Collection inventory

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New York City Merchant's Ledger

A description of the item at Syracuse University

Finding aid created by: -
Date: 1970

Revision history:
17 Oct 2018	rehoused (MS)
28 Aug 2023	creator identified as William Kenyon (MRC)

Biographical History

Internal evidence, supported by various books of New York State history, strongly suggests that this ledger was kept by William Kenyon (1753-1826). Born in England, Kenyon emigrated to New York in 1774 where he became a merchant, dry goods importer, and landowner in early New York City. He acquired Haerlem Heights, the former estate of Col. Roger Morris, when loyalist Morris was dispossessed of his lands following the American Revolution. Kenyon’s wife was Abigail Bowne Kenyon, whose family (the Bownes of Flushing) had original land holdings in the Nine Partners patent. His brother James Kenyon was the fourth largest cotton importer in Liverpool.

Special Collections Research Center is grateful to researcher Ramin Ganeshram for identifying the ledger's creator.

Scope and Contents of the Collection

The New York City Merchant's Ledger consists of a single volume of 488 pages, along with 20 loose pages. The loose pages date from 1784-1791, while the bound ledger spans the years 1800-1802. Internal evidence, supported by various books of New York State history, strongly suggests that the ledger was kept by William Kenyon (1753-1826). The volume details his day-to-day financial transactions: sales of goods to individuals and to shipowners, and also sales of the vessels themselves.

There is no index to either ships or individuals, but it is nevertheless possible to trace specific names through the volume as many were consistent customers. Some of the names which recur are Peter Schermerhorn, James and William Kenyon, and the brigs Friendship, Venus and Aurora. Other surnames of interest to students of early New York history include Wynkoop and Van Sinderen.

Arrangement of the Collection

Single item.

Restrictions

Access Restrictions:

The majority of our archival and manuscript collections are housed offsite and require advanced notice for retrieval. Researchers are encouraged to contact us in advance concerning the collection material they wish to access for their research.

Use Restrictions:

Written permission must be obtained from SCRC and all relevant rights holders before publishing quotations, excerpts or images from any materials in this collection.

Related Material

Special Collections Research Center has numerous other ledgers, day books and other financial records of New York merchants. Please refer to the SCRC Subject Index for a complete listing.

Subject Headings

Persons

Kenyon, William, 1753-1826.

Subjects

Merchant ships -- 19th century.
Merchants -- New York (N.Y.)
Shipping -- 19th century.

Places

New York (N.Y.) -- Commerce.

Genres and Forms

Ledgers (account books)

Occupations

Merchants.

Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Preferred citation for this material is as follows:

New York City Merchant's Ledger,
Special Collections Research Center,
Syracuse University Libraries

Acquisition Information

Unspecified, 1969.

Table of Contents

Financial records

Inventory