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Collection

Charles M. Barnett journal, 1863-1864

1 volume

Charles M. Barnett's Civil War journal documents important events in southeastern Tennessee between August and October, 1863, including the Tullahoma Campaign, the retreat from Chickamauga, and parts of the Chattanooga Campaign.

Charles M. Barnett's journal is contained in a single volume, beginning May 1, 1863. The entries for 1864 are written in the front part of the same volume, with corrections as to day and date noted occasionally. The journal contains particularly useful information on the signal events in southeastern Tennessee between August and October, 1863, including the Tullahoma Campaign, the retreat from Chickamauga, and parts of the Chattanooga Campaign, including the opening of the Cracker Line and the Wauhatchie Night Attack.

Collection

Culinary Ephemera: Beverages, circa 1880s-2004, and undated

13 Linear Feet (24 small manuscript boxes and two oversize boxes)

Forms part of the Janice Bluestein Longone Culinary Archive. This collection includes promotional materials relating to both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, with particularly strong representation of wine and coffee. Publications date from circa 1880 to 2004.

Forms part of the Janice Bluestein Longone Culinary Archive. This collection includes promotional materials relating to both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, dating from circa 1880 to 2004. The collection is divided into three series based on subject.

Collection

Frederic A. Peck account book and Theoretic & Practical instructions on the Manufacture of Cogniac Brandy, Holland Gin, Jamaica Rum, & Pure Spirit, 1846-1848

1 vol.

This volume contains 15 pages of illustrated instructions for manufacturing brandy, gin, rum, and pure alcohol, kept by Manchester, Michigan, farmer Frederic A. Peck. Thirty-three pages of miscellaneous accounting for goods and labor follow the distilling instructions. Many of accounts pertain to corn husking, harvesting, haying, threshing, shearing (sheep), and other farm-related work. One account with John S. Barker includes a phrenological bust, a subscription for a phrenological journal, a flute, and a flute book.

This volume, dated 1846 to 1848, contains 15 pages of illustrated instructions for manufacturing brandy, gin, rum, and pure alcohol, kept by Manchester, Michigan, farmer Frederic A. Peck. Thirty-three pages of miscellaneous accounting for goods and labor follow the distilling instructions. Many of the accounts pertain to corn husking, harvesting, haying, threshing, shearing (sheep), and other farm-related work. One account with John S. Barker includes a phrenological bust, a subscription for a phrenological journal, a flute, and a flute book.

The instructional text includes a summary description of the composition and process of making spirituous liquors, step-by-step explanations of ingredients and processes, and recipes for N. E. and Jamaica rum. The illustrations include one of a filtering/rectifying tub and one of a distillation apparatus.

Collection

George Edward Burr Scrapbook, ca. 1840s-1850s

1 volume

The George Edward Burr scrapbook contains over 130 labels for various alcoholic products, assorted clippings mainly related to facets of the alcohol industry, handwritten notes including recipes for alcoholic beverages, and several patent designs by Burr.

The George Edward Burr scrapbook contains over 130 labels for various alcoholic products, assorted clippings mainly related to facets of the alcohol industry, handwritten notes including recipes for alcoholic beverages, and several patent designs by Burr.

The scrapbook (33.5 x 21 cm) has marbled paper covers with "Spiritual Guide No. 1" written on the front and contains approximately 100 pages. Labels for an extensive array of different alcoholic products can be found pasted in between pgs. 1 and 52. The majority of labels are for various French wines and brandies, though other alcoholic products (predominately spirits) from the Netherlands, Spain, Germany, England, Italy, Jamaica, Switzerland, Mexico, and the United States are also represented. Of particular note are a number of labels for products imported by George Edward Burr into Mexico. While it remains unconfirmed, this may have been the same George Edward Burr who was involved with the management of the Pedrigal Mining Company in Mexico.

Other items of note include the following:
  • Clippings mainly related to various aspects of alcohol production such as the manufacture of syrups, vinegars, acids, the use of yeast, etc.; use of essential oils, extracts, bitters, sweeteners, etc.; clarifying, bottling, and barreling processes; and descriptions of various types of spirits such as Tuscaloosa whiskey, apple brandy, New York gin, Jamaica Rum, etc.
  • A set of clipped engravings illustrating the stages of bottling champagne
  • Handwritten recipes (including several credited to other individuals including B. A. Auger of New Orleans) for various alcoholic products including absinthe, Jamaica rum, Scotch whiskey, Curacao, pale ale, stout, Eau de Noix, and more. Recipes for non-alcoholic products such as colored inks, sealing waxes, salted meat, Duffield hams, toilet soap, candles, etc. are also included
  • Handwritten descriptions in English and Spanish for various patent designs by Burr including cylindrical candles, white wax, and yellow wax. The candle descriptions also contain illustrations
  • A hand-drawn diagram of a 150 gallon still
  • A tipped-in advertisement from 1856 for Dr. H. James's tincture made from cannabis indica that includes a recipe, description, and testimonials
  • Clippings and labels related to various patent medicines

