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Original handwritten and receipted bill dated May 10, 1833, Dorchester, Massachusetts, documenting carriage work performed by Caleb Wilson for Major General Aaron Capen of the Massachusetts Militia.
The manuscript account reads in part:
“Gen. Aaron Capen To Caleb Wilson Dr”
Putting in a new hub to chaise wheel — $2.50One spoke to the same — $0.25Setting tire to both wheels — $1.50One hoop to hub — $0.25
Total — $4.50
At bottom is the handwritten receipt:
“Received Payment Caleb Wilson”
The reverse is period docketed “Gen. A. Capen / Bill.”
This is an especially strong piece of early Dorchester occupational history because Caleb Wilson can be independently documented in the carriage and vehicle trade. Dorchester municipal accounts later paid Wilson $197.50 for a hearse and two harnesses in 1838–39, and $130 for a hook-and-ladder carriage in 1844–45. Combined with this 1833 bill for a new wheel hub, spoke, setting tires and a hub hoop, the records provide an unusually good documentary picture of Wilson's work.
The customer was Aaron Capen (1796–1866), a prominent Dorchester-born Massachusetts Militia officer who rose to Major General at only 32 years of age. Capen was also a member of the historic Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts.
- Identified Major General Aaron Capen association- Caleb Wilson signature- Independently documented Dorchester carriage/vehicle trade- Detailed 1833 chaise wheel repair content- Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company connection- Capen's later Moosehead Lake history- Henry David Thoreau association
Soon after the date of this document, Capen left Dorchester for Maine, where he became an important early timber-land investor in the Moosehead Lake region, associated with Deer and Sugar Islands. His later life carries an exceptional literary connection: Henry David Thoreau encountered and conversed with General Capen during his travels in the Maine woods, an episode connected with Capen's Moosehead Lake properties.
The document therefore brings together several highly collectible subjects: early Massachusetts militia history, identified Dorchester craftsmanship, horse-drawn transportation and carriage repair, early American occupational history, Maine timber and settlement history, and an identified figure later encountered by Henry David Thoreau.
An excellent original Caleb Wilson manuscript and much more historically significant than an ordinary early account or receipt.
CONDITION:Original 1833 manuscript document with period folds, age toning, foxing and scattered staining. Irregular and chipped edges with tears, notches and areas of paper loss, particularly along the left and right edges. Lower edge is uneven. Main manuscript content and monetary amounts remain quite strong and readily legible. Please review all photographs carefully for exact condition.
Type: Original Manuscript Receipted Bill / AccountDate: May 10, 1833Era: Early 19th Century / Jacksonian EraLocation: Dorchester, MassachusettsPrimary Name: Major General Aaron CapenCraftsman / Payee: Caleb WilsonSigned: Yes - Caleb WilsonSubject: Chaise Wheel / Carriage RepairWork Mentioned: New Hub, Spoke, Setting Tires, Hub HoopMilitary Association: Massachusetts MilitiaOrganization Association: Ancient and Honorable Artillery CompanyTotal Amount: $4.50Material: PaperLanguage: EnglishCountry of Origin: United StatesOriginal/Reproduction: OriginalTime Period Manufactured: 1800-1899
