The Winterthur Library

 The Joseph Downs Collection of Manuscripts and Printed Ephemera

Henry Francis du Pont Winterthur Museum

5105 Kennett Pike, Winterthur, Delaware  19735

302-888-4600 or 800-448-3883

 

 

OVERVIEW OF THE COLLECTION

 

Creator:         Williamson, Abraham, 1745-1816.                                        

Title:               Account book

Dates:             1791-1812

Call No.:         Fol. 38

Acc. No.:        79x274

Quantity:        1 volume (ca. 65 pages, plus blanks)

Location:        5 B 3

 

 

 

BIOGRAPHICAL STATEMENT

 

Abraham Williamson's identity is established by a receipt laid in at page 6, settling his account with John Barcroft on 27 May 1799, and also a settlement made at the bottom of page 9 (where he signs his name Wmson).  Although he was reported to have live in Montclair, Essex County, New Jersey, other records list him in Amwell township, Hunterdon County.  He is believed to be that Abraham Williamson who was born in 1745, married Catherine Ten Broeck in 1773, and died in 1816.

 

 

SCOPE AND CONTENT

 

Contains accounts of Abraham Williamson with entries for foodstuffs (e.g., potatoes, rye flour, wheat, oats, corn); veal, beef, mutton, turkey, and shad; flax and flaxseed, hay, wool, and straw; and building supplies (lath, wood, board, plank, nails, and plaster); clothing, shoes, and candles; all between 1791 and 1812.  (Most of the accounts are for food and agricultural products.)  Included among the accounts are references to craftsmen in the building, clothing, furniture, metalworking, textile and woodworking trades, including two laid in items regarding cabinetmaking, 1799-1800.  Page 4 contains references to settling accounts "By 1 Negro Boy bout of him," and "By 1 Negro Man Named Dick."  (See also p. 28, where is recorded the purchase of Dinah and her daughter.)  A number of entries (e.g., on pages 10, 12, and 19) record rent received "for Grist and Saw Mills."  People often paid their bills with cash, labor or spinning.

 

Laid into the volume is an undated bill from an unknown furniture and coffin maker.  The bill was for a bedstead and 4 coffins (2 for grandchildren, 1 for a "wench," and 1 for a "black child").    A bill from John Barcroft, dated May 24, 1799, lists several pieces of furniture, including tables, dresser, dough trough, candle and knife box, and bureau cupboard, plus charges for mending a sleigh.  At the end of the volume are 4 ˝ pages of accounts in chronological (i.e. day book) 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 Avis & Rockwell Gardiner.

 

 

ACCESS POINTS

 

Topics:

Agriculture - Accounting.

Artisans - New Jersey.

            Building materials - New Jersey.

            Coffins - Prices.

            Grain - New Jersey.

            Mills and mill-work - New Jersey.

            Slave records - New Jersey.

            Slaves - New Jersey.

            Account books.

            Millers.

            Farmers.

           

 

 

Name, occupation, and object indexes to Fol. 38:

 

Location: 5 B 3

 



Name index to Fol. 38 (acc. 79x274)

(indexes to occupations and objects follow this)

This list includes names mentioned within the accounts, not just the names at head of accounts.

 

Abbott, Joseph   back of vol.: 2

Abraham   back of vol.: 2

Ande, Miss    7

Angus, John        13

Anthoney, Jacob  2

Anthoney, John    10, 19, 23, 25

Anthoney, Margaret  2

 

Barcroft, John 6, 6a, 9, 12, 16, 28

Basset, Jerm.   7

Belleffelt, Adam 10

Benham, Joab   27

Biles, Mr.   28

Bishop, David   back of vol.: 4

Bishop(s)   1, 6a, 9, 21

            [this is a store]

Bodine, Peter   back of vol.: 2

Brooks, James   back of vol.: 4

Brooks, William   29

Buck, Mrs.   [31]

Burk, Edward       9, 18, 28

Burk(s), Mr.   27

Buzzerd, Timothy     19

 

Cain, Gabril       16

Carr, John         10

Case, Margaret     13

Closs   18

Cook, Isaac   18, 21; back of vol.: 3

Corshom[?] & Wurts   1

Covenhaven, Albert   27; back of vol.: 1, 3

Covenhaven, James 21

Craven, Gershom    5; back of vol.: 2 [entry crossed out], 4

Craven, Dr.    1, 13, 16

Crouser, Dr.   back of vol.: 1

Crum, Benjamin   back of vol.: 2

 

Danbury, Samuel   18; back of vol.: 1

Danbury, William   back of vol.: 1, 3

Dawson   back of vol.: 1

Dawson, Thomas     4, 5, 6, 10

Day, (Mr.)         7

Dick    4

Dinah   28

Drake, Edward   back of vol.: 4

 

Egerton, Luke   1

Everitt  back of vol.: 1

            [his surname may be Hogeland]

Evins, Mr.   29

 

Faulker, George   back of vol.: 3

Field, Benoni  back of vol.: 1

Fisher, C.   10

Fisher, Christopher      5

Fisher, J.   26

Fitzpatrick, Mr.    16

 

