Historical note:

            Richard Waterman³ (d. 1744) was the son of Nathaniel² and Susannah (Carder) Waterman and the grandson of Richard Waterman¹, one of the original proprietors of Providence, Rhode Island. Richard³ and his descendants settled in the towns of Providence and Cranston. Richard married Abigail Angell (b. 1679) in 1697. They had six children: Zuriel⁴, Richard⁴, Nathan, Abigail, Neriah, and Amaziah.

            Richard⁴ (1701-1755), the second-born son, was appointed cornet of the Providence Troop of Horse in 1725, and at one time was clerk of the Providence town council. It appears he never married. His older brother Zuriel⁴ (1699-1739) married Zerviah Harris in 1722. Their children were Christopher⁵, Thomas⁵, Jonathan, Abigail, James, and Martha.

            Christopher⁵ (1722-1758) and Thomas⁵ (1724-1754) were mariners who traded, at least in part, in Surinam. Christopher was captain of the sloop King Hendrick of Providence. He married Phebe Aborn (1730-1809) in 1751; she married, second, Ezra Dean of Connecticut in 1774. Christopher and Phebe had two sons, George⁶ (1754-1829) and Zuriel⁶ (1756-1786) and two daughters, Mary⁶ (1752-1846) and Phebe⁶ (1757-1847). Phebe never married. Mary was married twice, first to Capt. Joseph Whitney, by whom she had all her children; second, to Col. Benjamin Hoppin.

            George⁶ and Zuriel⁶, both of Cranston, became physicians. Dr. Zuriel served as a surgeon upon privateering voyages of the sloop Providence, the schooners Fortune and Rambler, and the brigantine Chace between the years 1779 and 1782. He may also have served on at least one other vessel during that time. In February 1782, possibly while serving on the Chace, he was taken prisoner and held on Lord Howe’s prison ship at Charlestown (Massachusetts?). In September 1786, he died of poisoning from noxious fumes while trying to rescue two men from a cistern in Cranston, Rhode Island. His death was witnessed by his brother George, who wrote an account of it shortly thereafter.

            George married Anstis Ramsey (d. 1836) in Cranston in the year 1800. He and his wife had six children: Zerviah, Eleanor, Maria, Phebe, George⁷, and Harriet. George⁷ (1813-1844) married, in 1830 at Tolland, Connecticut, Mary Lothrop; the couple lived in Cranston. George died at age 31 in a carriage accident.

Bibliography:

Jacobus, Donald Lines and Edgar Francis Waterman. The Waterman Family Vol. 3: Descendants of Richard Waterman of Providence, Rhode Island, Hartford: The Connecticut Historical Society, 1954.

White, Dorothy Higson. Descendants of Roger Williams, Book I: The Waterman and Winsor Lines Through His Daughter Mercy, 14, 34-35. Baltimore: Gateway Press, Inc., 1991.

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Scope and content:

            The bulk of the collection is comprised of the papers of brothers George and Zuriel Waterman, though there are also papers of their ancestors and George’s descendants. Among Zuriel’s papers is an original and manuscript copy of a journal that he kept during his privateering voyages, dated between 1779 and 1782, and assorted papers dated 1779 to 1789 (including an account settled after his death). George’s papers include an account of his brother’s accidental death, correspondence, accounts, and deeds, dated between 1777 to 1827. The papers of George and Zuriel’s parents Christopher and Phebe (Aborn) Waterman include a small amount of correspondence written from Surinam in the mid-1700s: in Phebe’s case, letters from her husband Christopher; in Christopher’s case, letters from his brother Thomas.

            The privateering journal is arguably the most valuable item in the collection in terms of research. Most entries in it refer to the privateering activities and shipboard life of the vessels on which Zuriel Waterman served, but entries were also written when the author was at home between voyages. When cruising, the author often made note of latitude and longitude and the names of various vessels, foreign and native, encountered while at sea. There are detailed descriptions of ports visited and close encounters with enemy ships.

            There is a gap in the journal between April 1780 and February 1781. When the journal entries resume, Waterman is in Martinique on an unknown vessel, and was on that voyage until March 22, 1781. Several entries throughout the journal are in Latin. Some extracts from the journal are filed at the end of this finding aid. The bulk of the journal was published in Rhode Islanders Record the Revolution: The Journals of William Humphrey and Zuriel Waterman, edited by Nathaniel N. Shipton and David Swain (Rhode Island Publications Society, 1984).

