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From: Crilley <>
Subject: [NCBERTIE] Early Economic Trade
Date: Tue, 11 Apr 2000 15:08:15 -0500

Understanding the economy of Pre-Revolution Bertie, will shed some light on
the political feelings. Bertie County (and probably North Carolina in
general) did not appear to be as supportive of the Revolution as some of
the older colonies. Some of their residents were enjoying prosperity by
trading with Britain, and probably were reluctant to break this tie.

**I need some help in understanding the "boat" terms used here. Mr. Pugh
is having a "brigatine built..(which would go to Britain) .but also
mentions a sloop "Carolina"which sailed to New England, and then to the
West Indes. Does anyone know what these descriptive terms mean?

Early Mercantile Trade

Bertie County was ideally located on the eastern shores, so the mercantile
export-import business was one of the earliest
prosperous businesses.

Codicil to the will of Francis Pugh April 12, 1736 "I have begun to build a
brigantine which is now on the stocks in Bertie
Precinct. My executors are to finish this brigantine from the money from my
estate, with anchors, masts, cables, sails and all
other appurtenances.

After this vessel is finished my executors and trustee shall purchase a
loading of tobacco, black walnut or other merchandise
fit for the British market, and send this vessel to Great Britain.

I bequeath this brigantine to my wife and sons and daughters, and likewise
the cargo....

After my sloop Carolina returns from New England, my executors and trustee
shall have her cargo purchase a cargo and
send the sloop to the West Indies for the benefit of my wife and
children....My wife is to receive from Capt. Grainger, the
cargo now brought in a schooner which belongs to Mr. Coleman, provided
Grainger allows twelve pounds for my executor
for good and well pickled pork"

Incidentally Francis Pugh had two sons 1)John 2)Thomas

Abstracts of Wills 1722-1774 by David B. Gammon
Virginia

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• [NCBERTIE] Early Economic Trade by Crilley <>