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Elijah Williams Account Book

Location:
Deerfield, MA
Description:
A number of the account books and day books kept by Elijah Williams (1712-1771), a Deerfield, Massachusetts, merchant and militia officer, survive for the years 1742-1771. Elijah Williams’s extensive record of transactions at retail stores he operated in Enfield, Connecticut, and Deerfield, Massachusetts, documented his many running accounts with residents, including enslaved and free African Americans, as well as records involving war munitions and supplies. Williams’s son, John Williams (1751-1816) took over the business following his father’s death in 1771. The account books are part of a collection of more than 600 account books currently in the library of the Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association kept by local merchants, professionals, farmers, craftspeople, and business firms from the 17th - 20th centuries.

Table of contents

1743 to 1750 Volume 1

(PVMA#: 5376)

Entry Date AA Name(s) $  £  s  p  f id
• Umphry Dr to 2 pipes 1745 Jul 19 Humphry, 2154
• to a pipe 1745 Oct 9 Humphry, 2155
• to a knife 1745 Oct 12 Caesar, 2157
• Octr 12 52 to a pair of shoe buckels 1745 Oct 12 Caesar, 2156
• Octr 21 to a Jack Knife 3/ 1745 Oct 21 Prince, 3 2161
• to cash ye other ways charged Cesar is to Cash 1745 Oct Caesar, 2158
• Cr by Cash 8d 1745 Humphry, 8.0 2159
• Cesar Cr by 1/2 fox------ 1 0 4 0 1745 Caesar, 1 4.0 2160
• 1746 Aug. to a knife   3.6 1746 Aug Prince, 2162
• pd Sharp Caleb 1 Day 1-0-0 1751 Calab Sharp, 1 2165
• Cesar Timo Childs Negro Dr -- Caesar, 2163
• Cesar Cr by 1/2 a fox------- £0-08-0 -- , 8 2164

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1746 to 1756 Volume 2

(PVMA#: 5381)

