This is just a guess, but pehaps "sickness" was the way in which the debit was forgiven. In other words, $7 was paid in cash and $4 was forgiven due to illness. Susanne Lambert Nora Eccles Harrison Museum of Art Tusculum College Museums wrote: > Hello all, > > I have a question about the term "sickness" as used in an 1850's ledger > that I am transcribing. The ledger lists the debits and credits of > students attending this man's school. The term falls under the credits > section where it lists how the debits were paid for. Some just say "By > cash $10." While others say "By sickness $4. By cash $7." Is anyone > familiar with the use of this term at that time? or know where I can look > for the answer? > > Thanks in advance for your help, Adrienne Marrah-Program Assistant > > ========================================================= > 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). ========================================================= 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).