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Provenance:

            In 1941, Mr. and Mrs. George A. Waterman donated four scrapbooks of papers of Richard Waterman (d. 1744) and his descendants. In 1959, the society received, from James A. Tyson, privateering journals and other non-specified papers of Dr. Zuriel Waterman and his brother Dr. George Waterman, dated between 1779 and 1782.

            The Zuriel Waterman memorandum book was purchased via Internet auction from dealer Ralph Petrucci in 2001. Cherry Fletcher Bamberg contributed most of the necessary funds, with additional support coming from Russell J. DeSimone, Wayne G. Tillinghast, Daniel Schofield, the Rhode Island State Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Ruth Wallis Herndon, Helen Roelker Kessler, and the R.I.H.S. Casey Fund.

            Additionally, approximately one folder each of papers of Richard Waterman (d. 1744) and his son Richard (1701-1755) were transferred to the collection from MSS 9001 (Miscellaneous Manuscripts). Two of those items (from the elder Richard) were part of MSS 9003 (RIHS Manuscripts) before being transferred to MSS 9001.

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Processing note:

            This collection was named for Richard Waterman to distinguish it from that of the descendants of Richard’s brother Nathaniel, MSS 788. Both branches include several individuals named Zuriel Waterman.

            The scrapbooks that were donated in 1941 were highly acidic. In the early 1990s, papers that had become detached from their scrapbook pages were put into archival folders and designated with their former page numbers. When processing was completed in 2001, the papers that remained in the scrapbooks were removed, marked with their scrapbook and page numbers, and arranged by family member. The volume and page designations distinguish papers from the 1941 gift from those of other gifts in the collection. Note: in October, l99l, pp. 44-46 were missing. Two of Dr. Waterman's astronomy lecture broadsides (l837-9?) were transferred to the graphics division.

            Most of Zuriel and George Waterman’s papers were formerly part of MSS 788 (approximately .25 feet). When originally processed in the 1960s or 1970s, they were marked as having derived only from Dr. Zuriel. However, upon close examination it was discovered that the papers belonged to several different men named Zuriel Waterman from two different Providence County branches of the family (including Dr. Zuriel), as well as Dr. George Waterman. Documents that belonged to Dr. Zuriel’s branch of the family, descendants of Richard Waterman (d. 1744), were transferred into this collection. Those that belonged to cousins of Dr. Zuriel, descendants of Nathaniel Waterman (d. 1725), were kept as MSS 788.

            Dr. Zuriel’s privateering logbook was closely examined through 1780, and then more lightly reviewed to its conclusion.

            Among the papers of Phebe Waterman (1757-1847) are letters from a niece, “M. P. Whitney.” M. P. Whitney was at first thought to be Mary Whitney, the daughter of Phebe’s sister Mary and her husband, Capt. Joseph Whitney. However, one letter is dated in 1829, and Mary Whitney, according to Jacobus and Waterman’s genealogy, died in 1814. It is possible that M. P. Whitney was actually a great-niece of Phebe Waterman, the daughter of Phebe’s nephew Hercules Whitney and his wife, Martha P. (Dyer) Waterman. However, no record has been found for the children of Hercules and Martha.

            A name and place index that came in with the collection has been retained and is filed in folder 25. Also retained is a genealogy of the Waterman family that was attached to the inside cover of the first scrapbook, and a list of the papers’ original arrangement.

            Evidently part of this collection is microfilmed, probably with the Zuriel Waterman journals.

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Inventory:

Anstis (Ramsey) Waterman (d. 1836) (wife of Dr. George⁶):

Box 1, folder 1. Papers, 1822-1840 and n.d.

Christopher Waterman⁵ (1722-1758) (son of Zuriel⁴):

Box 1, folder 2. Papers, 1745-1763.

Eleanor Waterman (b. ca 1803) (daughter of George⁶ and Anstis):

Box 1, folder 3. Papers, 1831, 1833 and n.d.

Dr. George Waterman⁶ (1754-1829) (son of Christopher⁵ and Phebe):

Box 1, folder 4. Account of his brother Zuriel’s death, 1786.

Box 1, folder 5. Accounts and receipts, 1777-1815.

Box 1, folder 6. Agreements and deeds, 1782-1827.

Box 1, folder 7. Correspondence, 1778-1814.

Box 1, folder 8. Miscellaneous, 1806-1813: Medical note, 1806; list of officers for Cranston Detecting Society, 1808; list of Republicans (Cranston), 1811; draft of statement by GW re: insolvency of Amos Stone, 1813 (in oversize storage).

