Document Archives Record
Metadata
Collection |
MS 23 |
Title |
Augustus S. Ensworth Ledger |
Object type |
Documents |
Catalog Number |
MS 23 |
Creator |
Ensworth, Augustus S. |
Year Range from |
1860 |
Year Range to |
1865 |
Scope & Content |
Abstract: The collection contains one bound ledger kept by Augustus Ensworth for Thomas Whaley’s merchandizing business activities in San Diego from September 1860 to January 1865. Biographical/Historical Notes: Augustus S. Ensworth was born in Connecticut around 1810 and moved to San Diego as a teamster. He was elected as the Justice of Peace in 1856 and consequently began the study of law. In 1859, Judge Ensworth was elected as Assemblyman. In September 1860, Ensworth started handling Thomas Whaley’s business activities in San Diego, while Whaley was working as a Commissary Storekeeper for the U.S. Army under Captain M. D. L. Simpson. Ensworth lived in the Whaley House, recorded financial transactions, served as an accountant for taxes, and completed repairs on the building. In a letter to Thomas Whaley on February 21, 1865, A.S. Ensworth admitted having a broken leg. He was hospitalized at the Sisters of Charity Hospital in Los Angeles, CA. On September 13, 1865, Augustus S. Ensworth died from an infection. Judge Benjamin Hayes informed Thomas Whaley of Ensworth’s death. Scope and Content: The collection is a ledger recording business financial activities from September 1860 and ends in January 1865. The entries in the first half of the book are "Cash Received" followed by "Cash Paid Out." From left to right, the first column shows the month and day with the year indicated at the top of the page. Clarifying information is in the middle column followed by the dollar amount in the last column. A written note in the ledger states that certain pages were removed and mailed to Thomas Whaley from Ensworth. Ensworth made copies of the original entries in the ledger, indicated by a note and/or the word Copy at the top of the pages. Common commodities included: flour, sugar, candles, bread, canned goods, lard, and apples. Business transactions are listed with prominent San Diegans including C. J. Couts, Col. W. C. Ferrell, W. S. Morrow, E. W. Morse, and the Bandini family. Payments were made in cash, coin, greenbacks, and gold. Ships (e.g., Steamer Senator, Schooner Lewis Perry), Wells Fargo & Company (i.e., express service), and laborers were used to move merchandise and/or business correspondence. |
Quantity |
0.25 Linear feet (1 box) |
Notes |
Collection processed as part of grant project supported by the Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR) with generous funding from The Andrew Mellon Foundation. |
Finding Aid |
http://www.sandiegohistory.org/archives/archivalcollections/ms23 |
Names |
Lewis Perry (Schooner). Senator (Steamer). Wells Fargo & Company. Bandini family Couts, Cave Johnson, 1821-1874 Ensworth, Augustus S. Ferrell, William C. Morrow, William S. Morse, Ephraim W. Whaley, Thomas, 1823-1890 |