This collection chronicles both the personal and business life of William Warren Goddard, who in 1833, at the age of 21, joined in a copartnership with his father, William Goddard, in the City of Boston. After his father's death in 1835, he became sole owner of their shipbuilding firm, and soon expanded his interests to the mercantile trade. His ships rarely carried goods other than the copper, copper ore, and other commodities which would be sold under his name. His close control of both ships and goods met with great success. He did not hesitate to claim his ships were built to last fifty years; and some of them, like the beautiful ships CRUSADER and HARRIOT ERVING, exceeded that claim. He never bought goods a second time from any supplier who lowered the quality of a shipment, as he considered that an affront to his good name. While his business interests consumed his time and energy, it afforded his family, especially his children, a life of luxury.

William had been encouraged to learn the shipbuilding business, but there is no indication that either of his sons received that same encouragement. In his pursuit of success, and driven by his dominant nature, he preferred to achieve his goals singlehandedly. For the most part, however, his agents in foreign ports were relatives. His agent in Valparaiso, George J. Foster, was not a family member; but for many years, was his most respected and honored employee.

Before his death in 1874, current events were bringing his career to an end. The age of sail, like his life, was at an ebb, and his business had suffered losses through claims that were so legally entangled, his estate would not be settled until sixteen years after his decease. Historically, we can see the excellence of this man, his skill and astuteness. His contribution to the maritime history of the Ports of Boston, New York, and San Francisco are well defined in this collection; as are the interesting and famous people who were his friends or business and political acquaintances.