Home > Primary Sources > Source Detail

Jonathan Ashley Account Book

Location:
Deerfield, MA
Description:
The Reverend Jonathan Ashley (1712-1780) was the town minister of Deerfield, Massachusetts, from 1732 until his death in 1780. He kept this account book 1752-1778 where he recorded debts and credits for textiles, foodstuffs, hiring servants, and renting out enslaved labor. It is part of a collection of more than 600 account books currently in the Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association Library kept by local merchants, professionals, farmers, craftspeople, and business firms from the 17th - 20th centuries.

Table of contents

1752 to 1778 Records 1752-1778

(PVMA#: PVMA 5301)

Entry Date AA Name(s) $  £  s  p  f id
• Feb. 1752 to 3 days thrashing of Titus 1752 Feb Titus, 45
• Titus thrashed 3 days for Ebenr Barnard 1753 Feb Titus, 44
• An account of Work Done for folks & what yy do for me
1755 August Titus mowed one day & raked hay another for T. Bardwell
august mowed 2 Days for Samuel Dickinson
august mowed 3 Days for Tho Dickinson
august mowed 1 Day for Samuel Childs
Sept 2 mowed 1 Day for John Nims 		1755 Aug Titus, 41
• mowed one Day for Samuel Childs 1755 Aug Titus, 43
• 1755 August Titus mowed one Day and raked hay another for T. Bardwell 1755 Aug Titus, 40
• Catos shoes 0-19-0 1755 Aug Cato Cole, 19 2
• Catos picking Corn 2 Days 1-4-0 1755 Oct 10 Cato Cole, 1 4 18
• to Titus thrashing a Day 0-16-0 1755 Oct 13 Titus, 16 52
• to Titus and Cato thrashing half a day 0-13-0 1755 Oct 28 Cato Cole, Titus, 13 53
• to Titus and Cato thrashing half a day 0-13-0 1755 Oct 28 Cato Cole, Titus, 13 17
• to Catos husking 1-4-0 1755 Oct 29 Cato Cole, 1 4.0 16
• Childs Lieut Debtor oct. 1755
to one Days work of Cato--tuesday--
wednesday Titus & Cato 1/2 a day--
thursday Titus & Cato--
friday Titus & Cato  01-10-2
                                       4
monday Titus -2-2-2
                        7-6
Nov 7 to Titus thrashing a day 		1755 Oct Cato Cole, Titus, 12 54
• Lt. Childs debtor acct. 1755 to one Days work of Cato - tuesday - Thomas Clark  1755 Oct Cato Cole, 15
• to Titus threshing a day 1755 Nov 7 Titus, 51
• to Catos thrashing till 4 of the clock 0-10-0 1755 Nov 7 Cato Cole, 10 12
• to Catos thrashing 0-12-0 1755 Nov 20 Cato Cole, 12 10
• Crosby debtor to Catos Thrashing Day 0-12-0 1755 Nov 28 Cato Cole, 12 11
• Samuel Bardwell -1755-&6 Debtor to Titus work 2-0-0 1755 Titus, 2 61
•  Jan.  Making Titus Shoes 1-0-0 1756 Jan Titus, 1 62
• to Titus thrashing 1/2 a day 0-7-0 1756 Jan Titus, 7 46
• Abijah Negro Debt Decem. 1756 to a yoke of Cattle 1 Day   1756 Dec Abijah Prince, 1 90
• to Titus 2 Days thrashing 1-10-0 1756 Dec Titus, 1 10.0 3
• to 4 Days work of Titus 1756 Titus, 66
• Lt. Field - debtor to 2 Days Titus thrashing 1-10-0 1756 Titus, 1 10 59
• to Titus a Days work 0-15-0 1757 Apr Titus, 1734
• to Cato Days mowing... 0-15-0 1757 May Cato Cole, 15 8
• to Titus a Days mowing 1757 Jul 2 Titus, 1 49
• Sept. 1757 Debtor to Titus a days mowing 1-0-0 1757 Sep Titus, 1 57
• to Titus Mowing a Day 1-0-0 1757 Titus, 1 63
• to 3 or 4 Days Titus thrashing 2-5-0 1757 Titus, 2 5.0 58
• July 24 Debtor to Titus and Catos Houghing a day 1-10-0

