The Winterthur Library

 The Joseph Downs Collection of Manuscripts and Printed Ephemera

Henry Francis du Pont Winterthur Museum

5105 Kennett Pike, Winterthur, Delaware  19735

Telephone: 302-888-4600 or 800-448-3883

 

 

OVERVIEW OF THE COLLECTION

 

Creator:         Besore, George, 1799-1871.  

Title:               Bills,

Dates:             1821-1859, bulk dates 1821-1839

Call No.:         Col. 562

Acc. No.:        98x97

Quantity:        91 items

Location:        34 J 3

 

 

 

BIOGRAPHICAL STATEMENT

 

George Besore ran a general store in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania, both by himself and at various times in partnership with several other people.  These partnerships included McCoy & Besore (1821-May 1824), George & Jacob (G. & J.) Besore (1831-1835), Besore, Logan & Co. (1844-?), and Besore & Frieze (1852-1859).

 

George Besore was the son of Barbara Snodderly (1752-1834) and David Besore (1760-1844).  In 1803, George married Elizabeth Snively (1805-1889), and they had two children, one of whom died very young.  He was a member of the Reformed Church.  In addition to his general store, he was also in a partnership running the Hopewell Flour Mill.  Additional information about him is filed with the bills.

 

 

SCOPE AND CONTENT

 

Bills and invoices, primarily from Baltimore merchants, for goods purchased for the store run by George Besore.  Goods included textile fabrics (linen, cambric, second mourning calico, prints, etc.); brushes for sweeping, dusting, shaving, and painting; different kinds of knives; such tools as saws, hoes, and manure forks; food items (sugar, coffee, rice, raisins, and molasses); clothing (shawls, handkerchiefs, hose, shoes, bandanas, suspenders); hardware (screws, buckles, nails); and other miscellaneous items, including mirrors, coffee mills, tobacco, inkstands, lamps, soap, and potash.  A few of the billheads are printed, but none are illustrated.

 

           

ORGANIZATION

 

The bills are in chronological order.

 

 

LANGUAGE OF MATERIALS

 

The materials are in English.

 

 

RESTRICTIONS ON ACCESS

 

Collection is open to the public.  Copyright restrictions may apply.

           

 

PROVENANCE

           

Purchased from Jim Gergat.

 

 

ACCESS POINTS

 

Topics:

            General stores - Pennsylvania - Waynesboro.

            Dry-goods.

            Dry-goods – Prices – 19th century.

            Textile fabrics – Prices – 19th century.

            Hardware – Prices – 19th century.

            Household supplies.

            Business records - Pennsylvania - Waynesboro.

            Business records – Maryland – Baltimore.

            Bills.

            Invoices.

            Billheads.

Merchants.     

 

 

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE COLLECTION

 

Location:  34 J 3

 

 

 

All accession numbers begin with 98x97. 

 

 

Folder 1 of 1:

 

.1         receipted bill: McCoy and Besore bought of Wm. B. Bend, Baltimore, Dec. 5, 1821: Madras handkerchiefs, various textiles, and pins;

 

.2         receipted bill: McCoy and Besore bought of H. & A. Webb, Baltimore, Dec. 5, 1821: pepper, wine, log wood, tea, whiting, copperas, alum, and other goods [difficult to read]

 

.3         receipted bill: McCoy and Besore bought of Morris & Ramsey, Baltimore, Aril 3, 1822: sweeping, shoe, dusting, paint, shaving, and tooth brushes; sash tools, glue, clothes lines, shoe bristles, blacking paste, etc.

 

.4         receipted bill: McCoy and Besore bought of Jacob Albert, Baltimore, Oct. 15, 1822: hardware: butcher and Barlow knives; hand saw files, pins, etc.

 

.5         receipted bill: McCoy and Besore bought of D. Cobb, Baltimore, Oct. 18, 1822: textiles (cassinett, plaid, etc.)

