Isaac Hicks (1767 – January 10, 1820) was a Quaker merchant, active in the mercantile and shipping business from 1790 to 1807, both by himself and in partnerships.
[4] In 1789, disillusioned with teaching, Hicks moved to New York City: he opened a mercantile shop under the title of “grocer”.
In 1794, after not making the money they expected and having trouble collecting on debts owed to them, the company Alsop & Hicks changed direction from ‘dry-goods specialists’ to ‘shipping and commission agents’.
[10] The firm also helped merchants and captains outfit ships, purchase insurance, and obtain cargo.
In May 1794, John Alsop Jr. left New York City for a quieter life in Hudson, New York, though he did continue to maintain part interest in the firm and bring in customers from the Hudson area, including: Thomas Jenkins & Sons, Seth Jenkins, and the Paddock family, among others.
It was because of this, that in December 1802, Hicks, along with others in a syndicate, purchased the ship Thames in order to capitalize on trade to St. Petersburg, Russia and quickly increase their earnings.
Regardless, by 1805, Hicks left New York City to return to Westbury and by 1807 had officially retired from business at the age of 38.
Throughout his multiple partnerships, Hicks kept detailed business records, including but not limited to accounts current, invoices, insurance policies, bank notes, canceled checks, bonds, and correspondence.
[13] This includes weather patterns, European politics, the Napoleonic wars and other military conflicts, piracy, disease (primarily yellow fever and smallpox), and more.
He was also well known in many other Quaker circles outside of the Meeting, mostly thanks to his cousin, Elias Hicks, who Isaac traveled extensively with in his retirement.
After an active and varied retirement, Hicks fell ill on January 10, 1820, and died shortly thereafter at 52 years old.