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Elijah Williams Account Book

Location:
Deerfield, MA
Description:
Many 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
• Umphry Dr to a pipe 1745 Oct 9 Humphry, 2155
• Prince Jos Barnards man Dr to a Jack Knife 3/ 1745 Oct Prince, 2161
• Cesar Ens Wells Negro Dr to a pair of shoe buckels 1745 Oct Caesar, 2156
• Cesar Ens Wells Negro Dr to a knife 1745 Oct Caesar, 2157
• Cesar Ens Wells Negro Dr to cash 1745 Oct Caesar, 2158
• Cesar Cr by 1/2 fox 1745 Caesar, 1 4 2160
• Umphry Cr by Cash 8d 1745 Humphry, 2159
• Prince Jos Barnards man Dr to a knife 1746 Aug Prince, 2162
• pd Sharp Caleb 1 Day 1-0-0 1751 Calab Sharp, 2165
• Cesar Timo Childs Negro Dr -- Caesar, 2163
• Cesar Cr by 1/2 a fox -- , 8 2164

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1746 to 1756 Volume 2

(PVMA#: 5381)

Entry Date AA Name(s) $  £  s  p  f id
• Sharp Col. Wm Ne 1746 Calab Sharp, 1846
• Titus Ashley 1746 Titus, 1843
• Negrow Abijah 1746 Abijah Prince, 1841
• Ishmael T D. negro 1746 Ishmael, 1840
• Terry Lucy 1746 Lucy Terry Prince, 1844
• Cesar Tim. Child 1746 Caesar, 1838
• Cesar Col. Hinsdale 1746 Caesar, 1839
• Cesar Hoit 1746 Caesar, 1836
• Cato Ashley 1746 Cato Cole, 1837
• Cesar Timo Childs Negro Dr to a pair of Shoe Buckles 0-8-0-----11 1753 Feb 7 Caesar, 8 137
• Titus Mr Ashleys Negro Dr to Sundrys 6 0 - 2 1753 Oct 27 Titus, 2239
• Cesar Col o Hinsdells negro Dr to a pair of Shoe buckels 11 1753 Oct 31 Caesar, 1849
• Ishmael T Dics negro By Cash 6-2 [d] 1753 Nov 2 Ishmael, 1612
• Ishmael T Dics negro Dr to a pair of Stockings 6/8 1753 Nov 2 Ishmael, 5 2 700
• Ishmael T Dics negro To 1 pr Stockings 6/ 1753 Dec 8 Ishmael, 921
• Ishmael T Dics negro to 3 pints of Rhum 2/- 1753 Dec 12 Ishmael, 922
• Titus Mr Ashleys Negro Dr to 3 square needles - 1 - 3 1753 Dec 20 Titus, 2240
• 1753 Contra -------- 1753 Ishmael, 1742
• Ishmael T Dics negro to Sundries 7/- 1754 Feb 6 Ishmael, 923
• Titus Mr Ashleys Negro Cr to a Broom - - 8 - 1754 Mar 23 Titus, 2255
• Titus Mr Ashleys Negro Dr to 19 of Rhum - 1 4 - 1754 Jun 24 Titus, 2241
• Titus Mr Ashleys Negro Dr to cash 1 - 1 - 3 1754 Jun 24 Titus, 2242
• Mr George Beal Dr to pd Lucey Terry -7-1 1754 Jun 28 Lucy Terry Prince, 2224
• Hebr Honistman Cr by 3 Bushels of Rye 1 Bushel of Corn 10-0 1754 Jul 10 Heber Honestman, 153
• Titus Mr Ashleys Negro Cr by Bottoming a Chair - - 8 1754 Jul 11 Titus, 2256
• Titus Mr Ashleys Negro Cr by a Days Husking - 2 - 1754 Jul 11 Titus, 2258
• Titus Mr Ashleys Negro Cr by 3 Do - 2 - 1754 Jul 11 Titus, 2257
• Hebr Honistman Cr By 1 Bushel & 1/2 Wheat - 6 - 1754 Jul 30 Heber Honestman, 154
• Ishmael T Dics negro By Cash -/4/-2 1754 Sep 16 Ishmael, 1615
• Hebr Honistman Dr to Sundries 2-10 1754 Sep 24 Heber Honestman, 158
• Lucy Terra Dr to 1/8 yd of Cambrick 1/3 1754 Oct 17 Lucy Terry Prince, 1621
