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Start Over Date range 1775 Subjects Ledgers (account books)
University of Virginia, Special Collections Dept.

Benjamin Kissam papers, 1755/1776

2 Volumes

These manuscript volumes reveal a great deal about Benjamin Kissam's practice, and provide a window on the legal world in New York City on the eve of the American Revolution. The ledger was kept from 1755 to 1776, and contains accounts of clients, both individual and corporate, relatives, servants, and other lawyers. Although there is no mention of John Jay, this ledger was in use during the period of Jay's clerkship with Kissam. His clients ranged across the social spectrum, and he sometimes noted their places of residence or occupations. Since he kept thorough and detailed records for these accounts, the great number of blanks on the credit side suggests that many of them were never settled. Occasionally, he noted that he would never be paid for a certain account. In transactions involving family members and employees, he kept careful records of money spent or advanced and funds repaid.

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Benjamin Kissam papers, 1755/1776 2 Volumes

Kissam, Benjamin, -1782

These manuscript volumes reveal a great deal about Benjamin Kissam's practice, and provide a window on the legal world in New York City on the eve of the American Revolution. The ledger was kept from 1755 to 1776, and contains accounts of clients, both individual and corporate, relatives, servants, and other lawyers. Although there is no mention of John Jay, this ledger was in use during the period of Jay's clerkship with Kissam. His clients ranged across the social spectrum, and he sometimes noted their places of residence or occupations. Since he kept thorough and detailed records for these accounts, the great number of blanks on the credit side suggests that many of them were never settled. Occasionally, he noted that he would never be paid for a certain account. In transactions involving family members and employees, he kept careful records of money spent or advanced and funds repaid.

The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon

Historic manuscript collection, 1601/1933

approx. 60 Linear Feet

This collection of historic manuscripts dates from 1607-1933, with the bulk of materials dating from 1738-1868. The correspondence, journals and diaries, legal and financial records, estate documents, and printed ephemera in the collection primarily relate to the Washington and Custis families, the Revolutionary War, and society life in antebellum Washington D.C. and Virginia.

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Lund Washington Account Book, 1772/1786 Box 112, Shelf Bound Manuscripts/Ledgers

Contains accounts for the running of George Washington's Mount Vernon estate, its constituent farms and businesses. Entries document expenses for the fisheries, tailor work, voyage of the brig (or brigantine) Farmer to Jamaica in 1774, tools, clothing for slaves, expenses for various craftsmen, food, weaving, tobacco, and much more. Earliest entries are said to be in the hand of John Kirkpatrick, while the last two thirds of the volume are in the hand of Lund Washington. About a half dozen notations in George Washington's hand also appear. Quite a few later manuscript additions appear throughout, giving explanations or 'editorial commentary' on the text. Pages numbered 89-107 were removed prior to the original coming to Mount Vernon.

  1. Series 2. Ledgers and Bound Manuscripts

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