Nye, Thomas, 1768-1842

Thomas Nye (born ca. 1760-1770) appears to have been either an agent for or part-owner of the firm T. and A.R. Nye or, perhaps, a ship’s chandler who did a good deal of work for that firm. The cash book covers both his personal expenses (i.e., “gave to Hannah,” his wife; “paid black woman for washing;” etc.) and his business accounts. In the latter category, he received much of his money from T. and A.R. Nye, although he occasionally received sums from other firms or individuals. He also paid bills of large sums to other Fairhaven and New Bedford, Massachusetts firms in addition to small bills for labor, repairs, food, blacksmithing, and other items or services.

The cash book consists of six smaller cash books bound together in non-chronological order, covering the years 1830 to 1842: Part 1 – November 1837 to March 1839; Part 2 – March 1839 to February 1841; Part 3 – March 1841 to March 1842; Part 4 – December 1830 to November 1834; Part 5 – May 1837 to November 1837; and Part 6 – June 1834 to May 1837.

In addition, there are two pages between parts 3 and 4 listing deaths in the Nye family, including the death of Thomas’ mother Mary (1797), his father Obed (1815), several of his brothers, and members of his wife’s (Hannah Hathaway) family. Also included are notations of the lading of several ships, one of the clues suggesting he may have been a ship’s chandler or a wharf agent.