 

.6         receipted bill: McCoy and Besore bought of Abraham Pyke, Baltimore, Nov. 25, 1822: rappee snuff

 

.7         receipted bill: McCoy and Besore bought of Henry Webb, Baltimore, Jan. 20, 1823: Havana cigars, indigo, potash, salt, and other goods

 

.8         receipted bill: McCoy and Besore bought of E.J.[?] Ellicott & Co., Baltimore, April 7, 1823: [writing is not clear]

 

.9         receipted bill: McCoy and Besore bought of John Gibson Baltimore, April 11, 1823: textiles, handkerchiefs, hose;

 

.10       bill: McCoy and Besore bought of Henry Webb, Baltimore, April 30, 1823: coffee, shad, and other things

 

.11       receipted bill: McCoy and Besore bought of Lindhorn & Fisher Baltimore, Aug. 27, 1823: inkstands, lamps, slates and slate pencils, shaving glasses, tuck combs, etc.

 

.12       receipted bill: McCoy and Besore bought of M.W.J. Swan, Baltimore, Aug. 28, 1823: textiles, shawls, etc.

 

.13       receipted bill: McCoy and Besore bought of Jacob Albert, Baltimore, March 18, 1824: unnamed merchandise purchased in 1823

 

.14       bill: McCoy and Besore bought of J. & C. Baltzell, Baltimore, March 3, 1824: textiles, fringe, lace, handkerchiefs, pins, gloves, thread

 

.15       receipt: McCoy & Besore paid Tho. & Philip Baltzell of Baltimore, May 18, 1824

 

.16       bill: George Besore bought of Henry Webb, Baltimore, May 21, 1824: sugar, coffee, soap, shad, molasses, salt, raisins, and other things;

                        On back: Webb gave Besore credit for something (flax? flour?)

 

.17       bill: Geo. Besore bought of Henry Webb, Baltimore, June 14, 1824: molasses, coffee, rice

 

.18       bill: George Besore bought of Tho. & P. Baltzell, Baltimore, Aug. 6, 1824: textiles (London prints)

 

.19       receipt: George Besore was given credit by Henry Webb, Baltimore, Oct. 22, 1824: for bushels of flax and for brushes

 

.20       bill: Geo. Besore bought of Henry Webb, Baltimore, Oct. 20, 1824: rum, French brandy, coffee, salt, logwood, indigo, raisins, and other things; (continues on back);

                        [paper watermarked: D Butler/N H]

 

.21       receipt: Geo. Besore paid Henry Webb, Baltimore, April 18, 1825

 

.22       bill: George Besore bought of Baltzell & Dalrymple, Baltimore, April 20, 1825: textiles, handkerchiefs, twist, etc.

 

.23       receipted bill: Besore bought of Chs. Fischer, Baltimore, Dec. 15, 1825: various kinds of combs, pocket books, crayons, slate pencils, oil paints, etc.

 

.24       receipt: George Besore paid H. Webb, Baltimore, May 15, 1826

 

.25       bill: George Besore bought of Tiffany, Wyman & Co., Baltimore, Dec. 26, 1826: textiles, yarns, wick, etc., with an added note about other articles

 

.26       receipted bill: Geo. Besore bought of Geo. Slothower, Baltimore, Jan. 22, 1827: red flannel and silk handkerchiefs

 

.27       bill: George Besore bought of Henry Webb, Baltimore, April 6, 1827: raisins, figs, fish oil, molasses, sugar, coffee, nutmegs, cinnamon, tobacco, etc.

 

.28       receipted bill: Geo. Besore bought of Geo. Slothower, Baltimore, June 9, 1827: textiles, hose, piping cord, handkerchiefs, etc.

 

,29       bill: George Besore bought of Tho. & Phil. Baltzell, Baltimore, Oct. 24, 1827: textiles, English silk vesting, handkerchiefs, Swiss cravats, shawls, hose, etc.

