James Baker : Business records [manuscript], 1761-1823

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James Baker : Business records [manuscript], 1761-1823

1761-1823

https://catalog.mwa.org/vwebv/holdingsInfo?bibId=271173

This collection is almost entirely in the form of accounts and receipts, and from these it is easy to follow the development of the chocolate industry from a storekeeper's early venture in a sideline in the 1770s to the establishment of the business in 1780. Cocoa was initially an item bought for the store, along with sugar, molasses, and rum; gradually, it supplanted all other commodities as Baker turned to the production of chocolate. The first mention of cocoa is in a receipt, dated 2 July 1772; by the late 1770s, the receipts reflect Baker's deep involvement in the manufacturing of chocolate. There are also some court summonses and writs relating to legal actions involving Baker, as well as an estate inventory of his brother Ebenezer Baker ( -1798), and documents and accounts relating to his guardianship of Ebenezer's children.

1 box (ca. 500 items)

eng, Latn

Gadsden Public Library

Information

SNAC Resource ID: 6957322

Gadsden Public Library

Related Entities

There are 4 Entities related to this resource.

Baker (Family : Baker's Chocolate)

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6z42ppw (family)

Baker, James, 1739-1825

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w63k43xg (person)

James Baker (1739-1825), son of James Baker (1713-1776) and Priscilla Paul Baker (1718?-1776), graduated from Harvard College in 1760. After teaching school, studying theology, and serving an apprenticeship to a physician, Baker opened an apothecary shop in Dorchester, Mass., which expanded into a general store. In 1769 he married Lydia Bowman ( -1816), daughter of Rev. Jonathan Bowman (1703-1775) of Dorchester. They had three children: Edmund (1770-1846); Elizabeth (1774-1805); and...

Baker, Edmund, 1770-1846

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6gx5g3h (person)

Edmund Baker was born in Dorchester, Ma. on April 20, 1770, the son of Dr. James and Lydia Baker. Although James trained as a physician, he practiced only briefly. In 1772, he began the manufacture of chocolate at Dorchester Lower Mills. In 1792, Edmund became a resident of the Lower Mills Village and took sole charge of the manufactory. He enlarged the works and became owner of all the mill privileges above the bridge on the Dorchester side of the Neponset River. Edmund's oldest son, Walter, gr...

Baker, Ebenezer, 1743-1798

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6d231b8 (person)