Dec. 15th, 1862 Tredick Swinerton Gilman 25 Cents Merchant Scrip - Green Type - UNC Remainder - Union NH Twenty Five Cent Obsolete Note

This listing is for the photographed Dec. 15th, 1862, John Tredick, C.E. Swinerton, and J.P. Gilman 25 Cents Obsolete Merchant Scrip Remainder Note. This is a remainder note, meaning that it was never circulated, as identified by lack of signature and serial number. Located in Union, New Hampshire. The printed issue date for this note is December 15th, 1862. This note was printed in green, differentiating it from the similar red 25 cents scrip note by the same merchants. A vignette printed on the left end features a horse pulling a carriage, printed vertically. Uncirculated (UNC) grade/condition, no signs of circulation, crisp note! Interesting and rarer obsolete note in excellent condition! Must have for any collection!

This scrip note would be used similar to a modern-day coupon, giving the customer a discount of the determined amount off of their purchase of more than 1 dollar at the merchant's store. Scrip notes were popularly used during the Civil War and the aftermath of the economic panic of 1857 in an attempt to boost sales for local businesses. 

John Tredick, Charles E. Swinerton, and Joseph P. Gilman were all merchants who operated stores in Union, New Hampshire during the early 1860s. Joseph P. Gilman opened his grocery store in 1860, using his connections to merchants in Portsmouth and Boston to supply his store. He continued to successfully operate his store until he retired in 1900, he died the next year in 1901.

John Tredick was the brother of a fellow merchant Thomas Tredick of Portsmouth, NH, who likely introduced him to the trade at a young age. Tredick moved to Union in the early 1840s, opening his own country store that sold various dry goods, groceries, hardware, patent medicines, and possibly liquor. Tredick was also politically active on the local level, being appointed Postmaster of Union in 1848, serving until 1857. He was also reappointed to the position later on in 1861, serving until 1866. While he was Postmaster, his storefront also acted as the location of the town post office, bringing a new customer base to his business. By 1870 Tredick sold his store, moving to Brentsville, Virginia and purchasing a farm and remaining there until his death in 1880. 

Charles E. Swinerton was the son of a prominent physician in Union, NH, John L. Swinerton. He opened his country store in the late 1850s in the town. He was an active member of the Democratic party, even briefly replacing John Tredick as Postmaster of the town from 1857 to 1861. In 1865 Charles and his brother, John R. Swinerton, moved to Boston, MA, opening their own business selling flour and grain at 16 Canal St. The business partnership dissolved in 1872, after which he opened his own store at 213 State St where he sold tea and tobacco. Swinerton spent the rest of his life selling tea and various other imported goods in both Union and Boston until his death in 1903. 

For a brief time in 1862, these three successful businessmen operating their own individual stores in Union decided to pursue a joint venture in issuing these scrip notes to promote each of their stores during a time of economic unrest. 

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Dec. 15th, 1862 Tredick Swinerton Gilman 25 Cents Merchant Scrip - Green Type - UNC Remainder - Union NH Twenty Five Cent Obsolete Note