Garret, Jno.    9

Godown   back of vol.: 2

Grant, Mr.   15

Gregg, James    7

 

Hannah, William    5, 9

Hevinor, Henry   12, 18; back of vol.: 3, 4

Higgins, James   21; back of vol.: 1, 2, 4, 5

Hill, Mr.   5

Hixon[?], Samuel  back of vol.: 1

Hoffman, Andrew   back of vol.: 4, 5

Hogeland, Andrew   back of vol.: 1

Hogeland, Jno.   14, 20

Holcomb, G.   22

Hortman, William   back of vol.: 1

Houshel, John   1

Houshel, M.   11

Hughs, Thebedi   back of vol.: 3

Huhl, Paul   14

Hunt, John   back of vol.: 1, 4

 

Jewell, John   29; back of vol.: 2-4  

Joab - see Benham and Williamson

Johnson, Benjn.  1, 14

Johnson, Charles     26

Johnson, G.   16

Johnson, George     9, 16

Johnson, Isaac    11

Johnson, Jacob   back of vol.: 2, 4

Johnson, Martin    9

Joshua, John       22

 

Landis, Joseph   back of vol.: 1

Lanshe, Abraham      8

Lanshe, Henry   12

Latourrette, John   back of vol.: 3

Latourrette, Peter  back of vol.: 3

Lequear, John – see Lequire  

Lequire, John    4, 20

List, Mr. – see John Lyst

List, John  - see Lyst

Liverton, John   back of vol.: 1

Lyst, Jacob     6

Lyst, John   1, 6, 13, 16, 24, 27

            [a tailor]

 

Mathew    16

            [surname probably Watson]

Medler, Levi     1, 2, 14, 19, 20, 23

Medler, Saml.   1

Meldrum, John      8

Metler, Levy - see Medler

Metler, Henry    14

Metler, Mary   back of vol.: 2

Metler, Reubin 21

Milnor   4, 5

 

Nanc   22

            [a “Negro girl”]

Nean[?]   9

Nun[?]   24

 

Ott, Joseph    4; back of vol.: 2-5

Ozburn, Uriah 7

 

Phillips , Joseph  11

Prall, Isaac   back of vol.: 5

Prall, Peter   back of vol.: 3

Prall, William, (Dr.)    19

Price, Jno.   1

            [see also Prise]

Price, Nathan  back of vol.: 1-4

Prices   3, 9

Prime   9

Prise, John   10

            [see also Price]

 

Quick, Abraham   19; back of vol.: 2

Quick, Cornl.   1; back of vol.: 1

Quick, Cornelius, Jr.        2

Quick, J.   1

Quick, John     3, 17, 19, 24

Quick, Mary   back of vol.: 1

Quick, Tunis, Jr.  back of vol.: 1

Quick, William   21, 22, 27, 30; back of vol.: 2  

 

Read, Ephraim  back of vol.: 1

Reading, Charles (Col.)    6a

Reading, George   23; back of vol.: 3, 4

Rizler, Peter   back of vol.: 1

Runyan, Cornelius  back of vol.: 1

Runyan, Hill    2

Runyan, John  back of vol.: 1

Runyan, Joseph        4

Rockfeller   14

Rockfeller, Christr.    4, 15

 

Samuel   13

            [surname possibly Angus]

Schanck, Capt.   27

Schanck, Maj.   19

Schanck, Arthur 14, 17

 [also spelled Schenck]

Schanck, Jacob   back of vol.: 2, 3

Schanck, John    5, 13, 14, 15, 20; back of vol.: 3, 4

Schanck, Jno. (Junr.) 13

Schanck, Josiah   4

Schanck, William   7; back of vol.: 2  

Servis, Abraham  back of vol.: 1, 2

            [also spelled Serviss]

Servis, Isaac   21; back of vol.: 4, 5

Shaw [owns lime-kiln]    6

Smith, Amos   back of vol.: 3

Smith, John  back of vol.: 1-4

Smith, Lawyer    10

         [lawyer is probably occupation, not name]

Smith, Thaddius   back of vol.: 1

Snook, John   back of vol.: 2

Snook, Peter       8, 19, 20, 25

Snook, William   20

Snook, William, Jr.   back of vol.: 3

Stevenson, John  back of vol.: 1, 3

Stewart, Philip   22

            [under-sheriff]

Stockton, Mr.   20

Stout, Aaron   15

Sund[?], J.   13

Sutphin, Jacob   back of vol.: 1, 2

Sutphin, Richard   back of vol.: 3

Sutton, Amos     12

Sydam, John       12, 19

 

Taylor, Isaac    10

Taylor, J.   19

Taylor, John List  - see Lyst

Ten Broeck, Jno.    7

Ten Brook, Mr.   2

Thompson, Elijah   1, 6, 12

Tidd, Jacob    12; back of vol.: 1

 