George⁷ Waterman (1813-1844) (son of George⁶ and Anstis):

Box 1, folder 9. Papers, 1827-1838 and n.d.

Phebe (Aborn) Waterman (1730-1809) (wife of Christopher⁵):

Box 1, folder 10. Papers, 1751-1778.

Phebe Waterman⁶ (1757-1847) (daughter of Christopher⁵ and Phebe):

Box 1, folder 11. Correspondence, 1779-1831 and n.d.

Phebe A. Waterman (b. ca 1810) (daughter of George⁶ and Anstis):

Box 1, folder 12. Correspondence, 1827-1829 (3 letters).

Richard Waterman³ (d. 1744) (son of Nathaniel²):

Box 1, folder 13. Papers, 1714-1737.

Richard Waterman⁴ (1701-1755) (son of Richard³):

Box 1, folder 14. Papers, 1725-1754.

Zerviah (b. ca 1801) (daughter of George⁶ and Anstis):

Box 1, folder 15. Papers, 1821-1834.

Zuriel Waterman⁴ (1699-1739) (son of Richard³):

Box 1, folder 16. Papers, 1733-1738.

Dr. Zuriel Waterman⁶ (1756-1786) (son of Christopher⁵ and Phebe):

Box 1, folder 17. Accounts and receipts, 1780-1789 (incl. an acct. settled after his death).

Box 1, folder 18. Correspondence, 1780, 1781 and n.d.

Box 1, folder 19. Mason’s certificate, 1782.

Box 1, folder 20. Military papers, 1777, 1779.

Box 1, folder 21. Privateering journal, 1779-1782.

                            Includes:

                            Sloop Providence September 5 - November 9, 1779

                            Schooner Fortune and Rambler of Newbury, Mass., June 28 - August 8, 1781

                            Brigantine Chace of Newbury, Mass., September 13 - October 6, and October 21 - December 22, 1781

                            Journal is also kept for the days between ships.

Box 1, folder 22. Privateering journal, (handwritten copy of above journal), 1779-1782.

Box 1, folder 22a. Memorandum book, 1755-1757, 1777-1786.

                                  ** See below for more detailed catalog record for this book.

Miscellaneous Waterman Family

Box 1, folder 23. Miscellaneous unidentified Waterman papers, 1739-1914.

Box 1, folder 24. Miscellaneous unidentified Waterman papers, undated.

Box 1, folder 25. Waterman Papers place and name index.

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Subjects:

Argo (Sloop).  Colorful description of Argo crew’s party upon end of vessel’s commission. In Dr. Zuriel Waterman’s privateering journal, 1/26/1780.  Journal also contains other references to

the vessel.   Folders 6 and 7. 

Chace (Brigantine) .  C. Thompson, master? Description of voyage on the vessel, possibly out of Salem, Mass., 9/13/1781 to ending date of journal (1/5/1782). In Dr. Zuriel Waterman’s

privateering journal.   Folders 6 and 7.

Cranston Detecting Society.  List of officers, 1808, in papers of Dr. George Waterman (1754-1829).   Folder 10. 

Fortune (Schooner).  Description of voyage on the vessel, 4/10/1781 to 6/28/1781. In Dr. Zuriel Waterman’s privateering journal.   Folders 6 and 7.

Lively.   References to the vessel in Dr. Zuriel Waterman’s privateering journal, 1779-1782.   Folders 6 and 7. 

Logbooks. Log and journal of Dr. Zuriel Waterman, serving as surgeon on several privateering vessels during the Revolution. Journal dates:  1779-1782.   Folders 6 and 7. 

Privateering.  Logbook and journal kept by surgeon (Dr.) Zuriel Waterman describes voyages taken on several privateering vessels between 1779 and 1782.   Folders 6 and 7.

Providence (Sloop).  Description of privateering voyage, from 9/5/1779 to 11/19/1779. In Dr. Zuriel Waterman’s privateering journal.   Folders 6 and 7. 

Rambler (Schooner).  Description of privateering voyage, from 6/28/1781 to 7/18/1781?.    Folders 6 and 7.

Surinam - Commerce.  Letters and receipts from Surinam in the papers of Christopher and Phebe (Aborn) Waterman, ca. 1749-1760.   Folders 2 and 10. 

Waterman, George, 1754-1829.  Loose papers, 1777-1827, including account of the unusual death of his brother, Dr. Zuriel Waterman in 1786.   

Waterman, George, 1813-1844.  Son of Dr. George Waterman (1754-1829).  One folder of miscellaneous papers, mostly school papers and poetry, 1827-1838.  Folder 9. 

