1771 Colonial NY Ledger Page — Possible Increase Carpenter — Framed For Sale

For sale is an authentic handwritten ledger page dated November 26, 1771, New York — a true piece of pre-Revolutionary American history.
This is not a reproduction. It is a genuine 252-year-old merchant accounting page written in iron-gall ink, now professionally framed for display.
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📜 Historical Significance
This document records several transactions involving New York residents in 1771 — just five years before the American Revolution.
One of the names listed on this page is Increase Carpenter, a very distinctive and rare name.
According to historical sources:
• Increase Carpenter (c. 1743–1807) lived in Jamaica, Long Island, New York.
• He was a butcher, tavern owner (Increase Carpenter’s Tavern), and an official participant in the Revolutionary War (militia lieutenant, quartermaster).
• His tavern served as a meeting place for patriot sympathizers.
• A DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) chapter in Queens is named in his honor.
📌 The date (1771), location (New York), and rarity of the name strongly suggest that the “Increase Carpenter” on this ledger may be the same historical figure.
Formal archival authentication has not been performed, but the contextual evidence is compelling.
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📝 What’s on the Ledger Page
The page includes:
• Names of multiple clients (including “Increase Carpenter”)
• Purchases of goods typical of colonial trade:
• looking glasses
• calico
• shalloon fabric
• raisins
• sugar
• brown cloth
• household supplies
• Prices listed in British colonial currency (£ / s / d), used before the American dollar.
This is a rare surviving example of daily commercial life in New York before independence.
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🖼 Presentation
• Newly framed in a wooden and gilt frame
• Ready to hang
• The document remains fully visible and protected

🔍 Condition
Very good antique condition.
The ink remains legible; paper shows expected age toning consistent with 18th-century documents.
Please review all photos — they are part of the description.
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💎 Why Collectors Love This Piece
✔ Authentic pre-1776 American document
✔ Rare survival of a merchant ledger from colonial New York
✔ Possible direct link to a Revolutionary War patriot (Increase Carpenter)
✔ Beautiful handwriting and historic detail
✔ Display-ready in a quality frame
✔ Highly desirable for collectors of:
• Early American history
• Revolutionary War era
• Colonial New York
• 18th-century manuscripts
This is the kind of piece that rarely appears on the market.