Scope and Content: Shippers’ affidavits were filed in the Province of the Massachusetts Bay in accordance with provisions of the Sugar Act of 1764 (4 Geo. III cap. 15).  Makers or shippers or their agents, of rum, spirits, sugar, or molasses in British colonies or plantations, presented these documents attesting to the colonial origin of the goods to the collector or chief customs officers in the port where the goods were loaded, to prevent fraudulent importation of foreign goods elsewhere in the British domain, and evasion of taxes placed on them by the Sugar Act.  Series consists of exact copies of affidavits (printed forms completed in ms.) required to be transmitted to the colonial secretary by the customs officers within thirty days of ship sailing.
Notes: Most items in series presumed lost.  Those placed here were used as wrappers for: Returns from towns of supplies to families of Continental Army soldiers, 1777-1782 ((M-Ar)146X).  For additional affidavits see that series and: Massachusetts archives collection ((M- Ar)45X), v. 291, p. 102-109, 124-126
Related Catalog Records:

Archivegrid
OCLC