Call Number:

Ms. Codex 1763

Repository:

University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts

Extent:

1 volume

Language:

English

Preferred Citation:

Quarterly returns as disbursing agent & as collector of customs, Nathaniel G. Marshall, 1849-1853, Ms. Codex 1763, Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts, University of Pennsylvania

Date:

1849-1853 (inclusive)

Creator:

Marshall, Nathaniel G. (Nathaniel Grant)

Form:

Account books, Financial records, Ledgers (account books), and Codices (bound manuscripts)

Abstract:

A volume of accouting records kept by Nathaniel G. Marshall (1812-1882) during his position as collector of customs for the Port of York, Maine spanning the years from 1849 to 1853.

Nathaniel Marshall was the eldest of two children born in York, Maine to John and Eunice Grant Marshall on May 2, 1812. Shortly after his sister Eunice was born in 1817, their father, a blacksmith, disappeared from the family. Two years later in 1819, Marshall's mother died and Nathaniel and Eunice were raised by their great-grandparents. Supported by a local pastor and lawyer, Marshall was able to obtain an education. In 1836, Nathaniel Marshall was elected constable and collector of taxes in York. This was the first of several elected and appointed positions he held throughout his life. He was elected town clerk and appointed deputy sheriff. In 1849, Marshall was appointed collector of customs for the Port of York. He was elected as member of the state senate in 1860. This position was followed by an appointment by President Lincoln in 1862, as assessor of the internal revenue for the First District of Maine, an office Marshall held until he retired in 1870. After retirement Marshall purchased Stage Neck Island in York and built a summer hotel named Marshall House. Marshall married Sophia Baker Bragdon (1820-1879) on April 2, 1841 and they had eight children.

A legal size volume with marbled paper covers comprising Marshall's accounting records during his position as collector of customs for the Port of York, Maine during the years from 1849 to 1853. The title is handwritten on the cover in black ink. The first leaf of this ruled volume provides a list of the contents. Following are five numbered sections: 1. The United States in account current with Nathaniel G. Marshall collector & disbursing agent of the treasury at the Port of York; 2. Quarterly returns as collector of customs to be returned to commissioner of customs Hon. Charles W. Rockwell; 3. Emolument accounts quarterly to commissioner of customs; 4. Annual statement to the first comptroller of the treasury, yearly; 5. List of property belonging to the United States. The sections reveal payments made to inspectors, bounties paid to fishing vessels, and salaries among other entries. The property list in section five in provided for each year includes scales, weights, measures, and a boat--often described as "useless." In addition, there are multi-volume sets of United States law books on the property list. Five to six blank leaves separate each section. On the inside front cover is a note in pencil signed "F. H." The inside back cover has several calculations written in pencil. One leaf listing days employed by year along with other calculations is laid in the volume.