 		1758 Jul 24 Abijah Prince, Cato Cole, Titus, 1 10 2927
• July 1758 Abijah Prince Debtor to Brot from page 37 13-15-0

 		1758 Jul Abijah Prince, 13 15 91
• Nov. 11. 1758 Cred. to Catos Crossing to mill 0-2-6 

 		1758 Nov 11 Abijah Prince, Cato Cole, 2 6.0 9
• Cred. to bring over my sheep 0-7-3 1758 Nov 11 Abijah Prince, 7 3.0 2928
• Nov. 11. 1758 Cred. to Catos Crossing to mill 0-2-6

1758 Nov 11 Abijah Prince, Cato Cole, 2 6.0 93
• nov 1758 Due to me 2 days work 1-10-0 

 		1758 Nov Abijah Prince, 1 10 2929
• Novm. Debtor to a Team twice to the River paid by ferrying 0-12-0 1758 Nov Abijah Prince, 12 94
• to bringing my mare over - to Catos Crossing to mill to my going to the falls to Titus going to mill to Cato and Titus going to the falls to my going to Greenfield 1759 Mar Abijah Prince, Cato Cole, Titus, 5
• to bringing my mare over - to Catos Crossing to mill to my going to the falls to Titus going to mill to Cato and Titus going to the falls to my going to Greenfield 1759 Mar Abijah Prince, Cato Cole, Titus, 92
• to bringing my mare over - to Catos Crossing to mill to my going to the falls to Titus going to mill to Cato and Titus going to the falls to my going to Greenfield 1759 Mar Abijah Prince, Cato Cole, Titus, 50
• Debtor to Titus' days work 0-2-0 1759 Jul Titus, 2 47
• to Cato & Team a day to plough 0-4-8 1759 Sep Cato Cole, 19
• to Titus and Cato Spreading flax 1759 Sep Cato Cole, Titus, 56
• oct. 1759. 18, 19, 20 to Catos working at Greenfield 1759 Oct 18 Cato Cole, 14
• reconed with Abijah Prince and Ballanced all accounts 1759 Nov 28 Abijah Prince, 95
• Nov 29 for Abijah Prince  0-10-3-0 1768 Abijah Prince, 10 3.0 97
• march 19 to Catos help killing a hogg 0-2-6 1775 Mar 19 Abijah Prince, Cato Cole, 2 6.0 7
• march to Catos helping in with a boat 1/2 a day   0-6-0 1775 Mar Abijah Prince, Cato Cole, 6 6
• to going down Sabbarday night  1775 Abijah Prince, 99
• march to Catos helping in with a boat 1/2 a day   0-6-0 1775 Abijah Prince, Cato Cole, 6 98
• march 19 to Catos help killing a hogg 0-2-6 1775 Abijah Prince, Cato Cole, 2 6.0 96
• to going down Sabbarday night  1775 Abijah Prince, 21
• To Titus mowing a day to pay for mowing for Mrs Stevens- at Carters land 1-0-0 -- Titus, 64
• Debtor to 2 Days Titus mowing 2-0-0 -- Titus, 60

top of page

-- to -- Single

(PVMA#: PVMA 5301)

Entry Date AA Name(s) $  £  s  p  f id
• Childs Asa Debtor
1 days work of Titus Dunging in holes for planting  0-15-0
1 days work of Cato reaping oats
1 days work Titus picking Corn
1 days work Titus thrashing
1/2 a day of Titus mending fence little meadow
1 days work Cato about Hay
1 days work Cato picking Corn
1/2 a day Cato Husking
2 days Titus mowing ---
1 days work picking Corn & taking up flax
1/2 days work at thrashing 27 of act.
2 days going into ye woods to mend roads
Janry 2 days thrashings
Feb. 4 days thrashing


 		1752 Feb 11 Cato Cole, Titus, 23
• Childs Asa Debtor
1 days work of Titus Dunging in holes for planting  0-15-0
1 days work of Cato reaping oats
1 days work Titus picking Corn
1 days work Titus thrashing
1/2 a day of Titus mending fence little meadow
1 days work Cato about Hay
1 days work Cato picking Corn
1/2 a day Cato Husking
2 days Titus mowing ---
1 days work picking Corn & taking up flax
1/2 days work at thrashing 27 of act.
2 days going into ye woods to mend roads
Janry 2 days thrashings
Feb. 4 days thrashing


