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The Accounting Historians Journal Vol. 10, No. 1 Spring 1983
James J. Tucker, III PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY
THE ECONOMIC ACTIVITY OF A GRAIN MILL LOCATED IN BALD EAGLE VALLEY, PENNSYLVANIA
1868 TO 1872
Abstract: In 1831, a grain mill was constructed along Bald Eagle Creek in Union-ville, Pennsylvania. The author examines accounting records of this mill from 1868 to 1872 while under the proprietorship of William D. Smith. The economic activi-ties and accounting procedures revealed in this study provide insight into the eco-nomic events as perceived and recorded by this proprietorship in immediate post-Civil War times.
Ownership of the Mill 1864-1981
For 128 years (1831-1959) a grain mill along Bald Eagle Creek in Unionville, Pennsylvania performed a vital service to members of the surrounding agricultural community. This paper examines the ac-counting records of this mill from 1868 to 1872 while under the pro-prietorship of William D. Smith. A history of the ownership of the mill is presented to enrich the historical perspective of the reader. The deed search was not extended beyond 1864 due to the com-plexity of property divisions and unavailability of information. The surnames "Smith" and "Buck" appear often in the discussion of ownership. William D. Smith's first wife (name unknown) gave birth to Mary Smith who married Daniel Buck. This is the sole relation-ship that the author was able to establish between the two families.
Names frequently appearing in the ownership transfers are Wil-liam D. Smith and his second wife, Sarah; their son Francis W. and grandson Clair M.; additionally, Christian Buck and his children Joseph, Daniel, Harriet, and Katharine.
Grantees1
The mill property consisted of ten acres of land upon which the mill and the owner's house were located. On April 20, 1863, Sheriff Richard Conley conducted a sale of the mill property to settle a claim against the deceased owner, Jephaniah Underwood, who died
