Establishing Accounts with Bosseron

From account book records kept by Francis Bosseron, a French merchant and mayor of Vincennes, it is easy to imagine Helm’s first few days at the Fort. After arriving on September 25th, Helm established accounts both for the United States troops and for himself. Bosseron records purchases of “365 1/2 pounds of beef at 10 s”, “2 prs shoes at 50 s” (September 28) and “2 pounds of powder” (September 30) which were “Furnished to Captain Helm for the Company of the States.” For himself, Helm purchased “1 hat...50 livres” and “1 pack of cards....3 livres” on October 20th and “1 overcoat...95 livres” and “1 penknife...3 livres” on November 1st.