Waterman, Phebe (Aborn).  Wife of Christopher Waterman. One folder of papers including correspondence from her husband in Surinam, 1751-1778.   Folder 10.  

Waterman, Richard, d.1744. Great-grandfather of Drs. Zuriel (1756-1786) and George Waterman (1754-1829). Loose papers, 1714-1719.    Folder 1.

Waterman, Richard, 1701-1755.  Great-uncle of Drs. Zuriel (1756-1786) and George Waterman (1754-1829). Loose papers, 1725 and 1751.    Folder 2. 

Waterman, Thomas, 1724-1754.  Letters to his brother Christopher Waterman written in Surinam, 1749-1751.    Folder 2. 

Waterman, Zuriel, 1756-1786.  Papers of Revolutionary War surgeon, 1777-1789. Includes detailed logbook and journal of voyages taken on several privateers between 1779 and 1782.  

Folders 3 through 7. 

United States - History - Revolution, 1775-1783.  Privateering logbook and journal kept by surgeon (Dr.) Zuriel Waterman describes several privateering voyages in which he participated

between 1779 and 1782.   Folders 6 and 7. 

United States - History - World War, 1914-1918.  Letter dated August 31, 1914, writer and recipient not identified, from Paris describing air action over Germany.   Folder 23. 

Waterman family.  Papers of one branch of the Waterman family living in Cranston and Providence, 1714-1840.

Historical Note:

Dr. Zuriel Waterman served as a surgeon upon privateering voyages of  the sloop Providence, the schooners Fortune and Rambler, and the brigantine Chace between the years 1779 and 1782.  He may also have served on at least one other vessel during that time.  In February 1782, possibly while serving on the Chace, he was taken prisoner and held on Lord Howe’s prison ship at Charlestown (Massachusetts?). In September 1786, he died of poisoning from noxious fumes while trying to rescue two men from a cistern in Cranston, Rhode Island. His death was witnessed by his brother George, who wrote an account of it shortly thereafter.

Bibliography:

Jacobus, Donald Lines and Edgar Francis Waterman.  The Waterman Family Vol. 3:  Descendants of Richard Waterman of Providence, Rhode Island,  Hartford:  The Connecticut Historical Society, 1954.

Shipton, Nathaniel N.; and David Swain, eds.  Rhode Islanders Record the Revolution: The Journals of William Humphrey and Zuriel Waterman.  Rhode Island Publications Society, 1984.

White, Dorothy Higson.  Descendants of Roger Williams, Book I:  The Waterman and Winsor Lines Through His Daughter Mercy, 14, 34-35. Baltimore:  Gateway Press, Inc., 1991.

Scope and Content:

This memorandum book served at least five functions at once for Dr. Zuriel Waterman.  He used it for three distinct types of financial accounts from October 1777 to December 1780: as a day book with chronological listings of financial transactions (pages 1-3, 6-8, 10-14, 17-19, 22-28, 30-32, 34-35, 41-44, 46-47, 50-51, 56, 59-60, 63, 66. 69-71, 74-75, 78, 80–83, 85-87, 90); as an income register (pages 21, 39, 48, 57, 62, 73, 79, 89); and as an expense register (pages 15, 20, 33, 38, 45, 49, 52, 55, 58, 61, 64-65, 72, 76-77, 84, 88).

In addition, Waterman used the volume as a commonplace book to record interesting quotations from his reading, and to jot down any other items of interest in his daily life.  From 1781 until his death in 1786, Waterman used the volume mainly to summarize the expenses from his medical practice.  In addition, there are a handful of entries recorded by Dr. Waterman's father Christopher in 1755 and 1757.

The most important entries in this volume shed light on Dr. Waterman's Revolutionary War service.  They include detailed accounts relating to his service with Joseph Senter's New Hampshire regiment in Rhode Island in 1777, including notes on the medical care provided to specific soldiers.  They also include details of his investment in four privateers from 1779 to 1780: the Argo, Dean, Providence, and Retaliation.  The only entry that mentions the famous sloop Providence explicitly reads “[October] 2 1779.  Enter’d aboard sloop Industry Providence Capt. Godfrey for 4 shares."  His expense register for 1779 reads “October - Nothing, being at sea.”

        Other entries detail the more personal side of Waterman's service, describing his personal butler, his newspaper subscriptions, and the Continental lottery tickets he bought.  One entry reads “Left my leather for briches at a shop opposite the old Baptists Meeting House - to be finished the 28 inst. for seven dollars.”  His diary describes a long night of revelry by the crew of the Argo in which a fiddler accompanied them from tavern to tavern.  This is documented in the memorandum book by this January 26 1780 entry: “Lodging & fidler 1£ 4 s.” 

