Guide to the Paul Rapelye Papers, 1820-1823

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Descriptive Summary

Title

Paul Rapelye Papers, 1820-1823

Creator

Rapelye, Paul, fl. 1820-1823

Extent

1.5 Linear Feet
14 Items

Repository

Duke University Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library

Language

English.

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Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research.

However, patrons must sign the Acknowledgment of Legal Responsibility and Privacy Rights form before using this collection.

Also, all or portions of this collection may be housed off-site in Duke University's Library Service Center. Consequently, there may be a 24-hour delay in obtaining these materials.

Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library to use this collection.

Use Restrictions

The status of copyright interests in these papers is unknown. For further information, see the section on copyright in the Regulations and Procedures of the Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], The Papers of Paul Rapelye, Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library, Duke University.

Provenance

The papers of Paul Rapelye, commission merchant from Charleston, South Carolina, were purchased by the Manuscript Department in 1979 and 1983.

Processing Information

Processed by: William R. Erwin, Jr.

Completed January 22, 1988

Encoded by Stephen Douglas Miller

This finding aid is NCEAD compliant.

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Biographical Note

In October 1821, Paul Rapelye, a commission merchant, was a partner in the firm of Wm. S. Bennett and Co., of Charleston, S.C. During 1820-1823, however, he also operated variously in the firms of P. Rapelye and Co. in Savannah and Paul Rapelye in Savannah, New York City, and Manchester, England.

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Collection Overview

The papers of Paul Rapelye span the years 1820-1823. They consist of eight account books, 1820-1823, one letter book, 1821-1823, and five letters, 1820-1822, that mostly concern mercantile trade. He and his associates traded primarily in cloth, cloth goods, and clothing, but also occasionally in rice, cotton, and other commodities. Rapelye traveled and conducted business in Charleston, Savannah, New York city, and Manchester, England.

In a letter of July 15, 1822, auctioneer Jacob Rapelye of Charleston discussed his business and the aborted slave insurrection led by Denmark Vesey. There is also a reference to the capture of a Portuguese slave ship and the disposition of the slaves (1820, July 27).

The collection is divided into correspondence and account books, the latter arranged under the names of the companies to which they belonged.

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Subject Headings

These are searchable subject entries for this collection. Performing a search on these subjects in the Duke University Libraries online catalog will bring up other related research materials.