Satterthwaite Letter Books

The letter books are 3 volumes of letters written between 1732-1782 relating to the business of the Satterthwaite family firm. They were merchants in Lancaster who traded with the West Indies. Benjamin Satterthwaite wrote the letters in volume 1 whilst being a factor in the West Indies for the family firm and Volume 2 in Lancaster writing to those he was trading with in the West Indies. Volume 3 was written by Benjamin's son John who was writing from Lancaster to the West Indies.

Satterthwaite family firm traded between Lancaster and the West Indies. Volume 1 was written by Benjamin Satterthwaite. Benjamin's letters demonstrate strong business links, not only to prominent Lancaster and Quaker merchant families including the Dilworths and Rawlinsons, but also strong connections to the prominent Manchester based textile manufacturers the Touchets. His family recipients frequently are his mother and stepfather, Mary and Miles Townson, and his brother Thomas Satterthwaite.
Volume 2 1764 to 1779. During this period Benjamin served as both resident factor in Jamaica for his half-brother, John Townson, and lived in Lancaster with his wife Jane Casson. Benjamin married Anglican Jane Casson in 1741 and was disowned by his Quaker family and employers. Very little is known about Benjamin's life during the  period, other than the birth of his three children: John (1743-1807), Henry (b.1759) and Mary.   Benjamin is in regular correspondence with his two sons John Satterthwaite, who served for a while as resident factor in St. Kitts until his marriage in 1777 and return to Lancaster in 1778, and Henry Satterthwaite who also alternated between living in Lancaster and the West Indies as subordinate factor. The second volume of Benjamin's letter book exemplifies the effects of the Anglo-French War on Lancaster's overseas trade.
Volume 3 1781 to 1782. Written by John Satterthwaite (1743-1807). John was the 2nd son of Benjamin Satterthwaite and Jane Casson. He spent a while as a factor in the West Indies for the family business in the 1770s and married Mary (Polly) Rawlins in St. Kitts and moved to Castle Hill in Lancaster in 1778. He had a brief interest in the slave trade with a single investment in 1781 in a Lancaster slaver. The Anglo-French war lessened the interest in the slave trade. Utilising other trade opportunities at this time, John and his partner John Robinson made the majority of their fortunes between 1779-1785. John's brother, Harry was also a factor out in the West Indies at the time.

3 Volumes bound. Volume 1 and 2 have some loose leaf letters.
Volume 1 From page 74, the letter sequence is reversed and the letters are arranged chronologically from the back to the centre of the book
Volume 2 From page 123, the letter sequence is reversed and the letters are arranged chronologically from the back to the centre of the book

The original letter books are for use in Special Collections at Lancaster University Library. This is by appointment only.

Deposited by descendants from the Satterthwaite family.

The text is written in the 18th century which includes handwriting, abbreviations and terminology from the time and from the trade. This can make the original text difficult to read. Work has been done to transcribe the text and Volume 1 and 2 has full transcriptions and about 300 pages of volume 3 have been transcribed. Many of these can be viewed on Lancaster Digital Collections where the images have been digitised.

Letter Books details can be found through the Onesearch the Lancaster University Library catalogue and also via the Lancaster Digital Collections

Volume 1 and 2 bound on board but volume 3 bound in vellum. All are written on good quality paper.

On Lancaster Digital Collections the pages have been digitised in the order they appear in the book and then later loose leaf letters added.

Use of the Letter Books is for educational and research purposes only. Any reproduction will be referred back to the family owners. Use can be made of the digital images on Lancaster Digital Collections again for research and educational purposes only. No reproduction for commercial use or financial gain.

3 volumes of Letter Books from the Satterthwaite family firm. These letters are bound together in book form. Volume 1 and 2 have some loose letters inside the covers.

These 3 Letter Books belong to the descendants of the Satterthwaite family who have deposited it with Lancaster University Library Special Collections and allowed for its digitisation.

The originals are held at Lancaster University Library Special Collections.

The Letter Book of Benjamin Satterthwaite of Lancaster, 1737-1744 / M. M. Schofield (1961). Trans. Hist. Soc. Of Lancashire and Cheshire, v.113