RARE 1803 Payment Ledger Document - Francis Baylies Bristol, MA “Blackman”
$ 155.77
Description
RARE 1803 Payment Ledger Document - Francis Baylies Bristol, MA “Blackman” . For your consideration is an original, hand-written General Ledger/Account Book dated 1803–1804. It features the original fold lines, minor toning consistent with age, and sharp, dark ink. The paper is sturdy, hand-laid rag paper typical of the era. For your consideration is an original, hand-written General Ledger/Account Book dated 1803–1804. This document records the detailed transactions between James Richmond Blackman and Francis Baylies (1783–1852). Historical Significance: • Francis Baylies: At the time of this document, Baylies was a young man in Massachusetts. He would go on to become a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, a diplomat to Argentina, and a famed historian (author of An Historical Memoir of the Colony of New Plymouth). • The Baylies Connection: Francis was the nephew of Hodijah Baylies, a prominent Revolutionary War figure and member of George Washington’s "military family." • Social History: This ledger provides a fascinating "snapshot" of early 19th-century life, showing how goods were bartered and debts were settled through labor. Document Details & Content: The ledger is meticulously kept in a legible 19th-century cursive. It includes several pages of itemized purchases and "Contra" (credits) including: • Spirits & Staples: Frequent entries for Rum, Gin, Wine, "Bohea Tea," molasses, sugar, and gingerbread. • Dry Goods & Hardware: Purchases of "dial cloth," a penknife, shoes, tobacco, and "nankin" (Nankeen cloth). • Barter Economy: A rare "Contra" entry showing a credit for "work done by your boys on the highway" to settle a portion of the debt. • Currency: Transactions are recorded in the early Federal period transition, showing dollar signs and decimal math ($32.24). Condition: The document is in excellent antique condition for its age (220+ years). It features the original fold lines, minor toning consistent with age, and sharp, dark ink. The paper is sturdy, hand-laid rag paper typical of the era. No significant tears or loss of text. Why this belongs in your collection: Whether you are a collector of Massachusetts history, a Baylies family descendant, or a specialist in Early American Economics, this document is a museum-quality piece of ephemera connecting a local tradesman to one of the state's future political leaders.
