R. P. Van Deusen account book, 1840

Summary

Creator:

Van Deusen, R. P.

Abstract:

This account book, kept by R. P. Van Deusen, documents 18 trips of the barge Berkshire on the Hudson River and Erie Canal carrying passengers and cargo.

Extent:

125 pages

Language:

English

Authors:

Collection processed and finding aid created by Rachel K. Onuf

Background

Scope and Content:

The account book of the barge Berkshire contains records eighteen trips up and down the Hudson River and Erie Canal. Some passengers paid simply for passage, some for passage and board. The diverse cargo included hay, reams of paper, vinegar, cattle, potatoes, books and oats. There is much detail of barge expenses as well, including provisions and the cost of being towed up and down the river by various captains and steamboats. Deposits to the Mercantile and Exchange Bank are also noted. A later possessor of the account book filled thirty one pages at the opposite end of the book with notations on the life and death of many authors, and starts with the witty quote, "Woodsman spare that tree." There are a few pages of manuscript verse, and sadly, several pages of accounts are covered up with poems clipped out of newspapers. Some of these have been removed.

Biographical / Historical:

During the 1840s, the canal barge Berkshire appears to have run a route up and down and the Erie Canal and Hudson River. She appears to have been a line boat carrying both freight and passengers, and was probably owned and operated by R. P. Van Deusen

Acquisition Information:

M-3247 .

Rules or Conventions:

Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS)

Subjects

Click on terms below to find any related finding aids on this site.

Subjects:

Account books.
Barges.
Canal boats.
Commonplace-books.
Poetry.
Shipping.

Formats:

Account books.

Places:

Erie Canal (N.Y.)
Hudson River (N.Y. and N.J.)
New York (State)