December 31 Friday – Hartford merchant bills/receipts/statements:
A.D. Vorce & Co. “picture & looking glass frames, oil paintings” $36.75 for purchases Oct. 12, Nov. 30, Dec. 22; “wire and painting cats, hall frame”; paid Jan. 7, 1881; J.P. Newton, “meat, poultry, game, fish & vegetables” $7.48 for purchases: Nov. 27, Dec. 1, 3, 8, 10, 15, 17, 22, 24, 29 fish & lobster [MTP].
Farmington Creamery Co. billed $11.54 for Feb. 27, Mar. 6, Apr. butter not charged in bills. Sam wrote: Am getting tired of this old bill—paid it once, long ago jan 3/81 [MTP].
William H. Thomas, Hartford policeman wrote to thank Sam for the “kind [unspecified] present came to hand on the 30th inst the which I thank you for very much…” [MTP]. Note: Sam wrote on the env., “Policeman”.
The December bill from Western Union shows a telegram to New York, recipient unspecified.
Western Union Telegraph Co. billed Sam for December telegrams: Dec. 4, 18, 20, 30, 31 all to New York: Dec. 30 to Elmira [MTP].
Year End – Powers lists Sam’s income for 1880 as $250,000 [MT A Life 450].