 		1752 Feb 11 Cato Cole, Titus, 71
• to 2 days thrashing of Titus  1752 Feb Titus, 68
• Titus thrashed 3 days for Ebenr Barnard 1753 Feb Titus, 70
• oct. 13 to Titus thrashing a day 0-16-0 1755 Oct 13 Titus, 16 75
• oct 28 to Titus & Catos husking half a day 0-13-0 1755 Oct 28 Cato Cole, Titus, 13 30
• oct 28 to Titus & Catos husking half a day 0-13-0 1755 Oct 28 Cato Cole, Titus, 13 76
• oc. 29 & 30 to Catos Husking 1-4-0 1755 Oct 29 Cato Cole, 1 4 31
• oct. to Catos picking corn 2 Days 1-4-0 1755 Oct Cato Cole, 1 4 32
• No. 7 Catos thrashing till 4 of the clock 0-1-0 1755 Nov 7 Cato Cole, 1 26
• to Catos thrashing 0-12-0 1755 Nov 20 Cato Cole, 12 28
• Crosby debtor to Catos Thrashing a day 0-12-0 1755 Nov 28 Cato Cole, 12 27
•  mending Titus Shoe 2/ 1755 Dec Titus, 2 2930
• Lieut. Childs Debtor Friday Titus & Cato 1755 Cato Cole, Titus, 88
• Catos shoes 0-19-0 1755 Cato Cole, 19 2931
• to 2 Days Titus Mowing 2-0-0 1755 Titus, 2 82
• Lieut. Childs Debtor Wednesday Titus & Cato _ a day 1755 Cato Cole, Titus, 33
• Lieut. Childs Debtor to one Days work of Cato - Tuesday 1755 Cato Cole, 34
• Lieut. Childs Debtor Thursday Titus & Cato 1755 Cato Cole, Titus, 35
• Lieut. Childs Debtor Friday Titus & Cato 1755 Cato Cole, Titus, 36
• Lieut. Childs Debtor Wednesday Titus & Cato _ a day 1755 Cato Cole, Titus, 84
• Lieut. Childs Debtor Thursday Titus & Cato 1755 Cato Cole, Titus, 87
• Debtor to Titus work 2-0-0 1755 Titus, 2 83
• making Titus Shoes 1-0-0 1756 Jan Titus, 1 79
• Jan. 1756 to Titus thrashing 1/2 a day 0-7-0 1756 Jan Titus, 7 72
• oct 6 to Catos fetching a load of Corn from N. Fort  0-10-0

1756 Oct 6 Cato Cole, 1 10 2919
• Lieut. Childs Debtor to 4 Days work of Titus 1756 Titus, 37
• Field Lieut Debtor
1756 to 2 Days Titus thrashing 1-10-0 		1756 Titus, 78
• May 15 to Cato & 3 Cattle a Day  1-10-0

1757 May 15 Abijah Prince, Cato Cole, 1 10 2901
• may 16 to Cato & a Horse a day  1-0-0

1757 May 16 Abijah Prince, Cato Cole, 1 2902
• 18 to Cato plowing a day 0-15-0

1757 May 18 Abijah Prince, Cato Cole, 15 2903
• May 1757 to Cato Days Mowing Bushel 0-15-0 1757 May Cato Cole, 15 25
• June 9 to Titus & Cato to How & a horse to harrow  1-10-0

1757 Jun 9 Abijah Prince, Cato Cole, Titus, 1 10 2904
• June 10 to Titus & Cato to How & a horse to harrow 1-10-0

1757 Jun 10 Abijah Prince, Cato Cole, Titus, 1 10 2905
• June 11 to Cato & Horse to How & Harrow  0-15-0

1757 Jun 11 Abijah Prince, Cato Cole, 15 2906
• June 15 to Cato a day to How  0-15-0

1757 Jun 15 Abijah Prince, Cato Cole, 15 2907
[John Nims acct:] Debtor to Catos [ ? ing] a day 0-15-0 1757 Jun 25 Cato Cole, 15 24
• June 25 debtor to Titus days Howing  0-15-0

