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TABLE OF CONTENTSInventory |
Guide to the Baylis-Van Nostrand General Grocery Store of Seaford Business Papers
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Descriptive Summary | ||
| Creator | Baylis-Van Nostrand General Grocery Store | |
| Title | Baylis-Van Nostrand General Grocery Store of Seaford Business Papers, | |
| Dates: | 1885-1914 | |
| Abstract: | The collection is part of what remained of a general grocery store business in Seaford in Nassau County run by, at least during one period "Baylis and Van Nostrand", and perhaps during another portion of its existence by John C. Baylis and Orlando D. Baylis, or some combination of the three. At least this appears to be the case. | |
| Extent: | 1 box, 1.3 cubic feet | |
| Identification: | B-6 | |
| Location: | The material is located in the Archives at Queens Library. | |
Historical/Biographical Note
We have been unable to learn much about either the Baylis’ or Mr. Van Nostrand. Munsell's History of Queens County, published in 1882 in speaking of the village of Seaford (page 171) said that "The general grocery store of Bayliss and Van Nostrand is a favorite resort for the citizens of this and the surrounding villages. The post-office connected with it is well conducted by John Bayliss". It should be noted that Munsell spells the name Baylis with a double s. The few ownership marks which do exist in the volumes in this collection, as well as the names found on the documents, spell the name with one s. Most likely, the store was run by Abraham Van Nostrand and John C. Baylis, and later by John C. Baylis and his son Orlando D. Baylis. Van Nostrand was married to Baylis' sister Mary.
One volume, as well as virtually all of the loose documents, deal not with the grocery business but with other matters.
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Scope and Content Note
This small collection consists of five series described below.
The first series Account Books (3 volumes, 1886-1891) contains two volumes labeled on the spine as being daybooks, but strictly speaking are not. The volume containing the earliest entries also bears on its spine, the notation “1”. These large volumes are quite full, every page being utilized. All accounts are arranged by the name of the individual involved, and they generally are in chronological order. There are no name indexes. Accounts are for such items as flour, oil, sugar, lard, lemons, apples, lamp wicks and yeast. The over whelming emphasis is on food items, not dry goods or hardware, indicating that the business was more in the nature of a grocery and not a general store as such. None of the three volumes carries identification marks. It is quite evident, however, that these volumes form one series. Though they are all basically the same size, there is some slight variation.
The second series, Merchandise Inventory Book (1 volume, 1886-1895) contains on its first page “Inventory of the goods in store of Baylis and Van Nostrand, May 3, 1886”. Though food products are listed, this volume contains more items which can be termed hardware (pencils, tacks, carriage bolts, buttons, shoes, etc.). At the conclusion of the lengthy inventory there is a very lengthy account titled “John C. Baylis in account with Baylis and Van Nostrand”. There is also another lengthy account titled “Cost of house built on Washington Avenue, Seaford in the year 1894”.
The third series, Account Book of Orlando D. Baylis and John C. Baylis (1 volume, 1890-1894) is marked Book No. 3. It accounts for food items from the store.
The fourth series, Glen Cove Mutual Fire Insurance Company Ledger (1 volume, 1904-1914) documents John C. Baylis’ role as an insurance agent. This is a very simple volume listing merely the names of individuals (a few corporate names as well), followed by such words as “renewal”, “new policy”, or something similar and an amount, presumably a premium figure. There is no indication as to type of insurance or the locale involved, though presumably it is was Seaford or the Town of Hempstead, generally. However some pages towards the back of the volume apparently were used for policies on “auto permits” for that term is used. It is known from a letter in the Library’s file that Mr. Baylis resigned from his insurance post in May 1914.
The fifth series, Receipted Bills (60 documents, 1885-1886, 1894-1895), contain bills and similar financial documents, with but a few exceptions, associated with the construction of the house mentioned in the second series. These bills are addressed to John C. Balis. Two documents are lengthy bills and appear to be connected with the grocery store, while three items dated 1885-1886 also appear to be for grocery store items, and are addressed either to John C. Baylis or Baylis and Van Nostrand.
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Administrative Information
Preferred Citation
Published citations should take the following form:
Creator of item, date of item (if known), identification of item, if a photograph its control number. The Baylis-Van Nostrand General Grocery Store of Seaford Business Papers, Archives at Queens Library, Queens Borough Public Library.
Provenance
Unknown
Access Restrictions
Open for research without restrictions. Manuscripts are only available in the Archives at Queens Library, please call (718) 990-0770 for hours. Manuscript users will be required to complete the division's Manuscript Usage Form and deposit their photograph identification or Queens Borough Public Library card with a staff member. The identification will be returned to the user after she/he has returned the material. Manuscript users will deposit all their personal items behind the reference desk. Manuscript users must use the division's loose sheets of paper for note taking. To reiterate, no pen of any type is permitted. Paper and a pencil are available upon request. Manuscript users may be required to use special handling procedures depending on the conditions of the material.
Use Restrictions
Permission to publish materials must be obtained in writing from the:
- Archives at Queens Library
- Queens Borough Public Library
- 89-11 Merrick Boulevard
- Jamaica, NY 11432
- Phone: (718) 990-0770
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Access Points
Subject Organizations:
- Baylis-Van Nostrand General Grocery Store
Subject Topics:
- Grocery trade
Subject Places:
- Seaford (N.Y.)
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Inventory
[The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.]
