[Manuscript/Ephemera] Collection of 9 Early Manuscript volumes in America. Mostly from New England and Pennsylvania during the 19th century. (1) Fabric Merchant's Account book. Phladelphia, Penn., 1847-early 1850s. 1 vol. 90 pp. This record, probably kept by Robert Smith, lists importation (from England) and sales of fabrics, quilting, gingham, etc. Numerous business accounts with John Bullock, a possible partner, and commissions on sale to C.J. Bullock. Together with weekly wage accounts of employees and list of customers. (2) George Valley Lodge of the Independent Order of Good Templars, North Appleton, Maine. Record book of minutes and proceedings, kept between 1893 and 1895. 1 vol., 142pp. The IOGT was a fraternal organization that was part of the temperance movement. This volume is a records of the minutes of meetings, election of officers, and work of various committees (financial, relief, social) with notes on community endeavors. Women were admitted to membership equally with men, and the "Brothers" and "Sisters" are recorded as meeting jointly in this record. Women took a full part in the organization's activities. Besse B. Waterman, for example, was the Recording Secretary for many of the book's entries. (3) Abel Walker, Account book of his farm and business activities, kept betweem 1835 and 1850. Walker sold cider, peaches, and other farm products. Work done on the local roads as well as for other farmers is documented together with several references to his providing veterinary services. A reference to a "ride to Batlimore" helps locate the volume. N.p., but probably Maryland or Pennsylvania. 1 vol., no covers. 21 pp. (4) Record of names and amounts assessed for a school tax in North Stonington, Connecticut, 1870. This extensive list of 138 names is a valuable document for identifying local individuals, serving somewhat as a mini-census for the district. 1 vol., 17 pp. (5) George Hammond. Record of his accounts kept in Wickford, Washington County, Maine, between 1821 and 1824. Hammond's documents his expenses, income, and record of grocery and farm products together with store merchandise (brushes, India twine, broadcloth coat, quires of sand paper, etc.) There is also a list of Hammond's "Expenses for Clothing." 1 vol., 59 pp. (6) Sawmill Operator's Book of Accounts. 1848-1853. This unidentified miller records his business sawing hemlock, chestnut, maple and pine for the community. Debits and credits are listed together with days idle due to low water or frequent breakdowns when the saw, strap iron, noddle pin or crack broke. Place names mentioned include Carbondale, Benton and Lenox, but no state is readily apparent. 1 vol., 93 pp., with some loose or partial pages. A good account. (7) Theron Bronson's Blotter Book, [WInchester, Connecticut], 1845-1848. Records sales by Bronson of beef, tallow, ham, hides, sheep skins, and mutton as well as his tanning services. Bronson (1809-1873) was a merchant, postmaster, and county justice. 1 vol. 21 pp. (8) Issac H. Ressler, Notebook on various topics, 1854. College essays entered while a student at Berrysburg Seminary, Dauphin Co., Penn. Together with recipes for making varnish, stains (like walnut), graining, veterinary recipes (for horse power, bone spavin, etc.) and recipes for making beer and grape wine. 1 vol, 39pp. Together with a second volume with veterinaries recipes for horses for weak eyes, fistula, stiff shoulders, hoof problem, lung fever and "how to make Blue ointment." i vol., 14 pp. Ressler (1831-1905) was a captain in the 16th Regt. Pennsylvania Calvary during the Civil War, his wartime diary in the in collections of the Army Heritage Center at Carlisle Barracks, Penn. (9) Immigrant family's record book, kept between 1760 and 1830s, in England and New York State. Created by a merchant family with strong political interests who immigrated to the US. The earliest entries (1760-1774) contain notes on the cloth trade, sums due, and debts. Also a note "The health of the following noblemen was drank at Sun Tavern as [supporters] of the Liberty of the People - [Lord] Portland," etc. 1760-1774. 65 pp. in British section. The American section (27 pp.) was kept in the 1830s with commercial notes, a draft ad for a farmer (1837), and sundry observations like "No man guilty of having a black skin can vote unless he have been three years a citizen of the state." Notes that Huntington township, Suffolk County, Long Island, "contains the following village or vicarages, at each of which there is a post office... Fowl are very abundant, particular in South bay, and attract many visitors," etc. 1 vol., full leather.

Wear commensurate with age.