Elijah Williams ran a store. In the left-hand column are purchases made by Abijah Prince. The right-hand column lists when and how he paid for his purchases. The columns of numbers represent money: from left to right; pounds, shillings, pence, and farthing (20 shillings=1 pound, 12 pence = 1 shilling, 4 farthings = 1 penny). As an example, the value of the "hogs head" purchased by Abijah on Sept. 9 would be 5 shillings 4 pence. When a number appears with a "/", as in 7/4 on May 27, that stands for 7 shillings and 4 pence.

Sept 9 to a hogs head------------------------------------------ -- 5 / 4 -- May 4. by A Salmon 7 11

Oct 21 to 2qts of Rhum----------------------------------------- -- 2 8 -- May 20 By 1 Day Clearing Land 2/ 0,, 2 ,,0,,0

Nov 1 to peck of Salt------------------------------------------- -- 1 6 -- Aug 4 By Mowing 5/4 (10) Hay 1 Day Mow- 0,, 8,,0,,0

1757

Jan 4 to 6 & _ #s cheese------------------------------------- -- 3 4.2 ____________________________________________________________

Feb 21 To 1 lb of Rice/4---------------------------------------- -- -- 4 -- May 27 To Sundries 3/9 (June 23) Sunds 7/4 0,,11,,1,,0

March 10 To I Jill of Rhum------------------------------------- -- -- 3 2 July 8 To 2 qts brandy 2/ To Brandy 1/ 0,, 3,,0,,0

May 9 To _ lb powder _ 1 lb Shot 8- Carried to April -- 2 0 .0 Augt 2 To Brandy 4 0,, 2,,0,,0 To fill [?] qt {00} To Brandy 1/ 0,, 3,,0,,0 10 To 34 yd _ White Tow Cloth a 0,, 4,,4,,0

In these entries there is no column for farthings. On Oct. 27, "6 0.2" would mean 6 shillings and 0.2 pence.

1753 Titus Mr. Ashleys Negro Dr 1754 Contra

Oct. 27 to Sundrys ---------------------- -- 6 0.2 July 11 by Bottoming a Chair---- -- -- 8--

Dec 20 to 3 Square needles-------------- -- 1.3 by 3 Do--------------------- -- 2 --

1754 3 4

June 24 to 1 qt of Rhum---------------------- --1 4- by a Days Husking------ 2 --

to Cash--------------------------------- 1 1 3 by Days counted [?] with Jno Bush------ 3 4

__________________________________________________________________________________________

1755 1755

June 17 to 3 yds of Gartering-------------- 1 1 2 June 18 by Cash------------------------ 1 13

18 to [?] a handkerchief---------------- 2 8-- 1756 by bottoming 6 Chairs---------- 4 6.2

Sept. 15 to Rhum------------------------------- 8– Feb 19 By bottoming 2 Chairs------- 1 7

Dec. 13 To Sundrys _------------------------ 1 2 May 18 By pd Smn [?] Burt---------- 11

1756 Sept 8 By Tobbacco [?] 2/----------- 2 0

Feb 19 To 1 pt Rhum /8d-------------------- 8 10 2 1

March 31 For pt Do /8d To 5 Nedles [?] /1 _ 9.1 12 4 3

Apr 21 To _ pt Rhum------------------------- 5 Dr brought over 1 2--

26 To 1 Jill Rhum------------------------ 3 1756 June To _ pt Rhum 5 To Rhum Qt

May 18 To 1 qt Do.--------------------------- 1 4 _ 14 03

Aug 12 To Rhum [?]------------------------- 6 6

Sept [?] To Rhum 6------------------------ 6 6

1756 10 0.3

March 15 to 1 dram 1 _

Rhum 1/5 To Rhum 1/5 2 18

Do.- ditto, same

Gartering- strips of material or leather used to tie around the leg just below or above the knee to help keep up stockings

Husking- removing leaves from ears of corn

Jno- abbreviation for Jonathan

Square needles- a square of needles, a piece of paper full of needles

Jonathan Ashley owned Titus and Cato. The work that they did was for Asa Childs.

