William and Solomon Bartlett daybooks

Collection consists of two volumes containing accounts for four generations of the Bartlett family of Northampton and Westhampton, Massachusetts. Volume one lists farm products sold by the family which included beef, rye, wheat, honey, metheglin (a drink made from honey and water), and cider, from 1704 to 1802. Other charges are for weaving linens and blankets, and the sale of fox and wolf skins, and sewing or mending tailored garments. The volume mostly includes accounts of William Bartlett and his son, William (born 1724), dated from 1704 to approximately 1750; after that time, the accounts are in the hand of William, Jr., until approximately 1802, when his son Solomon's (born 1758) signature appears. William Bartlett's clients included Massachusetts Governor Caleb Strong (1745-1819; Harvard AB 1764), to whom he provided honey and metheglin. There is also a copy of a will of Nathaniel Bartlett, memoranda of the births of William Sr.'s and William, Jr.'s children, and note regarding settlement of a Captain Bartlett's estate by Solomon in 1805, possibly that of his father, William. Volume two was kept by Solomon Bartlett and lists farm products sold including apples, cider, cider wine, vinegar, brandy, calfskin, sheepskin, honey, and metheglin, from 1790 to 1822. There are also charges for physical labor such as carpentry, pasturing, carting, and repairing a schoolhouse. There are also accounts of Jared Bartlett, possibly Solomon's son, from 1822 to 1865, and entries related to his service on the board of the town selectmen from 1833 to 1843. He charged for attending town meetings, serving legal warrants to residents, and providing food to the poor. He also sold potatoes, pork, eggs, cider, apples and was paid for his labor in a variety of farming chores.