 

.30       receipted bill: Geo. W. Besore bought of Jno. Gibson & Co., Baltimore, April 2, 1828: fustian, buttons

                        [paper watermarked: I & E Colli(cut off)/ 1820]

 

.31       receipted bill: George Bazore[sic] bought of Chs. Fischer, Baltimore, June 2, 1828: beads, worsted binding, molds, snuff boxes, various kinds combs (including mock turtle)

 

.32       receipted bill: George Besore bought of Chas. H. Carroll, Baltimore, July 30, 1828: shoes, trunk

 

.33       receipted bill: Geo. Besore bought of Jacob Albert  & Co., Baltimore, July 30, 1828: hardware: knives, razors, spectacles, screws, needles, nails, etc.

 

.34       bill: George Besore bought of Tiffany Wyman & Co., Baltimore, Dec. 2, 1828: textiles, thread, etc.

 

.35       bill: George Besore bought of Medtart & Mason, Baltimore, Dec. 5, 1828: textiles, handkerchiefs, shawls, pins, etc.

 

.36       bill: Geo. Besore bought of Jacob Albert  & Co., Baltimore, May 8, 1829: hardware: shovels & tongs, knives & forks, single blade knives, spoons, buckles, rings, screws, curry combs, horse rasps, trace chains, sad irons, weeding hoes, corn scythes, etc.

 

.37       receipted bill: George & J. Bezore [sic] bought of Charles Fischer & Co., Baltimore, May 8, 1829: German scythes, spectacles in case, combs

                        [paper watermarked Barbour/&/Mullen]

 

.38       bill: G. & J. Besore bought of Wm. Tiffany & Co., Baltimore, May 11, 1829: brown sheetings, horse cards;

                        Printed billhead: Domestic warehouse, successors of Tiffany, Wyman & Co.

 

.39       bill: G. & J. Besore bought of Wm. Tiffany & Co., Baltimore, Nov. 12, 1829: cassinets, and drayage of same; with letter: about scarcity and price of cassinet, and shipping information;

                        Printed billhead: Domestic warehouse, successors of Tiffany, Wyman & Co.

 

.40       bill: G. & J. Besore bought of Wm. Tiffany & Co., Baltimore, March 27, 1830: pumps, slippers, and boots of various kinds;

                        [paper watermarked: Amies/Philada/No. 2]

 

.41       receipted bill: G. & J. Besore bought of Harrison & Brothers, Baltimore, March 31, 1830: textiles, cravats, handkerchiefs, gloves, ribbon;

                        [paper watermarked: image of dove holding olive sprig/No. 2]

 

.42       receipted bill: bought of J. & B. Griffith & Co., Baltimore, Aug. 6, 1830: fancy cord

                        [paper watermarked: Amies/Philada/No. 2]

 

.43       receipted bill: Geo. Besore bought of L. & J. Ludden, Baltimore, Oct. 21, 1830: waiters, snuffer trays, andirons, shovel & tongs, candlesticks, box of cologne

                        [paper watermarked: image of dove holding olive sprig/No. 2]

 

.44       letter: to G. & J. Besore, from Wm. Tiffany & Co., Baltimore, Jan. 7, 1831: payment received, what still owed on account

                        [paper watermarked: Amies/Philada]

 

.45       bill: George & Jacob Besore bought of Baltzell & Dalrymple, [Baltimore], January 20, 1831: textiles, shawls, vestings, quilling, bandanas, gloves, braid, tapes, etc.

 

.46       receipted bill: George Besore bought of Abraham Pyke, Baltimore, Jan. 20, 1831: tobacco

 

.47       receipted bill: George & J. Bezore [sic] bought of Chas. Fischer & Co., Baltimore, March 29, 1831: German coffee mills, glasses, spectacles, horse combs, various kinds of personal combs, fine oilcloth, etc.

                        [paper watermarked Barbour & Mullen]

 

.48       bill: G. & J. Besore bought of Sappington & Gemmill, Philadelphia, May 10, 1831: textiles, braces, carpeting, cotton balls, buttons, shirt collards, hose, New Orleans hats, lace, etc.

 

.49       bill: G. & J. Besore bought of A. & R.R. Griffith, Baltimore, May 16, 1831: sickles, manure forks, table spoons, trowels, snuffers, chisels, table and pocket knives, hoes, steel bars

                        Printed billhead: importers of hardware, cutlery, &c.

