Scope and arrangement
The collection comprises John Eastmond's journal of personal and household accounts, with some business entries, 1803-1807; his business letter book, 1827-1828; and a notebook, 1818-1848, documenting expenses and household clothing.
The journal, 1803 January 1-1807 January 1 (1 volume), lists his assets, debts, debits, and credits regarding his house in New York City and other property holdings. Accounts (36 pages) are summarized by type at the end of each year. A leaf with 2 pages of manuscript mathematical tables is inserted at end. Items include transactions with the family of his first wife, Susanna Thorne, in Cornwall, New York, and the purchase of a female slave named Nell, 1806 June 30 (page 31), with terms of her employment and possible emancipation. House expenses include the purchase of furniture and books. Entries in 1804 document the end of his employment with J.C. Van den Heuvel to start a partnership with Benjamin Armitage. The journal also records his activities as a bird fancier, identifying the number and kinds of birds purchased and sold or given away, and transactions with bird seller Henry J. Hassey.
His letter book (with some loss of text), 1827 June 6-1828 November 7, contains copied business letters to local clients and those living abroad regarding transactions conducted on their behalf. Recipients include members of the Van den Heuvel family. An incomplete letter at end to John Hart, dated November 7, 1828, advises him of deaths in his own family, and their impact on his faith in God. A few letters are in shorthand. A notebook contains his expenses, 1818-1828, and a listing of household clothing, dated 1848. The letter book and notebook (in 1 folder) are unbound.