These pages from John Williams’ daybook show the types of goods people in Deerfield, Massachusetts, were purchasing in the fall of 1783. Daybooks were kept by merchants so that they knew what, and to whom, was sold on a daily basis. Purchases by individuals were then transferred into an account book, which contained a running tally of the debits and credits for each person. During the American Revolution, goods had been very scarce because of the lack of imports. With the end of the war, importation from England began again and by 1783, people needed to replenish items after “making do” for many years.
Williams, Esq., John. Pages from John Williams Daybook. 1783. Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, American Centuries. https://americancenturies.org/collection/l07-037/. Accessed on October 16, 2024.
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