Collections : [University of Michigan William L. Clements Library]

These two account books record the income and expenses of Peter F. Wheeler, a palm leaf splitter and farmer who lived in Grafton and Petersham, Massachusetts, in the mid-19th century. One volume primarily concerns the costs of finishing calfskins and other labor performed in Grafton between 1832 and 1847, and the second records Wheeler's finances between 1860 and 1872.

These two account books record the income and expenses of Peter F. Wheeler, a palm leaf splitter and farmer who lived in Grafton and Petersham, Massachusetts, in the mid-19th century. The first volume (84 pages) primarily concerns the costs of finishing animal skins in Grafton, Massachusetts, between September 1832 and September 1849, and the second (170 pages) details Wheeler's finances, including the income he earned as a palm leaf splitter and general laborer.

Volume 1 primarily contains accounts related to the costs of numerous types of labor in Grafton, Massachusetts. The first 79 pages consist of personal accounts Peter F. Wheeler kept between September 1832 and September 1849, pertaining to the cost of working with animal hides. Pages 19 through 75 record Wheeler's accounts with "Captain Jona. Warren," for whom Wheeler finished boots, hides, and other leather products between September 1842 and April 1847. Three pages of accounts note Wheeler's work finishing calfskins and doing other labor in Grafton and Petersham between September 1847 and September 1849. These accounts are followed by 5 pages covering labor done by Samuel W. Flagg, Moses Hook, and Elisha W. Hinds between April 1844 and January 27, 1847, including a record of the days they were absent from work.

Volume 2 contains 170 pages of personal accounts Wheeler kept between February 1860 and October 1872, while he lived and worked in Petersham, Massachusetts. Most of these are double entry accounts that show Wheeler's credits and debits with farmers for whom he split palm leaves and worked as a farm laborer by hoeing, planting, plowing, and haying. He often received payment in foodstuffs, such as apples, potatoes, and butter, and in labor. Employers included Adin Tolman, Josiah B. Goddard, and Moses Gates, and in the late 1860s, Wheeler often worked on boards for the firm Eaton & Dunn. At least four accounts reflect women's expenses; in exchange for their labor, Wheeler provided clothing, whiskey, and similar items (pp. 36-37, 82-83, 102-103, 116-117, 128-129). The accounts on page 158 list the cost for sending mail in Denison, Iowa, between 1867 and 1872. Supplemental financial notes at the end of the volume include cash and other items received (pp. 151-157, July 5, 1867-October 31, 1872), cash paid (p. 160, November 1, 1866-July 6, 1872), taxes paid to Petersham, Massachusetts (p. 161, August 30, 1869-October 31, 1871), and expenses (pp. 166-170, May 7, 1862-May 3, 1864).

Sixteen notes and receipts are laid into the volume, including a page of genealogical information about Justus H. Tillman of Columbia, South Carolina, and two tax receipts from 1868 and 1872.

This collection contains letters that Santo R. Ferrara received during his service in the United States Navy Seabees during World War II. His brother Henry offered advice about military life, and other military personnel commented on their experiences at bases in the United States. The collection also includes a letter that Ferrara wrote to his wife and daughter and a Christmas card that he sent to a friend.

This collection (37 items) contains letters that Santo R. Ferrara received during his service in the United States Navy Seabees during World War II, including 21 letters from his brother Henry, a member of the United States Navy Reserve, and numerous letters from other military personnel. Also included are a letter that Ferrara wrote to his wife and daughter and a Christmas card that he sent to a friend.

Henry Ferrara, who wrote from October 6, 1943-November 5, 1945, encouraged his brother to remain in the United States during the war, shared news of their mother and mutual acquaintances, and commented on his life and work in Washington, D.C. His single letter to Marjorie Ferrara congratulates her on the birth of her daughter (December 5, 1943).

Santo Ferrara's other correspondents included Paul Feldman Cox, who served with a navy demolition unit, and Corporal Tony Pirrone of the Army's 806th Tank Destroyer Battalion. Cox complained about his training at Camp Peary, Virginia, and described his work after a transfer to the Marine Corps unit; he was reassigned to Fort Pierce, Florida, in January 1944, where he became an instructor after his unit shipped out in late February. Pirrone discussed his experiences at Camp Rucker, Alabama; commented on his health; and shared his plans to get married after the end of the war. Ferrara also received a V-mail letter from James E. O'Toole, a member of Seabee Detachment 1040, about O'Toole's time in North Africa ([February] 12, 1944).

After the end of hostilities, Henry and Billy Ferrara wrote to their brother Santo about the possibility of being discharged under the military's point system. Billy Ferrara described the Philippines and expressed uncertainty as to whether he would become a member of the occupying forces. He also remarked on the bartering system between American soldiers and Filipino natives and shared the prices of commodities

Santo Ferrara wrote 2 items: a Christmas card to Mr. and Mrs. John Wallace of Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts (December 15, 1943), and a letter to his wife and daughter about his assignment to specialized classes at Camp Endicott, Rhode Island; his letter encloses a "C.B." emblem (December 22, 1943). The collection also contains a hand-colored illustration of a palm tree on a beach and the words "Happy Birthday," signed by Henry Ferrara.