• Ishmael T Dics negro By 2 Day' Work @ 2 4/- by 1 Do @2/8 2/8 11/3- 1754 Nov Ishmael, 1614
• Ishmael T Dics negro By Cash 3/- 1754 Dec 8 Ishmael, 1613
• Hebr Honistman Cr by 3 1/2 Bushels of Wheat 14- 1754 Dec 18 Heber Honestman, 150
Hebr Honsitman Dr to Sundries 9-8-2 1754 Dec 18 Heber Honestman, 149
• Cesar Timo Childs Negro Dr to a Woosted Cap 2 4 1755 Jan 14 Caesar, 138
• Cesar Tim o Childs Negro Dr to woosted? cap 1755 Jan 14 Caesar, 1845
• Hebr Honistman Dr to Sundries 1-2-2 1755 Jan 21 Heber Honestman, 151
• Sharp Col Wm Negro Cr by a fox skin (symbol for pound) 1-8-0 1755 Feb 5 Calab Sharp, 1848
• Hebr Honistman Dr to pd Jonth Arms pr [?]den 1-7-2 1755 Mar 1 Heber Honestman, 156
• Cato Mr. Ashley Dr to a pr of knee Buckles - - 8 1755 Mar 29 Cato Cole, 1957
• Hebr Honistman Dr to Sundries buttons 8-2 1755 Apr 15 Heber Honestman, 147
• Lucy Terra Dr to 1 yd of Ribband -1- 1755 May 3 Lucy Terry Prince, 2220
• Lucy Terra Dr to Sundries -9-2 1755 May 26 Lucy Terry Prince, 2221
• Lucy Terra Dr to a thimble -2- 1755 May 29 Lucy Terry Prince, 2222
• Lucy Terra Dr to 1 cake of chocolat - - 6 1755 Jun 7 Lucy Terry Prince, 2223
• Titus Mr Ashleys Negro Dr to 3 yds of Gartering - 1 1 . 2 1755 Jun 17 Titus, 2247
• Titus Mr Ashleys Negro Cr by Cash 1 1 3 1755 Jun 18 Titus, 2259
• Titus Mr Ashleys Negro Dr to Lined a handkerchief 2 8 1755 Jun 18 Titus, 2248
• Titus Mr Ashleys Negro Cr by bottoming 6 Chairs 4 6 2 1755 Jun 18 Titus, 2260
• Hebr Honistman Dr to Sundries 5-10 1755 Jun 26 Heber Honestman, 155
• Hebr Honistman Dr to a pr of Small Sisars Dd E Amsden - 7 - 1755 Jul 8 Heber Honestman, 152
• Hebr Honistman Dr To Sundrys 2-1 1755 Aug 4 Heber Honestman, 148
• Titus Mr Ashleys Negro Dr to Rhum - - 8 - 1755 Sep 15 Titus, 2249
• Hebr Honistman Dr To Sundrys 2-9 1755 Sep 27 Heber Honestman, 159
• Titus Mr Ashleys Negro Dr To Sundrys 1/2d 1 2 1755 Dec 13 Titus, 2250
• Titus Mr Ashleys Negro Dr to 1 pt Rhum / 8d - - 8. 1756 Feb 19 Titus, 2251
• Titus Mr Ashleys Negro Cr by bottoming 2 chairs 1 - 7 - 1756 Feb 19 Titus, 2261
• Abijah Negrow Dr to 1 knife (pound sign) ....8 1756 Mar 22 Abijah Prince, 1850
• Titus Mr Ashleys Negro Dr to 1 pt Do /8d To 5 Nedles / 1/4 - - 9 - 1 1756 Mar 31 Titus, 2243
• Ishmael T Dics negro To 1 pair of Gloves 2/8 1756 Apr 2 Ishmael, 924
• Cato Mr Ashleys Negrow Cr by Cash 0 - 0 - 6 1756 Apr 15 Cato Cole, 2237
• Cato Mr Ashleys Negrow Dr to a pr shoe buckles 0-1-2 1756 Apr 15 Cato Cole, 2225
• Cecar Lieut Hoits Negrow Dr to 1/2 pt Rhum (pound sign) 0-0-5 1756 Apr 15 Caesar, 1854
• Titus Mr Ashleys Negro Dr to 1/2 pt Rhum - - 5. 1756 Apr 21 Titus, 2244
• Ishmael T Dics negro By Digging Jno Tutes Grave 2/12 1756 Apr 21 Ishmael, 1616
• Peter Negrow Dr to 1 Tobacco Box (pound sign) 1 1756 Apr 22 , 1852
• Cecar Lieut hoits Negrow Cr by Cash (pound sign) 6 2 1756 Apr 22 Caesar, 1855
