John Richards account book(1717–1729)

• MS 1981.7
• 1 vol. ([78] pp.)

Account book kept by two wealthy men, an uncle and his nephew, John Richards, who lived near Forty Hill and Enfield, Middlesex County [now London], England. The uncle died in 1729. Accounts of the uncle concern buying lace, clothes, wigs, corn [wheat], jewelry, a book (The Whole Duty of Man), paying rent to Sir William Wolstenholme, Lady Grace Wolstenholme, and Lord Hundon. Uncle sells marine and life insurance and gives to the poor who live near Forty Hill and Enfield. He pays for lessons for the dog and gives money to the washerwoman. He gives Christmas box money and pays for his nephew’s education.

The nephew’s accounts concern searchers [those who pronounce the cause of death], wigs, clothes, jewelry, a gold-headed cane and snuff boxes, books (Roman history and Plutarch’s Lives), and payment to Thomas Rutherford for drawing an abstract of his uncle’s writings.

Other purchases include chairs, shoes, candlesticks, hose, silk, a bleeding, horseshoes, a dog collar, ruffled shirts, chariot wheels, and wine. Payments were made to family members, farriers, coachmen, stable keepers, barbers, and Spanish and French teachers. Also includes accounts for insurance sold for goods shipped to Jamaica and goods of the East India Company.

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