Van Camp, Elias   back of vol.: 2

Van Camp, Gilbt.   2

Vandyke, Henry    8

Vanpelt, Christr.   2

Venmeter, John  back of vol.: 1

 

Watson, James     16

Welch, John   back of vol.: 1

            [son of John Welch, the blacksmith]

Williams, Jennie   [31]

Williamson, Abraham   6a, 9, 19, 19a; back of vol.: 2  

Williamson, Abraham, Jr.   21, 29  

Williamson, Abraham J.   19, 29; back of vol.: 4, 5

Williamson, Garret  back of vol.: 1

Williamson, I.S.   [31]

Williamson, Jacob     5, 8, 11, 20, 23

Williamson, Jacob, tailor   back of vol.: 4

Williamson, Jacob, wheelwright   back of vol.: 3

Williamson, Joab   back of vol.: 5

         [only the first name is given, but is under an account for Abraham J. Williamson]

Williamson, John    11

Williamson, William    7; back of vol.: 4

Wombock, William   10, 22

Woolverton, John   back of vol.: 3, 4

 

Yager, Philip   1

Young, Jacob   26

Young, Philip, Jr.   back of vol.: 2

Young, Philip, Sr.   back of vol.: 1, 2


 

Occupation index to Fol. 38

 

The index does not include entries for unspecified “work,” nor for the payment of rent on unknown properties.

 

Agricultural labor   2, 4-7, 10, 14, 18-20, 22; back of vol.:  5

            [includes sowing, harvesting, threshing, cutting grass, cradling]

 

blacksmith    back of vol.:  1

            [see also smith work]

boarding people   13, 16

building    9, 21[?]

 

carting, hauling    6, 7, 12, 28; back of vol.:  3

collector   16

cooper      12

 

fulling   7

 

grinding   5

gristmill    10, 19

 

“hire of a chair”   back of vol.:  4

 

knitting   7, 13

 

mason      11

 

mill     5, 7, 12, 15

 

nurseryman 12

 

pedlar   1

printer    7

 

recording deeds   20

 

saw mill    10, 19

sawing    4-6, 10, 12, 15, 19; back of vol.:  1

sheriff   22

shoemaker     14, 16, 17, 24

slaves   4, 22, 48

smith work   19, 22

spinning   2, 7

store   2, 4, 14

 

tailor        13, 16, 4b

thatching   7

 

watchmaker     1

wood cutting, rail splitting   20

 

weaving       8, 12, 21; back of vol.:  3-5

wheelwright    back of vol.: 3


 

Object index to Fol. 38

 

Note: most items mentioned are agricultural products (e.g. rye, corn) or food (e.g. butter, bacon), and these are not indexed.

 

The list may not be complete.

 

Alcoholic beverages, cider   2-8, 14-15, 19, 22, 25, 27

 

Barrel, tub   12

Bedspread   back of vol.: 4

bolting cloth   8

books   16

bricks   13

bridge   4

broom   15

 

candle and knife box   6a

candles   2, 3, 6, 11, 15, 18-20, 23-26; back of vol.:  4-5

carpeting   21

cloth   13, 16; back of vol.:  3

clothing   1, 13, 14, 16, 18, 22, 25

coffin    19a

cradle    back of vol.:  2

         [unclear if this a tool or a baby’s bed]

 

dough trough   6a

 

feriton   16

firewood and wood  2, 18, 19; back of vol.: 1-3

flannel   16

furniture: Bedstead   6, 16, 19a

furniture: Bureau cupboard   6a

Furniture: Chair       6

Furniture: Chest     16

Furniture: Desk    13

Furniture: Dresser   6a

Furniture: Table   6a, 8

Furniture: Work bench   10

 

fustian   8

 

“gate stuff”   15

 

Handkerchief   22

Hats   16, 22, 27

 

knapsack   1

 

leather, hides, skins   4, 10, 12, 14, 17, 27

lime   6

linen, flax, tow, linsey   1, 3, 4, 8, 9, 12, 16, 18, 21, 22, 25; back of vol.:   5

livestock   2, 4, 6-9, 13-17, 19-21, 23, 24, 28, 29; back of vol.:  1-4

lumber, timber, boards, planks, shingles, lath    4-7, 10, 13, 15, 16, 18, 28; back of vol.:  1-3

 

nails, nail rods   13, 19; back of vol.:  1

 

oil cloth     8

 

paper    1, 16

pen knife   16

pigeon net   7, 18

plaster, plaster of paris   5, 27; back of vol.:  1-3

pot     22

 

quills   16

 

rails   20

rope   7

 

sand   6

shoes and boots   1, 13, 14, 16, 18, 19, 22, 27; back of vol.:  1

soap   6, 15

stone   6

stove pipe   8

 

tallow    20

tar and rosin  15, 17

tobacco    1, 3, 14, 21

tools   3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 16, 18, 26; back of vol.:  4

trunk     16

 

wagons, sleighs   2, 6, 6a, 9; back of vol.:  1, 4

white lead   28

wool   2, 6, 9, 10, 14, 20, 21, 23, 25; back of vol.:  3-4

wool cards   14