• Peter Negrow Cr by Killing Cow and Cutting Colt 1 4 1756 Apr 26 , 1853
• Titus Mr Ashleys Negro Dr to 1 Jill Rhum - - 3 1756 Apr 26 Titus, 2245
• Cato Mr Ashleys Negrow Dr to 2 pipes - - 1 - 1 1756 May 1 Cato Cole, 2227
• Abijah Negrow Cr by 4 Salmon (pound sign)...7..11 1756 May 14 Abijah Prince, 1851
• Titus Mr Ashleys Negro Dr to 1 qt Do 1756 May 18 Titus, 2246
• Titus Mr Ashleys Negro Cr By pd simn Burt - - 11 1756 May 18 Titus, 2262
• Cato Mr Ashleys Negrow Dr to 1 knife --7-1 1756 Jun 29 Cato Cole, 2228
• Cato Mr Ashleys Negrow Dr to 1/2 pt Rhum - - 5 1756 Jul 8 Cato Cole, 2229
• Cato Mr Ashleys Negrow Cr by Cash - - - 7 - 1 1756 Jul 14 Cato Cole, 2238
• Cato Mr Ashleys Negrow Dr to 1 pt Rhum - - 8 1756 Jul 20 Cato Cole, 2230
• Titus Mr Ashleys Negro Dr to Rhum 6d - 0 6 1756 Aug 12 Titus, 2252
• Ishmael T Dics negro to 1 pr of Garters /8 1756 Aug 17 Ishmael, 925
• Titus Mr Ashleys Negro Dr to Rhum 6 - 0 6 1756 Sep 8 Titus, 2253
• Cato Mr Ashleys Negrow Dr to 4 Buttons - - 22 1756 Sep 25 Cato Cole, 2231
• Ishmael T Dics negro By bringing scow pine 1/4 1/4 17/8-2 1756 Oct 5 Ishmael, 1617
Cato Mr Ashleys Negrow Dr to 1 pr of Knee Buckles See pg 108 - - 8 1757 Jan 17 Cato Cole, 277
• Cato Mr Ashleys Negrow Dr to 3 yds of Quolity 9d - - - 9 - 1757 Jan 17 Cato Cole, 2232
• Cato Mr Ashleys Negrow Dr to a small pamphlet/ 2 1/2 - - 22 1757 Jan 17 Cato Cole, 2233
• Cato Mr Ashleys Negrow Dr to 1 pr of knee buckels see pg 108 - - - 8 1757 Jan 17 Cato Cole, 2234
• Cato Mr Ashleys Negrow Dr to a snuff box - - 8 1757 Mar 10 Cato Cole, 2235
• Cato Mr Ashleys Negrow Dr to a knife 4d - - 4 1757 May 23 Cato Cole, 2236
• Hebr Honistman Dr To Sundries 0-8-8 To 1/2 bushel Salt 3-4 1757 May 29 Heber Honestman, 157
• Titus Mr Ashleys Negro Dr to 1 dram 1d 1/2 Rhum 1/5 ? Rhum 1/5 1758 Mar 15 Titus, 2254
• Sharp col Wm Negro Dr Giddeon Warren Dr to 3 meals lodging 1 4-2 1758 Mar 29 Calab Sharp, 1847
• 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
Abijah Prince Cr by 4 Salmon - 7 11 - 1756 May 4 Abijah Prince, 2736
• Abijah Prince Dr to a hogs head - 5 4 1756 Sep 9 Abijah Prince, 1740
Abijah Prince Dr to 13 Indigo - 1 - - 1756 Sep 27 Abijah Prince, 2722
Abijah Prince Dr to a Dram / 1d 1/2 (Octr 6.) to 1 1/4 yd Toe. cloath - 2 - - 1756 Sep 30 Abijah Prince, 2723
Abijah Prince Dr to 2 qts of Rhum - 2 8 - 1756 Oct 21 Abijah Prince, 2724
Abijah Prince Dr to a Cake of Soap - - 10 - 1756 Oct 23 Abijah Prince, 2725
Abijah Prince Dr to 1 at of Rum - 1 4 - 1756 Oct 29 Abijah Prince, 2726
Abijah Prince Dr to peck of Salt - 1 6 - 1756 Nov 1 Abijah Prince, 2727
Abijah Prince Dr to Sundreys from Old Sold Book pg 88 - 17 5 - 1756 Nov 1 Abijah Prince, 2728
Abijah Prince Dr To a Testiment - 2 1 - 1756 Nov 16 Abijah Prince, 2729
Abijah Prince Dr to 1lb of Rice/4d - - 4 - 1757 Jan 4 Abijah Prince, 2731
