A collection of business records, 1865-1870, of Houston, Alexander, and Company that prior to mid-1868 was known as A. Alexander and Company. The collection consists of two ledgers, one journal, one account book, and one record book.

Journal, 1865-1868, of A. Alexander and Company that records transactions monthly and then alphabetically by customers' surnames within each month. Each entry includes name of customer, date of transaction, items purchased, quantity of items purchased, cost per item, amount owed, form of payment, and total amount paid. Items sold include soda, spices, dry-goods, axes, brooms, hatchets, chocolate, rope, and food. Forms of payment include cash, credit, and barter of items such as linsey, bacon, oats, and butter. Entries include page numbers where information was transferred to the customer's individual account in the corresponding ledger. The transactions recorded in journal come from the company's business activities at its Clifton Warehouse location.

Ledger, 1865-1868, of A. Alexander and Company that records the accounts of individual customers. Each account lists transactions in chronological order. Information found in each entry includes month of transaction, the total amount owed for items purchased that month, total amount paid for items purchased made that month, and amount paid. Entries include page numbers where information was transferred from the corresponding journal. The volume includes an index listing the names of customers in alphabetical order and the page number where their accounts can be found.

Ledger, 1868-1870, of Houston, Alexander, and Company that records the accounts of individual customers. Each account lists transactions in chronological order. Information found in each entry includes month of transaction, the total amount owed for items purchased that month, total amount paid for items purchased made that month, and amount paid. Entries include page numbers where information was transferred from a corresponding journal which is missing. The volume includes an index listing the names of customers in alphabetical order and the page number where their accounts can be found.

Storekeeper's record book, 1868, of a bonded warehouse owned by A. Alexander and Company. The warehouse was used for the storage of goods until duties or taxes are paid and the goods are properly released by Federal Customs officials. Information found in the record book includes the name of individual or company who placed items in the warehouse for storage or who withdrew the items from storage, date of receipt or withdrawal of items, names of items, quantity and weight of items, and the amount of tax to be paid on items. Items stored at the warehouse were primarily alcoholic beverages. The volume includes an index listing the names of customers in alphabetical order and the page number where their entries can be found.

Account book, 1866-1869, that records in chronological order the transactions of A. Alexander and Company from 1866 to 1868 and continues to record transactions after the company became Houston, Alexander, and Company from 1868 to 1869. The transactions involve the company's activities as a commission agent. Entries contain the following information: date of transaction; name of boat with whom the company conducted business; names of merchants, businesses, and individuals and the amount of freight charge and tolls owed to the company; and form of payment.