Collection

H. J. Carter record book, 1854-1855

1 volume

H. J. Carter, liquor agent, kept this tabular record of alcohol distribution in the city of Stockbridge, Massachusetts, between May 12, 1854, and April 6, 1855. Carter's entries include names, justifications for purchase, type of liquor, quantities, and costs. The types of alcohol sold by Carter included gin, rums, brandies, Madiera, Port wine, plain alcohol, and more. Medical and health-related needs of adults and children were the most frequent justifications for liquor requests. Alcohol was also purchased for the treatment of horses' injuries and illnesses, culinary reasons, and for reasons associated with labor.

H. J. Carter, liquor agent, kept this tabular record of alcohol distribution for the city of Stockbridge, Massachusetts, between May 12, 1854, and April 6, 1855. Carter's entries include names, justifications for purchase, type of liquor, quantities, and costs. He distributed to men, women, and the elderly who lived in Stockbridge or who were in town from elsewhere, such as Glendale, Great Barrington, Lee, Marlborough, and Tyringham. In rare cases, Carter noted information about freight, cartage, and purchases of tin measures, jugs, corks, and tin dripping pans.

The types of alcohol recorded by Carter included gin, rum, St. Croix rum, French brandy, cider brandy, "C___r" brandy, Madiera, Port wine, plain alcohol, and others. Medical and health-related entries are the most common in the volume. The variety of ailments, injuries, and treatments is significant; please see below for a partial list of relevant entries. In many cases non-specific terms were used, such as "sick" or "sickness." The purchaser in many cases was not the afflicted party and the ultimate recipients included wife, mother, brother, friend, neighbor, widow, "in family," folks, uncle, and others.

Some persons are present multiple times in the volume. Lucinda and Ira Collier, for example, received rum, brandy, and plain alcohol around 10 times over the course of the year. Ira and Lucinda were African American laborers and had multiple children. They received brandy for bathing or rubbing a child's limbs (August 15 and September 6, 1854; October 4, 1854; March 26, 1855; et al.). They received distributions for Lucinda's ague (December 37, 1854) and Ira's health and injuries (August 3, 4, and 13, et al.). On August 13, 1854, Ira's entry states "aint well any of the time." Ira also received alcohol for his labor and for injuries of another man ("at work in Lynch is well," September 18, 1854, and "for a fellow crushed," September 22, 1854).

The town selectmen had the authority to authorize distribution of alcohol to blue collar laborers, like Ira Collier. Entries state "for workmen" or specific types of work such as "bee hunting" (August 28, 1854) or haying (July 11, 1854; July 20, 1854; July 27, 1854). Special distributions were permitted after a mid-November 1854 fire and during a bridge construction project. Please see below for a partial list of relevant entries.

H. J. Carter did not specify race, ethnicity, or nationality on individuals purchasing alcohol—with the exception of several marked as Irish (July 18, September 9, and March 22, 1855, e.g.). The surname MacCabe appears on multiple occasions, though is only marked as "Irish" a couple of times.

In a few cases, buyers returned to ask H. J. Carter to replace liquor they had already purchased. The McCabe family, for example, broke a jug of gin "& lost 1st qt & had to try again" (August 4, 1854). A few other broken bottles were reported on August 17, August 22, and October 28, 1854. In one case, Mrs. Watts obtained brandy for medicinal purposes and the next day "returned the above wine not liking it" (February 23 and 24, 1855).

H. J. Carter provided alcohol to persons for use in the treatment of injured or sick horses, oxen, a cow, and a calf. For these purposes, he supplied brandy, French brandy, rum, gin, and plain alcohol. A very small number of these approximately 15 entries specify the nature of the sickness or injury. James Kilduff, for example, secured rum because "horse got into Brook" (September 18, 1854). In two cases, the occupation of the recipient was recorded. A "Book Peddler" secured rum for his horse on November 13, 1854, and "Driver" C. Fields obtained French brandy for his sick horse on July 23, 1854. Please see below for a partial list of relevant entries.

