255. MERCHANT'S ACCOUNT BOOK Account book for a Revolutionary era merchant, 122 numbered pages, 7" x 12", [CT.], consisting of the business records for the years 1790-1823 of a commercial distillery or general store. The bulk of the records between 1790 and 1806 trace the daily business transactions of a Connecticut merchant, including the sale of corn, rye, pork, beef, wheat, "cyder" [sic], brandy, wood, apples, oil and many other items. Account book entries are by person and are usually indexed, with each account usually showing a debit and credit side. Since hard money was in short supply, townspeople often bartered for store goods, mill products, farm products, labor or other items. Entries are chronological and specify person, purchase/job, and either price or amount bought. The book traces the amount bought of a particular item, measured in barrels for cider; in gallons, quarts, and pints for spirits; and in bushels for apples. Entries are typically signed by the purchaser with an "X" placed through the entry when it had been settled. Front cover detached, spine worn, expected toning and foxing otherwise the binding is tight with all pages intact. Worthy of further research. $400 - 600