John occupation as a Merchant are well documented. However he also appears to
have been trained as a Doctor, as he went by that title, and at the administration
sale of his estate his medical equipment and books feature prominently.
He may well have
combined his doctoring with his career as a merchant. Coming from a well to do
family he may well have used his merchant business as an investment vehicle for his
capital, i.e. to make it work for him and achieve a return, as evidenced by his
money lending.
From the manuscript collection of The New York Historical Society :-
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Account :-
New York 26th May 1778
Andrew Elliot Esq. to John Stites
To
6 pr childrens shoes.................................................
......£1.10.0
To
1 pr womans shoes ..................................................
............8.6
June 1st To Sundries as per Bill delivered
.................................... .... 12.12.6
11th To 2yds Linen
2/10 2 yds stripe at 2/4 - 3 shoe pattens?...........17.10
17 To 12 yds
Fustian...........3/6...................................................2.02.0
47 yds Persian? ........11/6......4 dozen Buttons..10d...........2.15.1
2 Skanes Silk - 1/6 - 6yds
Ribbon....16d...........................9.6
98 yds Gimp at 9d - 2 yds fringe at
1/3................................9.3
11/2 yds Dutch Cord - 5/6 - 1 yd Persian?
11/6................19.9
24th To 2pr
Silk Shoe Patorns? at 2/6................................................5.0
July 26 To 6yd Edging - at
3/- 17 yd Lace 6/-.................................. 1.7.0
To 1yd Velvet Ribbon 1/6 2yds Linnen 6/6
...........................14.6
August 3rd To 2 yd
Muslin............10/6.....................................................1.0.0
£25:10:11
26. 7. 8
25.10.11
.11. 9 -
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[Acknowledgement & thanks to The New York Historical Society]
New York Directory 1786 - Stites, John, merchant, 180 Queen Street.
Other dealings by John Stites as a merchant were revealed in his applications
for compensation to the British for property confiscated during the War of Independence
:-
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One
trunk of silk and laces
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£1260.00.00
|
|
15
tons of bar iron at £50 per ton
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750.00.00
|
|
2
? Of Jamaica Spirits 232 gallons at 12/-
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139.04.00
|
|
50
of sugar
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112.16.00
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The claim also included a schedule of debts owed to him as a money lender, 17
separate debts totaling NY£2579.07.06.
For a full account of his confiscated goods see his application
for compensation.
Return to Dr. John Stites |
