1805-1820 Financial Accounting Manuscript Addressed to "The Hon. George Read," New Castle, Delaware
Original manuscript accounting sheet filled with extensive contemporary financial calculations, interest computations, and ledger figures, addressed to "The Hon. George Read" of New Castle, Delaware.
The document contains numerous handwritten columns of figures, percentage calculations, and balancing entries typical of early American merchant, banking, or estate accounting practices. Such working financial manuscripts provide an excellent glimpse into the bookkeeping methods employed during the early Republic.
Addressed prominently across the center to The Hon. George Read, the manuscript offers an intriguing connection to one of Delaware's most distinguished political families. Additional research may identify the specific recipient and the underlying financial transaction represented by these calculations.
Condition: Original laid paper with expected folds, scattered edge wear, one area of paper loss, and strong manuscript entries throughout.
An appealing piece of early American financial history, ideal for collectors of merchant manuscripts, banking records, Delaware history, and Early Republic documents.
The large central inscription strongly suggests the document was prepared for or submitted to George Read of New Castle, Delaware. Based on the handwriting and accounting style, it likely dates to circa 1805–1820, though the exact date is difficult to determine from this side alone. There are several notations that appear to reference interest calculations (e.g., percentages such as "6%" and numerous columns of figures), suggesting it was used to reconcile accounts, debts, or investments.
One important question is which George Read this is. If the recipient is George Read II (1765–1836)—the son of the signer of the Declaration of Independence—then the document has collectible appeal because of its association with one of Delaware's leading political families. If it can be proven to relate directly to George Read, signer of the Declaration (1733–1798), that would be extraordinary; however, the handwriting and apparent dating seem later than his lifetime, making that unlikely.
Identification
Document: Merchant's financial accounting sheet / statement of account
Date: Approximately 1805–1820 (estimated)
Addressed to: "The Hon. George Read," New Castle, Delaware
Format: Manuscript accounting sheet with extensive financial calculations
Condition
- Original laid paper.
- Heavy contemporary manuscript calculations throughout.
- Central paper loss.
- Edge losses and trimming.
- Original folds.
- Good overall legibility despite wear.
Original manuscript accounting sheet filled with extensive contemporary financial calculations, interest computations, and ledger figures, addressed to "The Hon. George Read" of New Castle, Delaware.
The document contains numerous handwritten columns of figures, percentage calculations, and balancing entries typical of early American merchant, banking, or estate accounting practices. Such working financial manuscripts provide an excellent glimpse into the bookkeeping methods employed during the early Republic.
Addressed prominently across the center to The Hon. George Read, the manuscript offers an intriguing connection to one of Delaware's most distinguished political families. Additional research may identify the specific recipient and the underlying financial transaction represented by these calculations.
Condition: Original laid paper with expected folds, scattered edge wear, one area of paper loss, and strong manuscript entries throughout.
An appealing piece of early American financial history, ideal for collectors of merchant manuscripts, banking records, Delaware history, and Early Republic documents.
The large central inscription strongly suggests the document was prepared for or submitted to George Read of New Castle, Delaware. Based on the handwriting and accounting style, it likely dates to circa 1805–1820, though the exact date is difficult to determine from this side alone. There are several notations that appear to reference interest calculations (e.g., percentages such as "6%" and numerous columns of figures), suggesting it was used to reconcile accounts, debts, or investments.
One important question is which George Read this is. If the recipient is George Read II (1765–1836)—the son of the signer of the Declaration of Independence—then the document has collectible appeal because of its association with one of Delaware's leading political families. If it can be proven to relate directly to George Read, signer of the Declaration (1733–1798), that would be extraordinary; however, the handwriting and apparent dating seem later than his lifetime, making that unlikely.
Identification
Document: Merchant's financial accounting sheet / statement of account
Date: Approximately 1805–1820 (estimated)
Addressed to: "The Hon. George Read," New Castle, Delaware
Format: Manuscript accounting sheet with extensive financial calculations
Condition
- Original laid paper.
- Heavy contemporary manuscript calculations throughout.
- Central paper loss.
- Edge losses and trimming.
- Original folds.
- Good overall legibility despite wear.
