Collection of ledgers, 1870-1956 MVC073
Finding aid prepared by Krystell Jimenez, 2021.
This finding aid was made possible in part through funding from the County of Ventura and the Heritage Fund at the Ventura
County Community Foundation.
Museum of Ventura County
August 2021
100 East Main Street
Ventura, CA 93001
library@venturamuseum.org
Contributing Institution:
Museum of Ventura County
Title: Collection of ledgers
Creator:
Ventura County Superior Court.
Identifier/Call Number: MVC073
Physical Description:
23.04 Cubic Feet
(74 ledgers)
Date (inclusive): 1870-1956
Abstract: The ledgers in this collection were donated to the museum over several years. Many belong to either the Superior Court of
Ventura County or various offices and departments within the county's administration, as well as several private businesses
or clubs. There are also a few still unidentified ledgers. The ledgers contain notes, financial accounts, or administrative
records for a wide variety of agencies and businesses. Some ledgers may contain additional papers or correspondence.
Physical Location: Stored off-site and advance notice required for timely retrieval. Please contact the Research Library reference desk prior
to your visit.
Language of Material:
English
.
Conditions Governing Access
COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE: Open for research. All requests to access materials must be made in advance by contacting the
Research Library staff via email: library@venturamuseum.org.
Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use
Property rights to the physical object belong to the Museum of Ventura County. Literary rights, including copyright, have
not been determined. Contact the Research Library for further information: library@venturamuseum.org.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Collection of ledgers, (Collection MVC073), Museum of Ventura County, Research Library, Ventura,
California.
Provenance/Source of Acquisition
Multiple donors include the Superior Court of Ventura County and the Public Administrator and Public Guardian of Ventura County.
Processing Information
Processed by Krystell Jimenez, 2021.
Our collections are processed using MPLP methods so that we can prioritize access for users and identify potential priorities
for more detailed processing. If while using our collections you think there is something that should be added or amended
in the finding aid, we welcome your input. You can notify staff in the reading room or send us an email at library@venturamuseum.org.
Be sure to include the collection number and name and the box number you were working with in your email.
Biographical / Historical
The ledgers in this collection were donated to the museum over several years. Many belong to either the Superior Court of
Ventura County or various offices and departments within the county's administration. Prior to 1873, the area that is now
Ventura County was part of Santa Barbara County. Any records that pre-date 1873 are likely to be held by institutions in Santa
Barbara. Private businesses or clubs that are covered in this collection include the Bank of Ventura, various stores run by
the Bartlett brothers, Civil War Union veterans club the Grand Army of the Republic, the Church of Christ, Hotel Anacapa,
the Hueneme Wharf and Warehouse Company, Mercer Garage, the Montalvo Land and Water Company, nativist club Native Sons of
the Golden West, the Santa Clara House, the Santa Paula Concert Band, the Ventura Abstract Company, the V.C.N. Company, the
Ventura Daily Post, and the Ventura Wharf and Warehouse Company. In addition, there are a few still unidentified ledgers,
as well as records pertaining to school administration within the county and boarding houses.
Scope and Contents
This collection contains ledgers that include notes and accounts for a wide variety of agencies and businesses. Some ledgers
may contain additional papers or correspondence.
This collection has been arranged at the series level as follows:
- Series 1: Court ledgers and records, 1870-1956
- Series 2: General ledgers, 1871-1942
- Series 3: Ventura County records, 1873-1906
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Business enterprises -- California -- Ventura County
Ledgers
Business records
Clubs
Tax administrations and procedure
Court records -- Ventura County (Calif.)
Schools -- Records and correspondence
Series 1: Court ledgers and records
1870 October 5 - 1956
Scope and Contents
This series contains ledgers and records related to the Superior Court of Ventura County. This includes dockets, court calendars,
registers of actions, and other similar records.
Ledger 1
Criminal and civil district court calendar
1870 October 5 - 1875 November 6
General
Appears to have poor order of arrangement.
Ledger 2
Justice's docket (Ventura Township, Ventura County)
1880 January 6 - 1881 December
General
Cases litigated between January 1880 and December 1881 and recorded by Justice of the Peace W.I. Rice.
Ledger 3
Justice's docket (Ventura Township, Ventura County)
1888 March 22 - 1892 April 25
General
Contains cases litigated between March 1888 and April 1892. Justice of the Peace was Wesley Boling. Rest of spine reads: "Civil
Pages 1 to 61. Mar 1888 to Aug. 1889. [Missing text] April 1888 to April 1892."
Ledger 4
Public administrator's record
1915 January - 1938
General
Part of two-volume record of estate claims and settlements through the Public Administrator's Office for the period January
1915 - January 1956.
Ledger 5
Public administrator's record (Ventura County)
1929-1956
General
Part of two-volume record of estate claims and settlements through the Public Administrator's Office for the period January
1915 - January 1956.