 

.50       letter, to G. & J. Besore, from Baltzell & Dalrymple, Baltimore, July 2, 1831: about selling textiles

 

.51       bill, G. & J. Besore, bought of Baltzell & Dalrymple, Baltimore, July 6, 1831: textiles, gloves, shawls, cravats, etc.

 

.52       letter and receipt, to G. & J. Besore, from Baltzell & Dalrymple, and Abbott & Hiser, Baltimore, Sept. 3, 1832; letter mentions deaths from cholera;

 

.53       bill, G. & J. Besore, bought of  Bruce & Fisher, Baltimore, Oct. 6, 1832: textiles, handkerchiefs, braids, cravats, suspenders, gloves, buttons, etc.

 

.54       bill, G. & J. Besore, bought of Baltzell & Davidson, Baltimore, Oct. 26, 1832: textiles, painted floor cloth, braces, shawls, beads, thread, buttons, etc.

 

.55       letter: to G. & J. Besore, from Wm. Tiffany & Co., Baltimore, May 20, 1833: payment received;

                        [paper watermarked: G & Co]

 

.56       receipted bill: G. & J. Besore bought of George R. Gaither, Baltimore, Sept. 20, 1833: textiles, blankets, braces, etc.

 

.57       letter and receipt, to G. & J. Besore, from Abbott & Hiser, Baltimore, Oct. 14, 1833: acknowledging receipt of goods (oil, molasses, brandy); letter: can sent to be filled with turpentine is worn out and cannot be reused or repaired

 

.58       bill: G. & J. Besore bought of Baltzell & Davidson Baltimore, May 30, 1834: textiles, bandanas, Italian cravats, gloves, buttons, thread, ribbon, etc.

 

.59       bill: G. & J. Besore bought of Baltzell & Davidson Baltimore, Oct. 21, 1834: textiles, braces, buttons, English bandanas, silk flags, shawls, etc.

 

.60       bill: G. & J. Besore bought of Wm. F. Dalrymple & Co., Baltimore, Oct, 21, 1834: threads, binding, hook & eyes, cravats, pins, braids, silk flags, shawls, textiles, suspenders, Grecian boots, mitts, gloves, etc,

 

.61       bill: G. & J. Besore bought of Jacob Albert  & Co., Baltimore, Oct. 23, 1834: hardware: shovels & tongs, various kinds of knives, metal and iron spoons, horse rasps, buckles, shoe tacks, augers, chains, traces, nails, hoop iron, American blister steel, etc.

 

.62       bill: G. & J. Besore, bought of Sanderson & Jenkins, Baltimore, April 1, 1835: textiles, flag handkerchiefs, cravats, shawls, etc.

 

.63       bill: G. & J. Besore, bought of Abbott & Hiser, Baltimore, June 15, 1835: molasses, tobacco, herring, coffee, crackers, silver sand, wine, sugar, etc.

 

.64       receipted bill: G. & J. Besore bought of Richard Sewell, Baltimore, June 17, 1835: Genoa cord, vest patterns, cotton hose, hair cloth stocks

 

.65       receipted bill: G. & J. Besore bought of Richard Sewell, Baltimore, Dec. 10, 1835: olive cord, fancy plaid handkerchiefs, cotton tape

 

.66       bill: G. & J. Besore bought of A. Brown Davidson, Baltimore, Dec. 10, 1835: textiles, hose, gloves, hooks & eyes, buttons, etc.

                        [paper watermarked: Amies/Philada]

 

.67       bill: G. & J. Besore bought of Gosnell & Hambleton, Baltimore, Dec. 11, 1835: textiles, gloves, hose, flag handkerchiefs, shawls, buttons, etc.

                        Printed billhead: dealers in staple and fancy dry goods

 

.68       bill: George Besore bought of Wm. F. Dalrymple & Co., Baltimore, Nov. 1, 1836: Italian sewings;

                        [paper watermarked: W Laflin]

 

.69       bill: George Bazore [sic] bought of Chs. Fischer, Baltimore, March 6, 1837: bronze oil cloth, dressing (and other kinds of) glasses, hose, etc.

