E. M. Perine
was a Dry Goods dealer in antebellum
Cahawba, Alabama.
This magnificent document, measuring8.5" x 9.75",
is a statement of the account of
Mrs. M. F. Spears, wife of WilliamA. Spears
from January 1857 to January 1858.
The document was donated to this website in 2006from the collection of
Alabama and Cahaba Historian
and my friend
-- Paul Whaley --
thank you, Paul!


 


Return to the Genealogy HomePage -- Return to the CahabaDocuments Page

[John M. Gwin Note: AnnaM. Gayle Frye in her Memories of Old Cahaba, reports on page27:
    "On the southwestcorner of Vine and Second North Streets, opposite the Bell Tavern, wasan imposing two-story brick building, erected for W. P. Dunham (the fatherof Mrs. H. V. Weedon and Miss Willie Dunham), another wealthy merchantof Cahaba in its early history.  In the fifties this was the handsomeestablishment of E. M. Perine,who later on became one of the firm of Perine & Hunter.  In thecenter of the block across the street was another dry goods firm of note--Warford& Blackwell.
    All of these houses carriedelegant stocks of goods, and their immense sales amounted to princely incomes. There were many other smaller stores and shops which also did a good business,for at this time Cahaba was still the largest shipping point on the AlabamaRiver.  Thousands of bales of cotton were handled there during theseason, money was plentiful and always in circulation; the people spentlavishly and enjoyed all that life could give."
Opposite page 31 of her book, Ms. Frye also showsthis photograph revealing a "view of Vine Street" and Perine's store. Thisphoto was obviously taken in the winter and evidently after the town hadall but died, due to the boarded up doors and windows. Perhaps the picturewas taken for or by Ms. Frye herself about the time of the book's writing.
Here is my transcription of the document,photos of which follow.]
 
E. M. PERINE,
DEALER IN
FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC
D R Y   G O O D S ,
READY MADE CLOTHING,
Hats, Bonnets, Fancy Silk Goods,
BOOTS AND SHOES,
Paints & Oils, Hardward, Nails, Castings,
BOOKS AND STATIONERY,
J e w e l r y ,
Saddlery, Crockery, Groceries, &c.
Cahawba, Ala._ 7/1 Due 1 Jan'y 1858

Mrs. M. F. Spears

To E. M. Perine, Dr.
Dealer in Fancy and Staple Dry Goods,
1857
Jan301 Pr Goat Walkg Shoes
2.00
2 Paper Pins 1/6
38
2.38
Mch310 y of BM Calico 1/125. 1 pr Kid Gauntlets 175
3.00
3.00
Ap256 y of Blk frnige 2/150. 6 Skin Silk 30
1--
1.80
May11 Roll Cord 10  6  1 yd Holland 38
.48
81/2 Doz dress Buttons
44
92
July311 Bell 75.   1 Cloths (sic) Basket 150
2.25
Augt9Paid Mrs Gardners Bill
4.20
Sep2424 Y of Trimming Gringe
10.00
1 1/4 Y of Paper Cambrie  24  24
24
Machine Silk 50
50
3/4 Y of Marsalim Silk   7/--  66
66
11.40
Oct14Machine Turish (?)
38
211 doz Dress Buttons  62
62
1.00
Nov51 doz Silk 50.  3 Y of apron Linen 7-- 1.88
7.38
1 Ball Cord 10   7 Y of Rbnd Lace  111  70
80
3 Y of Pa Cambric.  1/6  56
56
5 Trimming 3/-- 1.87  5 Y of Teinig  15  75
2.62
263 Y of Ribbon 7/  2/13  1 Pc Wire. 20
2.83
9.19
34.14
Int from 1 Jany '58
7.01
Rec'd/ of T. J. Portis* admor ofEst Wm A Spears
43.15
Forty-three 15/100 Doll in full -- of the above acct
E. M. Perine
June7  1860
by I. B. Joyner
*[JohnM. Gwin Note: Anna M. Gayle Frye in her Memories of Old Cahaba,reports on page 21:
"In 1853 Mr.Thomas J. Portis was Principal of theAcademy. He afterwards became one of the most prominent lawyers and influentialcitizens of Cahaba, where he resided until after the Civil War. In 1857-58Professor Town became Principal.  In 1860 Mrs. Roberson and Mrs. Adams,two accomplished ladies, had it in charge..."
Mr. Portis is listed on the statement of accountas the Administrator of the Estate of William A. Spears.]

 
 

Above:  This smaller version of the back of the statementshows where it was folded into vertical quarters and perhaps stored ina standing file of paid accounts. The text reads:

No. 65
M. F. Spears
To
E. M Perine
43.15
June 7. 1860