Hazen, White and Company Records

MC300-MS38 York-Sunbury Historical Society Collection Description (page 197)

If you are interested in any of these files then please contact the Provincial Archives of New Brunswick.

“This series relates to the merchandising enterprise of Hazen, White and Company operating at the mouth of the Oromocto River.  The Oromocto operation was an out-post of Simonds, Hazen and White, a trading company which was established in 1763 at Portland Point, at the mouth of the St. John River.  James Simonds, William Hazen, and James White, all of Massachusetts, were the major partners in the firm, which began on a small scale on the Saint John and the Passamaquoddy.  Success led them to expand their operation to:  “enter upon and pursue with all speed and faithfulness the business of the cod fishery, seine fishery, fur trade, burning of lime and every other trading business that shall be thought advantageous to the company at Passamaquoddy, St. Johns, Canso and elsewhere in or near the province of Nova Scotia and parts adjacent”.

In 1764, James Simonds received a license from Nova Scotia to occupy Portland Point.  Thus, the Company established the first permanent settlement at the mouth of the St. John River.

The Company, trading through Newburyport and Boston in New England extended its operation up the St. John River establishing out-posts at Gagetown, Maugerville and St. Anne’s Point (where Benjamin Atherton was in charge).  The business interests of the company were extremely varied:  fishing; the fur trade; manufacturing lime; shipbuilding; sawing lumber; cutting wood; digging stone; clearing land; curing fish; cutting hay; and attending stock.

The Company’s fortunes declined somewhat during the American Revolution, because their trading links with New England were cut off.  However, the arrival of the Loyalists provided Simonds, Hazen & White with a new clientele, and ensured their success.  In 1782, Hazen and White were granted 8000 acres on the north side of the Oromocto River.  This secured their business in that area.

The documents in this series relate to the Company’s dealings in Oromocto and date from 1785 to 1821.  This series measures 14 centimeters.  Ms12 (Benjamin Atherton Records) also provides material on the dealings of Simonds, Hazen and White.  For further information, see W.O. Raymond, The River St. John.  The series measures approximately 10cm.”

1  Ledger of Hazen, White and Company, general merchants; Oromocto, Sunbury County, 1785-1800.  (Also contains a list of ships and vessels entered at the Naval Office, Saint John, 1784-1785, with cargoes and captains.)

2  Ledger of Hazen, White and Company; general merchants, Oromocto, 1785-1821.

3  Ledger of Hazen, White and Company, general merchants, Oromocto, 1785-1787.

4  Account Book “No. 3” kept by John Hazen of Hazen, White and Company containing balances of accounts, etc.; Oromocto, 1785-1796.

Benjamin Atherton Records

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.