Provenance:

This volume was purchased through an Internet auction from dealer Ralph Petrucci in 2001.  The necessary funds were provided by a gift from Cherry Fletcher Bamberg, with additional support from Russell J. DeSimone, Ruth Wallis Herndon, Helen Roelker Kessler, Daniel Schofield, John Sterling, Wayne G. Tillinghast, and the Rhode Island State Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution.  Without these gifts, the volume would certainly have remained in private hands.

Processing Note:

This volume has been added to a collection known as the Richard Waterman Family Papers which has been in the possession of the R.I.H.S. for many years.  This collection includes Zuriel Waterman's Revolutionary War diary (already published), as well as a small quantity of his correspondence and other papers, and papers of his parents and siblings. 

Inventory:

Inside front cover.  

Expense register of journey through Providence, Freetown and Tiverton, October 9 to December 31 [1777]

Page A.  

Daily rations issued, October 12 to December 31, [1777]

Memorandum on payment to Mr. Mumford for postage on Boston newspapers, 1755, presumably by Zuriel's father Christopher Waterman (1722-1758).

Pages B, C.  

"Sundry Persons to Tickets," 1757 (Christopher Waterman lottery ticket sales?)

Page C. 

Agreement with Ebenezer Cowell and Josiah Maxie, 1757

Page 1-2.  

"1777 October 8.  Entered Col. Joseph Senter's Regiment of New Hampshire State, as surgeon of said regiment.  To receive continental pay, rations &c from the 1st of October.

Swanzey.  October 10.  Stevens Smith appointed my waiter.

13.  Bought of William Haskel a silver watch for £12:10.  Paid 8 s, to pay the other when I receive my wages. [entry crossed out]

14th.  Tivertown.  Receiv'd of Step'n Winrou--at the Hospital... [lists various medical supplies].

Little Compton Oct'r 15.  Rec'd of Dr. Jon- Arnold General Hospital stores... [lists supplies]... for the use of regiment.

Oct'r 20.  Rece'd at the Gen'l Hospital... [lists supplies]

Page 2.

Gives population percentage of each state as of 1775

Page 3.  

Lists supplies rec'd, 10/27 and 11/8; financial memoranda, 11/3-11/22.

Page 4-5

"Scheme of the United States Lottery," 1776-1779

Page 6

List of supplies rec'd, 11/8 (continued), 11/26

Page 6-7

Description of Continental rations, as ordered by Peter Phillips, 1/27/1777

Page 7

Financial memoranda, 11/28-12/5/1777.  In Warwick as of 12/1.

Page 8

Medical supplies rec'd, 12/2, 12/12

Page 8-9

"Copy of a letter to Dr. Arnold, Warwick Dec'r 12 1777

Sir,

I send a return of the sick as you desired of Col. Senter.  To be inform'd of any regulation relating to the Army necessary for me to know would very much oblige.  Yr most obed't

                humble servant, Zuriel Waterman."

Page 9

“A weekly return of the sick of Lieut. Col. Jos. Senter’s Reg’t,” 12/12/1777

         Lists all soldiers under treatment.

Page 10

Weekly return, 12/19/1777, “now stationed at Warwick.”

Quote, “Though you err to oblige, yet the person you so oblige will secretly despise you.”

Pages 9-12

Financial memoranda, 12/1777

Page 11

List of supplies received, 11/1777 (mostly candles, rum, rice, molasses)

Page 12

Illustration of angel, with text: “Thus ends the year 1777, Zuriel Waterman.”

Pages 13

Financial memoranda, 1/1778

Page 14

“[January] 13th bought 1/5 of two cont’l tickets... George Waterman keeps them.”

“Mem.  Began to take the Boston Independent & Chronicle printed by Powars & Willis Thursday December the 25th AD 1777, gave 13 s.”

“The Almighty is a being whose centre is everywhere, & his circumference is no where.  Spectator No. 565 vol. 8"

Page 15

Expenses, 1/1778 - 6/1778

Page 16

“N.B.  One of Col. Senters soldiers viz Perkins Pike of Capt. R. Pike’s company was left sick at Warwick.  I visited him four times viz January 2, 6, 11, 27, was not paid for it.            

        Sefellis.”

Long poetic quote from Addison, two other quotes.

