Primary Resources

The Fishing Industry in Essex County

Courtesty of Boston Public Library


Fisher-man's Calling - Cotton Mather
In this text, Cotton Mather (1663-1728), a Puritan minister and prolific writer, has compiled a sample of Bible lessons specifically for fisherman. Mather begins his essay with a note “To the Gentlemen Who Emply the Fisher-men.” In this introductory note, Mather asserts that the numbers of fisherman make them worthy of his special religious consideration. In addition, he entreats the employers to make his text widely available as an increase of religion among the fisherman will certainly benefit the employers as well.


Derby, Elias Haskell. “A Letter to the Hon. Benjamin Lincoln of Philadelphia, concerning the loss of vessels and the effects of the War on the fishing trade.” Oct. 21st 1782.
Derby , a prominent Salem merchant, wrote this letter to Benjamin Lincoln, Secretary of War from 1781-1783, detailing the war’s effects on fishing in Salem. The document gives a good idea of the cost and requirements for outfitting a 18 th century fishing vessel.

Courtesy of the National Archives and Records Administration

NARA , RG 36 U.S. Customs Service, District of Gloucester . Crew lists, shipping articles, etc. 1803-1912. Box 4 (1811 to 1815). These documents are examples of fishing agreements that were made between a vessel’s owners and crew before each voyage. The agreements delineate how the boat should be outfitted, the owners’ expectations for the crew, and how the catch will be split.

Schooner Ann and Mary
In this text, Cotton Mather (1663-1728), a Puritan minister and prolific writer, has compiled a sample of Bible lessons specifically for fisherman. Mather begins his essay with a note “To the Gentlemen Who Emply the Fisher-men.” In this introductory note, Mather asserts that the numbers of fisherman make them worthy of his special religious consideration. In addition, he entreats the employers to make his text widely available as an increase of religion among the fisherman will certainly benefit the employers as well.


1815 Shackleford fishing agreement
Extensive handwritten fishing agreement between the crew and William Shackleford

1815 Eliza fishing agreement

1815 Madison agreement

1823 Fishing Agreements

1825 Fishing Agreements

1853 Fishing Journal of the Schooner A.N. Clark
The Schooner A.N. Clark sailed from Beverly to the Grand Banks. The journal includes detailed information about weather conditions, catches (breaking them down by the crew members who netted the fish), and other events onboard.

1858 Fishing Journal of the Schooner A.N. Clark
On this voyage, the A.N. Clark sailed from Beverly to the Western Banks. The journal includes detailed information about weather conditions, catches (breaking them down by the crew members who netted the fish), and other events onboard.

1845 list of fishing vessels that sailed from Marblehead

1845 Miscellaneous Documents
Includes a modified fishing agreement documenting a late payment of the bounty from a catch to the comptroller’s office and an inspection statement from the port of Belfast (ME?) stating that the Marblehead vessel, the schooner Sally, was fit for sail.

Collection of fishing allowances from the years 1795, 1800, 1803-05, 1816, and 1820
1795
1800
1803
1804
1805
1816
1820

“Commonwealth of Massachusetts: Report of the Special Commission Established to Investigate and Study the Laws of the Commonwealth Relating to Marine Fisheries (January, 1939).” This document is the report of a commission to study the laws regulating the fishing industry in Massachusetts to create one uniform code to govern the fishing industry throughout MA. The commission also makes recommendations about how to ensure the preservation and protection of coastal fisheries, spawning grounds, etc. While the document is 53 pages long, the narrative is only the first 14 pages and contains some charts and clearly outlined information about the fishing industry in the 1930s.

“U.S. Bureau of Fisheries, Division of Fishery Industry. Fisheries of the New England States. 1937 Summary of Catch.”
This is a great chart that indicates basic information about the fishing industry throughout New England. The chart provides data on the pounds and value of various fish/shellfish, the numbers of boats and fisherman, and the equipment used onboard these vessels.

‘Depletion of New England Fisheries’ Economic Geography. July 1938
This article, which appeared in the journal Economic Geography, argues that if New England states do not regulate the fishing industry, overfishing will deplete the fish population and destroy the industry.




Courtesy of Newburyport Archival Center

“Mackerel and Sardine Fishing”
Originally from Harpers Weekly, March 28th, 1880, pg. 229. . This illustration depicts the processing of sardine and mackerel to prepare them for market. This report details the trends in industrial development and employment from 1837 to 1933. It includes demographic information about many Essex County towns including Beverly, Gloucester, Haverhill, Lawrence, and many others.