1866: Olmstead & Dickinson of Springfield Massachusetts - Bill of Sale to G. W. Lincoln - Parlor, Chamber, Dining-Room Furniture
A lovely bill of sale from 1866. Olmstead & Dickinson of Springfield Massachusetts who were purveyors of furnishings and decor.
"Jan. 3 1866. Springfield, Mass. Mats to be Returned free of Expense to Union Block. Terms Net Cash.
Mr. G. W. Lincoln,
Bought of OLMSTEAD & DICKINSON,
MANUFACTURERS AND DEALERS IN EVERY DESCRIPTION OF
Fashionable & Elegant Parlor, Chamber & Dining-Room Suits.
ALSO, LIBRARY AND COUNTING-HOUSE FURNITURE.
SHADES of Superior Quality constantly on hand. - - - - - SHADE and DRAPERY WORK done to order.
Orders by mail promptly attended to. Good carefully packed for Shipping. Shipped per..."
The transcription of items may be imperfect but seems to have included some 21 Chairs, 1 dress table, 1 single wash stand, 2 bundles of slats, 1 glass plate and a bedstead, totaling some 28.50 USD. (Something like the equivalent of 400 or 500 USD of today)
The G. W. Lincoln may have been George Washington Lincoln, listed in the 1865 Massachusetts state census as having the occupation of a boarding house keeper. The contents of this bill of sale would make sense if that were the case, anyway.