York Boat Bill of Lading, 1803

The following is a translation from French of an original York Boat bill of lading as printed ca. 1803. This is from Shepherd's Compleat Early Nineteenth Century Woodworker by Stephen & Victoria Shepherd. It was originally a printed form on one page and the areas showing a listed quantity was filled in as though this was a checklist for the standard issue.

York boats were much like the large birch bark canoes with different technique of manufacture - they were used the same. It may simply be a term that referenced boats from the York Factory.

-------------- begin transcription ------------ York Boat, No. __ Bales or bundles of Merchandise, No. __ Bales of Black Tobacco, __ do Carotes Tobacco __ do North West Twist Tobacco __ do Bell-shaped Pots, __ do Brass Pots, __ do White Iron (tinned) pots, __ do Ham __ do Jowls __ Kegs or Casks of Salt __ do Grease __ do Gun Powder __ do White Sugar __ do Brown Sugar __ do Pork __ do High Wines __ do Rum __ do Spirits __ do Beef __ do Butter __ do Shrub __ do Port Wine __ do Madera Wine __ do Red Wine __ do Brandy __ do Tongue __ do Sausage __ do Barley __ do Rice __ do Cheese __ do Raisins __ do Figs __ do Prunes __ Cassettes of Merchandise, No. __ Boxes of Iron, No. __ do Hats, No. __ do Knives, No. __ do Guns __ do Traps __ do Soap __ Large Barrels of High Wines, __ do Spirits __ do Rum __ do Mixed __ Packets of Iron __ do Steel __ Sacks of Lead __ do Balls __ do Peas __ do Milled India Wheat, coarse, 1 __ do do , fine, 2

Rations for the Voyageurs: 8 Sacks of Hard Tack 2 do Peas 200 lb. Paper wrapped packages Pork

Equipment: 1 Ax 1 Tin Plate 1 Sail Canvas 2 Belaying Pins 5 Line, Ropes 1 Pot 1 Awl 1 Roll of Bark 6 Bundles of Spruce Root 1 Pot Hook 12 lb. Paper wrapped packages of Gum

List of Men: 1 Canoe (written in by hand.)

___ Pieces 18___

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