Fulton, Robert (1765-1815) [Certificate for one share of "Hudson River Steam-Boat Stock."]
High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.
Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC04333 Author/Creator: Fulton, Robert (1765-1815) Place Written: New York, New York Type: Document signed Date: 1 August 1814 Pagination: 1 p. : note ; 12 x 16.9 cm. Order a Copy
Certificate, signed by Fulton, entitling Cadwallader D. Colden to one share of "Hudson River Steam Boat Stock" upon payment of $500. Certificate refers to May 13, 1814, articles of agreement and August 1, 1814 memorandum of agreement between Fulton and Colden and contains receipt, acknowledging payment of $250. Colden (1769-1834), Robert Fulton's friend, lawyer, and first biographer, later became mayor of New York and a U.S. congressman. He also headed the syndicate that purchased the Hudson River Steamboat Company after Fulton's death in 1815. Accompanied by unrelated manuscript receipt, dated February 22, 1824, for shipment of freight on the "Steam Boat Charlotte."
Robert Fulton was an engineer and entrepreneur, often credited with inventing the steamboat. While Fulton did not invent any of the individual components of the steamboat, he did combine the ideas of many other men to make the most successful steamboat. He also owned and operated a number of steamboats.
Cadwallader D. Colden served as district attorney and mayor for New York City, and as a Congressman from New York State.
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.