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Diary, 1847-1863, of John Davenport of Canton, Massachusetts. Davenport farmed, made and delivered shoes, cut and sold firewood, and sold posts and hoops. Entries include details about his day to day activities, his sale of goods, medical treatment and the death of his wife Hannah in 1855, his attendence of Unitarian services, reading, and visits by friends, among others.

Ledger of Keith and Packard (North Bridgewater, Massachusetts), a factory that specialized in shoemaking products, and particularly boot counters. Transactions recorded concern products such as counters, skiffs, necks, leather, and shavings. Also included are services rendered, such as heeling,and soling. The geographic area covered is most of the Northeast and includes Boston, Weymouth, Worcester, North Brookfield, South Braintree, South Abington, Milford, New Bedford, Georgetown, Pawtucket, Rhode Island, Auburn and Portland, Maine, Elmira, New York.

Business ledger from dealings in New Salem, Massachusetts between Paul Ellis and townspeople. Transactions in the ledger include the mending of clothes, shoes, and books, the use of saws, tools, and the selling of grains, foodstuffs, and cords of wood. The front of the ledger lists the births and deaths of Ellis family members including his first and second wife, many children, parents, and some extended family.

Journal of Silas Howe of Marlboro, Massachusetts, listing accounts and transactions for both the sale of shoe making products (gum, buffers, sole leather, awls, thread, heels, pegs, lasts, etc.) and services rendered (trimming, making edges, lasting, whipping, pegging, buffing, heeling, etc.). Silas Howe was both a cobbler himself, and also operated a putting-out system by supplying material to other cobblers or workmen. Included are the names of customers of Howe's services as well as names of those who were a part of this cottage industry: Edwin Warner, Daniel Peirce, Richard Whitaker, Parker Lawrence, James Tucker, Ormond Cook, Otis Morse, and others.