Jolliff & Son Mercantile

10/14/2026

MERCHANT’S SCALE
$350

We have lately acquired a mid-nineteenth-century cast-iron balance-beam scale by Messrs. Stuart & Peterson of Philadelphia, one of the finest examples we have seen.

David Stuart and Richard Peterson operated the Spring Garden Iron Foundry on Willow Street above Thirteenth. Their business grew out of the foundry of William Penn Cresson, continuing under their names following his retirement in 1857.

From these works came stoves, kettles, pots, waffle irons, mills, and a considerable variety of household and commercial iron goods. An account published in 1868 describes an establishment employing about 300 workmen and consuming some 4,000 tons of iron each year. Counter scales are expressly named among its manufactures.

Such scales served the merchant’s counter, with goods upon one side and separate weights upon the other, the beam brought carefully to balance. A pound was expected to be a pound, and a merchant’s reputation depended upon it.

This example is remarkably similar in form and function to the nineteenth-century scales recovered from the steamboat Arabia, which sank in the Missouri River in 1856. These surviving pieces offer a wonderful glimpse into the everyday commerce of antebellum America.

10/10/2026

Should we offer an officers sash?

Maybe something with a slightly different style tassels than our commercially currently offered?
—

William Teed Officer Sash

This crimson sash belonged to Major William J. Teed, 8th Missouri Cavalry; Teed was mustered into service on July 1, 1862, at Springfield, Missouri. The 8th Missouri Cavalry was organized in Springfield in September under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Elias Briggs Baldwin. Major Teed was wounded in the spine during a skirmish with guerrillas on December 12, 1863, at Duvall’s Bluff, Arkansas. In August 1864, he was declared unfit for military service and resigned his commission.

After resigning his commission, he purchased a half interest in the Patriot, a weekly newspaper in Springfield, Missouri. Later he moved to Chicago, Illinois, where he worked on daily newspapers until he retired in 1905. Major Teed died on December 10, 1915, in Courtenay, Florida.

On December 7, 1862, the 8th Missouri Cavalry took part in the Battle of Prairie Grove, Arkansas; they were then ordered to occupy Huntsville, Arkansas, where they became known for their participation in the “Huntsville Massacre.” In January 1863, Lieutenant Colonel Baldwin ordered nine Southerners being held for unknown reasons to be executed; eight were killed and one left for dead. Baldwin was later arrested and charged for the killings, but was never brought to trial because of the unavailability of witnesses. He was dismissed from the army.

This crimson sash belonged to Major William J. Teed, 8th Missouri Cavalry; Teed was mustered into service on July 1, 1862, at Springfield, Missouri. The 8th Missouri Cavalry was organized in Springfield in September under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Elias Briggs Baldwin. Major Teed was wounded...

10/09/2026

Next time you find Jolliff & Son in the field at Prairie Grove, we shall have a small supply of Federal Army buttons for caps and coats, in assorted sizes and styles.

Pictured here are a few dragoon buttons being put to use on our uniform for this weekend’s tours at Fort Towson. We also have artillery, cavalry, and general service buttons from several makers, including some remaining stock from sutlers who have retired from the field.

If your coat is a button short, come see us!

10/09/2026

Fort Gibson Historic Site is a special place with a long history for the Jolliff’s. It’s full of exciting stories throughout the 19th century.

On this day in history, 8 October 1832, Washington Irving and Henry Ellsworth arrived at Fort Gibson. Ellsworth noted the buildings looked deteriorated (after only 8 years of use), and that they had to use nails in the wall to hang up their clothes. This detail is recreated in our civilian quarters palisade room.

To learn more about Irving and the ranger, please come out and see our Saturday living history programs on 17, 24, and 31 October. Check out details with the link down below

https://www.facebook.com/events/1536443181141953

10/05/2026

Were you wondering what was in that brown paper parcel the other day?

A small run of new common work shirts has arrived at Jolliff & Son.

These are the familiar three-button, square-cut style, period machine sewn with the buttonholes finished by hand. They are made for us by one of our expert contractors in Nebraska using B&B Tart cotton fabrics.

Among the lot are Rockingham Gray, Newport Navy, and a rather handsome special blue print all from Tart, some no longer available from him like the blue print.

There will only be a few shirts in each cloth and limited sizes. They’ll be coming with us to Prairie Grove this December.

Now we’ve got to get the labels and packaging together so they look properly at home amongst the goods of the Mercantile.

(Pardon the wrinkles, store clerk left for California with the iron, he’s due to return.) B. Tart

Common Shirt $150.
Blue Print: Medium
Gray & Navy: Large

10/05/2026

(Make sure to visit the Arabia Steamboat Museum this month of October! - They plan to close & relocate. )

Our tinsmith is at the bench working on a copy of the tin cup found attached to the saddle on a mule aboard the steamboat Arabia, sunk in 1856.

Others have reproduced this style of cup over the years, but we thought we would give our own smith a try at it.

We shall see how it turns out. More to come from the Mercantile as we prepare for Prairie Grove, Arkansas.

10/04/2026

A little sewing in the mercantile this weekend.

Does anyone else find a bit of hand sewing a rather agreeable way to pass the time? There is something mighty satisfying in the steady work of needle and thread.

This afternoon we are putting lieutenant’s rank upon a jeancloth frock coat, using some old gold bullion lace removed from a retired dragoon coat dating to the late war with Mexico.

Good material ought not be wasted, particularly in these times. A bit of old military lace, still perfectly serviceable, may yet find honorable employment upon a new coat.

Such things are used, altered, passed along, and used again. We suspect this old bullion looks just as well today as when it first saw service.

A quiet days work at Jolliff & Son Mercantile.
-We carry a variety of scissors ✂️ for every need.

10/03/2026

We will be attending but just to volunteer. Grab your tickets if you’re in the area!

Doaksville Candlelight Tours

Friday, October 9
Saturday, October 10th

Tours every 30 minutes starting at 7 p.m.
Last tour at 9:30 p.m.
Tours last 45 mins. to an hour
*Terrain is rugged*

First come, first served!
Reserve your spot today by calling 580-873-2634 or emailing [email protected]

Admission: $12 per person
Kids 6 and under Free!

For more information call 580-873-2634
email [email protected]
or visit okhistory.org/forttowson

10/03/2026

There is nothing quite like a skillet of fried apples alongside a hearty breakfast.

It is one of our favored dishes at home, and just as welcome when cooking in the field. A good cast-iron skillet, a generous bit of butter, a heap of sliced apples, and a little sugar are about all that is required. Let them cook down until tender and browned, and there are few finer treats to start the day.

Simple fare, to be sure, but mighty good fare.

10/03/2026

A fine day’s gathering! We have picked a bushel of Arkansas Black apples, a handsome, dark-skinned variety well suited to c***r and winter keeping. We hope to have a portion remaining to bring along to Prairie Grove in December.

Make sure to put in your order for Prairie Grove care packages!