Prospect Mills Daybook from (1870-1872) by Joel Smedley contains an index of clients and what pages they appear on, an itemized list of their profits and expenses, an index of sales and where they are found, the employees of the mill and what they were being compensated for, and lists of how much cider and sausage was made. The profits list ranges from selling molasses, corn, wheat, bran, oats, and flour, as well as sawing boards, turning trundle posts, and rejoining carriage shafts. The recorded expenses for the mill include employee wages and transportation costs.
Admin/Biographical History
Joel Smedley was born in 1799 to parents Joseph Smedley and Rebecca Lewis Smedley. Joel married Martha Wildman and fathered six children including Charles, Mary, John, Lewis, Anne, and Ellwood. Joel inherited the mill from his father in 1833 and expanded it by building a sorghum factory. Joel died in 1872.
Preferred citation: Title or description of item, date (day, month, year), Collection Title (MG#), Box #, Folder #, (or Object ID), LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. URL if applicable. Date accessed (day, month, year).
Access Conditions / Restrictions
No restrictions. Original documents may be used by appointment. Please contact Research@LancasterHistory.org at least two weeks prior to visit.
Copyright
Collection may not be photocopied. Please direct questions to Research Center Staff at Research@LancasterHistory.org for permission for reproduction and/or publication must be obtained in writing from LancasterHistory.
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Jeremiah Brown’s gristmill account book "B" Little Britain Township, Fulton Township
Description
Jeremiah Brown’s gristmill account book "B" Little Britain Township, Fulton Township
Contains 200 pages, plus a 12 page index of clients and what pages they appear on.
Front cover has a "B" written on it.
"LEDGER" is printed on spine.
BAck cover inside has an "X" written on it.
Book references itemized list of profits and expenses, and the employees of the mill and what they were being compensated for. The profits list ranges from selling and grinding corn, wheat, and rye as well as sawing boards. The recorded expenses for the mill include employee wages, transportation costs, and dry goods such as salt.
This account book also contains several sections of estate planning for multiple individuals.
o Jeremiah Brown records his will and what his children are to inherit from his estate on pg. 1.
o Jeremiah Brown later records a detailed list of what he gave to his daughter Sarah as she married Timothy Hanes on pg. 10.
o Vincent King estate on pg. 102
o Richard Stedman real estate on pg. 104.
Insert 1 - Blue donor card and "The Book Haven" description.
Insert 2 - Nine account loose pieces of paper and a note dated 1814 outlining the transition of the mill from Jeremiah to his son Slater that was found on pg. 171.
Insert 3 - Ten account loose pieces of paper.
Insert 4 - Ten account loose pieces of paper.
Insert 5 - Ten account loose pieces of paper.
Insert 6 - Ten account loose pieces of paper.
Insert 7 - Ten account loose pieces of paper.
Insert 8 - Ten account loose pieces of paper.
Admin/Biographical History
From: Donor Card and "The Book Haven" description card
Jeremiah Brown was born 1750, descended from Joshua Brown. He received his father’s mill in 1775. Jeremiah’s business became quite prosperous and with the help of other prominent figures in Lancaster County, he helped establish the Farmers Bank of Lancaster. Jeremiah’s fathered several children including the honorable Judge Jeremiah Brown and Slater Brown, later leaving the mill to Slater. At the time of his death in 1831, he was thought to be one of the largest stockholders, if not the largest, of the Farmers Bank of Lancaster at 1,000 shares.
Book is in poor condition. Front and back covers are unattached with most of the leather worn off. Spine is completely worn through at places. Paper has foxing and some pages have water damage. Nine pages are unattached. Index tabs A-B, C-D, N-O, W-X and W-Z are missing.
There is no page 2. Pages 201 to 206 are not paginated.
Object ID
MG0963_F010
Location of Originals
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Notes
Preferred citation: Title or description of item, date (day, month, year), Collection Title (MG#), Box #, Folder #, (or Object ID), LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. URL if applicable. Date accessed (day, month, year).
Edmond is recorded as "Black Edmond"
Hannah is recorded as "Black Hannah"
Patrick is recorded as "Black Patrick"
Access Conditions / Restrictions
No restrictions. Original documents may be used by appointment. Please contact Research@LancasterHistory.org at least two weeks prior to visit.
Copyright
Collection items may be photographed. Please direct questions to Research Center Staff at Research@LancasterHistory.org.
Permission for reproduction and/or publication must be obtained in writing from LancasterHistory. Persons wishing to publish any material from this site must assume all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants of copyright or other use restrictions. Publication fees may apply.
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Account book of Slater Brown’s gristmill store (from 1815-1835).
Contains 86 paginated ruled leaves with vertical column lines. Additionally there are 123 blank unpaginated ruled leaves with vertical column lines following page 86. In addition, there is a 22 page tabbed index and 4 front leaves (blank) and 3 end leaves (blank).
Spine - "Ledger A" and "LG&Co" written, and, "LEDGER" stamped on spine.
Book references an index of clients and what pages they appear on, an itemized list of their profits and expenses, and an agreement between Neal Hambleton and John J. Poole. The profits range from unspecified ‘merchandise’ and ‘sundry accounts.’ The recorded expenses include employee wages and sundry accounts.
Insert 1 - Blue donor card.
Insert 2 - 2 page handwritten agreement between Neal Hambleton and John J. Poole with a 3/4" embossed stamp in the upper left corner containing picture of a government building with "CONGRESS" above it and "CAREW CO" below it.
Insert 3 - 11 loose sheets.
Admin/Biographical History
From Donor Card:
Son of Jeremiah Brown and brother of Judge Jeremiah Brown, Slater Brown was born in 1787 and inherited his father's mill in 1820. After continuing to grow the family mill and business, Slater died in 1855, leaving the mill to his son, Jeremiah Brown Jr.
Binding intact with front page no attached. Red rot on cover.
Back Cover - Outside as burn mark ~ 6" long at the top.
First page is unattached.
Object ID
MG0963_F013
Location of Originals
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Related Item Notes
Slater Brown has a writ of habeas corpus against him from Letitia Kennedy. Habeas 1814 F025.
Notes
Preferred citation: Title or description of item, date (day, month, year), Collection Title (MG#), Box #, Folder #, (or Object ID), LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. URL if applicable. Date accessed (day, month, year).
Additional Notes
See Allied Materials.
Access Conditions / Restrictions
No restrictions. Original documents may be used by appointment. Please contact Research@LancasterHistory.org at least two weeks prior to visit.
Copyright
Collection items may be photographed. Please direct questions to Research Center Staff at Research@LancasterHistory.org.
Permission for reproduction and/or publication must be obtained in writing from LancasterHistory. Persons wishing to publish any material from this site must assume all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants of copyright or other use restrictions. Publication fees may apply.
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.