Series 505: Territorial Auditor Accounts Ledgers. 1803-1819.

Creator: Territorial Auditor (RG 3).

Collection Summary: Two accounts ledgers used throughout a range of years itemizing territorial accounts payable and paid, and often maintaining an ongoing balance carried over from one accounting period to the next. The ledgers are set up to show accounts classified by department or individual with a breakdown of the accounts’ debits and credits. Payee’s name, warrant numbers and amounts, and certifying authorities are registered, although generally the column headings are not identified, and it is often difficult to determine exactly what information has been listed. Occasionally, there are folio citations whereby accounts can be tracked. The receipts and expenditures of the territorial government reveal its concerns with procuring revenue through fair taxation, maintaining the peace through a well-armed militia, adjudicating the inevitable disputes among its citizens, and caring for the sick and poor. The overlap in dates between the two ledgers may possibly be due to a continuation of one ledger to the next, or to each ledger showing different accounts. During rebinding by this Department in the early 1900s, each ledger was given the cover title “Mississippi Territory, Auditor’s Record” with comprehensive dates.

Access Restrictions: Access to original materials is limited due to age and fragility. A microfilm copy is available.

Date(s): 1803-1819.

Volume: 0.50 Cubic Feet.

Finding Aid Created By: Colby Cox in April 2025.

Related Materials: TBD.

Record Group History: The Mississippi Territorial Auditor was a positioned created by the Territorial Legislature on March 1, 1806. The Auditor was to be appointed by the Territorial Governor and granted the authority to examine all public accounts for the Mississippi Territory and conduct investigations into the use of the Territory’s funds. The auditor was also authorized to issue treasury warrants for the payment of public debts.

Collection Inventory:

Box Content	Box/Microfilm Number
1803-1815	122 (Microfilm #1392)
1805-1819	123 (Microfilm #1392)