Daniel Lewis Miller account book, 1856-1895.

Format:

Other

Author/Creator:

Miller, Daniel Lewis.

Contributor:

Allan G. Chester and Florence K. Chester Fund.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Plastering.

Montgomery County (Pa.)--History, Local--19th century.

Montgomery County (Pa.).

Plastering--Pennsylvania--19th century.

Pennsylvania.

Genre:

Manuscripts, American.

Accounts.

Ledgers (account books)

Penn Provenance:

Sold by Ian Brabner Bookseller (Wilmington, Del.), Short list 25 (2012), no. 4.

Physical Description:

1 box

Place of Publication:

1856-1895.

Biography/History:

Daniel L. Miller of Schwenksville, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, was a plasterer. In addition, he was a seasonal school teacher for 39 years, a local Lutheran church officer, and a township official.

Summary:

One account book with 16 leaves of loose inserts. The account book records the various tasks associated with plastering work and also documents MIller's work as a teacher, church officer, and township official. Miller's plastering work, 1864-1874, was done mainly near his home in Schwenksville, but he also labored in Chester and Schuylkill Counties. In addition to working for private individuals, he also worked for such corporate bodies as the Reading Railroad Company, the Mennonite Meeting House at Skippackville, Goshenhoppen church, and Ursinus College. The work entailed plastering, lathing, dashing, "slacking [slaking] lime," white washing, scaffolding, "white coting [coating]," and cementing. For each project Miller itemizes the dates, the specific labor performed, the time spent. HIs daily rate of pay varied over time, and he charged more for work done on upper floors of buildings or evening work. Miller appears to have had, at some point, a company or business partners. In addition to these business records, Miller provides a list of all his yearly apointments at ten different schools in Montgomery County. School terms lasted four to six months, but classes apparently met only 22 days per term. Miller was typically paid $32.50 per month. He lists the names of some of the other teachers and, for about twelve years, lists the names and ages of his male and female students or "scholars." Miller also lists the offices he held for two different Lutheran congregations, 1859-1880, and notes the dates of his elections. The township offices held by Miller, 1866-1880, are also listed and include Clerk, Inspector or Judge of Elections, and Justice of the Peace. The fees he received for these political offices are recorded.

Local Notes:

Acquired for the Penn Libraries with assistance from the Allan G. Chester and Florence K. Chester Fund.

OCLC:

821585920