and began an extended whaling business, which he continued with marked success for more than half a century.

At one time he owned interests in 11 vessels, including the Andrew Hick and Mermaid, out of Westport, Massachusetts, and during his career built at least 8 vessels. He also owned Hicks' block in New Bedford. Mr. Hicks in former days was a Whig and after the formation of the Republican Party was active in supporting its principles. He represented Westport in the Legislature of 1866, and for at least 25 years, served as a justice of the peace. Hicks also began serving as a director of the Merchants' National Bank of New Bedford in 1854. He died at Westport Point, 4 February 1895 in the 96th year of his life.

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Scope and Content Note

This collection consists of ship’s papers forseventy-eight voyages of eleven vessels for which Andrew Hicks held a share of ownership. Notable materials include correspondence, agent/owner accounts, crew papers, consular records, custom’s records, insurance policies, bills of lading, bills of exchange, bills, and receipts.

The bulk of this collection contains records for the President I (Bark), 1836-1849,Aurora (Bark/Ship), 1856-1866, and Sea Fox (Bark), 1850-1877. Records for the bark President I consist of ship’s papers for ten voyages. Items of particular note include crew accounts, Whalemen’s Shipping Papers, correspondence, and disbursements at foreign ports. Records for the Aurora (Bark/Ship) document nine voyages and contain notable items such as crew lists, Whalemen’s Shipping Papers, disbursements at foreign ports, and a list of whales sighted. Notable records for the bark Sea Fox include crew accounts, Whalemen’s Shipping Papers, disbursements at foreign ports, and correspondence for its eight voyages.

Other vessels prominently featured in this collection include the Elizabeth (Ship), 1852-1873, Mermaid (Bark), 1855-1883, and the Platina (Bark), 1847-1876. There are records of six different voyages made by the ship Elizabeth, where items of note include crew accounts, Whalemen’s Shipping Papers, disbursements at foreign ports, and correspondence. Records of the bark Mermaid document seven voyages and include notable items such as crew lists, Whalemen’s Shipping Papers, disbursements at foreign ports, and correspondence. Material of note for eight voyages of the bark Platina consist of Whalemen’s Shipping Papers, disbursements at foreign ports, correspondence, lists of crew, and a Sea Letter.

This collection also includes records for the vessels President II (Bark), 1849-1861, Sea Queen (Ship), 1851-1881, United States (Bark), 1840-1861, and the Andrew Hicks (Ship), 1867-1887. Records for these vessels consist of crew accounts, Whalemen’s Shipping Papers, disbursements at foreign ports, lists of provisions, outfitting accounts, and a court record regarding collision damages of the Andrew Hicks (Bark) with the S.S. Marathon.

Arrangement of Collection

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Information for Researchers

Access to Collections

Unrestricted. Consult librarian for an appointment.

Preferred Citation

New Bedford Whaling Museum Research Library Mss 105, [sub-group, series, sub-series, folder/volume as appropriate], [item]

Copyright Notice

The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted materials. The Privacy Act of 1974 (5 United States Code 552a) governs the use of materials that document private individuals, groups, and corporations.

Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a reproduction if the document does not infringe the privacy rights of an individual, group, or corporation. These specified conditions of authorized use include:

If the researcher later uses a copy or reproduction for purposes in excess of "fair use," the researcher is personally liable for copyright, privacy, or publicity infringement and agrees to indemnify the New Bedford Whaling Museum from any legal action as a result of the error. Permission to obtain a photographic, xerographic, digital, or other copy of a document does not indicate permission to publish, exhibit, perform, reproduce, sell, distribute, or prepare derivative works from the document without permission from the copyright holder and from any private individual, group, or corporation shown or otherwise recorded.

Permission to publish, exhibit, perform, reproduce, prepare derivative works from, sell, or otherwise distribute the item must be obtained separately in writing from the holder of the original copyright (or if the creator is dead, from his/her heirs) as well as from any individual(s), groups, or corporations whose name, image, recorded words, or private information (e.g. employment information) may be reproduced in the source material. The holder of the original copyright is not necessarily the New Bedford Whaling Museum. The New Bedford Whaling Museum is not legally liable for copyright, privacy, or publicity infringement when materials are wrongfully used after being provided to researchers for "fair use."

This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if fulfillment of the order is judged in violation of copyright or federal or state privacy law. This institution also places restrictions on the use of cameras, photocopiers, and scanners in the research room.

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Separations List

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Administrative Information

Provenance

Materials in this collection were donated to the New Bedford Whaling Musem by the heirs of Andrew Hicks on 01 July 1985.

Processing Information

Processed by: Judith M. Downey, 12 May 1991

Encoded by: Kermit Dewey and Caitlin Hayes, 10 August 2012

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Description

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Subject Headings

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Vessel name

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