Finding Aid of the Joseph J. Roberson Papers, 1830 - 1845, PC.1176
Abstract
Joseph J. Roberson (1813-1862), a native of Carteret County, practiced his craft as a ship carpenter during the 1840s and 1850s in New Bern. The Joseph J. Roberson Papers consists primarily of miscellaneous papers of Roberson and his partners: Roberson and Brothers, and Thomas S. Howard and Robersons. The collection includes some correspondence, two contracts for building vessesls (1832 and 1844); accounts and receipts relating to shipbuilding, household accounts, and the building of a bridge in Onslow County. Promissory notes include record of enslaved labor by Roberson and his partner(s).
Descriptive Summary
- Title
- Joseph J. Roberson Papers
- Call Number
- PC.1176
- Creator
- Roberson, Joseph J.
- Date
- 1830 - 1845
- Extent
- 0.2 cubic feet
- Language
- English
- Repository
- State Archives of North Carolina
Restrictions on Access & Use
Access Restrictions
Available for research.
Use Restrictions
Copyright is retained by the authors of these materials, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law (Title 17 US Code). Individual researchers are responsible for using these materials in conformance with copyright law as well as any donor restrictions accompanying the materials.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], PC.1176, Joseph J. Roberson Papers, State Archives of North Carolina, Raleigh, NC, USA.
Collection Overview
Roberson's papers contain three letters concerning family matters and a partial draft of one concerning partnership difficulties (1842) that was probably meant for his brother Malachi. There are two contracts for building vessels: that include detailed specifications for their construction (1832, 1844). The 1832 contract is a copy of an agreement entered into by the shipbuilding firm of Thomas Sparrow and James Howard (father of Thomas S. Howard) of New Bern and appears to have been used as a model for the 1844 contract entered into by the firm of Howard and Robersons. His papers also include promissory notes (1836-1843); accounts and receipts (1830-1845) reflecting personal household purchases (some of them by his mother, Elizabeth Roberson), tools and supplies relating to shipbuilding, and supplies used by the firm of Howard and Robersons to build a bridge in Onslow County (1844-1845). The collection includes a few legal writs and a witness ticket. In addition to shipbuilding contracts and specifications (1832, 1844), there there are various receipts, including one for carpentry supplies to build bridge in Onslow Co.; summonses; and letters (1842-1843) about family, partnership, and ship repair. There are eight inventories of estates of persons in Anson, Carteret, Craven, New Hanover, Onslow, and Perquimans counties (1751/2-1775).
Biographical Note
Joseph J. Roberson (1813-1862), a native of Carteret County, practiced his craft as a ship carpenter during the 1840s and 1850s in New Bern. Sometimes he worked in partnership with his brothers Malachi B. and William Roberson, and at times with Thomas S. Howard and William Roberson. Upon completion of the Atlantic and North Carolina Railroad in 1858, Roberson gave up shipbuilding and became a road master for the railroad.
Contents of the Collection
Subject Headings
Acquisitions Information
Received prior to February, 1964, when the present shelf mark was assigned to the collection.
Processing Information
Revised by Juliana Siler, August 6th, 2025 to reflect conscious description practices.