Childs Asa Debtor

Days work of Titus Dunging in holes for planting 0-15-0

Days work of Cato reaping oats

Days work Titus picking Corn

Days work Titus thrashing

_ a day of Titus mending fence little meadow

Days work Cato about Hay

Days work Cato picking Corn

_ a day Cato Husking

2 Days Titus mowing

1 days work picking Corn & taking up flax

_ days work at Thrashing 27of Oct.

2 days going into ye woods to mend roads

Janry 2 days thrashing

April 2. 1754 Reconed with Asa Childs and he owed me for 5 Days work excepting 8/ old tenor he paid towards it–to 1 day work more of Titus he plowed 1 acre of land Ballanced

Childs widow Rhodah Debtor July 2. 1757 O T

To Titus a Days Mowing 1–0–0

Sept. to Titus mowing a Day

Paid by her Sons work

1752 april

John Sheldon Debtor to 2 days work Cato 0–15

1756 Childs Timothy Ensign Debtor

to paying Lieut Hoit for going to Fullers

Judging the Value of the Land I bought of him 0–15–0

1757 Feb to a yoke of Cattle a day 0–10–0

april to Titus a Days work 0–15–0

to _ Bushel of Wheat 0–17–6

1758 Janry to Titus thrashing Corn a day 0–15–0

to Abijah Prince Rye a Day 0–15--0

May 6. 1762 Reconed with Ensign Timothy Childs

& due to me nine pounds three Shillings & four pence

for which I took a word iou [?] Deacon Noah Wright

Credit for 2 lb of Tea to a Days reaping- 22/6 to work at falls

About Hay 7/6 to rest of 2 acres & _ of Land---9--10–0

5– 0---0

7–6

1-- 2–6

1. [?]

Bushel- 32 quarts

Dunging- using manure as fertilizer

Ensign- a military rank

Janry- January

Old Tenor, OT- old style of money

Reconed- reckoned, counted, tallied up

Thrashing- to separate seeds from stalks by beating

June 1753 Crosby Debtor to money paid in

Boston-------------------------------1–0–0

To a yoke of Cattle to Sunderland----------0–10–0

July to 10 ounces of Loaf Sugar-----------------0–7–0

July 26 to a Yoke of Cattle a day------------------0–8–0

To 146 quarts of milk at 10d per quart-----------6–1–8

July 15 1755 to 3 & _ of Sugar at 3/-------------0–16–3

Augus 19. 1755 to 4 lb of Sugar at 5/9----------1–3–0

Sept. 12: 1755 to 2 lb of Sugar------------------ -0–11–6

to pasturing 2 Cows 16 weeks------------------- 6–0–0

Oct. 13 to Titus thrashing a day------------------ 0–16–0

Oct. to Catos milking Cows 2 Days-------------- 1–4–0

Oct. 28. to Titus & Catos Husking half a day–0–13–0

Oct. 29 & 30 to Catos Husking---------------------1–4–0

No. 7 to Catos thrashing till 4 of the clock-------0–10–0

No. 20 to Catos thrashing---------------------------0–12–0

Crosby Molly Deb. To _ of wool 21–9–5

Nov. 25. 1754

Wilson of Colrain brot 9 lb & _ of Butter

Paid him 22/6–again 7 lb 2 oz paid him 22/6

Will McCrelis 8 lb & _ paid him 30/ old tenor

5---------- paid him of due yet 1/6

Janry 1755 John McCrelis Credit to 20 lb of butter

L

3–0–0 old tenor

Feb 9 paid him by Harroon [?]----------2–5--0

0–15–0

1–11–6

2–11__

4–17–6

May 15- 1755 Reconed with John McCrelis & paid him

all I owed him

21–9–5

Nov.28.1755 Crosby debtor to Catos Thrashing a day------0–12–0

Decem 27 1755 Debt. To a Load of wood----------------------1–4–0

Decem.30 1755 to part of a Load of wood------------0–10–0

31 1755 to more wood faggots----------------0–5–0

January 2 1756 to more wood--------------------------------------0–10–0

5 1756 to more wood---------------------------------------0–12–0

Jan: 17.1756 to more wood------------------------------------------0–3–0

Jan. 1756 to Titus thrashing _ a day-----------------------------0–7–0

Feb 2 1756 to 7 lb of Bread------------------------------------------0–7–0

March 4. 1756 to a Load of wood-----------------------------------1–5–0

27–04--5

Paid William Williams of Hatfield------------------------------------1–14--10

28–18–10

28–18–10

26–17–0

2–1–10

Crosbys account against me----------------------------------------28–18–10

2.

april. 1756 Account Ballanced-----

april 28. 1756 Solomon Crosby came to Board with me the same Day

I lent him 23/& 8 old tenor went away may 20 at night

His account 7–12–0 4–10–0

1–3–8

5--13–8

Board- to stay at someone’s house. In this time period students took turns having the teacher board at their homes.

