Description

Volume of accounts related to operation of the Charleston, South Carolina, post office, kept by Abraham Newton, possibly a clerk. Included is the account of Charleston Postmaster Thomas Hall, dated 1785-1790, containing payments made for taxes, medicines, veterinary bills, house cleaning, chimney sweeping, freight of rice, drayage and postage on shipment of "negro cloth," salt, and other commodities, as well as a payments to the French consul and for Hall's subscription to the St. Cecilia Society. Several entries relate to persons enslaved by Hall: There are two cash payments on his behalf to "Mr. Treazvant's Chloe for your sick negro"; charges for "negro cloth," shoes, and mitts for Jack; and cash given to July to buy beef. There is also an account of cash payments made in 1786 to Guilliam Aertsen (1759-1806). Aertsen was appointed Commissioner for adjusting the accounts of the States of South Carolina and Georgia in 1784 and was employed by the state bank of South Carolina in circa 1803. The volume additionally contains accounts of money paid to sundry persons, among them the captains and stewards of vessels, for "ship letters" brought to the post office; purchase of supplies such as receipt and letter books, saddle bags for riders, iron chests and locks, twine, a seal and sealing wax, and payment to David Oliphant to make an office sign; and accounts of postal rider Robert Henderson, dated 1787-1791, including his wages for carrying mail between post offices in Charleston and George Town, South Carolina, in 1789-1790....

Record Contributed By

Harvard University

Record Harvested From

Harvard Library