Page 17

Quotes from Pope, Young, Tull.

Pages 17-19

Financial memoranda, 2/21/1778 - 6/17/1778

Page 18

“[May] 19.  Receiv’d of Dr. Isaac Senter one hundred & eighty dollars it being my pay as surgeon to Lt. Col. Jos. Senter’s Regt.”

Quote: “Sincerity, a sure token of a generous mind.  Ah!”

Page 19

“[May] 30.  Draughted to come to Providence a soldier.”

Page 20

Expenses, 6/1778 - 11/1778. 

Page 21

Money received, 1/1778 - 12/1778

Page 22-28

Financial memoranda, 6/20/1778 - 9/5/1778

Page 22

“[July] 20.  Went to live at Dr. Wickes.  Agreed with Dr. Senter for £9 pr month he to board me & find a horse & I to visit my own patients.”

Account with Marcy Rice for shoes.

Page 23

Account with Arnold Rice, 7/22/1778

Quote, “Tis goodness forms the beauty of the face, the line of virtue is the line of grace.”

“July 27 sick at Warwick absent from Dr. Wickes 12 days, return’d to business Aug’t 8.”

“[August] 3 Holden Randall Capt. Cr. By my boarding me there 7 days sick.  NB broke a glass, paid.”

Page 24

Riddle regarding Abel

“Genesis, Chap. I V.14 - and God said, let there be lights in the firmament of the Heaven, to divide the day from the night: & let them be for *signs & for seasons & for days & years. -         * This is a good plea for astrologers.”

Page 25

Quotes from Virgil, Richard Blackmore, etc.

Page 27

More quotes

“[September 4] Waterman George Dr. 10 2/3 dollars it being my wages for serving 16 days at Providence last June.”

Page 27-28

Long riddle about gardeners; “he commands his thyme, he is a master of the mint,” etc.

Page 29

Quote: “Vir-gin Maid, i.e. Man-Trap - Dean Swift.”

Long quote of poem re breaking fast day.

Page 30

“N.B. Last July 25 receiv’d of Capt. Peter Burlingame Capt. Of the Alarum Company 24 cartridges & 2 flints.”

Note on lottery tickets purchased

“[October] 1.  Bought of Mr. Jno Straight of W.G. a mare 4 years old last spring...”

Pages 30-32

Financial memoranda, 9/22/1778 - 11/25/1778

Page 31

“NB.  It will be advertis’d in the Providence Gazette to bring in bills against the state.  Mem.  To carry in mine. [later] Gave in my accounts March 16.”

Page 32

“Left my leather for briches at a shop opposite the old Baptists Meeting House - to be finished the 28 inst. for seven dollars.”

Page 33

Expenses, 11/1778 - 12/1778

Pages 34-35

Financial memoranda, 11/25/1778 - 12/16/1778

Page 34

Notes on lottery tickets bought.

Page 35

Long comment in Latin about Anno Domini 1778

Pages 36-37

List of thirty-nine books owned

Page 38

Expenses, 1/1779 - 3/1779

Page 39

Money received, 1/1779 - 5/1779

Page 40-43

        Three long quotes

Page 41-44

Financial memoranda, 1/23/1779 - 3/16/1779

Page 44

“[March] 4.  Agreed with Caleb Harris to survey my land in Coventry, to have 12 Dollars pr day & to bear his expences, to begin Monday the 15th of March.”

“[March] 11.  Went to him again, the swamp being full of water could not run it now, to run it 26th day of April.”

“[March] 16.  Subscribed for American Journal at Southwick & Wheeler’s, Providence.”

Page 45

Expenses, 3/1779 - 5/1779

Pages 46-47

Financial memoranda, 3/21/1779 - 5/19/1779

Page 46

Quote from Shakespeare

Page 48

Money received, 5/1779 - 8/1779

Page 49

Expenses, 5/1779 - 7/1779

Page 50

Quotes from Boswell, etc.

“Got about 15 ct. of hay at Prudence.”

Pages 50-51

Financial memoranda, 5/19/1779 - 7/18/1779

Page 51

“Birth of Richard Waterman’s children:

Zuriel Waterman was born Wednesday Sep’r 20 1699 about 10 o’clock in the morning

Richard Waterman June 1 1701 about 12 or 1 o’clock at night

Nathan Waterman, Saturday, August 7th 1703 an hour after sunset

Abigail Waterman, Saturday, May 11 1706 about 11 o’clock forenoon

Neriah Waterman Sunday Feb’y 8th 1708 at break of day.”