Entry Date AA Name(s) $  £  s  p  f id
• Negrow Abijah 1746 Abijah Prince, 1841
• Cesar Timo Child 1746 Caesar, 1838
• Sharp Colo Wms Ne 1746 Calab Sharp, 1846
• Terry Lucy 1746 Lucy Terry Prince, 1844
• Titus Ashley 1746 Titus, 1843
• Ishmael T D. negro 1746 Ishmael, 1840
• Cesar Colo Hinsdale 1746 Caesar, 1839
• Cato Ashley 1746 Cato Cole, 1837
• Cesar Hoit 1746 Caesar, 1836
• Feby 8 to a pair of Shoe Buckels 0-8-0-----11 1753 Feb 7 Caesar, 137
• Octr 27 to Sundrys 6 0 - 2 1753 Oct 27 Titus, 2239
• Octr 31 to a pair of Shoe Buckels 11 1753 Oct 31 Caesar, 11.0 1849
• Novr 2 By Cash 6.5 1753 Nov 2 Ishmael, 1612
• 1753 Novr 2 to a pair of Stockings 6/8 1753 Nov 2 Ishmael, 6 8.0 700
• Decr 8 To 1 pr Stockings 6/ 1753 Dec 8 Ishmael, 6 921
• Decr 12 to 3 pints of Rhum 2/- 1753 Dec 12 Ishmael, 2 922
• Decr 20 to 3 Square needles - 1 - 3 1753 Dec 20 Titus, 1 3.0 2240
• Febr 6 to Sundreys 7/- 1754 Feb 6 Ishmael, 7 923
• March 23 to a Broom - - 8 - 1754 Mar 23 Titus, 8 2255
• to Cash 1 - 1 - 3 1754 Jun 24 Titus, 1 1 3.0 2242
• June 24 to 19d of Rhum - 1 4 - 1754 Jun 24 Titus, 1 4.0 2241
• 28 to pd Lucey Terry -7-1 1754 Jun 28 Lucy Terry Prince, 7 1.0 2224
• July 10 by 3 Bushels of Rye 1 Bushel of Corn 10-0 1754 Jul 10 Heber Honestman, 10 153
• July 11 by Bottoming a Chair - - 8 1754 Jul 11 Titus, 8.0 2256
• by a Days Husking - 2 - 1754 Jul 11 Titus, 2 2258
• by 3 Do - 2 - 1754 Jul 11 Titus, 2 2257
• 30 By 1 Bushl & 1/2 Wheat - 6 - 1754 Jul 30 Heber Honestman, 6 154
• Septr 16 By Cash -/4/-2 1754 Sep 16 Ishmael, 4 2.0 1615
• Septr 24 to Sundries 2-10 1754 Sep 24 Heber Honestman, 2 10.0 158
• to 1/8 yd of Cambrick 1/3 1754 Oct 17 Lucy Terry Prince, 1 3.0 1621
• by 1 Do @2/8 2/8 11/3- 1754 Nov Ishmael, 3027
• Novr by 2 Day' Work @ 2 4/- by 1 Do @2/8 2/8 11/3- 1754 Nov Ishmael, 1614
• By Cash 3/- 1754 Dec 8 Ishmael, 3 1613
• Decr 18 by 3 1/2 Bushels of Wheat 14- 1754 Dec 18 Heber Honestman, 14 150
• Decr 18 to Sundries 9-8-2 1754 Dec 18 Heber Honestman, 149
• 1755 Jany 14 to Woosted Cap   2/4 1755 Jan 14 Caesar, 1845
• 1755 Jany 31 to Sundries 1-2-2 1755 Jan 31 Heber Honestman, 151
• Feby 5 by a fox Skin £1-3-0 1755 Feb 5 Calab Sharp, 1 3 1848
• March 1 to pd Jonth Arms pr Order 1-7-2 1755 Mar 1 Heber Honestman, 156
• 1755 March 29 to a pr of Knee Buckels - - 8 1755 Mar 29 Cato Cole, 8.0 1957
• Apr 15 to Sundries buttons 8-2 1755 Apr 15 Heber Honestman, 147
• May 3 to 1 yd of Ribband -1- 1755 May 3 Lucy Terry Prince, 1 2220
• 26 to Sundries -9-2 1755 May 26 Lucy Terry Prince, 2221
• 29 to a thimble -2- 1755 May 29 Lucy Terry Prince, 2.0 2222
• June 7 to 1 Cake of Chocolat - - 6 1755 Jun 7 Lucy Terry Prince, 6.0 2223
• June 17 to 3 yds of Gartering - 1 1 . 2 1755 Jun 17 Titus, 2247
• 1755 June 18 by Cash 1 1 3 1755 Jun 18 Titus, 2259
