The Winterthur Library

 The Joseph Downs Collection of Manuscripts and Printed Ephemera

Henry Francis du Pont Winterthur Museum, Winterthur, DE  19735

302-888-4600 or 800-448-3883

 

 

OVERVIEW OF THE COLLECTION

 

Creator:         Austin, John.  

Title:               Account book

Dates:             1766-1834, bulk 1775-1799

Call No.:         Fol. 266

Acc. No.:        69x91

Quantity:        1 v. (90 pages)

Location:        6 J 11

 

 

 

BIOGRAPHICAL STATEMENT

 

John Austin was a casual laborer in northeastern Massachusetts and New Hampshire in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.  He was born in 1744, the son of Zebediah Austin and Sarah Gutterson.  He married Elizabeth Pettingill (1749-1800), and they had a number of children, whose birth dates are listed in the account book.  Later, his son Elijah Austin used the book to record the birth (and some death) dates of his children.  John Austin worked in Metheun and Dracut, Massachusetts, and in Dunbarton and Plainfield, New Hampshire. 

 

 

SCOPE AND CONTENT

 

 This account book, used by John Austin, records his business activities as a casual laborer in Dracut and Methuen, Massachusetts, and Dunbarton and Plainfield, New Hampshire.  The earliest dated entry is 1766, although the bulk of the entries are from the mid-1770s to the late 1790s.  The manuscript appears in more than one hand, including the latest entry of 1834, and the name William P. Austin (grandson of John Austin) appears in several places.  

 

Entries indicate that Austin was probably a joiner and cabinetmaker since many entries mention such items as tables, chairs, chests, bedsteads, bread dough troughs, and cupboards.  He also made coffins, wheels, window sashes, carts, doors, waterwheels, and sleighs.  Entries note that Austin repaired small objects and constructed houses, barns, mills, meeting houses, and fishing wharves.  It is possible that he also owned or worked in a sawmill during the late 1780s due to frequent references to logging, sawing boards, and the sale of lumber.  He also farmed wheat and rye, and made and repaired leather shoes. 

 

Besides Austin's business activities, this manuscript records Austin family genealogy and notes a very few current events.  John Austin recorded the births of his children on page 80.  His son Elijah recorded the births of his children on pages 66-67.  Other genealogy notes are found on page 78.  An entry found on page 86 relates to current events, corresponding with notable dates in American history: April 19, 1775 (the start of the American Revolution), June 17, 1775 (the Battle of Bunker Hill), and March 17, 1776 (British evacuation of Boston).  Austin also mentioned New England’s Dark Day, May 19, 1780.  On page 87, Austin wrote out a notice about the Dunbarton militia, mentioning Lieutenant James Hogg and Captain Burnam.  On page 84 is found an entry listing men under the command of Lieutenant Hogg in 1781.  A partial index to the accounts is found on pages 79, 81, and 87.

 

 

LANGUAGE OF MATERIALS

 

The materials are in English.

 

 

RESTRICTIONS ON ACCESS

 

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

           

 

PROVENANCE

           

Purchased from Goodspeed's Book Shop.

 

 

ACCESS POINTS

 

People:

            Austin family.

           

Topics:

            Casual labor.

            Business records - Massachusetts.

            Business records – New Hampshire.

Joinery.

            Cabinetwork - Massachusetts.

            Cabinetwork – New Hampshire.

            Bunker Hill, Battle of, 1775.

            Carpentry - Massachusetts.

            Carpentry – New Hampshire.

            Shoes.

            Furniture making - Massachusetts.

            Furniture making – New Hampshire.

            Patriotism - United States.

Smaze - New England - 1780.

Militia.

United States - History - Revolution, 1775-1783.

            Joiners - Massachusetts.

            Cabinetmakers - Massachusetts.

            Sawmill workers - Massachusetts.

            Carpenters - Massachusetts.

            Joiners - New Hampshire.

            Cabinetmakers - New Hampshire.

            Sawmill workers - New Hampshire.

            Carpenters - New Hampshire.

 

 

 


 

 

INDEX to Fol. 266 (acc. 69x91)

 

Note: John Austin did a partial index to his accounts and it is found on pages 79, 81, and 87.

 

Page numbers are found at the top of each page; two pages are numbered 14, all names on those two pages are noted as being on p. 14.  Two pages are numbered 72 and 73; the second set of pages is referenced in this index as 72a and 73a.

