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

The Deardorff family papers consist of 109 letters, 6 V-mail envelopes, 2 Christmas cards, and 1 newsletter. Dale Deardorff wrote most of the letters from his military posts to his parents and sister, Jane, in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, and to his brother Bob in Virginia. Donald Price wrote 4 letters from Texas and Italy. The collection provides details of the daily lives of soldiers as they trained for and fought in World War II.

The Deardorff family papers consist of 109 letters, 6 V-mail envelopes, 2 Christmas cards, and 1 newsletter. Dale Deardorff wrote most of the letters from his military posts to his parents and sister, Jane, in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, and to his brother Bob in Virginia. Donald Price wrote 4 letters from Texas and Italy: 1 to Jane and 3 to his Aunt Anna Deardorff, who was also living in Gettysburg. A man with the last name of Geiman wrote 1 postcard to Erle and Ipha Deardorff.

When Dale was in basic training at Camp Croft in South Carolina, he wrote letters to his parents nearly every day. This pattern continued when he was stationed at Fort George G. Meade in Maryland and at an undisclosed location in New England. Once Dale was shipped to England, his correspondence home became more sporadic. His letters primarily provide information about his daily training activities, the weather, family affairs, and the soldiers' recreational activities. He often mentioned spending time at USO centers. Dale described the physical features of the locales where he was stationed in great detail.

Many of Dale's letters contain enclosures. On August 3, 1943, he recounted his first experience on an obstacle course and included a sketch of the course. Dale also attached a photograph of himself with a friend, taken while his friend's family was visiting, to his letter of August 14, 1943. Two newspaper articles regarding obstacle courses, including the one at Camp Croft, are enclosed with Dale's letter to his father on September 12, 1943. On September 15, 1943, Dale wrote a short message to his mother, referring to the USO calendar of events on which he was writing. A small calendar, in which he kept the addresses of his friends from basic training, accompanied Dale's letter of November 26, 1943. The front cover displayed an image of a pin-up girl. Many of his letters are on postcards and illustrated stationery from Camp Croft, the USO, the 31st Infantry Training Battalion, and the U.S. Army.

Don wrote 4 letters from his military post in Laredo, Texas, and from Italy, where he was stationed during the war. The short message from Laredo is on an illustrated postcard and was addressed to Jane. In it, he briefly described the city and the people. His later messages were directed to his Aunt Anna. They provide details about the daily life of a soldier in the Army Air Corps. In his last letter, Don mentioned meeting a few British soldiers and shared details about the time he spent with them.

The final postcard, from "Mr. Geiman," is an invitation for Mr. and Mrs. Deardorff to attend a service flag dedication at a church.

The collection contains 6 empty V-mail envelopes addressed from Dale to his parents and postmarked from England. In addition, the collection includes 2 Christmas cards, both from Dale. One is for Jane and the other is for his parents. Also part of the collection is a newsletter from Dale's battalion at Camp Croft, dated July 10, 1943. It consists of articles related to various events and to people in the battalion. On the last page, Dale wrote a short note to Jane, explaining that she might enjoy reading the stories.

This volume contains the text of two debates held by a debating society during the latter half of the nineteenth century. The society compared the relative merits of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln and discussed whether men and women have equal mental capacities.

This manuscript book of a late 19th-century meeting of an unknown debating society contains the text of two debates. The first argument (76 pages) was to debate whether George Washington or Abraham Lincoln was "the greater man." Individual speakers, whose names have often been added in pencil, are identified as supporting either Washington or Lincoln. Those who advocated for Washington concentrated on his military service and his role in establishing the United States. One repeated argument in his favor, for example, was his refusal to accept a royal title after leading the Continental Army to victory over British forces. Those who favored Lincoln focused on his character, decisions made during the Civil War, and eventual martyrdom. The matter was taken to a vote following an argument that both presidents deserved to be lauded. The middle of this debate is marked by a brief foray into Constitutional issues, particularly the advisability of introducing amendments, though the argument soon returned to its original topic. An additional argument in favor of Washington, written on a separate piece of paper, is placed inside the book's front cover.