Brot- brought

d- pence

Deb.- debtor

Faggots- sticks

Loaf Sugar- In this time period sugar was available in a hard cone shape called a loaf.

Dickinson Samuel Debtor to a Note 29-- 0-- 0 O.T

to Table & [?] board 2

1755 Credit to a Horse to Weathersfield------------- 3-- 10 --0

to Samuels yoke of Cattle a day---------------- 1 ----5--0

1756 to a Load of pine 40/ 2-----0--0

Mowing -----------

1757 a pair of Indian Shoes------------------------------ 2----5---0

May 1757 to Cato Days mowing Bushel 0---15---0

June 27 to Titus Mowing a day----------------------------- 1----0----0

3---15----0

Cato a Day for (37) coming to N.Hamton

Abijah Negro Debt Decem. 1756

To a yoke of Cattle 1 day--------------------------------------------------0–10–0

1756 Feb to _ a days thrashing for Lt Field--------------------------0–7–6

May 15 to Cato & 3 Cattle a Day----------------------------------------1–10–0

May 16 to Cato & a Horse a Day----------------------------------------1–10–0

18 to Cato plowing a day--------------------------------------------0–15–0

June 9 to Titus & Cato to How & a horse to harrow----------------1–10–0

June 10 to Titus & Cato to How & a horse to harrow---------------1–10–0

June 11 too Cato & Horse to How & Harrow--------------------------0–15–0

June 15 to Cato a day to How---------------------------------------------0–15–0

13–17–6

June 24 Due to mean balance--------------------------------------------0–17–6

June 25 debtor to Titus days Howing------------------------------------0–15–0

June 30 to Cato a days Houghing---------------------------------------0–15–0

July 1 to Titus & Cato _ Days Houghing--------------------------------0–15–0

July 29 to Titus & Catos Howing-------------------------------------------1–10–0

August 1 to Catos pulling flax-----------------------------------------------0–15–0

August 4 to Titus Mowing a day--------------------------------------------1–0–0

Septem 4 to Titus _ a day mowing----------------------------------------0–10–0

6–17--6

Sept. 8 to half a day Titus Cutting Stalks---------------------------------0–7–6

15 to Cato mowing & [?] up stalks-----------------------------------0–10–0

20 to Titus mowing for Sheldon til 2 of Clock--------------------0–12–0

24 to Cato & the Team to fetch hay from Corches [?] land–0–12–0

Oct 6 to Catos fetching a load of Corn flour N. Fort--------------------0–10–0

10 to Cato & the team to bring in Stalks-------------------------------1–3–0

10–12–0

Oct 18 to Titus Draining a day------------------------------------------------1–0–0

31 to Titus thrashing a day for W Hawks-----------------------------------0–15–0

Nov 22 to a Team to fetch wood----------------------------------------------0–12–0

Decem. 27 to Titus _ day killing [?] hoggs---------------------------------0–6–0

March 24 to Catos Dressing flax begin at 10 Clock----------------------0–12–0

april to Wood-----------------------------------------------------------------------0–15–0

Catos plowing---------------------------0–15–0

15–12–6

Credit 1757 [?]

to 1 days work dressing flax & Cutting wood-------------------------------0–15–0

March to 3 days work at the falls----------------------------------------------2–10–0

april 19–to 1 Day fencing-------------------------------------------------------0–15–0

april 26. to a Day at fencing------------------------------------------------------0–15–0

May to 3 days work at Falls-----------------------------------------------------2–5–0

June 1757 to _ a day Indian [?] hill & a whole day-----------------------------1–2–6

June 8 to Days Howing------------------------------------------------------------0–15–0

June 9 to a days Howing ---------------------------------------------------------0–15–0