 

Adams, David   9

            [Metheun]

Allen, Nathaniel   41, 44, 79, 81

            [Plainfield; surname recorded as Alen]

Asten - see also Austin

Asten, Caleb - see Austin

Asten, David - see Austin

Asten, Isaac    6, 7, 23

            [Dracut, Metheun]

Asten, John - see Austin

Asten, Jonathan 1, 10-12

            [Dracut, Metheun]

Asten, Nathan   4

Asten, Reuben   90

            [possibly a brother of John Austin]

Atwod - see Atwood

Atwood, Joshua     14, 44, 88

Austin – see also list of first names at end of this index; these persons were possibly members of the Austin family

Austin, Abigil M.   66

           [John Austin’s granddaughter]

[Austin], Benjamin   80

            [John Austin’s son]

[Austin], Bette or Betty  72, 80

            [real name: Elizabeth; daughter of John Austin]

Austin, Caleb   14, 15, 23-25, 34, 37, 44, 81, 87, 89, 90

(also spelled Asten; possibly John Austin’s brother)

[Dracut, Dunbarton]

[Austin], Daniel   71, 73a, 74, 75, 76, 80, 88

            [John Austin’s son]

[Austin], Darkis   78, 80

            [so spelled in family records; daughter of John Austin]

Austin, David   9, 14, 23, 44, 87, 89

(also spelled Asten)

[Dracut, Metheun]

Austin, Delia   67

            [John Austin’s granddaughter]

Austin, Elijah   14, 58, 60, 66, 67, 71, 72, 74, 76, 80, 88

            [John Austin’s son]

Austin, Elijah D.   67

            [John Austin’s grandson.]

Austin, Eliza L.   67

            [John Austin’s granddaughter]

Austin, Elizabeth P. (Mrs. John)    30

Austin, George W.   66

            [John Austin’s grandson.]

Austin, Henry L.   67

            [John Austin’s grandson.]

[Austin], Isaac   80

            [John Austin’s son]

Austin, John   inside front cover, 1, 3, 4, 18, 19, 22-24, 25, 30-32, 41, 47, 51, 52, 57, 60, 67, 73, 69, 85, 87, 90, 91

(also spelled Asten)

[Austin], John   41, 47, 52, 54, 58, 60, 61, 63, 75, 80

            [John Austin’s son John]

Austin, John    67

            [John Austin’s grandson.]

 [Austin], Joseph   7, 33, 41, 43, 47, 48, 50, 52-54, 56-64, 66, 78, 80

            [John Austin’s son]

[Austin], Josiah   51, 58, 60, 62, 68, 71, 73a, 78, 80, 88

            [John Austin’s son]

[Austin], Lymon   80

            [John Austin’s son]

Austin, Rose   67

            [one family tree lists this name as Ross, but it looks like Rose in account book]

[Austin], Mary   80

            [this daughter does not show up in family tree]

 [Austin], Sarah   80

            [John Austin’s daughter]

[Austin], Welthy  80

            [i.e. Wealthy; daughter of John Austin]

Austin, William P.    24, 28, 64, 67

            [John Austin’s grandson.]

Auzgood, Josiah - see Osgood

 

Baings (Mrs)   30

Baker (Doctor)   58

Barker, David   inside front cover

            [Metheun]

Barker, Timothy (jr.)   7

            [Metheun]

Barron, Elias   9

            [Dracut]

Bayley, Phinehas   27, 29-31, 40, 87

            [Dunbarton]

Bengorn [?]    63

Blacco [?]    78

            [Plainfield]

Blancher, Simon    51, 61, 67, 79, 81

            [Plainfield]

Bogby, Peter - see Bugbee

Bradley, Isaac  17, 24

(also spelled Bradly)

[Dracut]

Bradly, Isaac - see Bradley

Bridge, Benjamin   66-67, 79

            [Plainfield]

Brow   36

            [probably John Brown is meant]

Brown, John   35, 87

            [Dunbarton]

Bugbee, Peter   76, 79, 83

(also spelled Bogby)

[Plainfield]

Burnam, Abraham   34, 35, 87

            [Dunbarton]

Burnam, Asa   27, 31, 32, 87

            [Dunbarton]

Burnam, Jabes   84

Burnam, John   40, 87

            [Dunbarton]

Burnam, Samuel   35, 87

Burnum, [first name illegible] (Capt.)   87

            [Dunbarton]

 

Cades    76, 83

Carpender - see Carpenter

Carpenter, Abraham   35, 62, 63, 73a, 79, 81

            (spelled Carpender)

            [Plainfield]

Carpenter, Jesse   57, 61, 62, 72, 73a, 79, 81, 88

(also spelled Carpender)