• 18 to Lined a handkerchief 2 8 1755 Jun 18 Titus, 2 8.0 2248
• June 26 to Sundries 5-10 1755 Jun 26 Heber Honestman, 5 10.0 155
• July 8 to a pr of Small Sisars Dd E Amsden - 7 - 1755 Jul 8 Heber Honestman, 7.0 152
• Augt 4 To Sundrys 2-1 1755 Aug 4 Heber Honestman, 2 1.0 148
• Sepr 15 to Rhum - - 8 - 1755 Sep 15 Titus, 8.0 2249
• Sepr 27 To Sundrys 2-9 1755 Sep 27 Heber Honestman, 2 9.0 159
• Decr 13 To Sundrys 1/2d 1 2 1755 Dec 13 Titus, 2250
• Feby 19 By bottoming 2 Chairs 1 - 7 - 1756 Feb 19 Titus, 1 7.0 2261
• Feby 19 to 1 pt Rhum / 8d - - 8. 1756 Feb 19 Titus, 8.0 2251
• March 22 To 1 Knife £....8 1756 Mar 22 Abijah Prince, 8.0 1850
• March 31 To 1 pt Do /8d To 5 Nedles / 1/4 - - 9 - 1 1756 Mar 31 Titus, 2243
• April 2 To 1 pair Gloves 2/8 1756 Apr 2 Ishmael, 2 8.0 924
• Apr 15 To 1/2 pt Rhum £ 0-0-5 1756 Apr 15 Caesar, 5.0 1854
• Apr 15 By Cash £0 - 0 - 6 1756 Apr 15 Cato Cole, 6.0 2237
• Apr 15 To pr Shoe Buckles 0-1-2 1756 Apr 15 Cato Cole, 1 2.0 2225
• Apr 21 to 1/2 pt Rhum - - 5. 1756 Apr 21 Titus, 5.0 2244
• Apr 21 By Digging Jno Tutes Grave 2/12 1756 Apr 21 Ishmael, 2 12.0 1616
• Apr 22 To 1 Tobacco Box £ 1 1756 Apr 22 , 1 1852
• Apr 22 By Cash £ 6 2 1756 Apr 22 Caesar, 1855
• 26 To 1 Jill Rhum - - 3 1756 Apr 26 Titus, 3.0 2245
• Apr 26 By Killing Cow & Cutting Colt 1 4 1756 Apr 26 , 1 4.0 1853
• May 1 To 2 pipes - - 1 - 1 1756 May 1 Cato Cole, 1 1.0 2227
• 1756 May 14 By 4 Salmon £...7..11 1756 May 14 Abijah Prince, 7 11.0 1851
• May 18 To 1 qt Do 1756 May 18 Titus, 2246
• May 18 By pd simn Burt - - 11 1756 May 18 Titus, 11.0 2262
• June 29 To 1 knife --7-1 1756 Jun 29 Cato Cole, 7 1.0 2228
•  To 1/2 pt Rhum - - 5 1756 Jul 8 Cato Cole, 5.0 2229
• July 14 By Cash - - - 7 - 1 1756 Jul 14 Cato Cole, 7 1.0 2238
• 20 To 1 pt Rhum - - 8 1756 Jul 20 Cato Cole, 8.0 2230
• Aug: 12 To Rhum 6d - 0 6 1756 Aug 12 Titus, 6.0 2252
• Augt 17 to a 1 pr of Garters /8 1756 Aug 17 Ishmael, 8.0 925
• Sepr 8 to Rhum 6d - 0 6 1756 Sep 8 Titus, 6.0 2253
• Sepr 25 to 4 Buttons - - 22 1756 Sep 25 Cato Cole, 22.0 2231
• Octr 5 By bringing scow pine 1/4 1/4 17/8-2 1756 Oct 5 Ishmael, 1617
• 1756 by bottoming 6 Chairs 4 6 2 1756 Titus, 2260
• Jany 17 to 3 yds of Quolity 9d - - - 9 - 1757 Jan 17 Cato Cole, 9.0 2232
• to 1 pr of Knee Buckels See pg 108 - - 8 1757 Jan 17 Cato Cole, 8.0 277
• to a Small pamphlet/ 2 1/2 - - 21 1757 Jan 17 Cato Cole, 21 2233
• March 10 to a Snuff Box - - 8 1757 Mar 10 Cato Cole, 8.0 2235
• May 23 to a knife 4d - - 4 1757 May 23 Cato Cole, 4.0 2236
• To 1/2 bushel Salt 3-4 1757 May 29 Heber Honestman, 3028
• To Sundries 0-8-8  1757 May 29 Heber Honestman, 157
• March 15 To 1 dram 1d 1/2  1758 Mar 15 Titus, 2254
• Rhum 1/5 To Rhum 1/5 1758 Mar 15 Titus, 3029
• Negrow Peter -- , 1842

