Hampton Bills – Hardware, 1870-1876

The bills and receipts contained in this series represent purchases made by the Ridgely family members who were living at Hampton during the 1860s and 1870s, including: Charles Ridgely, his wife Margaretta, his son John, and John’s wife Helen. Because of the volume of bills that were incurred during this time period they have been organized by the type of purchase rather than by the purchaser. The series includes orders for construction and repairs at Hampton, purchases of mourning clothes following Charles Ridgely’s death, school bills for John Ridgely’s siblings, and expenses incurred by Margaretta Ridgely at her Baltimore house. The categories for the Hampton bills are arranged alphabetically, and are divided into the following subjects: clothing; druggist supplies and doctor bills; farm and garden supplies; food; freight; furnishings; hardware; house expenses; horses and vehicles; jewelry/china/silver/clocks; hired labor and repairs; miscellaneous; music lessons and school bills; stationary and subscriptions; building supplies (lumber, brick, etc.); and washing. There are two indentures located in Folder 508. This series also contains the record of the weekly butter account at Hampton for the year 1884.