[Plainfield]

Cate, James   43, 49, 79, 81, 87

            [Plainfield]

Chapman, Benjamin (Capt.)   48, 49, 75, 79, 87

            [Plainfield]

            [surname also spelled Capman]

Chapman, Joseph   48, 79

            [Plainfield]

Chase, Joseph    40, 81

            [Plainfield]

Chase, Moses    39, 81

            [Plainfield]

Chase, Naum    28, 81

            [Plainfield]

Cleavland, Steven    62, 81

            [Plainfield]

Clow, Daniel 5

            [Metheun]

Coal – see also Cole

Coal   34, 65

            [Plainfield]

Coal, Daniel - see Cole

Coal, Ebenezer    64, 79

Coal, Stephen    78, 79

            [Plainfield]

Colbe, Elijah    38

Colbe, Jacob Sargeant    84

Colbe, Sargant   37, 84

            [Dunbarton]

Colborn    44

Colborn, Abraham   14

            [Dracut]

Colbourn, Simeon - see Colburn

Colburn   19, 24

Colburn, Abiger   89

            [Dracut]

Colburn, Daniel   9

            [Metheun]

Colburn, Job   15, 16

Colburn, Joseph   15

            [Dracut]

Colburn, Simeon   5, 14, 25

(also spelled Colbourn)

[Dracut]

Colburn, Thomas   inside front cover, 21

            [Dracut]

Colburn, William   3

            [Dracut]

Coldwell, Alexander   84

Cole – see also Coal

Cole, Daniel   33, 34, 70, 71, 79, 81

(also spelled Coal)

[Plainfield]

Cory, Timothy   68, 75, 79

[Plainfield]

Curtis  19

Curtis, Ephrim - see Curtiss

Curtiss, Ephrim   9, 15, 16, 26

(also spelled Curtis and Cortiss)

[Dracut]

Cutler, Benjamin   74, 79

[Plainfield]

 

Daims [?], David    9

            [Metheun]

Davis, David   64, 81

[Plainfield]

Dean, Nathan   31, 81

(also spelled Deen)

[Plainfield]

Dean, Nathaniel   45, 46, 65, 81

[Plainfield]

Deen, Nathan - see Dean

Dow (Capt.)   29

Dow, Richard   35

            [Dunbarton]

Dow, Thomas   13

            [Dracut]

Dunlop, Robert   51, 52, 67, 79, 81

[Plainfield]

 

Elit(?), David   84

Emery, Amos   38

 

Fairface, James   38

            [probably a fake name]

Faithful, Isaac   38

            [probably a fake name]

Fillups - see Phillips

Flint, Miles    2

Foster, David   28, 38, 85

            [Dunbarton]

Fox, Abijah   14

(spelled Foox, Abiger)

[Dracut]

French   58, 61

French, Benjamin   25

[Dracut]

Frind [i.e. Friend?]    26

            [Dracut]

Frye, Timothy    3

[Dracut]

 

Gage, Amos   1

            [Metheun]

Gage, Asa    1

            [Metheun]

Gage, Benjamin   1

            [Metheun]

Gage, Daniel   6

Gage, Josiah   8

            [Metheun]

Gage, Nathaniel    4

            [Metheun]

Gallop   62

Gallop, Asa  47, 75, 79, 87

            [Plainfield]

Gallop, Thomas   66, 79

            [Plainfield]

Gardner, Samuel   3

            [Metheun]

Garvin, Samuel   84

Gay, James    36, 87

Gilford, Rufus   34

Goald, John - see Gold

Gold   1

Gold, John  27, 39, 84, 87

(also spelled Goald)

[Dunbarton]

Goodwin, Theofiles 84

Griffin, Jonathan 89

 

Hale, Ezekiel   88

[spelled Hail]

[note: next entry is for Phail, and this may be the proper surname]

[Dracut]

Hall, Ephrim   17, 18

Halston, Peter    20, 22          

[also spelled Hetston]

[Dracut]

Hamblet, Deabroah [Deborah?]    90

Harris, John   4

Harvey, James   7, 23

[Dracut]

Harvey, William   14, 17, 20, 21

            (also spelled Hervey and Harve)

[Dracut]

Havery, William - see Harvey

Hedly, Ob[a]diah   84

Hervey, William - see Harvey

Hildreck [?], Josiah    21

[Dracut]

Hogg, G. (Lieut.)    84

Hogg, James (Lieut.)   87

            [Dunbarton]

Hogg, John   27

Hoit, Thomas   84

Homes, [John]   31-32, 87

            [Dunbarton]

