Augustus S. Ensworth Ledger, 1860 September-1865 January

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Summary

Creators:
Ensworth, Augustus S.
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.
Extent:
0.25 Linear feet (1 box)
Language:
Preferred citation:

Augustus S. Ensworth Ledger, MS 23, San Diego History Center Document Collection, San Diego, CA.

Background

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.

Biographical / historical:

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.

Processing information:

Collection processed by Sandra Kirkwood on February 1, 2012.

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.

Arrangement:

Pages of bound ledger are arranged by type of financial transactions recorded, and chronologically within.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

This collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

The San Diego History Center (SDHC) holds the copyright to any unpublished materials. SDHC Library regulations do apply.

Preferred citation:

Augustus S. Ensworth Ledger, MS 23, San Diego History Center Document Collection, San Diego, CA.

Location of this collection:
1649 El Prado, Suite 3
San Diego, CA 92101, US
Contact:
(619) 232-6203
Website