Shearer, James

During the late 1830s, James Shearer operated a general store near Palmer, Massachusetts, trading in the gamut of dry goods and commodities that made up the country trade in Massachusetts, from dried fish, butter, rum, and brandy, to soap, nails, chalk, cloth, sugar, molasses, spices, coffee, and tea. Although some customers paid their accounts in cash, most appear bartered goods (e.g, with butter) or services (carting).

From the guide to the James Shearer Daybook MS 418 bd., 1836-1838, (Special Collections and University Archives, University of Massachusetts Amherst Libraries)