Abijah Prince Dr to 6 & 3/4 lb Cheese - 3 4 2 1757 Jan 4 Abijah Prince, 2730
Abijah Prince Cr by charged to James Rider - 14 5 - 1757 Jan 22 Abijah Prince, 2737
Abijah Prince Dr To Sundries - 4 - - 1757 Jan 31 Abijah Prince, 2732
Abijah Prince Dr To 1 lb of Rice / 4d - - 4 - 1757 Feb 21 Abijah Prince, 2733
Abijah Prince Dr to 1 jill of Rhum - - 3 2 1757 Mar 10 Abijah Prince, 2734
Abijah Prince Dr To 1/2 lb powder 1/4 / 1 lb Shot 8 Carried to Opposd Dr - 2 0 0 1757 May 9 Abijah Prince, 2735
Abijah Prince Dr To Sundries 3/9 (June 23) Sunds 7/4 0 1 1 0 1757 May 27 Abijah Prince, 2744
Abijah Prince Cr By 1 Day Clearing Land 2/ 0 2 0 0 1757 May 28 Abijah Prince, 2738
Abijah Prince Cr By 1 Day Clearning Land 2/ 0 2 0 0 1757 May 30 Abijah Prince, 2739
Abijah Prince Cr By 1 day mow 2/8 July 2 by a days move 2/8 0 5 4 0 1757 Jul 1 Abijah Prince, 2740
Abijah Prince Dr To 2 qts brandy 2/ To Brandy 1/ 0 3 0 0 1757 Jul 8 Abijah Prince, 2 971
Abijah Prince Dr To Brandy 2/ 0 2 0 0 1757 Aug 2 Abijah Prince, 2745
Abijah Prince Dr To silk 9ds {8} To Brandy 2/ 0 2 9 0 1757 Aug 2 Abijah Prince, 2746
Abijah Prince Cr By mowing 5/4 (10) By 1 Day Mow 0 8 0 0 1757 Aug 4 Abijah Prince, 2741
Abijah Prince Dr To 2 1/2 ditto Black 0 2 1 0 1757 Aug 10 Abijah Prince, 2748
Abijah Prince Dr To 3yds 1/4 White Tow Cloth @ 0 4 4 0 1757 Aug 10 Abijah Prince, 2747
Abijah Prince Cr By 1 Day reaping 0 2 8 0 1757 Aug 10 Abijah Prince, 2742
Abijah Prince Dr To 1 Cuttoe 1/ Viz 0 1 0 0 1757 Aug 12 Abijah Prince, 2749
Abijah Prince Dr To Sundrys 1/5 0 1 5 0 1757 Aug 13 Abijah Prince, 2750
Abijah Prince Dr To Brandy: 1/6 0 1 6 0 1757 Aug 16 Abijah Prince, 2751
Abijah Prince Cr By mowing 2/8 0 2 8 0 1757 Sep 5 Abijah Prince, 2762
Abijah Prince Dr To Pipes 4d - 0 4 0 1757 Sep 5 Abijah Prince, 2752
• 1757 Sept 5 Abijah Prince Cr brought from above 2 2 4 0 1757 Sep 5 Abijah Prince, 1739
Abijah Prince Cr By mowing 5/4 - 5 4 0 1757 Sep 5 Abijah Prince, 2763
Abijah Prince Dr To 1 dram 1.2 [Cr] By 1 day Fencing last spring [crossed out] 0 0 12 1757 Sep 10 Abijah Prince, 2753
Abijah Prince Cr By 1 day mowing [crossed out] 2/8 1757 Sep 17 Abijah Prince, 2754
Abijah Prince Cr By Fencing 1 Day - 2 0 0 1757 Sep 18 Abijah Prince, 2764
Abijah Prince [Cr] By mowing [crossed out] 2/8 1757 Sep 19 Abijah Prince, 2755
Abijah Prince Dr To Brandy 2/ 0 2 0 0 1757 Oct 1 Abijah Prince, 2756
Abijah Prince Dr To Sundrys: 1/11d 0 1 1 0 1757 Oct 10 Abijah Prince, 2758
Abijah Prince Dr To 1 pt Brandy d6 0 0 6 0 1757 Oct 10 Abijah Prince, 2757
Abijah Prince Dr To Check 16/6 0 1 6 0 1757 Oct 21 Abijah Prince, 2759
Abijah Prince Dr To 2 qts Brandy 2/ 0 2 0 0 1757 Oct 29 Abijah Prince, 2760
Abijah Prince Dr To 1 pt 1/2 Rhum [ ] /9d viz - - 9 0 1757 Oct 31 Abijah Prince, 2761
Abijah Prince brougt over Dr 2 4 2 0 1757 Abijah Prince, 2743

