A group of bills and a few financial documents mostly addressed to Henry Sterling, 1827-1864. The bills are from a variety of stores and craftspeople. Among the goods purchased by the Sterlings were furniture, household goods, textile fabrics and sewing supplies, pharmaceutical items, and books. There are a number of grocery bills and some from confectionery shops, for ice cream, fruit, wines, and cakes. Doctors' bills are not informative, the charges being merely for "services rendered." Among the pharmaceutical items purchased were Warner's tincture, lemon syrup, yellow ochre, castor oil, quinine pills, cologne, hartshorn, sponges, etc. Household goods that were listed in the bills include ingrain and Venetian carpeting, a bath tub, a waffle iron, a skillet, wash stand, dishes, and glassware. The Sterlings bought tables, chairs, stools, bureaus, bedsteads, and a crib. Textile fabrics listed in the bills included merino flannel, lawn, calico, gingham, sheeting, alpaca, linen, etc. In addition, trims such as bobbin lace and ribbons were purchased, as well as thread, buttons, collars, and whalebone. Bills for men's and boy's clothing indicate that these items were usually made by a professional rather than at home. In addition, there is a blacksmith's bill, a bill from an ice company, charges for the boys' trip to Cape May, bills for buying or repairing shoes and boots, and a few bills for repairs and work done on Sterling's house and his store. A landscaper's bill includes a list of plants: "carmelias," grapevines, pear trees, honeysuckle, "berbena," heliotrope, geraniums, roses, jessamine, etc. A few miscellaneous items include a tax bill and some other financial information.
