"Stump the Yankee"

[J. Beckert]

Well, now! Wasn't that a mouthful! While you've covered a wide range of items that only 'us' experts would know about, I was specifically talking about a specific date range. While you given examples of specific purchases, I'm looking for a total in a specific date range.

To show you what a sport I am, Hint #1 will have the dates.

Looks like the former schoolteacher gets this assignment marked - INCOMPLETE!

Hint # 1 - December 7, 1852 to March 26, 1853.

*Disclaimer - absconding and borrowing are two different things. I have to bring it back to "the person I borrowed it from". And don't think I haven't photocopied every page already...

[L Verge]

Dear Joseph,

Please check post #495 made at 3:37 pm today - nearly an hour before you started gloating! And, for "extra credit," I included much more information than you requested. Word to the wise: Don't mess with a used Southern schoolteacher.

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"The Surratt Tavern was a busy place. Between late 1852 and early 1853, name, in detail and amounts, 5 items that were purchased for sale there."

That is a direct quote from your original "assignment." And that's what I used as my guide. Stop cheating! However, now that you have added something extra:

1852 - Dec. 7 - Previously stated (in detail) segars, whiskey, and hol. gur and jugs total of 7.00

1853 - Feb. 1 - Previously stated (in detail) whiskey, brandy, bro Sugar, tea, candles, mustard, coffee , and butter total of 14.42.
Feb. 24 - Previously stated (in detail) Com. Whiskey (assumed to mean common/cheap whiskey), Port wine, Old Rye Whiskey total of 34.46
Mar 26 - 5 Gals Brandy 7 50 1 Keg 8 50 Cr. by Cash on Same 8 50 (balance of 3.50)

The next entry is May 12.

P.S. Teachers need to be completely specific in what they want from the "student" when first making the assignment. My answers are direct quotes from an excellent primary source. And, as I said, I can quote up through 1864 if you really want to torment the members of this forum.

PPS: I sure hope that everyone understands that you and I are the best of friends...

[BettyO]

Laurie -

Can I purchase a copy of that booklet from Surratt House? I'd LOVE to have a copy! Thanks -

[J. Beckert]

Oh no! I think I may have worded that poorly! The Correct Answer Review Board has ruled against me and found that Laurie has indeed supplied an acceptable answer! Dang it!

What I was looking for (but forgot to specifically state)(Well, excuse me!) were the total amounts purchased. Between Dec. 7, 1852 and March 26, 1853, Surratt purchased 77.75 gallons of whiskey, 10 gallons of Brandy, 5 gallons of wine, 21 pounds of several kinds of sugar and approximately 550 cigars. Quite a nice little start for a rural tavern. Doing some rough math, that equates to about 120 oz. of liquor a day. Not a lot, but it seems with meals and rooming charges, if properly managed, it could have developed into a profitable business.

Now to be very honest, I've just squandered 10 points with my little blunder and I'm positively fuming! It seems the only way I can redeem myself is by scoring a hole in one with....

The EXTRA POINT CHALLENGE! That's right, you little Rebel! Oh, and by the way. I'm still chapped you ruined my Titus Ridgway question! (See post # 394). So if I'm going down, it will be swinging and in flames!

So, for 5 points ...

How much did John Surratt (Senior), pay for his license for (specifically!) his first period of operation?

[L Verge]

(06-13-2014 04:28 PM)BettyO Wrote:  Laurie -

Can I purchase a copy of that booklet from Surratt House? I'd LOVE to have a copy! Thanks -

Betty - I tried to find a copy today and couldn't. I ended up going to the volumes that were written in the 1960s as justification for restoring the Surratt House. The booklet was done about 1990, I think, and given to docents as a condensed version.

If I find one, I will certainly duplicate more. If not, once Joseph returns Rick's copy to him, I will con Rick into letting me print more.

Frankly, now that Joseph has so much information, I think he should become a snowbird and fly to Southern Maryland each year from October to April to give tours at the museum.

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I will be at work tomorrow and will supply the answer at that time, when I have the books in front of me. We also have a county newspaper announcing his licensing, but I'm not sure it is for the original period in 1852.

[J. Beckert]

I can't wait! This one's a little greasy...

[L Verge]

(06-13-2014 06:13 PM)J. Beckert Wrote:  I can't wait! This one's a little greasy...

I hope the grease is from Maryland fried chicken...?

[J. Beckert]

Oh no, sweetie. It's Yankee grease....

[L Verge]

I dare not ask where "Yankee grease" comes from...!

[RJNorton]

At New Salem in 1833 Abraham Lincoln and William Berry paid $7 for the liquor license for their store. But I am guessing Surratt paid more. I'll guess $10.00.

[L Verge]

Roger,

You are soooo close, but I refuse to give that Yankee the satisfaction of having another Yankee win this one. Sorry, I'll make it up to you sometime.

John Harrison Surratt (in the 1852 records, it is spelled Serratt - one of at least 7 spellings of the name that we have found so far) paid $10.90 for his license on September 23, 1852. HOWEVER, there is a notation "Middleton to pay." It appears that Mr. Surratt had already begun his bad habit of borrowing money that would later get his widow in a heap of trouble. When he died in 1862, he left over $3500 in bills.

BTW: His license was to run an "ordinary" and by May 10th of 1853, he was paying $18. On May 9, 1862, he was being charged $200/year. He died in August of that year, but the license was evidently renewed under his son, John, on May 21, 1863 for $200. The records seem to indicate, however, that he could pay in installments.

What's the score now, Mr. Yankee? Or, are you preparing to throw a hidden loophole into the game?

Gotta run - a Smithsonian tour bus is on its way.

[J. Beckert]

I've run out of loopholes! And didn't you just show me that the Sun don't shine on the same dog's tail all the time! You even threw in "ordinary", which I was planning on doing! (I hope it at least took you a while!) Well done, Ma'am!

I had a funny feeling that one might backfire. Now I'm way behind and may
have to come up with a 25 pointer and win an Extra Point Challenge to take the lead. Either that or start saying "Y'all" a lot more. This beating was vicious, but I will redeem myself. I need to find something else to be an expert in...

Here's the score: Rebels 51.5
Yankee 23.5

What do you think of the new avatar? Appropriate, no?

[Gene C]

(06-14-2014 07:28 PM)J. Beckert Wrote:  What do you think of the new avatar? Appropriate, no?

Well that depends. I believe Calvin's teacher's name is Mrs. Wormwood

[J. Beckert]

I'm not sure about her name, Gene. It's the visual that I think says it all. I thought my being disciplined by teachers ended 35 years ago...

[Gene C]

Agreed! I've been there, done that, and am given a refresher course every now and then.