Background
John Bertram was born on February 11, 1796, in the parish of Saint Sauveur in the isle of Jersey, the son of John and Mary (Perchard) Bertram. In 1807 the family moved to America, settling by chance at Salem.
John Bertram was born on February 11, 1796, in the parish of Saint Sauveur in the isle of Jersey, the son of John and Mary (Perchard) Bertram. In 1807 the family moved to America, settling by chance at Salem.
Young John studied in Jersey and in England. Later he continued his education in Salem.
Late in 1812 John went to sea as cabin-boy in the merchantman Hazard at five dollars a month, and then served in two privateers, the Monkey and the Herald, the latter being captured by the British. Returning from prison at the close of the war, he continued at sea, sailing to various parts of the world. By 1821, he had risen to mate, and his first command was the schooner General Brewer, which he chartered for a profitable venture to St. Helena. His eyes were constantly open for trading opportunities, and his fortune began to rise after two successful years of gathering hides on the coast of Patagonia. His last voyage as captain was to Zanzibar in the Black Warrior in 1830. He was able to buy from the sultan a cargo of gum copal. This was much in demand by the varnish makers at home and was the beginning of a very lucrative trade.
Upon his return in 1832, Bertram stayed ashore as shipowner and merchant, continuing the Zanzibar trade and later developing a lively commerce with Para. The first ship sent to California from the United States at the time of the gold rush was the brig Eliza which he dispatched in December 1848. At the same time he and his associates gave rush orders for the construction of a large clipper ship which bore his name. This, with several other clippers, brought him large profits from the Pacific trade. During the fifties, he foresaw the decline in American shipping and gradually restricted his scope of commerce to Zanzibar. By 1856 he was becoming interested in western railways and subscribed heavily to several lines.
During his later years, Bertram was much interested in philanthropy. He donated scholarship money to several Bates College students he met working at a hotel in New Hampshire. He was the last of the merchants of the old type, holding a position similar to that of Derby, Crowninshield, and Peabody at the beginning of the century. Bertram died in 1882.
Bertram's portrait shows a keen but kindly face with much white hair and white whiskers.
Bertram was married three times: in 1823 to Mary G. Smith, in 1838 to Mrs. Clarissa Millett, and in 1848 to Mary Ann Ropes.