• "Abraham Lincoln: Lord of Himself, Leader of Others," laid into the front of the volume (undated)
• "Dallas Academy and Washington's Birthday," containing the program for the Philomethean Society's celebration of George Washington's 152nd birthday, pasted into the volume (1884)
• "Stand Points in the Life and Times of Washington," containing extracts from a speech delivered by Erastus Brooks on February 22, 1866, pinned into a page in the volume (undated)
• "Washington's Birthday," commemorating the 153rd anniversary of George Washington's birth, pasted into the volume (1885)
• Untitled article examining aspects of Abraham Lincoln's character, pasted into the volume (undated)

The second debate (50 pages) concerned a comparison of the "Mental Capacities of the Sexes," specifically whether the minds of women are equal to those men. After heated debate, centered on the more prominent historical roles of men and the impact of women in the domestic and maternal spheres, the group decided overwhelmingly ("Loud cries of All, All") that the genders did share equivalent mental capacities. This debate was briefly interrupted following a general outcry over contentious remarks made by a man named Spooner.

This manuscript, titled "Toasts," includes 13 toasts along with actual or suggested musical accompaniment for each pronouncement. The speeches express strong support for the Democratic Party and regard such individuals as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Andrew Jackson, Martin Van Buren, Richard M. Johnson, James Madison, and Thomas Hart Benton. One toast decries the Bank of the United States.

This manuscript, titled "Toasts," includes 13 toasts along with actual or suggested musical accompaniment for each pronouncement. The speeches express strong support for the Democratic Party and regard such individuals as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Andrew Jackson, Martin Van Buren, Richard M. Johnson, James Madison, and Thomas Hart Benton. One toast decries the Bank of the United States. Musical accompaniment includes "The Rights of Man," "Hail Columbia," "Jackson's March," "Auld Lang Syne," "Roslin Castle," "Rogues March," "Yankee Doodle," "Hail to the Chief," the "Star Spangled Banner," and others.

The manuscript bears strikethroughs and revisions, suggesting that it is a working copy. Its reference to President Andrew Jackson and to Martin Van Buren ("worthy to succeed the illustrious Jackson") suggest a likely date of July 4, 1836.

The Delta, Colorado photograph album contains approximately 90 photographs compiled by Gertrude L. Hick related to the Hick family residence and neighborhood in Delta, Colorado, and excursions to various locations in Colorado.

The Delta, Colorado photograph album contains approximately 90 photographs compiled by Gertrude L. Hick related to the Hick family residence and neighborhood in Delta, Colorado, and excursions to various locations in Colorado.

The album (18 x 27 cm) is disbound and has a grey cloth cover with gilt stamped title "The Kodak Book." The album was compiled by Gertrude L. Hick, the wife of physician Lawrence A. Hick, and presented as a Christmas gift to her mother. Images of interest include photographs of the landscape near Delta, Colorado; Gertrude and Lawrence Hick with their young son; the Hick family residence and neighboring homes on Main Street; neighborhood children; the Hicks with friends on excursions to Grand Mesa and Colorado Springs; frontier cabins; and several views of Pitkin, Colorado, including two photographs of mining camps. Two large photographs show the exterior and interior of the Delta Cash Grocery, a store managed by Gertrude's brother, Byram Luce. Additional photographs show a group of children gathered around a maypole; several views of La Platte, Nebraska (Gertrude's hometown); and a bearded man, possibly Delta carpenter Albert Tillotson, displaying his woodcarvings which is captioned, "Compliments of Mr. and Mrs. Tillotson."

This collection is made up of 158 letters, 8 speeches and writings, 36 documents, 25 ephemeral items and currency, 5 pamphlets or booklets, 43 newspaper clippings, 26 lithographs, and 99 photographs by or related to Lieutenant Colonel Demas Lindley Sears. The bulk of the collection pertains to his service as a mid-level intelligence officer in the U.S. Army's 37th Infantry Division during World War II. A small portion of the collection reflects his service in the 8th Ohio Infantry Regiment during the Punitive Expedition of 1916 and in the First U.S. Cavalry during World War I.

This collection is made up of 158 letters, 8 speeches and writings, 36 documents, 25 ephemeral items and currency, 5 pamphlets or booklets, 43 newspaper clippings, 26 lithographs, and 99 photographs by or related to Lieutenant Colonel Demas Lindley Sears. The bulk of the collection pertains to his service as a mid-level intelligence officer in the U.S. Army's 37th Infantry Division during World War II. A small portion of the collection reflects his service in the 8th Ohio Infantry Regiment during the Punitive Expedition of 1916 and in the First U.S. Cavalry during World War I.

