337.
The Ledger of George Taylor (1772-1852)

George Taylor's ledger is the center piece of this collection of documents. Covering more than fifty years (with several years missing), Taylor's entries detail aspects of his commercial bakery but also of his personal life and late eighteenth century and early nineteenth century Philadelphia. Georg Schneider, Taylor's father, died in 1793 at the age of forty-seven. His son, George Taylor, was twenty-one years old. He lived with his widowed mother and continued the bakery business. After his marriage in 1800,he built a residence for himself and his new wife and began to expand the business.At his father's death, George Taylor not only took over the support of his mother and the operation of the bakery, he actually continued his father's commercial ledger. In this ledger, Georg Schneider's short entries include a partial 1771, no entries for 1772, a partial 1773, complete 1774-1780, no 1781 or 1782, complete 1783 and an almost complete 1793. A thrifty and meticulous businessman/documentarian, Taylor just kept on writing in his father's blue book (12" x 8 1/2") and, in fact, pasted his name label over the top of his father's. The binding is broken; the cover is splattered with ink stains, and for some unknown reason, the word "chloroform" is written like a doodle in Taylor's handwriting around the "Receipts" label on the back cover. A copy of his father's estate settlement is enclosed as well as the cost for flour, sugar, milk, food, chimney sweep services, grapevine trimming, shoe repair, etc.) There is no indication that the bakery ever experienced financial difficulties. By all indications, Taylor led a comfortable and, perhaps, prosperous existence. He writes in his birthday entry on September 20, 1850: "My dear Mother's blessing still rests upon me, when she told me in her dieing Breath I would always do well in this world, I thank thee Almighty God and thy Beloved Son for health and strength." Over the years, Taylor buys more property in Philadelphia, expands the business, and becomes a landlord. It appears that early 19th century Philadelphians were extremely litigious. Taylor sued bad tenants and property owners and was himself sued at least once. There are many comments in the ledger about the stability of the currency and the ongoing see-saw of paper versus gold money which culminated in the Specie Acts; there are discussions of property taxes, poor taxes, the deaths of presidents and popular political figures, and fees for pew rentals at the Zion Lutheran Church.As Taylor grows older and retires, the entries become more philosophical and religious.There is also a great deal of family history included. He writes about the numerous jobs his son Henry seems to procure and lose. He writes about the death of his daughter-in-law from consumption; the death of his grandson and the subsequent disintegration of his daughter's marriage. Taylor writes about the terrible occurrence of fires and the scope of destruction of life and property that is difficult to imagine. He tells of gruesome murders and horrible weather, but he also describes beautiful white, red and blue grapes and the flowering of the "apreecot" trees. He also gives a very full picture of the diet of the day. Taylor purchases all of the food for the household, makes his own "sour crout" and "blackberry Brandie."He is a vigorously healthy man; there are few physical complaints listed in the ledger and usually Taylor is giving thanks for his robust constitution. When he does become ill, Taylor visits the doctor, usually pays him $5.00 and, then, gets "bled" and "cupped." The last entry (May 10, 1852) gives no indication that Taylor is ailing. He dies, however, in August - one month shy of his eightieth birthday. Taylor's ledgers cover the years 1795-1840. The years 1841, 1842 and 1843 are missing. The ledger is complete once again from 1844 through May 10, 1852. Binding is broken. Several pages have been taped. Some pages are torn and dog-eared.

300/400     SOLD: $207.00

Condition: Good