Dataset documentation: Datasets A, B, and C of Post Office Accounts, May 18, 1748 (BF85f6-12)

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Document type: Dataset

Dataset identifier: BF85f6-12

File format: CSV

Abstract: "'Post Office Accounts' May 18, 1748, is the continuation of the above ledger [Philadelphia Post Office Record Book No. 3, B F85f6.11c]. It contains 68 unnumbered pages. Per the Franklin Papers (vol. II, p. 180-181), 'the amounts owed by each [name-entry] correspond[s] to the subtotals entered in May 1748 in the ledger described above as No. 2 [B F85f6.11b, Philadelphia Post Office Ledger, No.2].'"'

Time Period, Start Date of Data Coverage: 1748-05-18
Time Period, End Date of Data Coverage: 1748-05-18

Date of this Version: December 2019

Source(s):
Item title: Post Office Accounts, May 18, 1748
Item collection: Miscellaneous Benjamin Franklin Collections, American Philosophical Society.
Item call number: B F85f6.12
Finding aid: https://search.amphilsoc.org/collections/view?docId=ead/Mss.B.F85.misc-ead.xml
Digital surrogate location: https://diglib.amphilsoc.org/islandora/object/text:189235

Data description:
Dataset A (Entries) contains the bulk of the data derived from this book. Each row has been assigned a numerical ID to allow sorting while preserving the data's context.

Dataset B (Page Totals) consists of totals by monetary amount, written at the bottom of each page of the volume. This data was separated from Dataset A during the transcription process.

Dataset C (Calculations) contains arithmetical calculations of monetary amounts from pages 39, 50, and 64 of the ledger. These sums correspond to totals found in Dataset A. This data was separated from Dataset A during the transcription process.

Measurements of currency ("Amount due" columns) are likely listed in Philadelphia's local currency rate (which was based on an item's weight). Although also measured in pounds, shillings (abbreviated d.), and pence (abbreviated p.), Philadelphia's currency was not equivalent in value to British Pounds Sterling. Robert Siegel Auction Galleries suggested a 167% inflation factor to convert Pounds Sterling into Philadelphia currency (see https://siegelauctions.com/2007/944/944.pdf page 172). Additionally, prior to 1971, monetary amounts in Great Britain were calculated differently than they are today, so care must be taken with calculations in converting contemporary values to their equivalent modern ones. Prior to that time, £1 = 20s. = 240d.

Assumptions:
Dittos (Do.) are silently corrected and assumed to refer to the information in the above row.

Normalization and Data Standards:
Date is separated into year, month, date. Addressee names are separated into tile, first, and last name. They are generally not normalized, unless damage, foxing, and ink stains make some letters difficult to interpret. Dataset A was run through OpenRefine and light cell clustering was performed. The following columns are augmentations of the original data that incorporate information from the "Notes" field: "Paid (pd.)/Delivered (d. or dd.)?", "Amount Paid Pounds:Shillings:Pence".

Related Datasets:
BF85f6-8; BF85f6-11a; BF85f6-11b; BF85f6-11c; BF85f6-12; BF85f6-13; BF85f6-14; BF85f6-30; BF85f6-31; BF85-LXVII113; BF85-LXVII114; BF85ba-1744 

License:
These datasets are available for anyone to evaluate, share, reuse, and remix as they wish under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License. Please attribute APS Library & Museum.

Caveat Emptor:
These datasets were created as part of the American Philosophical Society's Open Data Initiative (Learn more at http://diglib.amphilsoc.org/data).
Although contributors took care to minimize mistakes and inconsistencies in the creation of these items, and have included any assumptions or choices made on their part that may affect interoperability or integrity of the data, APS cannot guarantee that they are free of instances of human error. They are offered "as is," and researchers are encouraged to consult the original records in digital or physical format in the event of uncertainty. If you have feedback or notice errors in the data, please contact us at digitalprojects@amphilsoc.org.

Preferred Citation:
Chicago (16th ed., bibliography): Farrell, Bethany, and Molly Shannon. Post Office Accounts, May 18, 1748. BF85f6-12. Edited by Cynthia Heider. Distributed by Philadelphia: American Philosophical Society Library & Museum, 2019. https://diglib.amphilsoc.org/islandora/object/compound:54/

Process:
Phase One, June-August 2019: Digitization and initial transcription by Molly Shannon (Washington College Explore America Intern) at APS.
Phase Two, September-November 2019: Data cleanup, restructuring, and refinement in OpenRefine and Excel by Bethany Farrell (Digital Franklin Fellow) at APS.
Phase Three, November-December 2019: Documentation created. Datasets edited for clarity and uploaded to APS Digital Library by Cynthia Heider.