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1751 to 1757 1751-1757; Vol. 3

(PVMA#: 5377)

Entry Date AA Name(s) $  £  s  p  f id
• Cesar Lieut Hoits Negro to 1/2 lb. powder 0 1 2 0 1755 Jun 11 Caesar, 215
• May 4. by 4 Salmon - 7 11 - 1756 May 4 Abijah Prince, 7 11.0 2736
• Sep 9 to a hogs head - 5 4 1756 Sep 9 Abijah Prince, 1740
• 27 to 13 Indigo - 1 - - 1756 Sep 27 Abijah Prince, 2722
• (Octr 6.) to 1 1/4 yd Toe. cloath - 2 - - 1756 Sep 30 Abijah Prince, 3030
• 30 to a Dram / 1d 1/2  1756 Sep 30 Abijah Prince, 2723
• Octr 21 to 2 qts of Rhum - 2 8 - 1756 Oct 21 Abijah Prince, 2724
• 23 to a Cake of Soap - - 10 - 1756 Oct 23 Abijah Prince, 2725
• to 1 qt of Rum - 1 4 - 1756 Oct 29 Abijah Prince, 2726
• 1 To Sundreys from Old Soldr Book pg 88 - 17 5 - 1756 Nov 1 Abijah Prince, 2728
• Abijah Prince Dr to peck of Salt - 1 6 - 1756 Nov 1 Abijah Prince, 2727
• 16 To a Testiment - 2 1 - 1756 Nov 16 Abijah Prince, 2729
• 1757 Jany 4 to 6 & 3/4 lb Cheese - 3 4 2 1757 Jan 4 Abijah Prince, 2730
• to 1lb of Rice/4d - - 4 - 1757 Jan 4 Abijah Prince, 2731
• 1757 Jany 22 by Charged to James Rider - 14 5 - 1757 Jan 22 Abijah Prince, 2737
• 31 To Sundries - 4 - - 1757 Jan 31 Abijah Prince, 2732
• Feby 21 To 1lb of Rice / 4d - - 4 - 1757 Feb 21 Abijah Prince, 2733
• March 10 To 1 Jill of Rhum - - 3 2 1757 Mar 10 Abijah Prince, 2734
• May 9 To 1/2lb powder 1/4 / 1lb Shot 8 Carried to Opposd  2 0 0 1757 May 9 Abijah Prince, 2735
• May 27 To Sundries 3/9 (June 23) Sunds 7/4 0 1 1 0 1757 May 27 Abijah Prince, 2744
• May 28 By 1 Day Clearing Land 2/ 0 2 0 0 1757 May 28 Abijah Prince, 2738
• 30 By 1 Day clearning Land 2/ 0 2 0 0 1757 May 30 Abijah Prince, 2739
• July 1 By 1 day mowg 2/8 July 2 by a days mowg 2/8 0 5 4 0 1757 Jul 1 Abijah Prince, 2740
• July 8 To 2 qts brandy 2/ To Brandy 1/ 0 3 0 0 1757 Jul 8 Abijah Prince, 2 971
• To silk 9d (00) To Brandy 2/ 0 2 9 0 1757 Aug 2 Abijah Prince, 2 9.0 2746
• Augt 2 To Brandy 2/ 0 2 0 0 1757 Aug 2 Abijah Prince, 2 2745
• Aug 4 By mowing 5/4 (10) By 1 Day Mow 0 8 0 0 1757 Aug 4 Abijah Prince, 8 2741
• 10 By 1 Day reaping 0 2 8 0 1757 Aug 10 Abijah Prince, 2742
• To 2 1/2 ditto Black 0 2 1 0 1757 Aug 10 Abijah Prince, 2 10.0 2748
• 10 To 3yds 1/4 White Tow Cloth @ 0 4 4 0 1757 Aug 10 Abijah Prince, 2747
• 12 To 1 Cuttoe 1/ Viz 0 1 0 0 1757 Aug 12 Abijah Prince, 1 2749
• 13 To Sundrys 1/5 0 1 5 0 1757 Aug 13 Abijah Prince, 1 5.0 2750
• 16 To Brandy: 1/6 0 1 6 0 1757 Aug 16 Abijah Prince, 1 6.0 2751
• Sepr 5th Brought from above 2 2 4 0 1757 Sep 5 Abijah Prince, 2 2 4.0 1739
• Sept 5th To Pipes 4d - 0 4 0 1757 Sep 5 Abijah Prince, 4.0 2752
• By mowing 2/8 0 2 8 0 1757 Sep 5 Abijah Prince, 2 8.0 2762
• 8th By mowing 5/4 - 5 4 0 1757 Sep 8 Abijah Prince, 5 4.0 2763
• 8th By Fencing 1 Day - 2 0 0 1757 Sep 8 Abijah Prince, 2 2764
• 10th To 1 dram 1.2 [crossed out- By 1 day Fencing last Spring 0 0 12] 1757 Sep 10 Abijah Prince, 2753
• 17 By 1 day mowing 2/8 [line crossed out] 1757 Sep 17 Abijah Prince, 2 8.0 2754
• 19 By Mowing 2/8 [line crossed out] 1757 Sep 19 Abijah Prince, 2 8.0 2755
• To sundrys: 1/11d 0 1  11 1757 Oct 10 Abijah Prince, 1 11.0 2758
• 10 To 1 pt Brandy d6    0 0 6 0 1757 Oct 10 Abijah Prince, 6.0 2757
• Octr 15 To Brandy 2/ 0 2 0 0 1757 Oct 15 Abijah Prince, 2 2756
• 21 To Cheese 16/6 0 16 6 0 1757 Oct 21 Abijah Prince, 16 6.0 2759
• 22 To 2 qts Brandy 2/ 0 2 0 0 1757 Oct 22 Abijah Prince, 2 2760
• 31 To 1 pt 1/2 Rhum 1/9d viz - - 9 0 1757 Oct 31 Abijah Prince, 9.0 2761
• Abijah Prince brougt over Dr 2 4 2 0 1757 Abijah Prince, 2 4 2.0 2743