The Correspondence begins with a telegram and four letters respecting the death of Demas and Lura Sears's child in August 1918. The remainder of the correspondence is made up of original and contemporary carbon copies of letters by Demas L. Sears between 1942 and 1946. The bulk of one hundred and forty three letters are personal letters from Demas "Pop" to his wife Lura "Mother" and daughter Frances "Baby," or from Demas to others, between January 1944 and December 1945.

Lt. Col. Sears was an engaging writer and he described everyday experiences with thoughtful attention to detail. Within the restrictive confines of military censorship, he was unable to share what he called "real news," but wrote about his living quarters, food, plans for his return home, requests for letters and photographs, and generally about life in the South Pacific. He sent his wife souvenirs, such as a Japanese rifle and an entrenching shovel. His descriptions of combat and war atrocities are vivid (see, for example, his letters from late February 1945, as the 37th fought to capture Manila).

Between April 2 and July 4, 1943, Demas Sears wrote a 46-page letter to his wife in a diary-like form. He kept the letter as an uncensored account of his time on the Fiji Islands and Guadalcanal (before departing for New Georgia). It is accompanied by a typescript of the letter, titled "From the Fiji Islands to Guadalcanal with the 37th Division."

Between March 8 and September 14, 1945, Demas also composed 10 diary-like letters, producing multiple carbon copies for Lura to distribute to particular family members. In the margins, Demas identified (by hand) March 8 and September 14 as the first and last of these "family bulletins," and provided his wife with lists of intended recipients.

A series of Writings and Speeches include one war date essay and eight postwar speeches. From the Solomon Islands after November 14, 1942, he reflected thoughtfully on the war as a "young man's war" (he was able to identify a total of 22 men out of 14,000 who had served in World War I) and the importance of maintaining U.S. military strength in peacetime. His speeches relate to his war experiences and his audiences included a Congregational Church Men's Club, a Memorial Day gathering at Bucyrus, an American Legion group, and others.

The collection's 36 Documents, 1917-1946 (bulk 1942-1946), include certificates and orders related to Demas Sears's commendations and awards; training materials; intelligence (G-2 Reports, copies of a captured and translated Japanese Sergeant's diary, summaries of the interrogations of General Tomoyuki Yamashita, a Japanese map of the Pacific, etc.), and other similar papers.

Seventy-one Printed Items include ephemera and currency, booklets and pamphlets, and newspaper clippings. Among the ephemeral items are three unique World War I-era holiday menus; a menu for a 1945 banquet in honor of Maj. Gen. Robert S. Beightler; admission and transport tickets; Japanese currency; two World War I-era record of service posters, and a manuscript note in Japanese. The two posters are located in the Graphics Division, and more information can be found in the Separated Materials section. The five booklets and pamphlets are each listed in the box and folder listing below. Forty-three newspaper clippings pertain to Lt. Col. Sears's World War II service.

The printed items also include 26 lithographs of pencil sketches by Edward "E. J." Dollriehs of the headquarters battery of the 37th Division. His illustrations include buildings, airfields, military headquarters, portraits, and the wreckage of Japanese planes. Dollriehs identified each with captions; most of the images are from the Luzon provinces of Bulacan, Pampanga, Pangasinan, and Tarlac.

The Sears papers contain 99 Photographs. Fifteen images from the period of Sears's service in World War I include two panoramic photographs of the First Cavalry Regiment, one panoramic photograph of the headquarters staff of the 37th Division, and 12 snapshots and portraits. The collection also contains 84 photographs from Sears's World War II service in the Pacific, including individual and group portraits, snapshots depicting camp life; a series of aerial snapshots taken from a C-47 on a leaflet-dropping mission over the Philippine Islands; five photographs of a Kava Ceremony in the Fiji Islands; and a selection of confidential Signal Corps photographs.

The Denckla-Maison family papers contain business and family correspondence and financial documents primarily concerning various land holdings and other financial matters of the Denckla and Maison families, who owned substantial property in Pennsylvania throughout the mid-19th century.