1757 Jun 25 Abijah Prince, Titus, 15 2908
• June 30 to Cato a days Houghing  0-15-0

1757 Jun 30 Abijah Prince, Cato Cole, 15 2909
• Samuel Dickinson acct. To Titus Mowing a Day 1-0-0 1757 Jun Titus, 1 73
• July 1 to Titus & Cato 1/2 a Days Houghing  0-15-0

1757 Jul 1 Abijah Prince, Cato Cole, Titus, 15 2910
• July 29 to Titus & Catos Howing  1-10-0

1757 Jul 29 Abijah Prince, Cato Cole, Titus, 1 10 2911
• August 1 to Catos pulling flax  0-15-0

1757 Aug 1 Abijah Prince, Cato Cole, 15 2912
• august 4 to Titus mowing a day  1-0-0

1757 Aug 4 Abijah Prince, Titus, 1 2913
• Septem 4 to Titus 1/2 a day mowing  0-10-0

1757 Sep 4 Abijah Prince, Titus, 10 2914
• Sept 8 to half a day Titus Cutting Stalks  0-7-6

1757 Sep 8 Abijah Prince, Titus, 7 6.0 2915
• 15 to Cato mowing & taking up stalks  0-10-0

1757 Sep 15 Abijah Prince, Cato Cole, 10 2916
• 20 to Titus mowing for Shelden til 2 of Clock  0-12-0

1757 Sep 20 Titus, 12 2917
• 24 to Titus & the Team to fetch hay from Carters land 0-12-0

1757 Sep 24 Abijah Prince, Titus, 12 2918
• Sept 1757 Debtor to Titus a days mowing 1-0-0  1757 Sep Titus, 1 77
• 10 to Cato & the team to bring in Stalks  1-3-0

1757 Oct 10 Cato Cole, 1 3 2920
• oct 18 to Titus Draining a day 1-0-0

1757 Oct 18 Abijah Prince, Titus, 1 2921
• 31 to Titus thrashing a day for Ww Hawks 0-15-0

1757 Oct 31 Titus, 15 2922
• Decem. 27 to Titus 1/2 day killing hoggs  0-6-6

1757 Dec 27 Abijah Prince, Titus, 6 6.0 2924
• to Titus 1 day Cutting wood  0-15-0

 

1757 Abijah Prince, Titus, 15 2900
• to Titus 2 days Sugaring  1-10-0

1757 Abijah Prince, Titus, 1 10 100
• to Titus & Cato thrashing 1 day for Shelden  1-10-0

1757 Abijah Prince, Cato Cole, Titus, 1 10 2899
• to Titus & Cato 1 day dressing flax  1-10-0

1757 Abijah Prince, Cato Cole, Titus, 1 10 2898
• to Casor driving plow a day 0-15-0 1757 Caesar Bailey, 15 39
• 1757 to 3 or 4 Days Titus thrashing 2-5-0 1757 Titus, 2 5 80
• March 24 to Catos Dressing flax begin at 10 Clock  0-12-0

1758 Mar 24 Abijah Prince, Cato Cole, 12 2925
• To Titus mowing 1 day to pay for Mrs Stevens- mowing at Carters land 1-0-0 1758 Titus, 1 81
• Catos plowing 0-15-0

 

1758 Abijah Prince, Cato Cole, 15 2926
• to Abijah Prince Thrashing Rye a Day  0-15-0 1758 Abijah Prince, 102
• Debtor on June 1759 to Titus Days mowing 1759 Jun Calab Sharp, Titus, 74
• oct. 1759. 18, 19, 20 to Catos working at Greenfield 1759 Oct 18 Calab Sharp, Cato Cole, 29
• oct 1759 Sharp Calup to Corn Harrow Credit to 4 days framing corn house 1759 Oct Calab Sharp, 1

top of page

No Volume assigned

Entry Date AA Name AA Name(s) Owner $  £  s  p  f id
• Childs Lieut Debtor oct. 1755
to one Days work of Cato--tuesday--
wednesday Titus & Cato 1/2 a day--
thursday Titus & Cato--
friday Titus & Cato  01-10-4
                                       4
monday Titus -2-2-2
                        7-6-0
Nov 7 to Titus thrashing a day 		1755 Oct Cato Cole, Titus, Ashley, Jonathan 13