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(VERMONT FARM ACCOUNTS. DAVIS, GEN. GEORGE F. (1815-1901). Vermont Farm Accounts, 1846-1875. 225 pp., Folio, contemporary calf spine damaged & pages loose; boards. Ink, slightly browned, very legible. Name index in front. $1,150.00

 

     At the time of the 1850 census of Cavendish, Vermont., George Franklin Davis was occupied as a "trader", with $4,100 in valued property. In the 1870 census  he is listed as a farmer in Cavendish, Windsor, Vt., and this record book contains his accounts.  General Davis' real estate was valued at $10,000 in 1870 and he had additional personal property valued at $10,000.making him one of the more affluent members of the community.

     During the Civil War, he had an illustrious career as a Brigadier General. Elected Quartermaster General for the State of Vermont in 1857, with the rank of Brigadier General, he filled this office for seven years. Davis was busily engaged in the winter of 1864 in the equipment of a Division of twelve regiments of infantry, a battalion of cavalry, and three light batteries of Vermont militia. Born in Springfield, Vt, in 1815 he attended Cavendish Academy,  being one of the first students of that institution. He then managed the "Hotel Elliot"  for 15 years and purchased a stately brick house in Cavendish (then  ?��Duttonsville?��). Davis served as president of the Board of Trustees of the Vermont Academy in Saxton's River, as a senator from Windsor County from 1856-7 and represented the town from 1849-60 in the Vermont Legislature. One highlight of his career: ?��Gen. George F. Davis and Dr. Lewis Harlow went to Proctor, Friday to attend the reception given President Harrison, by the citizens of the town, as he is traveling with his Secretary of War, Redfield Proctor.?�� (Vermont Tribune Cavendish, 4 Sept., 1891).

     This book shows general farm expenses such as potatoes, hay, feed for cows, pigs, bulls, etc. It also includes some expenses for Davis?��s legislative work (p. 132) in which he lists his costs for postage stamps, telegrams, travel, fares to Washington, Philadelphia, Brattleboro, New York, etc. He was also a member of the Baptist Church Society (p.200-1) and these expenses are detailed. Page 194 includes some School District No. 7 Accounts for Cavendish and p. 100-1 shows some accounts for the town. Many names of town residents are included in the accounts as well as some local businesses. Of importance near the end of the book is a genealogical record for his family showing the births of his siblings and his four children. A valuable account book of an influential man in his community.