Home  Holdings and Collections Finding Aids E. Batson fonds, 1934-1955
E. Batson fonds, 1934-1955
(fonds also includes records of G.W. Gent, 1912-1916)
1 metre of textual records
Administrative history
E. Batson operated a general store at Trinity from 1934 to 1961. Prior
to striking out on his own account in 1934, Elijah Batson, the proprietor,
was a clerk or junior bookkeeper at Ryan Brothers, Limited of Trinity.
Initially, the business was located at the old Lockyer premises near the
Green Forge, but moved to the Commercial Stores property opposite the Royal
Bank by 1938. By 1956, Batson had again moved the operation, to the Erickson
premises.
E. Batson sold groceries, hardware and dry goods, which was typical
of general stores in that era. The firm was atypical because it did not
deal in codfish; customers purchased goods either on credit or for cash.
By contrast, under the old truck system, codfish was the principal medium
of exchange between merchants and clients. In the twentieth century, many
smaller outport firms, like E. Batson, began relying on the increasing
pool of potential customers who had cash in their pockets and were not
bound by credit and debt to the large fish merchants such as Ryan Brothers,
Limited. The business closed when Elijah Batson died in 1961.
G.W. Gent operated a hardware business in Trinity from circa 1913 to
the 1940s. He was the local dealer for Atlantic engines, and stocked parts
for that product. Gent also supplied the fur industry in the region with
animal traps, guns and ammunition. Gent's business must have occupied one
of the premises that Batson later acquired, since some G.W. Gent business
records were found with the E. Batson material.
Sources: Interview with Aidan Maloney, 1997; Interview
with Rupert Morris, 1997; E. Batson fonds, Maritime History Archive
Scope and content
This fonds consists of the financial records used to carry on the business
of E. Batson from 1934 to 1955. It includes: daybooks; ledgers, which are
indexed by customer and/or supplier; memo books, which contain information
on various individual accounts; and cash receipt books. Also included with
this fonds are two account books, 1913-1916, invoices and correspondence
for the business of G.W. Gent of Trinity, 1912-1916.
The records are arranged in three series: Daybooks, 1934-1954; Ledgers,
1913-1955; Miscellaneous account books, 1912-1955.
Notes
Supplied title based on the contents of the fonds.
Donated by Dr. Ken Roberts in 1992.
Copyright is held by the creator or his/her heirs.
Maritime History Archive finding aid 110.
Accession number 1992020
Location Bank 56, shelf 5.
Series 1: Day Books [text], 1934-1954.
Extent: 13 volumes.
Arrangement:
1.001 Day Book 31 July 1934 - 16 April 1935.
1.002 Day Book 23 April 1936 - 11 July 1936.
1.003 Day Book 29 May 1937 - 14 December 1937.
1.004 Day Book 15 December 1937 - 2 Jul 1938.
1.005 Day Book 1 April 1941 - 30 July 1941.
1.006 Day Book 12 January 1942 - 9 July 1942.
1.007 Day Book 9 July 1942 - 17 December 1942.
1.008 Day Book 18 December 1942 - 14 June 1943.
1.009 Day Book 4 December 1947 - 19 March 1948.
1.010 Day Book 16 August 1948 - 9 February 1949.
1.011 Day Book 10 February 1949 - 26 July 1949.
1.012 Day Book 17 September 1952 - 25 March 1953.
1.013 Day Book 16 February 1954 - 18 June 1954.
Series 2: Ledgers [text], 1913-1955, 1935-1955 (predominant).
Extent: 12 volumes.
Arrangement:
2.001A Ledgers 1935-1937.
2.001B Ledgers 1937.
2.002 Ledgers 1939.
2.003 Ledgers 1940.
2.004 Ledgers 1942.
2.005 Ledgers 1944.
2.006 Ledgers 1945.
2.007 Ledgers 1946.
2.008 Ledgers 1947.
2.009 Ledgers 1949.
2.010 Ledgers, Suppliers/Day Book/Memo Book 1913 1916, G.W. Gent, Trinity.
2.011 Ledgers, Suppliers 1947, Overdue Accounts 1946-1950.
2.012 Ledgers, Suppliers 1953-1955.
Series 3: Miscellaneous Account Books [text], 1916-1955 .
Extent: 5 volumes.
Arrangement:
3.001 Invoices, Correspondence and Newspaper Clippings, G.W. Gent File,
1916-1920.
3.002 Memo Book 1940-1941.
3.003 Memo Book 1944-1945.
3.004 Overdue Book (indexed) 1946-1949.
3.005 Cash Receipts, Cash Disbursements, February 1953 - January 1955.
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