Ledger 6
Record - Ventura County Law Library
1891 April 18 - 1934 May 14
General
Ventura Law Library journal. Contains information on publications, books, periodicals, etc., in law library; meeting minutes;
and financial reports made by secretary of the Board of Trustees of the V.C. Law Library, and rules for borrowing and using
library materials.
Ledger 7
Register of actions (No. 2) and fee book
1898 June 18 - 1912 November 27
Ledger 8
Trial Docket (Oxnard Township, Ventura County)
1912 July 9 - 1915 January 5
General
Criminal cases litigated between July 1912 and January 1915. C.J. Elliott is justice of the peace for said township.
Series 2: General ledgers
1871 August 7 - 1942 April 28
Scope and Contents
This series contains miscellaneous ledgers records for local businesses and organizations, including the Bank of Ventura,
Bartlett Bros., the Grand Army of the Republic, several hotels, the Hueneme Wharf and Wharehouse Company, and school records,
as well as some county records.
Ledger 83
"Aid to Needy Children"
1953-1954
Scope and Contents
This account book records sums dispersed to children, families, or organizations who offer services for children. It records
funds from or for B.H.I. It is not clear what this acronym stands for.
Ledger 79
A.O. Thomas auto repair journal
1937 January - 1945 February
Scope and Contents
This journal was donated by A.O. Thomas's family. He operated an auto repair shop in Oxnard. The journal includes photocopies
of related news articles and photographs.
Ledger 9
Bank of Ventura: Signatures book
circa 1892
General
Book contains all authorized signatures for accounts at the bank. Note on cover reads: "VV-59 Signature Book of Bank of Ventura.
This book was found under the old Ritzke home on E. Main Street. It contains a list of all the bank depositors of the first
Bank of Ventura, founded in 1874. Presented by Mrs. Frank Stover."
Ledger 10
Bank of Ventura: Stakeholders list
1878 July 18 - 1909 July 1
General
Presented by Fred Snodgrass, grandson of Larkin Snodgrass, founder and first president of Bank of Ventura. The bank was founded
on September 19, 1874. - But Snodgrass not listed in articles of incorporation.
Ledger 11
Bartlett Brothers: Ledger
circa 1900
General
Spine reads: Register of Actions - Civil and Criminal - Superior Court - 1 - Ventura Co. but labels inside don't match spine.
Ledger includes accounts for Great Eastern Dry Good and Bartlett Bros.
Ledger 12
Bartlett Brothers: Parchment copying book
1908 August 10 - 1909 September 29
General
Carbon copies of various orders, i.e., books, band instruments, gramophones, gold rings, etc., made by the Bartlett Company
of Ventura. Example of how file copies were created.
Ledger 13
Bartlett Company account book (Piano and Organ)
1897 May 21 - 1915
General
John Lagomarsino, Jr., accounts on p. 2 and p. 229.
Ledger 14
Bartlett and Sons: Account book
1875 December 31 - 1880 July 30
Ledger 15
Bartlett and Sons: Ledger 3
1898-1902
Ledger 80
Chaffee and Gilbert: Cash
1866 October - 1867
Scope and Contents
This account book details transactions for the Chaffee and Gilbert department store. Walter Scott Chaffee, George S. Gilbert,
and Charles Bonestel established the Chaffee, Gilbert and Bonestel Dry Goods Store in 1862. The store was one of the oldest
department stores in California and was located on the corner of Palm and Main Streets. The store would later become the Ventura
Department Store.
Ledger 81
Chaffee and Gilbert: Journal
1866 October - 1867 April
Scope and Contents
This account book records assets and liabilities for the Chaffee and Gilbert store. Walter Scott Chaffee, George S. Gilbert,
and Charles Bonestel established the Chaffee, Gilbert and Bonestel Dry Goods Store in 1862. The store was one of the oldest
department stores in California and was located on the corner of Palm and Main Streets. The store would later become the Ventura
Department Store.
Ledger 16
County Clerk and Recorder: Fee book 1
1888 January 3 - 1894 April 30
General
Item is cataloged in Library's books and periodicals collection under call number: 352.07949. No barcode.
Ledger 17
County Clerk and Recorder: Fee book 2
1894 May 1 - 1899 December 5
General
Item is cataloged in Library's books and periodicals collection under call number: 352.07949. No barcode.
Ledger 18
County Clerk and Recorder: Fee book 3
1899 December 1 - 1903 January 5
General
Item is cataloged in Library's books and periodicals collection under the call number: 352.07949. No barcode.
Ledger 19
County Clerk and Recorder: Fee book 4
1903 March 5 - 1905 February 28
General
Items is cataloged with Library's book and periodicals under the call number: 352.07949. No barcode.
