Jacob Anderson family papers

Volumes 1 and 2: Journal ["Day and Journal Book"], September 27, 1809-February 23, 1818, and related ledger, 1809-1817, of a general store (at "Bethlehem"); Anderson's "Private [account] Book, " 1809-1836 (with gaps); and an invoice book, 1784-1786, 1809-1810 and 1816, of one or more general stores (including the one documented by the journal and ledger), in which Anderson continued his private accounts, 1835-1837. Accompanying these volumes is a gristmill ledger, 1853-(1873)1874, kept by Jacob R. Anderson at Spring Mills.

Volume 3: The general store ledger includes accounts with approximately 260 people. At the back of the volume are daybook entries, October 9, 1889-January 15, 1891, kept at Spring Mills which pertain to the sale of animal feed and flours, as well as entries, April 1, 1890-February 21, 1892, which relate to wood products derived from a wood lot "on Gravel Hill." Anderson's personal accounts chiefly pertain to farming, to persons he employed and to his sons. In addition, an 1827 memorandum (p. 54) states that he intends to free Mary, a "Girl of Colour" aged about 23, in five years. She is identified as the daughter of Plim and Betty who has resided with Anderson and his family since her birth. A related, later notation states: "She is Freed & Married Cives[?] at Belvidere." (Plim is likely the Plim Bess whom Anderson frequently employed.) Another slave or former slave mentioned in the volume (p. 33) is Mariah (or Mary) Abbott. Also noted in the personal accounts are Anderson's 1817 (second) marriage to one of his employees (noted in the journal as well) and the expenses for construction of a "waggon House & Barn" in 1823.

Volume 4: During the earlier period, entries in the invoice book pertain to goods purchased from vendors in (at least) Philadelphia and New York; the later invoices pertain to purchases made in Philadelphia and other locations, including (at least) New York, "N Brunswick in York, " Pittstown and Trenton. In addition to a record of invoices and Anderson's later personal accounts, the book also includes a "Memorandum of Mares put to the Wellington Horse, " 1818-1819.

Volume 5: The mill ledger, which records about 265 accounts, chiefly pertains to the sale of flours and feed; however, some accounts relate to Jacob R. Anderson's employees (both men and women), including a succession of men who tended the mill.