1864 Farmingdale NY Chas. S. Powell $2.50 Receipt for “full services of machine”
$ 13.2
Description
1864 Farmingdale NY Chas. S. Powell $2.50 Receipt for “full services of machine”. “Farmingdale aug 22/1864 Received from Chas. The wording strongly suggests the hiring or operation of agricultural machinery, likely connected with threshing, harvesting, or grain processing during the Civil War era. No major issues to note. Bold legible writing. Overall, in good to very good condition. You will receive the exact sheet shown in the photos - please have a good look at the photos to access condition. It measures approx. 3 1/4" x 5" A best-effort 📜 Transcription & summary: “Farmingdale aug 22/1864 Received from Chas. S. Powell administrator of W. Powell Est. Two Dollars and Fifty cents as payment for full services of machine two days — $2.50 Thomas Ireland” Summary / Context: This 1864 Farmingdale receipt documents payment from Charles S. Powell, administrator of the W. Powell Estate, to Thomas Ireland for the “full services of machine” over a two-day period. The wording strongly suggests the hiring or operation of agricultural machinery, likely connected with threshing, harvesting, or grain processing during the Civil War era. By the 1860s, portable threshing machines and other mechanized farm equipment were increasingly being used on Long Island farms, often hired out with an operator or crew during harvest season. Receipts like this illustrate the gradual mechanization of agriculture in rural Farmingdale and the routine expenses involved in managing estate farmland after a property owner’s death. ================================================================ During the 1850s and 1860s, Farmingdale was a small but steadily growing Long Island community situated along important transportation routes between New York City and eastern Long Island. Originally known as part of the broader farming districts of Oyster Bay and later South Farmingdale, the area was primarily agricultural, with local families engaged in crop farming, livestock raising, and small-scale trade. The arrival and expansion of the Long Island Rail Road during the mid-19th century played a major role in Farmingdale’s development. Rail connections improved access to New York City markets, allowing local farmers and merchants to transport produce, dairy products, and goods more efficiently. The railroad also encouraged modest commercial growth around the depot area, helping transform the village from a rural crossroads into a recognizable business center. During the Civil War era (1861–1865), Farmingdale remained largely agricultural, though many residents were affected by wartime economic changes and military service. Like many Long Island communities, local men served in New York volunteer regiments, while the home front experienced rising prices and increased demand for agricultural production. Small businesses, blacksmith shops, general stores, and local tradesmen supported both residents and the surrounding farming economy. By the late 1860s, Farmingdale was beginning to evolve into a more organized village community with churches, schools, hotels, and small commercial enterprises clustered near the railroad. Though still rural in character, the transportation advantages established during this period laid the groundwork for the substantial suburban and industrial growth the area would experience in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. **Shipped securely in a new poly bag, sandwiched in chipboard, inside a new rigid mailer via USPS Ground Advantage service w/ tracking** Click HERE to see matchbooks I have available. Click HERE to see transit and trade tokens I have available. Click HERE to see billheads I have available. Click HERE to see letterheads I have available. For U.S. based orders, the shipping cost for the first purchase is $4.00 and no extra cost for additional similar items such as billheads, letterheads, tickets, patches, post cards, trade cards, stock certificates that can safely be shipped in the same package. I have over 63,000 unique items here on eBay - Click HERE to visit my store & save with combined shipping for multiple buys. For U.S. orders on a PC, use the "add to cart" feature to select multiple items before paying. If the cart does not combine shipping costs, I will refund excess fees as I pack your order the following morning. I have enjoyed buying and selling vintage collectibles for over 40 years. Unless noted otherwise, all items I offer are original and not reproductions. Please review photos for condition issues (if any) as they are part of the description, and contact me with questions before bidding or buying. All items are securely packed and shipped via USPS. Please rely on my 25+ yr. 11,000+ 99.9% feedback rating as a guide to your buying decision. I hope all is well with you and your family — thanks for stopping by! – Jerry
