Bergen County, New Jersey, General Store Account Book, 1838/1841

Access and use

Location of collection:
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Special Collections, University Libraries (0434)
Newman Library
Virginia Tech
P.O. Box 90001
560 Drillfield Drive
Blacksburg, VA 24062-9001
Contact for questions and access:
Phone: (540) 231-6308
Fax: (540) 231-3694
Restrictions:

The collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials. Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction. Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.

Preferred citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Bergen County, New Jersey, General Store Account Book, Ms1978-012, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Summary

Extent:
0.3 Cubic Feet 1 box
Creator:
Post, Benjamin
Abstract:
This collection contains an account ledger of unidentified general store, surmised to have operated in Bergen County, New Jersey, with Benjamin Post the possible proprietor.
Language:
The materials in the collection are in English.
Preferred citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Bergen County, New Jersey, General Store Account Book, Ms1978-012, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection consists of a single account ledger from an unidentified store, surmised to have been located in Bergen County, New Jersey, and possibly operated by Benjamin Post. The ledger contains customer names; dates of purchases; lists of goods purchased; prices paid; credits in cash, trade, and labor; and balances.

Biographical / historical:

An examination of the account ledger indicates that it may have been maintained by Benjamin Post of Bergen County, New Jersey. A Benjamin Post married Margaret Maysinger (1802-1866) ca. 1820 in Bergen County. The 1850 census lists a 60-year-old carpenter named Benjamin Post living in Bergen County's Hohokus Township. Also in the household were 58-year-old Margaret Post and children Sarah (18), William (14), Adaline (8), Matilda (6), and Hannah Jane (2). The census record indicates that all had been born in New Jersey. No further record could be found.

Acquisition information:
The Bergen County, New Jersey, General Store Account Book was acquired by Special Collections in 1978.
Processing information:

The processing and description of the Bergen County, New Jersey, General Store Account Book commenced and was completed in May 2011.

The item was accessioned and originally cataloged as "General Store Day Book," but a closer examination of the piece during processing revealed it to be an account ledger, rather than a day book. Research through a census check of the customer names revealed that the volume probably originated from Bergen County, New Jersey. Because the item includes several loose items, receipts issued to a Benjamin Post, it seems likely that Post was the store's proprietor.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard