Finding Aid: Barnes and Bardin Account Books, 1839-1844, PC.AB.129
Abstract
The Barnes and Bardin establishment opened in the community of Black Creek, Wayne
County (present-day Wilson County) at the close of 1839. Soon afterwards, Black Creek
became a post office and a station on the Wilmington and Weldon Rail Road. It appears
that the principal partners were Bunyan Barnes and possibly Arthur Bardin Sr.
These four volumes represent transactions of a store dealing with groceries and general
merchandise. Postage and taxes were also paid at this site.
Descriptive Summary
- Title
- Barnes and Bardin Account Books, 1839-1844
- Call Number
- PC.AB.129
- Creator
- Barnes family
- Date
- 1839-1844
- Language
- English
- Repository
- State Archives of North Carolina
Restrictions on Access & Use
Access Restrictions
Available for research
Use Restrictions
Copyright is retained by the authors of these materials, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law (Title 17 US Code). Individual researchers are responsible for using these materials in conformance with copyright law as well as any donor restrictions accompanying the materials.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], PC.AB.129, Barnes and Bardin Account Books, 1839-1844, State Archives of North Carolina, Raleigh, NC, USA.
Collection Overview
These four volumes represent transactions of a store located in Black Creek. The business
is known as Barnes and Bardin. Business transactions began on December 4, 1839 and
may have been recorded by J. M. Rice initially. In later volumes, Benjamin H. Bardin
identified himself as the seventeen-year-old clerk. Volume 1 is labeled "Day Book"
on the spine but is used as a ledger as are the other three volumes, which are labeled
"Ledger". Volumes 3 and 4 have alphabetical indexes to customers and pages.
The Barnes and Bardin store offered a range of goods including groceries, hardware,
and general merchandise. The ledgers listed purchases by individual customers who
bought cloth, ready-to-wear clothing, sewing essentials, buttons, jewelry, toiletries,
paper, ink, food staples, spices, fish, pork, candies, spirits, and tobacco. Services
such as tool sharpening were available. Postage and taxes were recorded as well. Most
accounts were paid in cash but the barter system was also utilized. Items such as
eggs, tallow, cakes, fodder, chickens, pork, and "work on house" were exchanged for
the merchandise. Interest was charged on some accounts. Business transactions under
the Barnes and Bardin name ceased around May 29, 1844.
Arrangement Note
The bound volumes are in chronological order. Transactions in each volume are arranged by name, then date.
Biographical/Historical note
The Barnes and Bardin store opened in the community of Black Creek, Wayne County (present-day Wilson County) at the close of 1839. The store was located near the Wilmington and Weldon Railroad while the railway was still under construction. Soon afterwards, Black Creek became a post office and a station on the railway line. It was incorporated in 1870.
It appears that the principal owners were Bunyan Barnes and possibly Arthur Bardin Sr. Ledger entries and inserts from 1844-1845 describe B. Barnes or Bunyan Barnes as the surviving partner. The Barnes name continued to be associated with grocery and general stores in the area as late as 1890. Bunyan Barnes also served as postmaster from 1840 to at least 1855.
Contents of the Collection
Scope and Content:
This volume was identified, apparently by a store keeper, as LA, presumably standing for Ledger A. The earliest date entered is 4 December 1839 and the last is 5 January 1841, though almost all of the dated entries fall throughout the year of 1840. The pages are hand numbered at the top left of each verso (LH) and indicate 218 pages. There is no enumeration of the Recto (RH), therefore the total number of pages with account names and entries totals 436 pages. Measurement of volume in inches: 6 1/4 x 18 3/4 x 1 3/4.
Scope and Content:
This volume was labeled, presumably by the storekeeper, as LB. There are 288 pages enumerated at the top left verso, with a total of 576 pages. Measurement of volume in inches: 7 7/8 x 12 1/2 x 2.
Scope and Content:
This volume was labeled, presumably by the storekeeper, as LC. There are 307 pages enumerated at the top left verso, with a total of 614 pages. The volume also includes a name index in the front of the book, preceding the enumerated pages. There is a signature at the end, a Benjamin H. Bardin, dated April 14, 1843. Measurement of volume in inches: 8 1/8 x 13 x 2 5/8.
Scope and Content:
This volume was labeled, presumably by the storekeeper, as LD. There are 202 pages enumerated at the top left verso, with a total of 404 pages. There is an insert, an index that includes around ten pages of names. The volume also includes a name index in the front of the book, preceding the enumerated pages, and including about 20 pages. Measurement of volume in inches: 8 3/4 x 13 1/4 x 1 3/4.
Subject Headings
Acquisitions Information
Unknown
Processing Information
Online finding aid prepared by Fran Tracy-Walls, July 2012