Hone – see Homes

Hovey, Thomas   17

[Dracut]

Huggins   49

 

Jamerson, Alexander   84

Jamerson, Daniel   84

Jamerson, Thomas   32, 84

Jones, David   24

[Dracut]

Jon[e]s, David (junr.)   3, 90

[Dracut]

Jon[e]s, Nathaniel   2

[Dracut]

Jones, Hue [Hugh?]   25

[Dracut]

Jones, Nathaniel Pettengill   20

[Dracut]

Jon[e]s, Solomon   23

[Dracut]

 

Kenyon, Joseph (Leu.)   33, 34, 47, 74, 79, 81

[also spelled Kinyan, Kinyon]

[this may be 2 men with same name]

[Plainfield]

Kimbal, Benjamin   42, 77, 81

(also spelled Kimbel)

[Plainfield]

Kimbal, Daniel   77, 79

[Plainfield]

Kimbel, Benjamin - see Kimbal

Kimbel, Joseph (Mager, i.e. Major)   53, 81

[Plainfield]

Kinyan or Kinyon - see Kenyon

Littel boys   60

            [unclear whether surname is Little or if the boys were little]

Lord, Samuel   38, 84

Lov[e]joy, Hezekiah   12

            [of Amhast]

Lyndsay, Isaac   24

Lyndsay, Rachel   24

[spelled Lynsday]

[Dracut]

Lyndsay, Thomas   44, 88, 89

[spelled Lynsday]

[Dracut]

Lyndsay, Thomas (Jr.)    24

Lyndsay, William    88, 89

[spelled Lynsday]

 

Masse, Bartholomew   2, 4

            (Massey? In Dracut)

Masten’s Ferry   11

Mastin (widow)   76

McCally, James   37, 87

            [Dunbarton]

McCurdey, John   42, 87

            [Dunbarton]

McGrager    37

McGrager, Robert, esq.  43, 87

            [Dunbarton]

McNeal, John  42, 81

            [Plainfield]

meeting house    57

Meloon    90

Meloon, William    23

            [Dracut]

Merrick, Jacob    inside front cover

            [Metheun]

Merril, John    84

Miller, Robert    63

            [Plainfield]

Mills, Thomas (junior)    84

Morse, Amos    5

            [Metheun]

Mors[e], Asa    1

            [Dracut]

Morse, Moses   13

            [Metheun]

Morse, Obediah  3

            [Metheun, Dracut]

Moses, Amos    89

Muxley, John    71, 79

 

Nickless, Robert   18, 19

            [Dracut]

 

Ordway, John    84

Osgood, Josiah   12, 14

            [spelled Auzgood]

            [Metheun]

 

 

Palmar - see Palmer

Palmer   32

Palmer, Bette  13

[spelled Palmar; in Metheun]

Palmer, James    6

[spelled Parlmar; Metheun]

Palmer, John    10, 11

(also spelled Palmar, Parlmar; Metheun)

Palmer, Samuel  10

[spelled Palmar; Metheun]

Parkhurt (Doctor)    76, 79

            [Plainfield]

Parlmar - see Palmer

Penenan [Penneman?]   76

Pettengill, John     8, 91

            [Metheun]

Phail    88

            [see note under Hale]

Phillips, Squire   19, 87

[spelled Fillups or Fillops]

[Metheun]

Pilsbery   inside front cover, 7

Pilsbery, Joshua    1

            [Dracut]

Presbey(?)   2

Pudney, Abgill [Abigail?]   85

Pudney, Asa (Mr. & Mrs)    27, 28, 32, 37, 87

Pudney, Henry    27, 28, 87

            [Dunbarton]

Pudney, James    29, 30, 87

            [Dunbarton]

Pulcepher, Lynard    79, 82

            [Plainfield]

Pudney, Rachal    84

Purkings, Joseph    5

            [Dracut]

 

Read, David   57, 81

            [Plainfield]

Reed    64

Reed, Elisha   77

            [Plainfield]

Reed, James   18

            [Dracut]

Reed, Jonathan    65, 66, 79

Reply [Ripley?]   56, 79

Richardson    22

Richardson, Thomas   15, 21

            [Dracut]

Ricorson [?], Jonas   1

Roborson, Sarah    59

Rusel    65

Rusel, Daniel   8, 79, 82, 83

Sanders, David  40, 41, 87

            [Dunbarton]

Sargant, Abel  82, 83

            [Dunbarton]

Sargant, John   4

            [Metheun]

