Book of Memorandum

This is a mysterious find, because it’s devoid of context, and because I can barely read it. But it’s fascinating all the same.

This is a long, handwritten ledger, marked “Book of Memorandum” at the top, dating from 1878. It contains line after line of names, each with a date, and some with explanatory notes. It’s from Honey Grove, Pennsylvania, and appears to be from a place of business. The old mill? A store? It records visitors and, I would suppose, workers and the hours they worked. It deserves more than a quick glance. Here are a few selected pages.