The Denckla-Maison family papers consist primarily of intra-family correspondence, usually regarding monetary affairs and real estate. Several themes are common throughout the collection, with a number of letters comprising lengthy correspondence series between different members of the family. Throughout the late 1800s, William P. Denckla and his wife, Julia wrote to his sister, Mary, asking her for financial support. The collection also includes a significant amount of correspondence from William Maison to his parents, Peter and Augusta Maison, describing his life with the Pollock family in Como, Illinois, in the 1850s and, later, his intent to permanently settle there. Other main topics of correspondence are land transactions, insurance policies, and Mary Denckla's inheritance of C. Paul Denckla's estate. Several items relate to the property dispute between William Pollock and Peter Maison, and other legal cases and lawsuits are also well represented. Though the bulk of the collection consists of correspondence, the collection also holds documents and ephemera. Among these are several notarized powers of attorney, hand-drawn maps, financial calculations, and business cards. Particular examples include a series of invoices for seats at a local church, a poem entitled "Hard Times," a deed for a grave plot and use of a sepulcher, and a certified copy of Augustus Denckla's will.

1. Executrix of estate of C. Paul Denckla, by Mary Denckla, 6 January 1861-2 November 1885
2. Executrix of estate of C. Paul Denckla, by Mary Denckla, 19 November 1861-19 May 1888
3. C. Paul Denckla receipt book, 30 December 1823-26 October 1843
4. Kate M. Maison travel journal, 12 May 1869-30 July 1870
5. Peter and Augusta Maison letter book, 17 November 1858-8 March 1862
6. Augusta Maison letter book, 20 March 1862-14 July 1874
7. C. Paul Denckla receipt book, 18 November 1843-3 December 1853
8. C. Paul Denckla receipt book, 1852-1876
9. Peter and Augusta Maison receipt book, 8 August 1825-24 August 1885
10. Henry J. Denckla receipt book, 1 March 1845-19 August 1851
11. [Augusta Maison] account book, 15 November 1866-26 January 1876
12. Isaac Wampole receipt book, 7 August 1815-26 November 1826
13. C. Paul Denckla account book, 12 October 1842-14 December 1842
14. Mary Denckla account book, 12 September 1869-21 June 1872
15. [Augusta Maison] account book, 3 January 1874-4 January 1884
16. [Augusta Maison] account book, 6 January 1873-12 December 1884
17. [C. Paul Denckla] rent book, 7 May 1844-January 1853
18. [C. Paul Denckla] rent book, 11 October 1854-6 April 1872
19. [Mary Denckla] rent book, 1877-1889
20. Inventory of the estate of Paul Denckla, by Mary Denckla, 8 November 1861-9 May 1867

This collection contains 15 letters and1 bill of lading related to Dr. Dennis Delany of Great Mills, Maryland, and St. Louis, Missouri. Henry Wells, a resident of Baltimore, Maryland, wrote 11 letters to Delany between 1832 and 1835, describing his life in Baltimore and commenting on local epidemics. The remainder of the collection is made up of 3 additional letters addressed to Delany, a letter that Delany wrote to his wife, and a bill of lading concerning goods shipped from Philadelphia to New Orleans.

This collection contains 15 letters and 1 bill of lading related to Dr. Dennis Delany of Great Mills, Maryland, and St. Louis, Missouri.

Henry S. Wells, a resident of Baltimore, Maryland, and a friend of the Delany family, wrote 11 letters to Dennis Delany between 1832 and 1835. He occasionally commented on ships arriving at Baltimore and shared news of Delany's family, including updates about a brother traveling in France and reports of the death of Delany's father on January 5, 1834. Wells also took interest in the city's health, mentioning the presence of cholera, bilious fever, and smallpox, both locally and in other cities. In two letters, he briefly mentioned political events, such as the Nullification Crisis (April 8, 1833), the failed appointments of Andrew Stevenson and Roger B. Taney (June 24, 1834), and the Baltimore Bank Riot, after which he served in a military guard (August 29, 1835). Delany also received personal correspondence from three other acquaintances. William Ward invited him to a social visit (January 23, 1833), Benedict Millburn wrote of health concerns in Washington, D.C. (April 9, 1833), and Dr. H. Morris wrote an account of the death of Delany's father (January 5, 1834). Two later items are a brief letter that Delany wrote to his wife from Louisville, Kentucky (September 20, 1838), and a partially printed bill of lading from Phineas Janney, a Philadelphia merchant, for a cask of Burgundy wine shipped to Dennis Delany via New Orleans (May 4, 1840).

The Dennis K. Sullivan photograph album contains 28 images compiled by Detroit, Michigan-based detective Dennis K. Sullivan, including 27 portraits primarily of men and women accused of various crimes, the majority of whom are identified through inscriptions.

