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1861 antique ROAD WORK springfield ma RECEIPTS 9pc ADAMS DAVIS MORGAN SANGER +
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AI-assisted description: This listing was created with the help of AI tools to assist with transcription and historical context. Handwritten documents may contain interpretation errors—please review images carefully and judge condition, content, and accuracy for yourself.
A compelling and cohesive group of mid-19th century municipal road work receipts and orders from Springfield, Massachusetts, dating primarily to 1860–1861, documenting local infrastructure labor, payments, and tax-related disbursements. The lot consists of multiple folded slips (approx. small ledger/receipt size, typical of period town orders, each roughly a few inches across when folded) written in period iron gall ink on light blue and laid paper stock, many with visible fold lines from original handling.
These documents provide a detailed look into pre-Civil War town administration, specifically the financing and labor behind maintaining public roads. The receipts reference road breaking, repairs, and maintenance work, often tied to specific named roads and overseen by town officials.
Named Individuals (Genealogically Significant)
This group includes numerous named residents and officials, making it especially desirable for researchers:
- DANIEL N. ADAMS (appears multiple times; likely road overseer/surveyor)
- WILLIAM WASHBURN JR. – Collector of Taxes
- GILMAN SANGER
- EPHRAIM DAVIS
- GEORGE F. BALDWIN
- MICHAEL M. DAVIS
- RICHARD S. MORGAN
- Additional workers and payees referenced in orders
Town Officials (Signed / Authorized)
Several receipts are endorsed or issued by Springfield Selectmen:
- C. C. HOWARD – Selectman
- A. H. CASTLE – Selectman
- JOHN C. BLAIR – Selectman
These signatures add an official municipal dimension to the material.
Named Roads / Locations
A particularly strong feature of this lot is the presence of specific infrastructure references:
- Hampshire Road
- Boston Road
- Juniper Road
- Fourth Street
- Additional partial references to other local roads (some difficult to decipher)
These references firmly anchor the documents in the physical landscape of 1860s Springfield.
Content & Function
The documents include:
- Receipts acknowledging payment for road labor
- Orders drawn on the town collector
- Notes of amounts owed or paid for specific work
- Mentions of “breaking out roads,” repairs, and seasonal maintenance
Amounts range from small sums (e.g., $1–$10+) typical of daily labor compensation at the time.
Historical Context
These items date to the immediate pre-Civil War period, offering insight into how New England towns funded and managed infrastructure before modern public works systems. The use of local labor, overseers, and tax-based reimbursement is clearly reflected in this group.
Condition
- Original folded condition as issued
- Light toning and handling wear consistent with age
- Some edge wear and minor tears
- Ink generally legible, though some fading and difficult passages are present
Overall, a well-preserved and readable group for its age.
Authentic period piece related to family, historyor local heritage - well-suited for historical collections, genealogical /genealogy research, or museum acquisition.Vintage or Antique.
CONDITION: See listing description and photos.
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LOC:
LOC2: PAPERBOX36-TMKTK
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