Carter was not permitted to sell any alcohol on Sundays. And, all weekdays in the volume document at least one patron. The only exception is the entry on March 13, 1855, a few weeks before the end of his one-year position. Ecstatic, he wrote: "Wonderful! Wonderful!! Health reigns triumphant not a drop of Rum called for to day The trade is ruined, & Drs. must will go mad! O! Oh!! Mercy."

The volume is a blank book, hand lined on cream paper; once the pages were filled, Carter inserted blue lined paper into the front and back, and ultimately the volume was hand sewn together, using newspaper for covers. In at least one case, Carter skipped a couple of pages, then when he noticed, he went back and filled them in. As a result, sometimes the progression of dates do not match the progression of pages.

A partial list of health-related entries include:
  • Ague in the face, ague and fever, ague and chills, etc. (December 4 and 27, 1854; March 15 and 20, 1855)
  • Asthma (rum, October 26, 1854)
  • Bathing, soaking, or topical treatments (May 22, May 26, June 9, June 10, June 17, July 18, July 29, August 10, August 11, August 14, August 17, September 27, September 30, October 4, 1854, et al.)
  • Boils (June 1, 1854)
  • Burns (October 24, 1854)
  • Cupping treatment (August 15, 1854)
  • Diarrhea (July 14, 1854)
  • Dropsy (February 10, 1855)
  • Dysentery (July 2 and 3, 1854)
  • Jaundice (June 10, 1854)
  • Back complaint (June 10, 1854; July 25, 1854)
  • Injuries, fractures, and cuts (February 28, 1855; March 1 and 14, 1855)
  • Hand and foot complaints (November 2, 1854; January 29, 1855; February 16, 1855)
  • Lame side (January 6 and 29, 1855)
  • Leg complaints (June 28, 1854; October 14, 1854)
  • Liver complaint (June 13, 1854)
  • Poisoning (June 20, 1854; September 17, 1854)
  • Rheumatism (July 17, 1854; September 2, 1854; October 7 and 11, 1854; November 24, 1854; March 15, 1855)
  • Shoulder complaint (July 17, 1854)
  • Sick from "drinkg so much water" (July 18, 1854)
  • Sprained ankle (September 11, 1854)
  • Sprained thumb and shoulder (Captain Willis, August 14, 1854)
  • Toothache (rum, November 2, 1854; December 6 and 30, 1854)
  • "Dissolve gums" (rum, August 16, 1854)
  • For a "watcher of sick" (August 27, 1854)
A partial list of culinary or ingredient entries include:
  • Bitters (November 2, 1854)
  • Cake: Mrs. Peggy Hull received Madeira Wine for a cake (July 3, 1854)
  • "Cookery": Purchase of brandy for cookery (November 9, 1854)
  • Preserves: Miss Tucker received rum for preserves (August 16, 1854)
A partial list of laborer or labor-related entries include:
  • "Bee hunting" (August 28, 1854)
  • Fire: "at the Fire", "for Mrs Joel Tuller", "at Fire", includes six recipients of alcohol. The Selectmen approved the amount used at "the Fire" and in building "the Bridge" (November 16, 1854)
  • Fire: "been watchg Fire" and Cold at the fire" (November 17 and 18, 1854)
  • "Haying," "To use in haying," and "Not well, haying" (July 11, 1854; July 20, 1854; July 27, 1854)
  • "Mechanical &c" (Sidy Rathbun, October 23, 1854)
  • Workmen and "Workmen in River" (June 21, September 12, and October 13, 1854)
A partial list of animal-related entries include:
  • Calf (June 20, 1854)
  • Cow (May 28, 1854)
  • Horses: Sick (June 19, June 29, July 23, September 1, and November 13, 1854; February 5, March 20, and March 31, April 4, 1855)
  • Horses: Wounds/Injuries (September 18 and September 26, 1854)
  • Oxen (February 5 and April 4, 1855)
A selection of unusual or unclear entries include:
  • "Back door trot!" Likely referring to diarrhea. (rum, Nick Rich, November 7, 1854)
  • "Burning" and "to burn" (August 14, 1854; November 18, 1854)
  • "Carry home" (May 30, 1854)
  • "Child lies stupid" (September 22, 1854)
  • "Essence" (June 20, 1854)
  • Hair (Peter Brewer, brandy to put on his hair, July 17, 1854)
  • Peppermint (Cyrus Miller, August 12, 1854)
  • Pregnant wife (by John McGinty for his wife, September 23, 1854)
  • Ruling paper (four quarts of alcohol, Frank Owen "for ruling paper," August 8, 1854)
  • Sacramental Madeira wine (Rev. Mr. Hiscox, August 19, 1854)
  • Underlined surname: Carter underlined four surnames in the volume without a stated reason. They are Isaac Stone (June 13, 1854), Nabobs (August 15, 1854), Mr. Rich (September 9, 1854), and Mr. Ireland (November 29, 1854)
  • Wedding (rum, Samuel Rathbun, October 14, 1854)
Collection