The Dennis K. Sullivan photograph album contains 28 images compiled by Detroit, Michigan-based detective Dennis K. Sullivan, including 27 portraits primarily of men and women accused of various crimes, the majority of whom are identified through inscriptions.

The album (15 x 11.5 cm) is a cartes de visite album with embossed brown leather covers, an ornate metal clasp, and gilt-edged pages.

• Tintype portrait of a bearded white man captioned "Dennis K. Sullivan Detroit Mich Detective"
• Carte de visite portrait of a white man with a mustache captioned "Yours Truly, P. W. Herriet (Zeb Crummet)"
• Tintype portrait of a white man captioned "George Lowle suspected of setting fire to the Punchard School House at Andover"
• Carte de visite portrait of an unidentified bearded white man; inscription on verso reads "Wanted in Chicago"
• Carte de visite portrait of a bearded white man taken by Fisher Bros. of Boston; inscription on verso reads "Geo. F. Hartwell of Sandwich Mass left there on the afternoon of Dec. 18 1867 and that was the last was seen of him. He was agoing to Boston and had $1000 in his pocket to pay some bills"
• Photographic reproduction of a photographic portrait of a white man captioned "Bryant T. Henry Defaulter from the Shawmut Bank of 63,000 in money he went to Cuba and was found there by two of the Directors and they settled with him and took 24,000 of the money and let him off"
• Photographic reproduction of a carte de visite portrait of a bearded white man captioned "Dr. Miller 1742"; inscription on verso reads "Rec’d from Chief of Police of San Francisco Cali."; Printed photographer credits of "E. P. Dunshee 2 Tremont Row, Boston" crossed out on verso
• Carte de visite portrait of a white man with a moustache taken by G. H. Loomis of Boston; inscription on verso reads "Thomas the absconding Forger from Hanover st his business was the Hope Envelope Company"
• Carte de visite portrait of a white man taken by Wm. H. Wardwell of Boston captioned "Henry Goodrich"; inscription on verso reads "Missing since April 29th Henry Goodrich Age 29 yrs, 5 ft. 9 Weight 150 lb. light complexion supposed to be temporary insane. Resides 72 West Canton Street Boston"
• Carte de visite portrait of a white woman taken by Wyman & Co. of Boston; inscription on verso reads "Mrs. Coolidge Hotel Beat Sneak Thief Swindler and female Confidence Woman"
• Carte de visite portrait of a white child taken by Wyman & Co. of Boston; inscription on verso reads "Mrs. Coolidge Boy"
• Carte de visite portrait of an unidentified white woman (likely "Mrs. Coolidge") taken by R. B. Lewis of Hudson, Massachusetts
• Carte de visite group portrait of two white women taken by Wyman & Co. of Boston; inscription on verso reads "With tie Bonnet on is Mrs. Coolidge"
• Tintype portrait of a white woman captioned "Lizzie Smith, Larceny of 2 Dreses front Jassie Brigham"
• Tintype portrait of a white woman; inscription on verso reads "Fannie Thompson alias Gallager - 24 Gonch st Care of M. A. Davis. Fannie used to live corner of Crosby & Prince Sts. N. York March 18. 1869 20 yrs old this date"
• Carte de visite portrait of a white man with a moustache taken by Dunshee’s New Photograph Parlor of Boston; inscription on verso reads "Josiah D. Hunt, alias J. H. Dexter absconded from Providence R.I. with $50,00.00 liabilities case Parker & Caldwell Boston Mass."
• Second copy of carte de visite portrait of Josiah D. Hunt
• Third copy of carte de visite portrait of Josiah D. Hunt
• Carte de visite portrait of a white man with a moustache; inscription on verso reads "James Whitney - Singer, Sedused the Wife of Williard the Artist"
• Gem tintype portrait of a white man with a moustache captioned "Daniels Foxboro"; inscription on verso reads "Daniels of Foxboro Mass About 25 years old 5 ft 11 high Well built, light Complexion Auburn hair, redish moustach piped him for his brother"
• Carte de visite portrait of a white man taken by Black & Case of Boston captioned "Daniel Brown"; inscription on verso reads "Daniel Brown Wanted by Thomas D. Kendrick for Forgery $20,00"; revenue stamp dated Jan 16 1865 on verso
• Carte de visite portrait of a white man with a moustache taken by C. L. Howe of Brattleboro, Vermont captioned "Tom Maguire"; inscription on verso reads "Thos. Maguire Tom Mcguire Reporter"; album page includes piece of scrap paper with inscription reading "Ring Thief"
• Gem tintype portrait of a bearded white man attached to business card of Boston grocers Carr, Chase & Raymond; inscription on verso reads "Policeman Barry & Son stole $1000 from Hayley New? & Boyden, got 18 months"
• Gem tintype portrait of a white man with a moustache captioned "Cheeney’s picture"
• Carte de visite group portrait of two white men taken by J. U. P. Burnham of Portland, Maine; inscription on verso reads "Charles Brown & James R. Rickett"
• Carte de visite portrait of a white woman taken by Geo. F. Parlow of New Bedford, Massachusetts captioned "Mary M. Heller"; inscription on verso reads "Picture of Mary M. Heller Newbedford Mass. Address J. H. Briggs Box 62 Newtonville Mass. or Mrs. Russell No 1 Rickerson court Newbedford Mass."
• Carte de visite portrait of a white man with a moustache taken by B. P. Browne of Boston; inscription on verso reads "Edward Sweetler, alias Professor Maurice, " " Rupert"
• Carte de visite portrait of a white woman taken by Gilchrest of Lowell, Massachusetts; inscriptions on verso read "Hattie W. Blanchard about 30, light compl, blue eyes, medium hight" and "She had a Fancy Man by the Name of Williams She lives at 105 Plesant St"

