1819-26 Handwritten Journal Ledger Wm. Johnson Pittstown Johnsonville NY Settler

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WELCOME TO SALLYS DIARIES:Up for auction today is an early ledger dating from 1819-1826 and contains 270 handwritten pages. Now it isn't in the best of shape as the cover is all torn up. As you can see most of the marbling has come off of it and it's bent as if it had water damage at one time. The first few pages have been cut out (and not accounted for) but the entries begin with our author starting with the number 1 so the pages were cut out before he used it in 1819. The first page and the last three pages are in poor shape, some cut but all the remaining pages, about 265, are firmly secure to the binding and look good other than a good deal of foxing and a bit of water damage on the bottom of the pages (mostly fading) but it does not affect the writing.As to the owner of this ledger, his name was William C. Johnson and he was from Pittstown New York . His father, Sir William Johnson (1715-1774) was an early settler whom the town of Johnsonville was named after and who also had a very distinguished career; frontier developer, businessman, Indian diplomat, military leader, Masonic enthusiast, and all-around British official. William Johnson was one of the most important people in colonial New York . Johnsonville is a hamlet located in the towns of Pittstown and Schaghticoke , New York .Johnsonville is considered a "railroad town" due to the importance of the railroad in the history of the area; however, it was an important industrial area even before the coming of railroad. Due to its close proximity to the Hoosick River , the largest estuary of the Hudson River , many factories sprung up along the river banks: flour, grist and lumber mills; axe factories; and other types of industry. The Johnsonville Axe Factory was once the largest axe factory in the world. The coming of the railroad in 1830 made it much easier for these factories to market and transport their products, and contributed to the industrial growth of the hamlet. When Sir William Johnson first saw the spot there were but five houses, including the tavern, there. Mr. Johnson had ample means, and in an energetic, businesslike way soon began to improve the town. He built houses; bought the tavern, which he converted into a store; built a large brick grist mill and a saw mill. The village grew rapidly and he was reaping wealth, but the name of the town "The Lick," was not agreeable to him. He painted the name "Johnsonville" across the front of his store and mill, and dated all his letters with the new name, but did not succeed, and it was not until long after his death that the name was first officially used, and the name of William Johnson suitably honored. In 1852 the Troy & Boston railroad painted the name on their new station there, and ever since it has been Johnsonville. William C. (our author), son of William, was a merchant of Troy , and married Maria Follett, daughter of Jacob. They both died at and are buried in Johnsonville. Their daughter, Mary Cornelia, married John G. Magivny.It seems that in the beginning of the ledger, William owned a store that dealt mostly in fabric, ribbon and the like. There are other items mentioned but those are further on in the journals. He talks about things such as: White Cotton Hose, Florentine, Bombaret, Cold Sewings, Black Taffeta Ribbon, Buff Gloves, Dark Gingham, Imitation Shawls, Pink Furniture, American Gingham, Drab Cord, Blue Bandanoes, Fancy Plaid Shawls, Surge Silk, Horn Combs, Book Muslin, Dark Vesting, Black Beaver Gloves, Bedford Cord, Horn Buttons, Ridicule Snaps, Furniture Binding, Worsted Tippets, Russia Diapers, Knitting Needles, Fishhooks, Pen Knives, Flat Irons and more. There are also items such as Sperm Oil, Borax, Lamp Wicks, Camphor, Knives, Forks, Tongs, etc.There are also pages with handwritten invoices showing the companies, and people he's dealt with. Some of the many names are: John King, Russell and Hale, James Keeler, John Stillwell, Peter Williams, Lemuel Tupper, S. Perry, Hoffman and Glass, W. Wetmore, Welder and Hastings , Norton and Sons, Hen... read more

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