Henry Wise, 19th C. Newfoundland, NJ Storekeeper

By Swetal Vadi and Shrenik Sheth, NJIT

At the beginning of this project, there was a "mystery box" from the Historical Society library. It was an ordinary cardboard box with the word "Wise" written on the side.

A cursory inspection of the box showed that it mostly had receipts. There were also a few letters, a newspaper article, and a portable shaving kit with a comb.

Methodology

The bills, receipts and other papers were entered into an access database. They tell part of the story of the store run by Henry Wise in Newfoundland, New Jersey, in the 19th Century. There are more papers, including letters, which would lead to more ideas about why Mr. Wise (or his descendents) saved what they saved. This is the beginning of a journey, and other are encouraged to continue it with more reading and research. What we have discovered is partially included here.

Each of these photos represents a document in this storekeeper's collection. They are mainly commercial receipts and letterheads showing businesses in 19th century New Jersey and New York.