Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use

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.

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research.

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.

Source of Acquisition

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.

Biographical Note

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.

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.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Account books
• General stores
• Ledgers (account books)

Rights Statement for Archival Description

The guide to the Bergen County, New Jersey, General Store Account Book by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 ( https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/ ).