1788 Virginia Merchant Shoe Order Charles Adams Prince William Dumfries Wirt For Sale

1788 Revolutionary War Era Virginia Merchant Charge Order for a Pair of ShoesCharles Adams • Dumfries • Prince William County • December 5, 1788

Offered is a remarkable original Revolutionary-era merchant's charge order written on December 5, 1788, in Prince William County, Virginia. Created during the final months under the Articles of Confederation and just months before George Washington's inauguration as the first President of the United States, this manuscript captures an everyday commercial transaction at the dawn of the Federal era.

The handwritten note authorizes a local merchant to provide Mrs. Wirt with "a pare of Shoes" (period spelling for "pair") and charge the purchase to the account of Jonathan Harris Adams. Documents of this nature were intended only for immediate business use and were normally discarded after the transaction was entered into a merchant's account book, making surviving examples surprisingly scarce.

Approximate Transcription

Sir, Mrs. Wirt wants a pare of Shoes
Please give her a pare and Charge them
to me and much oblige Sir your
Hble. Servt.
Jon. Harris Adams
Dec. 5, 1788

Reverse:

Chas. Adam
Dec. 5, 1788

Charles Adams (Prince William County, Virginia)

The reverse endorsement identifies Charles Adams, a documented planter, landowner, and respected civic figure living in the Dumfries area of Prince William County, Virginia during the 1780s. Contemporary county records show Adams purchasing land and regularly serving as a sworn juror in Prince William County court proceedings, demonstrating the confidence local officials placed in him and his standing within the community.

Dumfries was one of Virginia's busiest tobacco ports during the eighteenth century, and men like Adams formed the backbone of its civic and commercial life. They managed plantations, participated in county government, and conducted business with the merchants whose stores supplied everything from imported textiles to everyday necessities such as shoes.

Jonathan Harris Adams

The note is signed by Jonathan Harris Adams, who appears to have been a trusted local resident with an established line of credit at the merchant's shop. His willingness to authorize purchases on his account reflects the personal credit system that dominated American commerce before banks and standardized retail practices became widespread.

Transactions like this depended almost entirely upon reputation and trust. A brief handwritten note bearing a recognizable signature was sufficient authorization for a merchant to release merchandise without immediate payment.

Mrs. Wirt

Although Mrs. Wirt has not yet been positively identified, her appearance in this document illustrates an important aspect of eighteenth-century commerce. Married women frequently purchased household necessities on the credit of husbands, relatives, or trusted acquaintances. Rather than carrying cash, they often presented handwritten authorizations like this one, allowing merchants to charge purchases to an established account.

Such surviving records provide a fascinating glimpse into the daily lives of women during the early years of the American Republic.

Early American Commerce

This document perfectly illustrates how retail business operated in Virginia immediately following the Revolutionary War. Before printed receipts, charge cards, or standardized invoices existed, merchants relied on handwritten orders, personal relationships, and account books.

The purchase of a pair of shoes may seem ordinary today, but it represents the practical realities of everyday life in eighteenth-century America. Temporary charge orders were normally destroyed after the debt was recorded, making authentic survivors highly desirable to collectors of colonial and early American manuscripts.

Beautiful Fleur-de-lis Watermark

The document is written on fine handmade laid paper displaying a large fleur-de-lis watermark, clearly visible under transmitted light. Watermarks of this style are characteristic of quality eighteenth-century European paper imported into Virginia and provide an additional layer of authenticity and visual appeal.

Historical Importance

This manuscript was written during one of the most transformative moments in American history. The United States Constitution had recently been ratified, the federal government was preparing to begin operations, and George Washington would soon become the nation's first president. While national events reshaped the country, this humble merchant's order reminds us that ordinary Americans continued buying shoes, extending credit, and conducting business much as they had for generations.

Few surviving documents better capture the intersection of local commerce, community trust, and daily life in post-Revolutionary Virginia.

Condition

Original eighteenth-century condition with expected folds, light toning, and minor handling wear consistent with age. The ink remains dark and legible throughout, and the impressive fleur-de-lis watermark is readily visible when backlit.

A superb, museum-worthy example of Virginia mercantile history, Prince William County, Dumfries, Revolutionary-era commerce, and early American manuscript culture, offering collectors an authentic glimpse into everyday business during the closing year before the establishment of the United States government under George Washington.

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