 

.70       receipted bill: George Besore bought of Abbott & Hiser, Baltimore, May 19, 1838: nails, hoop iron

 

.71       receipted bill: Geo. Besore bought of Hambleton & Dunham, Baltimore, July 14, 1838: textiles;

                        Printed billhead: wholesale dealers in foreign and domestic dry goods

 

.72       bill: George Besore bought of Dalrymple & Gardner, Baltimore, Sept. 17, 1838: razor strops, silk flags, shawls, textiles, etc.

 

.73       receipted bill: Geo. Besore bought of Jno. T. Brown, Baltimore, Dec. 8, 1838: items made of iron, screw & wedge arm sash, tongue & grooves, rabbets

 

.74       receipted bill: George Besore bought of Jacob Albert & Co., Baltimore, Dec. 8, 1838: hardware: steelyards, tablespoons, files, hinges, molasses gates, German lamps, etc.

 

.75       bill: George Besore bought of Gosnell & Devries, Baltimore, Dec. 10, 1838: textiles, ribbon, London pins, worsted comforts, etc.;

                        Printed billhead: dealers in staple and fancy dry goods

 

.76       receipted bill: G. Basor [sic] bought of Allen Paine, Baltimore, Jan. 11, 1839: [difficult to read]

 

.77       bill of lading for goods purchased from A & H [Abbott & Hiser], Baltimore, March 12, 1839: sugar, molasses, nails, lead in oil, cedar ware, buckets, brushes, a lot of steel

 

.78       receipted bill: Geo. Besore bought of Jno. T. Brown, Baltimore, March 13, 1839: iron smooth and other kinds of iron, screw sash, rabbets

 

.79       bill: George Besore bought of Abbott & Hiser, Baltimore, July 1, 1839: sugar, crackers, salt, and other goods

 

.80       bill of lading for goods purchased in Baltimore, Sept. 18, 1839: sugar, coffee, rum, brandy, raisins

 

.81       receipt: Abbott & Hiser, Baltimore, Sept. 25, 1839, received a note from Besore as payment on account

 

.82       bill: George Besore bought of Jacob Albert & Co., Baltimore, Oct. 4, 1839: hardware: saws, shovels, butcher steels, various kinds of knives, shoe tacks, horse rasps, nails, stirrups, buckles, halter chains, etc.

 

.83       bill: George Besore bought of Sewell & Baugher, Baltimore, March 17, 1840: textiles, canvas, cravats, handkerchiefs, shawls, veils, ribbons, etc.

 

.84       note: to George Besore from Fredk. Smith, no place, June 17, 1843: please to let George Heffner, trustee of George Keppner[?], have some money;

                        On back: Heffner signed receipt with his mark;

                        [paper watermarked: O & H]

 

.85       bill, with note: Besore, Logan & Co. bought of John Cushing & Co., Baltimore, Dec. 23, 1844: apparently for paper;

                        Note: about the goods;

                        Printed billhead: books and stationery

 

.86       receipt: L.S. & J.D. Grier, Chambersburg, Nov. 17, 1852: received flour for shipment to Baltimore

 

.87       sales account: Besore & Frieze with Coover & Tysinger, Baltimore, Dec. 12, no year [1854 or later]: for flour

                        [blue paper, watermarked: Laflins/Extra Superfine/1854]

 

.88       sales account: Besore & Frieze with Lewis Tysinger, Baltimore, July 28, 1859: for flour;

                        [blue paper, watermarked: eagle, with shield]

 

.89       receipt: C.X. Martin, no place, Dec. 22, 1859, received from Besore & Frieze: flour to be forwarded to Lewis Tysinger in Balitmore

 

.90       “amt of funds in Besore hand”: list of men and amounts of notes in their names, no date

 

.91       bill: John H. Lewis: work done for Geo. W. Besore: gate posts, planks, lath, scantling, and sawing such goods,

                        [paper watermarked: Levering & Co.]