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1755 to 1759 Volume 4, Ledger C

(PVMA#: 5378)

Entry Date AA Name(s) $  £  s  p  f id
• Octr 31 By Broadcloth refund 22/6 1 2 6 0 1757 Oct 31 Abijah Prince, 1 2 6.0 1856
• 1757 Octr 31 To brought from pg. 67 1757 Oct 31 Abijah Prince, 1741

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1757 to 1765 1757-1765

Entry Date AA Name(s) $  £  s  p  f id

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1759 to 1769 Volume 5, 1759-1769

(PVMA#: 5379vol5)

Entry Date AA Name(s) $  £  s  p  f id
• To 3 1/2 Garlick 0-9-4  1761 May Town Negro, 9 4.0 3039
• 140 To Sundrys 0-5-0   1:9:3  1761 May Town Negro, 5 3041
• May 138 To Cotton Hankd 0-1-8  1761 May Town Negro, 1 8.0 1610
•  May 139 To Sundrys 0-11-5  1761 May Town Negro, 11 5.0 3040
• To pair Shoe Buckls 0-1-0  1761 May Town Negro, 1 3038
• To Fish Line 0-0-10  1761 May Town Negro, 10.0 3037
• By 2 Fox 0-6-8 1761 Town Negro, 6 8.0 3033
• By Cash of Warner 10      2-1-[page torn]  1761 Town Negro, 1611
• By red fox £0-2-8   11:2 1761 Town Negro, 3032
• By red fox £0-2-8 1761 Town Negro, 2 8.0 3035
• 284 By 22lb tobacco 0-5-1  1761 Town Negro, 5 1.0 3031
• By 18lb of Tobacco @ 4   0-6- [page torn]    1-3-... 1761 Town Negro, 3034
• To A Hammer 1 4 1762 Aaron Scott, 1 4.0 2379
• By Charged Abijah Prince - 3 - 1764 Abijah Prince, 3 2322
• 1764 To pd Hannah Catlin 0-9-4    1-10-7  1764 Town Negro, 3042
• 1765 May 29 80 To Sundries 0-1-7-2 1765 May 29 Town Negro, 1 7.0 2 3043
• May 31 12 To 1 pr of Hose - - - - - 7 - 1765 May 31 Calab Sharp, 7 2324
• To Indorsed on your Note 1 4 5 2 Ballanced 5 2 0 1 1765 Aug 31 Calab Sharp, 2325
• to brought from E 132 3 10 6 3 1765 Aug 31 Calab Sharp, 3 10 6.0 3 2323
• Dec 17 48 To 1/4 OZ Mace - - 7 2 1765 Dec 17 Aaron Scott, 7.0 2 2378
• By Brought from E132 2 8 10 3.0 1765 31 Calab Sharp, 2326
• 80 By 3 3/4 Tobacco 0-1-3 1765 Town Negro, 1 3.0 3036
• By Sundries on your Book 2 7 2 1768 Apr Calab Sharp, 2 7 2.0 2327
• By Do -------------- - 6 - Ballanced 5 2 3 1768 Apr Calab Sharp, 2328
• By Part of your Bond - 1 11 2 1768 Aaron Scott, 1 11.0 12 2380

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