Ledger 20
County Clerk and Recorder: Fee book 5
1905 March 1 - 1907 April 30
General
Item is cataloged with Library's book and periodicals under the call number: 352.07949. No barcode.
Ledger 21
County Clerk and Recorder: Fee book 6
1907 May 1 - 1909 August 23
General
Item is cataloged with Library's book and periodicals under the call number: 352.07949. No barcode.
Ledger 22
County Clerk and Recorder: Fee book 7
1909 August 2 - 1911 April 29
General
Item is cataloged with Library's book and periodicals under the call number: 352.07949. No barcode.
Ledger 23
County Clerk and Recorder: Fee book 8
1911 May 2 - 1913 January 2
General
Item is cataloged with Library's book and periodicals under the call number: 352.07949. No barcode.
Ledger 84
County Free Library: Claim allowances register
1916 March - 1938 June
Scope and Contents
Records spending or fees for supplies, equipment, etc. The final pages show a change where the claims had to be approved by
the county auditor.
Ledger 76
Farmers and Merchants Bank : Account book
1918 January 14 - 1945 December 28
Scope and Contents
Details expenses and returns. Companies frequently listed include: Southern California Edison Company, Union Oil Company,
Auto Club of Southern California, Mupu Citrus Association, Santa Paula Lima Bean Association, Santa Paula Walnut Association.
Ledger 77
Farmers and Merchants Bank: Account book [Part 2]
1946 January 31 - 1969 December 1
Scope and Contents
Details expenses and returns. Companies frequently listed include: Mupu Citrus Association, S.P. Walnut Association, Southern
California Edison Company, Bank of America, and Culligan Soft Water Service.
Ledger 78
Farmers and Merchants Bank: Account book [Part 3]
1970 January 6 - 1980 December 31
Scope and Contents
Details expenses and returns. Companies frequently listed include: Union Oil Company, Chase Manhattan, Southern California
Edison Company, Bank of America.
Ledger 24
Grand Army of the Republic minute book
1911 May 5 - 1917 July 6
Ledger 25
History of the Church of Christ clippings book
circa 1889-1905
General
Contains newspaper clippings. Full title on book reads: History of the Church of Christ… Chronological Tables - Henry B. Smith,
D.D.
Ledger 26
Hotel Anacapa register (Hartmann Bros.)
1909 June 2 - 1909 October 17
General
Item is cataloged with Library's books and periodicals under the call number: 657.837
Ledger 27
Hueneme Wharf and Warehouse Company: Accounting record
1894 June 2 - 1897 December 31
General
Old label on ledger reads: [illegible] account record Hueneme Wharf and Warehouse Company. June 1894 to Dec. 1897. Presented
to Museum by J.D. Keir Hueneme, Calif.
Ledger 28
Mercer Garage account book
circa 1919
Box 1, Ledger 29
Montalvo Land and Water Company stock book and stubs
1887 October 15 - 1889 May 3
General
Catalog card reads: Barnard, Chas. VV-79 Stubs of Montalvo Water Co. Stock Book. 1887
Ledger 30
Native Sons of the Golden West: Cabrillo Parlor No. 114 record (meeting minutes)
1899 April 25 - 1909 October
Ledger 31
Native Sons of the Golden West: Cabrillo Parlor No. 114 record (Collection 1 Volume 3)
1887 October 27 - 1899 April 11
Ledger 32
Native Sons of the Golden West: Cabrillo Parlor No. 114 meeting minutes (Collection 1 Volume 5)
1909 October 21 - 1917 December 6
Ledger 33
Notarial record of Anna Maria Voelker
1930 February 6 - 1935 January 30
Box 1, Ledger 34
Pattison: Front office cash sheet
1926 November 6 - 1927 January 18
General
Belongs to a hotel or boarding house, but not clear which.
Box 1, Ledger 35
Pattison: Front office cash sheet
1926 May 29 - October 31
General
Belongs to a hotel or boarding house, but not clear which.
Ledger 85
Potter Hotel: Auditor's report
1910
Scope and Contents
Full title is "Potter Hotel Company Auditor's Report, Vault 383. Accountant's audit report on the books of account for the
forty-four months ending August 31, 1910."
Ledger 86
Potter Hotel: Report on affairs
1911
Scope and Contents
Full title is "Report on the Affairs of the Potter Hotel Co., year ending November 30th, 1911."
Ledger 36
Santa Clara House: register
1871 August 7 - 1873 July 21
General
Old note identifies ledger as vv 158-1. Label on book reads: Santa Clara House Register, 1871 [illegible]. It's also referred
to as the Santa Clara Hotel in the MVC quarterlies. It may also have been Russ House and the Poinsettia Hotel at various points.
The proprietor may have been an E.M. Jones at one point.
