Call Number:

C1751

Repository:

Princeton University Library: Manuscripts Division

Extent:

• 1 box
• .2 linear feet

Language:

English

Date:

1792-1814 (inclusive)

Creator:

Reynolds, Joseph (tavern keeper)

Form:

Ledgers (account books) -- 18th century and Daybooks -- 18th century

Abstract:

Consists of a ledger (1792–1801), daybook (1796–1801), and receipt book (1810–1814) of Joseph Reynolds of South Kingstown, RI. Customer names include slaveholders, African Americans, and Indigenous Peoples. Some accounts list "Negro" next to the customer's name, such as Stephen Gardner on page 73 of the ledger. Surnames that appear frequently include Babcock, Champlin, Gardiner, Gardner, Hazard, Potter, and Watson.

Joseph Reynolds (also called "Joe Runnells" or "Jo Runnals") owned a tavern in the late 18th to early 19th centuries in South Kingstown, Rhode Island. The tavern was located on Main Street in South Kingstown (also known as "Little Rest") and was later owned and run by his son, John.

Consists of a ledger (1792–1801), daybook (1796–1801), and receipt book (1810–1814) of Joseph Reynolds of South Kingstown, RI. Customer names include those of slaveholders, African Americans, and Indigenous Peoples. Some accounts list "Negro" next to the customer's name, such as Stephen Gardner on page 73 of the ledger. Surnames that appear frequently include Babcock, Champlin, Gardiner, Gardner, Hazard, Potter, Watson, and Willcox.

The original tavern and blacksmith ledger was compiled by Joseph Reynolds of South Kingstown, Rhode Island between the years 1792 and 1801. Each account includes the date, name of the patron, and purchases made. Most are tavern accounts for liquor, including brandy, wine, "cyder", "nips of punch", and some entries for food. Blacksmithing accounts list such services as shoeing horses, repairing plows, and "new laying one axe". Many barter payments are documented. Early Rhode Island settler surnames listed in the ledger include: Jeremiah Carpenter, Jr., William Brayman, Kinyon and Nicholas Larkin, Sylvester Hazard, Capt. Henry Sherman, Job Sweet, William Pitt Potter, Levi Totten, Hazard Champlin, Ezekiel Adams, Lodowick Shearman, Joseph Whaley, Mark Shearman, Joseph Babcock "of Westerly", Col. Frederick Gardiner, and Capt. Andrew Christy. Reynolds signs the ledger in several places, such as on page 21: "This day reckon and settle all accounts in full between Joseph Reynolds and George Webb." The ledger retains its original 18th century wallpapered board covers, calf spine and tips.

The daybook lists the daily commercial activities of Joseph Reynolds, dated June 10, 1796–April 30, 1801. Entries are for alcohol, lodging, and meals. Each entry names the customer and the date of their visit.

Joseph Reynolds' receipt book lists expenses paid for "dues, demands, and accounts," and with occasional specific services and commodoties listed, such as labor, wood, cider, livestock, cedar poles, shingles, coal, beef, "for the tuition of one schollor," and "eight dollars & seventy-one cents in full for one beef creture." Some of the names included in the receipt book are: Nathan Gardner, Willard Barker, Jeremiah Carpenter, Benjamin Greene, Thomas Champlin, William E. Tilinghast, Levi Bradford, Elisha Watson, Daniel Stanton, Charles Delano, Thomas S. Taylor, John B. Perry, Thomas B. Hazard, Richard Barney, Jeremiah Knowles, Samuel Pollock, Rowland Brown, Elijah Southwick, and Benjamin Peckham.