(PENNSYLVANIA.) Time book of the Birmingham Iron Works in Pittsburgh. [49] manuscript ledger pages. Folio, 16 3/4 x 10 1/2 inches, original 1/2 calf, moderate wear and soiling; a few leaves reinforced with tape at edges, rehinged with tape. [Pittsburgh, PA], 1836-1841
The Birmingham Iron Works was a rolling mill which began operation in 1836, and this labor log began the same year. For the first 5 pages, individual ledger entries are attempted for each worker. From 1837 onward, names are recorded in grids showing the daily attendance or fractional days worked by each man. The men were paid from 25 cents to $1.37 per day as of 1836. The men's jobs are occasionally listed: shingler, heater, refiner, roller, blacksmith, puddler.
The works was owned by the firm of Hoge & Hartman. Laid into the time book is a smaller unbound volume, 12 pages, 15 1/4 x 6 1/2 inches, titled "Balance of Property, Debts, Goods, & Chattels of the Firm of Hoge & Hartman, Iron manufacturers, Pittsburgh," 2 January 1840. The Birmingham Iron Works remained in operation at least through 1876, when it was reported to be in bankruptcy.