This collection contains 11 letters that Dennis McElhone wrote to his friend, Andrew B. Cochran of Pottsville, Pennsylvania, in 1860. McElhone commented on life in Washington, D.C., where he worked as an assistant messenger for the United States House of Representatives, and remarked on political issues such as the presidential election of 1860.

This collection contains 11 letters that Dennis McElhone ("Denny") wrote to his friend, Andrew B. Cochran ("Andy") of Pottsville, Pennsylvania, from February 16, 1860-July 23, 1860. McElhone commented on life in Washington, D.C., where he worked as an assistant messenger for the United States House of Representatives. He wrote about political issues, such as possible nominees for the presidential election of 1860, and inquired about friends in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. McElhone expressed his support for the Democratic Party, but indicated his willingness to vote for a Republican candidate under certain circumstances. He also described differences between the North and the South, commented on sectionalism in politics, and mentioned mutual acquaintances and his plans to visit Pennsylvania. For more information, see the Detailed Box and Folder Listing below.

This account book contains financial records for customers' purchases from Dennis Skehan's tavern from 1767 to 1772, principally of alcoholic beverages though he also sold other items. Entries that note fees for boarding and food indicate that the tavern may also have functioned as an inn. A number of entries reflect the making or repair of clothing and shoes, suggesting some tailoring work may have also been happening in the family. In addition to cash, patrons also payed via goods and labor, indicating a barter system was operating. The exchange documented throughout for grains may relate to ingredients used for the production of alcohol.

This account book contains financial records for customers' purchases from Dennis Skehan's tavern from 1767 to 1772, principally of alcoholic beverages like flip or philip, toddy, beer, milk punch, various types of rum, as well as spirits or liquor. Entries also include the amount of alcohol purchased, providing insight into how the beverages were served and consumed, using measurements such as bowls, mugs, glasses, gills, drams, nips, and others. Accounts specifying fees for boarding and food suggest that the tavern may also have been functioning as an inn. Beyond alcohol, purchases for tobacco, paper, tea, and other items are also recorded, indicating other forms of goods were on offer. A number of entries pertain to the making or repair of clothing and shoes, suggesting some tailoring work may have been happening in the family.

In addition to cash, patrons also payed via goods like fabric, corn, wheat, eggs, butter, and deerskins, or exchanged labor like a day's work, plowing, or spinning flax, indicating a barter system was operating. An account on the first page includes payments on a barrel of Rum as well as schipples (a measurement used for dry goods) of Rye "Male" and Indian "Male," likely phonetic spellings for "meal." The exchange documented throughout for grains may relate to ingredients used for the production of alcohol.

At least two entries were made out to Mary Skehan, dating after Dennis Skehan's death, suggesting she may have continued the business following his passing.

The account book includes an inscription, "Dennis Skehan's Book," dated 1765, as well as a note recording Dennis Skehan's death on October 14, 1771. Later entries dated August 1772 include copies of receipts for payments John Flynn made in New York currency to two men, suggesting he may have come into possession of the volume following Skehan's death.