[These dates are already recorded in the Waterman genealogy]

Page 52

Expenses, 7/1779 - 9/1779

Page 53

Long quote from Horace

Page 54

Financial memoranda, 8/5/1779 - 9/1/1779

Page 55

Expenses, 9/1779 - 12/1779

“October - Nothing, being at sea.”

Page 56

“[October] 2.  Enter’d aboard sloop Industry Providence Capt. Godfrey for 4 shares.”

Quotes from Waller, Dryden, etc.

Pages 56

Financial memoranda, 9/2/1779 - 12/17/1779

Page 57

Money received, 11/1779 - 3/1780

Page 58

Expenses, 1/1780 - 2/1780

1/26/1780: “Lodging & fidler 1£ 4 s.”

Pages 59-60

Financial memoranda, 1/1/1780 - 4/12/1780

Page 59

“[January] 1.  Enter’d on board sloop Argo as surgeon’s mate.”

Page 61

Expenses, 3/1780 - 4/1780

Page 62

Money received, 4/1780 - 8/1780

6/10/1780: “Agent sloop Retaliation 1st cruze 50£ 8s”

6/22/1780: “Agent for 2nd cruze 600£”

Page 63

Financial memoranda, 4/10/1780 - 7/28/1780

        Account of tobacco bought in partnership with Jno Rice, 7/29/1780

Pages 64-65

Expenses, 7/1780 - 8/1780

7/24/1780: “Expences at Newport 10 £ 10 s.”

7/24/1780: “Gave to a Nantucket lad 13 £ 10 s.”

Page 66

Financial memoranda, 7/25/1780 - 8/8/1780

Pages 67-68

Depreciation rates for Continental currency issued in Philadelphia, 6/30/1777

Pages 69-71

Financial memoranda, 8/7/1780 - 8/25/1780

Page 72

Expenses, 8/1780 - 9/1780

Page 73

Money received, 8/1780 - 9/1780

Page 74-75

Financial memoranda, 8/28/1780 - 9/23/1780

Page 74

“[August 29] John Rice... the carting tobacco in Newport.”

“[September] 1. Settled all accounts with Marcy Rice to this day made even.”

Page 75.  

“[September] 1.  Sampson Indian dr. to viz 2 doz. Sal cathart. 9 £”

Two accounts with “Margaret Indian” for “stomachi infanti”

account with John Rice

Page 76-77

Expenses, 9/1780 - 10/1780

Page 78

Financial memoranda, 9/25/1780 - 10/13/1780

Page 79

Money received, 10/1780 - 12/1780

Pages 80-83

Financial memoranda, 10/14/1780 - 11/13/1780

Page 82

Long quote re “Receipt for the Old Roman Friendship” from the Universal Spectator

Page 83

Account with “Marg’y Indian” for medicine, 11/2/1780

Page 84

Expenses, 11/1780

Pages 85-87

Financial memoranda, 11/7/1780 - 12/7/1780

Page 85

“[November] 7.  Bought 1/8 of a share in the privateer ship Dean for her intended cruize, of Joseph Edmonds for 5 silver dollars.  Geo. Waterman & Jere. Randal has the writing, the

         former having 1/8 & the latter 1/4 of share.”

Page 87

Account with Jno Rice, 12/7/1780

Page 88

Expenses, 12/1780

Page 89

Money received, 12/1780

Page 90

Financial memoranda, 12/7/1780

Pages 91-92

“Scale of Depreciation, as Established by the State of Rhode Island,” 1777-1781

5/30/1781: “Here poor old Continental money departed this life: tho tis said Congress has in reserve a small portion of reanimating essence.”

Page 93

Summary of annual expenses, 1777-1785

Page 94

Money expended for medicine, 1777-1785

Pages 95-111

Medicines bought, 8/14/1777 - 8/28/1786

Pages 112-117

Blank

Pages 118-120

List of sixty-four books (upside-down)

Pages 121-125

Calculations and incomplete notes

Page 126

Financial memoranda, 6/16/1778, 10/18/1778

Page 127

Quote: “Resignation to the will of Heaven can [?] adversity & relief if oft[?] nearest when we least expect it.”

Quote: “Since all is vanity, let us partake of the dissipation to make it as pleasing as we can.”

“Mr. Wm rec’d 32 £ change with the Treasurer, Jan’y 27th 1757.”

Two lists of payments by county, undated

Inside back cover

Calculations and signature 

(Cataloging information)

Main Entry:

Mss

789 Waterman, Zuriel, 1756-1786

Folder 22a Physician, of Cranston, R.I.

