New York House of Refuge Industrial Department Cash Book

Chronological.

This volume, kept for the auditing and accounting purposes of the institution, documents the receipts and disbursements of the Industrial Department.

Following the legislative prohibition of prison contract labor, the institution in 1888 effected a major reorganization and expansion of industrial and mechanical trades education. This volume records payments made by the Department and receipts generated by its industries.

Receipts and disbursements are recorded separately on facing pages of the volume. Entries were made weekly until July 1884, when payments were recorded monthly. Information concerning receipts includes: date; balance at beginning of week; from whom payment received; manner of payment (cash, check, money order, postal note); service or goods for which payment was made (printing, hosiery, horticulture); amount of payment; and total payments for each type of service (beginning May 7, 1892) (e.g. total receipts for all printing work that week). Information concerning disbursements includes: date; number of warrant for payment; amount paid; and balance.

A2072Series A2072, Register of Industrial Department Audited Bills, itemizes expenses covered by the warrants cited in this series.

The Department of Correction placed these records on loan to the Syracuse University Library from 1960-1977.

There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of the material.