"A bowl of grog, a gill of rum..." The 1793 Montgomery Store Daybook
Installment II
We have previously observed General Montgomery’s business acumen: the lucrative production of goods in his own factories (having a distillery, gristmill and sawmill at the Oliverian Brook) and the ability to provide convenient outlet for those goods. (The reader will recall that various forms of distilled spirits and the grinding and purchase of grains were among the most common items sold, traded bartered or exchanged at the Montgomery Store.) Another important element of his financial success rests on his ownership of teams of oxen and horses, stables and land for grazing and grain production. In addition, he had the ability to leverage skilled men (his colleagues and neighbors from the area as well as those who served with him in various military capacities) for long haul jobs, such as the one described below to Concord, hence, operating as a teamster.
The reader will not be surprised to learn how exciting it was to find an entry penned by General Montgomery himself. The opportunity to see the General's own hand (it varies markedly from the entries found before and after) written nearly 220 years ago to the day (7th November 1793) provides an immediate connection with this influential and one might speculate, charismatic person - an historic figure I am now able to begin to trace. General Montgomery shared the same joys and sorrows that we experience today: success in work, loss of loved ones -his first wife and at least three children through disease- laughing, eating and drinking at social gatherings and conversing with the townspeople, at his stores, factories or on business in Concord. He and his colleagues speculated on politics, the court sessions, the weather and success of crops.
His selected use of language provides a brief sliver of his personality and what made him such an influential force that he could lead a band of Haverhill men to defend the Portsmouth harbor in 1814 requiring substantial time from home. Continued research will reveal more about his work in politics at the state level.
His entry for November 7th, 1793 (p.120) is partly illegible but reveals:
“The expense of the cattle to Concord….at Concord…D.Celley. Sanborn expense to Haverhill..to cash ___ Sanborn for expense from Celley’s. Paid at Carlton (?) Custom (?) Haverhill. Paid Kimball for driving. Cost on the team for above, livery and ____ (?) My own expense [brought] up. Paid Clark. Paid man 2 days. Sanborn time. Paid John Hutchins for his ____(?) in. To 1 journey wagon. To my own time _____, ______, ____ on to account.”
The following day, it is noted “By Stephen Couch by beef sold at Concord.” Couch was a trader from Bath and appears frequently in the Day Book. The entry is quite likely to be connected with the General’s coordinated trip to Concord.
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