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Charles Eldredge Thomson kept this 64-page pocket journal while serving as a crewman on the schooner Regulator and sloop Fancy on merchant voyages in the Caribbean and along the Atlantic Coast of the United States. Thomson recorded details about the winds, sea conditions, and weather; noted the names of crew members and passengers; and listed cargo taken onboard during some of the ships' journeys.

Charles Eldredge Thomson kept this 64-page pocket journal while serving as a crewman on the schooner Regulator and sloop Fancy on merchant voyages in the Caribbean and along the Atlantic Coast of the United States. Thomson recorded details about the winds, sea conditions, and weather; noted the names of crew members and passengers; and listed cargo taken onboard during some of the ships' journeys.

Between September 1798 and September 1799, Thomson spent much of his time at sea onboard the Regulator (September 1798-August 1799, pages 1-51) and Fancy (August 1799-September 1799, pages 53-60), under Captains Nathaniel Thomson and Silvester Wilcox. He began the journal shortly before leaving Santo Domingo for Baltimore, Maryland (September 28, 1798-October 26, 1798), and continued to write during subsequent voyages to Petersburg and Richmond, Virginia (November 10, 1798-December 16, 1798); to New York, New York (December 17, 1798-January 3, 1799); and to Stonington, Connecticut, where he remained until mid-April 1799. He then sailed to New York and Virginia (April 12, 1799-May 20, 1799), and joined the crew of the Fancy for a voyage from Stonington to Virginia (August 20, 1799-September 16, 1799).

Though most of his brief journal entries focus on sailing conditions, Thomson mentioned a parade held for George Washington, while the Regulator discharged and loaded cargo in Baltimore (November 6, 1798, p. 12). He recorded his salary, and lists of crew members and passengers during some voyages. On one trip, Thomson's list of passengers included an African American maid accompanying a woman traveling from Baltimore to Richmond (November 15, 1798, p. 17). Additionally, Thomson documented the ships' cargo, which frequently included "trunks" and "bundles," as well as manufactured items, alcohol, foodstuffs, and hides. The journal contains two ink drawings of sailing ships, the Justine and the Regulator (on page 64 and the back cover).

This collection is a log book of Ship's Master John Arnold, which documents his time on three New York-based merchant ships: Elizabeth C. Felter from October 28, 1855-July 7, 1860; Daniel S. Williams, from September 15, 1860-November 30, 1860; and Le Roy from March 5, 1862-October 21, 1862. The first two ships traded rice, cotton, and coffee for northern goods such as timber and manufactured merchandise, while the Le Roy supplied the US Navy with provisions during the Civil War.

The John Arnold log book collection is a volume of entries from Ship's Master John Arnold, documenting his time on three New York-based merchant ships: Elizabeth C. Felter (October 28, 1855-July 7, 1860); Daniel S. Williams (September 15, 1860-November 30, 1860); and Le Roy (March 5, 1862-October 21, 1862). Ship destinations include: Baltimore, Maryland; Charleston, South Carolina; Mobile, Alabama; New York New York; Norfolk, Virginia; Savannah, Georgia; Wilmington, North Carolina; and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The first two ships traded northern merchandise, coal, timber, and deals (yellow pine) for southern rice, cotton, molasses, and Brazilian coffee. The Le Roy continued these routes and supplied the US Navy with provisions during the Civil War.

The logs record weather conditions, ship maneuvers and maintenance, ship movements, discharging and loading of cargo, and various on-board situations including: the punishment of sailors, grumblings of mutiny, and sightings of lighthouses. Also of interest is a page listing the accounts for paying the crew of the Daniel S. Williams, found at the beginning of the ship's log.

This collection is primarily made up of letters that John E. Ford sent to his mother and sisters in Athens, New York, while serving in the United States Navy between October 1917 and February 1919. Ford described his training at Pelham Bay, New York, and his service along the East Coast on the USS Indiana.

This collection (33 items) includes 32 letters that John E. Ford sent to his mother and sisters in Athens, New York, while serving in the United States Navy between October 1917 and February 1919. Ford's earliest letters pertain to his experiences at the United States Naval Training Station at Pelham Bay, New York, including his military education and leisure activities. After December 12, 1917, he wrote from the USS Indiana, discussing the ship's movements along the East Coast and describing his activities while on shore leave. On one occasion, he participated in a military parade at Coney Island, New York (May 19, 1918). In late 1918, Ford referred to the influenza epidemic, which led to the closure of public spaces in several southern locations. Ford sometimes wrote on YMCA and Knights of Columbus stationery; one letterhead contains a picture of a man lying in a hammock with the caption "All Night In and Beans for Breakfast" (October 7, 1918). The collection also includes an undated letter from John's brother Lawrence (or Laurence) to their sister Florence about his life in Crescent, New York.