William Thompson Account Book

Scope of collection

This diminutive account book includes records of personal purchases by William Thompson at a general store operated by George Dodge and Co. Beginning in Dec. 1861, Thompson purchased small quantities of goods such as coffee, fish, pork, flour and rye meal, bed cord and suspenders, indigo, molasses, and butter, settling his accounts in January 1864.

Little is known about either Thompson or Dodge and Co., however a Worcester County origin is suggested by the booklet itself, which was manufactured by the Fitchburg, Mass., stationer and paper manufacturer Shepley and Wallace. The provenance from Donald Howe suggests a connection to the Quabbin Valley. Given that the book contains records only of Thompson's purchases, it is likely that the book was maintained by Thompson, rather than the store.