I would call that the items were sold to Mr Smith. "Contra" means that Mr Smith made or did something and is receiving credit for that work. At least locally here, the stores seemed to offer credit and work is balanced against that or the credit was used for a bank-like effect of cash on someone else's account as well.
________________________________
From: HHS Director <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Friday, April 12, 2013 3:24 PM
Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] Ledgers, account books
Thank you Martha. Most of the items listed are easy to decipher, it’s how the books are organized that I’m not familiar with. For example in Mr. Brown’s book:
‘To Mr. Caleb Smith….cod hooks…………………………..…3lb, 5p, 3s
………..4 gal New England Rum………..5lb, 4p, --
………..wharfage, Schooner Bright ….2lb
I comprehend the pounds and shillings, wharfage and cod hooks, but does the entry mean that the book’s owner paid Mr. Smith for such goods or that Mr. Smith is buying these items. And when they’re listed that way, is it safe to assume they’re purchased on credit? Would cash receipts be listed differently?
And does “contra” in a book mean money one owes? Or is it owed to the book owner?
Another example, which I suspect I already know: If a listing has an “X” through it, does that mean an debt or receivable has been settled?
Several folks have given me good leads and I thank everyone.
From:Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Martha Katz-Hyman
Sent: Friday, April 12, 2013 3:01 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] Ledgers, account books
Are you talking about understanding the items listed in the ledgers? The Oxford English Dictionary is excellent for helping to understand what words meant in the 18th century as compared to what they mean now. For understanding the English goods available in the 18th century, look at "Dictionary of Traded Goods and Commodities, 1550-1820" (http://www.british-history.ac.uk/source.aspx?pubid=739), which is a dictionary of terms found used in documents relating to trade in early modern Britain. I've found it incredibly useful in understanding what was meant by a particular name or term.
Martha Katz-Hyman
Curator
Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation
________________________________
To unsubscribe from the MUSEUM-L list, click the following link:
http://home.ease.lsoft.com/scripts/wa-HOME.exe?SUBED1=MUSEUM-L&A=1
________________________________
To unsubscribe from the MUSEUM-L list, click the following link:
http://home.ease.lsoft.com/scripts/wa-HOME.exe?SUBED1=MUSEUM-L&A=1
=========================================================
Important Subscriber Information:
The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes).
If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).
|
