Smithsonian vouchers reveal JM to SM Bernett initial change in Mount Pisgah purchases. Researcher found financial records at the Smithsonian that were misfiled in a box marked Wyoming Records from 1860 to 1883 documenting Bureau of American Ethnology purchases Bureau of Ethnology spent over $20,000 annually in 1883
A researcher uncovered misfiled Smithsonian financial records from 1860-1883 documenting Bureau of American Ethnology purchases, originally stored in a box marked Wyoming. The vouchers show John Emmert paid $30 on April 19, 1883 to "JM Bernett," then $22 on May 21 to "SM Bernett" for 15 soapstone specimens. Cyrus Thomas's own handwriting shows the initial change. Secretary Spencer Baird certified the vouchers, and disbursing agent John McChesney handled payments. Purchases were reclassified from "ethnologic specimens" to "soapstone specimens."
Key Facts
- Researcher found financial records at the Smithsonian that were misfiled in a box marked Wyoming
- Records from 1860 to 1883 documenting Bureau of American Ethnology purchases
- Bureau of Ethnology spent over $20,000 annually in 1883
- John Emmert earned $75 per month as ethnologic assistant
- April 19, 1883: $30 paid for artifacts labeled 'ethnologic specimens' to JM Bernett
- May 21, 1883: $22 paid for 15 soapstone specimens signed by SM Bernett
- Cyrus Thomas's own handwriting shows SM Bernett on the second receipt
- Spencer Baird, secretary of the Smithsonian, certified the vouchers as authentic true copies
- Disbursing agent was John McChesney for North American ethnology
- Purchases changed classification from 'ethnologic specimens' to 'soapstone specimens'
- Receipts wrapped in a red ribbon and misfiled with Wyoming land purchase records
Related site: Garden Creek site — view location, images, and history on the Ancient Nerds map.
Source: The Roundtable Chronicles - Ep. 26 by Institute for Natural Philosophy