Morton Jett Papers, 1926-1975

Collection Overview

Title: Morton Jett Papers, 1926-1975

Creator: Jett, Morton (1895-1976)

Extent: 1.32 Cubic Feet

Arrangement: Receipts and other papers were found throughout the ledgers, and these materials were removed to folders at the beginning of the collection to prevent further damage to the papers. Receipts that were fastened into the ledger were left where they were fastened as they related to the accounts on that page.

Date Acquired: 07/23/2008

Languages: English [eng]

Scope and Contents of the Materials

These ledgers from the Morton Jett Grocery Store in Athol, Kentucky illustrate economic life in depression-era and early World War II era Appalachia. The entries itemize all purchases and payments made by each family. These records show not only the necessities that were purchased during the Great Depression, but also the barter system that was in place throughout the mid twentieth century in this small Breathitt County Community.

Biographical Note

Administrative Information

Acquisition Source: Gross, Janet

Acquisition Method: gift

Box and Folder Listing

Box 1

Barcode: 31234014045130

Folder 1: Correspondence, 1931-1975: Letters written to Morton or Mary Jett relating to store business, the farm operation or family and friends.
Folder 2: Insurance, 1963-1968: Documents relating to auto, farm and home insurance policies.
Folder 3: IOUs, 1935-1951: Lose IOUs for goods purchased in the store or for cash that was borrowed from Mr. Jett.
Folder 4: Miscellaneous: Advertising materials, campaign cards, a photograph of an unidentified man, blank Morton Jett letterhead. Of particular interest is a small flyer titled "Food is a Weapon," apparently from World War II.
Folder 5: Receipts, 1927-1964: Various tax receipts, bank receipts, promissory notes, and other miscellaneous receipts. Also included is a small set of cancelled checks written for labor in 1930 and 1931.
Folder 6: Ledger, 1926-1929: Store Ledgers from the Jett Grocery
Folder 7: Ledger, 1930-1931: Store Ledgers from the Jett Grocery
Folder 8: Ledger, 1927-1938: Store Ledgers from the Jett Grocery
Folder 9: Ledger, 1939-1941: Store Ledgers from the Jett Grocery

Box 2

Barcode: 31234014045148

Folder 1: Ledger, 1940-1942: Store Ledgers from the Jett Grocery
Folder 2: Ledger, 1942-1944: Store Ledgers from the Jett Grocery
Folder 3: Ledger, 1953-1954: Store Ledgers from the Jett Grocery

Box 3

Barcode: 31234014045155

Folder 1: Ledger, 1954-1958: Store Ledgers from the Jett Grocery
Folder 2: Ledger, 1959-1962: Store Ledgers from the Jett Grocery
Folder 3: Ledger, 1963-1964: Store Ledgers from the Jett Grocery