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British North American household provisions commonplace book

 Collection — Box: BW-2, Folder: 7
Identifier: MS-0817

Content Description

Rewritten from dealer description: A household account book, dated 1826 to 1827, containing monthly records of foodstuffs and other goods purchased, perhaps for a hotel or private home on the east coast of modern-day Canada (British North American distinction in title derived from bookseller description). The book is made of stiff gray paper, consists of 44 unnumbered pages, and measures approximately 11 x 18 cm. Beginning on July 18, 1826, the cost of each entry is recorded in pounds, shilling, and pence. Some fruit and vegetables listed include currants, gooseberries, strawberries, cherries, lemons, grapes, cabbages, asparagus, cucumber, horseradish, greens, broccoli, parsnips, carrots and turnips. Drinks include beer and some rum, tea, milk and notes the household regularly "paid for water." The book also notes various seafood and fish such as herrings, shrimps, oysters, mackerel, anchovies, as well as meats such as fowl, rabbit and bacon. Donations were made to "Poor Old Eltham, Poor Girl and Poor Man." Payments were also made to people for various services provided, such as carpentry and butchering. The inclusion of items such as "cloth for pillow cases," "Housemaids gloves," tablecloths, pearl buttons, blacking, shoes, starch, candles, and windsor soap suggests either a hotel or well to do household. The diary ends on October 1st, 1827.

Dates

  • Creation: 1826-07-26 - 1827-10-21

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is housed off-site and requires 48-hours' notice for retrieval. Please contact Special Collections for more information. Collection is open for use.

Conditions Governing Use

Single copies may be made for research purposes. Researchers are responsible for determining any copyright questions. It is not necessary to seek our permission as the owner of the physical work to publish or otherwise use public domain materials that we have made available for use, unless Johns Hopkins University holds the copyright.

Biographical / Historical

There is currently no biographical information on the creator.

Extent

.167 Cubic Feet (1 legal sized folder)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

A household account book, dated 1826 to 1827, containing a monthly record of foodstuffs and other goods purchased, perhaps for a hotel or private home on the east coast of Canada. There is currently no biographical information on the creator.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Purchased from Antipodean Books in January 2018, with support from the Class of 1990 Fund.

Processing Information

Processed by Kristen Diehl in October 2018.

Title
Guide to the British North American household provisions commonplace book
Author
Kristen Diehl
Date
2018 October
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections Repository

Contact:
The Sheridan Libraries
Special Collections
3400 N Charles St
Baltimore MD 21218 USA