Tett General Merchants, Newboro

Queens Univeristy Archives holds the papers of the Tett family of Newboro, Ontario. Headed by Benjamin Tett, the family operated general stores, lumber mills, and other businesses in and around North Crosby Township in Leeds County, Ontario. The "day books" from the Newboro and Bedford Mills general stores record sales and other transactions, especially those crediting or debiting the accounts of local residents. William Wyant maintained an account with the Tett's for many years. Below is one of his earliest transactions.

Day Book Record of Shopping Transaction, 27 November 1847

Transcript

[page] 566
Saturday 27^th Nov 1847

68
[account] William Wyant D[ebi]t

2 chalklines 10^d     20 yds [illegible] Cotton ^[at] 7½[d] 12 [s]/6 [d] 13[s] 4[d]

½ # [lb] Tea 1[s]/3[d]     1 # [lb] Saleratus 7½^d 1[s] 10½[d]

1 pr Gloves 4[s]/     2 spools 4½^d 4[s] 4½[d]

8 yds [illegible] ^[at] 6½d 4[s]/4[d] 1 H[ac]ks[aw?] 1[s]/- 1X cutfile 1[s]/6[d] 6[s] 10[d] [£]1 6[s] 4[d]

Glossary

Saleratus: a leavening agent consisting of potassium or sodium bicarbonate
Currency: The Canadian dollar was introduced in 1857/58 and established at CAD $1.00 = 5 s ($4.00 = £1). In British currency twelve pence (12d) = one shilling (1s or 1/-), and twenty shillings (20s or 20/-) = one pound sterling (£1). Therefore two shillings and six pence (2/6) = fifty cents (50¢). Conversions for the above amounts are:

4½d = 7½¢ 6½d = 11¢ 7½d = 12½¢ 10d = 17¢
1/- = 20¢ 1/3 = 25¢ 1/6 = 30¢ 1/10½ = 37½¢
4/- = 80¢ 4/4 = 87¢ 6/10 = $1.37 12/6 = $2.50
13/4 = $2.67 £1 6/4 = $5.27

Illegible Sections

Any suggestion or interpretation would be greatly appreciated.

2002 David A. Wyatt
Return to Summary of Records of the Wyatt (Wyant, Weagant) Family of North Crosby Township, Leeds County, Ontario

The author is always interested in comments, corrections and further information. Please email to:

David_Wyatt@umanitoba.ca

[page] 566 Saturday 27^th Nov 1847
68 [account]	William Wyant	D[ebi]t
	2 chalklines 10^d 20 yds [illegible] Cotton ^[at] 7½[d] 12 [s]/6 [d]	13[s] 4[d]
	½ # [lb] Tea 1[s]/3[d] 1 # [lb] Saleratus 7½^d	1[s] 10½[d]
	1 pr Gloves 4[s]/ 2 spools 4½^d	4[s] 4½[d]
	8 yds [illegible] ^[at] 6½d 4[s]/4[d] 1 H[ac]ks[aw?] 1[s]/- 1X cutfile 1[s]/6[d]	6[s] 10[d]	[£]1	6[s]	4[d]

4½d	= 7½¢	6½d	= 11¢	7½d	= 12½¢	10d	= 17¢
1/-	= 20¢	1/3	= 25¢	1/6	= 30¢	1/10½	= 37½¢
4/-	= 80¢	4/4	= 87¢	6/10	= $1.37	12/6	= $2.50
13/4	= $2.67	£1 6/4	= $5.27