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1755 to 1759 Volume 4, Ledger C

(PVMA#: 5378)

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

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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
• Town Negro Dr 1761 May 138 To Cotton Handk 0-1-8 To Fish Line 0-0-10 To pair Shoe Buckles 0-1-0 To 3 1/2 Garlick 0-9-4 1761 MayTo Sundrys 0-11-1 To Sundrys 0-15-0 [total] 1:9:3 To pd Hannah Catlin 0-9-4 [total]1-10-7 March 1765 May 80 To Sundries 0-1-7-2 1761 Town Negro, 1610
Town Negro Cr By red fox £0-2-8 By 22 lb tobacco 0-6-1 By red Fox 0-2-8 By 2 Fox 11:2 By 18 lb of Tobacco @ 4 0-6-8 0-6- [total] 1-3- By Cash of Warner 10 [total] 2-1-[?] 1765 By 3 3/4 Tobacco 0-1-3 1761 Town Negro, 1611
• Dr Aaron Scott To A Hammer 1 4 1762 Aaron Scott, 2379
• Dr Wm Ford Cr By Charged Abijah Prince - 3 - 1764 Abijah Prince, 2322
• To Indorsed on your Note 1 4 5 2 Ballanced 5 2 0 1 1765 Aug 31 Calab Sharp, 2325
• Dr Sharp Caleb 12 To 1 pr of Hose - - - - - 7 - 1765 Aug 31 Calab Sharp, 2324
• Dr Sharp Caleb to brought from E 132 3 10 6 3 1765 Aug 31 Calab Sharp, 2323
• Dr Aaron Scott 48 To 1/4 oz? Mace - - 7 2 1765 Dec 17 Aaron Scott, 2378
• Sharp Caleb Cr by Brought from E132 2 8 10 3.0 1765 31 Calab Sharp, 2326
• Sharp Caleb Cr By Sundries on your Book 2 7 2 1768 Apr Calab Sharp, 2327
• Sharp Caleb Cr By Do -------------- - 6 - Ballanced 5 2 3 1768 Apr Calab Sharp, 2328
• Greenfield Aaron Scott Cr By part of your Bond - 1 11 2 1768 Aaron Scott, 2380

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

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No Volume assigned

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