Ledger 37
Santa Paula Concert Band minute book
1917 January 1 - 1927 March 15
Box 1, Ledger 38
School register
circa 1870s
General
School not identified and no dates, but booklet appears to have been manufactured after 1875. There is a Bartlett Bros. sticker
on the cover.
Ledger 39
Unidentified ledger
1864 October 1 - 1871 November 9
General
Owner or company not identified, but includes a record of accounts, balances and potentially loans. A leaf was included in
the back cover.
Ledger 40
Unidentified ledger
1939 February 17 - 1942 April 28
General
Owner or company not identified. Ledger pages are labeled "Labor, Materials and Supplies" and one column labeled "Claimant
and commodities supplied."
Ledger 41
Unidentified: Adv. ledger
1914 January 1 - 1915 May 3
General
Owner and company not identified. Accounts show they primarily sold postage, stationery, and perhaps advertisements or ad
space.
Ledger 82
Unidentified ledger: Brown cashbook
1881 March - 1884 August
Scope and Contents
This account book has a label, but appears to be a record of transactions. It is not clear what business it pertains to. It
may be a record kept by Thomas R. Bard. Parties named in the book include Bard and Perkins, and Poole, as well as income and
expenses for wheat.
Ledger 42
Ventura Abstract Company: Field notes for forest reserve
1910 April 14
General
Volume put together in 1910, but survey completed between November 28, 1904 and January 11, 1906. There are also some notes
from 1898.
Ledger 43
V.C.N. Co.: Hueneme Yard ledger
1890 March 6 - 1893 December
General
Lettering is flaking and not clear what company's name actually is. May also be V.C.H. Co
Ledger 44
Ventura Daily Post account book
1915 December 30 - 1917 February 28
Ledger 45
Ventura Wharf and Warehouse Company: Customer's ledger
1929
Ledger 46
Visitor Register for Pioneer Museum (Ventura Chamber of Commerce)
1914 February 25 - 1925 August 10
Series 3: Ventura County records
1873 - 1906 July
General
This series largely contains assessment rolls maintained by the county. There is also a guestbook for the county's exhibit
at the World's Fair in Chicago and records related to education administration.
Ledger 47
Ventura County: Assessment roll A to L
1881-1882
Ledger 48
Ventura County: Assessment roll A to Z
1881-1882
Ledger 49
Ventura County: Assessor's valuation
1903-1906
General
Name "J.A. Donlon" stamped inside front cover of ledger.
Ledger 50
Ventura County: Duplicate assessment roll
1873-1874
Ledger 51
Ventura County: Duplicate assessment roll
Ledger 52
Ventura County: Duplicate assessment roll
1875-1876
Ledger 53
Ventura County: Duplicate assessment roll
1876-1877
Ledger 54
Ventura County: Duplicate assessment roll
1877-1878
Ledger 55
Ventura County: Duplicate assessment roll
1879-1880
Ledger 56
Ventura County: Instruments filed for record
1873 April 12 - 1878 July 31
Ledger 57
Ventura County: Instruments filed for record
1878 August 1 - 1887 June 29
Ledger 58
Ventura County: Instruments filed for record
1894 December 1 - 1898 May 31
Ledger 59
Ventura County: Instrument filed for Record No. 5
1898 June 1 - 1900 October 31
Ledger 60
Ventura County: Original assessment roll
1873-1874
Ledger 61
Ventura County: Original assessment roll
1874-1875
Ledger 62
Ventura County: Original assessment roll
1875-1876
Ledger 63
Ventura County: Original assessment roll
1876-1877
Ledger 64
Ventura County: Original assessment roll
1877-1878
Ledger 65
Ventura County: Original assessment roll
1878-1879
Ledger 66
Ventura County: Original assessment roll Vol. 1 A to L
1880
Ledger 67
Ventura County: Original assessment book Vol. 2 M to Z
1880
Ledger 68
Ventura County: Original assessment roll
1883
General
Auditor was John T. Stow.
Ledger 69
Ventura County: Original assessment roll
1884
General
County clerk was John T. Stow.
Ledger 70
Ventura County: Original assessment roll
1885
Ledger 71
Ventura County: Duplicate assessment roll, 25th fiscal year
1873-1874
General
Last page has a seal: "County Auditor Office Ventura Co. Cal." Auditor was John T. Stow.
Ledger 72
Ventura County: Register of requisitions, School Superintendent's
1886 September 7 - 1890 November 9
Ledger 73
Ventura County schools: Scrapbook from Superintendent's Office, George Sackett
1895 January - 1906 July
Ledger 74
Ventura County World Fair's Exhibit: Visitor's register
1893
General
Capt. W. H…. West Saticoy. Label taped inside front cover reads: Register of Visitors at the Ventura County Exhibit at the
World's Fair at Chicago in 1893.
Ledger 75
Index to original assessment roll
1888
General
Subtitle reads: Town of San Buenaventura.
