Bound volumes, 1851-1890

Scope and content:

Series is arranged chronologically and consists primarily of logbooks, ledgers, and scrapbooks that document the naval voyages, business ventures, and interests of Appleton Oaksmith, as well as the development of Hollywood, N.C. To a lesser extent this material also documents the businesses of the larger Oaksmith and Mason families. Several of the volumes were used for multiple purposes over different decades--these volumes appear in the series according to the earliest date of material.

Several bound volumes from the 1850s document Oaksmith's naval voyages and participation in maritime mercantile industries. In particular, Oaksmith's journal (1851-1852), logbooks for the brigs Mary Adeline and Pamelia , and a record book of marine insurance politices provide evidence of and details about these activities. Oaksmith's journal (1851-1852) contains detailed accounts of his voyage to the western coast of Africa, as well as a mutiny planned by his crew. Other bound volumes from the 1850s contain financial accounts and newspaper clippings. The scrapbooks of newspaper clippings in particular document Oaksmith's interests in filibustering expeditions and literature.

Bound volumes from the 1860s include notebooks containing Oaksmith's poetry and prose, a scrapbook of clippings on many different topics, and a logbook for barques Western Belle and Troubadour . Also present is a record book of lawsuits from New York, many of which list Sidney Oaksmith (Appleton's brother) as an attorney.

Bound volumes from the 1870s and 1880s continue to document Oaksmith's naval voyages and various interests, and they also document the development of Hollywood, N.C., and Oaksmiths's involvement and interest in politics. In particular, two letterbooks and a scrapbook about Democratic politics provide evidence of Oaksmith's political engagement, while two bound volumes related to Hollywood mail and the Hollywood School show the Oaksmith and Mason families' attempts at developing Hollywood.

Additionally, several bound volumes from the 1850s and 1870s were repurposed as daybooks for the Oaksmith and Mason families' store, Mason & Co., in Hollywood, N.C. These daybooks document the day-to-day business transactions between the store and its customers.

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