H. J. Carter record book, 1854-1855

1 volume

H. J. Carter, liquor agent, kept this tabular record of alcohol distribution in the city of Stockbridge, Massachusetts, between May 12, 1854, and April 6, 1855. Carter's entries include names, justifications for purchase, type of liquor, quantities, and costs. The types of alcohol sold by Carter included gin, rums, brandies, Madiera, Port wine, plain alcohol, and more. Medical and health-related needs of adults and children were the most frequent justifications for liquor requests. Alcohol was also purchased for the treatment of horses' injuries and illnesses, culinary reasons, and for reasons associated with labor.

H. J. Carter, liquor agent, kept this tabular record of alcohol distribution for the city of Stockbridge, Massachusetts, between May 12, 1854, and April 6, 1855. Carter's entries include names, justifications for purchase, type of liquor, quantities, and costs. He distributed to men, women, and the elderly who lived in Stockbridge or who were in town from elsewhere, such as Glendale, Great Barrington, Lee, Marlborough, and Tyringham. In rare cases, Carter noted information about freight, cartage, and purchases of tin measures, jugs, corks, and tin dripping pans.

The types of alcohol recorded by Carter included gin, rum, St. Croix rum, French brandy, cider brandy, "C___r" brandy, Madiera, Port wine, plain alcohol, and others. Medical and health-related entries are the most common in the volume. The variety of ailments, injuries, and treatments is significant; please see below for a partial list of relevant entries. In many cases non-specific terms were used, such as "sick" or "sickness." The purchaser in many cases was not the afflicted party and the ultimate recipients included wife, mother, brother, friend, neighbor, widow, "in family," folks, uncle, and others.

Some persons are present multiple times in the volume. Lucinda and Ira Collier, for example, received rum, brandy, and plain alcohol around 10 times over the course of the year. Ira and Lucinda were African American laborers and had multiple children. They received brandy for bathing or rubbing a child's limbs (August 15 and September 6, 1854; October 4, 1854; March 26, 1855; et al.). They received distributions for Lucinda's ague (December 37, 1854) and Ira's health and injuries (August 3, 4, and 13, et al.). On August 13, 1854, Ira's entry states "aint well any of the time." Ira also received alcohol for his labor and for injuries of another man ("at work in Lynch is well," September 18, 1854, and "for a fellow crushed," September 22, 1854).

The town selectmen had the authority to authorize distribution of alcohol to blue collar laborers, like Ira Collier. Entries state "for workmen" or specific types of work such as "bee hunting" (August 28, 1854) or haying (July 11, 1854; July 20, 1854; July 27, 1854). Special distributions were permitted after a mid-November 1854 fire and during a bridge construction project. Please see below for a partial list of relevant entries.

H. J. Carter did not specify race, ethnicity, or nationality on individuals purchasing alcohol—with the exception of several marked as Irish (July 18, September 9, and March 22, 1855, e.g.). The surname MacCabe appears on multiple occasions, though is only marked as "Irish" a couple of times.

In a few cases, buyers returned to ask H. J. Carter to replace liquor they had already purchased. The McCabe family, for example, broke a jug of gin "& lost 1st qt & had to try again" (August 4, 1854). A few other broken bottles were reported on August 17, August 22, and October 28, 1854. In one case, Mrs. Watts obtained brandy for medicinal purposes and the next day "returned the above wine not liking it" (February 23 and 24, 1855).

H. J. Carter provided alcohol to persons for use in the treatment of injured or sick horses, oxen, a cow, and a calf. For these purposes, he supplied brandy, French brandy, rum, gin, and plain alcohol. A very small number of these approximately 15 entries specify the nature of the sickness or injury. James Kilduff, for example, secured rum because "horse got into Brook" (September 18, 1854). In two cases, the occupation of the recipient was recorded. A "Book Peddler" secured rum for his horse on November 13, 1854, and "Driver" C. Fields obtained French brandy for his sick horse on July 23, 1854. Please see below for a partial list of relevant entries.