June 16 & 17 to Cutting Bushes------------------------------------------------1–10–0

June 18 to a days houghing-----------------------------------------------------0–15–0

June 20 to _ a days work up the hill------------------------------------------0–7–6

May 18 to Catos plowing a day Carried to page 41 13–0–0

June 30 Credit to 2 hours work mending fence-----------------------------1–1–0

July 9 to a days work at the falls mowing--------------------------------------1–5---0

July 12 to a days work making hay at the falls--------------------------------0–18–0

July to 2 days reaping & 1 takeing up rye-----------------------------------2–15–0

august 2 to pulling flax 15/ 3 to pulling flax------------------------------20/--1–15–0

6–16–9

Sept 17 to mowing at the falls----------------------------------------------------1–0–0

Oct. 12 to 13 to Sowing rye & Cutting Stalks--------------------------------1–10–0

9–6–9

Decem. 6 to Digging a day at the Hill-------------------------------------------0–15–0

June 17 to Burning Brush a Day-------------------------------------------------0–15–0

July 22 to Houghing a day at the plain-----------------------------------------0–15–0

11–1–9

to a Days reaping---------------------------------------------------------------------1–2–6

12–4–3

1758 1–6–3

August 13 reconed with Abijah prince 13–10–6

& Due to me O.T.-----------------------------------------------------------1–18–6

Some wood drew off the hill omitted----------------------------------------------0–10–0

2–8–6

Debtor to 3 lb. Of Wool Lusey has 29/ Credit to Spinning 16 & _ & uses 37/6

To 2 lb of Greese 5/

Dressing flax- preparing flax for spinning

Greese- grease

Harrow- to break up and smooth out soil before planting

Houghing- hoeing

How- hoe

Lusey- Lucy Terry Prince

Mean balance- middle balance

Sowing- planting seeds

Sugaring- making maple sugar

July 1758 Abijah prince Debtor to Brot from page 37.

13–15--0

July 24. debtor to Titus & Cato Houghing a day------------------------------1–10–0

25 to a Load of wood-----------------------------------------------------------0–[?]–0

august to Catos Days reaping-----------------------------------------------------1–2–0

16–7–0

13–10–6

02–14–6

Credit to Ferriage---------------------------------------------------------------------0–16–0

August 13. 1758 reconed with Abijah 1–18–6

Prince & Due to me O.T.------------------------------------------------------------1–18–0

Nov [?] 1758 Due to me 2 days work--------------------------------------------1–10–0

Novem Debtor to a Team [?] twirl [?] to the green-----paid by ferriage–0–12–0

march to Catos helping us with a boat _ day-----------------------------------0–6–0

to going down Sabbathday night

march 19 to Catos help killing a hogg---------------------------------------------0–2–6

Nov. 28 1759 reconed with Abijah Prince & Ballanced all accounts

march 1759 to bringing my mow over–to Catos Crossing to mill

to my going to the falls. To Titus going to mill haying over to ye falls

to Cato 7 Titus going to the falls- to my going to Greenfield

Ferriage- guiding a ferry across water

Sabbathday- Sunday

Ishmael belonged to Thomas Dickinson.

1753 Ishmael T Dic.n Negro Dr 1753 Contra-----------------------------Cr

Nov 2 to a pair of Stockings--------------6 8- Nov10 by Cash--------------------------------6

Dec. 12 to 3 pints of Rhum---------------2– 1754

8 8 Sept. 16 by Cash----------------------------4 2

Feb 6 to Sundreys--------------------------7– Novm by 2 Day Work a 2------------------4

Dec.r 8 To I pr. Stockings-----------------6– by 1 Do a 2/8-------------------------2 8

1756 11 3-

April 2 To 1 pair Gloves--------------------2 8 Dec. 8 By Cash--------------------------------3--

Aug. 17 to a pr of Garters---------------------8 1756

1757 Apr 24 by Digging J.W. Tuter grave------2 12

May 23 to a handkerchief 7/ Rhum 3----7 3 Octr. By bringing 1 cow home 1 / 4 --1 4-

Oct. 27 To _ pt Rhum 6d 6 17 82

1 12 9

17 82

15 02

T Dic.n- Thomas Dickinson

1757Abijah Prince Dr---

Octr 31 To brought from pg. 67------------------------------------------ 6,,1,,6,,.2 1757 Contra-----------------------------------------Cr:

