Overview
The collection consists of an account book kept by William Bassett who resided in Scotland, Massachusetts. He provided farm labor such as thrashing, plowing, mowing, chopping wood, planting and carting. William also shoed horses and sold molasses, hay, flax seed, potatoes, wood, coal and corn.
Dates
- Creation: 1810-1841, 1864
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research. Materials stored onsite. Please contact specialcollectionsref@hbs.edu for more information.
Extent
.5 linear feet (1 volume, 1 box)The collection consists of an account book kept by William Bassett from 1810-1841. The volume is arranged chronologically. An index of names is located on the last page of the volume. Entries include names of individuals, dates of services, description of goods or services provided by Mr. Bassett, and the amounts he charged. A household inventory, dated June 1821, is written on the second to last page of the volume. Individuals maintaining accounts with Mr. Bassett include Rufus Kingman, Charles Bassett, Asa Perkins, Alpheus Leach, Clifford Carver, Widow Sarah Ellis, James Alger, Galon Howard, Barnam Hill, Valentine M. Rathbun, Martin Copeland, Eliakim Howard, George Chitman, Joseph Cowing, Jonathan Bassett, Silas Andrews, Cyrus Copeland, Jr., Timothy Hayward, Joshua Gay, Abraham Washburn, William Woodward, Dion Bryant, Hartwell Keith, Captain Ephriam Sprague, Eaton Aldrich, Nathan Lasel and Company. Also included is a box containing a receipt from Sylvanus Keith, dated November 14, 1836, and a letter from Benjamin Kingman to Mr. L. Bassett regarding insurance policies on tavern buildings sold to Mr. Bassett [date of letter is January 25, 1864].
Biographical / Historical
William Bassett resided in Scotland, Massachusetts, a village located in what is now Bridgewater. He provided farm labor such as thrashing, plowing, mowing, chopping wood, planting and carting. William also shoed horses and sold molasses, hay, flax seed, potatoes, wood, coal and corn.
Physical Location
MANU
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Estate of William Bassett, 1932.
Processing Information
Processed: November 2017 By: Baker Library Special Collections Staff
- Title
- Basset, William. William Bassett Account Book, 1810-1841: A Finding Aid
- Author
- Baker Library
- Description rules
- dacs
- Language of description
- und
- EAD ID
- bak00372
Repository Details
Part of the Baker Library Special Collections and Archives, Harvard Business School Repository
Baker Library Special Collections and Archives holds unique resources that focus on the evolution of business and industry, as well as the records of the Harvard Business School, documenting the institution's development over the last century. These rich and varied collections support research in a diverse range of fields such as business, economic, social and cultural history as well as the history of science and technology.
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