William Gardner Insurance Policy Books, 1801-1807 – MS097
Provenance: The William Gardner Insurance Policy Books were found at the Athenaeum with the New Hampshire Fire Marine Company (MS002). The Portsmouth Athenaeum moved into the building that had been occupied by the New Hampshire Fire and Marine Insurance Company and took over the company’s assets and papers. The papers were kept in the Athenaeum vault until 1964, when they were removed by Garland Patch, who made an inventory of the bills for constructing the building. In 1987 more papers were found in a trunk and these were added to the others. It is unclear why the William Gardner Insurance Policy Books were incorporated into the collection of the New Hampshire Fire and Marine Insurance Company and were therefore separated from that collection in 2010.
Citation: William Gardner Insurance Policy Books (MS097), Portsmouth Athenaeum
Size: 3 Phase Boxes
Processed by: Courtney MacLachlan in 2010
Scope and Content
Three insurance policy books from the office of William Gardner (1751-1833) in Portsmouth. Gardner collaborated with other individuals to insure ships. John Langdon and Daniel Webster were frequent underwriters.
Biographical Note
William Gardner apprenticed with Joshua Wentworth and became private secretary to John Langdon. During the American Revolution he was named Commissary for the New Hampshire Militia, and after the War he became treasurer for the State of New Hampshire. In 1790 he was appointed US Commissioner for Loans. He lived in the Gardner Mansion on Gardner Street, Portsmouth. For a full biography, see the Names File.
Folder List
Phase box 1 Policy Record Book, 1801-1802, index
Phase box 2 Policy Record Books, 1802-1806
Phase box 3 Policy Record Books, 1806-1807