This collection consists of three day books, a receipt book, and an account book originally owned by Hartford, Connecticut, printer John Babcock. The day books contain a wealth of information on paper, sales of books, and printing. Babcock sold paper to many of the printers in the state, including Hartford's Oliver D. and Increase Cooke and Hudson & Goodwin, Edward Gray in Suffield, Luther Pratt in East Windsor, and John Byrne in Windham. He also shipped large quantities of books from Middletown to various places, including Charleston, South Carolina, and Savannah, Georgia. His sales, listed by title, are helpful in determining editions and the popularity of such titles as "Charlotte Temple", "Clarissa Harlowe", and "Moll Flanders". There are three entries, March 7 and December 4, 1798 and June 7, 1800, making payments to Dr. Alexander Anderson, wood engraver of New York, who may have done the early illustrations in Babcock's books. Items purchased by Babcock were documented in the receipt book, though the majority of the entries were for rent payments to William Ellery. The account book was for private and family use, and includes entries for food items, cash, and schooling. A separate receipt, found in the 1797-1800 day book, documents that Babcock was printing local author Noah Webster's Primer. Other items on the receipt include Philip Doddridge tracts on family worship, "Life of Joseph", and several other religious texts.