To sundrys------ 26/11---------------------------------------------1,,6,,11,,0 Octr 31 By Broadcloth refund-----19/6---------------------------------1,,9 ,,6,,0

Nov. 5 To Brandy………..2/-------------------------------------------------0,,2,,0,,0 By Brought from pg. 67---------------------------------------- -2,,12,,4,,0

10 To 1 pr pumps------7/--------------------------------------------- -0,,7,,0– Nov 15 By Richard Phillips nd: 26/4----------------------------------- 1,, 6,,4,,0

11 To 1 Gallon brandy–4/------------------------------------------- -0,,4,,0– Dec [?] By Ballans account 1/8--------------------------------------- 0,, 1,,8,,0

15 To Rhum---------------/6 23: To Rhum 9/8-------------------- 3,,2,,0 1758

Decr. 9 To Rhum 9/8 To 1 6 d Nails fth [?] To Rhum 9/8----------- 6,,8,,0 Feby–22 By 1 Load Wood------5/--------------------------------- ------ 5 -- --

1758 March 13^th By 1 Load Wood--4/8 April 20 By Ferrying 1/ - ------- 5 8 --

Jany. 10th--- To pipes 3d _ To 2 qt. Rum 2/8 Jay. 29 _ -----------4 3 2 June 29 By mowing 2/8------------------------------------------------ ----- 2 8--

March 10th To Rhum _ 13: To Rhum 4d----------------------------------1 6 0 July 8 By a days Clearing Land 4/ 14th by 1 day clearing 2/---- -- 6 -- --

April 20th To 9 q’s Rhum 2/10 May 16. To Rhum 6------------------- 3 4 0 Augt 10 By 1 days Work 2/ By 1 day Clearing Land 4/5-------------- 4 5

May 27^th: To Rhum–2/10 July 8^th To Rhum qt----------------------------3 7 0 18 By Cash of Elijah Allard-----2/8------------------------------------ 2 8--

July 19^th: To Rhum 1/5 To harrowing & plowing _ Acre 3/8------------5 1– 21 By helping cart hay 1 day 2/ 23^rd By 1 day mowing 2/8---- 4 8--

20 To Rhum — 25^th To 3 Cattle to bring wood W Ashleys Pasture 1 9– 25 By 1 day mowing 2/8 By 2 hands [?] 1 Day 1/8------------5 4--

August 17 To 1 qt Rhum 1/5 1d To Rhum 2/10--------------------------4 3– Sept 10 By 1 days work 2/ by 2 Load Pine Boards d 4/----------------6---

25 To 4 Boys 1 day to pull flax-----------------------------------------5 4– 1758 Jany By a days 4/ By 3 days work 6/----------------------------- 10--

Octr. 3 To 1 hogshead 8/6 dec 13 To 3# Suit.Bad [?]---------------------8 6– 9 By 2 days work 4/ Day work–2/-------------------------- -6--

dec–18 To 3 Busll Apples 1/9 21 To Sundry 2/10---------------------4 7– Feby 10 By ferrying N. Hamp h? man 10/8--------------------------------10 8--

59 Janry. 9 To Sundry–1/7 To Cyder .7------------------------------------2 2– 8 11 11 0

20 To Cyder 15d. Febry 2^nd To _ Sewett 1 lb/2 _------------1 7.2 Feby 26 By 2 days Work 4/ March 17^th By 1 Load Wood… 4/8…… 8 8--

febry: 10 To Rhum 1/5d (15 To a dram 2 [?]/16 To Cyder 3d--------1 10– April 3 By my ferring of Load….1/1-------------------------------------------- 1 1--

L 10 19 12 May 16 By Cash---- 10/9 By butter 11d L 9 1 : 8 0

27. To Rhum 1/6 1 6 By Carried to Book E 171 [?]----------------------------------- 1 18 11 2

May--- 16 To Rhum---3/4 -- 31^st So Suet 1/7 L 11 0 72 11 0 7 2

Busll- bushel

Hands- farmworkers

Jay-January

Pr pumps- a pair of pumps, pumps are a kind of shoe

q’s- quarts

Sewett, suit- suet, beef fat