Carter was not permitted to sell any alcohol on Sundays. And, all weekdays in the volume document at least one patron. The only exception is the entry on March 13, 1855, a few weeks before the end of his one-year position. Ecstatic, he wrote: "Wonderful! Wonderful!! Health reigns triumphant not a drop of Rum called for to day The trade is ruined, & Drs. must will go mad! O! Oh!! Mercy."

The volume is a blank book, hand lined on cream paper; once the pages were filled, Carter inserted blue lined paper into the front and back, and ultimately the volume was hand sewn together, using newspaper for covers. In at least one case, Carter skipped a couple of pages, then when he noticed, he went back and filled them in. As a result, sometimes the progression of dates do not match the progression of pages.

A partial list of health-related entries include:
  • Ague in the face, ague and fever, ague and chills, etc. (December 4 and 27, 1854; March 15 and 20, 1855)
  • Asthma (rum, October 26, 1854)
  • Bathing, soaking, or topical treatments (May 22, May 26, June 9, June 10, June 17, July 18, July 29, August 10, August 11, August 14, August 17, September 27, September 30, October 4, 1854, et al.)
  • Boils (June 1, 1854)
  • Burns (October 24, 1854)
  • Cupping treatment (August 15, 1854)
  • Diarrhea (July 14, 1854)
  • Dropsy (February 10, 1855)
  • Dysentery (July 2 and 3, 1854)
  • Jaundice (June 10, 1854)
  • Back complaint (June 10, 1854; July 25, 1854)
  • Injuries, fractures, and cuts (February 28, 1855; March 1 and 14, 1855)
  • Hand and foot complaints (November 2, 1854; January 29, 1855; February 16, 1855)
  • Lame side (January 6 and 29, 1855)
  • Leg complaints (June 28, 1854; October 14, 1854)
  • Liver complaint (June 13, 1854)
  • Poisoning (June 20, 1854; September 17, 1854)
  • Rheumatism (July 17, 1854; September 2, 1854; October 7 and 11, 1854; November 24, 1854; March 15, 1855)
  • Shoulder complaint (July 17, 1854)
  • Sick from "drinkg so much water" (July 18, 1854)
  • Sprained ankle (September 11, 1854)
  • Sprained thumb and shoulder (Captain Willis, August 14, 1854)
  • Toothache (rum, November 2, 1854; December 6 and 30, 1854)
  • "Dissolve gums" (rum, August 16, 1854)
  • For a "watcher of sick" (August 27, 1854)
A partial list of culinary or ingredient entries include:
  • Bitters (November 2, 1854)
  • Cake: Mrs. Peggy Hull received Madeira Wine for a cake (July 3, 1854)
  • "Cookery": Purchase of brandy for cookery (November 9, 1854)
  • Preserves: Miss Tucker received rum for preserves (August 16, 1854)
A partial list of laborer or labor-related entries include:
  • "Bee hunting" (August 28, 1854)
  • Fire: "at the Fire", "for Mrs Joel Tuller", "at Fire", includes six recipients of alcohol. The Selectmen approved the amount used at "the Fire" and in building "the Bridge" (November 16, 1854)
  • Fire: "been watchg Fire" and Cold at the fire" (November 17 and 18, 1854)
  • "Haying," "To use in haying," and "Not well, haying" (July 11, 1854; July 20, 1854; July 27, 1854)
  • "Mechanical &c" (Sidy Rathbun, October 23, 1854)
  • Workmen and "Workmen in River" (June 21, September 12, and October 13, 1854)
A partial list of animal-related entries include:
  • Calf (June 20, 1854)
  • Cow (May 28, 1854)
  • Horses: Sick (June 19, June 29, July 23, September 1, and November 13, 1854; February 5, March 20, and March 31, April 4, 1855)
  • Horses: Wounds/Injuries (September 18 and September 26, 1854)
  • Oxen (February 5 and April 4, 1855)
A selection of unusual or unclear entries include:
  • "Back door trot!" Likely referring to diarrhea. (rum, Nick Rich, November 7, 1854)
  • "Burning" and "to burn" (August 14, 1854; November 18, 1854)
  • "Carry home" (May 30, 1854)
  • "Child lies stupid" (September 22, 1854)
  • "Essence" (June 20, 1854)
  • Hair (Peter Brewer, brandy to put on his hair, July 17, 1854)
  • Peppermint (Cyrus Miller, August 12, 1854)
  • Pregnant wife (by John McGinty for his wife, September 23, 1854)
  • Ruling paper (four quarts of alcohol, Frank Owen "for ruling paper," August 8, 1854)
  • Sacramental Madeira wine (Rev. Mr. Hiscox, August 19, 1854)
  • Underlined surname: Carter underlined four surnames in the volume without a stated reason. They are Isaac Stone (June 13, 1854), Nabobs (August 15, 1854), Mr. Rich (September 9, 1854), and Mr. Ireland (November 29, 1854)
  • Wedding (rum, Samuel Rathbun, October 14, 1854)
Collection

