MC300-MS12 York-Sunbury Historical Society Collection Description (page 127)
If you are interested in any of these files then please contact the Provincial Archives of New Brunswick.
“Benjamin Atherton was born December 9, 1736, at Lancaster, Massachusetts. As a young man, he enlisted in the British Army, sailed from Boston in 1755 on the sloop “Victoria”, and served for a year in Nova Scotia under Colonel Winslow. According to Lilian Maxwell’s History of Central New Brunswick, Lieutenant Benjamin Atherton took part in the expulsion of the Acadians.
In 1769, Atherton arrived in Saint John and became a fur trader with the firm of Simonds, Hazen, and White of Portland Point. Atherton was placed as manager of a truck-house at St. Anne’s Point, in competition with John Anderson, who was established at the mouth of the Nashwaak River. He refused to join the rebel movement in Maugerville during the American Revolution. After the War, he served as Clerk of the Peace, Registrar, and later coroner for Sunbury County. In 1788, Governor Carleton purchased land from Atherton as part of the property for Government House–land that Atherton had owned for almost twenty years. Atherton died July 17, 1816, at Prince William, York County.
This small series encompasses the period 1771 to 1785 and provides information on Atherton’s business dealings and official duties. It measures .5 centimeters.”
1 Invoice of goods on hand at St. Ann’s Sunbury County, Nova Scotia; October 31,1771.
2 Bill for consignment of goods shipped to Benjamin Atherton & Co. aboard “Polly” from Boston and Newbury; November 2, 1772.
3 Bond of guardianship of Samuel Peabody, John Smith and Alexander Tapley with James Simonds, Judge of the Sunbury County Probate Court, for Francis and Oliver Peabody, sons of the late Francis Peabody; June 23, 1773.
4 Invoice for fur pelts sent to Mr. Simonds; May 19, 1773.
5 Invoice of goods sent to Benjamin Atherton via Jabez Nevers from Simonds & White; October 21, 1774.
6 Affidavit of inquisition held at Maugerville before Coroner Benjamin Atherton into the death of Robert Lewis formerly of the Queen’s Rangers. The twelve-man jury was composed of George Ormond, John Atcheson, William Desmund, Jeremiah Tracey, William Read, Benjamin Rix, Samuel Rix, William Broawn, Abraham Buscork (?), Jacob Barker Jr., Henry Link, and Benjamin Broawn; October 5, 1784.
7 Affidavit of inquisition held before Benjamin Atherton, Coroner for Sunbury County, into the death of Thomas Sever. The twelve-man jury was composed of Jared Betts, Abraham Vanderbeck, John Gibson, James Taylor, William Bill, John Bailey, George Webb, Luthren Morris, Isaac Smith, Abraham Rottan, Ruloff Jacobus, and Thomas McEnnelly; March 26, 1785.
York Sunbury Historical Society 