Memorandum book, 1755-1757 and 1777-1786.  Bulk, 1777-1780.       1 volume

Volume kept mostly during service as physician during the Revolutionary War, in both the army and aboard privateers.  Includes personal financial accounts and commonplace book entries, as well regimental medical returns and supply invoices.  Also a handful of earlier entries from Zuriel's father Christopher.

Accession: #2001. 55, purchased through a gift from Cherry Fletcher Bamberg, with additional support from Russell J. DeSimone, Ruth Wallis Herndon, Helen Roelker Kessler, Daniel Schofield, John Sterling, Wayne G. Tillinghast, and the Rhode Island State Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution

Additional Entries:

Argo (Sloop).  Memorandum book entry: “[January] 1 [1780].  Enter’d on board sloop Argo as surgeon’s mate.”  Page 59.

Arnold, Jonathan..  Several accounts with Arnold as Revolutionary War physician, 1777-1778, and copy of letter to Arnold, 12/12/1777.  Pages 8-9..

Commonplace-books - Rhode Island..  Includes dozens of quotations interspersed through a small account/memorandum book, 1777-1786.  .

Dean (Ship).  “[November] 7.  Bought 1/8 of a share in the privateer ship Dean for her intended cruize, of Joseph Edmonds for 5 silver dollars.  Geo. Waterman & Jere. Randal has the writing,

the former having 1/8 & the latter 1/4 of share.”  Page 85.

Lotteries - United States..  Several memoranda re the structure of the United States lottery and the purchase of chances, 1776-1779.  Pages 4-5, 14, 30, 34.

Medicine, Military..  Volume kept mostly during service as physician during the Revolutionary War, in both the army and aboard privateers.  Includes personal financial accounts and

commonplace book entries, as well regimental medical returns and supply invoices.    .

Money - United States - History - Revolution, 1775-1783..  Notes on depreciation of currency, and memorandum dated 5/30/1781: “Here poor old Continental money departed this life: tho tis

said Congress has in reserve a small portion of reanimating essence.”  Pages 91-92.

Narragansetts..  Accounts of Cranston physician with "Sampson Indian" and "Margaret Indian" for medical care, 1780.  Pages 75, 83.

Newspapers - Rhode Island..  Memorandum on payment to Mr. Mumford for postage on Boston newspapers, 1755, presumably by Zuriel's father Christopher Waterman (1722-1758).  Also

notes by Dr. Zuriel Waterman on his own subscriptions, 1778, 1779.  Pages A, 14, 44.

Physicians - Rhode Island..  Volume kept mostly during service as physician during the Revolutionary War, in both the army and aboard privateers.  Includes personal financial accounts and

commonplace book entries, as well regimental medical returns and supply invoices.    .

Private libraries - Rhode Island..  Lists of books owned by Revolutionary war physician, 1778 and undated  Pages 36-37, 118-120.

Privateering - Rhode Island..  Memoranda re investment in privateers Argo, Dean, Providence, Retaliation, 1779-1780.  Pages 56, 59, 62, 85.

Providence General Hospital..  List of supplies received as Revolutionary war physician in Providence, 1777.  Pages 1-3.

Providence (Sloop).  Memorandum book entry from physician of the privateer Providence: “[October] 2 [1779].  Enter’d aboard sloop Industry Providence Capt. Godfrey for 4 shares.”  Page

56.

Retaliation (Sloop).  Lists money received as investor in the privateer Retaliation.  6/10/1780: “Agent sloop Retaliation 1st cruze 50£ 8s.” 6/22/1780: “Agent for 2nd cruze 600£”  Page 62.

Rice family..  Several accounts with Arnold, John and Marcy Rice, 1778-1780.  Pages 22, 23, 63, 74, 75, 87.

Senter, Isaac, 1753-1799..  Waterman served as assistant to Dr. Senter and boarded with him in Revolution, 1778-.   Pages 18, 22.

Senter, Joseph..  Memorandum book kept by the physician of Senter's New Hampshire regiment in Rhode Island, 1777.  Includes weekly medical returns from regiment.  .

United States - History - Revolution, 1775-1783..  Volume kept mostly during service as physician during the Revolutionary War, in both the army and aboard privateers.  Includes personal

financial accounts and commonplace book entries, as well regimental medical returns and supply invoices.    .

Waterman, Christopher, 1722-1758..  Memorandum book originally used by Christopher Waterman from 1755-1757, and later by his son Zuriel.  Pages A, B, C, 127..