Description

This compilation of ledgers of the fur trade years attempts to give an insight into what kind of goods were available to the trapper and gives an overview of three of the various forts of resupply that were available in different areas of the western United States.  Occasionally, comments will be inserted to draw attention to some of the more interesting aspects of the ledgers.  Webster’s 1828 dictionary was used for the definitions to aid in understanding some of the terminology of the time period. Where opinions are expressed, they are the conjectures of the authors and are subject to change in the future as new research is uncovered.  Certainly the following ledgers do not represent all that are currently available, but they do give a good cross section of the goods available during this time period.

It stands to reason however, that these ledgers can be classified as “Primary Sources”, which along with diaries, and journals  can be the most valuable sources of information and documentation available today for the fur trade.