MG-92. SEQUESTERED JOHN MITCHELL PAPERS, 1758-1781.
John Mitchell was a Philadelphia merchant and deputy quartermaster general during the American Revolution. The papers of Mitchell, and his brother and business partner, Randall Mitchell, were sequestered by the Commonwealth, ca. 1785, during an investigation of the Mitchells’ activities as a contractor with the Pennsylvania Navy. Included are Deputy Quartermaster General Mitchell’s letter book, 1780-81; and business letters, 1762-77, pertaining to merchandising, prices, and commodities such as chocolate, feathers, rum, coffee, tea, molasses, paper, and slaves. Items relevant to African Americans are correspondence of Thomas Hovender, 1774, relating to the sale of his "negroes," and receipts and vouchers, 1736-1770, with entries on African American slaves and workers.