1846 New England Marietta Ohio Handwritten Receipt $1.25 Antique Paper for sale

Original handwritten account and payment receipt dated at Marietta, apparently May 7, 1846, prominently naming “New England.”

The account records two packages and a total payment of $1.25. The charge line appears to show $1.00 freight plus 25 cents in additional charges. “Recd payment” and handwritten signatures appear below.

The wording preceding “New England” appears consistent with “Str,” an abbreviation for steamer, making a steamboat freight account the strongest current interpretation. A possible New England Journal connection has also been suggested but has not been independently established.

POSSIBLE PERSONAL ATTRIBUTION:

The customer’s name appears to read J. Mull or J. Mill(s). If Mills is correct, a possible identification is Colonel John Mills, the prominent Marietta merchant, banker, and founding trustee of Marietta College. Historical newspaper extracts document his militia rank during the 1820s. This identification remains tentative; direct Revolutionary War, War of 1812, or Civil War service has not been established for anyone on this receipt.

The other handwritten names tentatively read Randolph McKean/McKeen and John Booth. Their identities remain unconfirmed.

An Ohio River steamer named New England has been associated in historical research with Mexican War troop transportation. Identification of this receipt with that particular vessel remains unconfirmed. The receipt itself concerns packages and does not mention troops.

Approximately 8 x 2½ inches, as indicated by the photographed ruler.

Condition: Age toning, folds, scattered staining and soiling, uneven edges, small tears and edge losses, including wear at the upper-right corner. Faint writing or ink show-through and a later notation appear on the reverse. Please examine all photographs.

PLEASE NOTE: THIS LISTING IS FOR ONE ORIGINAL PAPER ONLY. Any historical/reference images shown in the collage are for context only and NOT included. Ruler is not included.

Type: Handwritten Account / Payment Receipt

Date: Apparently May 7, 1846

Place: Marietta, Ohio

Named Entity: New England

Subject: Commercial Accounts; Possible Steamboat Freight

Amount: $1.25

Quantity Recorded: Two Packages

Names: J. Mull / Mill(s); possibly Randolph McKean / McKeen and John Booth

Possible Association: Colonel John Mills of Marietta — unconfirmed

Material: Paper

Language: English

Dimensions: Approximately 8 x 2½ inches