James Darrell Gill (d.1864), trader, was the son of Nicholas Gill, of Gill & Co., a firm based in St. John's. James Gill died at New York on 9 March 1864, leaving a large family.
James Darrrell Gill's father, Nicholas (1770-1855) and his uncle, Joseph Gill, established a trading firm in St. John's in the 1790s. The Gill firm was involved in the West Indian trade, exporting salt cod to the Indies and importing rum and molasses. Nicholas also established a branch of the firm in New York City in the 1830s.
Nicholas Gill sent his son James Darrell to New York to manage the family firm.That firm operated as a distribution centre for Newfoundland products such as seal pelts, seal oil, cod-liver oil, and furs. In return, sugar, corned beef, and clothing were shipped to Newfoundland. The St. John's business premises of Gill & Co. were destroyed in the fire of 1846.
published
Partial
Draft
Title based on contents of the fonds
Fonds consists of a photocopied letter book of James Darrell Gill for 1840-61. It contains letters from New York primarily to family members in St. John's, Newfoundland. The letters are arranged chronologically.
Original letterbook was in the private collection of F. Burnham Gill, St. John's, Newfoundland.
The Rooms Provincial Archives Division. F. Burnham Gill collection.
No restrictions
Users should be aware that copyright rules and regulations may apply to some parts of this fonds.
Finding Aid No.3