Sargant, Timothy  36, 87

            [Dunbarton]

Sawyer  17, 19

           [probably references to Reuben Sawyer; Dracut]

Sawyer, Reuben   16, 18, 19

            [Dracut]

Silver  84

            [Dunbarton]

Silver [?], Daniel   2

[in Methuen]

Silver, Susanah [Susanna]     83, 85, 88

            [Dracut, Dunbarton]

Smith    69, 72a

            [Dracut]

Smith, Francis, esq.    54, 68, 69, 71, 79,  81

            [first name sometimes spelled Frances, but it’s the same person as Francis]

            [Plainfield]

Smith, Joseph    69, 81

            [Captain or Major not specified]

Smith, Joseph (Capt.)   43, 81

            [Plainfield]

Smith, Joseph (Major)   35, 36, 69, 73, 79

            [Plainfield]

Smith, Lemuel     72a, 73a, 79, 81

            [Plainfield]

Smith, Levy     36

Smith, Simon    68, 69, 79

Smith, Walter    60, 61, 73a, 74, 75, 77, 79, 81

           [Plainfield]

Spalden – see also Spaldon

Spalden, Daniel   79, 82

            [Plainfield]

Spalden, John   56, 81

            [Plainfield]

Spalden, Joseph    10, 70, 79

(also spelled Spaldon)

Spalden, William     6, 79

            [Plainfield]

Spalden, William P.    7, 79

Spaldon – see also Spalden

Spaldon, Barzeal    71, 79

[Spaldon], Phine[a]s    56, 70, 79

            [brother of Younis/Eunice]

Spaldon, Younis(?)   56, 81

            [first name probably Eunice; Phineas is her brother]

            [Plainfield]

Stevens    66

Stevens, David  32

Stinson, Archabald or Artche   29, 30, 87

            [Dunbarton]

Stone   48

Stone, Able (Lt.)   47, 81

            [Plainfield]

Storry, David - see Story

Story, David   29, 33, 87

            [Dunbarton]

(also spelled Storry)

 

Taler - see Tayler

Tayler, Jonathan    4

(also spelled Taler)

Tayler, Thomas    12, 15, 22

(also spelled Taler)

[Dracut]

Thomas, Ebenezer    50, 58, 59, 81

            [Plainfield]

Thomson, Samuel    33, 87

(also spelled Tomson)

[Dunbarton]

Tipet(?), John   inside front cover

            [Metheun]

Tomson, Samuel - see Thomson

Trull, David    22, 23, 24, 44, 88

            [surname possibly Trott]

            [Dracut]

 

Varnum, Eben[e]zer    19-22

            [Dracut]

Var[n]um, Joseph Bradly   26

            [Dracut]

 

Ward, James   77, 79

            [Plainfield]

Weelman, James    61, 79

            [Plainfield]

Wheeler, Suzanah    84

Whe[e]ler, William    84

Whicher, David   14

[i.e. Wicker?]

[Dracut]

Whitten, John    56, 81

            [Plainfield]

Williams, Atwood    53, 56, 57, 79, 81

            [Plainfield]

Williams, Atwood (widow)   49, 50, 81

            [Plainfield]

Williams, Mary   53, 81

            [Plainfield]

Williams, Samuel   64, 79

            [Plainfield]

Willison, Thomas - see Wilson

Willson – see also Wilson

Willson, Jacob    59, 81

            [Plainfield]

Willson, Joseph 6

Willson, Joshua    64, 79

            [Plainfield]

Willson, 'Thomas - see Wilson

Wilson – see also Willson

Wilson, Jesse   2

            [in Metheun]

Wilson, John    11, 89, 91

(also spelled Willson)

[Metheun]

Wilson, Thomas   59, 65, 75, 79, 81

(also spelled Willson, Willison)

[Plainfield]

Witemore, Deb[or]ah - see Witmore

Witmore, Debroah [Deborah?]    83, 84

(also spelled Witemore)

[Dunbarton]

Wood, Steven    26

            [Dracut]

Wood, John    24, 44

Woodbury, Hezekiah    39, 85, 87

            Dunbarton]

Woodwery, Hezekiah - see Woodbury

Wright, Ebenezer (Dr.)  50, 72a, 79, 81

            [Plainfield]

Wright, John   84

[spelled Write]

Wright, Joseph   91

[spelled Write]

[Metheun]

Write – see Wright

 

 

 

 

First names only, surname is possibly Austin:

 

Note: John Austin did not have children named David or Thomas.  He did have a brother named David.

 

David   28

 

Thomas   7