Research

Scope and Content Note

This series consists of one volume of Auburn Prison's general ledger covering the period 1877 to 1888. The general ledger functioned as the principal record of final entry for all Auburn's financial transactions. The volume is arranged by each account that the prison received money from (the State Treasurer, companies using penal labor, etc.) or paid money to (companies providing supplies, released inmates receiving payments, etc.).

Ledger pages are divided into two parts, the left side of the page registering debits (Dr.) to the account and the right side of the page registering credits (Cr.) to the account. The debit entries list date of transaction, description of transaction, and amount of transaction. The credit entries list date, amount, and the method of payment.