Jacob A. Kip account book, 1742-1780

1 volume

Jacob A. Kip, a Dutch-descended New Yorker, kept this account book between 1742 and 1780, recording his customers' purchases. Kip operated a tavern and ran a ferry across the East River between Manhattan and Brooklyn. The accounts include debtors' names, goods or services, and prices. Tavern accounts contain ongoing purchases of mugs, drams, and other relatively small amounts of alcoholic beverages (such as beer, cider, rum, wine, gin, grog, sling, toddies, and punch), tobacco, occasional breakfasts, and dinners. Ferry-related charges include the number of people (e.g., transport of a man, a wife, and a servant) and horses, and/or the goods being transported. Kip wrote phonetically in English and Dutch, and a number of his clients had Dutch surnames. Rarely, Kip noted the professions of his customers (such as a schoolteacher and a clerk).

Jacob A. Kip, a Dutch-descended New Yorker, kept this account book between 1742 and 1780, recording his customers' purchases. Kip operated a tavern and ran a ferry across the East River between Manhattan and Brooklyn. The accounts include debtors' names, goods or services, and prices. Tavern accounts contain ongoing purchases of mugs, drams, and other relatively small amounts of alcoholic beverages (such as beer, cider, rum, wine, gin, grog, sling, toddies, and punch), tobacco, occasional breakfasts, and dinners. Ferry-related charges include the number of people (e.g., transport of a man, a wife, and a servant) and horses, and/or the goods being transported.

Kip wrote phonetically in English and Dutch, and a number of his clients had Dutch surnames. Rarely, Kip noted the professions of his customers (such as a schoolteacher and a clerk).

Collection

John Wilson ledger, 1794-1816

1 volume, with enclosure

The James Wilson ledger is a volume of approximately 660 pages, made up of accounts for individuals and corporations, mostly in Hunterdon County, New Jersey, between 1794 and 1816. The collection also includes about 50 small items, mostly receipts relating to Wilson's business, that were originally enclosed in the ledger.

Wilson divided the ledger into three sections, for which he hand-numbered the pages. In the third section, beginning around 1802, he not only listed the names of his customers, but also frequently recorded their residences or occupations. Women tended to be identified as "daughter of," "wife of," or "widow of" a male relative.

Wilson's customers occupied a spectrum of social statuses. Many of the patrons were listed as farmers or artisans, but the ledger also includes accounts for professionals and gentleman as well as newly freed African Americans, household servants, and apprentices. Most of these customers seemed to reside in the towns of Lebanon, Bethlehem, and Kingwood, in Hunterdon County, New Jersey, but Wilson also traded with merchants from Trenton and Philadelphia.

In the earliest entries, dating from 1794, Wilson seems to have traded mostly in wines and spirits, including whisky, spruce beer, port, sherry, rum, cider, and claret. Most of his early customers paid in cash or "bottles returned." Further in the ledger, Wilson's sales broaden to include household goods (chiefly tea, coffee, and sugar), fabric, and clothing. In return, he received services and goods, as well as cash.

This collection also consists of approximately 50 small items, mostly receipts, at one time enclosed in the ledger. Items of note include 2 contracts, dated 1807, for schoolmaster James Hill, an undated note addressed to "Mrs. Wilson" from Theodosia Coxe about household goods, and some basic sketches in the front and end papers of the ledger. An index of the approximately 100 accounts listed under women's names may be found in the control file.

Collection

Levi E. Kent journal, 1861-1862

1 volume

The journal of Levi E. Kent, of the 4th Rhode Island Infantry, Company F., provides an account of his regiment's movements, battles, pastimes, entertainments, and lifestyle.

Although Kent served for only one year during the Civil War, he left an outstanding account of his regiment's movements, battles, pastimes, entertainments, and lifestyle. A good writer and capable of holding forth for several pages on a single engry, Kent's journal virtually amounts to a regimental history. Of special interest is his reporting on the palace intrigue among the officers of the 4th Rhode Island.