1792 Alexandria Wine Import Cert Joseph Fenwick and John Mason, Son George Mason For Sale

• Document Date: October 11, 1792

• Location: Alexandria, Virginia

• Item Type: Official Port of Entry Certificate

• Subject: Import of Claret (Bordeaux wine) from France

• Commander/Ship: Pliny Hemmiter, Brig Nancy, Bordeaux

• Inspector: S. Hanson

• Condition: Good with age-appropriate wear, intact embossed seal, clean text, and clear handwriting.

This rare 1792 port certificate highlights the Bordeaux wine trade during the early days of the United States. It documents the import of "claret wine" (a term used for red Bordeaux) into Alexandria, Virginia, a prominent port in early American commerce. Issued under legal certification by Port Inspector S. Hanson, this document ties into significant figures and events of the post-Revolutionary War trade boom.

No. 189 District of Virginia
Port of Alexandria

I CERTIFY that Fenwick Mason & Co. have imported according to law in the Brig Nancy, of which Pliny Hemmiter is Commander, from Bordeaux, one cask of claret wine, marked and numbered as in the margin, containing five and one-quarter gallons. October the eleventh, one thousand seven hundred and ninety-two.

S. Hanson of Sam, Inspector.

• Margin Notes:

  • S. Hanson (signed)

  • "Claret, No. G, 31 5/4"

1. Fenwick Mason & Co.:

   • Joseph Fenwick: An American merchant and first U.S. Consul in Bordeaux, France. Fenwick was instrumental in facilitating trade between France and the United States during the late 18th century, particularly in wine and luxury goods.

   • John Mason: A prominent Alexandria-based merchant and son of George Mason IV (a Founding Father who drafted the Virginia Declaration of Rights). John Mason managed the U.S. side of the Fenwick-Mason partnership, ensuring the smooth import and sale of Bordeaux wines.

   • Their company, Fenwick Mason & Co., served as one of the earliest formalized partnerships to import French wines, symbolizing the growing economic relationship between the U.S. and post-Revolutionary France.

2. Pliny Hemmiter (Commander of the Brig Nancy):

   • Captain Pliny Hemmiter commanded the Brig Nancy, a merchant vessel engaged in the transatlantic wine trade. Ships like the Nancy played a critical role in early American commerce, transporting goods like wine, spirits, and other luxuries across the Atlantic.

3. S. Hanson (Inspector):

   • Likely Samuel Hanson of Samuel Hanson (sometimes abbreviated as S. Hanson of Sam), a respected customs inspector in Alexandria. Inspectors ensured compliance with tariffs and trade laws, safeguarding the fledgling American Significance:

     • Alexandria's Role in Trade: By 1792, Alexandria had become a key commercial hub in Virginia, handling imports of wine, textiles, and other goods.

     • Bordeaux Wine Trade: Bordeaux, France, was the premier exporter of fine wines, particularly claret. Merchants like Fenwick & Mason connected affluent American buyers to this luxury product, reflecting the cultural and economic ties between the U.S. and Commerce: This document embodies the growth of American trade and the entrepreneurial efforts of early merchants to establish robust international relationships.

     Condition Report:

     • Paper: Strong and durable with no significant tears; original folds visible.

     • Text: Legible with clear script and printed elements.

     • Seal: Embossed U.S. customs seal remains intact and highly visible.

     • Ink: Well-preserved handwriting.

     • Overall: A remarkable historical document in excellent condition given its age.

     Why This Document Matters:

     This official import certificate provides direct evidence of early American commerce, U.S.-French trade relations, and the role of Alexandria as a central port of entry. The involvement of Joseph Fenwick, John Mason, and Pliny Hemmiter ties this piece to significant historical figures in diplomacy, trade, and maritime history.

     Collectors of early American history, wine history, or Alexandria ephemera will find this to be an essential addition to their collection.

     Perfect For:

     • Collectors of early American trade and maritime documents

     • Historians of U.S.-French commerce

     • Alexandria and Virginia history enthusiasts

     • Wine history and ephemera collectors

     • Archival preservation for museums or institutions